Fort Frederica, Captain John Mackay House (Ruins), Lot No. 6, North Ward, Saint Simons Island

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS GA,64-FRED,6-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Lot #6, North Ward, Town of Frederica, D Ce> St. Simons Island, County, Georgia " Present Owner; Fort Frederica National Monument, Box St. Simons Island, Georgia Brief Statement of One of the more substantial houses built by Significance i the original settlers of Fort Frederica about PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. Original and subsequent owners: Daniel Cannon, arrived Frederica February, The Cannons left Frederica c. Daniel1 s son, Joseph, sold this lot to Captain James Mackay of Oglethorpe's Regiment. 2. Date of erection: Unknown 3. Notes on alterations and additions: At one time in the early years of the house the doorway on the north side was sealed off with a brick wall. Source: Dr. Joel Shiner, USNPS Archaeologist. Personal interview.

Also, typescript, Lot 6 North Ward, at Fort Frederica National Monument, Box 3o*7> St. Simons Island, Ga B. Historical Events Connected with the Structure: North Ward Lot #6 was granted to Daniel Cannon, who, with his two sons Joseph and Daniel, was among the first settlers at Frederica. They were carpenters and builders. It is known that they worked on the Davison House, Lot #2, South Ward. They later obtained a farm at the Northern extremity of the island, now called Cannon*s Point. They left Frederica in and settled in Charleston, South Carolina. After Daniel died, his son Joseph sold the lot to Captain James Mackay, who had come to Frederica in as a career soldier. He served with Oglethorpe and later with George Washington. His home at Frederica was a social center, and a gala St.

Andrew's Day party was held in it in Source: Margaret Davis Cate, Sea Island, Georgia, typescript, Notes On Broad Street Lots, Town of Frederica, Georgia, St. Simons Island, There is a copy at Fort Frederica National Monument, Box St, Simons Island, Georgia, Prepared by Lionel J. Bienvenu - May, MACKAY HOUSE BEH&BIS Page 2 HAS5 PART IX. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION 6 /-^eD ~ ; " 6- A. General Statement: 1. Architectural character: Only the tabby foundations remain of this original settler's house, 2. Condition of Fabric: Foundations only; nothing left above grade* Stabilized May, Walls and brick capped, B. Technical Description of Exterior: 1. Overall dimensions: x B 2. Foundations: Tabby from basement floor, below Colonial grade. 3. Wall construction: Unknown 4.

Chimneys: At least one, brick. 5. Openings: Wood frame doorways 6. Roof: No evidence C. Technical Description of Interiors: 1. Floor plans: Basement - rectangular 2. Stairways: Two stairways from grade to basement, rear one of brick with 4" x 4" wood nosings mortised through cheeks. Brick rubble, brick sill and opening in tabby foundation wall are only indication of front steps. No evidence of stairways to upper floors. 3. Flooring: One section of basement floor is fine shell tabby mortar still intact. Rest has been broken into rubble. About whole brick, brick bats, whole quarries, and quarry f ragments were laid dry in a random pattern and rough manner on the floor. 4.

Hardware: Found in excavation: several forged nails, several spikes, one large bolt, two large staples, and several strap iron fragments (all of iron), 5. Heating: One brick fireplace with charred hearth. D. Site: House faces south. Situated in Town of Frederica, an old Indian field, flat, 40 acres. Lot #6, North, 60' x short ^ south side fronting on Broad Street, 14* alley to back. Bordered on 90f sides by two like lots. Prepared by Philip E. Gardner - June Architect, National Park Service