City Directories and History: BRANFORD-HORRY HOUSE
Constructed 1750; portico added 1830; and 20th century restorations
“The merchant Benjamin Savage acquired the lot at the corner of Tradd and Meeting Streets from John Allen and his wife in 1747. Savage in 1750 then bequeathed to “Elizabeth Savage, the daughter of my Brother Thomas Savage (now living with me) my houses and Ground in Charleston . . . with all and singular buildings and
Image contributed by Kevin R. Eberle – 2017
appurtenances it being the ground and houses in Tradd Street.” Elizabeth subsequently married William Branford, a wealthy planter, whose holdings included Old Towne Plantation, the original site of Charles Town. Elizabeth’s daughter, Ann, and then her grandson Elias Horry, second president of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company, inherited the house after her death in 1801. It was Horry who apparently added the Greek piazzas that now cover the sidewalk on the Meeting Street side of the property.
The house has a double-pile plan, with one large room and one smaller room on the second-floor front. On the first floor both front-room doorways were widened during the Horry occupancy to create a double-parlor plan. The stable associated with the house is now 61 Meeting Street. A kitchen building west of the stable was demolished in the early-twentieth century.”
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.
R&R HISTORY LINK: SCHS Mag. article; “Extracts from Harriott Horry’s Receipt Book, Pt. I
R&R HISTORY LINK: SCHS Mag. article; “Extracts from Harriott Horry’s Receipt Book” Pt. II
R&R LINK: TEXT – NR NOMINATION
R&R LINK: NATIONAL REGISTER – IMAGES(S)
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: