Isaiah Davenport House, 324 East State Street, Savannah

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA,26-SAV,6-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

A good example of a Transitional-Federal Style house, built in by its first owner, Isaac Davenport PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History; 1. Date of erection: 2. Architect: Isaac Davenport, carpenter and builder. Davenport was highly respected in the community. After his death, in ^^ the city accorded him civic honors. 3. Original and subsequent owners: Deed dated November 2, recorded in Liber 2t, f 20. Edward Stebbins, merchant To Isaac Davenport, carpenter Will. Isaac Davenport To Heirs Deed dated May 8, recorded in Liber 2Y, f Heirs of Isaac Davenport To William E. Baynard, planter, Hilton Head Island Purchase price The property remained in the possesion of Baynard*s descendants until when it was bought by the Historic Savannah Foundation, Inc.

Prepared by: Eleni Silverman Architectural Historian, HABS June ISAAC DAVENPORT HOUSE 4fc KABS No, GA-14-8 (Page ) PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1. Architectural character: The Davenport House is a fine example of Transitional Federal Architecture. 2. Condition: good. Restored from to by Historic Savannah Foundation, Inc. B. Description of Exterior: 1. Overall dimensions: Two-and-one-half stories over a raised basement, approximately 48' x 2. Foundations: Brick. 3. Wall construction: Brick bearing walls. 4. Porches: The main entrance stair has double-curve (horse-shoe) stairs and a decorative wrought iron railing with scrollwork medallion. 5. Chimneys: There are four end chimneys flush with the exterior walls 6. Openings: a.

Doorways and doors: The entrance doorway has a six-panel door with sidelights and full elliptical fanlight. b. Windows: Typical windows are six-over-six light double hung wooden sash. The windows have limestone sills and lintels. 7. Roof: a. Shape, covering: The gable roof has a complex form with gabled parapets and dormers. C. Description of Interior: 1. Floor plans: a. First floor: A central hall with a circular stairway at the rear. There are two large rooms at the front and two at the rear of the house. b. Second floor: A central hall with two large rooms at the front of the house and two small rooms at the rear. ^ ISAAC DAVENPORT HOUSE Q HABS No. GA-14-8 (Page p3 c. Attic: Floor plan similar to that of the second floor. 2. Stairways: The main circular wooden stairway is mahogany.

Stairs to the basement are located behind the main stair 3. Flooring: The floor is pine boards, 6' wide. 4. Wall and ceiling finish: The walls are plaster on the first and second floors and horizontal wooden planks wide) on the third. The ceilings on the first and second floors are plaster, and that on the third is wood. 5. Doorways and doors: Typical doors on the first floor are six-panel, painted wood. The six-panel varnished doors on the second and attic floors appear to be original. 6. Decorative features: The east room of the first floor has a molded plaster cornice and a large center medallion. The top of the projecting plaster molding of the arch in the east room is " inscribed "George Smith, September The east room on the first floor has a white marble mantel.

There are wooden mantels on the fireplaces in the two small rooms on the first floor. The four fireplace mantels on the second floor are wooden. 7. Heating: Originally heated by wood burning fireplaces. D. Site: 1. General setting: The house faces east on State Street and is situated at the northeast corner of Columbia Square. 2. Landscaping: There is a garden to the east and to the north of the house. Prepared by: Eleni Silverman Architectural Historian, HABS June r ^ ISAAC DAVENPORT HOUSE HABS No 9, - GA-14-8 (Page >0 (o PART III. SOURCES OF INFORMATION Linley, John. Georgia Catalog: Historic American Buildings Survey, Athens: University of Georgia Press, p.