This is the Mary Man House, also known as the Mansion on Bay Street. This home was built in 1775. It is located on one acre in Georgetown, South Carolina. This was built for “in town” entertaining by Mary Man. She was also owner of Mansfield Plantation. Much of the original home remains. It was made of hand hewn cypress. The home still has the original heart pine floors. There are eight original fireplaces. In December of 1812 it is said that one of the most famous women of her time, Theodosia Burr Alston, of Oaks Plantation was entertained in this home. She was the daughter of Vice President Aaron Burr. After that night of entertaining, she boarded a schooner, The Patriot and was lost at sea. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 7,000 square feet. $2,950,000
From the Zillow listing:
Welcome to the Mary Man House. Know as ” The Mansion on Bay street” this elegant Georgian double house was built circa 1775 for in-town entertaining by Mansfield Plantation owner Mary Man. It is remarkable how much of the original fabric remains intact – from its l hand-hewn cypress construction resting on a centuries old brick foundation to gleaming heart-of-pine flooring throughout. The house features a four over four layout with eight original fireplaces. A classic portico provides a dramatic entrance for “the grand house of the old settlement.”
Entering the 5000 sq ft residence, a wide front hall reveals a magnificent space: two formal rooms with twelve-foot ceilings which open on to the hall. To the left is the living room with original heart-of-pine paneling and to the right, a drawing room with half-moon and candlelight moldings. A massive Rococo giltwood mirror reflects the light of four 19th-century cut glass chandeliers. The dining room is embellished by a bay window and pedimented cabinet for displaying silver, each of leaded glass. Guests can be entertained in the same spacious rooms and in the same gracious manner that Miss Man enjoyed over two centuries ago.
A staircase in the front hall leads upstairs to the 18th-century ballroom (now the master bedroom and upstairs hall) where in December of 1812, it is said that the most famous American woman of her time, Theodosia Burr Alston, of the Oaks Plantation ( now part of Brookgreen Gardens) was entertained at a ball held in her honor in this very room. ( Theodosia was the daughter of U.S Vice President Aaron Burr who served under president Thomas Jefferson and who infamously killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel, and was the wife of S.C. Governor Joseph Alston. She boarded the schooner the Patriot the next morning and was lost at sea.)
An elaborate mantel and over-mantel crown this room with grace and beauty. The upper porch captures the breeze off the bay and shows to perfection the manicured grounds with native live oaks, palmettos, azaleas, and gingko. To the rear of the property ( a double lot) , past the original kitchen building foundation, you will find the charming two-room kitchen (c. 1800). This structure was relocated the site in 2008 after being used for many years on Church Street as the Georgetown Garden Club and originally being on Front Street as the only remaining structure from the Richardson Mansion. This building has a large central chimney and other interesting details.
The Mary Man house has only belonged to two families in its 244 years , the Man family of Mansfield Plantation and the Hazard family of Newport R.I. This 18th century dwelling has been adapted to changing lifestyles and times without the loss of its architectural integrity , interior or exterior. The Mary Man House offers a rare opportunity to add your story to its history as only its third owner in as many centuries. The extraordinary property is located in the heart of the historic district and is facing the colonial seaport of Georgetown SC. International airports are conveniently located 90 minutes to the south in Charleston and 45 minutes to the north in Myrtle Beach. Georgetown also boasts its own private airport and has been voted USA Todays best small coastal city in America.
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