Hext House, 207 Handcock Street, Beaufort

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,7-BEAUF,11-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

oldest remaining in Beaufort, with notable archi- tectural features. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Original and Subsequent Owners: The Hext family; now Marris, B. Pate of Erection: About C. Notes on original plan and construction of building: Apparently a central hall with one room either side, possibly a central 9w rear ell containing stair. End chimneys. D. Notes on known alterations and additions: Rear rooms (on first floor) appear to have been added at an early date. In modern times the walls had been covered with composition board; re- cently this has been removed, revealing the original paneling. The piazza may be an early century addition. E. Sources of Information: Information supplied by Irma H. Morris and by Mr. and Howard E. Danner, Beaufort, South Carolina. PART..II.

ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement 1. Architectural character: A very early house with well- preserved interior paneling and trim of an unpretentious style. 2. Condition of fabric: Good; in recent years it has been cleaned and refinished. Well maintained at present. HEXT HOUSE 3S No. (Page 2) B. Technical Description of Exterior 1. Number of stories? bays, over-all dimensions? shape: Two stories over high basement; 5 by 3 "bays; 281 front by plus 11' deep piazza; rectangular. 2. Foundations: High; stucco on tabby. 3. Wall construction: Frame, covered by clapboards exposed 7 some being beaded, painted white. 4. Porches: Double-tiered five-bay front piazza over high basement. Solid wood modified Doric columns, with half- columns at ends on wall.

Flooring and ceilings of narrow boards. Single flight of wood steps on axis. Small screened rear porch, apparently a later addition. 5. Chimneys: Two end chimneys, stucco on brick, project from walls; the top portion is free-standing, with an air space between it and the gable. This detail is characteristic of the older Beaufort houses. 6. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: A simple entrance from the piaz2a, on axis, comprises a six-panel door with a rectangular glazed transom. The second-story door to the piazza is a replacement, apparently late century. b. Windows and shutters: Double-hung sash, six-over- nine lights. Joints fastened with wooden pegs. A number of sash contain original panes. Plain trim, Louvered blinds. 7. Roof: a. Shape, covering: Gable roof with composition shingles. b.

Saves: simple. C. Technical Description of Interior 1. Floor plans: First floor: central hall, ;one front room each side; in rear, a wider stair hall, one room each side. ceiling height. Second floor: In the front portion, a central hall with ; one room each side. ceiling height. A central rear room and bathroom are additions of unknown date. # HEXT HOUSE HABS No. (Page 3) 2. Stairways: The stair appears to be original or at least very old. It extends mostly in a straight flight with some winders at the top; 13 risers in all. Open string, small square newel, round handrail, rectangular balusters x 1" in section. A half-rail is supported on the wall. All of longleaf yellow pine, natural. 3. Flooring: First-growth longleaf yellow pine heartwood, boards from 5 to 9" wide. 4.

Wall and ceiling finish: That of the front portion is of greatest interest. The hall partitions are of adzed vertical boards of varying widths, up to Other walls are plastered above the wainscot; plastering on walls of southeast parlor said to be original. Walls above fireplaces are paneled full height. Ceilings are plastered. Door and window trim is typically of the architrave type. Simple bolection moldings frame fireplaces on first and second floors, with simple panel- ing above. Parlors have paneled wainscots; second-floor rooms, plain wainscots. The first-floor hall boards are beaded, with a molded base, dado rail and cornice. Rooms have cornices, those of the parlors having a frieze below. Rear rooms are plastered, with wooden base and chair rail.

Trim of openings is rounded back band. 5. Doors: First-floor doors are x x 1 six molded panels with one face raised. Architrave trim. Second-floor doors are board-and-batten with plain trim. 6. Hardware: Wrought-iron HL hinges, joined in a helix around the pin so that the door is raised slightly as it is opened. 7. Heating: Fireplaces in major rooms. D. Site 1. Orientation and general setting: A large lot extends to tidal marshes and water at the north; on the south is Handcoek Street, with Pinckney Street at the west. The house faces south. The neighborhood is known locally as "the Point." 2. Enclosures: Enclosures are recent a fence at the street and a low brick garden wall at the front line of the house Prepared by Harley J.

MsKee, Architect National Park Service August <# FOLuuvvb Addendum to: Hext House HABS No. 207 Hancock Street Beaufort Beaufort County South Carolina PHOTOGRAPHS Historic American Buildings Survey National Park Service Department of the Interior - - . Washington,