South of Broad in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Site of the William Burrows House
71 Broad Street
Warren LeMay via Flickr/Public domain, October 18, 2019
1. Site of the William Burrows House Marker
His son, William Ward Burrows (1758-1805), served in the Revolutionary War in South Carolina. In 1798 he was appointed first commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps by President John Adams after its reestablishment as a permanent organization. Burrows helped President Thomas Jefferson select the site for the Marine Barracks and the Home of the Commandants in Washington, D.C. He established the Marine Corps Band and under his guidance many traditions and the esprit de corps had their beginning. He was buried in Washington. D.C. and reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery in 1892.
During the War of 1812, his son, William Ward Burrows II (1785-1813), became a national hero while in command of USS Enterprise. His ship captured HMS Boxer off the coast of Maine. Burrows died during the engagement and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Three U.S. Navy ships have been named for him.
Other notable owners: Thomas Hall (1750-1814), Revolutionary War patriot and first postmaster of Charleston. Jehu Jones, Sr. (1769-1833), a free man of color who converted the house into a luxury hotel hosting elite travelers, including
this page online
In 1852 another hotelier renamed Jones' Hotel the Mansion House, as it was known until demolition in 1928. The drawing room survives in Winterthur Museum in Delaware. The present structure was built in 1930 by Henry Schachte & Sons.
Erected 2015 by St. Michael's Church • The Society of the War of 1812 in the State of South Carolina.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • War of 1812 • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1772.
Location. 32° 46.588′ N, 79° 55.821′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in South of Broad. Marker is on Broad Street east of Meeting Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the left edge of the brick wall at the St. Michael's cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 71 Broad St, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Daniel Ravenel II House (a few steps from this marker); Major General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Timrod (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederate Home (within shouting distance of this marker); City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Francis Salvador (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Michael's Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Light Infantry Monument (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
Additional commentary.
1. The Son of William Ward Burrows
William Ward Burrows’ son was not named William Ward Burrows. He was plain William Burrows, probably named after his grandfather, as shown by his signature on an U.S. Citizenship Affidavit of US-born Seamen at Select Ports, 1792-1869, dated 2 July 1811. He was never referred to as William Ward Burrows, only William Burrows. The plaque is incorrect.
— Submitted June 3, 2023, by Mary Anderson of White Rock, New Mexico.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 282 times since then and 53 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 6, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
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