A Time of Romance

     There is no place in the Lowcountry that can match Longwood Plantation's history of love and romance. Known as Pompion Hill Plantation in the 17th century, this plantation on the East Branch of the Cooper River was the home of one of the wealthiest French Huguenot families in South Carolina. Pierre de St. Julien de Malacare, his wife and children took refuge here from religious persecution in their native country. It was on Pompion Hill (also known as Punkin Hill) his daughter Charlotte de St. Julien married Rene Ravenel de la Houte Massois, son of Daniel Ravenel on October 24, 1687. Ravenel had also taken flight from France, but according to ancient accounts, Rene had left France "more for her sake than religion."

     Few records remain of weddings in the colonial era. The union of Charlotte and Rene is one of ten known in South Carolina prior to 1700. Their marriage certificate, recorded in Latin, states that the groom was attended by Sieurs Josias du Pre and Nicholas de Longuemare.

     Charlotte and Rene shared a love that was born in France and celebrated in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Together, they would have five children, whose names remain among those of prominent families of Charleston and South Carolina more than 300 years later.