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antebellum home

Stevens Auction Co. to sell contents of historic antebellum home June 24

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
antebellum home
Set of 16 burl walnut Chippendale-style chairs, 19th century. Stevens Auction Co. image

 

QUITMAN, Miss. – The only home in Quitman spared by Gen. William T. Sherman during the Civil War (but only because of a connection to George Washington), plus its outstanding contents of fine antiques, will be sold Saturday, June 24, on the grounds of the home itself, at 419 E. Franklin St. The real estate will come up for bid at noon Central time. Absentee and Internet live bidding on the contents is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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.

 

antebellum home
Federal mahogany Victorian chair having a carved face of George Washington, with an eagle on the crown. Stevens Auction Co. image

 

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. Terrell’s mother, Francis Lewis Terrell, was the granddaughter of Fielding Lewis and Catherine Washington, first cousin of George Washington.

 

antebellum home
Large 19th century oil on canvas painting of a Swiss Alps cottage, in its original gilt frame. Stevens Auction Co. image

 

“It was only because of this family connection to Washington that Sherman spared the Trotter-Byrd house,” said Dwight Stevens of Stevens Auction Co., 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.”

 

antebellum home
Monumental Federal 19th century American giltwood bull’s eye mirror. Stevens Auction Co. image

 

The three large bedroom, home is on the National Register of Historic Places.

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.

 

antebellum home
Rare oversized double rosewood mint julep cabinet with original marble and two drawers, in excellent condition. Stevens Auction Co. image

 

Anyone interested in bidding online must register 12 hours prior to the auction for their bid request to be approved.

Anyone interested in the real estate may call either Dwight Stevens, auctioneer (662-369-5257); or Tony Neill, broker (731-925-3133) for more details.

For more information about the auction call 662-369-2200 orsend an email to stevensauction@bellsouth.net.

 

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