City Directories and History: “This house is believed to have been built ca. 1813 by Milton Maxcy, who had come from Massachusetts. The two-story frame house sits on a high tabby foundation. Two-story piazzas supported by six fluted columns on each floor (Corinthian order on the second floor and Ionic order on the first floor) add to the charm of the Beaufort style home. Five bays wide, AABAA, the house has six over six (6/6) light windows with exterior blinds. The central entrance doors are set in a Greek Revival frame with a rectangular transom and sidelights. Curved marble steps with a wrought iron balustrade give access to the first floor piazza from the east side of the
dwelling. The arched foundation is enclosed with the same style wrought Edmund Rhett acquired the house and just prior to the Civil War remodeled the upper two floors in the Beaufort style of the Greek Revival Period.
An inscription on the basement wall reads: “In this house the first meeting favor of secession was held in 1851.” Edmund Rhett was the brother of Barnwell Rhett, the “Father of Secession.”
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(#1009) “The builder of this house is not known, but Thomas Rhett and his Caroline Barnwell, were living here prior to the Civil War. Built ca. 1820, house is similar in design to the Milton Maxcy house one west. The two houses were owned by brothers, Edmund and Thomas prior to the war. Built on a masonry foundation, the two-story frame house is five bays and has double piazzas supported by six fluted, round, Doric order across the facade. The structure has a hip roof with tri-capped exterior chimneys. The interior details include an unusual arch of carved palmetto fans central hall. For a number of years the house was known as the Cherokee In 1976 it was restored for use as a private residence.”
Information from: Historic Resources of the Lowcountry, The Lowcountry Council of Government, Cynthia C. Jenkins, Preservation Planner – Published, 1979
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