Westover Plantation
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Westover Plantation
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Westover from the front (river) side
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| Location | 7 mi. W of Charles City on VA 5, Charles City County, Virginia, United States of America |
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| Coordinates | 37°18′40″N 77°8′58″W / 37.31111°N 77.14944°WCoordinates: 37°18′40″N 77°8′58″W / 37.31111°N 77.14944°W |
| Area | 1,025 acres (4.15 km2) |
| Built | c. 1750 |
| Architect | unknown |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP Reference # | 66000923 |
| VLR # | 018-0027 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
| Designated VLR | September 9, 1969 |
Westover Plantation is located on the north bank of the James River in Charles City County, Virginia. It is located south of State Route 5, a scenic byway which runs between the independent cities of Richmond and Williamsburg. It is a US National Historic Landmark.
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.
It is notable for its 18th-century and later history, when 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. This date was part of the 1960 designation of the house as a National Historic Landmark. However, recent dendrochronologic testing on boards and planks in the house showed that they dated to the 1750s. The house was thus probably built and first occupied by William Byrd III, not his father. The revised construction date has been recognized by the National Park Service.
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