November 28 Week 4 Garden Photos

The construction of the Federal-Greek Revival plantation house was begun in 1834 and after 6 months of construction, it was completed in May 1835. Rosedown is the best preserved and documented 19th century plantation and gardens in the US. Over 90% of the original furnishings are present in the house. Upon the death of Sarah Turnbull Bowman, her 4 unmarried daughters inherited the plantation. The last surviving daughter, Nina, died in 1955. Amy L. Dabbs, ©2022, Clemson University

The north and south wings were added to Rosedown in 1844 and 1845. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Daniel and Martha Turnbull married in 1828. They had three children-William, Sarah, and James Daniel. James Daniel died of yellow fever at age 7 in 1843. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Martha Hillard Turnbull was inspired by the gardens of Europe that she and her husband visited on their honeymoon. This spurred a life long interest in developing the Rosedown gardens. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

William was the son of Daniel and Martha Turnbull. At age 27 , William drowned in a boating accident while crossing The Old River near St. Francisville. Old River, once a part of the Mississippi, connects the Atchafalaya and Mississippi Rivers. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Sarah was the only surviving child and sole heir of Daniel and Martha Turnbull. She married James Bowman on April 9, 1857, and together had ten children. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

A punkah fan was pulled by a rope to keep the flies and other insects away from the dining room table. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Martha Turnbull was an avid gardener and ordered seeds, bulbs, and plants from nursery catalogs from the Midwest and East. Old invoices list that azaleas and camellias were purchased in 1837 from a nursery on Long Island, NY. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Indoor bathing facilities were rare in homes built in the 1830s. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Closets were another rarity in mid 19th century homes. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

The rocking horse and furniture in the nursery all all original. Many generations of the Turnbull family played on the rocking horse. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Martha and Daniel Bowman has ten children over a period of 17 years. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

This is the original Turnbull family crib that had been used for generations. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Bookshelves were not common in homes built in the mid-1800s. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

William Turnbull's wife, Caroline Butler was the great-great granddaughter of Martha Washington and brought the fire screen to Rosedown when she married William in Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Bookshelves from Europe were ordered to house Daniel Turnbull's extensive library. He owned over 400 books, one of the largest private collections during that time. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

After Nina Bowman's death in 1955, the family decided to put Rosedown up for sale. In 1956, Catherine Fondren Underwood first visited Rosedown when she was attending a garden conference in Natchez. She purchased the plantation the next week. Catherine and her husband, Milton, purchased the house under the condition that the family furnishings and papers were a part of the sale. She hired experts from around the country to assist massive restoration project of the house, outbuildings and 28 acres of gardens. Due to her diligence, this is why the Rosedown Plantation is the treasure it is today. Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University

Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University