SANKOFA'S PLANTATION DATABASE

Middleton Place

Location: Charleston, SC; on the Ashley River
Constructed:
Learn more at: UWEC Geog188 Vogeler
Information:

Associated Free White Names

• Henry Middleton: owned a total of 50,000 acres and 20 plantations; Middleton Place was only one of them

Associated Black Slave Names

• Henry Middleton owned a total of 800 slaves

Agriculture

• Rice: Slaves, who were experienced growing rice in West Africa, drained the cypress swamps for paddy rice all along the South Carolina coast.
• The 1741-started gardens in the French and English traditions were created by 100 slaves over 10 years (in the off-season). The one 900-year old life oak and the many trees over 400 years old were incorporated into the design of the gardens.

Description of Associated Architecture

• The estate still has a row of nine 18th-century brick slave cabins. The proximity of the slave quarters along the road to The Big House and the expensive brick construction of the slave cabins indicates that Captain Thomas Boone was displaying his wealth and status to other planters as they rode up to the main house.
• Cotton Gin House located on the property
• The rest of the plantation consists of family buildings and one restored wooden slave cabin.