Nathaniel Russell (1738-1820) originally from Rhode Island, settled in Charleston in 1765, becoming a prosperous shipping merchant and slave trader. In 1788, Russell married Sarah Hopton (1752-1832), a member of one of Charleston's wealthiest families at the age of 50, and two daughters were born soon after, Alicia in 1789 and Sarah in 1792. As one of the wealthiest citizens in Charleston, Nathaniel Russell sought to build a more prestigious home to display his prominence in the city. Construction began on the house in 1803, and the Federal style house was completed five years later, when 70-year-old Nathaniel, his family and 16 enslaved moved into the house.