Pleasant Gardens was the plantation in Rowan County, North Carolina, occupied by Joseph "Pleasant Gardens" McDowell (17581799). Remains of the Pleasant Gardens house are located near Marion, North Carolina.Dictionary of American Biography
History The land for the Pleasant Gardens estate was purchased by Hunting John McDowell, Joseph McDowell's father, in 1768. The land was originally located in Anson County until 1753, when it became Rowan County and became part of Burke County in 1777. Joseph McDowell was born on February 25, 1758, before his father purchased the Pleasant Gardens estate. In 1842, the land became part of McDowell County, named for Joseph "Pleasant Gardens" McDowell, who died on May 18, 1795.
Recent historical analysis and research on the remaining property indicates that the Pleasant Gardens plantation house was built between 1812 and 1826 by Joseph McDowell's third son James Moffett McDowell (1791-1854). The plantation remained in this McDowell family until 1848. The plantation, currently located on U.S. 70, northwest of Marion, North Carolina, fell into disrepair in the 20th century.
In the 1790 Census in Burke County, North Carolina, Joseph McDowell, Jr. is listed as head of household with two white males under the age of 16, one female, and nine slaves."United States Census, 1790," FamilySearch, accessed 18 October 2019, Jos Mcdowell Jr, Burke, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 88, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 7; FHL microfilm 568,147.
After Joseph McDowell's death, his wife, Mary Moffett McDowell, married John Carson. Mary inherited part of the Pleasant Gardens estate on which John Carson built Carson House.1795 Probate records of Joseph McDowell, Burke County, North Carolina; mentions the Pleasant Gardens estate
References
External links
Brochure from McDowell House restaurant (marker file, Research Branch, North Carolina Office of Archives and History)
Land Grant, Joseph McDowell, Anson County, North Carolina, 31 Mar 1750, Book: 10 pg: 286; Catawba River Land Grant, Joseph McDowell, Anson County, Granted 1750, Book 375, On the No. side of Catawba River joining the lands he now lives on beginning at a red oak on both sides of the Great Meadow, no 610