MUSEUM
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Westover Plantation is a historic colonial tidewater plantation located on the north bank of the James River. Established in c. 1730–1750, it is the homestead of the Byrd family of Virginia. The plantation has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The grounds and garden are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and you can tour the mansion with an appointment.
SITE FEATURES
Gardens, Surviving Structures
On this site...
Sir John Pawlett, by deeds of lease and release, demised most of Westover Plantation in 1665 to Theodorick Bland of Westover for £170. Bland lived on the property until his death in 1671 and was buried in the chancel of the original Westover Church, which he helped build. His eldest son, Theodorick, inherited the land and joined with his brother, Richard, in its ownership. The brothers eventually conveyed 1,200 acres of the property to William Byrd I in 1688 for £300 and 10,000 pounds of tobacco and cask. The plantation is notable for its 18th-century and later history. The mansion, Westover Plantation, was built in the Georgian style. It was considered the seat of the William Byrd family in Virginia. William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond, was thought to have built the mansion c. 1730.
HOME
EST. 1750
ENCAMPMENT
BATTLEFIELD
From the 1st to 3 January, Arnold's fleet sailed up the James River, laying waste to plantations and settlements along the way. On 4 January, the British reached Westover Plantation, where they would ready themselves for the assault against Richmond. In the afternoon, Arnold and his men disembarked on foot towards Richmond.
The following day, Arnold's force of Loyalist "green-coats", consisting of infantry, dragoons, and artillery, arrived at Richmond, which was defended by approximately 200 militiamen. Surprisingly enough, most Virginia militiamen had not bothered to defend their capital because they had already served their time in battle, and thought that their duty was up. Upon seeing the group of Virginia militiamen, Colonel John Graves Simcoe, of the Queen's Rangers, ordered a detachment of soldiers to confront them. The militiamen fired a weak musket volley at the advancing British, and then broke and ran into the woods, with the Loyalist detachment chasing after them. Jefferson, seeing his militiamen dispersed, and no other plausible way to defend Richmond, quickly ordered the mass evacuation of most military supplies from the city, and promptly fled in his carriage, along with the rest of Virginia's government officials and his family.
At noon, Arnold's forces marched triumphantly into the city, described by an eyewitness as "undisturbed by even a single shot." From his headquarters at Main Street's City Tavern (he would only stay in Richmond for a day), Arnold wrote a letter to Jefferson, offering to spare the capital if he was allowed to seize tobacco unmolested. Jefferson refused the terms, and the city suffered the consequences.
HISTORIC PEOPLE
Benedict Arnold
Major General
William Byrd III
Burgess
Peggy Shippen Arnold
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