Daniel, James and Cunningham, House
Also known as: Kettle Creek Manor
Why it's listed
Built between about 1810 and 1819, this brick house south of Rayle in Wilkes County, Georgia, was constructed for Cunningham Daniel on land belonging to his father, James Daniel. The family was among the first to receive land grants in the Ceded Lands and helped found Liberty Church, thought to be the earliest Presbyterian congregation in the area. The house stayed in the family through several generations until 1967. Architecturally, it is a Federal-style "I"-type house, a tall, two-room-and-hall form that is unusual in backcountry Georgia, where simple frame houses with applied Federal details were more common. Features include radiating lintels, an elliptical fanlight, delicate mantels and a continuous stair rising three stories. The builder is unknown, but the craftsmanship suggests familiarity with builders' guides. The house stood vacant from about 1945 until restoration began in 1967. It is now used as a residence and for antiques showrooms.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to the Daniel family, among the first to receive land grants in Wilkes County and early founders of the Presbyterian church in the region. Architecturally, it is an unusual "I"-type brick Federal house in backcountry Georgia, notable for its vertical profile, fine design and interior finishes. The nomination calls it architecturally superior to many Georgia backcountry houses of the period.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80001266, listed November 24, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Rayle on Bartram Trace Rd., Rayle |
|---|---|
| County | Wilkes County |
| Listed | November 24, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001266 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1810-1819 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored and occupied since 1967; used as a private residence and as showrooms for antiques. The house was vacant from about 1945 until 1967. |
| Acreage | 50.2 |
| Coordinates | 33.68179, -82.90927 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80001266.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q134466950
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.