Plantations and Rebellion

Happy 20th Anniversary to Cheryl and I

Today, we visited a couple of significant plantations along the James River. First, we toured the Shirley Plantation. An active plantation housing 11 generations of the Carter-Hill Family. Rising above the James River the plantation view of vast corn and wheat fields is a magnificent sight. This is the oldest continually owned family business in the United States and Virginia's first
plantation.





Edward Hill I descendant included the mother of Robert E. Lee who married a revolutionary war hero. Elizabeth Hill grew up at Shirley Plantation.



Also imagine all of the men of the plantation going off to war during the Civil War and the women of the plantation left to run the 950 plus acres. What was their thoughts and concerns when one morning they awoke to find the Union Army camped in their fields. Despite the fact, that their men were fighting for the Confederacy, they unselfishly cared for the wounded. As a result of their compassion, General McClellan issued a order of protection and placed two Union Guards to ensure that no harm came to the women nor the plantation. Thus the Shirley Plantation survived the Civil War one of the only few.




Next it was up the river to Harrison landing and Berkely Plantation. The Berkely plantation dates back to the first settlers of Virginia.





It was actually here that the first settlers arrived in 1619, before the Mayflower Pilgrims and they observed and declared the first official Thanksgiving. These settler were shortly alienated by the Indians and the Berkely Plantation did not see any active settlement for nearly three more years.

In 1726, Benjamin Harrison IV constructed the three story mansion and began to host important guest to his home including man such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. In fact, all of the first 10 Presidents of the United States visited and stayed at Berkely Plantation. Benjamin's son also known as Benjamin Harrison became governor of Virginia and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. William Henry Harrison, Benjamin's son became famous for his efforts at Tippecanoe and later became the ninth president of the country and his grandson became the 23rd President Benjamin Harrison.



Berkely Plantation was utilized as an encampment for the Union Army during the Civil War. Lincoln visited the troops twice during the war and it was here that General Butterflied created a tune in his head and working with his bugler composed "Taps". A lot of firsts occur ed at Berkely Plantation.








Driving back to Colony Williamsburg, Cheryl and I envisioned the Revolutionary and Civil War Troops traveling down he same roads that we were traveling on and could see them marching to the battles of freedom. It makes one stop and think about what really occur ed in this area and who travelled the same paths.


Concluded the day at Williamsburg with the Revolution taking Center Stage, a visit by Lady Washington and General Washington. Here an wounded soldier is complaining to Martha Washington of the army not paying him and he is unable to work. It was a touching scene as Martha pays the soldier some money and promises to take care of the matter. This actor we became acquainted with and had several conversations with him. Oh by the way, he has never heard of the State of Utah.

A dinner at the Kings Arms Restaurant filled our bellies and we returned to our timeshare amazed at the circumstances and the events of what lead to the creation of our nation.