— Rose Hill Plantation © William Kirk 2009 — submitted by Robert and Robin White —

Basic Information

• Location – Colleton River, Bluffton, St. Luke's Parish, Beaufort County

  Located on Rose Hill Way off US 278
  

• Origin of name – Two theories have surfaced over the years regarding the name Rose Hill. One is that the plantation was named after a little girl (Rose) in the 1830's. More recent information suggests the name comes from John Rose, the plantation's owner in the late 1700's to early 1800's.
  

• Other names – Kirk's Folly, John Kirk House, Rose Hill Mansion
  

• Current status – Privately owned, available for special occasions, and open for tours by reservation
  

Timeline

• 1718 – Earliest known date of existence

  Granted to Sir John Colleton. It was once a part of Devil's Elbow Barony.
  

• 1790 – The plantation became under the ownership of John Rose
  

• 1799 – Upon Rose's death, the plantation was inherited by his step son, James Kirk.
  

• 1830s – The plantation was given to Dr. John and Caroline Kirk as a wedding present from Caroline's father James Kirk.
  

• 1858 – House built (completed in 1860) by Dr. John and Caroline Kirk
  

• 1946 – John and Betsy Gould Sturgeon purchased the house and completed it in a highly sophisticated manner.
  

• 1980 – Rose Hill Plantation Development Company, a Welton family pursuit, purchased the land for development of a planned residential community.
  

• 1986 – The house was opened to the public for tours, and an extensive rehabilitation of the house was completed.
  

• 1987 – A fire severely damaged the house and it would sit empty for nearly a decade.
  

• 1996 – Rose Hill Plantation House was purchased by the Middleton-White Foundation and is currently being restored as a private home.
  

• 2009 – Rose Hill Plantation House has been lovingly restored by Rusty and Robin White of the Middleton-White Foundation.
  

Land

• Number of acres – 12.5 in 1996

• Primary crop – Sea island cotton
  

Owners

• Chronological list – Sir John Colleton (1718-?); John Rose (1790-1799); James Kirk (1799-1830s); Dr. John and Caroline Kirk (1830s-?); Pinckney; John and Betsy Gould Sturgeon (1946-?); Rose Hill Plantation Development Company/Welton (1980-?); Robert L. and Robin White (1996-present)
  

Slaves

• Number of slaves – 154

Buildings

• The house is of Gothic Revival design. Although a 1987 fire severely damaged the home, much of the original characteristics and materials have been salvaged and restored. Click here to see photos of the house and grounds.
  

Web Resources

• Brief History of Rose Hill Plantation: Click here

• National Register of Historic Places
  – Nomination form - PDF - submitted in 1983
  – Photographs, architectural overview
  

Print Resources

• Initial references: See #1, 2, 38, 44

Contact Information

• Rose Hill Mansion
  199 Rose Hill Way
  Bluffton, SC 29910
  

  Website: Click here
  

More about Beaufort County

• Learn more about historic Beaufort County, including the lovely town of Beaufort SC as well as Hilton Head. We have helpful guides to Beaufort SC history and Beaufort SC libraries and museums – plus Beaufort SC restaurants, Beaufort SC bed & breakfasts, Beaufort SC hotels, and Beaufort SC real estate.