Ansonborough in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Col. William Rhett House
54 Hasell Street
— circa 1712-1720 —
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, June 13, 2010
1. Col. William Rhett House Marker
Inscription.
Col. William Rhett House. 54 Hasell Street. This residence was constructed by Col. William Rhett (1666-1722), a prominent Charleston merchant and colonial militia leader. In 1706 he led a small fleet of local ships that repulsed a combined French and Spanish invasion of the city. Rhett is perhaps best remembered for his capture of the pirate Stede Bonnet in 1718. Considered one of the oldest houses in Charleston, this two story stuccoed brick residence was originally squarish in plan, a layout typical of early Charleston houses. An addition on the northwest side as well as the east and west piazzas, by which the house is now entered from Hasell Street, were added in the early 19th century. When constructed, the house was located outside the city limits on a portion of land known as the Point Plantation. After Rhett acquired the property in 1707 he renamed the twenty eight acres surrounding the house "Rhettsbury", a name that was still in use when the area was later subdivided for his granddaughters, Susannah Hasell Quince and Mary Hasell Ancrum. In 1807 the property was purchased by Christopher Fitzsimmons, a wealthy wharf owner. His grandson, Wade Hampton, III (1818-1902), Confederate Lieutenant General, Governor of South Carolina (1876-1879), and United States Senator (1879-1891) was born in this house in 1818.
This residence was constructed by Col. William Rhett (1666-1722), a prominent Charleston merchant and colonial militia leader. In 1706 he led a small fleet of local ships that repulsed a combined French and Spanish invasion of the city. Rhett is perhaps best remembered for his capture of the pirate Stede Bonnet in 1718.
Considered one of the oldest houses in Charleston, this two story stuccoed brick residence was originally squarish in plan, a layout typical of early Charleston houses. An addition on the northwest side as well as the east and west piazzas, by which the house is now entered from Hasell Street, were added in the early 19th century.
When constructed, the house was located outside the city limits on a portion of land known as the Point Plantation. After Rhett acquired the property in 1707 he renamed the twenty eight acres surrounding the house "Rhettsbury", a name that was still in use when the area was later subdivided for his granddaughters, Susannah Hasell Quince and Mary Hasell Ancrum.
In 1807 the property was purchased by Christopher Fitzsimmons, a wealthy wharf owner. His grandson, Wade Hampton, III (1818-1902), Confederate Lieutenant General, Governor of South Carolina (1876-1879), and United States Senator (1879-1891) was born in this house in 1818.
Location. 32° 46.98′ N, 79° 55.83′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Ansonborough. Marker is at the intersection of Hasell Street and Maiden Lane, on the left when traveling east on Hasell Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 54 Hasell Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
from The Biographical Dictionary of America, 1906, by Rossiter Johnson.
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, June 13, 2010
5. Col. William Rhett House
Photographed By Michael Sean Nix, June 13, 2010
6. Col. William Rhett House
Historic American Buildings Survey, Louis I. Schwartz, August 1963
7. Col. William Rhett House Historic American Engineering Record
Habs SC,10-CHAR,69--3
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,652 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 13, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 4. submitted on July 29, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5, 6. submitted on June 13, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 7. submitted on January 3, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.