"Denmark Vesey House"

Built sometime between the 1830s and the 1840s, this house was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 when it was assumed to have been the home of Denmark Vesey (1767-1822). In fact, modern research shows that this house was built some ten years after Vesey was hanged for his alleged role in what would have been the largest slave uprising in American history. Vesey had settled in Charleston from 1796 and lived as a domestic servant at Lowndes Grove. In 1799, he won $1,500 on the city lottery which allowed him to purchase his freedom and establish himself as a carpenter. It has since been shown that he made his home in a long since demolished house at what was then listed as 20 Bull Street - initially owned by George Cross (an attorney) and later by a white carpenter, Benjamin Ireland. Despite its historically inaccurate name and history, 56 Bull Street remains on the Historic Register and stands as a reminder of the life of Denmark Vesey.