NEWS FROM THE UPPER DORCHESTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
From Phyllis Hughes, President

JOSEPH KOGER HOUSE
October 7, 2007
 
Our society recently completed Phase I of the restoration of the  Koger House (circa 1790's). It is the oldest house in Upper Dorchester County.  It was the home of Joseph Koger, Senator, First Sheriff of Colleton County,  etc.
Gavin mentions visiting the Koger's in Mississippi. Joseph Koger left  SC around 1830's and moved to Mississippi. In Mississippi he became know as the  "father of the senate".

The house is constructed of black cypress hand hewn  boards held together with wooden pegs. In the attic you can see the roman  numerals carved in the rafters and pegs as long as 16" holding them all  together.  Very little has been changed in the interior. The only room that was  attempted to update was on the back of the house. They actually tried to put in 
plumbing. We call this the kitchen. This room will take the most work to  restore.

The main structure of the house has 4 huge rooms and 2 large rooms in  the attic. In the main structure of the house there are 21 windows, 9 panes over  9 panes of glass. Eighteen families donated the restoration costs of each window  in honor or memory of a loved one. A bronze nameplate will be placed in the  window for each family. On November 18, 2007 at 3:00 PM we will have an  unveiling of the windows and opening the house to the public for the first time  since restoration. This will give people a chance to see the house in the raw  before anything is done. One of the windows was purchased in memory of Major  David Gavin 1811-1874.  (See more information and links about the Koger house here).  Use your back button to return.
 
We are also working on a book recording the St. George Cemetery and a  pictorial directory of the oldest homes in UDC.
 
Phyllis Hughes

The David Gavin diaries are available through the Upper Dorchester County Historical Society.  This publication includes the David Gavin diaries housed at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, plus his 1845 diary describing his trip from St. George, South Carolina to Mississippi. 

The cost is $50.00 (includes shipping and handling)  Please mail your check payable to the Upper Dorchester County Historical Society, PO Box 15, Dorchester, SC 29437.  The book will be mailed priority to you.
Proceeds will go toward future preservation of Dorchester County historic sites.

These diaries have been used for decades by Dorchester County genealogical researchers, as it is a Who's Who for St. George and lowcountry South Carolina, 1855-1874.  It also allows a unique opportunity for a window into the everyday lives of our ancestors, white or black. 

The Society membership is open now and for charter membership status until April 15th, 2004.  The dues are $25 per year or $250 for lifetime membership.  After April 15th membership dues will be the same but they will not be considered Charter members.  Dues and application requests can be made to:
 

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