Draytonhall fall 2016 Interiors Special Collector's Edition II

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PR ES I D E N T ' S CO LU M N Drayton Hall’s Past, Present and Future by carter c. Hudgins, Ph.D., president and CEO

Dear Friends, With 2016 drawing to a close, I look back fondly on 2016 as we, the staff and volunteers, board members, partners and supporters of the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, have collaborated, encouraged and nurtured each other as part of a collaborative effort to take Drayton Hall to new heights.

Major preservation milestones were reached with the conservation of the portico and great hall of the main house, and on the landscape with the dramatic efforts to rehabilitate the site’s 17th-century rice fields. What is more, we have established a firm foundation of support as Drayton Hall looks to begin the construction of a new visitor center in the early months of 2017. To date, the leadership phase of our capital campaign has been well received as we have reached 80% of our capital goal. In the weeks ahead, our momentum will continue with your support, and I look forward to personally keeping you apprised of our work as we launch a new website and develop videos highlighting our past, present and future.

Until then, I am happy to bring you some of our latest work through this special Collector’s Edition of Interiors. In recent months, the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust has added to our collection cover: Fob seal - details on page 5.

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and improved its care in several ways. From welcoming the Wexler Fellow to help advance our archaeological research, to outfitting our conservation laboratory with needed photographic and stereoscopic equipment, there is tremendous support and excitement around our efforts to increase research and bring our collections to the public. For this, I thank you. And I look forward to personally welcoming you to our future.

The mission of the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust is to preserve, educate and inspire.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair Stephen F. (Steve) Gates, Vice Chair W. Hampton Morris, Vice Chair Marilynn Wood Hill, Treasurer H. Montague (Monty) Osteen, Jr., Secretary Thomas W. (Woody) Rash, Jr., Richard Almeida, Nathan (Nate) Berry, Mary (MeMe) Black, William B. (Bill) Bodine, Catherine Brown Braxton, Frank W. Brumley, Amelia (Mimi) Cathcart, Matthew Cochrane-Logan, P. Steven (Steve) Dopp, Frank B. Drayton, Jr., John B. Hildreth, Benjamin P. (Ben) Jenkins III, Rise Johnson, Kristopher B. King, Douglas B. (Doug) Lee, Benjamin F. (Ben) Lenhardt, Jr., Fulton D. (Tony) Lewis, Jr., Michael B. Prevost, Anthony C. (Tony) Wood

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFF ICER Carter C. Hudgins, Ph.D.

INTERIORS STAFF Kristine Morris, Editor Natalie Titcomb, graphic designer Robert A. Johnson, volunteer proofreader

interiors fall winter 2016

B R I N G I N G T H E PA ST H O M E by carter c. Hudgins, Ph.D., president and CEO One of the most exciting parts about working at Drayton Hall is the constant sense of discovery. In recent months, this has been accelerated as more than two dozen historic objects with ties to Drayton Hall have been presented to the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust by both individuals and organizations.

This comes as Drayton Hall finalizes plans to construct a new visitor center complete with long-awaited space to exhibit the objects of Drayton Hall’s past.

As displayed in the pages that follow, furniture, personal effects and artwork have returned to Drayton Hall, and it doesn’t stop here as we are interested in hearing from you! As noted by Smith in her article about Drayton Hall’s mantle, many items have departed Drayton Hall, and we are interested in their whereabouts as we strive to increase our knowledge of Drayton Hall and its material culture. If you have or know of any objects or artifacts that are connected to the Drayton family or Drayton Hall, we are interested in hearing your story. Please contact Sarah Stroud Clarke, archaeologist and curator of collections, at sstroudclarke@draytonhall.org.

right: A recent contribution to the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust

came from the Historic Charleston Foundation. In the years that preceded Drayton Hall as a historic site, several Drayton objects were donated and/or sold to the foundation including one of John Drayton’s original side chairs. We are grateful for our partnership with Historic Charleston Foundation and for their contribution of this significant component of 18th-century life at Drayton Hall.

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1740–1750

below: Miraculously, the original seat frame survives complete with the original tacks used to attach upholstery; the tacks illustrate multiple phases of upholstery and reupholstery. Conservator Chris Swan, Colonial Williamsburg, is determining the original color and material, and this information will be used to reupholster the seat before it goes on exhibit in our new gallery space next year.

This carved mahogany side chair was the first of two donated to Drayton Hall. England or Scotland, mahogany and beech. Gift of Mr. Charles H. Drayton III. 3

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BRINGING THE PAST HOME CONTINUED

FROM

PAG E

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DISH

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1622–1722

Dish, Chinese Export Porcelain, Kangxi. Gift of Anne Drayton Nelson.

1722

1622

This large Chinese export Dish measures approximately 14 inches across and is decorated with translucent green, red, blue, and yellow enamels referred to as Famille Verte or “green family.” Such would have been a highly conspicuous component of John Drayton’s expansive collection of porcelain, and helps reinforce the Drayton family’s affinity for exotic imported wares from China and Japan.

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1749

American Coin Silver Ladle, Gift of Frank B. and Marley Drayton Jr.

1749

1750

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1752

Fob Seal, Gold with engraved Carnelian Intaglio. Gift of Mr. Charles H. Drayton Jr. and Mrs. Julia S. Drayton. fob seal

When John Drayton married Scottishborn Margaret Glen, the sister of Royal Governor James Glen, all three individuals signed a marriage agreement and left their mark with a wax impression. The marriage agreement survives today at the South Caroliniana library, and the fob seal that John Drayton used, decorated with a winged Pegasus and a crown within a sunburst, has recently been donated to the collections of the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust.

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silver ladle (left)

tantalus

This early and rare example of Charleston silver was produced by William Wilkings around 1749.

The handle is engraved with the initials for Robert Daniell (1724-1789) and wife Elizabeth Russ (1734-1798). Robert and Elizabeth were the great-great-grandparents of Sarah Martha Parker Drayton (1826-1907) who married Charles Drayton III (1814-1852) in 1846.

As the owner of numerous plantations in South Carolina and Georgia, John Drayton spent a good deal of time traveling overland and on the water. Accompanying Drayton could have been this traveling liquor case, or Tantalus. Remarkably, all 12 gilt-trimmed bottles and their stoppers have survived in their lockable wooden case complete with the wooden partitions to protect each bottle and its contents.

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1760

Tantalus with Gold Trim Bottles. Gift of Mr. Charles H. Drayton Jr. and Mrs. Julia S. Drayton.

1760

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1760

Writing Slope with mother-of-pearl inlay design. Gift of Mr. Charles H. Drayton Jr. and Mrs. Julia S. Drayton.

writing slope fob seal

One of few personal possessions associated with John Drayton is this writing box or slope which, when open, served as a miniature desk. Such was designed with compartments for papers, quills and ink, and would have been an essential part of Drayton’s daily life.

Decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay on its exterior, this item would have served as an indicator of style as well as intellect.

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1760

Miniature Portrait of Unknown Drayton Male. Gift of Mr. Charles H. Drayton Jr. and Mrs. Julia S. Drayton.

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Teapot with Applied Dragon and Chinoiserie Motifs. Dry-bodied stoneware with brown slip and pseudo Chinese mark on base. DHPT Collections Purchase.

This 18th-century miniature portrait of an unkown Drayton male has passed through the Drayton family until the present.

While lacking any knowledge of the sitter or the artist, future research will help to shed additional light on the object and its relationship to the Drayton family.

1760

1765–1775

1775

1765

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1770 s

Pedestal Table or Candle Stand, Mahogany, Charleston, S.C. Gift of Mr. Charles H. Drayton Jr. and Mrs. Julia S. Drayton.

This rare 18th-century Charleston pedestal table is an example of portable furniture used to support lighting equipment. When not in use, the top of the stand could be tilted vertically for placement along a wall. Tilt-top tables were extremely popular in the 18th century and came in a variety of sizes to accommodate activities such as dining and taking tea. During his lifetime, John Drayton purchased several tilt-top tables from Charleston cabinet maker Thomas Elfe. While not labeled by Elfe, this example did descend in the Drayton family, and further research will hopefully shed light on its maker.

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dragon teapot (left)

Archaeological excavations at Drayton Hall in the late 1970s identified fragments of a rare stoneware teapot decorated with a central stylized Chinese dragon with a floral border.

Likely manufactured in Staffordshire, England, the teapot fragments are a remarkable find as evidence for this type of ceramic has never been identified within a colonial American context.

In 2015, an intact example of this ceramic was identified in England, and made available to the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust.

When exhibited together, the archaeological fragments and the complete vessel help illustrate the important role archaeology plays in understanding our material past. c.

1789

Arrest Warrant executed by Judge William Drayton (1732-1790). Ink and Laid Paper. Gift of Major and Mrs. Henry Drayton Barratt.

1785

Born at Magnolia Plantation to John Drayton’s brother Thomas, William Drayton practiced law in Charleston until departing for Florida in 1765 to serve as Chief Justice of the Province of East Florida. At this time he sold Magnolia Plantation to Uncle John Drayton. This warrant was issued a month before President George Washington appointed Drayton as the first United States judge in the South Carolina District Court.

1795

1790

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1785–1795

Urn Stand, Charleston, S.C. Gift of Mrs. Anne Drayton Nelson.

Several pieces of Drayton furniture can be associated with Charles Drayton’s move into the main house in 1784, including this recently acquired urn stand. This squareframed stand is one of five known survivors produced in Charleston in the 18th century, and would have been used to hold the hot water urn as part of the daily tea ritual. In addition to its fragility, such is a rare form of furniture in the United States due to the cost of the silver or silver-plate hot water urn that was intended to be placed on the stand.

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1790–1860

Collection of Poetry and Drayton family letters.

Graphite and ink on laid paper, Gift of Mr. Charles H. Drayton Jr. and Mrs. Julia S. Drayton.

One of several letters and poems written by Charles Drayton III (1814-1852) and sent to Sarah Martha Parker (1826-1907) prior to their marriage on December 15, 1846. Such an assemblage sheds important light on 19th century courtship and literary pursuits. “I would seek a gift, for the friend of my life, But where can I find one; or what shall I give, To thee who are worthy-all gifts to receive…”

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Charles Drayton’s death in 1820 was a turning point in Drayton Hall’s history as the years that followed saw the home seat become less of a primary residence for the family. Three recently acquired documents provide valuable information about this period of transition as they pertain to the 1823 distribution of Charles Drayton’s estate, including the enslaved people who called Drayton Hall home.

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1823

Collection of three legal documents related to the distribution of Charles Drayton’s (1743-1820) estate.

Graphite and ink on laid paper. DHPT Collections Purchase from A.C. (Ned) Balzano Collection.

1820

This seal matrix descended in the Drayton family and would have been used to seal and authenticate letters or other valuable documents. Wax would have been melted onto the desired location, such as an envelope fold, and then pressed with the seal matrix. c.

1850

A Seal Matrix with Engraved “D.” Ebony and Silver. Gift of Mr. Charles H. Drayton Jr. and Mrs. Julia S. Drayton.

1850

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1850

Traveling Trunk. Embossed Leather with brass mounts and riveted sole, mid-19th century. DHPT Collections Purchase with support from Marilynn and John Hill.

Purchased from Charleston’s McKensie firm of saddlers around 1850 by either John Drayton (1831-1912) or brother James Drayton (18201867), this object is a tangible reminder of how many white southerners fled the American South following the Civil War. John and James owned Drayton Hall with brother Thomas from 1844, yet migrated to Brazoria County, Texas, at the end of 1865. James and Thomas died in 1866 as a result of yellow fever, and John migrated further to Mexico after 1870 where he became U.S. consul in Tuxpan.

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late 19th century

Quilt. Orange paisley backing with log cabin design. Gift of Mr. Charles H. Drayton Jr. and Mrs. Julia S. Drayton.

This pharmaceutical box descended through members of the Drayton family and provides important information about medical and prescription history.

While originally thought to date to the 19th century, analysis by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Winterthur Scientific Research and Analysis Laboratories identified zinc-rich residues inside of several bottles suggesting an early 20thcentury date of use. Bottles were purchased/filled at Byars Pharmacy at 101 Meeting Street.

Few textiles survive from Drayton Hall due to their fragile nature, but two recently acquired quilts have allowed us to expand this area of our collection. This first is a multicolored 19th-century quilt with strips of fabric laid out to form a pattern known as “Courtyard Steps”, a variant of the Log Cabin pattern. The second quilt (not shown), also from the 19th century, takes a more basic alternating design using both colored and whole fabric squares.

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early 20th century

Medical Case, Bottles and Stoppers. Leather-wrapped wooden pharmaceutical box with 13 intact glass bottles with stoppers. Gift of Mrs. Anne Drayton Nelson.

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1890

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1930

1902

left: Eliza “Bessie” Gaunt Drayton (18781918). Prom photograph in brass frame, probably by William P. Dowling. Gift of Mrs. Molly Drayton Osteen. c.

1902

middle: Eliza “Bessie” Gaunt Drayton (1878-1918). Hand-tinted prom photograph in brass frame, probably by William P. Dowling. Gift of Mrs. Anne Drayton Nelson. c.

1930

far right: Eliza “Bessie” Gaunt Drayton (1878-1918). Miniature portrait, Leila Waring.

Gift of Mr. Charles H. Drayton III.

Bessie Gaunt Drayton’s prom photograph served as inspiration for a miniature portrait painted by Leila Waring (1876-1964). Waring actively promoted a rebirth of miniature portrait painting in the 20th century.

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H AV E YO U S E E N T H I S M I SS I N G M A N T E L ?

3D Visualization May Aid in Recovery by patricia lowe smith, Curarator of historic architectural resources

By Trish lowe smith, curator of historic architectural resources

3D Visualization of drawing room fireplace with Bloemrujites Delft tiles (c.1750); Pembroke table (1772); Isaac Ware’s translation of the Four Books of Architecture (1738) and digitally-mended sherds of a Staffordshire salt glazed stoneware teapot (1745-65) with Aesop’s Fables panels, found archaeologically at Drayton Hall. Image by Trish Smith.

On December 8, 1802, Charles Drayton wrote in his diary, “Walker, stone cutter came at evening to put up two marble chimney pieces in the dining and drawing rooms.” Two years later, almost to the day, Walker headed back to Charleston at four o’clock in the afternoon having installed two additional chimney pieces at Drayton Hall. The newly installed marble chimney pieces were accompanied by new and fashionable composition mantels. Press-molded using a mixture of linseed oil, glue and resin, these delicately ornamented mantels became fashionable around the turn of the 19th century.

The composition, or “compo,” mantel in the drawing room featured a scrolled garland and rosettes flanked by engaged columns with acanthus leaves adorning the bells of the capitals. The delicate details, while incongruous with the bolder Georgian ornaments in the room, proved to be both beautiful and durable. The mantel remained in excellent condition well into the 20th century and was photographed by Frances B. Johnston in 1938 and an unknown photographer in 1964 at the debutante party of Anne Drayton and Arden Ball Howard.

Sadly, within ten years of Anne Drayton’s debutante party, the mantel was pried from the house and has not been seen since.

We remain vigilant for clues in the case of our missing mantel, and now we invite you to join our search. If you have any information, please contact Trish Smith at psmith@draytonhall.org.

A half century before Charles Drayton had the composition 10

mantels installed, John Drayton and Margaret Glen Drayton were newlyweds putting the finishing touches on Drayton Hall.

Through architectural investigation, archaeology and documentary research, we have created a 3D visualization (above) showing how the drawing room may have looked in 1772. With this technology we can focus intently on one location and create a visual timeline of architectural elements, paint colors and furnishings that spans three centuries. left: Drawing room at debutante party, December 28, 1964. Unknown Photographer. Courtesy of Anne Drayton Nelson. right: Drawing room with missing mantel, 2014. Photo by Willie Graham.

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D O N O R H I G H L I G H TS

A Passion for Archaeology & History

Wexler Fellow Update

by lee goodman

by steve mount, director of philanthropy

Drayton Hall is one of our favorite places to visit – there is something about it that is altogether wonderful and compelling. We first visited with friends in 2008 and heard about its archaeological field school, which sounded like fun. I signed up and eventually met Carter, Sarah (Sarah Stroud Clarke, archaeologist and curator of collections), volunteer Stan Younce and the rest of the preservation team.

Corey Heyward, the Deborah and Peter Wexler Curatorial Fellow, has made significant progress since joining Drayton Hall in June 2016.

That experience combined with Sarah’s infectious enthusiasm for her work, got me hooked, and I continue to be fascinated with the idea that artifacts in the ground can tell us so much about history and historic structures.

Because of our combined interest in the importance of the archaeological research taking place at Drayton Hall, Michael and I wanted to make an additional contribution to ensure that the staff had the tools they needed to do their work and to participate with colleagues in institutional programs like DAACS. Sarah suggested the Olympus SZ2-ILST Zoom Stereo Microscope because it could help capture data that might otherwise never be discovered.

My introduction to archaeology through Drayton Hall has inspired a lifelong pursuit. Someday, I hope to have a role there—whether as a volunteer or in some other capacity—to help advance the work of this extraordinary historic site. about lee and michael goodman The couple has enjoyed traveling the world for the entirety of their 27-year marriage. Lee is an architect with a special love for historic structures and Michael is a recently retired wine and beer distributor who has a passion for history as well. Both natives of the chilly north (Ohio), they have fallen in love with all that southern living has to offer and look forward to visiting often.

Read the entire article on the Drayton Hall Diaries blog.

Tasked with cataloguing a significant backlog of archaeological materials, Corey has worked alongside Drayton Hall’s Archaeologist and Curator of Collections Sarah Stroud Clarke and the Digital Archaeological Archive of Comparative Slavery (DAACS) to analyze numerous objects. Corey helped create a new DAACS protocol for Delft tiles while building on the terminology and decorative categories in the DAACS database. Drayton Hall’s archaeological collection is unique and has added many genres of artifacts to the catalog, such as Pineapple ware, the Pagoda and Palms transferware pattern, umbrella anatomy terms, and the Crab and Coins porcelain pattern.

In addition, with continued support from Deborah and Peter Wexler, Corey has built a photo studio at Drayton Hall, which – combined with the Olympus Zoom Stereo Microscope – allows for digitization of artifacts for Drayton Hall records, publications and DAACS. Some highlights of Corey’s work include working with Ron Anthony, Charleston Museum, to research Drayton Hall Colonoware, the low-fired coarse earthenware made during the Colonial period by enslaved Africans and Native American groups, and its relation to Colonoware assemblages of the Lowcountry. She is also researching Redware, red-bodied coarse earthenware, in the archaeological collection and exploring the origins of these vessels with DAACS. Corey’s important work would not have been possible without the generous support of Deborah and Peter Wexler.

To explore your passion at Drayton Hall and lend your philanthropic leadership in support of an important project, contact Steve Mount at smount@draytonhall.org or 843-769-2601.

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PR ES E RVAT I ON T RUST

3380 Ashley River Road | Charleston, SC 29414 º

10%

You Shop. Amazon Gives.

Did you know you can support Drayton Hall while you shop on Amazon at no extra cost to you? Simply designate Drayton Hall Preservation Trust (via the link below) as your charitable organization and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase to our preservation efforts.

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/45-4938941

Total Recovered Fiber All Post-Consumer Fiber

Please join us as Drayton Hall presents the fourth season of the Distinguished Speakers Series! Beginning in March 2017, Drayton Hall will feature four varied lectures that will reflect on the many facets of colonial history, specifically in relation to the history of Charleston and Drayton Hall. The 2017 season will also implement a few changes from the previous seasons: presentations will be held at the Charleston Museum located at 360 Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. Additionally, lectures will take place on Tuesday evenings, with a wine and cheese reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the featured presentation starting at 6:30 p.m.

For details, visit draytonhalldistinguishedspeakers.org

All images are courtesy of the drayton hall preservation trust unless other wise noted.

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