Berkeley Plantation Family Cemetery

	Berkeley Plantation Family Cemetery - Quick Facts
HSP Category	Building and cemetery
Period	1619 Land, House 1726
Architect	Benjamin Harrison, IV
HSP Style	Georgian
Builder	Benjamin Harrison, IV
Construction	1726
No. Stories	3
Notable Features	Oldest three story brick home in Virginia and first with a pediment roof. Original owner: Benjamin Harrison, IV. Current owner: Malcolm Jamison.
Original Use	Private residence
Present Use	Historic site

Historical Significance:

The birthplace of Colonel Benjamin Harrison, V, April 5, 1726-April 24, 1791. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Member of the House of Burgess, Continental Congress, Fifth Governor of Virginia (1781-1784). Also the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the United States, and ancestral home of Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third president of the United States and great grandson of Benjamin Harrison, V. First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison, wife of President Benjamin Harrison, lent her prestige to the founding of the NSDAR. Mrs. Harrison served as NSDAR's first President General.

Taps was first played here in 1864.

Cemetery Significance:

Colonel Benjamin Harrison, V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence
Elizabeth Harrison, wife of Benjamin Harrison V

Historical Designation:

National Register of Historic Places
State Historical Commission

Marker Text:

1977:

The Williamsburg Chapter

Daughters of the American Revolution

Honors Benjamin Harrison Patriot-Statesman-Signer

of The Declaration of Independence

2016:

Cemetery Restoration by

Williamsburg Chapter NSDAR

To Honor All Patriots

Their Descendants and

To the Memory of

John H. Proctor, Ph.D.

Funding:

The Berkeley Plantation house, grounds and cemetery is maintained by the current property owner. From 2015-2016, the Williamsburg Chapter NSDAR raised funds, and memorial funds were added by DAR member Karen Jane Proctor-Corbett, to assist in needed restoration and maintenance of the cemetery including repair of broken tombstones. A local Boy Scout troop also provided assistance in improving the cemetery appearance.

Physical Condition:

Preserve

Tourism:

Open to Public: Yes 
Family Friendly: Yes 
Admission Fees: $15
 Lodging: No

Promotional Materials Available:

Brochures: Yes - Website Link
Calendar Events: Yes - Website Link

Acknowledgement:

The Williamsburg Daughters are not involved in funding or maintaining the cemetery annually. However, on Independence Day, since 1974, the Williamsburg Chapter, NSDAR, holds a ceremony at the cemetery to Honor Benjamin Harrison V, Signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Select a State to Explore our Historic Properties

Units Overseas

Directions and application forms can be found on this page or in the Forms section of the DAR members' website.

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