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Goodwill Plantation Website

February 24, 2012

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Web Site Logo for Goodwill Plantation South Carolina

It was back in 1888 when the mother and father of Nancy Carrier, Rockbrook’s founder, used $100,000 to buy the Goodwill Plantation down in central South Carolina. This is where Nancy was born and lived until she moved to the mountains of North Carolina, where Rockbrook Camp is currently located. Two of the smaller cabins from the plantation were eventually moved to Rockbrook when the camp was established in 1921. These are the Goodwill cabin and the Curosty cabin. Now there is news that the current owner of the Goodwill Plantation, Larry Faulkenberry, is restoring many of the plantation buildings, making them available for guided tours and even vacation accommodations. He has reconstructed the Millhouse using the original 1760 cast iron waterwheel and millstones. There is a 4-bedroom Lodge overlooking the 80-acre millpond, nature trails and other historic buildings. Visiting the plantation is by appointment only, so check out the Web site to find out more.

Goodwill Plantation Heyward House
Goodwill Plantation Water Wheel
Goodwill Plantation Original Cabins

Nancy Carrier, P.T. Barnum and The New York Times 1888

October 25, 2010

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While doing some research for the Rockbrook archives we came across this fascinating article printed in The New York Times in 1888.  It is another written source that connects Rockbrook, Goodwill Cabin, Goodwill Plantation, Nancy Carrier and P.T. Barnum.  What an interesting history!

P.T. Barnum's gift to his grandaughter, Nancy Clarke, Goodwill Plantation
The New York Times, October 24, 1888

Barnum’s Gift To A Granddaughter.

From the Columbia (S.C.) Register. October 18

It is evident that the renowned P.T. Barnum has a good opinion of South Carolina real estate, for he has recently given to his granddaughter, the wife of Henry P. Clarke, $100,000 for the purpose of buying and equipping the noted “Goodwill” plantation, which was formerly owned by the late Judge Edward Elliot Huger.  The transfer of the property took place yesterday.  Mr. Clarke owns another plantation near Eastover, where they have resided for several years.  “Goodwill” is one of the finest estates in the South, containing upward of 7000 acres, including a magnificent water power.  Several hundred acres of the richest river bottoms are protected from overflow by a levee extending for five miles along the banks of the Wateree River.  The other improvements on the property are  upon the same scale.

Right around the time that Nancy Barnum Clarke and Henry Clarke received their gift from P.T. Barnum they also purchased 300 acres in Brevard that would later become Rockbrook Camp. Their daughter Nancy Clarke Carrier grew up spending time between Brevard and Goodwill Plantation.  She founded Rockbrook in 1921 and brought two buildings from Goodwill Plantation to the camp property.  Goodwill and Curosty are central to the heart of camp and are still in use today.  What an amazing gift from P.T. Barnum!

The History of Goodwill

May 13, 2010

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Rustic log cabin at Rockbrook Camp
Goodwill Cabin - Rockbrook Camp, Brevard, NC

In 1895, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Peck Clarke, formerly of Connecticut, purchased over 800 acres in Transylvania County on which they built their mountain estate.  On this site, their daughter Nancy Clarke Carrier and her husband Henry established Rockbrook Camp for Girls in 1921.   One of the more interesting facts about Mrs. Carrier is that she was the great granddaughter of PT Barnum, of circus fame.  Many circus artifacts were on display in the Carrier House, and thrilled many a camper, such as the chair of Tom Thumb and many lovely home furnishings.

This circus history also has a direct link to the building known as Goodwill.   The circus winter residence was Columbia, SC and was located next to the Goodwill Plantation.  When Nancy Carrier was visiting the area she fell in love with the beautiful hand hewn chestnut log cabins located on the property, and was given the opportunity to bring two of them to Brevard to make them part of her mountain estate.  She restored the 200 year old cabins to their original beauty and made them part of the center of camp life.  The buildings were named Goodwill and Curosty (the mountain word for crafts) and both are still in use by the campers and remain a part of Rockbrook’s proud history.