As noted in the last column about Granby, the area continued to flourish in the late 18th century despite losing its courthouse in 1791. 

However, the creation of Lexington District, separating it from Orangeburgh District, meant that a courthouse and jail would return to the Town of Granby in 1804. Granby was already facing problems by this time however. The City of Columbia had been established basically across the Congaree from Granby in 1786. Some of the leading citizens of Granby decided to make their new home in the newly created capital instead of remaining in Granby. 

Furthermore, flooding along the river became a major issue. Major floods occurred in 1790, 1792 and 1796. These floods were so powerful that they would wash away the bridge across the Congaree built by Wade Hampton I each time. 

In addition to losing some of its population to Columbia and the damage caused by flooding, mosquito-borne diseases were a constant source of concern for residents of Granby. In 1818, Lexington District Sheriff Amos Banks petitioned the state legislature to move the courthouse and jail from Granby stating that Granby is “among one of the most unhealthy places in the middle or upper country.” He also stated that several officials including the sheriff in 1813, the clerk of court in 1814, and two jail employees in 1815 died of mosquito-borne diseases. 

Because of the problems with flooding, disease and population loss, the state legislature decided to move the courthouse and jail to somewhere centrally-located in the district that was on higher ground away from flooding rivers. This led to the creation of the Town of Lexington in 1820. 

The removal of the courthouse and jail signaled the death knell of Granby. Edwin Scott in his book “Random Recollections of a Long Life,” reported that in 1822, Granby was a “deserted village” with only two or three stores remaining. The courthouse that was in Granby was moved across the river and served as the Presbyterian Church for a period of time. Many of the remaining structures were purchased by James Gibbes, the manager of the Saluda Textile Factory, and moved to the factory grounds in what is now West Columbia to serve as dwellings for the employees of the textile mill. 

Archaeological work on what was part of Granby in the Riverland Park subdivision is being completed by David Brinkman. You can find out more about his investigation by visiting historysoft.com/granby. Like always, you can also learn more about Granby and colonial history of Lexington County by visiting the Lexington County Museum and the Cayce Historical Museum.

J.R. Fennell has served as director of the Lexington County Museum since 2007. He holds a master’s degree in public history and a certificate of museum management from the University of South Carolina.