This weekend we visited Berkeley Plantation on the James River near Williamsburg, which is home to a massive amount of American history: Thanksgiving, American Independence, Benedict Arnold’s revenge, the writing of Taps, and two American presidents!
Although there were many plantations on the river in the 18th century, of which the signage is greatly seen today, many of the homes are now privately owned.
Of the few open for tours, Berkeley Plantation’s story includes a 20th century benefactor who currently owns the home, enabling it to be open on daily basis, which is unique to the area.
1619 FIRST THANKSGIVING
Before the Pilgrims came to America, America’s first Thanksgiving was observed on this land in on December 4, 1619 when Captain John Woodlief landed on shore with 35 men from England.
Today Woodlief’s descendant, H. Graham Woodlief, leads the Virginia Thanksgiving Festival, who explains:
They put their luggage on the hard ground, gazed at the woods enclosing them, and listened in complete silence. And then Captain Woodlief said, ‘Let us pray.’ They kneeled and they just said a prayer thanking God for giving them safe arrival in Virginia. –President H. Graham Woodlief of the Virginia Thanksgiving Festival (check this link for a video of this story)
Settling on the Berkeley Hundred of an 8000 acre land grant, the settlers kept their annual observance of Thanksgiving until March 22, 1622, when local Native Americans completely slaughtered them, ending their settlement.
BENJAMIN HARRISON I
In the 1630s, Benjamin Harrison I arrived in Virginia from England where he served as clerk on the Governor’s Council in Jamestown (the capital of Virginia).
Meanwhile, he named his firstborn son after himself, which began a very long tradition that will soon prove itself in the story of Berkeley Plantation.
During my research, I read that the Harrisons never distinguished the Benjamins with roman numerals, but historians have to keep track of the story line.
I’ve noted this same tradition and tendency with the famed Pages of Virginia…so stay tuned for all the Benjamins!
BENJAMIN HARRISON II
Notably, his son, Benjamin Harrison II served in the House of Burgesses, the first legislative representative assembly in America that began in 1619…a tradition that will also be carried by the many Benjamin Harrisons over the years.
BENJAMIN HARRISON III
Later in the 17th century, in 1691, Benjamin Harrison III purchased the land that once was settled by the Berkeley Hundred which remained in the Harrison family for over 150 years.
While growing tobacco was a required crop due to the British economic system of mercantilism, Benjamin III also built a shipyard, the first one on the James River, which provided more income for the Harrisons.
BENJAMIN HARRISON IV
In 1726, Benjamin Harrison IV (son to Benjamin Harrison III) built the gorgeous Georgian mansion that we toured during our visit.
It’s stunningly gorgeous on the inside, (but no photography allowed). Thus I bought a tour pamphlet in the gift shop which had a few of the pictures I would have liked to have taken.
Etched in stone on the side of the house (a picture I was allowed to take but forgot) are the initials of Benjamin Harrison IV and his bride, Ann Carter, daughter of the famed “King” Carter of Virginia…included with a heart and the year 1726.
When Benjamin Harrison IV was struck and killed by lightening in 1745, his wife died of a broken heart soon after.
The oldest son, Benjamin Harrison V was 18 years old and newly graduated from the College of William and Mary.
Meanwhile, his sister, Elizabeth, married Peyton Randolph of Williamsburg the next year in 1746.
There was another married sister who took some of her younger siblings to raise and it’s thought that Elizabeth raised the other siblings in Williamsburg.
Benjamin IV’s will divided the vast wealth among all his children, with his daughters receiving money.
While his each of his brothers received some land from their father, Benjamin V, received the family home and land of Berkeley Plantation.
BENJAMIN HARRISON V
Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, Benjamin Harrison V also served in the House of Burgesses for over a decade before joining the Continental Congress, during which he signed the Declaration of Independence.
Meanwhile, the shipyard business at Berkeley Landing produced 18-gun battleships to supply the American Revolution.
When he returned to Virginia he served as delegate, speaker of the house, and governor throughout the 1780s and 1790s.
This marker about how the signers of the Declaration of Independence risked their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor is a popular meme…located near the gravesite of Benjamin Harrison V at Berkeley Plantation.
In January 1781, the traitor Benedict Arnold with 1600 British soldiers arrived on the James River en route to raze Richmond (the Virginia capital).
Learning of Arnold’s destruction nearby plantations, Benjamin V relocated his family to safety.
When Benedict Arnold reached Berkeley Landing, he destroyed much of the property, shipyard, house, and possessions, including family paintings.
After a full life of public service, Benjamin V passed away in 1791 after his unanimous reelection to Virginia’s Tenth Congressional District.
Benjamin V’s story of service to Virginia and his new country is so extensive, I’m going to have to read a biography on him for another blog post.
BENJAMIN HARRISON VI
At 36 years of age, Benjamin Harrison VI inherited Berkely Plantation after his father’s death.
Interestingly, and most likely due to the onset of the American Revolution, Benjamin VI gained a mercantile education which seems to be the equivalent of an MBA today…focused on trade, commerce, and business education.
While studying with the Willing and Morris firm in Philadelphia, Benjamin VI made fast friends with the owners, Robert Morris and Thomas Willing.
Continuing his mercantile studies in Europe, Benjamin VI grew his own wealth.
Nevertheless, he heard the bell of liberty from afar, so he returned to his Virginia home to aid in the fight for freedom during the American Revolution.
Initially serving as a state delegate for Charles City County, he soon served as Deputy Paymaster General of the Continental Army for the Southern theater.
(In May 1776, the House of Burgesses disbanded when Virginia declared independence from Britain. In June of 1776 the Fifth Virginia Convention formed a new government of Virginia independent of Britain, which included the formation of the House of Delegates as the legislative representative body in the newly formed commonwealth of Virginia.)
Living in Richmond after the war, Benjamin VI secured a successful business as a merchant to the point that he was well-positioned financially to restore Berkeley Plantation…some of which can be seen today on a house tour.
BENJAMIN HARRISON VII
After he passed away at the age of 44, his oldest son, Benjamin Harrison VII, born in 1787, inherited Berkeley.
Despite the renovations on the house, the land was depleted, a common downfall of tobacco crops.
Eventually the bank foreclosed on the Harrison ownership of the land, evicting the family.
In 1842, he passed away at the age of 54.
BENJAMIN HARRISON VIII
Thus, Benjamin Harrison VIII was the last of the Harrison family to own the home, although he lived in Clark County, Virginia (near today’s West Virginia).
Born in 1824, he attended college in Pennsylvania, earning his medical degree.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON
If you remember Tippecanoe and Tyler Too from your history class, then you might be interested to know that William Henry Harrison, our 9th president (who won election with that campaign slogan) was the youngest son of Benjamin Harrison V who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Born in 1773, William Henry was taught by a tutor while living at home until he turned 14, after which he began his classical education, ultimately studying medicine at the University of Pennsylvania while living with Robert Morris.
While there Harrison studied under famed Founding Father, Benjamin Rush.
Before completing his degree, and perhaps because his father had passed away, he found employment through the military, which resulted in fame during the Battle of Tippecanoe during the War of 1812.
Incidentally, both William Henry and his running mate, John Tyler, were born in Charles City, Virginia.
Further, William Henry Harrison’s grandson, Benjamin Harrison, later served as the 23rd president of the United States.
CIVIL WAR
In 1862, the Civil War came to the Virginia peninsula where Williamsburg, Jamestown, and the James River plantations lie.
While Union troops camped on the shores of Berkeley Landing, Taps was composed.
As Union major General Daniel Butterfield experimented with a tune in his mind to replace the bugle call for “lights out”, his bugler repeated the requested notes until Butterfield was satisfied.
Meanwhile, a drummer boy named John Jamieson rested along the banks of the James River in between his drum beats for the Union troops…
DRUMMER BOY BECOMES NEW OWNER
In 1907, John Jamieson, now a successful engineer and businessman, learned that Berkeley Plantation was up for auction.
Due to his fond memories of the lovely site, he immediately bought it.
While his wife and four children spent their summers at Berkeley, he visited them a day at a time, taking the night train to and from New York.
After his death his four children inherited Berkeley Plantation.
Newly graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in animal husbandry, Malcom bought his siblings share of the property.
MALCOM AND GRACE JAMIESON RESTORATION OF BERKELEY
Making use of the 1400 acres, Malcom farmed 500 of the acres while restoring the demolished land by getting rid of all the destroyed plants and planting new trees and shrubbery.
Then he turned his attention to restoration of the guest quarters, which is next to the mansion. (Today that is where the tour tickets and gift shop are located.)
In 1933, Malcom married a Richmond socialite from Richmond, Grace Eggleston.
When I first saw the place it was so terrible you wouldn’t think you could do anything with it. Besides I hated bugs and I hated the outdoors in the country — I’m allergic to everything, but when you’re in love you forget about those things. I was crazy about Mac. -Grace Eggleston Jamieson
While living in the restored Guest Quarters, they researched and restored the 1726 Berkeley mansion and gardens.
BERKELEY PLANTATION OPENS TO PUBLIC FOR DAILY TOURS
In the 1940s they opened their historic home to visitors, the first plantation in the area available for public viewing on a daily basis.
Mr. Jamieson became very active in tourism, serving as Chairman of the Charles City county Electoral Board, the board of Virginia Travel Advisory Committee, and the Governor’s Advisory Board. He was honored for his work by the Virginia General Assembly and also received the Gabriella Page Award by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. He continued his efforts to preserve Route 5 as a scenic byway reminiscent of the time when it was a winding carriage-way between the capitals –Richmond and Williamsburg. –Drummer Boy Returns, Berkeley Plantation
I certainly had a most lovely weekend driving up and down Rte 5 with my husband this weekend while we learned tons of American history and saw all the historical markers for the many 18th century plantations in this lovely part of Virginia…where America began.
