Ansonborough in Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Moses C. Levy House

circa 1816

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 29, 2011

1. The Moses C. Levy House Marker

Medallion:
Award 1995
Carolopolis
Condita A.D.
1670
Preservation Society of Charleston

The Carolopolis Award is a plaque placed on buildings that have been preserved, restored, rehabilitated or are outstanding examples of new construction. The award is presented to those individuals, businesses or organizations that currently own the property. The Carolopolis Award is a slightly modified reproduction of the seal of the City of Charleston. The word Carolopolis comes from the original name of the city.

Inscription. Moses C. Levy, a Polish born King Street merchant, built this valuable Federal style single house between 1811 and 1816. The house is located on land originally owned by Henry Laurens, one of the wealthiest merchants in the United States and President of the Continental Congress from 1777-1778. Moses Levy was heralded for his bravery in saving the scrolls of Beth Elohim Synagogue at 90 Hasell Street from destruction in the great fire of 1838. The property was later the home of William J. Grayson, a pro-Union apologist for slavery and author of the poem, “The Hirling and the Slave.” The Levy House is noted for its exceptionally carved Adam style woodwork, which includes the piazza door surround. The property was recently restored by the current owner after many years of neglect.

Erected by Preservation Society of Charleston.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina, Preservation Society of Charleston series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.

Location. 32° 47.14′ N, 79° 55.751′ W.

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Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in Ansonborough. It is on East Bay Street (U.S. 52), on the right when traveling south. Located between Laurens and Society Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 East Bay Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston

and in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Benjamin DuPré House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Andrew Moffett House (about 400 feet away); Blake-Grimké House (about 500 feet away); St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (about 600 feet away); Schreiner-Comerford House (about 700 feet away); Dr. Joseph Johnson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jones-Howell House (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Peter's Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

The Moses C. Levy House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 29, 2011

2. The Moses C. Levy House and Marker

The Moses C. Levy House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 29, 2011

3. The Moses C. Levy House

The Moses C. Levy House,Historic American Engineering Record, Habs SC,10-CHAR,33--1 image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, C.O. Greene, March 25, 1940

4. The Moses C. Levy House,Historic American Engineering Record, Habs SC,10-CHAR,33--1

The Moses C. Levy House, Historic American Engineering Record, Habs SC,10-CHAR,33--5 image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, Louis I. Schwartz, July 1962

5. The Moses C. Levy House, Historic American Engineering Record, Habs SC,10-CHAR,33--5

S.C. Dept. of Archives and History, April 6, 2007

6. The Moses C. Levy House

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,596 times since then and 139 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 21, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4, 5. submitted on January 20, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on January 24, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.