Beaufort Local Customs

This three-story tabby house at 1103 Bay Street was built before the Revolutionary War by William Elliot I and occupied before the Civil War by William Elliott III, who was very much opposed to secession. He resigned his seat in the Senate rather than vote for nullification. But when the war broke out he, like Robert E. Lee, went with his state. The house was saved from demolition by the Historic Beaufort Foundation. Today it is known as the Anchorage House.

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John Mark Verdier, a prosperous merchant built this Federal-style house in the 1790s. In 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette was a house guest here. The home was taken over by Union officers as their headquarters during the Civil War. The Verdier house once housed the presses of the Beaufort Gazette.

It is now a museum which was restored by the Historic Beaufort Foundation.. It is at 1802 Bay Street and Scott Streets.
Admission $4 adults $2 students.
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11 am - 4 pm

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The Paul Hamilton House AKA The Oaks is at 100 Laurens Street. It is Italianate in style with a wide porch running across the front and the two sides.

Inside are unusual carved mantles that wrap around the sides of the chimneys.

Built in 1856 by Col. Paul Hamilton and deserted when Beaufort was occupied by federal troops in 1861, it was used as a hospital for a time. Following the war, it was offered for sale by the government commissioner along with other Beaufort houses to pay “taxes due.” Indignant citizens, led by George Holmes, a Northern merchant, gathered together enough money to pay for the house in Hamilton’s name.

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The Baptist Church of Beaufort was organized in 1800, but the building was not erected at 600 Charles Street until 1844 during the Pastorate of Richard Fuller. Richard Fuller was the son of Thomas Fuller who built Tabby Manse.

The church is an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture. Originally it did not have a steeple.

It was used as a hospital during the Civil War. Before the war, the congregation consisted of 166 white worshippers and 3,577 slaves.

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This house which appears to be on Bay Street actually has the entrance at 400 Wilmington Street. There is a false entrance door on Bay Street, which you can tell is false because there are no stairs to the first floor. The lower part of the windows on the porch open like doors to provide access to the porch.

The house was built in 1811 and occupied by the federal military commander, Gen. Stevens, and his staff during the Civil War. It was also used as a hospital. Smith also owned the Old Fort Plantation, now the site of Beaufort’s Naval Hospital

Leverette (or Leverett) house at 1301 Bay Street was originally built on St. Helena Island prior to the Revolution. It was moved by Benjamin Rhett to the current location in 1850. In 1854, Edward Leverette bought the house for $1,800. The front door still has the original lock, and there is an additional method of locking the front door -- with a large wooden bar to protect it from wind and intruders. .

First African Baptist Church at 601 New Street was built before 1840 and was known as the "Prayer House" by 1861. It was sold to freed slaves in 1868 by the Baptist Church of Beaufort.

When we drove by it, they were renovating it.

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Saint Helena's Parish was organized in 1712 and construction of the church began in 1724. It is one of the oldest active churches in the United States. Colonel Jack "Tuscarora Jack" Barnwell founder of Beaufort, is buried here.

The church was used as a hospital during the Civil War, when its flat tombstones became operating tables.