Charles City -- Westover

In 1638, Captain Thomas Paulett patented 2,000 acres, which he called "Westopher," supposedly in honor of the West brothers, the Lords Delaware. After William Byrd came into possession in 1688, he increased the property to 26,231 acres and built the first Westover dwelling ca. 1690. Byrd's son, William, began the erection of the manor-house in 1726.

A two-acre walled garden contained box borders. The central point of the gardens is the monument marking the tomb of William Byrd, II. Colonel John Selden added to the landscape by planting the row of tulip poplars. Drewery, a former owner, destroyed 3/4 of the garden wall to use for a stable. The garden was then ploughed up and then planted in vegetables. Between 1901 and 1905, the wall was rebuilt on the old foundations. Turfed walkways, crossing each other at right angles, were lined with flowers and tea roses in 1909. Mrs. Sears Ramsay planted all the trees around the "bowling green" to the north of the house. Richard Crane's daughter donated a historic preservation easement on Westover to the state in 1974 when it became a National Historic Landmark.

Persons associated with the property include: Captain Thomas Paulett (former owner, 1638); Sir John Paulett (former owner); Otho Soutcoat (former owner of part, 1665); Theodorick Bland (former owner, 1665); Theodorick and Richard Bland (former owners); William Bird (former owner, 1688); William Byrd, II (former owner); William Byrd, III. (former owner); William Carter (former owner, 1814); Mr. Douthat (former owner); Harrisons of Brandon (former owners); Colonel John Selden (former owner, 1829); Major Drewery (former owner, 1862); Mrs. Clarise Sears Ramsay (former owner, 1898); and Richard Crane (former owner, 1921).