Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Historic Preservation (MHP)
Department
Historic Preservation
Committee Chair/Advisor
Bradford Watson
Committee Member
Christina Butler
Committee Member
Luke Pecoraro
Committee Member
Elizabeth Ryan
Abstract
On the eve of the American Revolution Charleston’s ties to Great Britain, particularly London, were far greater than any other colonial city in America. Charlestonians of means traveled to the ‘mother country’ with frequency, sent their sons to be educated there, and were highly influenced by what was fashionable in London, for both home and person.
This study looks at what effects the American Revolution had on Charlestonians importation of furnishings and material goods beginning in 1765 as anti-British sentiment began to take hold in America, through 1800, a time when Charleston was rebuilding going into the Federal era. The study utilizes newspaper advertisements of the period to map imported goods arriving into Charleston as well as those being advertised that were locally manufactured, the goal of which was to gauge the impact of the non-importation agreement of 1769, the war itself, and how post-war sentiments affected what merchants and tradesmen were selling, particularly furniture and interior goods.
Additionally, four properties, two urban and two suburban, inhabited or owned by prominent figures with varying political affiliations are reviewed as case studies to determine the impact on individuals residing in Charleston during this period.
In conclusion, the research shows that non-importation had a brief impact in 1770, but even then, goods of British origin were being advertised as arriving into Charleston weekly. The American Revolution brought chaos to patriots and loyalists alike, and although each of the four case study properties survived, damage and loss of furnishings and material goods occurred with frequency.
Recommended Citation
Henry, Summer B., "The British Are Coming; Effects of the American Revolution on Charlestonian’s Importation of Furnishings, 1765-1800" (2026). All Theses. 4761.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4761