John Williams , an early South Carolina planter , probably began building Middleton Place in the late 1730s . His son-in-law Henry Middleton ( 1717 &ndash; 1784 ) , who later served as President of the First Continental Congress , completed the house 's main section and its north and south flankers , and began work on the elaborate gardens . Middleton 's son , Arthur Middleton ( 1742 &ndash; 1787 ) , a signer of Declaration of Independence , was born at Middleton Place , and lived at the plantation in the last years of his life . Arthur Middleton 's son and grandson , Henry Middleton ( 1770 &ndash; 1846 ) and Williams Middleton ( 1809 &ndash; 1883 ) , oversaw Middleton Place 's transition from a country residence to a more active rice plantation . In 1865 , toward the end of the U.S. Civil War , Union soldiers burned most of the house , leaving only the south wing and gutted walls of the north wing and main house . An earthquake in 1886 toppled the walls of the main house and north wing
earthquake in 1886
1886 Charleston earthquake
Middleton Place