Historic Litchfield Plantation Cemetery
Site Brief:
Founded: Early 1700s
Location: Pawleys Island, SC
Additional name(s): Litchfield Cemetery, Litchfield Plantation Cemetery Conservancy
Affiliate group(s): N/A
History:
Litchfield Plantation traces its formation to three land grants of 500, 500 and 420 acres (1.7 km2) from King George III to Thomas Hepworth, in 1710, 1712 and 1711. The original Plantation House was built in 1740. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Litchfield Plantation is the existence of a cemetery utilized by slaves of the plantation and their descendants. Little is recorded of the history of slavery at Litchfield Plantation. According to an archaeological investigation performed in 1989 the cemetery holds approximately 150 possible graves. Only 5 of these graves are marked, and only 2 are legible with dates in 1888 and 1920. The estate inventory of John Hyrne Tucker, taken in July of 1859, recorded the names of 155 slaves on Litchfield Plantation.
Preserving Sacred Grounds ◆ Honoring Lives ◆ Protecting History
Here lie the men, women, and children from Africa whose labor, skill, and endurance built and sustained the Litchfield Plantation from the 1700s onward. Most of their names may be lost to history, but their humanity, faith, and strength endure. May this ground remain sacred in remembrance and peace.
