William Harvey House
58 Meeting Street
— circa 1770 —
In 1778 Katherine Motte, the wife of prominent rice planter Issac Motte, inherited the property from her father, merchant and planter David Deas. Motte sold the property to merchant Daniel deSaussure that same year. By 1801, deSaussure's son, Chancellor Henry William deSaussure, the first director of the United States Mint and appeals judge, owned 58 Meeting Street as his residence. His law partner Timothy Ford lived next door at 63 Tradd Street, since demolished.
John H. Doscher purchased the dwelling in 1872 and altered the ground floor into a grocery store with a Meeting Street commercial storefront. A second story bay window was also added on the Meeting Street facade. Grocer Peter C. Christantou purchased the building in 1917 and operated "Pete's," a popular neighborhood grocery store for the next 60 years.
In 1982 the property was returned
to its historic use as a private residence. The commercial store front was replaced with a five bay facade with a central entrance on Meeting Street and a two bay facade on Tradd Street. The second story bay window was also removed. Continuing renovation work included redesigning the two-story hyphen on the Meeting Street facade and the construction of a two-story addition east facade.Erected 2009 by The Preservation Society of Charleston.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina, Preservation Society of Charleston series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1770.
Location. 32° 46.476′ N, 79° 55.842′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is in South of Broad. Marker is at the intersection of Meeting Street and Tradd Street, on the left when traveling south on Meeting Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. 58 Tradd Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Branford-Horry House (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Presbyterian Church of Charleston (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacob Motte House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. William Cleland's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Timothy Ford's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Judge Robert Pringle House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Site of Colleton Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
Additional commentary.
1. Grand Modell,
A 1680 plan for the new settlement, the Grand Modell, laid out "the model of an exact regular town," and the future for the growing community...Today the city's community buildings help to make Charleston one of the most complete historic districts in the country, with more than 1400 historically significant buildings
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,366 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 27, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 2. submitted on September 1, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 27, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. 6. submitted on October 9, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on December 27, 2010, by Michael Sean Nix of Spartanburg, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.