About 1741, Henry Middleton laid out the famous gardens at Middleton Place. Henry Middleton (1717-84), President of Continental Congress, lived there, as did his son Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Arthur's son Henry (1770-1846), Governor of S.C. and Minister to Russia, who introduced the camellias. Henry's son Williams (1809-83) planted the first azaleas. The original residence was looted and burned by Federal forces in 1865. Arthur Middleton, planter, patriot, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born there on June 26, 1742. After receiving his education in England, he returned in 1763 to make his home there. He served in the Commons House of Assembly, the Provincial Congress, the Council of Safety, the Continental Congress, the militia, and the state legislature. He died Jan. 1, 1787, and is buried in the garden there.
