Ark Plantation – Surfside Beach – Horry County
Much of the information on this page was contributed by J. Benjamin Burroughs of Conway, South Carolina. Ben was formerly the Executive Director of the Horry County Historical Society.
Basic Information
- Location – Atlantic Ocean, Surfside Beach, Horry County
Original plantation lands were located where the Town of Surfside Beach is today.
- Origin of name – ?
- Other names – Arke
- Current status – Original plantation lands have been developed into the Town of Surfside Beach.
Timeline
- 1820 – Earliest known date of existence
The owner at this time appears to be John M. Tillman. His name appears on the 1820 Robert Mills Atlas for the area. He is still the owner in 1838 when his name appears on a survey map of Horry County.
The property extended a mile and half along the beach and some three miles inland.
- 1850 – About 190 acres was devoted to the cultivation of rice.
- 1865 – John M. Tillman died. His will does not list a wife or any children. His family eventually sold off the land.
- 1893 – A hurricane swept through the area. The house was used as a shelter, and holes were chopped in the floor to let water run out. The house miraculously survived the storm.
- ? – The house was converted into an inn and later was used to house local beach lifeguards.
- 1960s – The house was torn down.
Land
- Number of acres – 3,194
- Primary crop/crops – Rice, Indian corn, peas, sweet potatoes, cattle, sheep, pigs
- There is an old unmarked cemetery on the property near the ocean.
Owners
- Alphabetical list – Holliday; Roach; John M. Tillman
Slaves
- Number of slaves – 57 in 1850 (Tillman); 63 in 1860 (Tillman)
Buildings
- An old plat shows a house near the ocean front and several slave cabins just north of the main house along the ocean.
Web Resources
Print Resources
- Initial references: See #1
- 1850 Slave Schedules for Horry District
- 1860 Slave Schedules for Horry District
- 1860 Agricultural Survey for Horry District
