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Hampton Plantation
The Hampton Plantation is situated beside the lower Santee River, south of Georgetown, South Carolina. The actual construction of the house was probably begun about 1735 for Noah Serre, an early pioneer to the area. In those days, the center portion of the house was built first, with wings added later on. In this instance it was Daniel Huger Horry, the son-in-law of Serre, who enlarged the six-room structure. He has a two-story ballroom on one end and large bedrooms and sitting rooms on the other end. After a visit of George Washington, the six-column portico and impediment was added. Open to the public, it is located 8 miles north of McClellanville, off routes 17 and 857.Georgetown, Thriving Port City
By 1729 the area around the City of Georgetown was already home to a busy seaport. One reason is that lucrative rice crops indigo were important exports. Indigo, particularly during the 18th century because of the blue dye which it produced. Pirates hid in nearby bays and barrier islands waiting for merchant ships weighed down with cargo to enter the sea. The local stories spin the tales of Anne Bonney, Mary Read and Calico Jack Rackham lurking around the coast. Online Images of Old Wills and Estates
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Georgetown County Probate Records
Georgetown County was named for King George II of England. It was settled during the 18th century by English planters bringing their African slaves to establish large rice and indigo plantations. The local town of Georgetown, established about 1730, prospered as a busy port for the plantations.
Georgetown District was first named in 1769 and included the parishes of Prince George, All Saints, and Prince Frederick. In 1785 the district was divided into four counties: Liberty, Kingston, Williamsburg, and Winyah.
During the Revolutionary War the troops of General Francis Marion were known to hide in the swamps while waging guerrilla warfare against the British.
Early settlers: Thomas Lynch, Jr. (1749-1779), signer of the Declaration of Independence; Theodosia Burr Alston (1783-1813), the daughter of Aaron Burr; Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779-1851), Congressman, secretary of war, ambassador to Mexico and Joseph Hayne Rainey (1832-1887), the first African-American elected to the U. S. House of Representatives.