48 Elizabeth Street
City Directories and History: Enjoy additional information seeing R&R’s second page on the William Aiken home at #48 Elizabeth Street.
The Governor William Aiken House is significant both in terms of its architecture and its history. The main portion of the Governor William Aiken House was erected ca. 1820 by John Robinson, a merchant. In 1827, William Aiken, Sr. acquired the house. Aiken was president of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company and was a member of the state House of Representatives from 1824 until his death in 1831. After his father’s death, William Aiken, Jr. acquired the property. A rice planter, Aiken served in the state House of Representatives (1838-1841), as well as in the state Senate (1842-1844).
From 1844 to 1846 he served as Governor of South Carolina, and later served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1851-1857). The house exemplifies the changes which occurred in architectural design during the first half of the nineteenth century, reflecting late Federal period, Greek Revival, and Victorian period influences. It is three stories high and is constructed of stucco over brick. Quoins decorate the corners, while the basement level has been scored to resemble stone. The entrance façade was originally designated on that which is now the south (right side) façade. It features a Doric double piazza of two-stories with a pediment at attic level.
A semicircular fanlight graces the pediment while elaborate consoles with acanthus leaves accentuate either end. The tin roof is hipped and the restrained cornice features modillions. The structure was extensively altered ca. 1833 and a one-story wing designed as an art gallery was added in 1857-58. Included within the nominated acreage are several outbuildings: a large kitchen building containing three kitchens, workrooms, and servant quarters on the second story, in addition to a stable, two Gothic style brick privies, and two shed structures. Listed in the National Register November 21, 1977. [Courtesy of the SC Dept. of Archives and History]
AIKEN-RHETT HOUSE Constructed circa 1820; renovated with additions circa 1833, 1838
“The Aiken-Rhett House is the best- preserved complex of antebellum domestic structures left in the city. John Robinson, a well-to-do merchant, began construction shortly after acquiring the site, which was at the head of the Public Mall reserved in the development of Wraggborough, in December 1817. Following financial reversals, Robinson advertised his residence for sale, stating that it included four rooms on each floor “all well finished, cypress and cedar piazzas and fences, and large cellars and store rooms under the dwelling.” William Aiken Sr. then acquired the site as rental property. By deed of partition William Aiken Jr. and his wife Harriet Lowndes Aiken obtained the lot and began the first series of alterations.
At this point the floor plan of the house was dramatically altered. The central hallway was closed, the entry was moved from Judith Street to Elizabeth Street, an entrance foyer was created, and a double-parlor plan was arranged. A new eastern wing with a service staircase, a large dining room on the first floor, and a ballroom above enlarged the house for large-scale entertaining. In the 1830s Aiken added significantly to the outbuildings with additions to the kitchen and slave quarters on the east and the carriage house stable on the west. Entries to these buildings from the street were blocked, and Aiken altered their fenestration with some Gothic Revival detailing, also using this style for an ornamental cow shed, chicken coop, and matching corner privies. By the end of the 1850s Aiken was one of the largest slaveholders in South Carolina, keeping more than seven hundred slaves at his Jehosee Island cotton and rice plantation and nineteen slaves at his town property. In this period Aiken further remodeled his house, redecorating with fashionable gas lighting fixtures, wallpapers, and carpets and adding on the northwest an art gallery wing with Rococo Revival plaster decoration to house items acquired in Europe.
Aiken supported the Confederacy, although he opposed secession. He died during the war, and after the death of Harriet Aiken the house descended to their daughter and her descendants, the Rhett family. With most of the house closed off, the Aiken family descendants lived in only six rooms by the 1970s, when the property was transferred to The Charleston Museum with some of its original furnishings. Historic Charleston Foundation acquired the property from the Museum in 1995 and has begun further conservation while operating it as a house museum.”
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston – Author, for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
Other sources of interest: Charleston Tax Payers of Charleston, SC in 1860-61 and the Dwelling Houses of Charleston by Alice R.H. Smith – 1917 The HCF may also have additional data at: Past Perfect and further research can be uncovered at: Charleston 1861 Census Schedule or The Charleston City Guide of 1872
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!
INTERIOR IMAGE GALLERY – Photo contributed to R&R by Gazie Nagle @ www.fineartbygazie.com
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
Share Your Comments & Feedback: