Early History and Excavation of the Leconte-Woodmanston Plantation

The following paper presents the analysis of the LeConte-Woodmanston site. The Garden Clubs of Georgia, Inc., plans to develop an exhibit around this late eicrhteenth-early nineteenth century rice plantation and botanical garden, emphasizing interpretation of the Plantation era components, the natural setting, and use as a habitat for endangered plant species. Louis LeConte's botanical garden (1812-1838) was internationally known among the scientific community for its early cultivation of Camellia japonica outside the hothouse. Historical documentation provided insight regarding the LeConte family in Liberty County during the plantation era and a picture of plantation life in early Georgia. Unfortunately the location and layout of the LeConte house and gardens are not available in the documents utilized to date. The site has been badly disturbed by lumbering activities over the past 25 years, but there is still potential for retrieving valuable archeological data. The basic research strategy included the use of linear transects to control a program of mechanical auger tests. This procedure provided a satisfactory means of delineating the extent of extreme subsurface disturbance and artifact distribution with a minimum amount of clearing. Results of the auger tests were checked with formal excavation and trenching. The spring 1979 archeological excavations and historical documentation both indicate the site was occupied from the early nineteenth century until the first part of the twentieth century. Two structures which were once part of the plantation house complex were investigated, but further archeological study is necessary to determine the dimensions and specifications.