The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-08
.BERKELEY ON
THE JAMES
one of the First Virginia Col
onial Settlements,
SCENE INDIAN MASSACRE
The Birthplace Of the Distinguished
Harrison Fanily-Itis Still a Goodly
Estate Of Over Fourteen
81 Hundred Acres.

taVt q : +. d .
irThe history of Berkeley, on the James,
IN sChar1es City county, is one Of the most
i iteresting of the numerous and fertile
plantations that lie along the banks Of
that historic river. Its early settlement
dates back MS far rs 1918. when, on Feb
ruary the third of that year the London
Company granted to Sir William Throcs-
morton, Sir George Yenrdley, Richard
Berkeley and John Smith, of Niblcy-all
connected through the noble house of the
Bcrkeleys--a plantation in Virginia, which
became known as Berkeley Hundred"
;On the 4th of December, 1919. the Mar
Eaiet arrived from Bristol at Jamestown,
bringing thrty-five passengers, under the
eoEduct Of Captain John Woodliff. These
were the first settlers of the "Town and
Hundred of Berkeley which was To-
Gated between West and Shirley's Hun
ared and Westover. At that time 1t con-
tanned about 5000 acres. In 1921 Rev. John
Powlett, a kinsman Of Lord Powlett, was
preacher at Berkeley Hundred, but in 1922
nIne persons werc killed there, and the
plantation was temporarily abandoned.
EShtSSl Fttlt INtSSuCle IJetSScu III W tIlc
hands of another company.
HOME OF THE HARR1SONS.
Later on their interests passed to John
Rland. London merchant, whose only
sen, Giles, resided there until his execu-
4 ton In 1916 for completely with Bacon.
After this the estate became the property
OF BENJAMIN Harrison, the third of that
name. He died there April TO- 1890 He
was the father of Colonel Benjamin Har-
rison signer of the Declaration of indie
pendence, and grandfather of President
= William Henry Harrison. who was born
there. 1t is said that five generations Of
tho name lived there.
AT the present time the estate Of 'Berke-
ley contains about l.400 acres of land
The brick dwelling house contains sixteen
rooms, including the cellar rooms This
handsome and commodious mansion
stands about a quarter of a mile from
the river, and the view, looking up stream
towards City Point. about six miles dis
tant is considered to be one of the finest
on the river. A wide porch extends on
all sides of the house; unfortunately a
portion OF this was burned some time
ago. The following dates are carved into
The bricks of tho stately dwelling: Date
on the northeast corner of the house. II,
E. H.. 25; date on the south side. 1875;
date on the west side over entrance door.
In; a heart, Il. l. b., 26 The interior Of
.llc Berkeley mansion shows the ndica-
tons of the most refined taste. A broad
hall runs the length of the building. The
parlor is wainscoted to the ceiling, and
the woodwork throughout the entire dwell
ing is OF the finest quality.
M'CLELLAN'S HEADQUARTERS
i Berkeley was used as headquarters by
General Mcclellan and his staff after his
retreat from Malvern HILL and his army
! mined for miles 4 ba riv
banks. and It was from Harrison's Land
ing (Berkeley wharD that his troops
We're embarked upon the transports. t
Is said that the cellar of Berkeley house
was used at that time as prison for
Confederate soldiers.
The fishing shore at Berkeley is said to
be one of the Oldest on James River, and
on the banks of the river near where the
setnes are hauled In is n stone with the
letters q. H.. with date 1906. In 1882
4 Berkeley became the property OF Judge
Henry Fullerton Knox, of New York.
Nho spends much of his time there with
his son, Mr.. r.. B. Knox, who for many
years has resided there with his family,
having charge of the beautiful estate,
BERKELEY FISHERY.
Mr.. Knox runs" large haul seine on
4 the Berkeley shore during the shad
and herring season. using seine 500
yards in length, which is managed by
crew of fifteen men. The boat used dur
ing the fishing season Is thirty-f1ve feet
in length The average is about seven
1auls day, and as many as 1881 shad
and 100000 herrings have been landed
there in one season. 1t is n fascinating
sight to see a haul on a good day on the
Berkeley shore.
AS the great seine IS drawn in shore
by the crew the very waters seethe with
FISH of all varieties, from the luscious roe
shad to the insignI hcant baby perch
AS the haul Is landed the FISH are sorted
Into baskets and taken to the .nsh'
house. where they lie on the cool brick
floor until they are shipped to the city
'arkets. J. NJ. B.
rNrAINC HADv,r