Joseph Legare House

The Joseph Legare House (ca. 1800) at 75 Anson Street is known for the sweep of its outside staircase and, of course, for serving as the residence of Stockard Channing during the time she was married to her third husband, David Rawle. Anson Street itself is noted for being the final address of Ann Withers Wilson Jacks (1771-1850), the widow of James Jacks (abt. 1745-1822). According to the records of the Charleston Death Card File housed at the Charleston County Public Libary, Ann Jacks died of Old Age at her residence at 56 Anson Street on June 20th, 1850 and was buried in the Methodist Protestant churchyard at 43 Wentworth Street:

Although street numbers in Charleston were not regularized until after the earthquake of 1886, and street numbers before that date do not match the numbers used today, we can piece together the location of Ann Jacks' residence by using the Directory of the City of Charleston published in 1851. According to that directory, the Elizabeth Chazal House (now numbered as 66 Anson Street) was at 48 Anson. We believe that 56 Anson would have been located four houses up the street, at the location currently occupied by 74 Anson Street. Just as at the Elias Vanderhorst House, the home occupied by Ann Jacks no longer exists. The lot on which it stood is now occupied by the Michael Foucout House (ca. 1812) which was moved to its current location in 1967.

Ann Jacks may have moved from Wraggborough to Ansonborough in order to be closer to her remaining family. Her niece, Leonora Laval Martin (wife of James Martin, factor and merchant), lived across the street at 47 Anson Street. Her nephew, Major William Jacint Laval, state treasurer, lived a few houses down the street, at the corner of George and Anson Streets. Both were mentioned in her will, along with William's daughter, Ann Olivia Laval (b. 1836). Other people mentioned in her will included the two human beings she had enslaved and held in bondage, Phoebe and Charles. Ann Olivia, age 14, was given Phoebe - and a silver sugar dish and milk pot. Leonora was given Charles - and a watch:

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. CHARLESTON DISTRICT. In the Name of God Amen.

I Ann Jacks of the City of Charleston and State aforesaid widow being of sound mind & memory do make and declare this my last will and testament as follows.

FIRST My Will and desire is that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of any monies which I may have or which may be due and owing to me at the time of my demise.

ITEM I direct my Executor to sell and dispose of all My household and Kitchen furniture beds bedding &etc and to transmit the nett proceeds to my Nephew Jacint Laval if living at the time that a legal settlement can be made and if not living at that time then my desire is that the money be retained by my Executor for the benefit of the Children of my late niece Mrs Ann S[m]ith to be appropriated as he (my Executor) may deem most advantageous for their interest.

ITEM I give my silver spoons (six large & eleven small) to my niece Mifs M R Withers.

ITEM I give my silver sugar dish & milk pot to my grand niece Ann Olivia Laval.

ITEM I give my negro wench slave Pheobe to my said grand niece Ann Olivia Laval.

ITEM I give my negro man slave Charles to my niece Mrs Leonora Martin.

LASTLY I hereby nominate and appoint my Nephew William Laval to be my Executor to this my last Will and testament.

IN Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal at Charleston this Sixth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty.

ITEM I give my watch to Mrs James Martin.

Signed sealed and acknowledged Ann Jacks (Seal)