Carter Descendant Homes

There are many plantations or houses in Virginia that have been the homes of Robert “King” Carter’s descendants up through his great-grandchildren. In many cases, Carter’s descendants built the houses. In other cases, they married into families who built them. Some of these houses, such as Robert Carter I’s own house, Corotoman, or the magnificent Page home, Rosewell, in Gloucester County, are in ruins. Many are still private residences, and some are open to visitors for some special occasions, such as a house and garden tour. Others are museum houses open to the public and may be visited, generally for an admission fee. These are marked with an asterisk.*

Berkeley*

built c.1726, home of Benjamin Harrison IV and his wife, Anne, daughter of Robert Carter I and Betty Landon. Located in Charles City County. Privately operated and open daily to the public for tours.

Blandfield

built c.1769-1787 in Essex County. Maria Byrd Carter, granddaughter of Robert Carter I, daughter of Landon Carter married Robert Beverley, builder of the house. (Private)

Carter’s Grove*

built c.1750-1755 by Carter Burwell, second son of Robert Carter I’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth Carter Burwell Nicholas. Located in James City County and operated by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Carter Hall

built c.1795-1800 by Nathaniel Burwell, son of Carter Burwell and great-grandson of Robert Carter I. Located in Millwood, Clarke County. Headquarters of Project Hope.

Corotoman

built c.1715 by Robert Carter I, burned 1729. Located in Lancaster Co. Site is owned by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.

Elsing Green

built c.1758-1767 by Carter Braxton grandson of Robert Carter I, son of Mary Carter and George Braxton, a signer of Declaration of Independence. Located in King William County. (Private)

Grove Mount

built c.1780-1800 by Priscilla Carter, great-granddaughter of Robert Carter I, daughter of Councillor Robert Carter III of Nomini Hall. She married Robert Mitchell. Located in Richmond County. (Private)

Long Branch

In 1788, Robert Carter Burwell, a descendant of Robert “King” Carter, inherited the land sitting along a stream known as Long Branch in Clarke County, Virginia. Utilizing the labor of enslaved workers, Burwell started a wheat plantation on the land he inherited. About twenty years later, around 1810, he began to construct a mansion on the site. Burwell, along with the help of a local builder-architect, designed and constructed the house following the classical principles suggested to him by Benjamin Henry Latrobe, architect of the U.S. Capitol, in a letter dated July 21, 1811. Latrobe recommended that Burwell include a servant’s staircase and that the dining room and chamber be oriented to the south side of the house.

Nelson House*

built c.1730. Home of Gov. Thomas Nelson Jr., a signer of Declaration of Independence, and grandson of Robert Carter I. Located in Yorktown. Operated by National Park Service and open to the public.

Oatlands*

begun in 1804 by George Carter, son of Robert Carter III of Nomini, and great-grandson of Robert Carter I. Located in Loudoun County. Owned and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Robert Carter House

built c.1750. The Williamsburg townhome of Councillor Robert Carter III, grandson of Robert Carter I. Owned by Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Rosewell*

begun in 1726 by Mann Page and his wife, Judith Carter, daughter of Robert Carter I. One of the largest of all Virginia houses, it burned in 1916. Located in Gloucester County. Ruins are open to the public.

Sabine Hall

built c. 1738-1742 by Landon Carter, son of Robert Carter I. Located in Richmond County. (Privately Owned)

Sabine Hall (Richmond, Virginia).jpg

Shirley*

built 1738, home of John Carter, Secretary, eldest son of Robert Carter I, who married Elizabeth Hill. Located in Charles City County. Privately operated for public tours, still the residence of direct descendants.

Stratford Hall*

built c.1739, home of Lighthorse Harry Lee, who married Anne Hill Carter, great-granddaughter of Robert Carter I. Birthplace of their son Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Located in Westmoreland County. Operated by a foundation, and open to tours.

Wilton

built c.1763 by Elizabeth Carter daughter of Charles Carter, and granddaughter of Robert Carter, and her husband William Churchill. Located in Middlesex County. (Private)

Photos of these homes and more detailed information about them may be found in The Virginia Landmarks Register (Richmond: Virginia Department of Historic Resources 1999)