Historic Bellevue Residence in Natchez, MS, Circa 1800

This vintage photograph captures a historic residence in Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi, originally known as Bellevue. Built circa 1800, the house was constructed by the David Williams family and later purchased in 1808 by Winthrop Sargent, the first governor of Mississippi. This architectural gem features distinctive elements such as bulls eye windows, fanlights, and elegant porticoes, all framed by the striking backdrop of Spanish moss draping from nearby trees.

A notable feature of the home is its dry moat surrounding the basement, which was once enclosed with iron pickets, adding a unique defensive characteristic to the structure. The photograph forms part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, an initiative aimed at documenting the architectural heritage of the region.

This image serves not only as a representation of early 19th-century architecture but also as a glimpse into the history of Natchez, a city known for its rich cultural and architectural legacy.