Virginia and Virginians eminent Virginians, executives of the colony of Virginia from Sir Thomas Smyth to Lord Dunmore. Executives of the state of Virginia, from Patrick Henry to Fitzhugh Lee. Sketches of Gens. Ambrose Powel Hill, Robert E. Lee, Thos. Jonathan Jackson, Commodore Maury |
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JAMES CITY COUNTY.
CARY PEYTON ARMISTEAD,
Born in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1857, is a son of Robert H. Armistead,
who was born in Elizabeth City county, Virginia, near Hampton,
April 12, 1804, and died near Williamsburg, October 22, 1888. The
mother of Cary Peyton, born near Jamestown, now many years dead,
was Julia S. Travis before marriage. His wife is Eudora Esther,
daughter of D. R. and Mary E. A. (Tinsley) Jones, of Hanover County,
Virginia, where she was born. They were married in Williamsburg, in
August, 1888.
Mr. Armistead attended school in Williamsburg, first to his aunt,
Mrs. Southall, second to Dr. Griffin, third the Grammar and Matty
school; then took the collegiate course at William and Mary College,
where he graduated in June, 1876. He taught in the Grammar and
Matty school for a time, then studied law at the University of Virginia.
Admitted to the Bar he was in practice a short time, until he gave that
up to accept his present office, May 4, 1884, as steward and treasurer
of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum. He has been a notary public for the
last eight years; is a member of the M. E. Church, South.
Mr. Armistead had two brothers in the Confederate States Army,
Robert T., served through the war and was twice wounded; Wm. Champion,
died soon after entering service.
ARCHIE BROOKS,
Storekeeper for the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, at Williamsburg, was
born at Williamsburg, in 1856. His father, Archie Brooks, born in
Williamsburg, served in the late war, C. S. A., died in March, 1888, aged
fifty-six years. His mother, whose maiden name was Margerette L.
Mahone, still lives in Williamsburg. He was married in Williamsburg,
August 23, 1881, his wife, born in James City county, Virginia, being
Lucy R., daughter of Parke and Martha J. (Menley) Jones, residents of
that county. They have four children: Beulah, Edna Lorene, Archie
and Lucy R.
Mr. Brooks attended school in Williamsburg, after that was a student
at William and Mary College three years. He has held his present position
since 1884.
JOHN CLOPTON: M. D.
John, son of William Edmund Clopton, and grandson of Hon. John
Clopton, of New Kent county, Virginia, was born in Richmond, Virginia,
January 6, 1835. His mother's maiden name was Mary A.
Aperson. He married, at James City, Virginia, July 6, 1875, Willie S.
Piggott, who was born at James City, and is a daughter of Fielding
and Eliza H. Piggott. Their children are five, born in the order named:
John Fielding, William Edmund, Martha A., Mary E., George Izard.
Dr. Clopton attended school in Stewart county, Tennessee, and New
Kent, Virginia. He graduated in medicine at the Virginia Medical
College on March 9, 1857, and practiced until the beginning of the war
in Caroline county, Virginia, New Kent and Richmond. In 1861 he entered
service, Company F., Richmond volunteers, and was soon after
appointed assistant surgeon, 1st Texas Infantry. Later he was assigned
as surgeon to the 16th Georgia regiment. After the battle of
Chickamauga he was appointed medical purveyor of Longstreet's
Corps, so serving until after the battle of the Wilderness. Then he was
appointed post purveyor at Petersburg, Virginia, then purveyor of
North Carolina until the close of the war. Returning to Richmond, he
engaged in practice there until, in 1868, he was appointed, by the Federal
Government, assistant physician at the Eastern Lunatic Asylum,
Williamsburg. He filled that position until the election of Governor
Cameron, after which he practiced in Charles City county, until 1884,
then returned to the Asylum, resuming the duties of Assistant Physician,
in which he still continues. Dr. Clopton is a member of the Masonic
fraternity.
WOODIE C. CONSTABLE,
Born in Norfolk, Virginia, is a son of Andrew T. Constable, now deceased,
and a grandson of Jacob Constable. His mother, who is of the
Armistead family, is now living in Williamsburg. His wife, whom he
married in Norfolk, on January 8, 1888, is Rosa P., daughter of John
R. and Fannie C. Powell, now of Norfolk. She was born in Bertie
county, North Carolina. Mr. Powell was in service in the Confederate
States Army, rank of lieutenant, and was wounded and made prisoner,
and held at Governors Island, New York Harbor.
Mr. Constable attended school at the Hampton Military Academy,
then took a collegiate course at the William and Mary College. After
finishing his education he engaged for a time in farming, then in mercantile
pursuits. He has a commission business now in Williamsburg,
and is superintendent of the public schools of that city. He has also
He is a member of the Heptosophs society; of the Knights of the
Golden Rule; and a Good Templar.
L. TYLER DAVIS
Is a son of Allen Davis, who died in 1863, and Mary (Mahone) Davis,
who died in 1843. He was born in Williamsburg, on March 22, 1837,
and has been twice married. His first wife, who died May 9, 1873, aged
twenty-one years, was Celia E. Perrin, and their children were two:
Martin P., now deceased; Genevra P. In Williamsburg, in January,
1876, Mr. Davis married Virginia R. Russell, who was born in Bath,
Maine, and they have four children: Allen R., Ruth T., Ray M. and
John R.
Mr. Davis went to school in Williamsburg for ten years, then began a
mercantile business in that city, which he followed until 1859. In that
year he went to Richmond, and there engaged in a wholesale grocery business,
which he continued until the war. After the war he returned to
Williamsburg, and again entered into business there, in which he still
continues. He is now president of the school board of Williamsburg.
LEONARD HENLEY: M. D.
Dr. Henley was born in Williamsburg, April 11, 1821, and has always
lived in that city. He was educated at William and Mary College, and
graduated in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1847. After
that he practiced in Blockley Hospital for seven years, then came to
Williamsburg where he has been in practice ever since, except when in
military service. He entered the Confederate States army in 1861,
sergeant in the 32d Virginia regiment, and in the same year was appointed
assistant surgeon, serving after that most of the time in hospital
at Petersburg, Virginia. In 1865 he was appointed superintendent of
the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, where he remained until the Federals took
possession. In 1887 he was appointed assistant physician at the Asylum
and is so serving now.
He is a son of Leonard Henley, who was born in James City county,
Virginia, and died in 1831, aged forty-two years, and Harriet T. (Coke)
Henley, also now deceased. The paternal grandfather of Dr. Henley
was also named Leonard, and his great grandfather bore the same name.
The latter came from England to Virginia. The wife of Dr. Henley is
Rebecca, daughter of Henry Harrison, Commodore United States Navy,
and Elizabeth (Ruffin) Cocke, both now deceased. She was born in Prince
George county, Virginia, and they were married in that county on
son, Leonard. Dr. Henley is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Dr. Leonard Henley is a direct descendant of the old and honored
family of Cokes, of Trusley, Derbyshire, England, which estate is now
in their possession. The family history goes back to 1343. Among the
representatives of this family were Lord Chesterfield; Lord Palmerston,
Premier; Lord Melbourne, Premier; Lord Cowper, late of Ireland.
H. T. JONES
Was born in James City county, Virginia, on April 10, 1842. He
attended a private school in Williamsburg, and then took a collegiate
course at William and Mary College. On his nineteenth birthday, April
10, 1861, he entered military service, in a company which later became
Company C, 32d Virginia Infantry. He was promoted sergeant in 1862,
second lieutenant in 1863, and served until the surrender at Appomattox,
taking part in battles of Seven Pines, the seven days fighting
around Richmond, Harpers Ferry, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Cold
Harbor, Howlett Line, Sailor's Creek and others. Returning home he
engaged in farming until 1872, then established himself in his present
business, druggist. He has held public office as member of the city
council, justice of the peace and school trustee. The parents of Mr.
Jones were H. T. Jones, sr., who was born in James City county, in
1814, and died May 12, 1872, and Mary A. H. Jones, died in January,
1881. The father was a son of Allan Jones, of York county, Virginia,
whose father was Daniel Jones, of James City county, Virginia.
The subject of this sketch married in Williamsburg, June 10, 1867,
Mary Southall, of Williamsburg. Their children are two sons, Marion
Ambler and Hugh W. Mrs. Jones is the daughter of Albert G. Southall,
who died August, 1862. Her mother, whose maiden name was Virginia
F. Travis, died in August, 1880. Her family are of English descent,
early settlers in Tidewater Virginia.
LEVEN W. LANE
Was born in Matthews county, Virginia, January 6, 1839, and was
educated in his native county. He is a son of John H. Lane, who was
born in Matthews county, and died in 1884, and Nancy (Ransome)
Lane, who died in 1843. His wife is Mattie S., daughter of William L.
Spencer, now deceased, and Martha G. (Richardson) Spencer. She was
born in James City county, Virginia, and they were married in that
county, on July 26, 1860. Their children were born in the order named:
L. W., Martha L., Carrie D., Cora, Mary G., Susie (now deceased),
Walter G.
Mr. Lane has been a farmer and merchant all his life, and is still engaged
in those avocations. He has served as county treasurer and as
sheriff. He entered the Confederate States Army at the beginning of
the war, and served until its close. Entering service as a private in
Company H, 5th Virginia Cavalry, he was promoted second lieutenant,
then captain of that company; was wounded at Kelleys Ford, again
at Cedar Creek; was made prisoner at Hanover C. H., but paroled
same day.
JOHN LEYBOURNE MERCER.
Hugh Mercer, of Scotland, came to America in colonial days. He entered
the Continental army in the war for Independence, received rank
of general, and was killed in that war, battle of Princeton, New Jersey.
His son, Colonel Hugh Mercer, was the father of John C. Mercer, who
was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and died in March, 1884, aged
seventy-two years. John C. Mercer married Mary Waller, who survives
him, living now in North Carolina. Their son, John Leybourne Mercer,
was born in Williamsburg, Virginia, August 2, 1849. He went to
school to various teachers in Williamsburg about five years, then attended
William and Mary College two sessions. After that clerked in
mercantile establishments until 1868, when he was appointed to his
present position, which he has held ever since, except for two years from
March, 1882 to March, 1884. He is clerk and steward of the Eastern
Lunatic Asylum, Williamsburg.
He married at Williamsburg, March 31, 1875, Jean Sinclair Bright.
They have two daughters, Jean C., Mary W., and one son, T. Hugh
Mercer. Mrs. Mercer was born in Williamsburg, and is a daughter of
Samuel F. and Elizabeth Bright. Her father died in 1868, her mother
in 1872.
Mr. Mercer had two brothers in the Confederate States army, Thomas
Hugh Mercer, first lieutenant in artillery, severely wounded at Seven
Pines, and C. W. Mercer, a private in Col. Mosby's command, captured
and held prisoner at Fort Delaware fourteen months.
Mr. Mercer is a member of Williamsburg Lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M.
JAMES DUNLAP MONCURE: M. D.,
Present superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, Williamsburg,
was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1842. After attending the Abbott
school, in Fauquier county, Virginia, he was sent abroad, and studied at
Bernhardts Austallt, Meiningen, Germany; College Rollin, Paris, France;
the Heidelberg University, Germany, where he began his medical studies.
he was at the breaking out of the war between the States. He served
through the war, first in the corps of cadets, as drill master at Camp
Lee; then in the field in a Virginia cavalry regiment. Resuming his
medical studies, he attended the University of Virginia and the University
of Maryland, graduating from the latter. He practiced medicine in
Baltimore; in Fauquier county, Virginia; in Richmond; in Huntington;
again in Richmond. A profound student of the great profession to
which he devotes his life, Dr. Moncure has made a special study of mental
and nervous diseases. He has filled the chair of adjunct professor at
the Medical College of Virginia; he founded, in 1876, the "Pinel Hospital,"
near Richmond, and was its first superintendent; in 1884 was elected
to his present position, which he has filled continuously since that time.
He has received from the College de France degree of Bachelier es Lettres
et es Science; is a member of the Medico-Legal Society, and chairman
of its Committee on Naturalization for Virginia.
At St. Pauls (Episcopal) Church, Richmond, Virginia, October 11,
1871, Dr. Moncure married Annie Patterson McCaw, of Richmond.
Their living children are three: Gabriella Brooke, James Dunlap,
William Anderson Patterson, and they have buried three: Richard
Cary Ambler, died in 1873, aged ten days; Delia Ann, died in 1876,
aged eight months; James Dunlap, died in 1878, aged a few hours.
The genealogy of Dr. Moncure's family in America is thus traced:
Gerard Fowlke (or Ffolk) of Gunston Hall, England, settled near Port
Tobacco, Maryland, in 1680. His daughter Frances married Dr. Gustavus
Brown, and their daughter Frances married, in 1738, Rev. John
Moncure. The latter came to America, in 1710, as a physician, later
became a minister of the Episcopal Church. The name Moncure was
originally Moncoeur, changed in Scotland to Moncur and Monkur, later
in America to Moncure. William, son of Rev. John Moncure and wife,
married Sarah Elizabeth Henry. Their son, Henry Wood Moncure, was
born in Richmond, and died in 1866, aged sixty-six years. He married
Katharine Cary Ambler, and Dr. James Dunlap Moncure is their son.
Annie Patterson, wife of Dr. Moncure, is a daughter of Dr. James
Brown McCaw and his wife, Delia Ann, nee Patterson. Dr. McCaw is a
son of Dr. William McCaw, who was a son of Dr. James Drew McCaw,
whose father was Surgeon McCaw, of Lord Dunmore's staff.
CAPT. CHARLES B. TREVILIAN.
John Trevilian, a Huguenot refugee from France, came to the colony
of Virginia and founded the family in the Old Commonwealth. His son
John was the father of Col. John M. Trevilian, who was born in Goochland
county, Virginia, and who died in 1873, aged seventy-three years.
seventy years. Capt. Charles B. Trevilian is their son, and was born in
Goochland county, September 15, 1838.
He received his education in Hampden-Sidney College and in the
University of Virginia. He entered the Confederate States army in
1861, Company F, 4th Virginia Cavalry, and was promoted captain of
the company. At Gettysburg he was wounded and made prisoner, and
was held twenty-two months on Johnsons Island, Lake Erie. After
release he rejoined his command, and was again wounded, at High
Bridge, in the retreat to Appomattox. Captain Trevilian held the
office of collector of revenue in New Kent county, Virginia, one year,
and for the last two years has filled the position he is now holding in
the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, Williamsburg, that of supervisor.
He married in Rockbridge county, Virginia, March 1, 1865, Mary S.
Houston, who was born in that county, the daughter of Dr. David S.
Houston, who died in 1864, and Nancy (Dix) Houston, who died in
1887. Nannie H., eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Trevilian, is now deceased;
their living children are three: Mary R., Blanche E. and
Gardner H.
LYON GARDINER TYLER,
Was born at his father's residence, "Sherwood Forest," in Charles City
county, Virginia, in August, 1853. He is a son of President John Tyler,
by his second marriage, with Julia Gardiner of Gardiners Island,
New York. The founder of the Tyler family in Virginia was Henry
Tyler, who came from England and settled at Middle Plantation in
1653. Further records of this eminent family will be found on many
of the preceding pages of Virginia and Virginians, more especially in
Volume 1, pp. 103-108.
The wife of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, whom he married in Pulaski county,
Virginia, November 14, 1878, was born in Charlottsville, Virginia,
Annie, daughter of Col. St. George Tucker, son of Judge St.
George Tucker, whose father was Judge St. George Tucker, who came
from Island of Bermuda to Virginia. Her mother is Lizzie, daughter
of Thomas W. Gilmer, former Secretary of the Navy, whose wife was
Anne Baker. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler have three children: Julia Gardiner,
Lizzie Gilmer and John.
Mr. Tyler finished his education at the University of Virginia, which
he entered in February, 1870, graduating in July, 1875, with Degrees
of Bachelor and Master of Arts. During his University career he was
twice elected orator of the Jefferson Society, and obtained a scholarship
as best editor of the University magazine. The year following his
graduation he studied law with John B. Minor, Esq. In January,
College, which position he ably filled until, in November, 1878, he went
to Memphis, Tennessee, where he was head of a high school for four
years. In September, 1882, he returned to Virginia, settled in Richmond,
practiced law, and took an active interest in politics. In 1885
he ran for the House of Delegates, one of seven candidates, but was
not elected. In 1887 he was again nominated for Representative and
was elected. In the House of Delegates he rendered distinguished service
to Virginia, successfully championing the labor bureau, child labor,
and William and Mary College bills, all of which he argued were necessary
for the education of the people and the best interests of the State.
Mr. Tyler is the author of "The Letters and Times of the Tylers,"
spoken of on page 107 of this work, a work not only of value as a
biography of his grandfather, Governor Tyler, and his father, the
President, but also as an authentic and interesting history of events
from 1776 to 1861. On August, 22, 1888, Mr. Tyler received merited
recognition as a scholar, a literateur, and a Virginian, in his election to
the position he now fills, as President of William and Mary College.
REV. LYMAN BROWN WHARTON.
In colonial days William Wharton came from England to Virginia,
settling in Culpeper County. His son John settled in Albemarle county,
Virginia, and had a son also named John, who was the father of John
Austin Wharton, who was born in Bedford county, and who died June
20, 1888, aged eighty-five years. John Austin Wharton married Isabella
Brown, who survives him, living now in Liberty, Virginia. Their
son is the subject of this sketch, Lyman Brown Wharton, born in
Liberty, Virginia.
After the usual preliminary education, he entered the University of
Virginia, which he attended sessions of two years, and graduated in the
schools of ancient and modern languages. He took orders in the Protestant
Episcopal Church and had charge of Cornwell Parish, Charlotte
county, Virginia, until he became chaplain of the 59th Virginia Infantry,
C. S. A., with which he remained until its surrender at Appomattox.
He then took charge of a church in Abingdon, Virginia; in 1870 became
professor of Greek and German, at William and Mary College, where he
remained until 1881, becoming then associate principal of Norwood
High School, Nelson county, Virginia. Subsequently he was professor
of languages in Hanover Academy, Virginia, and in Bellevue High
School, Bedford county, Virginia. In 1886 he was professor of Ancient
Languages in the Maryland Military and Naval Academy, Oxford,
Maryland. In 1888 he returned to Williamsburg and became professor
he still fills.
Mr. Wharton married in Richmond, Virginia, December 27, 1877,
Martha Paulina Taylor. She was born in Henrico county, near Richmond,
and is the daughter of the late Henry Porterfield Taylor and
Cornelia Taylor, nee Storrs. Her mother still lives in Richmond; her
father died there, November 19, 1887, aged seventy years. He was a
son of Col. Edmund Taylor, who served in the war of 1812, and at a
later period was the first captain of the old military organization in
Richmond, the "Richmond Blues." The father of Colonel Taylor was
Edmund Taylor, Esq., of Taylorsville, Hanover county, Virginia.
Mr. Wharton had one brother in service in the late war, John, a cadet
at the Virginia Military Institute, who participated in the service of the
cadets in the field, including that in Newmarket battle.
| Virginia and Virginians | |