The house was passed on to Mary Waller Shepherd Soper and her husband Rev. Soper when he retired from the Episcopal priesthood in 1962. It was during their time that Topsy reached a total of nineteen additions to the house since its construction. The Sopers fittingly named their addition “Turvey.” The numerous additions have caused some quirks in the house, such as different floor levels and an unusual architectural montage at the back. But the additions are part of its charm. The Sopers hosted many of their own exhibits on the house and it was included in multiple historic house tours. The house is owned by Martin and Katherine Davis as of 2013.
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Carpenter, J. (Ed.). (2007). Sewanee Ladies. Sewanee, Tennessee: Proctor's Hall Press.

McDonald, E. (1978, July 30). Sewanee Landmark on Exhibit. The Chattanooga Times.
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The house was passed on to Mary Waller Shepherd Soper and her husband Rev. Soper when he retired from the Episcopal priesthood in 1962. It was during their time that Topsy reached a total of nineteen additions to the house since its construction. The Sopers fittingly named their addition “Turvey.” The numerous additions have caused some quirks in the house, such as different floor levels and an unusual architectural montage at the back. But the additions are part of its charm. The Sopers hosted many of their own exhibits on the house and it was included in multiple historic house tours. The house is owned by Martin and Katherine Davis as of 2013.
]]>
Carpenter, J. (Ed.). (2007). Sewanee Ladies. Sewanee, Tennessee: Proctor's Hall Press.

McDonald, E. (1978, July 30). Sewanee Landmark on Exhibit. The Chattanooga Times.
]]>
After William’s death, his sister Mary Frances Hamilton took over the house. At one time in her career, she was the UT extension agent for the area and was an expert gardener. She had many exotic plants and flowers in the yard and had a full-time gardener. She never married and had no children, so when she died in 2001, she left it to her nephew,Webster. Webster never lived in it and tried to put it up for sale. Unfortunately September 11 attack happened right around that time and no house sold in Sewanee until the Askews bought it from Webster in August of 2012. The Askews have two outbuildings that they call cabins that they have rented to hundreds of alumni and parents over the years.

Many have stayed there on their wedding night, others have proposed marriage in the cabin, celebrated anniversaries, attended the school of letters, and studied for comps. The cabins are not fancy, but people might come visit Sewanee in the future and try to remember where they stayed.]]>
Gailor, C. (1970). Old Sewanee Houses; The First Fifty-Years, 1860-1910. Unpublished manuscript, The University of the South, Sewanee.
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After William’s death, his sister Mary Frances Hamilton took over the house. At one time in her career, she was the UT extension agent for the area and was an expert gardener. She had many exotic plants and flowers in the yard and had a full time gardener. She never married and had no children, so when she died in 2001, she left it to her nephew Webster. Webster never lived in it and tried to put it up for sale. Unfortunately he September 11 attack happened right around that time and no house sold in Sewanee until the Askews bought it from Webster in August of 2012. The couple have two out buildings that they call cabins that they have rented to hundreds of alumni and parents over the years. Many have stayed there on their wedding night, others have proposed marriage in the cabin, celebrated anniversaries, attended the school of letters, and studied for comps. The cabins are not fancy, but people might come visit Sewanee in the future and try to remember where they stayed.
]]>
Gailor, C. (1970). Old Sewanee Houses; The First Fifty-Years, 1860-1910. Unpublished manuscript, Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee.
]]>
After William’s death, his sister Mary Frances Hamilton took over the house. At one time in her career, she was the UT extension agent for the area and was an expert gardener. She had many exotic plants and flowers in the yard and had a full time gardener. She never married and had no children, so when she died in 2001, she left it to her nephew Webster. Webster never lived in it and tried to put it up for sale. Unfortunately he September 11 attack happened right around that time and no house sold in Sewanee until the Askews bought it from Webster in August of 2012. The couple have two out buildings that they call cabins that they have rented to hundreds of alumni and parents over the years. Many have stayed there on their wedding night, others have proposed marriage in the cabin, celebrated anniversaries, attended the school of letters, and studied for comps. The cabins are not fancy, but people might come visit Sewanee in the future and try to remember where they stayed.
]]>
Gailor, C. (1970). Old Sewanee Houses; The First Fifty-Years, 1860-1910. Unpublished manuscript, Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee.
]]>
Dr. Kirby-Smith’s wife, Miss Maude, also had a stark impact on the Sewanee community. She was one of the founders of the literary society, the Fortnightly Club, and served as an officer in the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Perhaps her proudest office was as president of the Civic League, a club that ran a tea room and had rummage sales to make money to keep the University Cemetery clean and to see that the University grounds were neat and tidy. Miss Maude also was a member of St. Augustine’s that kept All Saints clean. Maude was noted to being a person most likely to be the first friend to come with aid and comfort to the homes of bereaved friends. At the house she held “Tuesdays at home.” People came to have intelligent talk and to enjoy cheese straws and chocolate cake. This custom mixed people of different ages and professions. Miss Maude will be remembered as a gracious and charming lady to everyone who knew her.

The house was passed on to Dr. Kirby-Smith’s daughter, Catherine “Kiffie” Clark, when her father died in 1962. It was recently bought by the University from the Hursts and is intended to become a guesthouse.
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Chitty, A. B. (1978). Sewanee Sampler. Sewanee, Tennessee: The University Press.
]]>
Dr. Kirby-Smith’s wife, “Miss Maude,” also had an impact on the Sewanee community. She was one of the founders of the Fortnightly Club (a literary society), served as an officer in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and was a member of St. Augustine’s that kept All Saints Chapel clean. She also served as president of the Civic League. That club ran a tea room and had rummage sales to make money to keep the University Cemetery clean and to see that the University grounds were neat and tidy. At the house she held “Tuesdays at home.” This custom mixed people of different ages and professions; people came to have intelligent talk and to enjoy cheese straws and chocolate cake.

When Dr. Kirby-Smith died in 1962, the house was passed on to his daughter, Catherine “Kiffie” Clark. It was recently bought by the University from the Hursts and is intended to become a guesthouse.

]]>
Chitty, A. B. (1978). Sewanee Sampler. Sewanee, Tennessee: The University Press.

Dr. R. Kirby-Smith Dies at Sewanee. (1962, May 9). Herald Times.]]>
Dr. Kirby-Smith’s wife, “Miss Maude,” also had an impact on the Sewanee community. She was one of the founders of the Fortnightly Club (a literary society), served as an officer in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and was a member of St. Augustine’s that kept All Saints Chapel clean. She also served as president of the Civic League. That club ran a tea room and had rummage sales to make money to keep the University Cemetery clean and to see that the University grounds were neat and tidy. At the house she held “Tuesdays at home.” This custom mixed people of different ages and professions; people came to have intelligent talk and to enjoy cheese straws and chocolate cake.

When Dr. Kirby-Smith died in 1962, the house was passed on to his daughter, Catherine “Kiffie” Clark. It was recently bought by the University from the Hursts and is intended to become a guesthouse.
]]>
Chitty, A. B. (1978). Sewanee Sampler. Sewanee, Tennessee: The University Press.

Dr. R. Kirby-Smith Dies at Sewanee. (1962, May 9). Herald Times.
]]>
Dr. Kirby-Smith’s wife, “Miss Maude,” also had an impact on the Sewanee community. She was one of the founders of the Fortnightly Club (a literary society), served as an officer in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and was a member of St. Augustine’s that kept All Saints Chapel clean. She also served as president of the Civic League. That club ran a tea room and had rummage sales to make money to keep the University Cemetery clean and to see that the University grounds were neat and tidy. At the house she held “Tuesdays at home.” This custom mixed people of different ages and professions; people came to have intelligent talk and to enjoy cheese straws and chocolate cake.

When Dr. Kirby-Smith died in 1962, the house was passed on to his daughter, Catherine “Kiffie” Clark. It was recently bought by the University from the Hursts and is intended to become a guesthouse.
]]>
Chitty, A. B. (1978). Sewanee Sampler. Sewanee, Tennessee: The University Press.

Dr. R. Kirby-Smith Dies at Sewanee. (1962, May 9). Herald Times.
]]> “Old mothers, as they pass with slow-timed steps,
Their trembling hands cling gently to youth’s strength;
Sweet mothers; as they pass, one sees again,
Old garden walks, old roses, and old loves.” –Charles S. Ross
(Quoted by the Board of Trustees in her remembrance)
This house was pulled down during WWII to make way for Army Barracks. Mr. Douglas Vaughan said his father got some of the lumber from it, unpainted, but solid stuff still. The building has since been turned into University owned apartments and are named Barnwell Apartments after this family.
]]> Gailor, C. (195-?). Old Sewanee Houses; The First Fifty-Years, 1860-1910. Unpublished manuscript, Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee.
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