Algernon Sidney Johnston: First Impressions of Columbia, South Carolina, 1827

From John B. Jackson Map of Columbia, ca. 1850, copied in 1931.*

[Algernon Sidney Johnston at Columbia, South Carolina, to "My dear sister" Louisa J. Johnston at Abingdon, Virginia, February 24, 1827, Box 1, John Warfield Johnston Papers, 1778-1890, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University].

This letter is basically composed of two parts. In the first, the twenty-five year old's pining for unrequited love left in Virginia, probably one of his Preston cousins: "a fair-haired, rosy-lipped, blue-eyed maid whom I love better than anything else on earth or in heaven . . ." In the second, there is a brief description of Johnston's early impressions of Columbia. 

"The town is larger than I supposed it would be, and finely situated. The inhabitants are gay, intelligent, and agreeable: The ladies are handsome and excessively fond of dancing . . . I have been to a good many very gay parties; my strongest inducement for going is to get plenty of oranges, which abound at such places." 

Johnston, often referred to as "A.S. Johnston" and "Sid" or "Syd," notes: "With regards to the manner on which we are coming on here, my previous letters to Abingdon explain it sufficiently: I suppose you have seen them . . ." so he won't repeat the details (unfortunately). 

Later in 1827, he and his brother Edward William Johnston set up a book shop. Around the time of Syd's letter, though, they were selling fabrics. 

When did they arrive in Columbia? Possibly as early as sometime in 1826, but certainly by January 1827. The fact that their fabrics came from New York City is intriguing and suggests some of what Edward was up to when he lived in Manhattan, probably with the direct assistance and guidance of Estelle, Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand), whom he had married in 1824, and perhaps with the help of other Villagrands or their connections in New York City.

From the South-Carolina State Gazette & Columbia Advertiser, April 21, 1827, front page (XXXIV: 1883):

E.W. & A.S. JOHNS[T]ON 

HAVE removed their Store to Dr. DELEON'S brickhouse, opposite CLARK'S Hotel, where they are now receiving from New-York a Supply of beautiful Spring and Summer Goods, such as a fine assortment of Calicoes of elegant patterns and fast colours . . . Ginghams, plain and striped . . . Muslins . . . Levantine, Italian and India silks . . . Handkerchiefs, Points and Collars, White and black Bobbinet Lace veils . . . French Frizettes . . . Crazy Jane and Children's Bobbinet Caps, Shell Combs . . . Ladies' Horse-skin, Kid, Beaver and Silk Gloves . . . Ribbons . . . Irish linens . . . wide Circassian . . . Merino Cloths . . .

These, with their former stock, and the further supplies which they will be often receiving, form, they are persuaded, a stock every way worthy of the attention of those who will do them the favor to examine and compare. They have taken the utmost pains to procure articles of the best quality, and offer them at prices which for cheapness cannot be exceeded.

[Algernon Sidney "Syd" Johnston (October 17, 1801-September 22, 1852)
Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (1800-1873)
Edward William Johnston (1799-1867) 
Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) (ca. 1802-1848)
William Campbell Preston (1794-1860) - Syd and Edward's cousin and mentor, their biggest Columbia draw
Benjamin "Ben" Franklin Johnston (1808-1834) graduated from South Carolina College in 1830; it's unclear whether he had already arrived in Columbia by the time of Syd's letter] 

For their help and assistance, many thanks to the staff of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. For more information about the John Warfield Johnston Papers, here's a link to the guide. 

*Red circles indicate possible locations of E. W. & A. S. Johnston's store. A clickable version of the full map can be found here, at NOVA NUMISMATICS.