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The Hephzibah Jenkins Townsend Tabby Oven Ruins are archaeologically significant. No other extant early nineteenth century tabby ovens have been inventoried in the South Carolina lowcountry. The remains represent what was essentially a commercial bakery. Historic documentation indicates the ruins are ovens which were constructed ca. 1815. The site consists of in situ tabby walls and foundations as well as portions of fallen walls and tabby rubble. In situ walls suggest a square structure; however, rubble, humus, and vegetation obscure architectural evidence of fire boxes or ovens. Hephzibah Jenkins Townsend, of Bleak Hall, used the ovens to prepare quantities of baked goods which were sold in Charleston. The proceeds were used for missions and the building of the Edisto Island Baptist Church, founded by Townsend in 1818. Mrs. Townsend is significant in the Baptist Church history as the founder in 1811 of the Edisto Female Mite Society, reputedly the first such organization in the South. Listed in the National Register May 5, 1987.

View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property. In addition, the Historic Resources of Edisto Island, ca. 1682 - ca. 1898 includes historical background information for this and other related National Register properties.

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