Carter Bassett Harrison

Carter Bassett Harrison was born around 1756 at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County, Virginia, located at what is now known as "Harrison's Landing." He was the second surviving son of Elizabeth Bassett (1730–1792) and Benjamin Harrison V (1726–1791). Both parents belonged to the First Families of Virginia, with the Harrison family having significant political influence and wealth, primarily through plantation farming that utilized enslaved labor.

His maternal grandparents were Colonel William Bassett and Elizabeth Churchill, daughter of William Churchill, a burgess. His paternal lineage included Robert "King" Carter, a prominent figure in Virginia history, and Anne Carter, linking him to the Carter family, which produced several Virginia governors. His uncle, Carter Henry Harrison I, served in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing Cumberland County.

Benjamin Harrison V, Carter's father, signed the American Declaration of Independence and later served as the speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates and a member of the Continental Congress. Carter Bassett Harrison had two older brothers—Benjamin Harrison VI (1755–1799), who served as Deputy Paymaster of the Continental Army, and William Henry Harrison (1773–1841), who became a congressman, territorial governor, and the 9th President of the United States. He also had four sisters, with the eldest, Lucy Bassett Harrison (1749–1809), marrying Peyton Randolph's son.

Carter Harrison received private education fitting his social class, followed by attendance at the College of William & Mary. During the American Revolutionary War, he left college to join the American Army.

After the war, Harrison studied law and was admitted to the Virginia bar. He practiced law while engaging in political activities. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates representing Surry County in 1784, serving alongside John Allen. He was re-elected and served with his father Benjamin Harrison V until they were replaced by John Allen and Lemuel Cocke. Harrison was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1792, serving in the Third Congress and re-elected for the next two sessions, holding office from March 4, 1793, to March 3, 1799.

He returned to Virginia state politics in 1805, representing Prince George County in the House of Delegates with his brother Benjamin and nephew Benjamin Harrison Jr. until 1808.

In his personal life, Carter Harrison married Mary Howell Allen in 1787 in Surry County, Virginia. Mary was the daughter of William Allen of "Claremont." They had two sons, William Allen Harrison and Benjamin Carter Harrison, and a daughter, Anna Carter Harrison (married name: Anna Carter Adams). The Harrisons resided in Surry County before settling in Prince George County at Maycox along the James River in 1800.

Following the death of his first wife, Harrison married Jane Byrd, daughter of Colonel William Byrd II of Westover Plantation. They had no children together.

Carter Bassett Harrison died on April 18, 1808, in Prince George County, Virginia. His burial site is unconfirmed but is believed to have been at Maycox. His widow, Jane Byrd Harrison, died around 1813. His grandnephew, Benjamin Harrison, later became the 23rd President of the United States.