Cannon's Point-later days
Cannon's Point in its maturity and early decline continued to be dominated by the extraordinary personality of John Couper since he lived to be 91 years of age. Men from all over the world came to visit and see for themselves the fruits of his horticultural experiments. His wife Rebecca was an accomplished housewife and charming hostess. Fine food and perfect service at their table was known far and wide. Their cook, Sans Foix, was truly the best chef in his profession; his French dishes captivated the taste of John Couper and his guests. With the finest of seafood at the door, the great variety of fruits and vegetables from their orchards and gardens, the fowls and meats, it was nearly always a feast at the Couper table. There were formal dinners and balls with the ladies in silk and lace and velvet. Visitors were enchanted with John Couper, his ready wit and conversation, his knowledge of science and of the world at large.
But good things come to an end, and the decline in plantation life had already begun. Earlier hurricanes raging on the very exposed location of his land in 1804 and 1824, plus the loss of slaves by enemy seizure in the War of 1812, plus a plague of caterpillars in 1825, plus a drop in cotton prices, had already forced the sale of much of his coastal property in Georgia. By selling these other holdings however, he was able to solve his financial problems. So the Coupers were able to retain their beloved Cannon's Point, where they lived happily past their golden wedding anniversary. After his wife's death in 1845, John Couper spent his remaining years with his eldest son's family at Hopeton Plantation on the mainland. He lived to age 91, passing away in 1850 with burial in Christ Church cemetery. The eldest son, James Hamilton Couper, a very distinguished planter, continued to manage Cannon's Point plantation and used the house as a summer home.
The war came and destroyed this way of life. The land was rented to various tenants after the war, but with little success at cultivation of this once very productive land. The house untenanted, the fields and gardens overgrown, the old times became only memories. Cannon's Point eventually passed into other hands and some of the fields were cultivated to some extent. It is related that the olive trees were still bearing late in the century, and that oil made from them was exhibited in Atlanta at the Exposition of 1898. It is also said that the remaining part of the old Constitution (Old Ironsides) stump was sent to Atlanta to be displayed and was not returned.
The Cannon's Point house burned near the turn of the century, leaving only the kitchen fireplace, chimney, and crumbling foundations. The land had several different owners, presently the Sea Island Corporation, but has grown up in a tangle of undergrowth, closed to the public, awaiting future development.
Next Section: Retreat Plantation - Later Days
