Ruins of Chocolate Plantation, Sapelo Island

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Scenic view of a calm lake surrounded by lush greenery and hanging Spanish moss under a bright blue sky.
View from Chocolate, from Mud River to Doboy Sound

Chocolate is a collection of tabby ruins, begun circa 1810, constructed by enslaved people along the banks of the Mud River on Sapelo Island.

Serene view of a calm lake with green vegetation in the foreground and a blue sky in the background.
Expanse of Mud River at high tide, from Chocolate

Most of the structures are in a state of very bad disrepair. Regardless, they represent one of the most extensive collections of structures related to a working Sea Island plantation still extant.

An old barn with a wooden upper structure and a concrete lower level, located by a body of water, featuring open doors and windows.
Tabby Barn (East Facade)

The impressive tabby barn was built in 1831.

Interior of an abandoned room with textured, weathered walls, featuring a window and an open doorway leading to an overgrown exterior.
Tabby Barn (East Facade)

Restored by automobile magnate Howard Coffin in the 1920s, it is falling to ruin, as well.

The best description I’ve been able to find about the area is from archaeologist Ray Crook’s essay “The Living Space of Enslaved Geechee on Sapelo Island”, published in the March 2008 newsletter of the African Diaspora Archaeology Network.

Ruined stone structure surrounded by tall grasses and palm trees under a blue sky.
Main House or Overseer’s House

“During the late 1790s, the Chocolate tract was farmed by Lewis Harrington with the labor of 68 slaves. In 1802 that property became jointly owned by Edward Swarbreck and Thomas Spalding, who leased out at least a portion of the tract until 1808.

A historical stone ruin surrounded by greenery and trees under a blue sky.
Cotton House

“Swarbreck, a Danish sea merchant with Caribbean connections who traded in cotton and other commodities, including slaves, then directed his attention to Chocolate.

A view through a hole in a weathered stone wall covered with shells, revealing a landscape of overgrown vegetation and distant greenery under a clear blue sky.
Cotton House

“His plantation layout followed a familiar and very formal design….

Ruined stone wall with overgrown vegetation and tall grasses under a blue sky.
Cotton House

“The Big House, built of tabby, overlooked the Mud River and expansive salt marshes. His residence was flanked by outbuildings and other support structures.

An old, weathered building with a rusty red roof is surrounded by tall grass and palm trees under a clear blue sky.
Smoke House

“Two parallel rows of slave quarters, spaced some 10m apart and separated by a broad open area 50m across, were constructed behind the Big House.

Ruined structure surrounded by overgrown grass and trees under a clear blue sky.
Slave House 1, with Main House Chimney at right

“Vast agricultural fields extended to the north and south. Evidence of at least nine slave quarters, typically tabby duplexes with central chimneys and finished tabby floors, each side measuring about 4.3m by 6.1m, survives today as ruins and archaeological features at Chocolate.

Ruined stone structure with a chimney surrounded by green foliage and grasses.
Slave House 2

“These represent an enslaved population of some 70 to 100 people distributed among at least 18 households…”

Ruins of an old stone structure surrounded by tall grass and trees under a blue sky.
Unidentified ruins

Unidentified ruins are located near the road and served some sort of agricultural purpose, I believe.

Ruins of an old stone structure in a natural landscape, surrounded by trees and overgrown vegetation.
Unidentified ruins

The ongoing archaeological work at Chocolate is some of the most important work being done on Sapelo Island.

A view of dilapidated walls surrounding an abandoned building, with overgrown grass and trees in the background under a blue sky.
Chocolate Plantation

9 thoughts on “Ruins of Chocolate Plantation, Sapelo Island”

  1. Ruth Stauttener's avatarRuth Stauttener

    Wish we had seen more of Sapelo when we visited with Cornelia Bailey. Experience of a lifetime never to be repeated.

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  2. SocialSea's avatarSocialSea

    I stayed at the Reynolds Mansion one weekend on a group trip sponsored by the Georgia Conservancy. We went on a sight seeing trip around the island with a guide from the DNR. We toured this property. We were told Rosalyn and Jimmy Carter liked staying in the Sears and Roebuck house on occasion. It was open at the time so our group had the opportunity to walk through the cottage. Thanks for posting. I had a sad feeling walking through the tabby slave house ruins.

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    1. Burke Harrison's avatarBurke Harrison

      My Father was 12 years old in 1928 when his family moved into this house.
      My grandmother was postmistress for a few years.

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      1. Jane's avatarJane

        Hey Cuz can’t wait for our Sapelo two night excursion starting this Wednesday. Firewood ordered etc….

  3. Wayne Asbell's avatarWayne Asbell

    I have a friend who grew upn the Island. I spent a weekend there in 1989. I wrote my initials on a large beam upstairs in the Chocolate barn. We called it the “French” barn. I climb around the old abandoned lighthouse before it was restored. I wish I had taken pictures.

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  4. grover chester's avatargrover chester

    thank you very much for your pictures and e-mails. i appeciate the contacts.again thank you. grover

    On Tue, Apr 16, 2013 at 6:10 PM, Vanishing Coastal Georgia Photographs by

    Reply ↓

  7. Pingback: Chocolate Plantation, Sapelo Island | Vanishing South Georgia Photographs by Brian Brown

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