Historic antebellum home, antiques up for bid June 24
QUITMAN, Miss. –— The only antebellum home in Quitman spared by General Sherman during the Civil War is up for bid. The house and all of its contents of fine antiques, will also be sold on-site Saturday, June 24th. The sale takes place on the grounds of the home, at 419 East Franklin Street. The real estate will come up for bid at noon Central time, and will be presented by Stevens Auction Company.
History of a Unparalleled Antebellum Home
Oversized burl walnut Victorian bed, with ladies’ head crest, attributed to Thomas Brooks, 9 feet tall by 74 inches long. (All photos courtesy of Stevens Auction Company)
The 5,500-square-foot Greek Revival home is known as the Trotter-Byrd house. The historic antebellum gem, built in 1852, is 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. His service record also includes colonel in the 31st Regiment of the Mississippi Militia, as well as brigadier general. 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.
Home's Claims to Fame
“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, 1 ½ bath antebellum 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.
Architectural features of the antebellum home 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.
19th Century Fine Furniture Headlining Sale
Federal 19th century American giltwood bull’s eye mirror.
The contents of the home will come up for bid at 10 a.m. 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.
For those unable to attend in person, internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com. To bid online one must register 12 hours prior to the auction. Doors will open on auction day at 8 am.
For more information about the real estate, contact Dwight Stevens, auctioneer at 662-369-5257 or Tony Neill, broker at 731-925-3133, visit www.stevensauction.com or email stevensauction@bellsouth.net.
