54 King Street
The James Brown House
Circa 1768
The James Brown House is situated on a portion of Lot Number 82 of the Grand Modell, the city plan for
Charleston that was developed in 1670. The lot was originally granted by the Lords Proprietors on June 12, 1694 to John Frowman, a butcher, for an annual rent of one penny. This three and one-half story Georgian style Single House, and two story brick dependency building were constructed in 1768 by James Brown, a master carpenter. Brown represented St. Michael's and St. Philip's Parishes in the Provincial Congresses, participated in the construction of the first South Carolina State House, and was imprisoned by the British during the Revolutionary War.
The handsome two-tiered Regency style piazzas and entry door surround were added between 1810 and 1830 by the Lehre' or Gantt families, who owned the house during this period. During the 1860s, the house was owned as an investment by George A. Trenholm, a merchant. Trenholm served as Secretary of the Treasury for the Confederate States of America from July 1864 to April 1865, and also was engaged in blockade running during the Civil War.
Marker is on King Street near Prices Alley, on the left when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
