The Denham House

From Our Island Heritage, Vol. 2, 1977, compiled by Sophie Haley and Mickie Smith:

This house was built by Mr. Goodrum Davis about 1890.  Mrs. Davis (Tabitha Margaret Smith Kendrick)  had a store across the street, about where the Denham garage is now.  (Editor's note:  this is now the location of the Sicily Island Police Department)  Most merchandise was shipped in wooden crates.  These crates were used to seal the inside of the house, and Bea Denham recalls that you could look at the ceiling and read what was shipped and by what company.  At some later date, someone covered this with beaver board.

Tabitha Davis, Old Pine Hill Cemetery

After Mrs. Davis' death in 1901, Goodrum lived here with his daughter, Julia until his death in 1920.  His granddaughter, Willie Bruce, bought the house and took Miss Julia to live with her in her home.

Miss Julia was probably not happy being away from home and she moved back.  Her two nephews, Hal and Warren McGee, stayed with her and went to school in Sicily Island.

When Julia and C. R. "Pop" Denham were married, "Pop" bought the house and they lived here.  "Pop" died on April 1, 1958 and Julia died on December 30, 1958.

Mrs. Suttles rented the house and lived here until 1973 when high water forced Lewis Ratcliff out of his house on the "Louie" and he bought the house.

In 1977, the back part of the house was damaged by fire and the remainder was torn down.