Southern Dreams Book Series

​Southern Dreams, a collection of stories on their own of rhapsodies and struggles of the Bellamead family living on the Bella Oak Plantation established in 1844 in South Carolina. Each generation of the Bellamead family chronicles events that weave the years to unite the tapestry of life.

Crossways Plantation

The Plantation home used in the cover art for Southern Dreams book Series

History of Crossways, Aiken SC
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Distinctly Southern and an integral part of Aiken, SC history, Crossways was built before the incorporation of Aiken, before the Hitchcock’s and the Winter Colony put Aiken on the map, and before John Gary Evans belted out his acceptance speech for the nomination to the office of governor from the second story balcony.
Circa 1815, Crossways was built by the burgeoning cotton industry that flourished before the Civil War. The home was the centerpiece of a 368 acre cotton plantation in what was then the Barnwell District. Though little is known about the property prior to the Civil War, in 1868 it was purchased by James L Derby, a New York publisher and partner in the Aiken Land Improvement Company. Derby was partially responsible for the creation of the Winter Colony in Aiken. Derby moved his family to Aiken in 1868. The property at that point had been sold down to 25 acres and was often referred to as Derby Farm or Derby Mansion. In Aiken, Derby indulged his great fondness for agricultural pursuits. With a climate that was ideal for growing strawberries early and over a long season – Derby reaped substantial rewards by bringing his crop to the NY market well in advance of the competition.
By 1870, J.C. Derby must have tired of his agricultural adventures as he designed “The Great Premium Land Sale”. The idea was to sell 19,000 ticket-certificates at $5 apiece. Each ticket-certificate earned a “shareholder” the chance to win one of 95 prizes. The First Prize was The Derby Mansion with 25 acres – valued at $25,000! It’s unclear as to whether The Great Sale was completed as conceived but, we do know the Derby Mansion with 25 acres was sold to Henry Watkins in 1872. The Watkins owned the property until 1875, when they sold the home and 25 acres to Edward Henry.

Henry was from Boston, but he was a Southern sympathizer and had settled for a time in Charleston. Here he met his future wife, Harriet Lythgoe, and became a shipbuilder and blockade runner. Mrs. Henry is said to have sometimes been “hiding aboard”, concealed when on trips to the Bahamas and other places. The Henrys had no children. Both are buried in the Baptist Cemetery in Aiken.
For several years the home was occupied, but not owned by John Gary Evans. Evans served in the SC House and Senate and was elected Governor in 1894. It is on the second story veranda in the front of the house, that Evans is said to have delivered his nomination acceptance speech to a crowd of locals.

In 1899 the home and 30 acres was acquired from the estate of Mrs. Henry by a prominent Aiken dentist, H.G. Ray for $5,500. The family of George Monroe was known to have lived in the home in the early 1900’s. It seems the name “Crossways” came into being about this time. It has been suggested to stem from the irregular, crossways setting of the home on the property.
Ray sold the property in 1927 for $40,000 to Arthur Young, an accountant and business man. Arthur Young founded Arthur Young & Company, an international accounting firm which ultimately has become part of the Ernest & Young firm. Young spent another $35,000 doing major additions and changes to the home as reported in local news of 1927. He entertained frequently during his “Winter Colony” stays. It is reported that at such functions, since Young went deaf at a young age, that each place-setting included paper and pencil for communication with the host. Young died in 1948 after which the property was sold to P.J. Boatwright, a cotton merchant.
The Boatwright’s desired to have their four children nearby and deeded lots facing Banks Mill Road to each; shrinking the property to 2 acres as the housing boom demanded land for families coming to Aiken. In 1954, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Sanders from Dallas, Texas came to Aiken with the Savannah River Plant and acquired the home. Mr. Sanders was part of the Atomic Energy Commissions’ Manhattan Project.

In 1987 the home was sold to Canadians, William & Leslie Stirling as a winter residence. Mr. Stirling was a retired horse trainer. While Mrs. Stirling enjoyed reworking the home and gardens, Mr. Stirling took the task of documenting the house’s history and significance and got it placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1996.

In 1998 Wisconsin transplants, Patrick & Gail Pratt purchased the property. The Pratt’s both had long healthcare careers and lived full-time at Crossways. Patrick continued to work as the Pharmacy Director of Doctors Hospital-Augusta and Gail “retired” from radiology to become an innkeeper. They opened their home as “Crossways Plantation Bed & Breakfast”. They could accommodate a maximum of 12 guests nightly. The business ran successfully until 2006 when health issues forced its closure. During this ownership period, the home was shared with many appreciative local and worldly travelers alike.

In 2007, Bob & Jane Hottensen, also from Wisconsin purchased the property as a winter retreat. Their home base was NYC, where they raised their three children. They also owned a weekend home in Millbrook, N.Y. Golf and horses and the high tales told by their friends back in Millbrook about this Southern enclave of culture first attracted them to Aiken.

On a weekend visit to Aiken, The Hottensen’s decided to poke around some real estate and before they knew it, they owned a winter retreat. One of the things that immediately appealed to them was the fact the home had not been altered. None of the ceilings had been dropped nor fireplaces covered by walls for energy efficiency. The classic colonial-style stairs with the gentle curve have never been moved or turned or touched by any carpenter but the original.

With continued respect to Crossways, the Hottensen’s undertook the most ambitious recent renovations, including annexation of several residential lots around Crossways. Their efforts have integrated the home into a much larger presentation – fitting of its name – Crossways Plantation.

Over 200 years old now, Crossways represents the grace, ease and elegance of a time past.

Coming Soon