Fort Frederica, John Callwell House (Ruins), Lot No. 3, North Ward, Saint Simons Island

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA,64-FRED,5-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

by the original settlers of Fort Frederica about PART-I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. Original and subsequent owners: Lot #3, North Ward, was granted to Michael Germain, whose widow married John Dalton. It is not known who built the house. After his death, the house was either rented or sold to John Calwell. 2. Date of erection: - (?) B. Historical Events Connected with the Structure: North Ward, Lot #3. Granted to Michael Germain, who, with his wife Joyce, arrived with the first settlers. Germain became ill soon after arriving at Frederica. John Wesley attended Mm in his illness and buried him Saturday, May 29, Joyce Germain then married John Dalton of North Carolina, who died in She then re- turned to England.

Later, in it was claimed that this lot was possessed and improved by John Calwell, whose sons and widow laid claim to it. John Calwell and his wife, Constance, were among the first settlers in Frederica. They were granted Lot #4, North Ward. Two of their children, John and Constance, were born at Frederica. John Calwell became a tallow candler and soapboiler. He died in His widow later married a Molntosh. Calwell's sons received land grants in this area in and Source: Margaret Davis Cate, Sea Island, Georgia, typescript, Notes On Broad Street Lots. Town of Frederica. Georgia. A copy is at Fort Frederica National Monument, Box St. Simons Island, Georgia. Prepared by Lionel J. Bienvenu - April PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1.

Architectural character: Very little remains of this rvMa-i sn settler's house except the foundations. HABS CA1WELL HOUSE &A Page 2 . . 2. Condition of fabric: Foundations only; nothing left above grade, B, Technical Description of Exterior; 1. Overall dimensions: by 37 -0 2. Foundations: Tabby, approximately thick, extend- ing from basement floor, below Colonial grade, past basement window sill line to unknown height. 3. Wall construction: Unknown 4. Chimneys: One, of brick. 5. Openings: a. Doorways and doors; Wood frame b. Windows and shutters: Wood frame windows, probably with small rectangular lights. Window glass fragments found did not indi- cate size or configuration. Small iron pintles found indicate either casement windows or shutters, or both. 6. Roof; No evidence of covering.

There may have been three or four dormers on one (south) side or both sides. C. Technical Description of Interiors: 1. Floor plans: Unknown number of stories. Basement rectangular with rectangular kitchen and one large H L"-shaped room that may have been broken up into smaller rooms. Trough around kitchen floor evidently left by sole of partition. No evidence of upper floors. 2. Stairways: Three stairways from grade to basement, brick with approximately 4" by 4" wood nosings recessed in cheeks. No evidence of stairways to upper floors. 3. Flooring: Kitchen: square clay paving quarries with brick on two sides. Rest of basement: medium coarse tabby broken into rubble. 4.

Wall and ceiling finish: Several fragments of tabby plaster found, thick with imprint of 1" wood laths and a burnt shell lime finish coat. 5. Hardware: Found in excavation - one copper spike; rest of hardware is of iron; several pintles, one large key, one box lock nearly intact and one fragment, door hinges, large staples, one keeper for sliding bar, and forged nails. HA6S

Calwell House

Qfy Page 3 ty-fjfea "- '' 6.. Heating; Large brick oven-fireplace complex in basement; two diagonal fireplaces at right angles to each other open into adjoining rooms eaeh one just off a corner. In one corner is a space 3' wide by 4' -9" deep, possibly for wood storage. Corner in kitchen held an oval oven approximately above floor with brick vaulted space beneath. Absence of flue from this enclosure and charred brick indicates it held live coals removed from oven. Two brick courses above floor a key for a wood member since decayed runs along side of storage place, continuing through wall beneath oven, along side of brick vault, out other side, there turning 45 degrees to run along outer side of kitchen fireplace. This may have been a nailing strip. a.) Dr. Joel L. Shiner, Lot 3 North Ward.

one of typescript reports on excavations at Fort Frederica National Monument. Excavated October, report January, b.) Interviews with Dr. Joel L. Shiner, archaeologist in charge of excavation, and Jackson W. Jfoore, U.S.N.P.S., assistant archaeologist, Fort Frederica National Monument, Box St. Simons Island, Georgia. April, c.) Joshua Miller Man. photostat at Fort Frederica * National l&mument. d.) Examination at site, April D. Site: 1. General setting; Town of Frederica, an old Indian field, flat, 40 acres. Lot #3, North Ward, 60' by 90S bo*t south side fronting on Broad Street, 14' alley to back. Bordered on 90 sides by two like lots. 2. Orientation: Faces south. Prepared by Philip E. Gardner - June Architect, National Park Service H AB.

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