This splendid antebellum home, known as "Patience Plantation", is located in the small community of Furman, AL. This area is known for its historic structures, and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds encompass 4 acres, with an additional 40 acres of half mature planted pines. This home and land is now available for purchase.

A gated entrance greets visitors with a glimpse of the house, which rests upon a small knoll. The house faces the east, and is situated so that the 36 windows with the traditional 9 over 9 panes, give the home a light, open feel.

Two massive live oaks frame the initial view of the house with a broad welcoming sidewalk leading to the front entrance. The house is built in the simple Federal style with Greek Revival elements, the usual Doric boxed columns are seen across the front, with the original double portico having been removed in the late 1960's during restoration work. The front porch has recently been replaced with treated 2x6 timbers after replacing the column supports. A new (1997) galvalume roof, and new (1996) white vinyl siding protect the outside of the house from the elements and greatly reduce future maintenance.

The front hallway is graced by a chandelier, and the dining room (17 x 17), and living room (17 x 17), open from this entryway. The back hallway contains the staircase leading to the second floor, and the kitchen(17x17), library (17x17),  and bathroom open from this hallway. This hallway also contains floor to ceiling built in bookshelves before leading out to the sun porch. The sun porch (10x40) allows a panoramic view of the back yard and orchard, in which deer are regularly seen grazing . The utility room (10x10) is adjacent to the sun porch, and also has built in shelving and a large window. Each of the four major rooms downstairs have fireplaces that are in working order.

Upstairs on the second floor, the wide hallway provides access to four bedrooms (17x17), each containing a working fireplace, and another full bath. The staircase leading to the attic is also located in this hallway. The attic is approximately 500 square feet, with a cedar closet built in, and two worktables in place. The ceilings throughout the house are 11 feet, and there are new ceiling fans in each room. The floors throughout the house are original heart of pine (excluding the sun porch & the bathrooms) and have all been recently refinished and are in excellent condition. The home encompasses approximately 4,000 square feet of living area.

There are two major outbuildings, a garage (25X20), and storage building (25x16). In addition, there is a cistern, as found at many old homes, to catch the rainwater for storage beside the house. A lovely vinyl picket fence encloses an irrigated kitchen garden on the south side of the home. The old spring that was previously the primary source of water when the home was built, is down the hill, about 500 yards away, and is a source of water for the wildlife.

The house sits on 44 acres, of which approximately 40 acres were planted in pines in 1989. The house is placed upon a knoll, so drainage is not a problem. There are many large trees in the yard, including several pecan trees, walnuts, large magnolias, and a bank of crepe myrtle bordering the driveway. There is an orchard which has several peach, pear, and apple trees.

Utilities include water from the county water system, however the old deep well is capped and could be re-instated. Electricity is provided by Rural Electric Co-op, telephone service is provided by Frontier Communications, heating is by electric heat and propane units. Total cost of heat in 2004 was approximately $250. Each room contains ceiling fans, and there is one window unit in one bedroom, however with the design of the house, the interior remains cool throughout the summer. The water heater is electric, and was replaced in 1997.

Furman, AL is located 22 miles from Camden in Wilcox county, AL. It is a central location in that Montgomery is 52 miles to the northeast, Selma is 35 miles to the northwest, Greenville is 35 miles to the east, and Monroeville is 45 miles to the southwest. It is less than a 2 hour drive to Mobile, Tuscaloosa, and Birmingham.
Click on the map for a regional view.

This region is well known for the excellent hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities. There are numerous historical structures and events in this area.

For the History of this Home, please click here.

For more information, please contact
William or Cindy McCoy
at  251.746.2767,
or by e-mail at cmccoy@frontiernet.net