The only antebellum home in Quitman, Mississippi, spared by
General Sherman during the Civil War—but only because of a connection
to George Washington—plus its outstanding contents of fine antiques,
went on the auction block on Saturday, June 24th, on the grounds of the
home itself, at 419 East Franklin Street.
Lot 35 (above) - Large Steinway rosewood square grand
piano, original to the home, 6 feet 8 inches wide.
Lot 30 (below right) - Oversized mahogany cylinder roll
secretary desk with bird’s eye maple interior, 9 feet 8 inches tall.
The
5,500-square-foot Greek Revival home – known as the Trotter-Byrd
house – is a beautiful and historic gem, built in 1852 and situated
on manicured grounds. Its most recent owners were Harry H. Wheat and
the late Sarah Jane Wheat. The original occupant was the man who
built the magnificent structure: William B. Trotter, originally from
Tennessee and an attorney in Quitman.
In 1845 Trotter was a candidate for 4th District Attorney while
serving as a colonel in the 31st Regiment of the Mississippi Militia
(he was elected a brigadier general in 1847). Trotter married
Elizabeth Lee Terrell of Virginia, in 1846. Ms. Terrell’s mother,
Francis Lewis Terrell, was the granddaughter of Fielding Lewis and
Catherine Washington, first cousin of George Washington.
“It was only because of this family connection to Washington that
Sherman spared the Trotter-Byrd house,” said Dwight Stevens of
Stevens Auction Company, auctioneer for the sale. “It’s the only
standing antebellum structure in Quitman and one of only three
surviving structures in all of Clarke County (Miss.). It’s the only
one of the three that didn’t function as a plantation house.”
The
three large bedroom, 1½ bath home is on the National Register of
Historic Places. It boasts many wonderful architectural elements
specific to the period and Greek Revival design, to go with modern
conveniences that were unimaginable in 1852. These include a
beautiful 20 foot by 40 foot pool and a 900-square-foot, two-story
pool house with a bedroom, bath, kitchen and den.
Lot 17 (left)- Large 19th century oil on canvas
painting of a Swiss Alps cottage, housed in the original gold gilt
frame.
Architectural features include front and side façade entrances with
double leaf doors framed by pilasters, sidelights and transoms; a
pedimented two-tier portico supported by octagonal columns on the
side façade (and altered between 1928 and 1931); windows and doors
with shouldered architrave trim; interior paneled mantelpieces,
doors and wainscoating; and other design features.
The
contents of the home will come up for bid at 10 am Central time.
Items will include large plantation beds, an oversize cylinder roll
secretary, a Steinway square grand piano, a rosewood étagère,
marble-top parlor furnishings, lamps, fine china, old clocks,
sterling silver, original artwork, Persian rugs, outdoor statuary,
old Paris porcelains, antique cars, shop tools and more.
Open house previews will be held the Sunday prior to sale, June
18th, from 1-5 pm Central time; and Friday, June 23rd, from 10-5.
For those unable to attend in person, internet bidding will be
provided by LiveAuctioneers.com. Anyone interested in bidding online
must register 12 hours prior to the auction for their bid request to
be approved. Doors will open on auction day at 8 am.
Lot 46 (above) - Set of 16 burl walnut Chippendale chairs.
Lot 59 (above right) - Oversized burl walnut Victorian
bed in excellent condition, with ladies’ head crest, attributed to
Thomas Brooks, 9 feet tall by 74 inches long.
Lot 19 (below) - Very rare oversized double rosewood
mint julep cabinet with original marble and two drawers, in
excellent condition.
Anyone
interested in the real estate may call either Dwight Stevens,
auctioneer, at 662-369-5257 or Tony Neill, broker, at 731-925-3133
for more details. Photos of many of the items may be viewed now on
the Stevens Auction Company website. For
a full color brochure, please call 662-369-2200; or
send an e-mail.
Terms of payment are all major credit cards or pre-approved business
or personal checks (with proper ID), or wire transfer. A 15 percent
buyer’s premium will be applied to all purchases, with an extra 2
percent processing fee for credit cards. A sales tax will be charged
as well, except for those with a valid and verifiable state resale
number. Refreshments will be served auction day.
Stevens Auction Company is always accepting quality consignments for
future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection,
you may call them directly, at (662) 369-2200; or, you can
e-mail
them. To learn more about Stevens
Auction Company and the June 24th on-site auction in Quitman, visit
www.stevensauction.com. Updates are posted often.
Lot 54 - Federal mahogany Victorian
chair having a carved face of George Washington, with an
eagle on the crown. |
Lot 28 - Massive gold gilded French
center table with brown and white heavy thick marble, turtle
top.
|
Lot 51 - One of
a pair of extremely rare 19th century bronze torchieres,
each one 6 ft 4 in. tall. |