Cedar Grove Place

Overview

• Cedar Grove Place was created by James G. Wood for his daughter Maria Louisa Wood and her husband Thomas Elam as a 120-acre farm and residence with the same name. The 120 acre tract was previously part of the 1,087-acre Plains Plantation owned by Joseph Dunbar.
• Benjamin Bevin reunited Cedar Grove Place with Plains Plantation. In 1854 he purchased Plains Plantation from David Hunt, and in 1858 he purchased Cedar Grove Place from the Elam family. In 1860 Mr. Beavin owned 84 slaves in Jefferson County.
• Adaline Balch bought the 120 acre Cedar Grove Place in 1873 after Mr. Bevin died.
• In 1938 it was purchased by Josephine Balfour Payne, who wrote children's stories, and her husband Earl Payne from Jeannie L. Bisland.
• Jane A. Warren purchased the property in 1972.
• It was bought by actor George Hamilton in 1978.
• A Hare Krishna commune occupied the property after George Hamilton.