When Molly and Ted Fienning bought the Robert Smalls house there was only one inadequate bathroom and virtually no closets; typical in historic houses. The house’s history intrigued them. In 1839, Robert Smalls was born a slave on this property. In the civil was he became a U.S. Army captain. He went on to serve in the SC House of Representative, SC Senate and was a United States Congressman for 5 terms. After the civil war, Robert Smalls purchased this and adjacent properties. It is believed that this circa 1855 house was moved to the property as part of the Smalls estate. The original house was two rooms over two; it appears that a one story wing was added when the house was moved. The double front porches were removed many years ago and replaced with a small stoop. It is atypical of Beaufort houses because the porches are on the west instead of the south......
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