The family hub, that was the Haley House during its heyday. So many memories, so many stories, such characters……..
The house is gone, and in its place is a utilitarian laundromat, a plain rectangular building which screams ” utilitarian ! “. No class, no character, no personality, no warmth. Sad, sad replacement for a home with all its history.
There’s a story there, too, starting with the ending.
When my grandfather died, his oldest daughter, Josephine Haley Pulliam ( divorced ) , and his youngest daughter, Marie Haley Williams ( widowed ) were living with him, and they inherited the house. Upon their deaths, one niece, the only daughter of the third Haley sister, inherited the house. So very Southern , this daughter -of -the -daughter tradition.
And if the daughter -of -the -daughter chose not to live in the house, it was to be torn down. So, torn down it was——–and such a shame ! Beautiful old home with parlor, living room, sitting room, breakfast room, dining room , 4 bedrooms , 3 baths and a wrap-around porch , resting comfortably on the corner of Hwy. 17 and Brookwood.
And this house’s very special trademark was hospitality for so many for so many, many years !
One true story is that in the glory days of textiles in the South, the cotton mill owned by the Shuford family in North Carolina was a thriving industry and served many Franklin County residents by offering steady employment, and in some instances, housing. A newcomer, Doug Williamson, had just been brought in as the President/CEO of this particular mill.
He had some business to do with my grandfather, W.S. Haley, and instead of seeing him at his office, Daddy Seab suggested that Doug drop by the house at about noon. He did and was greatly surprised to see the table set for 12. He was told that that was the order of the day five days a week at the Haley House. The table was always set for 12, and any and all were invited for lunch. Many came , family and friends alike, when the Southern Cotton Oil Company noon whistle blew . Doug told people , far and wide , that he had never seen anything like it……………….
Open house was an on-going affair, especially during holidays. Christmas Day was special. Following the family tree and dinner, friends and acquaintances of family members were invited to an open house for meeting, greeting, and eating. Thanks to Charlie May, housekeeper and anchor, it was carried out without a blip.
But speaking of Christmas, the family gift-giving was at 11:00 sharp to be followed by dinner ( dinner was dinner in the middle of the day, not lunch ). If a family member died before 11:00, he/she was brought by hearse to the Haley House because no family member was ever allowed to be late or, Heaven forbid, miss it entirely !!!!!!! Everyone gave gifts to everyone else, carols were sung, prayers and blessings were said ! A fine time was had by all…………..
Perhaps the most meaningful Christmas Day was noted during WWII. Two paratroopers from the Band of Brothers stationed at Camp Toccoa were invited to the Haley House to celebrate Christmas. They entertained my cousins and me by teaching us how to fall and roll without injuring ourselves. I have no idea who they were, but I know this : Christmas meant more to our family and to these two paratroopers than any other year because we all became family, or more to the point, became our very own Band of Brothers.
Haley House hospitality : celebrations, christenings, family memorials , wedding receptions, bridge games , sing-alongs , poker games, bridal parties, engagement parties, ” any reason ” parties————all done with a spirit of giving and gratefulness for God’s many blessings to, and on, the Haley House.
The Haley House is gone, but, oh, the memories linger on !
The Haley/Toney house still is a welcoming place to many.
Thank you, but nothing like what used to be. The Haleys were an outgoing, opinionated, gregarious, and generous clan.
I was young, but I have fond memories of the Haley House when Marie and Josephine were there. My Mom, Virginia, and Marie were good friends and we visited the house quite often. I remember that big, beautiful Iris bed out back in the garden. Some of those beautiful Iris were given to my Mom and replanted at my Lavonia house on Hartwell Road. The Haley House was was quite the place where lifelong memories were fostered…..♥️
Thank you, Patty. I , too , remember the friendships. The Iris were my Aunt Josephine’s ( Chee-chee to me ) pride and joy. And they were truly like a burst of Heaven. Thanks for sharing your memories……
I have many precious memories of being invited to the Haley House when I was a little girl! It was such a treat when someone played the piano and sang The Whiffenpoof Song and Ramblin’ Wreck! Very different from my sweet Grandparents, but I loved it all.
Right on ! I taught our grands the Whiffenpoof song when they were pre-puberty. Such a great sing-along. And Ranblin’ Wreck was the first song I learned even before Jesus Loves Me. Am torn with tonight’s game with Daddy’s Tech connection and my fond recollections of grad school at Clemson. So happy that you share memories with me. Thank you for being you, always.
Why can’t I get past the ending? Who would want the gorgeous, historic house destroyed because no family would live in it? It seems incongruous to the giving and sharing nature of your family. A real head scratcher!
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Who knows ? The Haleys were bright, earthy, gregarious, and well-educated ( 5 of the 6 children attending college in the 1920s ). But they were also proud, and sometimes pride is a cousin to selfishness. If I had to guess, I would say that they felt that nobody could love that house or use that house the way they did——and the way they wanted. It was also interesting that my cousin, Barbara, who was heir to the house, died before Marie which threw it to her three children. However, my cousin Josephine, and I were co-executors, so the will of the will was carried out.
Beautiful memories, Diane, even the bittersweet ones! I’ve told the stories I know about the Haley House many times. Thank you for this.
Thank you, Rusty ! It was a special time and a special family. The stories don’t need to be lost, for sure.
I have enjoyed reading about your wonderful memories of the
Haley House! I remember a beautiful party there before I married.
Thanks for a nice memory of your family’s lovely home.
And thank you ! Those were the days, for sure, and your family was as much a part of the delightful culture as any other. Hope you are doing well. Looking forward to your next trip down. I appreciate your reading and commenting.