On December 4, 1619, a group of 38 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Hundred about 8,000 acres on the north bank of the James River near Herring Creek in an area then known as Charles Cittie. It was about 20 miles upstream from Jamestown, where the first permanent settlement of the Colony of Virginia was established on May 14, 1607. The group’s charter required that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a “day of thanksgiving” to God. On that first day, Captain John Woodleaf held the service of thanksgiving.
During the Indian Massacre of 1622 nine of the settlers at Berkeley Hundred were killed, as well as about a third of the entire population of the Virginia Colony. The Berkeley Hundred site and other outlying locations were abandoned as the colonists withdrew to Jamestown and other more secure points. After several years, the site became Berkeley Plantation and was long the traditional home of the Harrison family, one of the First Families of Virginia. (*Image from Berkeley Plantation First Thanksgiving Festival)
Benjamin Harrison, son of the builder of Berkeley and the plantation’s second owner, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and three-time Governor of Virginia. William Henry Harrison, Benjamin‘s third son, born at Berkeley, was the famous Indian fighter known as “Tippecanoe,” who later became the ninth President of the United States, in 1841. His grandson, Benjamin Harrison, was the 23rd President.
Many famous founding fathers and mothers were guests at this gracious and elegant estate. For more on Berkeley Plantation and a fascinating glimpse into early America visit: http://www.berkeleyplantation.com/
My husband and I had a chance to tour Berkeley a few years ago. t’s fascinating to learn the history…and we think we have things tough! I never would have survived being a settler in the New World…or a Pioneer for that matter!
LikeLike
A lot of them didn’t make it, Leah, and I would have been one of the swiftly fallen too.
LikeLike
Beth, lovely photos and information about Berkley plantation. Now I want to check my family line because William Harrison is a recurring man’s name in my Johnson family. Thanks for another great post. Happy Thanksgiving!
LikeLike
How interesting Caroline. We have a Johnston family line (Scots).
LikeLike
Wonderful post Beth. I was especially interested as my hero in my current WIP is a decendent of the Berkeleys of Virginia. I have been to Berkeley Plantation many times and just love Virginia history. My late husband was the great great (however many greats) grandson of John Tyler and I always find it fascinating to find decendents of peope we think of as famous. Really makes the family line so much more human when you find a decendent is a plumber or a truck driver!
LikeLike
Fascinating Jinny. It really does bring history to life.
LikeLike
New info for me, Beth. Thanks for sharing it.
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by Nancy.
LikeLike