By Liesha Wessinger-Huffstetler
Who owned the land in the 1800s that is now the Timberlake area of Chapin? To answer that, let’s journey into the Connelly family history.
Rufus Lewie Connelly, born in 1868, grew up during the challenging post-Civil War years, when high taxes and scarcity of food and supplies made life difficult. He married Francis Long in 1887 and moved to 300 acres on the Saluda River, land she had inherited from her family. Rufus was a lifelong farmer and one of the first in the area to own a tractor, though mules remained the essential “workhorses” of the farm, used in many daily activities.
Tragedy struck in the 1930s when Rufus suffered an accident while operating the family’s steam engine, affecting his mental health. Family lore recalls young Carl being called to go find his “grandad” wandering in the woods.
After Francis passed away, the land was sold to Joe and Estelle Timberlake. Joe, an executive at Thomas and Howard Wholesale Grocery in Columbia, wanted a country retreat. The Timberlakes kept horses, fields, and Hereford cattle on the property. Estelle, a retired teacher, nurtured Carl’s love of learning, gifting him books and encouraging his education.
Carl recalls Estelle as a strong-willed, no-nonsense woman who embodied the heart of a true teacher. Memories of her driving a brand-new station wagon through open fields and preparing meals for neighbors — including a delicious leg of lamb — remain vivid. Billiam Eleazar, who worked for the Timberlake family, gave Carl a beagle mix puppy to help hunt squirrels and rabbits. Estelle eventually gifted Carl and Betty the land they live on today, emphasizing her wish to preserve its woodlands.
When the land was sold in the 1980s, Estelle told Carl, Betty, and neighbors not to worry: the area would remain a beautiful woodland with only a few homes, maintaining her beloved country paradise. Her advice about money — “If Carl earns a little, save a little; if he earns a lot, save a lot” — remains a golden nugget for all who knew her.
The Timberlake area’s history is a testament to the care and vision of the families who lived there, from the Connellys’ hardworking farming roots to Estelle Timberlake’s dedication to preserving its natural beauty.
