Fort Frederica, duBignon House (Ruins), Lot No. 7, South Ward, Saint Simons Island

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA,64-FRED,9-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

excavated at Fort Frederica and dates from PART I* HISTORICAL INFORMATION A, Physical History: 1. Original and subsequent owners: Joshua Parker sold to James McGregor and William Sears. Captain Poulain Du Bignon owned it by He sold to William Dyer, 2. Date of erection: 3# Architect, builder, suppliers: Unknown 4 Notes on alterations and additions: Since exclusively- Colonial artifacts were found in the central part of the house, it is thought to be Colonial. Interview with Dr. Joel L Shiner and Jackson W, Moore, Archaeologists, USNPS, Fort Frederica National Monument, St Simons Island, Georgia* The small rooms around this- central part are thought to be later additions. B.

Historical Events Connected with the Structure: February 9, Joshua Parker of Frederica sold to James McGregor and William Sears Lot #7> South Division, containing sixty feet in front and ninety feet back with a tabby wall stand- ing thereon - for 20. Source: COUNTY, GEORGIA, DEED BOOK, ABEF, June 12, William Sears, merchant, of St. Simons and James McGregor, merchant, of St. Simons etc. etc. own lot # 7 S Ward Frederica, whereas William Sears is indebted to Carlton Dunkeley and John Smith of Savannah, merchants, lot # 7 S Frederica, 60 x 90, with a tabby wall standing thereon.... Sears makes deed to secure debt to Dunkeley and Smith for his half of lot #7 S Frederica...

together with all that new erected Messuage or Dwelling House lately erected thereon*..* as well as certain Savannah property Source: COUNTY, GEORGIA, DEED BOOK, CD, p. February 9, Sears accrued property. Later got rid of it* ' The next mention of it is: FOR SALE A convenient two story DWELLING HOUSE, in the town of Frederica, St, Simons Island, with two lots attached to it, and convenient du Mmm

House Remains

Page 2 HAas G-A. ' out buildings; the whole in tabby work, and full repair, with UM-FRB late improvements. Terms easy, and to be known by applying at . H- Frederica, to Mr. George Abbott; on Jekyll Island, to Capt. DuBignon, the owner, or in Savannah to Kay 21 THOMAS DECHMEAUX Source; THE REPUBLICAN; and SAVANNAH EVENING LEDGER (Savannah, Georgia) July 23, p. 1, col. 4. Poulain DuBignon sells to William Dyer of County two certain lots in the Town of Frederica known in the plat of the said Town by the numbers 6 and 7 South Division. Source: COUNTY, GEORGIA, DEED BOOK, G, p. May 18, All this information is the work of Margaret Davis Gate, Sea Island, Georgia. Prepared by Lionel J. Bienvenu - June FART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: 1.

Architectural character: Nothing is left above grade of this large house with a flattened "H" plan. 2. Condition of fabric: Ruinous; nothing left above grade. Evidence original house burned. B. Technical Description of Exterior: 1. Overall dimensions: x 60' 2. Foundations: Brick and poured tabby with brick fill. 3. Wall construction: Brick and poured tabby. Outside walls of earlier central block stuccoed with burned shell lime mortar and sand mixture and scored to simulate ashlar. 4. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: Wood frame b. Windows and shutters: No evidence other than melted window glass. C. Technical Description of Interiors: 1. Floor plan: Two-story, flattened "H" plan. Central room has two rows of three brick piers running across short dimension at third points.

Small square rooms at each corner of short ends of central room. Two rectangular rooms across short ends of central room connecting corner rooms. May have had porches on north and south elevations. 2. Flooring: Tabby 3. "Wall and ceiling finish: Smooth plaster on wall of central room. du 3imm HOUSE EEMA.INS Page 3 HA05 4, Doorways and doors: One each in middle of north and south walls. 5* Hardware: Excavation revealed fragment of large box lock, "H" hinges, pintles, large quantity of assorted nails (all of iron)* 6. Lighting: No evidence 7. Heating: No evidence D. Site: House faces north. Situated in Town of Frederics, old Indian field, flat, Z*Q acres; Lot #7, South Ward, 60* x Short north side facing Broad Street, 14* alley to.south; bordered on 90* sides by like lots.

There is literary evidence of tabby wall (enclosure) at rear (south) lot line. Excavation revealed wall footing of brick Prepared by Philip E. Gardner - June Architect, National Park Service