 The mansion was built in 1855 for General William T. Martin (1823-1910).During the American Civil War of 1861–1865, the mansion was ravaged by Northerners and slaves, who smashed the chandeliers and cut the furniture to use it as firewood.However, after the war, Gen. Martin restored it, adding Chippendale furniture, wallpaper by Zuber & Cie, and Egyptian marble mantelpieces.