Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
A seat of power and influence
Berkeley Plantation, which is open daily for house tours, may have more significant connections to 18th and 19th century American politics than any other plantation in America. Her enslaved families waited upon a signer of the Declaration of Independence, bathed and cradled a future president, and then watched as another president came to review an encamped army of more than 100,000 Union soldiers. Berkeley slaves lived lives of dramatic contrast—powerless in this seat of power. Photo courtesy Berkeley Plantation.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
A seat of power and influence
Benjamin Harrison V (1726 -1791) was born and died at Berkeley. He was a member of the House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a governor of Virginia. He also was the owner of 110 slaves. Miniature painting courtesy Virginia Museum of History and Cultures, Richmond, Va. virginiahistory.org
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
A seat of power and influence
Despite Harrison’s ardent support for the patriot cause, he opposed ratification of the Constitution—as did certain other Virginia politicians—because it allowed the continued importation of slaves for 20 years and because it did not (at the time of ratification) contain a bill of rights. Opposition to the importation clause most likely was not based on humanitarian grounds, but upon the fact that Virginia already had more slaves than it needed and was beginning to export them in the domestic slave trade.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
A seat of power and influence
When Benjamin Harrison V died in 1791, an inventory was completed of his slaves. The format of this inventory is unique among the surviving Charles City slave inventories. In the inventory slaves are listed in a sort of genealogical style with a progenitor listed first and descendants following. Thus, the inventory begins with a superannuated slave who is valued at nothing. In contrast, the customary Charles City slave inventory records men first, from most valuable to least valuable, then women listed in a similar way, followed by children with superannuated or so-called “worthless” slaves listed last. Charles City County Will Book 1789-1808 courtesy Library of Virginia Archives.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
A seat of power and influence
Berkeley Plantation slave quarters were burned during the Civil War. The only surviving out-buildings are a guest house (pictured here), which now houses the Gift Shop and a laundry/kitchen which stands to the west of the house. Domestic slaves were quartered on the second story of the kitchen/laundry building. Photo courtesy Berkley Plantation.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
A seat of power and influence
Approximately 30 Berkeley slaves appear on a membership roll of Charles City Baptist Church begun in 1791. The meeting house was located about eight miles to the north in the vicinity of the Action at Nance’s Shop historical marker. On the typical Virginia plantation sundown Saturday to sunrise Monday was considered to be the slave’s own time. For particular purposes slaves might be authorized by their owners to travel off the plantation. Travel to Charles City Baptist Church evidently was one of those particular purposes. Image courtesy Library of Congress.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
A seat of power and influence
William T. Leavell, rector of Westover Parish (1839-53) also ministered to Berkeley slaves. His private journal records numerous baptisms and burials at Berkeley, including one burial in which the funeral was “marched,” suggesting some sort of processional possibly of African origin. Photo courtesy Westover Church.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
A seat of power and influence
William Henry Harrison, youngest son of Benjamin Harrison V, embarked on a military career that led to the North West Territory. Harrison went on to serve as the military governor of the territory and as the ninth President of the United States. His campaign for office with the famous log cabin and cider barrel suggested a much more humble origin than the one he had enjoyed as the son of a slave-holding scion of Virginia politics. Harrison image courtesy National Archives; Campaign image courtesy Charles City County Richard M. Bowman Center for Local History.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
The Union army encamped and a presidential visit
In July of 1862, following seven of the bloodiest days of the Civil War culminating in the Battle of Malvern Hill, Union Gen. George B. McClellan completed a “change of base” that brought the 100,000-man Army of the Potomac to Harrison’s landing where the army remained encamped for six weeks. Dr. Powhatan B. Starke was at the time the owner of Berkeley. Several weeks before the army’s arrival Dr. Starke and family had fled, leaving the plantation in the hands of trusted slaves. Thus, almost overnight Charles City slaves saw freedom at their doorstep. Photo title: “U.S Mail boat dock, Harrison’s Landing, James River, Va.”
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
The Union army encamped and a presidential visit
President Abraham Lincoln visited Berkeley Plantation on July 7, 1862, to review the troops and to discuss conduct of the war with his general. George B. McClellan was a proponent of the “gentleman’s” war. He opposed the confiscation of civilian property and the abolition of slavery—views which he strongly asserted in a letter he handed to the president. The “Harrison Landing letter” and its unabashed lecturing of the commander-in-chief may have spurred the president in the opposite direction; for within two weeks after returning to the Capitol Lincoln initiated discussions with his cabinet on the subject of emancipation. Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 02 Aug. 1862 courtesy Charles City County Richard M. Bowman Center for Local History; Emancipation Proclamation courtesy National Archives.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
The Union army encamped and a presidential visit
Runaway slaves flocked to the encampment at Berkeley. Dubbed “contraband of war,” the runaways set up their own camps at the river’s edge and upon tented freight barges. The Union Navy kept up a busy transport chain to remove injured and ill soldiers and to supply the army with provisions. Thousands of contrabands were employed loading and unloading this stream of vessels. Image courtesy Library of Congress.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
The Union army encamped and a presidential visit
Contrabands also were employed washing clothing for the federal troops. The height of the bank pictured here suggests this drawing was made at Westover, the plantation to the east of Berkeley where Union forces also were encamped. “Contrabands washing clothes for the Federal Troops,” New York Illustrated News, Sept. 6, 1862, courtesy Charles City County Richard M. Bowman Center for Local History.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
The Union army encamped and a presidential visit
According to one newspaper, gangs of contrabands were put to work digging wells, because they were “better able in that climate, to stand such fatigue.” The paper also claimed that this was “was the first company of negroes whose services were employed in this manner by a Union General of the Army of the Potomac.” “Contrabands digging wells near Harrison’s Landing,” New York Illustrated News, Aug. 23, 1862, courtesy Charles City County Center for Local History.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
The Union army encamped and a presidential visit
USCT, or United States Colored Troops, were among the Union soldiers encamped at Berkeley. Civil War artist Charles Waud sketched the soldiers during the army’s encampment there. Charles R. Waud drawing, courtesy Library of Congress.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
The Union army encamped and a presidential visit
When the army evacuated from Harrison’s landing, more than 60,000 men marched down the river road (modern-day Route 5) and crossed the Chickahominy River via five pontoon bridges. Along the way slaves and free blacks joined the procession destined for Fort Monroe (Hampton). A Charles City roll of runaway and escaped slaves completed for the State Auditor of Public Accounts in 1863 lists approximately 450 Charles City slaves who left with McClellan’s Army. This number was 15% of the total number of slaves listed in the Slave schedule of the 1860 Census. “Negroes leaving the plow,” drawing by Charles R. Waud, courtesy Library of Congress; “The Army of the Potomac crossing the Chickahominy” New York Illustrated New, Sept. 6, 1862, courtesy Charles City County Richard M. Bowman Center for Local History.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
The Union army encamped and a presidential visit
A Union drummer boy John Jamieson was a part of the Army of the Potomac encamped at Harrison’s Landing. Berkeley made a lasting impression on the young man who returned to Virginia in 1907 and purchased the run-down estate. Four generations of Jamiesons have worked since then to restore, preserve and care for Berkeley Plantation.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
Emanuel Quivers was born in 1814, the son of Berkeley Plantation slaves Jonathan and Sarah Quivers. A Quivers family history states that Sarah was the daughter of Benjamin Harrison V, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, and sister to William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the United States. Several deeds of emancipation and other documentary evidence demonstrate a protective connection between Sarah, her children and members of the Harrison family. Thus, the independent documentary evidence tends to corroborate the Quivers family claim of Harrison paternity. Photo courtesy Viola Beacher. Quivers Family history, Charles City County Richard M. Bowman Center for Local History.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
It is relatively easy to identify Emanuel’s father Jonathan in the Signer’s inventory of slaves because he is the only slave named Jonathan and he was a blacksmith, 23 years old and valued at 70£ sterling. Identification of the mother Sarah is less certain, but she appears to have been a slave named “yellow Sarah,” meaning mulatto Sarah, who was 17 years old and valued at 40£ sterling. Sarah was purchased by the widow Mary Harrison in the final sale of estate assets and died in 1844. She was buried at Berkeley and her funeral service was preached by Rev. Leavell, the Rector of Westover Parish. Charles City County Will Book 1789-1808, pgs. 408-409.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
Like his father, Emanuel became a blacksmith and was hired out to the Tredegar Iron Works. After Benjamin Harrison VII died in 1842 and all the Berkeley estate was being sold and turned over to creditors, Emanuel persuaded Joseph Reid Anderson, manager of Tredegar, to purchase him from the estate. Anderson agreed to pay wages into a Tredegar account that would be used to purchase Quiver’s eventual freedom. Agness Quivers whom Anderson purchased at the same time may have been a daughter of his brother Coy or of his sister Eleanor, who was one of Anderson’s household slaves. Photo of Tredegar Iron Works courtesy Library of Congress; Sale document from Tredegar Papers courtesy Library of Virginia.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
Quivers has attracted scholarly attention because of his unique relationship with Anderson, a relationship that included being allowed to travel to New York and work there for a period of time while his wages were sent back to Tredegar. Scholars have speculated that Anderson was allowing Quivers to try living on his own, but it seems more likely Anderson sent him sent for the purpose of acquiring particular skills or knowledge or to engage in industrial espionage. Image courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
Quivers and his wife Francis Watkins, who also was enslaved, did not live in the quarters like other company slaves. Instead they lived on Shockoe Hill and were enumerated in the 1850 census with their children as though they were free persons of color. The housing was rented for them by Anderson and the cost was deducted from the wages paid into Emanuel’s account. 1850 U.S. Census for Richmond, Va.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
One of Quiver’s obituaries claimed that while at Tredegar he supervised more than 200 men and was employed by Anderson to obtain secrets about the puddling process from the Welsh iron workers who commanded high wages because of their secret knowledge. Quivers was sufficiently respected by the Welsh men that he was permitted to go drinking with them. When they “were in their cups,” meaning drunk, he learned those secrets. According to the obituary this so outraged the Welsh men that Anderson was forced to provide Quivers with an armed escort to and from the iron works. Under Anderson’s leadership Tredegar became one of the largest and best equipped foundries in the nation, manufacturing canons, ordinance, locomotives and equipment for sugar mills. Photo courtesy Library of Congress; San Jose Pioneer 19 Dec. 1879.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
As a final step to earn his freedom Quivers was required to accompany Anderson’s business partner Col. J.J. Werth to California in 1850 where he was to set up a gold mining operation on the Maricopa estate owned by Gen. John C. Fremont, and to serve Werth faithfully until the end of 1853. Sketch of Col. John C. Fremont courtesy Wikipedia. African American gold miner Auburn ravine, 1852 courtesy the California History Room, California State Library, Sacramento, CA.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
Before the time had passed, however, Werth wrote to Anderson saying that he was dissatisfied with Quivers’ service. Anderson wrote back telling Werth to let Quivers work his way home. One surviving passenger list records his passage from Aspinwall, New Grenada located at the eastern terminus of the Panama railway via Havana to New York on the steamship Star of the West, arriving in NY on 05 NOV 1851.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
Deeds of emancipation were filed for Quivers’ wife Frances their children and in November 1852, and the family group set out for California. On this trip, or the first one, Quivers appears to have taken along his nephew Christopher Kemp. Kemp’s own deed of emancipation, recorded in Charles City in 1843, described him as “remarkably well brought up.” Christopher lived and worked in San Francisco as a blacksmith. Quivers and his family moved to Merced County where he also worked as a blacksmith. Photo courtesy San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library; Charles City County Deed Book 9, pgs. 314-15.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
Within a decade Quivers had become one of the leading voices among California’s African American community. He fought for education for black children and campaigned against the testimony laws—laws which prevented persons of color from testifying against whites. His involvement in a Colored Convention in Sacramento held in 1873 made him somewhat legendary. One California paper named Quivers a “colored Mark Twain,” reporting “he kept the Convention in a roar from the opening to the closing of the session. Quivers, the paper explained “had no education to polish off his natural wit, but his oratorical efforts sparkle with humor.” The example provided by the paper had Quivers lampooning black barbers who refused to shave black men, but ending with the solemn admonition “Truth is, we must practice equality if we demand it. We must not put down the blinds when doing business with our own people, and shoven ’em up for white folks.” Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel 06 Dec. 1873.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
The San Francisco Chronicle in an article titled “Sayings of Great Men” included a quotation from Emanuel Quivers alongside quotations from several judges, a mayor, a governor and the notorious Emperor Norton. Quivers was quoted as saying “Ef I only had privileges ekal to my cheek, I’d a bin in Congress long ago.” One can hardly doubt that had Emanuel been a white grandson of the Signer he would have made his way to Congress. San Francisco Chronicle 30 Nov. 1873.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Emanuel Quivers—slave, iron worker, gold miner, and "colored" Mark Twain
Quivers died in 1879 and several California papers carried his obituary. Describing him as a “citizen of much prominence in the San Joaquin Valley,” the paper wrote that “[a]s a young man he displayed unusual intellectual powers for one of his race, and was especially noted for shrewdness and tact.” The obituary concluded “[h]e was respected by all who knew him, and died at the age of 65 years.” Headstone photo courtesy of Jane and Find-A-Grave; San Jose Pioneer 19 Dec. 1879.
Listen to one descendant share her story of discovery (YouTube).
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Lucy Green Taylor's claim for compensation
Lucy Green Taylor, a free black woman, lived on a 50-acre farm within a half mile of Harrison’s landing. When the Army of the Potomac encamped in the summer of 1862, her farm was overrun by Union soldiers, and Lucy, like white landowners, suffered the effects of occupation. Notwithstanding McClellan’s standing orders, soldiers took her chickens, hogs, cow, calf, fencing, pillows, blankets, meat and meal. They also dug up her garden and bayoneted her horse when she refused to give it up. “Stripping a rail fence for fires,” drawing by Charles R. Waud, courtesy Library of Congress.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Lucy Green Taylor's claim for compensation
The war’s impact on Lucy Green Taylor is documented in a claim she filed with the Southern Claims Commission. Following the war the Commission was established to compensate property owners whose property was taken by the Union Army. A claimant had to prove the value of the property taken and that the claimant was loyal to the Union. Approximately 30 free blacks and mulattoes from Charles City filed such claims. Lucy’s claim for $1,000 was deemed extravagant, but she was paid $105 for property taken and destroyed. Southern Claims Commission Claim No. 48717, courtesy National Archives.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Lucy Green Taylor's claim for compensation
Claim files like that of Lucy are a valuable source of information about claimants and about the war’s impact on civilians. After her husband Dixon Taylor died, Lucy reverted to using her maiden name. Her son-in-law, a Richmond stevedore, said this was because “the people around told her she had no right to be called by her husband’s name after he was dead; “People in the country ain’t particular.” Not surprisingly Lucy did not “know [her] A, B, C’s.” Remarkably however, Lucy also could not count, and thus was unable to say how many of her chickens had been taken. Southern Claims Commission Claim No. 48717, courtesy National Archives.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Lucy Green Taylor's claim for compensation
Concerning her loyalty to the Union, Lucy stated “I don’t know what the war was about exactly. I know the Yankees were on the side of the colored people & I was on their side. I was born free—so was my husband. I believe if the southern soldiers had whipped, we would all have been made slaves.” Lucy’s daughter Martha Taylor stated in her deposition that she had demonstrated her loyalty to the Union by washing and sewing for the soldiers who “never treated us badly beyond taking the property.” Southern Claims Commission Claim No. 48717, courtesy National Archives.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Lucy Green Taylor's claim for compensation
Lucy stated that she complained many times to officers about the taking of her property and they used to say, “Old lady put a kettle of hot water on the fire & scald the rascals so we may know them.” Southern Claims Commission Claim No. 48717, courtesy National Archives.
Berkeley Plantation—independence for some
Lucy Green Taylor's claim for compensation
Lucy’s claim was probably discounted because Charles City Clerk Edmund Waddill, pictured here, stated that her all her personal property at the time was only valued at $202 and that most of the residents in the area – black and white alike – got more from the provisions left behind by the army than they had taken. The fact that she was awarded part of her claim may have been due to the testimony of white resident William Folkes, who testified that he had known Lucy for 50 years, that she and her husband were very economical and industrious persons, and that she was “a very straight-forward and truthful woman, one that [he] would as soon believe as any colored person.” Photo from Johnston, F. Memorials of Old Virginia Clerks, 1888, Charles City County Richard M. Bowman Center for Local History.