Since its Construction in 1897, the house at 1012 Main Street has sheltered no other family but that of T.S. Williamson and his descendants. His second wife, Mary Richmond Williamson, who died in 1983, and a son, Robert L. Williamson, were its last full-time residents. The house is currently on the market.
One of four children (three Sons and a daughter) of Elbert Madison Williamson and Virginia Spencer Williamson, Thomas Spencer Williamson moved with his family from Petersburg to Danville when he was II. When he reached adulthood, T.S. Williamson was one of many local men who entered the lucrative tobacco trade, as had his lather. He soon became a prosperous independent leaf tobacco dealer in the firm T.S. Williamson & Co. that he began as a continuation of a similar business begun by his father in 1878. The firm operated for 74 years.
Mr. Williamson first married Annie Hickey, herself the daughter of a tobacconist, in 1891. Six years after their marriage, he purchased a 57-foot lot on Main Street on
which he built the present house. The 1898 land book listing contains a note in the margin: “$3,300 added for house.”
The same two-and-one-half story Queen Anne style mansion stands today unaltered. Rated “notable” in the city’s architectural inventory, the structure presents an interesting face to Main Street. Its facade is broken by a three part projecting bay on the left and a conical roof tower at the right corner. Of particular interest is the Tuscan colonnade across the front which develops into a circular pavilion on the corner opposite the tower. The original servants’ quarters are located at the rear of the lot.
The first Mrs. Williamson lived here about ten years, until her death in 1907. In addition to her husband, she was survived by their three children. In 1917 T.S. Williamson married Mary Dodson Richmond. He lived another 28 years. In his obituary at the time of his death Williamson was described as the dean of the local tobacco industry, having been active as an independent leaf dealer for more than 50 years and having served as president of the Danville Tobacco Association. Of their four children, three sons are still living, and they reside in the Danville area.
The Williamson heirs have generously permitted their old homeplace to be a part of this 1985 holiday Walking Tour. Also, with the cooperation of Realty World in the Mall and Mr. Danny Bright of Bright Decorum, this grand Victorian house will be the Danville Historical Society’s first Decorator Showcase.