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Draft:Madame J. Mincey

Coordinates: 32°46′39″N 79°55′44″W / 32.7775°N 79.9289°W / 32.7775; -79.9289
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Jennifer (or 'Genevieve') Mincey
BornEst. 1680
DiedEst. 1740
Resting placeUnknown
OccupationMadam
Known forPink House (Charleston, South Carolina)
SpouseUnknown

Madame J. Mincey (c.1680-1740), was a French Huguenot brothel owner and convict in colonial Charleston, South Carolina. She owned the Pink House (Charleston, South Carolina) in Charleston, South Carolina.

Early Life and Career

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From the historical record in colonial Charles Town, Mincey was likely a member of the Mesny family of French Huguenot emigres who fled France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Hundreds of Huguenots found refuge in British Carolina.[1] How Mincey became a prostitute or madam is unknown, but her ownership of the Pink House is documented by at least 1710. Mincey's frequent run-ins with colonial authorities were also well documented, as prostitution was illegal (though unofficially tolerated) in colonial Charleston. During her documented proprietorship, she was frequently accused by governor Robert Johnson and others of supporting pirates or of hiding contraband goods. She was recorded to have died in the 1740s, and her burial location is unknown. [2]

Legacy

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While Mincey was a historical personality, Charleston's tourist industry has given her a new life by discussing paranormal and folkloric stories about her. Though some of the stories have been noted to have historical elements (e.g. her potential connections to Blackbeard the pirate), others have been more fanciful. Local historians have expressed concern that this could obscure her real and compelling life story.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Name Mesny".
  2. ^ Ingle, Sheila. "Pink House".
  3. ^ "Pink House". 16 December 2024.
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32°46′39″N 79°55′44″W / 32.7775°N 79.9289°W / 32.7775; -79.9289