Coastal Georgia offers visitors and residents alike a rich history that is centuries old. St. Simons Island, once an island of cotton plantations and lumber industry, holds particular interest as so much of the history is available to see. When you visit Christ Church and wander through the cemetery there that holds the remains of famous islanders you’ll see such names as Gould, King, Spalding and Jones among many others.
I am particularly drawn to to the King family and their Retreat Plantation, once a thriving part of the local cotton industry. Anna King inherited Retreat in 1827. She ran the plantation with a firm business hand, seeing after the running of the vast property while her husband, Thomas Butler King, a member of Congress, travelled for both political and social reasons. Anna also saw to it that her slaves were treated fairly and even educated.
Perhaps one of the most famous stories to come from Retreat Plantation is that of Neptune Small. Small, a plantation slave, accompanied “Lordy” King to battle during the Civil War. He recovered his master’s body, after the young man was killed in the Battle of Fredericksburg, returning it for burial in the Christ Church cemetery. Instead of staying on St. Simons, Neptune insisted on returning to battle to care for R. Cuyler King, Lordy’s brother. After the war, Neptune was freed and given a tract of land on the Retreat Property that is now Neptune Park. Pamela Bauer Mueller’s award winning book “Neptune’s Honor” tells the story so well. Her book is available at most local bookstores or through Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com
www.puttinonthegrits.com
Also of special note is the slave hospital, whose ruins still stand in memory of the two women who served as nurses there.
The stately Avenue of the Oaks, planted more than 160 years ago, now provides the entrance to “The Lodge”, a Sea Island Company property. History remains in the form of ruins and stories amidst the beauty of The Lodge and the world class golf course that now covers what once was.
3 Responses
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B.Dismer Says:
Fascinating local history. Now we know the origin of Neptune Park. Thanks, Melissa.
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Melissa Says:
I never cease to be amazed at the wealth of history and interesting stories that abound in Coastal Georgia. So happy you enjoyed the post, Blaise!
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Pamela Mueller Says:
A beautiful site to visit. So much history right there at Retreat Plantation. My hero, Neptune Small, is buried there, making it all the more special to me. Thank you Melissa for reminding us of his heroism.
