Laurel Bay Plantation

National Register Listing

Street Address:

Address Restricted (Beaufort County)

Alternate Name:

Woodward Plantation, Tabby Ruin Site; 38BU1431

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NRHP Nomination

Record Number:

S10817707060

Description and Narrative:

(Woodward Plantation, Tabby Ruin Site) The site, as an archaeological resource, has already proven to contain archaeological artifacts which have convincingly dated the site to the period of its historical significance (ca. 1772-1861) as well as spatial patternings of artifacts which indicate specific activity areas probably associated with domestic outbuilding activities related to either or both Laurel Bay Plantation (ca. 1772-1779) and Woodward Plantation (ca. 1800-1861). Features present at the site include sections of two tabby walls, a tabby structure foundation, two depressions, two brick piles, and a shell pile. During the period ca. 1772-1779, a colonial mansion complete with aquarium was reportedly built at Laurel Bay. The site was witness to the British invasion of the Beaufort area in 1778/1779 during which the home at Laurel Bay was shelled by British forces; the property was also later confiscated by the Federal government during the Civil War. Notable owners include Robert Woodward Barnwell and the Barnwell/Middleton/Bull family which was active in the Revolutionary War, local mercantile affairs and the plantation economy, State and Confederate governments, and the Civil War. Listed in the National Register February 27, 1997.

Period of Significance:

1772;1779;1861;1772 – 1861

Level of Significance:

Local

Area of Significance:

Agriculture;Archeology

National Register Determination:

listed

Date of Certification:

February 27 1997

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