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Dorchester County, South Carolina Cemeteries

Location: Middleton Place is on Scenic State Highway 61 in Dorchester County, fourteen miles northwest of Charleston, SC.

 
Middleton Place is a Registered National Historic Landmark overlooking the Ashley River. A restored plantation renowned for its magnificent formal gardens. Plantation house (1755) with a priceless collection of family silver, paintings, furniture, books and documents. Outdoor museum with animals, artifacts and craft exhibits in the stableyards.

 
History: Begun in 1741 by Henry Middleton, President of the First Continental Congress. Home of Arthur Middleton, signer of the Declaration, his son Henry, Minister to Russia and his son Williams, signer of the Ordinance of Secession. Never deeded out of the family. Family seat for more than a score of rice plantations. Held by British during Revolutionary War. Burned by Sherman's troups in 1865. Damaged by Earthquake in 1886. Restored in this century.

 
Gardens: Oldest Landscaped Gardens in America (1741). Over 65 acres of formal terracing, allees, river vistas and ornamental lakes. Camellias introduced in late 18th century bloom in winter and early spring. Azaleas planted in the 19th century bloom in March and April. Magnolia, roses and mountain laurel in early summer. Crepe Myrtle and perennials through summer and fall. Palmetto, pine and massive, ancient oaks abound. Early structures include rice mill, spring house and family tomb. Swan, egret and heron in and about gardens.

 
Stableyards: Outdoor museum with animals common to Low Country Plantations.

 
House: Gentlemen's Guest Wing (1755), family residence after the Civil War. Impressive collection of family items includes Benjamin West portraits, four-poster "Rice Beds," English silver, silk copy of the Declaration of Independence and Catesby's illustrated Natural History of Carolina. Administered by the Middleton Place Foundation, a non-profit organization.

 
Hours of Operation: Gardens and Stableyards open every day all year.

 
Special Events: Greek Spring Festival (May), Arthur Middleton's Birthday (June), Scottish Games (Sept.), Lancing Tournament (Oct.), Plantation Days (Nov.).
 
 

The Committee is most greatful for the prompt response to our request to include magnificent Middleton Place's Historic Family Tomb in our book of Cemetery Inscriptions. The above history and epitaphs were furnished by Mr. Allen Powell, of Middleton Place, Route 4, Charleston, SC 29407.