Briars
a.k.a. Briers
SW of Natchez, Natchez, MSLocated on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River southwest of Natchez is The Briars, the most fully developed and sophisticated example of the long, low "undercut" architectural form indigenous to the lower Mississippi Valley. This regional idiom is characterized by a range of nearly square rooms placed between broad front and rear verandas which are invariably set into the building's volume. Usually considered vernacular, this form reached its most elegant architectural expression at The Briars. The residence is also significant for being the setting, in 1845, of the marriage of Jefferson Davis and Varina Howell.
On October 30, 1818, John Perkins (1781-1866) gained title to "that tract of land about 1 mile below the old Spanish Fort Panmure in the city of Natchez containing 99 acres" (Deed Book K:232). Shortly thereafter he began construction of a dwelling house (Rainwater, p. 976), where he settled after his marriage that same year to a Mrs. Bynum. A native of Somerset County, Maryland, Perkins had migrated to Natchez ca. 1802, and during the next thirty years he amassed a large fortune from 18,000 acres of cotton-producing land in the Louisiana Delta. About 1816, he was appointed parish judge of Concordia, Louisiana. Upon his wife's death in 1824, Perkins offered his house for sale, describing it as "The New and pleasant Situation called the BRIARS." Confident of its excellent reputation, he continued, "The situation is so well known, that a particular description is deemed unnecessary" (Mississippi Republican, December 1, 1824). The property was not sold, however, until 1833, one year after Perkins had moved to Lowndes County, Mississippi, where he remained for the rest of his life. It was during this latter period that Perkins established three separate endowments for the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, thus becoming a noted benefactor of that institution.
From 1828 until 1850, The Briars was rented to William Burr Howell (1795-1863), New Jersey governor Richard Howell's fourth son, who moved to Natchez ca. 1815 and became engaged in merchandising and planting. In 1823, he married Margaret Kempe, and the couple lived with her family at "Kempeton," near Natchez, until the destruction of that residence by fire in 1828 caused Howell to move his young family to The Briars. It was here that Varina Banks Howell (1826-1906) spent her childhood (McIntosh, p. 124), and in the drawing room at The Briars, on February 26, 1845, Varina Howell married Jefferson Davis.
Local significance of the building:
On October 30, 1818, John Perkins (1781-1866) gained title to "that tract of land about 1 mile below the old Spanish Fort Panmure in the city of Natchez containing 99 acres" (Deed Book K:232). Shortly thereafter he began construction of a dwelling house (Rainwater, p. 976), where he settled after his marriage that same year to a Mrs. Bynum. A native of Somerset County, Maryland, Perkins had migrated to Natchez ca. 1802, and during the next thirty years he amassed a large fortune from 18,000 acres of cotton-producing land in the Louisiana Delta. About 1816, he was appointed parish judge of Concordia, Louisiana. Upon his wife's death in 1824, Perkins offered his house for sale, describing it as "The New and pleasant Situation called the BRIARS." Confident of its excellent reputation, he continued, "The situation is so well known, that a particular description is deemed unnecessary" (Mississippi Republican, December 1, 1824). The property was not sold, however, until 1833, one year after Perkins had moved to Lowndes County, Mississippi, where he remained for the rest of his life. It was during this latter period that Perkins established three separate endowments for the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, thus becoming a noted benefactor of that institution.
From 1828 until 1850, The Briars was rented to William Burr Howell (1795-1863), New Jersey governor Richard Howell's fourth son, who moved to Natchez ca. 1815 and became engaged in merchandising and planting. In 1823, he married Margaret Kempe, and the couple lived with her family at "Kempeton," near Natchez, until the destruction of that residence by fire in 1828 caused Howell to move his young family to The Briars. It was here that Varina Banks Howell (1826-1906) spent her childhood (McIntosh, p. 124), and in the drawing room at The Briars, on February 26, 1845, Varina Howell married Jefferson Davis.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Mississippi is also known for its literary history. Several Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, and Tennessee Williams, hailed from the state.
About Adams County
Adams County Timeline
Adams County, Mississippi, has a rich and intriguing history that dates back to the early 18th century. The area was originally inhabited by different Native American tribes, including the Natchez and Choctaw. In 1716, it was settled by the French, who established Fort Rosalie as a trading post. Eventually, the territory came under Spanish control in 1779, and in 1798, the United States acquired the region through the Treaty of San Lorenzo.
During the early 19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth and development, driven by the establishment of the city of Natchez as a major trading center. Natchez became known for its prosperous cotton plantations and the large number of wealthy plantation owners who resided in the area. The county's economy thrived mainly due to the labor-intensive cultivation of cotton, which relied heavily on enslaved African Americans.
However, the dark legacy of slavery and the Civil War also left a lasting impact on Adams County. Prior to the war, Natchez was considered one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. With the onset of the conflict, the county faced immense hardships, including destruction, economic decline, and loss of life. Many historic buildings were damaged or destroyed during the war, but some survived, giving Adams County a rich architectural heritage that attracts visitors to this day.
In the years following the Civil War, Adams County and Natchez slowly recovered and adapted to the changing times. The agricultural economy shifted to other crops, such as tobacco and corn, while industries like lumber mills and shipyards emerged. Additionally, tourism began to play an essential role in the local economy, with visitors drawn to the historical significance and cultural heritage of the area.
Today, Adams County continues to be a place of historical and cultural significance, preserving its past while embracing the opportunities of the present. Visitors can explore the beautiful antebellum homes, visit museums and art galleries, and experience the unique southern charm that sets this historic county apart.
During the early 19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth and development, driven by the establishment of the city of Natchez as a major trading center. Natchez became known for its prosperous cotton plantations and the large number of wealthy plantation owners who resided in the area. The county's economy thrived mainly due to the labor-intensive cultivation of cotton, which relied heavily on enslaved African Americans.
However, the dark legacy of slavery and the Civil War also left a lasting impact on Adams County. Prior to the war, Natchez was considered one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. With the onset of the conflict, the county faced immense hardships, including destruction, economic decline, and loss of life. Many historic buildings were damaged or destroyed during the war, but some survived, giving Adams County a rich architectural heritage that attracts visitors to this day.
In the years following the Civil War, Adams County and Natchez slowly recovered and adapted to the changing times. The agricultural economy shifted to other crops, such as tobacco and corn, while industries like lumber mills and shipyards emerged. Additionally, tourism began to play an essential role in the local economy, with visitors drawn to the historical significance and cultural heritage of the area.
Today, Adams County continues to be a place of historical and cultural significance, preserving its past while embracing the opportunities of the present. Visitors can explore the beautiful antebellum homes, visit museums and art galleries, and experience the unique southern charm that sets this historic county apart.
Adams County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Adams County, Mississippi.
- 1799: Adams County is formed from parts of Pickering and Washington counties.
- 1802: Natchez becomes the county seat of Adams County.
- 1809: The construction of forks of the road begins, linking Natchez to Nashville.
- 1812: Adams County's population reaches 8,119.
- 1817: Mississippi becomes a state, and Adams County is part of the new state.
- 1824: The State Bank of Mississippi is established in Natchez.
- 1833: Bellevue, the oldest building in Natchez, is constructed.
- 1841: The Great Natchez Tornado strikes, killing hundreds and causing significant damage.
- 1861: The American Civil War begins, and Adams County plays a significant role in the conflict.
- 1876: Southern Christian Institute, now known as Alcorn State University, is founded in Lorman.
- 1890: The Adams County Courthouse, known for its impressive architecture, is completed.
- 1966: The Natchez National Historical Park is established, preserving the area's history.
- 2010: Adams County's population is recorded at 32,297.