Near Charles City in Charles City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Berkeley Plantation or Harrison's Landing

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2021

1. Berkeley Plantation or Harrison's Landing Marker

Inscription. English settlers established Berkeley Hundred just south of there in 1619. Benjamin Harrison III, a merchant and planter, purchased the property in 1691. A Georgian-style house was built in 1726 for Benjamin Harrison IV and his wife, Anne Carter. Born here were Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and his son William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the United States. British forces under Benedict Arnold ransacked Berkeley during the Revolutionary War, and a number of enslaved African Americans escaped. Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac camped here in 1862. The bugle call "Taps" was composed then by Brig. Gen Daniel Butterfield.

Erected 2016 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number V-7.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #09 William Henry Harrison, the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1619.

Location. 37° 19.862′ N, 77° 11.447′ W. Marker is near

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Charles City, Virginia, in Charles City County. Marker is on John Tyler Memorial Highway (Virginia Route 5) 0.2 miles east of Kimages Road (Virginia Route 658), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3801 Virginia Capital Trail, Charles City VA 23030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Westover (here, next to this marker); First English Thanksgiving in Virginia (here, next to this marker); Herring Creek & Kimages (a few steps from this marker); Emanuel Quivers (a few steps from this marker); Stuart's Ride (approx. ¼ mile away); Herring Creek (approx. half a mile away); Berkeley and Harrison's Landing (approx. one mile away); Willie Johnston (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles City.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker which had different content.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2021

2. Berkeley Plantation or Harrison's Landing Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 26, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.