the Drayton family.
Magnolia Plantation, another former rice plantation near the Ashley River, has been owned by the Drayton family since 1676. Black people have lived and worked at Magnolia throughout its 350-year history, first as enslaved workers and then, after emancipation, as paid garden staff.
How many slaves lived at Magnolia Plantation?
235 enslaved people
Ambrose LeComte, owner of the Magnolia Plantation, at one time owned 235 enslaved people. Some of these are individuals are listed in a ledger which was compiled from 1845-1860.
Who built Magnolia Plantation?
The plantation dates to 1676, when Thomas and Ann Drayton (née Anna Fox) built a house and small formal garden on the site. (The plantation remains under the control of the Drayton family after 15 generations.)
Who lived at Magnolia Plantation?
Slavery existed at Magnolia Plantation for almost two centuries beginning in the late 17th century. It is a fact of historical note that African slaves, and later African- American slaves, would do the majority of the work that built the fortunes of the Drayton family at Magnolia Plantation.
How old is the house at Magnolia Plantation?
Magnolia Plantation was founded in 1676, making it the oldest plantation in South Carolina and the oldest estate garden in the country. A manor house was constructed on the property by 1680 by the first owner, Thomas Drayton, Junior, who also organized a French garden around the structure.
Who owns Magnolia Plantation today?
the Drayton family
Magnolia Plantation, another former rice plantation near the Ashley River, has been owned by the Drayton family since 1676. Black people have lived and worked at Magnolia throughout its 350-year history, first as enslaved workers and then, after emancipation, as paid garden staff.
What is the most famous plantation in South Carolina?
Magnolia has been selected as one of “America’s Most Beautiful Gardens” (Travel + Leisure Magazine), and is the only garden honored with this distinction in the State of South Carolina!
Why is it called Magnolia Plantation?
One of the oldest estates in South Carolina, Magnolia Plantation dates to 1672. It stands proudly along the Ashley River near Charleston. Though named for the grand Southern magnolia tree, the property is better known for its wide variety of camellias and azaleas.
Did the Charleston Tea Plantation have slaves?
The Charleston Tea Plantation was first established in the 1960’s as an experimental farm. Therefore, slavery was never a part of the plantation. It wasn’t until very recently (2020) that the company changed their name to the more sensitive Charleston Tea Garden to better represent their history.
What is the best plantation to visit in Charleston?
The most important Charleston plantation tour and visit in Charleston is Drayton Hall
- Drayton Hall is Charleston’s finest plantation.
- Unlike other plantations in Charleston, Drayton Hall is the only authentic colonial period home which you can tour.
How many plantations are in Charleston SC?
6 plantations
Here is our comprehensive guide to the Charleston plantations, complete an FAQ section, a short guide to each of the 6 plantations, and our own personal impressions and tips for visiting each of these South Carolina plantations!
Are there any Southern plantations left?
More than 70 plantation homes remain in the area that includes the border counties of Grady and Thomas in Georgia and Jefferson and Leon in Florida. The area became a winter destination for Northerners who bought and preserved many of the homes after the Civil War.
Where did slaves live in Charleston SC?
Charleston Plantations
Magnolia Plantation was home to up to 235 enslaved African Americans at one time. And that number isn’t uncommon.
What is the best plantation in South Carolina?
16 Best South Carolina Plantations
- Ashtabula Historic House. © Ashtabula Historic House.
- Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. © Courtesy of Dave Allen – Fotolia.com.
- McLeod Plantation Historic Site. © McLeod Plantation Historic Site.
- Millford Plantation Historic Site.
- Redcliffe Plantation.
- Roper House.
- Woodburn Historic House.
How long does it take to walk through Magnolia Plantation?
The Magnolia Gardens You can enjoy a self-guided tour through the historic gardens. Some sections are more than three centuries old, allowing you to see what the plantation looked like hundreds of years ago. Allow at least 45 minutes to look around the gardens.
Does South Carolina still have plantations?
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, South Carolina has several historic plantations that are open for tours. You may recognize a few of these and others may be newly added to your radar. Each wonderful property has major history behind it, as well as just being beautiful and interesting to visit.
Did the Drayton family own slaves?
A census of the island of Barbados that year recorded that Drayton owned 12 acres, seven slaves, and the indenture of one white servant, in addition to one hired, white servant.
Does Magnolia Plantation donate money?
Since 2012, Magnolia has donated more than 15 tons of food to the Lowcountry Food Bank. The Lowcountry Food Bank serves 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and aims to distribute more than 24 million pounds of food each year. For more information: www.lowcountryfoodbank.org.
How many slaves did Charleston have?
Of that total, we know that approximately 150,000 to 200,000 Africans passed through the port of Charleston, in nearly 1,000 separate cargos, between the founding of the Carolina colony in 1670 and the legal prohibition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade enacted by the United States Congress in 1808.
Who owned the most slaves in Charleston SC?
Among Charleston’s biggest slaveholders was the Middleton family, which from 1738 to 1865 owned some 3,000 slaves on its numerous plantations.
How many plantations are still in South Carolina?
South Carolina SC Plantations. This website serves as a repository for information about South Carolina plantations and the people who lived and worked on them. It includes data for more than 2,000 SC plantations.