The house was likely built by Edward Hix (1792 – 1882), a veteran of the War of 1812 and a native Virginian. After spending some time in Union County, South Carolina, Edward bought the lot where the house is located from Robert Cresswell in January 1818. Cresswell was a prominent citizen, not just of Laurens, but of the state, having served as Lt. Governor from 1814 to 1816 (Lieutenant Governors of South Carolina). Hix himself was a coach and wagon manufacturer, and he also operated a furniture factory and grist mill on Hix Creek, just below the site of the house near the present-day Laurens County Emergency Services Complex, also on South Harper Street.