Poulain du Bignon
of DuBignon Plantation
Jekyll Island
Major Horton's old ruins. The home was later refurbished by DuBignon.
Poulain du Bignon, died 1822 at his plantation on Jekyll Island.
Beginning with Poulain du Bignon, five du Bignon generations made Jekyll Island one of Georgia's most romantic Golden Isles.
This tabby ruin and burial ground alone remain from Jekyll Island's century (1794-1886) as the du Bignon Plantation. Christophe
Poulain, native of Lamballe, Britanny, was a much-decorated French naval captain whose loyalty to Louis 16th in the French Revolution
forced him to flee his patrimonial lands. In 1792 on his ship, the Sapelo he brought his family to the hospitable Georgia Coast.
With four other French royalists, he purchased first Sapelo Island and then Jekyll. By 1794
he acquired Jekyll as his own plantation and enlarged Major Horton's house as his manor. Sea Island Cotton recouped his fortunes and
supported a Georgia dynasty of landed aristocracy like that established by his forebears. In 1822 Poulain was buried near du Bignon Creek
with a live oak tree as his monument. His son Henri added honors to the island plantation as he made the Goddess of Liberty reigning
queen of coastal racing boats. And when Henri's grandson, John Eugene du Bignon, sold Jekyll to a group of millionaire capitalists, with
them forming the Jekyll Island Club, Poulain du Bignon's island began a new chapter in its fabulous history.
Built for John Eugene DuBignon in 1884. Architect unknown. Jekyll Island, Glynn County GA.
