Once again, The Ponds held their annual Independence Day celebration in June, about two weeks ahead of the traditional 4th of July. This scheduling allows for about twice the fireworks show we might otherwise be able to provide. Literally, more bang for the buck!  A full day of activities began at 11 am with the Opening Ceremony, introducing the days events. From 11 until 5 the Obstacle Course/Water Slide kept the kids busy and happy. John Custatis provided Live Music and chatter at the Farmhouse. At 11:15 The Three-Legged Race was held with participants divided into three groups, age 10 and under, 11-17, and adults. Lots of laughs for all. The Sack Race was held at 11:45 with the same age groupings. At noon lunch was provided including hot dogs, chicken, baked beans, and dessert. Neighbors brought side dishes to share. All served first come first served until supplies ran out. No cost to residents. 1 pm the Corn Hole tournament began, with a trophy awarded to the eventual winning team. Later, at 2pm the Water Balloon Toss kept everyone laughing and dripping! Follow it with an Apple Pie eating contest for adults only. Yum. Burp.  At 6pm the Parade began, with over a hundred golf carts, bikes, and classic cars, all decorated for the 4th. Judging was held and awards were distributed. Quite a show! The Parade ended at the Amphitheater where folks listened to the DJ and music while munching on desserts from food trucks. About 9:15 the Fireworks began, and what a show it was! Thrilled and happy, the day was over, with plans already developing to make next year even bigger and better. See you then! 

In our first essay, we followed the origins of The Ponds from the beginning in 1674 to 1723. Since then things settled down a bit, but still experienced local history until it's current development program. Let's pick up where we dropped off.  William Donning arrived in the Carolinas by 1729 and lived at Weston Hall raising crops and cattle until his death in 1732. Thomas Donning, his oldest son, assumed ownership of the property until his death two years later. The property passed to his brother, William Donning Jr. On July 12, 1735, a notice was placed in the South Carolina Gazette that "125 slaves and all the oxen, sheep, horses, plates and household goods and plantation tools belonging to the estate of William Donning and Thomas Donning, Esq. deceased were to be sold at The Ponds Plantation in Berkeley County near Dorchester."  William Donning Jr. and his wife Frances had two children, William Ill, and Frances. When William Donning Jr. died the property passed to his wife, who lived there for many years. Her will directed the property to be divided between her two children. Her son William received all the real property except for 1,000 acres of "The land commonly known and distinguished by the Ponds Plantation."  William Donning Jr. (son of William and Frances Donning incurred substantial debt and sold his share of the property in 1765 to Daniel Doyley. He sold his portion of The Ponds known at "The Northwestern Tract" in 1769 to William Drayton. Drayton raced horses at the plantation, repeatedly mortgaging The Ponds to pay other debts.  The daughter of William and Frances Donning, Frances owned the Northeast Tract of The Ponds. She married Adam Daniel. When she died in the mid 1760's, she left the Northeast Tract of The Ponds to her infant daughter, Frances Daniel. When she grew up, she married William Scott Jr. who, upon his wife's death, sold the Northeast Tract in 1794 to Colonel John Glaze. Colonel Glaze had already purchased the Northwest Tract from William Henry Drayton in 1785. Now both tracts were united again.  To clear the title, Glaze applied for a re-grant of both tracts from the State of South Carolina. Glaze was planter in St. George Parish and served as a lieutenant in the Revolution where he was taken prisoner when Charles Town fell to the British in May 1780. He remained in the militia after the war becoming a Lieutenant Colonel. He married four times and continued acquiring property along the Ashley River. It became too much of a burden and in 1795 he placed 3,767 acres in a trust to be sold to satisfy unpaid debts. The Ponds tract was purchased by Glaze's sister, Mary Glaze, so that it could remain in the family and was still owned by John Glaze. Upon John Glaze' death in 1818 his executor sold the Tract A portion, now listed as the "1,203 acre Ponds Plantation" to John Christopher Gottfried Schulz.  Schulz (pronounced “Shoots”) by locals came to the United States in 1790.  His father came years earlier and settled in Charleston. They were German Protestants who came to join some others from the homeland.  In 1829 he purchased a home in Summerville.  Schulz lived both at The Ponds Plantation and in the town of Summerville.  Summerville was now known as a retreat for coastal planters seeking escape from the heat and malaria of Carolina coastal summers.  In 1830’s the current Farmhouse was built and was the third one to be constructed at The Ponds.    Schulz died of a sudden heart attack on September 25, 1833.  His widow, Susan Cantey Schulz continued to manage the estate. Since Schulz died without a will, the probate court seized the property and Susan Cantey Schulz then bought the estate back from the estate. While she was able to buy back the main 1,203 acres, the rest of the properties were sold to other parties. She owned the property until her death with her son Frederik managing the property.  Susan Schulz died in 1852. Her will left her estate to her children Maria Ann, John, Frederik nd Harriet.  The estate was divided in 1852 with the 600 acre “Northern part of the plantation” going to Frederik.  During the 1850’s Frederik reassembled most of the property sold off from the estate of his father.  Frederik served in the Civil War and was stationed mostly in the Charleston area where he could continue to monitor the management of the Property.  Schulz and his unit surrendered near Smithfield, NC.  When his parole ended, he returned to The Ponds and continued his surveying and farming.  Sometime before 1891, Schulz divided and sold off sections of The Ponds. Apparently, none of the deeds were recorded.  Edward Lotz was born in Prussia in 1848 and emigrated to the United States after the Civil War.  In 1892 Lotz would reassemble the Schulz land and obtained quit claim deeds from F.C. Schulz to clear the titles.   Lotz used the property for his timber industry. He used the massive cypress trees in the swamp for roof shingles and the pines and other hardwoods for building materials, all of which he marketed in Charleston and other areas. He also operated a corn-grinding operation, managed a small sawmill and ginned cotton for his neighbors.  Lotz died in 1909 and in buried in the Boone Hill Cemetery down the road from the Ponds.  His wife Margaret, and their children continued to live at the Ponds with his wife heavily mortgaging the property.  In 1912 she died at the Ponds.  James Stocker Simmons purchased the heavily mortgaged land and continued to rent it back to the Lotz family until they moved on in 1914.  James oldest son Ralph B. Simmons, then managed the property. Ralph acquired the property from his father in 1921.  He worked the land as an active corn, cotton and sweet potato farm, and raised cattle into the 1950’s.  He passed the property to his son, Ralph B. Simmons Jr. who established a trust for Richard S. Simmons in 1978.  The property was leased until 2005 to the Schulz Lake Hunt Club.  The property was well known for hunting and fishing with the Farmhouse serving as the hunting lodge.  There used to be a small caretaker’s cottage just beyond the Farmhouse where locals could deposit a quarter to fish in the lake beyond the house, Schulz Lake.  In 1989 Hurricane Hugo devastated the high bluff woods with the family contemplating what to do with the land.  In 2005 the Simmons family owned 1984 acre that had become known as The Ponds Plantation.  Greenwood Development approached the Simmons family with a plan to develop the land. Greenwood entered into an agreement with the Simmons family to purchase The Ponds Plantation, 1,984 acres at a cost of $20,600,000. The Title Deed reads 1984 acres and the Quit Claim deed reads 1948 acres.  Greenwood also had to purchase 205 acres from the Estate of Mary Johnson for $175,000. The estate owned the land along Highway 17-A where the entrance now exists.  Previously the Simmons family used Schulz Lake Road as the entrance.  Greenwood donated land plus $3 million for the on-site YMCA, as well as land plus $500,000 for the Dorchester County fire, sheriff, and emergency service substations.  Greenwood also set aside a site for a future elementary school for Dorchester District II.  By 2007 they were ready to sell lots and begin building.  Greenwood was responsible for moving and restoring the Schulz-Lotz Farmhouse, building the Pavilion, the pool and the amphitheater.  The original vision was to build the infrastructure, sell the lots and allow the buyers to bring in their own builder to build their customized home.  When the housing market crashed Greenwood changed strategies an brought in builders like D.R.Horton to build the Carillon 55+ community.  They also brought in David Weekly Homes, Harbor Homes, HH Hunt Homes and Sabal Homes to build in the early sections.  Kolter Homes has since become the primary developer, with others building in The Ponds and Kolter building the Cresswind 55+ development.  The Ponds is now in the final years of its development, with increasing responsibilities being turned over to the HOA.  Many of the family names in the Pond’s history continue to be prominent in the Charleston area. Other names are memorialized in street names in The Ponds.  The land has been used and loved throughout its history and will continue to although in much smaller parcels going forward.  If you would like to tour the Ponds or explore living here please contact Mark Wetherell, Realtor®, AgentOwned Realty at 914-400-7467 or Mark.Wetherell@AgentOwned.com. Mark is a resident of The Ponds and is proud to share all it has to offer with future residents. 

The Ponds Development was created in 2005 by Greenwood Development Corporation.  Greenwood submitted a Development Agreement with many stipulations about the design, size, and amenities of The Ponds, including natural space and trails.  All was well until the credit crises of 2008, with Greenwood struggling to recover until it transferred the development to Kolter Homes (KH Ponds LLLP).  Several homeowners felt that Kolter was ignoring certain critical aspects of the agreement and sought help from the County Council.  With much discussion, in the media and on the campaign trail, the County, Kolter and members of the Residents Committee met and worked out a resolution that appears to reinstate many of the provisions that were contested.  All of this is still subject to final language in the contract, but the agreement is expected to include the following: With the implementation of this Plan, the County is assured that a large tract of land on a major highway including unique environmental and historic features will not be developed in a piecemeal fashion by numerous persons.  Rather the development will be pursuant to an all-encompassing, coherent and unified master plan utilizing best practices, and will preserve and protect those portions having value to the community as a whole. Kolter will convey the site on Lotz Drive consisting of approximately 35 acres for a single school site, concurrent with the recording of the final plat for Phase 10.  Trails in the Ponds Plantation east of the Ashley River shall be private and accessible only to residents and their invited guests of The Ponds, Carillon, and Cresswind.  Trails in the area known as The Conservancy west of the Ashley River shall be open to the public. A second entrance to The Ponds shall be constructed connecting Headwaters Drive to the traffic signal at the intersection of Dorchester Road and Highway 17A.  The County may also relocate the second entrance as mutually agreed. Kolter agrees to limit of 1950 residential units with no less than 17 townhomes at the intersection of Hundred Oaks Parkway and Lotz Drive.  Townhomes will also be constructed on Pottery Circle across from the YMCA. Kolter will also construct a second swimming pool similar in size and amenities to the first. 1.8 acres near the current entrance will be used for commercial development. The Ponds residents seem pleased with this development. Kolter and the County are as well, as considerable uncertainty pertaining to the future of The Ponds is now resolved. The foregoing is subject to final language and signatures but is expected to be completed shortly. Homeowners can now be assured that the space and unique characteristics of The Ponds will be protected for the enjoyment of the residents and those that follow them.  For more information on The Ponds, and the homes available please contact Mark Wetherell, AgentOwned Realty, 914-400-7467 a Ponds resident. It’s a great place to live!

  The Ponds is known for its varied large homes, lakes and ponds, miles of trails, YMCA, and lots of activities. But it also has a long history going back to 1682 and English colonization.   In 1674 Andrew Percival, of Westminster County, Middlesex, England, was a relative of Anthony, Lord Ashley Cooper was assigned to Lord Ashley, known as the Earl of Shaftsbury. He was to manage his Indian trade and layout and build his plantation on the West Bank of the Ashley River. In 1682 he received his new 2,000-acre grant at The Ponds, headwaters of the Ashley River. Shaftsbury soon lost confidence in him, believing he was guilty of “fraudulent and base dealings” in his management of business matters. In 1685 the second Lord Ashley dismissed him.   Percival was living at the Ponds or Weston Hall Plantation in 1691, as a deed shows him living at Weston Hall. The origins of the name Weston Hall are unknown, but some think it may be derived from the swamp south of the Ponds called Westo or the Westo Savannah. The name Westo was taken from the Westo Indians.  When Percival built the first house at the plantation he called Weston Hall, he established The Ponds as a Fortified Plantation, as was common in the outlying land grants. Charles Towne (not called Charleston until 1783) had fortified itself against the Indian and Spanish attacks as soon as it was settled in 1670.   The swampy Charles Towne outback was known for malaria, jungles as wild as anywhere on the planet, with mammoth overgrown trees, huge reptiles, hostile feared Indian tribes and ghosts.   In 1715 the Indians had suffered at the hands of the Colonists. They lost their land, contracted strange diseases, and were enslaved, robbed, and beaten. The Yemassee Creek and other tribes began organized attacks on English traders working the interior lands, which led to a massacre on April 15, 1715, in Pocotaligo. This uprising spread throughout the Lowcountry. Plantation owners fled to Charles Town, leaving their property unprotected from the invading Indians.   Soon, in 1716 the Goose Creek Militia was called up at “Fort The Ponds.” The militia bore little resemblance to armies today; it was local farmers and tradesmen that remained outside the walls of Charles Towne.   A British trade agent, Colonel George Chicken, and his troops defeated the Indians in the Yemassee War.  Seven years later, Andrew Percival II sold Weston Hall to William Donning of Gloucester County, England. It was 2400 acres, the original 2000 in his father’s grant, plus 400 acres of his own warrant.    To be continued…  Call me today to explore this area or CLICK HERE to see homes for sale in The Ponds.

The Ponds, perhaps even more than the Patriotic LowCountry, really celebrates our Patriotic Holidays in a big way!  Starting with Memorial Day, where we gathered at the Farmhouse to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. Military.  Flags were placed in the grounds around the Farmhouse, taps were played, and people spoke of those lost. Of course some food trucks were there to feed us.   Flag day and the Fourth of July Festivities were combined in a Fourth Fest, which has become a Ponds tradition.  This year was the biggest and best yet. A parade of decorated golf carts left the Farmhouse at 7pm, and headed through the Ponds on Hundred Oaks Parkway (closed to vehicular traffic for the event), up to the Village Pond and Amphitheater. All golf carts got a sway bag, and kids on carts threw candy to kids of all ages along the route. Neighbors filled the Amphitheater with blankets and chairs, feeding from 8 golf carts while awaiting an amazing fireworks show. While it wasn't Macy's, for half an hour we all witnessed beauty and bangs with a great professional display that got a lot of oohs and awes from the crowd of about 1000.  The weather held, neighbors got a chance to catch up with friends, and everyone left very satisfied, and happy to live in such a wonderful neighborhood.    Sometimes when the house no longer quite fits your needs, if you live in The Ponds you are likely to move to another house in The Ponds that fits you better. It's a great community, a special place to live and raise a family.  Come join us!  

Once again, that spring tradition of The Ponds Home & Garden Expo is soon upon us.  This year it will be held on April 23rd, from 10 AM until 3 PM.  For the first time, exhibitors will be able to sell their wares at the Show.     Originally debuted in 2019 the show was attended by 200 residents and showcased a dozen businesses.  Due to coronavirus, the 2020 Home & Garden Show had to be canceled and the 2021 show was kept smaller for safety sake.  This year we expect a much larger show, with exhibitors from The Ponds and Summerville.  Facemasks and vaccinations are not expected to be required.   With plenty of space available there is still time for businesses to sign up!  We are expecting companies from a variety of categories including Landscaping, Home Security, Solar, Home and Garden Furniture, Pools & Spas, Antiques, Gutter installation and Cleaning, Closet/Pantry/Garage Interior Design, Flooring, Generator Supply, Home & Garden Supply/Hardware, Patio/Sunroom/Outdoor Kitchen, Shutters/Blinds, Fences, and General Services.    Food trucks will be on hand as will a raffle.  The rain date is the following weekend.   Space inquiries should be addressed to ThePondsSCSocialCommittee@gmail.com  

The Ponds in Summerville has several large and grand homes, mostly on Hundred Oaks Parkway and others scattered around the community.  This home is such a place, with 3,832 sqft. on a beautiful corner lot a few blocks from HOP.  A variety of trees surround the house, with many more in the large back yard, ensuring privacy while enjoying the Carolina weather in the yard and on the patio.   The house is elevated providing a grand view of the area. Recently painted and meticulously maintained the home awaits the next owner. Four bedrooms and four full baths can accommodate a large active household. One of the two Master Suites is on the first floor, along with the kitchen, dining room, family room, living room/office and access to the screened-in porch and epoxy floored 3 car garage.  Clean and neat. The custom design includes many high-end features that add to the beauty and comfort of living here.  The Ponds is a much-desired neighborhood in Western Summerville, at the Headwaters of the Ashley River.  It has three ponds, The Village Pond that graces the entrance, Simmons Pond which is surrounded by woods and trails, and Schultz Lake, noted for some of the best fishing in The Lowcountry.  Miles of trails and spectacular water views separate the Ponds from other neighborhoods.  The woods are a Natural Habitat that residents share with the wildlife of the Lowcountry. People in The Ponds take great pride in and care of their homes.  Designs vary, colors abound, and the landscapes are amazing and beautiful.  Holiday lights make it a fairyland.  It is a neighborhood where people walk around, with or without dogs, bike, and hike.  Neighbors know their neighbors.  Sometimes it almost feels like Maple Street in a 1950’s TV sitcom.  The amenities include a huge pool, Pavilion with fireplace and firepit, grills on the patio, a historic Farmhouse that houses HOA staff, and hosts functions.  An amphitheater beside the Village Pond provides gorgeous sunsets, yoga classes, and the site of many functions as well as wedding photographs.  A Fido-Friendly area, there is a new dog park for safe play with friends.  A kayak/canoe launch provides the opportunity to explore the Village Pond from the water. Click HERE to see this home's details. Click HERE to see all homes in The Ponds. Call me today to look at this amazing home or to explore The Ponds!

With news of Christmas goodies, gifts, food, and decorations tied up at sea and doubtful of arrival in time for the big day, people seem to be starting to decorate early - way early! The Ponds, always full of well-lit and amazing tableaus, is already boasting decorated trees in windows and bushes aglow, and illuminations abounding. The radio is playing 24 hour Christmas music, and the neighbors are taking it to heart. And why not? It's fun, pretty, wonderful and exciting! The Parade is on December 12th at 2 pm, unless changed, as it conflicts with the Summerville Christmas Parade. Come on over to see the evening light shows and the Parade in December! It's great to meet the neighbors, and check in with me to see what homes are available.