18th Century Charleston - Meeting Street

Meeting St. runs North to South through the middle and length of the city, parallel to Church St. to the east and King St. to the west.

36 Meeting St.
1740

This Georgian Style residence is an early example of the "Charleston Single House." The original woodwork is notable; the drawing room mantle is attributed to Charleston cabinet maker, Thomas Elfe. Unique in the kitchen building is the original cooking fireplace, intact. From the Abstract of Title for 36 Meeting it is known that in May of 1741 the land was surveyed and that is was owned by Arnouldus Vanderhorst, a planter from Berkeley County. The land was sold in 1743 to a carpenter, Easie Brunch, and it was probably he who was responsible for building the house, which still stands today. The building is an excellent example of the Georgian style Charleston "single house'. It is quite similar to other houses built around the same time in both masonry and wood. 

The Thomas Elfe house on Queen Street should be viewed comparatively. It has been suggested that piazzas [verandas] did not come into usage until late in the eighteenth century. Therefore, it can be assumed from their simple style that the piazzas were added thirty or forty years after the house was built. Had the piazzas been added any later they would have probably reflected more Adamesque sensitivity. The piazza was definitely in place by 1816 as it is shown on a plat of that date. 

The piazzas can not be confused with Greek Revival style Piazza's because the proportions of the door surround reveal Georgian rather than Greek scale. The property originally contained four distinct buildings: the main house, the kitchen house, the stable, and a privy. These building excluding the privy were apparently connected around 1850. Part if this connection involved the addition of what now is the library. What was once the kitchen house and stable now serves as rooms for the Bed and Breakfast. The interior of this house has some of the finest Georgian detailing in the City. The mantel in the drawing room is attributed to Thomas Elfe because of its distinctive Mahogany framework. The "music clef" carving on the stairs is quite unique and may reveal one of the original owner's interests.
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37 Meeting St.
James Simmons House, 1760

Charlestonian James Simmons is believed to have built this Georgian style house circa 1760. It is located on Lot 278 of the "Grand Model of Charles Town", the earliest plan of the city. 













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39 Meeting St.
Then St. Michael's Church Rectory 1766

Built for St. Michael’s Church Rectory by Miller & Fullerton.















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