Hopsewee facts for kids
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Hopsewee
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Hopsewee in 1971
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Georgetown, South Carolina |
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| Built | 1735 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000782 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 25, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
Hopsewee Plantation is a historic house built in 1735 near Georgetown, South Carolina. It was once the main house of a large rice farm. This special place is also known as the Thomas Lynch, Jr., Birthplace. Thomas Lynch, Jr. was an important person in American history. He was one of the Founding Fathers and signed the Declaration of Independence.
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A Founding Father's Story
Thomas Lynch, Jr. was born at Hopsewee Plantation. He played a key role in the early days of the United States. In 1779, he became very ill. He planned a trip with his wife to a place called St. Eustatius in the West Indies to get better.
Before leaving, he made a will. He stated that if his female relatives' children wanted to inherit his property, they would need to change their last name to Lynch. Thomas Lynch, Jr. owned several large farms. He also owned more than 250 enslaved African Americans. These people were considered property at that time. Thomas and his wife sailed away, but their ship was lost at sea during a storm. It was never found.
Hopsewee's History Through the Years
The Lynch family sold Hopsewee house in 1752 to Robert Hume. His son, John Hume, lived there during the winter months after he inherited it. When John Hume passed away in 1841, his son, John Hume Lucas, became the owner. John Hume Lucas died in 1853.
Like many farms in the Santee area, Hopsewee was left empty during the American Civil War. After the war, rice was no longer grown there. However, the Lucas family continued to live at Hopsewee until 1925. In September 1949, Colonel and Mrs. Wilkinson bought the house and moved in.
The House's Design and Features
Hopsewee is a great example of a "Carolina Low Country" house. It shows influences from the West Indies in its design. The house has a double-tiered porch, called a piazza, and a hip roof with dormer windows.
The house is built from black cypress wood. It sits on a brick foundation that forms a cellar. The house is about 40 feet wide and 50 feet deep. Each floor has four rooms and a central hallway. The piazzas were added in 1845. They replaced an earlier porch.
A National Historic Landmark
Hopsewee Plantation was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1971. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States. It is located about 13 miles south of Georgetown. You can find it near U.S. Highway 17, close to North Santee on the North Santee River.
Today, Hopsewee is still a private home. But it is also open to the public for tours at certain times. Inside, you can see furniture from the 1700s and 1800s.
See also
