City Directories and History: ELEANORA WILKINSON HOUSE; Constructed circa 1853
“This two-and-a-half-story, side-hall, double-parlor-plan dwelling was built around 1853 by Mrs. Eleanora Wilkinson, following her husband’s death. A Greek Revival architrave ornaments the front facade, and a double piazza attached to the west facade is supported by Tuscan columns. After Mrs. Wilkinson’s death in 1874, the property passed to her son-in-law Christopher Gustavus Memminger, a secretary of the treasury for the Confederacy and the founder of Charleston’s public school system. Memminger did not choose to reside at 157 Wentworth Street. He remained at his own dwelling nearby (now demolished) and sold the Wilkinson property in 1874 to Mrs. Miriam Valentine for $6,000. The second tier of the piazza was enclosed by a later owner.”
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
Note that C.G. Memminger was listed as the President of the Etiwan Phosphate Company in 1882. The business continued operating strongly in the 1930’s when they sold goods to the Woodrow (B.W. Segars) Fertilizer Company of Sumter Co., S.C.
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