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Charleston, S.C. in 1780, published c. 1850 by G.P. Putnam, New York. The Charleston Customs House, or Exchange, was at the center of the port's bustling export-import trade in rice, indigo, and slaves.
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Charleston's County Courthouse, c. 1880. Laurens and Burke recommended Hoban to President George Washington. The recommendation probably included Hoban's supervision of the reconfiguration of the state house for use as a courthouse.
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A scene from Shakespeare's As You Like It performed at the Charleston Theatre in 1795. Watercolor by Charles Fraser.
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William Seabrook house (completed in 1810) as it appeared in the 1956 Southern Interiors of Charleston, South Carolina. The divided stair was strikingly similar to Hoban’s design for the main stair at the White House.
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January 17, 1789
City Gazette and Daily Advertiser (Charleston).
It reads:
Absented himself on Sunday the 4th inst. a negro fellow, named Peter, by trade a carpenter about five feet seven of eight inches high, had on a brown coat, corduroy or nankeen breeches, and a three cocked hat; being closely pursued he lost one of his shoes, and his feet being remarkably large he cannot be easily fitted, which causes him to go barefooted. Any person bringing him to No, 33, Union Street continued, or the Master of the Work House, shall receive Twenty Shillings reward. All persons are hereby cautioned against harboring or carrying him away, as they may expect to be dealt according to the law.
James Hoban.