Hi, The Ruins is near Stateburg in Sumter County. It's still there. In fact, it's not too far from where my cousin Dee lives. The Ruins was purchased by Gen. Sumter after the Rev. War. In 1802, he sold it to John Mayrant . After living in the home for about 50 years, John Mayrant's wife, Isabella died and Mr. Mayrant went to live with his sons (Alabama, Miss, and Tenn.) One of them sold the Ruins to schoolmaster, Willis W. Alston. He converted the place into the Hawthordean Seminary for young ladies, but after a couple of years sold the place to John H. Colclough. After only 6 months, Robert Marion DeVeaux bought the Ruins for his wife, Videau who was a daughter of Col Richard Singleton. It is thought that the DeVeux are the ones who developed the grounds and gardens and it is said that they gave the place its name because it was really run down when they bought it. I was at the Ruins a few years ago. It was being rented by a retired Dr. from Shaw who died. He had an extensive collection of "stuff" and his widow had the stuff auctioned off. I was there for the auction. There was a lot that needed fixing up, but that house is old. It seemed pretty solid for it's years. I heard that it was owned by out of town folks who rent it out. They rent the basement as aparments and they rented to upper part out too. I don't know anything new about the Ruins. I suppose that it's still being rented out unless it was sold. I just don't know. Cindy