Benjamin Harrison IV

The mansion on the Berkeley Plantation built by Benjamin Harrison IV in 1726. Benjamin Harrison IV (1693 – July 12, 1745 ) was a colonial American planter, politician, and member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. He was the son of Benjamin Harrison III and the father of Benjamin Harrison V, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the fifth governor of Virginia. Harrison built the homestead of Berkeley Plantation, which is believed to be the oldest three-story brick mansion in Virginia and is the ancestral home to two presidents: his grandson William Henry Harrison, and his great-great-grandson Benjamin Harrison. The Harrison family and the Carter family were both powerful families in Virginia, and they were united when Harrison married Anne Carter, the daughter of Robert "King" Carter. His family also forged ties to the Randolph family, as four of his children married four grandchildren of William Randolph I. He completed his studies at The College of William & Mary and became the family's first college graduate. He settled on his family estate and increased his land holdings, as his ancestors had done. Carter entailed this land to Harrison's son Carter Henry Harrison. Berkeley has a distinction shared only with Peacefield in Quincy, Massachusetts, as the ancestral home of two presidents. From 1736 to 1742, he represented Charles City County, Virginia in the House of Burgesses.

Harrison and his wife had 11 children: Her descendants include Captain Kidder Breese (1831–1881). Benjamin Harrison V (1726–1791) Henry Harrison (1734–1736), who died in infancy. In 1760, he married Mary Ruffin (1739–1767), daughter of Edmund Ruffin (1713–1790) and they had four children. He married Anne Gilliam (1742–1781) in 1768 and they had six children. His descendants include J. Hartwell Harrison (1909–1984).

Harrison in 1745 was struck by lightning and killed, with one daughter, Hannah. Some reports incorrectly say his "two youngest daughters" were killed in 1745 when lightning struck his house. His oldest son Benjamin became responsible for the six plantations that comprised Berkeley, along with the manor house, equipment, stock, and slaves. Eight other plantations were divided among the remaining sons, and his daughters were given cash and slaves.

One source indicates that Harrison's tomb is located on the grounds of the "old Westover Church", but another states that he was buried in his family's cemetery.