| HARRISON Family Annex |
| Benjamin IV Harrison , of Berkeley, Col. 1 |
Benjamin IV built the three story Georgian brick manor house at Berkeley Plantation. The initials for Benjamin and his wife are etched above a heart and the date 1726 on a round date stone are carved above a side door, leaving no doubt about the date the house was completed. He was the first of his family to enter college, and went to "William and Mary" in Williamsburg. In 1745, "...a typical electric storm lashed Tidewater, Virginia. Benjamin Harrison was not alarmed by the storm, only mindful of the rain driving through the open windows on his imported furniture. Since no house servant was handy, the master went upstairs to close a bedroom window. He had been playing at the time with two of his daughters, and took them along, one in his arms. Perhaps he was telling them there was nothing to fear as he approached the window, manipulating with his free hand to get leverage. In the instant that he stood there, a bolt of lighting struck, and Harrison and his two little girls were killed instantly." His Will was made one year before his death: "Settling on the first son the six plantations that comprised Berkeley, with all the slaves and stock and equipment, and the goods in the Manor House, Benjamin Harrison IV divided among his four other sons the eight seperate working plantations, with their slaves and stock, plus additional tracts of land, lots in Petersburg and a mill. His daughters were given, after the custom, cash sums and personal slaves - house people and body servants." Source: The Great Plantation page 158. He was a member of the House of Burgess from 1736-1744. ("Annora's Family")
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