Clemson University TigerPrints All Theses Theses 5-2010 'Werner Fecit': Christopher Werner and Nineteenth-Century Charleston Ironwork Kelly Ciociola Clemson University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses Part of the Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons Recommended Citation Ciociola, Kelly, "'Werner Fecit': Christopher Werner and Nineteenth-Century Charleston Ironwork" (2010). All Theses. 821. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/821 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]. 'WERNER FECIT': CHRISTOPHER WERNER AND NINETEENTH-CENTURY CHARLESTON IRONWORK A Thesis Presented to the Graduate Schools of Clemson University and the College of Charleston In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Historic Preservation Historic Preservation by Kelly Ann Ciociola May 2010 Accepted by: Robert Russell, Ph.D, Committee Chair Frances Ford James Ward ABSTRACT A recent discovery of Christopher Werner’s account book has inspired and informed this investigation into the life and business of this nineteenth-century ironworker. This book was hidden for many years, preserved by a child’s scrapbook clippings. A restoration of this book through the removal of later additions was done, and significant information pertaining to Werner’s situation in the nineteenth century was revealed. This provided not only new knowledge on the blacksmith, but also context and perspective for additional research completed. Comprehensive studies of Charleston craftsmen are scarce. While the products of their skills are appreciated throughout the city, a general knowledge of their individual contributions is lacking. Christopher Werner was one of the city’s most well known blacksmiths, working at a time of great prosperity and creating an abundance of ironwork, yet many people today, including some historians, do not know his name. Much of his work remains despite the wars, natural disasters and neglect that have threatened these pieces throughout history. This thesis has uncovered details of his life and business, while systematically identifying Christopher Werner’s works. Some items have been thoroughly documented based on primary and secondary sources, and others have been identified through comparative analysis. While this has not been an exhaustive study, it addresses the need for academic research on the topic of the city’s craftsmen. This is one part of the larger story, and it is hoped that this will mark the beginning of a better understanding of the Charleston ironwork tradition. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Throughout the long and exciting process of researching and writing this thesis I have been aided by a number of people, who are greatly appreciated. I would first like to thank Richard Marks and Frances Ford for introducing me to Christopher Werner’s account book and offering me this rare opportunity to investigate this interesting craftsman’s life and business in this way. Without them this project could never have been what it is. I would also like to thank my advisor Robert Russell for his excellent guidance and patience, as he helped to keep my research focused throughout this process. Marie Ferrara was invaluable as well, for her instruction on the methods of paper restoration. Additionally, I am grateful to those who read and edited this work in order to get it to its polished state, including James Ward and Jessica Golebiowski. Katherine Saunders of Historic Charleston Foundation, not only has acted as a reader, but has also offered her passionate support of further research into the craftsmen of Charleston, which has led to many interesting discoveries. The research institutions of Charleston have been exceedingly helpful, with their enthusiastic and supportive archivists and staff, specifically Nic Butler at the Charleston County Library, Karen Emmons at Historic Charleston Foundation, and Brian Fahey of the Catholic Diocese, who have gone out of their way to aid this researcher. My supportive friends and classmates cannot go without mention as well. We have all made each other’s lives a little easier throughout this process and I am grateful to them for their support and friendship. Additionally, my family has supported and encouraged me throughout this thesis, as well as helped to make me who I am today, and for that, they will always be appreciated. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TITLE PAGE....................................................................................................................i ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..............................................................................................iii LIST OF FIGURES .........................................................................................................v CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................1 II. HISTORY OF IRONWORK .........................................................................7 III. BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION OF OF CHRISTOPHER WERNER ..................................................................24 IV. ROLE OF THE SLAVE IN THE CHARLESTON IRONWORK TRADITION.........................................................................36 V. ANALYSIS OF CHRISTOPHER WERNER’S ACCOUNT BOOK......................................................................................42 VI. WERNER’S OEUVRE................................................................................50 Extant Work...........................................................................................52 Lost Work ............................................................................................124 VII. CONCLUSION..........................................................................................153 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................155 A: Restoration of a Nineteenth-Century Account Book.................................156 B: Werner’s Account Book Transcription......................................................170 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................332 iv LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1 Altar rail at St. Michael’s Church................................................................13 2 Ironwork of the Gibbes House at 64 South Battery.....................................14 3 Ironwork of seventeenth-century design......................................................15 4 Iusti’s signature on the overthrow at St. Michael’s Church.........................16 5 Detail of St. Lawrence arch at Charleston Museum ....................................20 6 Detail of fence at 28 Chapel Street ..............................................................20 7 Drawings of a variety of different motifs ....................................................22 8 Drawings of different types of scrolls..........................................................23 9 Only known picture claimed to be Christopher Werner ..............................26 10 Detail of Bridgens and Allen Map, Charleston, SC 1852............................28 11 Mary Jane Werner Sires...............................................................................31 12 Mattie Sires ..................................................................................................31 13 Receipts page 112 of Werner’s account book..............................................43 14 Expenditures page 113 of Werner’s account book ......................................43 15 Historic image of East Bay Street................................................................51 16 Palmetto Tree at the South Carolina State House........................................53 17 Plaque in memory of Palmetto Regiment ....................................................56 18 One of four plaques honoring Palmetto Regiment ......................................56 19 Damage to the Palmetto Tree after 1939 tornado ........................................58 20 Sword Gates at 32 Legare Street..................................................................60 v List of Figures (continued) Figure Page 21 Detail of swords and spears in the Sword Gates..........................................61 22 Detail of Sword Gate overthrow..................................................................62 23 Façade of the John Rutledge House.............................................................63 24 Cast iron column at the John Rutledge House.............................................65 25 Cast iron column at the Palmetto Tree monument.......................................65 26 Detail of acanthus leaf at the John Rutledge House ....................................65 27 Detail of anthemion motif at the John Rutledge House...............................65 28 Front stair railing at the John Rutledge House.............................................66 29 Back stair railing at the John Rutledge House.............................................66 30 Sea monster element on front façade...........................................................67 31 Sea monster element on rear elevation ........................................................67