After our trip to Jamestowne, we enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch.
Driving along the James River, we visited one of the many famous plantation homes in the area, Shirley Plantation.
Unlike other plantations we have visited, Shirley Plantation is still a working plantation!
In fact, descendants of the owners dating back to 1738 still live there, on the second floor, leaving the beautiful first floor original to its history for tours.
While on the tour I learned that several major historical figures touched the destiny of this land.
1613 – LORD DE LA WARR AND LADY CICILY
The plantation itself is the oldest in Virginia, dating back to 1613 when the West and Sherley Hundred settled the land.
They likely named the land after former Virginia governor, Lord De La Warr, and his wife, a daughter of Sir Thomas Sherley.
And it seems the original settlement gave the plantation its name.
1638 – HILL FAMILY
After acquiring the land in 1638, Edward Hill began service as burgess for many years, including being elected as Speaker of the House of Burgesses three times.
He also served on the Governor’s Council.
1723 – MANSION HOUSE BUILT
Construction of the mansion house and its outbuildings began in 1723, taking on the Georgian style, which was completed in 1738.
1726 – CARTER FAMILY
In 1726, Edward Hill III left the plantation to his youngest daughter, Elizabeth, who in 1723 married the oldest son of Robert “King” Carter, John Carter.
Their son, Charles Hill Carter, continued the family legacy of serving as burgess for Charles County.
1793 – LEE FAMILY
In 1793, a daughter of the Hill-Carter family, Anne Hill Carter, married Henry Light Horse Harry Lee in the mansion’s parlor.
They named their fifth child, Robert E. Lee.
OLDEST OPERATING PLANTATION
By the end of the 1700s, Shirley had become the largest agricultural operation in the state. –NPS
While members of the 11th and 12th generation live on the second floor, they leave the first floor in its beautiful historic splendor for tours.
Through twelve generations, the Hill Carter family has continuously owned and operated the plantation, a unique distinction among historical sites.
