Framing the Lowcountry: the Volute Ion of the Region’S Vernacular Tradition Brent Russell Fortenberry Clemson University
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Clemson University TigerPrints All Theses Theses 5-2016 Framing the Lowcountry: The volutE ion of the Region’s Vernacular Tradition Brent Russell Fortenberry Clemson University Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses Part of the Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons Recommended Citation Fortenberry, Brent Russell, "Framing the Lowcountry: The vE olution of the Region’s Vernacular Tradition" (2016). All Theses. 2422. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/2422 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FRAMING THE LOWCOUNTRY: THE EVOLUTION OF THE REGION’S VERNACULAR TRADITION A Thesis Presented to the Graduate Schools of Clemson University and College of Charleston In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science Historic Preservation by Brent Russell Fortenberry May 2016 Accepted by: Carter L. Hudgins, Committee Chair Richard D. Marks III Willie Graham ABSTRACT Timber-framing systems are the foundation of Early Modern vernacular architecture traditions. The fabrication, construction, and finish details of such assemblies are indexes of the character-defining features of building practices and the wider socio- cultural context. The Lowcountry of South Carolina is no exception. From the late seventeenth-century onwards builders from Old World traditions came together to erect unrivalled British edifices in the colonial and Early Republic periods. While other scholars have closely scrutinized and interpreted the framing traditions of the Chesapeake and New England, there has yet to be a consideration of the nature and evolution of the Lowcountry’s framing. Bringing together architectural evidence from fifteen sites in the region, this study explores the emergence and evolution of the Lowcountry frame, ultimately positioning the region’s vernacular landscape within the context of the British Atlantic world. ii DEDICATION To my parents and sister for their tireless support, last one, I promise. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work would not have been possible without the robust support of my committee, Carter L. Hudgins, Moby Marks, and Willie Graham. Thanks also go to Tommy Graham and Craig Bennett who provided support as well as introductions to many of the property owners. Most important, thanks go to all the owners who gracious allowed me to scramble inside and outside of their buildings. I would also like to acknowledge Stéphanie Cretté for her patience in allowing me to research, write, and complete this thesis over the last year. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Title Page ............................................................................................................................... i Abstract ................................................................................................................................. ii Dedication ............................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... iv Figures ...................................................................................................................................4 List of Tables ..........................................................................................................................9 Chapter One: Framing the Lowcountry ................................................................................. 10 Framing as Building Solution ..................................................................................................... 10 Interpreting Meaning ................................................................................................................ 13 Design and Influence in Lowcountry Architecture and Framing ............................................... 14 The Lowcountry and Its Importance ......................................................................................... 17 Biased Dataset ........................................................................................................................... 19 Framing the Discussion .............................................................................................................. 22 Chapter Two: Framing in Context ......................................................................................... 25 Thinking Atlantically not Regionally—Trans-Atlantic Perspectives ........................................... 26 Muddy Boots–English Vernacular Forms .................................................................................. 28 Empiricism and Precedent–Timber-Framing in New England ................................................... 29 Evolution; Causality–The Chesapeake & Delaware Valley ........................................................ 30 The Unknown and the Developing–The Greater Caribbean ..................................................... 34 The Known but still Developing–Return to the Lowcountry ..................................................... 38 Chapter Three: Framing is in the Details—Methodology ........................................................40 Creating the Dataset .................................................................................................................. 40 The Dataset................................................................................................................................ 41 Thinking about Terms ................................................................................................................ 42 Collecting Data .......................................................................................................................... 42 Sample Framing Schedule ......................................................................................................... 43 Future Database ........................................................................................................................ 43 1 Table of Contents (Continued) Page Chapter Four: Framing God in the Lowcountry ...................................................................... 45 Anglican Church Act–1706 ........................................................................................................ 47 Prince George Winyah, Georgetown ......................................................................................... 49 St. James Santee, Wambaw Creek ............................................................................................ 59 Pompion Hill Chapel, Huger South Carolina .............................................................................. 67 St. Stephen’s Parish Church ....................................................................................................... 77 St. Thomas/St. Denis ................................................................................................................. 87 Discussion .................................................................................................................................. 91 Chapter Five: Frames in Town and Country ........................................................................... 96 Before the Single House ............................................................................................................ 97 Earliest Framing Evidence in the Lowcountry ......................................................................... 100 Thomas Rose House ................................................................................................................ 104 Hampton Plantation ................................................................................................................ 109 Miles Brewton House .............................................................................................................. 114 Heyward Washington House ................................................................................................... 123 Nathaniel Russell House .......................................................................................................... 131 The Joseph Manigault House .................................................................................................. 138 Aiken Rhett House ................................................................................................................... 148 Broader Discussions ................................................................................................................ 155 Chapter Six: Framing Enslaved Landscapes.......................................................................... 158 Plantation Slavery .................................................................................................................... 158 Middleburg Plantation ............................................................................................................ 161 Hopsewee Plantation .............................................................................................................. 168 McLeod Plantation .................................................................................................................. 174 Silver Hill .................................................................................................................................