"It is well known that the present dwelling house at Hayes plantation was designed and its construction overseen by the English architect, William Nichols. The house was built for James Cathcart Johnston on land he had acquired from his father, Samuel Johnston, by deed of gift dated December 29, 1814. Although Samuel Johnston lived at Hayes from time to time after he purchased the property in 1765, he did not reside there after 1793, when he and his family permanently moved to Martin County, where they lived on a plantation he owned there called the Hermitage. Consequently, when his son, James, acquired title to Hayes, the old house and outbuildings on the property had been neglected for many years..." Read the full article here: