Briarwood, Dauphin Way & Mobile Street, Mobile

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS ALA,49-MOBI,66-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Minnie Boyles, Previous Owners; Kiah B. Sewall, Date of fraction; Architect; Unknown. Builder; Kiah B. Sewall. Present Condition; Jhtoellent. ffumber of Stories: Two* Materials of ionatruotion; ?foo& superstructure over first lEloor of brioi; combined witft fluted Golonial eolamns. Other Bxlsting Eepords; "HISTORIC Off OLD MOBILB11 .By John E. Glennon & Rosemary &lennon Buildings sketched by fhici elennon Lasley.

4 Page 2* ALA uq- Modi' j|dditional Data; This charming dwelling on Eobile Street just north of Dauphin Wa^, has no duplicate anywhere in - Mobile, and is one of those ehfcsen by local architects as outstanding examples of Gulf Coast olonial architecture* In this house the typical substantial brick lower story, cemented walls and wooden superstructure have been combined with Colonial fluted columns, high*-ceilinged rooms and the most unusual entrance and side hall of any dwelling in and around Mobile. Boor knobs and key-hole keepers throughout the house are made of solid silver, and in the lar&er rooms are center pieces and wall decorations of plaster of paris - indicating that the building was erected by a man of means. Kiah B.

Sewall came from Maine to Mobile and built this home in It is said that during the Oivil War he was a Union sympathizer and that at the beginning of hostilities he left Mobile rather hurriedly, leaving behind him this house, - completely furnished, and that he never returned. Nothing in Mobile health registry records mentions the passing of Mr. Sewall, but other official records show that he died on August 16, leaving a widow ^nd eight children, then living in Portland,Eainfc. In the property was purchased by Minnie Boyles, wife.of inarew Jackson Boyles, and the Boyles family still occupies it* Source of Material; John K. lennon* Mobile, Alabama. Compiled byj Katherina S*loyd. Auburn, ^tabaraa. Ipprovedj . Walter? Burkhardt, A.P.I. iub.um, ilabama. Date; } i | *w I