Wester Home | Jackson County, FL | c. 1890s
When William built a home for himself in the early 1900s, he wanted it to be representative of the successes he was having with his turpentine still and Naval Mercantile store.
And as you can see pictured here, he did just that.
A Family Grows Here
But a home like this one must’ve felt quite empty without a wife. So in 1903, William married Annie and they would start a family here on this property along the railroad tracks that were critical to the success of his business.
William and Annie would call this magnificent place home until 1923, when after 20 years of marriage, Annie passed away. This left William to care for their 3 children alone while continuing to operate a significant business.
But despite these challenges, William and his young family persevered and in 1927, he won a seat on the Florida Legislature while continuing to operate his mercantile. In 1931, he married again to his second wife, Pencie, who became a beloved local figure.
The Wester Family Continues On
Naturally, as they started a new life together, they would need a new house and William built a second home on his property, set further away from the railroad tracks. Family history says that at that time, in-laws moved into the original Wester home and reported that Annie would still appear regularly in the home, lingering near the fireplaces.
Tragedy Strikes
William and his new wife, Pencie, would have another 4 children together, but sadly, tragedy was set to strike this family again. A bizarre event happened on this property in 1938 that would take many years to resolve and likely still haunts those who are related.
On one fateful night that year, William was murdered in his new home while he sat by the window in a wicker chair reading the newspaper as he did every night.
As he had found himself widowed before, he now left his second wife, Pencie, to raise the children by herself; ranging from 2 months to 6 years old. But as I mentioned earlier, ‘Miss Pencie’ as the locals called her, became a beloved figure and from what I have researched about her, it’s easy to see why.
After her husbands’ death, she did the only thing she could do and found a way to support her family. Pencie began teaching as a career and would end up working for the Jackson County School Board for 35 years as an educator to not only her own children but the other children of the community.
In 2008, she passed away at home with her family at the age of 102.
Unfortunately, this area was devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018 and many historic buildings both old and new nearby were destroyed. I haven’t been back to this home since then but based on recent satellite images, it doesn’t look good.
love seeing the old homes, and stories.
Thanks for reading the article. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my work!
Awesome story love reading about history thanks for all the hard work that goes into it
I love and admire your work… I have always felt every home has a story… and as I drive by abandoned buildings I catch myself slowing down and staring… When I was younger I dared to peer inside and even, at times, enter… Please keep up your amazing research, and never, for one minute, think that it is not important or goes unloved… keep up the great work !!
Thank you for sharing these articles with us….
Thank you for twist photo and history of the family.
Love you story “Wester Home | Jackson County, FL | c. 1890-early 1900s”
My family are settlers of Jackson Co, FL where the Westers lived and friends of Ms Pencie and her children..
so nice to know someone is recording the history of our land. Look forward to reading many more of your articles.
I’m a retired college professor who started off in 1974 teaching history in Walker County, Alabama (Jasper). So much of the Black Belt, named for the color of the soil, is full of such residences, especially the town of Epes, Demopolis, Livingston, Eutaw, Greensboro, Gaineswood, Selma, Vicksburg and Montgomery etc. I taught at the University of West Alabama and later at Mississippi College in Jackson, Mississsippi. I visited these towns weekly. I acquired my interest at this time. Your site is great!
I have been numerous times to the Black Belt to investigate the history there. I have many sites from that region that I need to add to the website so thanks for the reminder!
Does the family show an interest in repairing or going to just let it die?
They have said it’s too far gone to fix.
Was the murder never solved? Left me hanging!
The murder was solved, but due to the fact that family of the victim and murderer are still alive and follow this blog, I am keeping their information private out of respect for everyone involved.
Love hearing stories from yesteryear and along with pictures! Thank you for sharing Old Florida!
Thank you for keeping these earlier residents alive in our minds. Our lives are so fleeting on this earth that it is nice to think someone may remember us in the same way.
What a interesting story. Well done on a good job.