City Directories and History: STEVENS-LATHERS HOUSE
Constructed circa 1843; altered 187o; partially restored 1970s, 1990s
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress – HABS Collection
“Samuel N. Stevens, a factor in partnership with John and William Ravenel, purchased this property in 1843. Stevens’s house stood three stories tall with a T-shaped floor plan and piazzas on the front elevation facing South Battery; the original front door stood in an ell toward the western rear of the first elevation of this porch. Colonel Lathers, a native of Georgetown, S.C., went to New York in 1847 and made a fortune in banking insurance, railroads, and other pursuits. By tradition, Colonel Lathers decided to assist in the reconstruction of his native state after the war, so he moved to Charleston. The Charleston Courier stated on March 31,1870, that Colonel Lathers’s residence on South Battery was “in [the] charge of Mr. J. H. Devereux.” Architect John H. Devereux’s enlargements for Lathers included a substantial addition
Images courtesy of: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, New York Public Library. Collection of images and prints of Charleston, S.C.
with a large frieze and cornice with supporting brackets and a fish-scaled slate mansard roof with an arched tripartite dormer projection. The top floor of the dwelling housed an exceptional library described by a visitor as “filled with books and engravings.” Receptions were held in the house for important Union leaders, including Gov. Horatio Seymour of New York and William Cullen Bryant. After attempting for nearly four years to restore goodwill between men of the North and the South, Lathers sold the house and returned to New York. Since the 1970s the main house and dependency have been utilized as a private residence and as an inn.” 
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
Other sources: Charleston Tax Payers of Charleston, SC in 1860-61, Dwelling Houses of Charleston by Alice R.H. Smith – 1917, Charleston 1861 Census Schedule, and a 1872 Bird’s Eye View of Charleston, S.C. The Hist. Charleston Foundation may also have additional data at: Past Perfect
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
Please enjoy this structure and all those listed in Roots and Recall. But remember each is private property. So view them from a distance or from a public area such as the sidewalk or public road.
Do you have information to share and preserve? Family, school, church, or other older photos and stories are welcome. Send them digitally through the “Share Your Story” link, so they too might be posted on Roots and Recall.
Thanks!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: