Seabrook Plantation – Hilton Head Island – Beaufort County

Basic Information

• Location – Skull Creek (a branch of the Chechessee River), Hilton Head Island, St Helena Parish, Beaufort County
  

• Origin of name – ?

• Other names – Skull Creek

• Current status – ?

Timeline

• ? – Earliest known date of existence
  

  Thomas Henry Barksdale accumulated 2,600 acres on the island that he called Skull Creek Plantation (2).
  

• ? – House built

• 1788 –Thomas Henry Barksdale died and Skull Creek Plantation was divided. Squire Pope purchased the western 1,000 acres and called it Cotton Hope (2).
  

• Circa 1820 – William Seabrook purchased the eastern 1,600 acres of the former Skull Creek Plantation (2).
  

• 1836 – William Seabrook died leaving a plantation to each of his children. Son James probably inherited Seabrook (2).
  

• Circa 1870 – Like many plantations in South Carolina, Seabrook Plantation was confiscated after the Civil War due to outstanding taxes. James Seabrook tried unsuccessfully to reclaim ownership of the plantation (2).
  

• 1873 – Seabrook was deeded to Robert C. McIntire. McIntire paid the plantation's taxes and promised James he would hold the plantation for him until James could repay the tax bill (2).
  

• 1895 – Will Clyde purchased the plantation (2).
  

• ? – Ray Rainey acquired Seabrook Plantation (2).
  

• 1931 – Seabrook Plantation was purchased by Thorne and Loomis (2).
  

Land

• Number of acres – 2,600 when Skull Creek Plantation (2)

• Primary crop – Cotton

Slaves

• Number of slaves – 80

References & Resources

1. Claude Henry Neuffer, editor, Names in South Carolina, Volume I through 30 (Columbia, SC: The State Printing Company)
    Order Names in South Carolina, Volumes I-XII, 1954-1965
    Order Names in South Carolina, Index XIII-XVIII
   

2. Information on Seabrook Plantation posted by the Heritage Library Foundation of Hilton Head Island – click here
   

More about Beaufort County

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