Berkeley Plantation

This entry is from May 12th, 2016.

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We are still at the Chesapeake Bay Thousand Trails in Gloucester, Virginia with John and Linda. We wanted to go to an historic plantation. We Googled plantations around us and found the Berkeley Plantation.

Berkeley Plantation

In 1691, Berkeley was purchased by Benjamin Harrison III, who established the first commercial shipyard on the James River. Tobacco was shipped from the plantation to England and 18 gun battleships were built there for the Revolutionary Navy.

 

The Harrisons

It was Benjamin III’s son, Benjamin IV, who built the three story Georgian brick mansion at Berkeley, said to be the oldest three-story brick house in Virginia that can prove its date.  A round date stone carved above a side door leaves no doubt about the date the house was completed. The initials for Benjamin and his wife, Anne Carter, daughter of the famed tobacco planter, Robert “King” Carter, are etched above a heart and the date 1726.

Date Stone

Benjamin Harrison V was one of 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. During the war he also took care of matters at home by serving as a lieutenant in the county militia and took the job of chief magistrate as well. After the war, Harrison remained active in Virginia politics as a member of the House of Delegates. There he was elected to be Speaker. In 1781, Harrison became governor of Virginia, a position he held two more times. Here is the graveyard of Benjamin Harrison V.

Benjamin Harrison V

William Henry Harrison became the ninth President of the United States, an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. 

The Harrison Family’s claim to the White House did not die with William Henry Harrison. He was followed by his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third U.S. President.

The estate is also the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the United States, and ancestral home of his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third president.

Among the many American "firsts" that occurred at Berkeley Plantation are:

The first official Thanksgiving: 4 December 1619.

Commemorating the first Thanksgiving.

First time Army bugle call "Taps" played: July 1862, by bugler Oliver W. Norton; the melody was written at Harrison's Landing, the plantation's old wharf, by Norton and then General Daniel Butterfield.

Taps

The first bugle that taps was played on was on display. You were not supposed to take pictures of it. I actually forgot and did take a picture with  my phone. I was reminded after  took the shot, but here it is!

Taps Bugle

This cannonball is still in the wall from the Civil War from 1862!

J.B. Stuart Attack!

That's it for today,

Thanks for reading,

God Bless,

Brian and Patty

Williamsburg, Virginia

This entry is from May 5th, 2016.

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We entered the State of Virginia on Thursday May 5th. It was raining when we crossed the state line, but stopped soon after.

Virginia

There is a Thousand Trails very near Williamsburg, VA and one a little further away in Gloucester, VA called Chesapeake Bay Thousand Trails. We decided to stay at Chesapeake Bay because the sites are larger for our rig.

Chesapeake Bay TT

In September when we were in Las Vegas, Nevada we met John and Linda Benton from Pennsylvania. They were having mechanical problems with their truck. Good Sam Extended Warranty would not cover the fix. Because of my experience with contracts at the County I was able to help them resolve the problem and get the $6,000.00 repair under warranty.  In addition while the vehicle was down they went to church with us and other places. Basically we became good friends.

John and Linda Benton

 Linda said if we ever get back east they would meet up with us again, and even host us at their home. As it turned out, we were planning this 8 month eastern trip. The Bentons met us for 11 days at Chesapeake Bay TT. John is a Civil and Revolutionary War expert so they were GREAT tour guides! Thank you soooooo much John and Linda!!!

We first went to Colonial Williamsburg.

Colonial Williamsburg

This is a restored Colonial Historical Town. Everyone dresses in period clothes and talks in the time period, although not in accents. They are not allowed cell phones and modern jewelry etc....

You can tour houses, blacksmith shops, silversmiths, bakery shops, apothecary (drug store) wood shops and so much more.
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Colonial House

They were making different types of silver items here that you could purchase.

Silver Shop

This was a coffee shop that you would have coffee or cocoa with George Washington. George kept in character through the whole time you had with him. You could ask him about his personal, professional or political life. It was kind of funny because he was sort of snobby, which I suppose was the way it was back then. After the time with George we were given a tour of the house.

Coffee with Washington

This was the Stockade or Jail building. There were chains and cuffs hanging from the wall. Apparently today's inmates have it easy! LOL.

Jail

We thought we made it out of Jail, but the law caught us! We were put in Stocks for awhile so John and Linda could laugh at us. Eventually we were found Not Guilty of all charges and released on our own recognizance!

Town Center Stocks

They fired the canon to let all know we had been set free!

Firing Canon

Probably the two most impressive artifacts at Williamsburg were the First Congressional Medal that was awarded to George Washington.

First Congressional Medal

But for me the Most amazing artifact was this hand drawn map of Ohio from George Washington. It was on loan to Williamsburg from a private collector. In 1749, at the age of 17, Washington began his career as a professional surveyor. He subsequently received a commission and surveyor's license from the College of William and Mary and became the official surveyor for the newly formed Culpeper County.

Hand Drawn Map

You could take pictures, but no flash. There were security guards keeping a close eye on this artifact!

Williamsburg was quite interesting and well worth the visit. We are starting to learn so much about our history!

Thanks for reading,

God Bless,

Brian and Patty