The Sebrings:Information about Edward Sebring
Edward Sebring (b. July 26, 1799, d. June 30, 1880)
Notes for Edward Sebring:Edward Sebring, of New York City, and his first wife, Caroline (Secress), whom he married in 1820, moved, soon after their marriage to Charleston, South Carolina, where Edward became a prominent business man, banker, and civic leader, and in 1880, at the time of his death, was the head of an insurance and brokers firm, "E. Sebring and Company".
He purchased a large tract of land on Calhoun Street, in 1838, and in 1842., erected a large mansion which has become one of the historical show places of Charleston.It is a two story frame house with large piazzas;built on a high brick basement which contained the laundry, store rooms, kitchen, game rooms and bath.On the main floor are a large, handsomely moulded entrance hall (opening into the other rooms by folding doors, to lend space when needed), library, parlor, and two large bedrooms and bath, and a service kitchen.Front and rear stairways lead to the third floor, which contains four more bedrooms and a bath.A downstairs rear hall was fitted with benches for servants who waited there to be summoned by a call bell.The six room servants' quarters behind the house and garden, contained a large Dutch over, restored in 1923.
The Charleston home still contains many family portraits, and a large medical library that had belonged to Dr. Charles P. Aimar.After Edward's death, the home was sold by his widow, Gertrude, in 1882, to Dr. Aimar.
Edward Sebring was President of the State Bank of South Carolina during the Civil War.In 1865, when he learned that General Sherman was approaching Charleston with his victorious army, Edward thought it wise to remove the bank's negotiable papers and valuable assets to the safer place, and with his wife's help, carted them off to Camden, northwest of Charleston.But some detachments of Serman's army passed through Camden, found the money, and carried it away.
Edward had left his home in charge of a close friend and member of the banking firm, who occupied it while Edward was away.Some of General Potter's men, "Potter's Plunderers", passed through Charleston, raided the Sebring home;and carried off a large silver tea service, and heirloom of Edward's mother's family.In the east and west parlors were large plate glass mirrors which had been made in France to fit the spaces between the folding doors, and reached from floor to ceiling.These were torn from the walls and thrown to the floor.Unable to break them with their boots, the soldiers obtained heavy bars from the tool shed and smashed them.
Edward Sebring was one of the founders, and a trustee, of the Magnolia Cemetery.While he was away at Camden, a Union soldier was buried there.The feeling was so high against the north, that Edward, being a trustee, was held responsible, and sentenced to be hanged for it.But the sentence was never carried out.
More About Edward Sebring:
Burial: Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina.
More About Edward Sebring and Caroline Secress Miller:
Marriage: April 06, 1820, Charleston, SC.
More About Edward Sebring and Gertrude (Richards) Jessep:
Marriage: February 14, 1863, Summerville, NC.
Children of Edward Sebring and Gertrude (Richards) Jessep are:
- +Mary Gertrude Sebring, b. August 07, 1865, Charleston,SC, d. June 12, 1929.
- Emma Goodeve Sebring, b. June 15, 1867, Charleston, SC, d. September 08, 1952, Williams Inn, Williamstown, MA.