Home to America’s oldest landscaped garden, Middleton Place National Historic Landmark is an historic site that was home to many important people related to the Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence. Begun in 1741, the site is 110 acres, and it includes the gardens, house museum, stable yards and more.
One of the residents was Arthur Middleton, who was the son of Henry Middleton, who laid out the gardens. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He helped draft the South Carolina state constitution, and he was also a delegate to the Continental Congress (1776-1777).
During the siege of Charleston during the Revolutionary War, he was taken prisoner by the British in 1780. In July 1781, he was exchanged as a prisoner and became a member of the Continental Congress from 1781 to 1783. He was also part of the South Carolina legislature from 1785 to 1786.
Historical Marker Inscription
Middleton Place
These famous gardens were laid out about 1741 by Henry Middleton (1717-84), President of Continental Congress. His son Arthur, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived here as did his son Henry (1770-1846), Governor of S.C. and Minister to Russia, who introduced the camellias. His son Williams (1809-83) planted the first azaleas. The original residence was looted and burned by Federal forces in 1865.
(Reverse Side)
Arthur Middleton
Planter, Patriot, Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Born here June 26, 1742, Arthur Middleton, after receiving his education in England, returned to make his home here in 1763. He served in the Commons House of Assembly, the Provincial Congress, the Council of Safety, the Continental Congress, the militia, and the state legislature. He died Jan. 1, 1787, and is buried in the garden here.
Location
Middleton Place Road, Charleston, SC, 29414 United States
32° 54′ 0402″ N, 80° 8′ 24.770″ W
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