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Butler Island Plantation
Photo Page
One of the largest plantations in the
South was the Butler Island Plantation, located just
south of Darien, across the Darien River on what is now
US Highway 17. The story of the plantation is a
fascinating one, beginning in the 1790s, when Major
Pierce Butler planted the land on the Altamaha Delta,
which provided perfect conditions for growing rice. In
1838, the major's grandson, Captain Pierce Butler, who
married the famous and beautiful British stage actress
Fanny Kemble, arrived at the plantation for a six-month
working visit. Kemble, who was not familiar with the
reality of slavery, immediately became very opposed to
the treatment of the slaves. She penned her feelings and
eventually published the notes in a book called "Journal
of a Resident on a Georgia Plantation," which some say
helped persuade the British to oppose slavery and the
Civil War.The plantation
site is now owned by The Nature Conservancy, and the
land (excluding the house) is open to the public for
picnicking, fishing and birding. Sunsets can be
dramatic, as the setting sun creates reflections of
brilliant color in the Butler River.
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Jim Bruce Collection |