Pebble Hill Plantation located just outside of Thomasville, Georgia, was one of the winter homes of the Howard Melville Hanna family of Cleveland, Ohio, which made its fortune in shipping, tobacco, and oil. Howard Melville Hanna first purchased the Melrose Plantation in Thomasville in 1896 and gave it to his son, Howard, Jr., in 1901. Shortly thereafter, he purchased Pebble Hill and gave it to his daughter Kate Hanna Ireland Harvey. Kate's two children were Livingston Ireland (1895-1982), known as "Liv", and Elisabeth Ireland Poe (1897-1978), known as "Pansy". Kate raised prize-winning Jersey cattle at Pebble Hill and Pansy was known for her horse riding skills. Pansy was the last family member to live at the plantation's main house and it was her wish that the property become the historic house museum and environmental preserve it is today.