Rum, Fireworks, and Mince Pies: Christmas in 18th and 19th Century Charleston
Whether it’s baking your grandma’s cookies or watching your favorite holiday movie (Elf is the winner in my house), holiday traditions shape our lives at this time of year. According to local historian Nic Bulter, even before modern customs surrounding the holidays became popular, celebrations marking the birth of Christ and the beginning of a new year were common.
In the 18th century the holiday season was observed with special meals, and celebratory gatherings and, as Butler notes, by setting off fireworks and firing guns. Healthy portions of rum or other alcoholic drinks added to the revelry of the season, but pious citizens surely complained about the impacts on livability. In 1750 the provincial legislature passed a law prohibiting the “firing and flinging of squibs [fireworks that made a hissing sound], crackers, and other fireworks” during the holiday season because they endangered and annoyed “all persons in passing the streets.”
While early traditions such as watching fireworks and enjoying celebratory drinks have endured, it was not until the 19thcentury that gift giving and Christmas trees became associated with the holidays. We can thank the German immigrant community and Queen Victoria, perhaps one of the most influential British monarchs, for the popularity of the Christmas tree and Santa Claus in our lives.
It’s unlikely that the Nathaniel Russell family had a Christmas tree, but they enjoyed special meals and time spent together in their grand house on Meeting Street. (We can only speculate if they were annoyed by all the fireworks and gunfire!) But certainly, the R.F.W. Allston family, second owners of the house, practiced Christmas traditions in the 1850s that we would recognize today. Describing holiday plans in 1857, Allston’s daughter Adelle wrote, “I reached home Saturday before Christmas, and busied myself in having curtains put up and various little arrangements made, mince pies prepared, cakes made and iced, all of which was completed by…the evening before Christmas.” Even in 2024 we can all relate to Adelle’s excitement and enthusiasm about decorating her home and preparing a special meal for family and friends.
We hope that you will include a visit to both the Nathaniel Russell and Aiken-Rhett House museums this holiday season to enjoy the traditional decorations and festive camaraderie. Historic Charleston Foundation sends a special thanks to Historian Nick Butler and a recommendation for his Charleston Time Machine podcast focusing on Charleston Christmas traditions.
