To kick off our 4th of July weekend, we (I) decided to visit another plantation. Milford plantation looks like something you would read about in a historical novel or see in Gone With the Wind. Unlike many of the plantations in South Carolina, Milford was not destroyed by Sherman's army. The story of how it was preserved is pretty amazing.
On what turned out to be the final day of the war before Lee's surrender, Northern troops, under the command of Brig. General Edward Elmer Potter arrived at Millford. Governor Manning (read more about him below) met the Yankee general at the front door and observed: "Well, the house was built by a Potter (Nathaniel Potter, the architect) and it looks as though it will be destroyed by a Potter." General Potter responded: "No, you are protected. Nathaniel Potter was my brother."
But let's start at the beginning. The plantation is located about an hour southeast of Columbia, not far from the Kensington Plantation we visited over Spring Break. We drove through a state forest to get to the plantation. In the middle of the forest, we were surprised to see that there was a section set aside as a military air-to-ground bombing site. Here's to hoping those bomber pilots have good aim!
As always when we visit these plantations, I can't help but think of my kids and what their life could have been like had they been born in this area just a few generations back. I looked back at them traveling in relative comfort, including air conditioning, and imagined other children brought to this area in chains after being torn from their mothers. Slavery is not as far in the past as I sometimes tend to think. (I also noted the irony of our visiting a place that denied freedom during a weekend when we celebrate freedom.) I'm honestly not sure why I am so fascinated by plantations, but I am.
The drive to Millford is a very bumpy dirt road.
The plantation is surrounded by wide sweeping lawns and trees covered in Spanish Moss. From what I have learned, during the Civil War period, the plantations would not have had grass and trees. They had hard dirt lawns that were swept smooth and instead of trees there were fields and fields of crops. The gentleman who gave us our tour (who was awesome) said that back in its heyday, you could ride an entire day on horseback and still be on the Millford plantation.
Millford was built by John Laurence Manning, a signer of the Ordinance of Secession of South Carolina. He was the son of a governor of South Carolina and was later governor himself. He was married to Susan Frances Hampton, daughter of Revolutionary War hero Wade Hampton, reputed to have been the richest man in the South. Millford is built on land inherited by John Manning from his maternal Richardson grandparents, which was originally set up as a land grant from England. However, most of the funds for construction probably came from his wife's inheritance. The couple was only 22 when they started building this impressive residence. Susan would die in childbirth with her third child before reaching her 30th birthday.
Milford has two small, but beautiful gardens, one on each side of the home.
The home is considered by some to be the finest example of Greek Revival residential architecture in America. It has massive Corinthian columns, high ceilings, floor to ceiling windows (some are breezeways) and a domed rotunda capping off a spiral staircase. It is really impressive.
There are some new additions like this little castle on a pond. Baylie was fascinated by it.
After the tour, the kids kicked back and relaxed in the shade.
On the way out, Jalen had fun saying "ahhhh" over the bumpy road because it made his voice vibrate.
Across the road from the path that leads to the plantation is a monument to the grandfather of John Lawrence Manning. I later found out that John, his father and grandfather are all buried in this church courtyard. Unfortunately, I didn't know it at the time, so I didn't find their headstones.
In researching, I found an interesting story about General Richardson.
General Richardson died during the war and was laid to rest on the grounds of his plantation. After Banastre Tarleton gave up his attempt to catch the Swamp Fox (Francis Marion), he paid a visit to Richardson's plantation. Highly angered that General Richardson's widow had enabled the Swamp Fox to escape by alerting him to the approach of the British cavalrymen, Tarleton sought retribution. He directed his troopers to dig up the body of General Richardson, who had been buried six weeks earlier. When asked the reason behind this ghoulish act, Tarleton stated that he wanted to "look upon the face of such a brave man." The Richardson family was forced to witness the hideous spectacle.
Driving to and from the plantation, there were other country homes that I found beautiful.
We saw a sign saying there was a historical church just a mile away, so we decided to find it. (David thinks I need a bumper sticker that says 'I brake for historical signs.') The original church was built in the 1700's. The current building is constructed of rammed earth. (The parish house mentioned on the sign is not the church.)
As we headed back to the main road, we learned that we were actually on a very historic road - a road upon which soldiers in both the Revolutionary and Civil war marched.
Apparently there are several signs dedicated to the march of General Potter. This is one we found. I haven't been able to find information on the rest.
One of the churches we passed had designated parking spaces for important people like the bishop and "the musician." This musician is definitely reserved - for me!
Two years ago David and I signed a pact not to eat Kentucky Fried Chicken (it was a school project for his cousin) because of how the chickens they use are treated. We broke the pact because we figured two years was a significant commitment, plus we had 2 for 1, 5 dollar meal deals. (The kids look way more enthusiastic here than they actually were, and I doubt I'll be eating there again in the near future - it was grosser than I remembered.)
Okay, but seriously, my kids are so stinking cute this could be a print ad for KFC!
Monday we plan to celebrate the 4th by going to a baseball game with some good friends. What could be better - baseball and fireworks! Hope you all (or should I just cave and say ya'all?) have a wonderful holiday.
Note: For those of you wanting to visit Millford, it is only open for tours the first Saturday of the month, except for January when it is closed and April when it is open every Saturday. Always call to reserve a time. For more info, go here.
It seems like so long ago when we went to the temple. I can't believe it's only been a year. Jalen is such a blessing in my life. I have always wanted a little boy and Jalen is all boy. He loves to head butt people and belly bump. His smile lights up a room. He has huge dimples and deep dark eyes. He is so tough, bouncing off walls and falling down without missing a beat. He's also a super cuddler and gives great hugs. It's overwhelming how my heart overflows for this little man.
P.S. Girl's Camp was a blast!
P.S. Girl's Camp was a blast!
