Chapter 5. The heir of Vayton and Son Ltd' Empire, my Gone with theWind fanfiction

Charleston, January 1875

Aymeric Vayton, a large landowner and a leading figure in Charleston society, had just died of a heart attack. 

Duncan's return to his birthplace was brutal. The serenity that had protected the „Soft South“ Plantation was shattered. He rushed to comfort his mother and sister about the painful loss of the patriarch. The funeral had been held the previous month while he was still in the boat, crossing the ocean for coming back to Charleston. When he arrived, he required a memory celebration in which attended the Charleston community, the planters of the Old South, Southern and Yankee businessmen gathered for the occasion, and many strangers. This recognition warmed the hearts of the three mourners. 

Duncan had always been a good son, and his father had enjoyed praising him. In his honor, the businessman had renamed his empire Vayton Ltd to Vayton & Son Ltd, eager to see his heir succeed him. 

 With a touch of remorse, the young man was aware that he had disappointed him in one respect: his reluctance to marry had not allowed Aymeric to be assured of any descendant of the Vayton branch.

Now the heir to the largest plantation in South Carolina and head of one of the largest fortunes in the United States of America, the young industrialist was also going to have to face the marasmus of the economic recession that was coming down like a big black cloud. 

Financial krach, Fourth National Bank, 20 Nassau Street, New York, 1873. from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, October 4th 1873. (Source Wikipedia)

Fortunately, Aymeric Vayton had been a clever manager. He had secured his fortune in gold bullion and had not made speculative investments in suspiciously booming stock companies. Therefore, he was not affected by the Coinage Act. 

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The planter's son's first concern was the future of his family's cotton plantation which stretched for miles and miles along the Stono River. 

The fall in production had been staggering from 1861 to 1866 - when it was fortunate, as at Soft South, that his estate had not been burnt down and the cotton plants ransacked by the Yankees during the war. Aymeric Vayton had held on. By 1868, the number of bales coming out of his warehouses had returned to pre-war levels, as had the other large farms. (*1) The plantation could continue to prosper on the Stono River. 

ooo

Charleston, in 1820 - Landing Cotton Alongside The Exchange, by John Stobart (source scrimshawgallery)

At the end of the war, the money of Aymeric Vayton had partly melted, because, like many Charlestonians, he had generously given part of his fortune to the Confederate Army. 

But, very quickly, the Vayton patriarch regained colors and diversified his fortune. Over the years, huge tracts of land in the most dynamic southern states had come into the possession of Charleston's oldest family. Aymeric had set his sights on well-irrigated farmland, some fertile for rice paddies, others for cotton or wheat. 

Aymeric Vayton had the foresight to plant indigo trees as far as the eye could see. He was inspired by the meteoric success of the Coffin family's move to Beauford. The Coffins had become the largest producers of indigo, not only for South Carolina but for the South as well. The Charlestonian did not aim to match their market share, but the gains he got from this additional culture let him say that his gamble paid off. 

While reading the notarial records of Vayton & Son Ltd, Duncan hardly believed his eyes finding out that he owned now these wide fields of indigo trees. 

« Father, you bequeathed me a « war treasure», the indigo ! This is going to be the special touch, the „stamp“ of „La Mode Duncan“….

ooo

Indigo harvest at St Stephens Parish South Carolina - (source Charleston County Public Library, Indigo in the fabric of Early South Carolina)

After 1865, Aymeric Vayton chose to expand into real estate by investing in old buildings, focusing on colonial planters' mansions and antebellum mansions in the historic center of Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans. All had suffered some damage during the war and had been bought at very low prices. Betting on the demand for a return to authenticity, he had surrounded himself with a solid team of restoring architects, masons, ironworkers, painters, carpenters and decorators who all advocated quality craftsmanship and respect for Southern elegance. 

Certainly, the added value generated by the embellishment of these well-built mansions would further perpetuate the Vayton heir's capital, even though this was not a good time to be selling property. But Vayton & Son Limited could afford to put its investments on hold until the economy recovered. 

Discovering the numerous buildings owned by Vayton & Son Ltd, Duncan got an idea: «Oh ! There are at least three antebellum houses that will be useful for «La Mode Duncan“!

Satisfied with the infrastructure of the business created by his father, Duncan had the wisdom to keep his teams in place, reappointing some key men to bring new blood and energy to Vayton & Son Limited. 

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The choice of safeguarding and restoring the historical and architectural heritage of the Old South ends up certifying the image of respectability and generosity of the Vayton family.

In the same spirit, the recession and poverty that were beginning to flare up made Duncan decide that future family action should be in this charitable vein. The day after his father’s tribute, he spoke with Cathleen and Melina about this. 

"Mother, Melina, I would like to share my concern with you. Our family needs to be there to alleviate the suffering that is starting to show for all those brave Charlestonians who have just lost their jobs. The misery will increase throughout the year, probably for the next two or three years. The financial crash will result in a cascade of bankruptcies of many industries and businesses. What can be done to help the poor employees who will be left "out in the cold? » 

Financial Krach of 1873: Solidary - Harper's Weekly "Out of the rain"

"I am moved by your initiative, which does not surprise me, my dear son. You have a big heart, like your sister. We should first create a foundation that will structure our good deeds. »

"What if we named it "Aymeric Vayton Charity's Foundation,»  said Melina excitedly.. What do you think? »

 "Very good! Your father would be proud. I will invite my friends of the Embroidery Circle and the Friends of Literature to share our ideas. It is true that the charitable initiatives of Charleston's honorable society are disparate. Our foundation will bring them together and coordinate their actions. »

"Mother, we should be able to identify as soon as possible the needy who are in an emergency, those who no longer have enough to eat. Could you ask the priests and pastors of the neighboring parishes? I think that these indications will be precious and will allow us to organize the distribution of meals as soon as possible. » 

Melina applauded. "It is going to be a tough job. But I am so proud to be part of a family that wants to do good around them. »

"That is agreed. Mother and Melina, you will take charge of the foundation. With advisors, of course. We will decide on an annual budget. It is up to you to distribute the funds according to the urgency. For my part, I will, unfortunately, be too busy with the weaving factory and the creation of my sewing workshop."

ooo

Before going about his business, Duncan added, "I have another suggestion for you. Now that Father is gone, it would be sad for the two of you to live alone on the Soft South plantation. My fashion workshop is going to be settled in Charleston, and I have just bought there a fine house with a large garden in Old Town. I shall be very glad if you will come and move in with me. Will you do me the honor? »

"This is great news, my son. It is true that I have so many fond memories in our beautiful colonial house. It is haunted by the laughter of the two of you as children. I must admit, though, that continuing to live there without my husband would be too painful. »

"Mother, during the hot Charleston summer, we will be enjoying as a family the paradise that is our beloved Soft South. So do not be too melancholic. How convenient it will be for you to be close to the members of your charitable circles. And having you both near me will enable me to spoil you with invitations to restaurants and the theatre. »

 "You are right, Duncan. I am very happy with this decision. I know Melina is already excited about being able to live near her friends. Isn't she? "The delighted look on her daughter's face left no doubt in her mind. "Have you already selected an available property in the old town? »

Duncan's cheeky smile broke out: "Well, yes, I' hae found the gem! At the Battery, a large three-storey house perfectly restored, with all the comforts, wide piazzas, magnolias. In short, happiness for the three of us! The neighborhood is peaceful, and I presume that many of your acquaintances have taken up residence there. » 

„ Oh ! I have almost forgotten: the building is next door to a friend of yours, Mother. I think I remember you telling me about her. A certain Butler. Yes, I remember now, it is Mrs. Eleonor Butler.»

ooooOOoooo

Author : Arlette Dambron

#Gone with the Wind, #fanfiction gone with the wind, #John Stobart, #indigo, #french novel, #South Carolina, #historic novel, #Charleston 19th century, #southerner planter

(Please, do not reproduce this text without my formal authorization.)

End notes : 

(*1) My sources of information on the cotton economy and textile mills in the USA in 1870 are based on Louis Reybaud's thesis published in 1870, "L'Industrie et les Ouvriers du Coton aux États-Unis depuis la guerre de secession", Revue des Deux Mondes, 2nd period, volume 90, 1870.

Indigo cultivation in South Carolina in the 19th century: Beauford (source Wikipedia). Indigo in the Fabric of Early South Carolina, Charleston County Public Library, https://www.ccpl.org/charleston-time-machine/indigo-fabric-early-south-carolina

Reviews of readers of fanfiction.net and archiveonline.com  for chapter 5

Aet… chapter 5 . Mar 27 : That was interesting about the indigo. I taught a unit on dyes and pigments as part of a liberal ed chem course. I had thought that indigo faded as a crop in the early 1800s because more efficient synthetic methods were found. There is series in which several historians go and live in various eras in Britain. There is one on a French castle, and in one of the episodes they harvest wode and turn it into blue dye. It is actually pretty amazing the effort humans put into not having their homes and clothes not be just shades of brown.

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Al… chapter 5 . Mar 26 :: In addition to Scarlett meeting Duncan; I can’t wait for Rhett and Duncan to meetit gonna be explosive

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Guest chapter 5 . Mar 26 : Interesting background information, I love that you educate me about things I have never given any thought to. Love the fact, they are going to be living next door to the Butler’s.

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Tru… chapter 5 . Apr 5 : Duncan has a lot on his plate, but he’s a real go-getter and knows how to delegate.- Note: What is the meaning of the word “marasms” in the fifth paragraph? The closest word in the dictionary is marasmus (infant malnutrition), which doesn’t fit the context.

Chapter 6. The Magniolas' Mansion, my GWTW fanfiction - Mémoire de nos Anciens

In real, the "Palmer House", the Battery, Charleston. In my fanfiction, the house of Duncan Vayton, his mother and sister, neigbhour of the Butler's home ...

https://alarecherchedutempsperdu.over-blog.com/2021/04/in-real-the-palmer-house-the-battery-charleston-in-my-fanfiction-the-house-of-duncan-vayton-his-mother-and-sister-neigbhour-of-the-b