A ripped page of an early 20th century hymnal uncovered during 2020 investigations of the Nathaniel Russell House Kitchen House. Page discovered under floorboards in the front of the fireplace in the 2nd floor west quarter.
A page ripped from a Quaker periodical entitled "Friends Intelligencer," published in Philadelphia in 1868. Discovered above the kitchen firebox on the first floor during 2018 investigations of the Nathaniel Russell House kitchen house.
Oil painting by William York depicts the blockade runner Economist leaving Charleston for Liverpool via Nassau on April 1862. The ship is depicted under English merchant colors.
1850-1859, 1840-1849, 1830-1839, 1810-1819, and 1820-1829
Description:
A fragmented crystal discovered during 2019 investigations of the Russell House Kitchen House. The crystal was wedged tightly between the end of an original floorboard and the first period masonry wall in the east enslaved quarter of the Russell House Kitchen House. One end identifies it as a chandelier or girandole crystal. The other end, however, shows evidence of a percussive strike, evidence it was intentionally struck one or more times to shape it into a crude point.
1850-1859, 1840-1849, 1830-1839, 1810-1819, and 1820-1829
Description:
A small pillow, hand sewn with faded mattress ticking and stuffed with lambswool, uncovered during 2020 investigations of the Nathaniel Russell Kitchen House. Pillow was discovered under the floorboards in the front of the fireplace in the west enslaved quarter. Pillow measures 4"x5".
1850-1859, 1840-1849, 1830-1839, 1810-1819, and 1820-1829
Description:
A small wooden brush with fine hairs uncovered during 2020 investigations of Nathaniel Russell House Kitchen House. Brush discovered under the floorboards in the front of the fireplace in the east enslaved quarter. Dates to period of enslavement.
Handwritten invitation on folded, embossed paper dated August 16, 1849. Discovered under floorboards in front of the fireplace in the east enslaved quarter during 2020 investigations of the Nathaniel Russell House kitchen house. The letter transcription reads, "Miss Mary Lopez respectfully/soliceits the honor of Mr. & Mrs./Allescader Compaony on/Wednesday Evening next/inst. at her residence/Prices Alley at 1/2 past 7/O'Clock August 16th, '49
Coral bead discovered during 2018 investigations of an enslaved quarter in the Nathaniel Russell House kitchen house. Coral is most often associated with children's necklaces and teething rattles in the 18th and 19th century as it was thought to have protective/medicinal properties.
A fragment of a 1930's waistcoat that was discovered during 2017-2018 investigations of the Russell House kitchen house. Made of black worsted wool with a black silk lining and brass buttons, this waistcoat was likely the uniform of an enslaved butler or body-servant. The absence of any gold on the buttons may imply a waistcoat that belonged to an enslaved footmen or butler.
Rounded cardboard box with lid containing remnants of antimony, a substance used for medicinal purposes. Discovered during 2017-2018 investigations of an enslaved quarter in the Nathaniel Russell House kitchen house
A walnut charity box topped with a silver plate on which 'Ladies Benevolent Society' is engraved. Used to store important papers and funds for the Ladies Benevolent Society.
Full-length portrait painted by portraitist Edward Savage depicting Alicia Russell Middleton (1789-1840), daughter of Nathaniel Russell, at six years old, depicted picking roses in the garden at the Russell's house on East Bay Street.
Oil painting by Lt. William Elliott depicts the abortive attack on Fort Moultrie during the American Revolution. Plate on painting reads: "Charlestowne South Carolina. The abortive attack of Fort Moultrie 26th June, 1776, by a British naval force under Commodore Sir Peter Parker consisting of HMS's Bristol, Active, Experiment, Solebay, Actaeon, Syren, Sphinx, and bomb vessel Thunder. Lt. Wm. Elliott RN, Fl 1784-1792, Hon. Exhibitor at the Royal Academy."
A bill of lading dated March 29, 1771 and signed by Joseph Durfee for a cargo of "two hogshead & four barrels Pimento & Ten logs Mahogany" sent by Nathaniel Russell from the sloop of Charleston bound for Newport, Rhode Island to be received by William and Samuel Vernon.
This one-page folded letter with no stamp was sent from Nathaniel Russell, a slave merchant in South Carolina, to William and Samuel Vernon, Rhode Island slave traders and orchestrators of the colonial-era "triangle trade."
A bill of lading dated Sept 16, 1767 for twenty-five hogshead of New England rum imported by way of one Aaron Lopez and delivered to the Port of Charleston, SC for Durfee and Russell.
Composed of cowhorn and pine, this sourvenir powderhorn was originally owned by Captain Charles Fornin Richardes of the 95th Regiment of the British Army. The engravings of the Powderhorn depict the pertinent places of the British and Cherokee encounter during the French and Indian War. A view of the city of Charleston and major rivers are illustrated at the bottom of the horn. Illustrated along the top of the horn are a string of Cherokee towns along the Little Tennessee River.
