Facade	Facade Central Block	Right Oblique	Right Elevation	Left Oblique
Main Entrance	Window Detail Facade	Window Detail Left Elevation

(Carter-May House) The Edward Rutledge House is significant as the residence in 1787 of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence for South Carolina, lawyer, politician, soldier, and governor of South Carolina. This is the only existing structure that can be associated with Edward Rutledge. Rutledge studied law at the Middle Temple in 1767 and was admitted to the English bar in 1772. Rutledge’s political career began in July 1774, when he was elected a delegate to the First Continental Congress. In November 1776 Rutledge left the Continental Congress and returned to Charleston to resume the practice of law. From 1780 to July 1781 he was a prisoner of war. From 1782 to 1796 he represented Charleston in the state House of Representatives. In 1796 and 1798 he was elected a state senator. In 1798 he was also elected Governor. He died in Charleston on January 23, 1800. The house is a large, two-story frame structure over high basement with hipped roof. Except for a wing, the exterior of the house is little altered. Almost square, the structure is five bays wide and four bays deep. A two-story porch supported by columns extends along the west side and around the south elevation. A central modillioned pediment with circular window rises from the main roof on the street façade and covers the three center bays. This pediment is tied into the façade by means of consoles. A two-story clapboard wing was added to the east side of the house in the last quarter of the 19th century. Listed in the National Register November 11, 1971; Designated a National Historic Landmark November 11, 1971.

View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property.

Most National Register properties are privately owned and are not open to the public. The privacy of owners should be respected. Not all properties retain the same integrity as when originally documented and listed in the National Register due to changes and modifications over time.

Images and texts on these pages are intended for research or educational use. Please read our statement on use and reproduction for further information on how to obtain a photocopy or how to cite an item.