City Directories and History: JOHN ROBINSON HOUSE
Constructed 1814
“After the Aiken-Rhett House, this was John Robinson’s most finely crafted Wraggborough building. Retained by his widow after Robinson’s other properties were lost due to debt, the house has since generally remained as a single family residence. The two-and-a-half-story stuccoed brick dwelling with a front-facing Neoclassical piazza features corner quoining and a cross pediment with a well-detailed lunette window.”
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston – Author, for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
“John Robinson also built this two and one-half story brick house on a high brick basement which has piazzas across the front and a fanlighted pediment. The main door has a fanlight and sidelights. In the interior are mantels and other woodwork of the Regency period. This was the home, 1902-1910, of the Rt. Rev. Peter Fayssoux Stevens , first bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church. Stevens commanded the Citadel cadet unit which fired the first shot of the Civil War, a warning shot at the Federal supply ship Star of the West in January, 1861. After the war, Stevens became superintendent of The Citadel , but soon resigned to lead the Reformed Episcopal Church. He was a white bishop of a black denomination.” (Stockton, News & Courier , July 7,1975; Thomas, DYKYC, July 6, 1970; Stoney, This is Charleston , p.59) – CCPL
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
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