Lego Architecture Белый Дом (21006) [2/76] James hoban

JamesHoban

James Hoban, 1762-1831, was born in Desart, near Callan,

County Kilkenny, Ireland. Hoban was raised at Cuﬀ esgrange,

Co Kilkenny where he learned carpentry skills. He studied

architecture at the Royal Dublin Society.

During the American Revolutionary War, Hoban

emigrated to the United States, and established himself as

an architect in Philadelphia in 1781. Hoban moved to South

Carolina in 1787, with his brothers Philip and Joseph; he

lived there for at least six more years.

We know little of Hoban’s life in South Carolina

except that he formed a partnership with carpenter

Pierce Purcell and became well known among the

gentry for his ability as an architect and builder. He

was a founding vestryman in 1791 of Saint Mary’s

Church, the ﬁ rst Catholic church established in the

Carolinas. Among Hoban’s references were some

of the most prominent citizens of Charleston: Henry

Laurens, a close friend of President George Washington;

fellow Irishman Aedanus Burke; and American

Revolutionary War General William Moultrie.

The White House Historical Association (White House Collection)

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