9. William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was a fifth generation Virginian of a wealthy planter family whose father signed the Declaration of Independence. Harrison was born February 9, 1773, at Berkeley Plantation (located in Charles City County, Virginia, and situated on the James River), and he was the last president to be born a British subject. The site is rich in history. English settlers came ashore in 1619, and their prayers of gratitude are now recognized as the first Thanksgiving celebration in America. The Georgian mansion was constructed by Harrison’s paternal grandparents in 1726, and the house survived a raid by British troops under the command of Benedict Arnold in 1781. It was later occupied by Union troops during the Civil War at which time “Taps” was composed and played for the first time.
There is a sign at the head of the dirt road leading to Berkeley plantation that reads, "Drive Leisurely. This is 1/2 mile of colonial road designed in 1725 for carriages en route to Berkeley Plantation". Driving leisurely forward, I could almost hear carriage wheels bumping along this road. Steeped in American history, the home and surrounding grounds were a pleasure to photograph. I even scored an image of a bald eagle in flight! It is not the best photograph I have ever taken, but it is a bald eagle at the birthplace of America's 9th president--it makes the edit!