Lower Brandon Plantation facts for kids
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Brandon
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Brandon
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Burrowsville, Prince George County, Virginia |
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| Built | c. 1765 |
| Architect | possibly Thomas Jefferson |
| Architectural style | English Palladian |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000271 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1969 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
Brandon Plantation, also known as Lower Brandon, is a historic farm located on the south side of the James River in Prince George County, Virginia. It's one of the oldest working farms in the United States, with farming possibly starting as early as 1607.
The plantation features a unique brick mansion built in the 1760s. Its design is in the style of Andrea Palladio, a famous Italian architect. Some people even believe Thomas Jefferson, a founding father and architect, might have helped design it!
Brandon Plantation was founded in 1616 by Captain John Martin. He was one of the first leaders of the Virginia Colony at Jamestown. The property was owned by the Harrison family for over 200 years, from 1700 to 1926. Today, Brandon is a National Historic Landmark and still operates as a farm.
Contents
A Look Back: Brandon's History
Early Days and Founding
Brandon Plantation began as a large piece of land given to Captain John Martin in 1616. This land grant was about 7,000 acres on the James River. Captain Martin was an important early colonist and part of the first council at Jamestown in 1607.
He named his new plantation "Martin's Brandon." This name likely came from his wife, Mary Martin, whose maiden name was Brandon. Her father, Robert Brandon, was a well-known goldsmith who supplied goods to Queen Elizabeth I.
First Government Meeting
In 1619, Martin's Brandon was one of the plantations that sent representatives to a very important meeting. This meeting was the start of the House of Burgesses. This was the first group of elected lawmakers in the English colonies. It met in Jamestown, and Thomas Davis and Robert Stacy represented Martin's Brandon.
Challenges and Changes
In 1622, a difficult event known as the Indian Massacre occurred. During this attack, seven people died at Martin's Brandon. Across the James River area, 347 deaths were recorded.
Captain John Martin passed away at Martin's Brandon in 1632. His grandson, Captain Robert Bargrave, inherited the plantation. Later, in 1637, a group of merchants and a sailor bought the property. They farmed it successfully until 1720.
The Harrison Family Era
In 1720, Nathaniel Harrison bought Brandon. After he died in 1727, his son, Nathaniel Harrison II, took over. It was Nathaniel Harrison II who built the beautiful main house around 1765.
Later, the plantation went to Colonel Benjamin Harrison, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. When he died, the property was split between his two sons. This is how another plantation, Upper Brandon Plantation, was created.
In 1824, records show that Brandon Plantation had 93 enslaved people. Upper Brandon had 94. Brandon Plantation stayed in the Harrison family until 1926.
Modern Restoration and Legacy
In 1926, Robert Williams Daniel, a banker from Richmond, bought Brandon. The Daniel family worked hard to restore the house and its gardens. They also bought back some of the original land that had been separated from the estate.
Later, U.S. Congressman Robert W. Daniel, Jr. inherited the property. Brandon was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. It was also named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1985.
The Daniel family furnished the restored manor house with furniture from the 1760s. Today, Brandon is still a working farm. It continues to be one of the oldest active farming operations in the United States.
In 2013, the large 4,487.5-acre property was sold at an auction. A family from Florida bought it for $17.8 million in 2014. The new owners plan to continue farming the land. They also live in the historic manor house for part of the year.
