INFORMATION ON WAR OF 1812 VETERANS BURIED IN THE CEDAR GROVE CEMETERY IN
PORTSMOUTH.
by Myron (Mike) E. Lyman, Sr. Lt Col USA Retired.
Graves Chairmen and Past President War of 1812 Society in Virginia
Assisted by: Carol Epperly, VA State Society USD 1812, John Epperly, Past Registrar, War of 1812 Society in VA and
Margaret Windley, Historian, Cedar Grove Cemetery Foundation.
ANDERSON, Michael, was born in Scotland in 1787 and died in 1833. He served as a Private in Captain James Davis
Company of the 7th Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel Bernard Magnein in Norfolk County. This
company was stationed to the rear of Fort Norfolk. "Captain" is inscribed on his gravestone, however 1812 service in
this rank was not found. He resided at Fort Monroe in Elizabeth City County according to the US Census of 1820. His
life ended by drowning. Buried beside him, and probably his wife, is Louisa Gordon Anderson who was born in 1789
and died in 1867. Service source: NARA record 1932
ASHTON, John Newton, Jr., was born on 17 May 1784, son of John Newton Ashton, Sr. and Ellen F. (__) and died in
Portsmouth on 20 Aug 1855. He served as a Captain, Company Commander in the 25th Virginia Militia Regiment in
King George County in July 1813 and stationed his Company at Round Hill Church. He moved to Portsmouth by 1850,
as he was residing there according to the 1850 US Census in the home of his son John Newton Ashton, III that was
head of a household. He married first in Washington DC 03 Dec 1811, Louisa (__) and second in DC to Margaret M.
Stewart on 01 Nov 1847. Service source Butler's Guide to VA Militia Units page 116 and NARA record 2273.
BAUGH, Richard W., was born in 1789 and died in Portsmouth on 27 Jul 1856. He was a Private in Captain William
Holt's Troop of Calvary of the 95th Virginia Militia Regiment of Norfolk County commanded by Lt Colonel Thomas
Lee. This Troop had service from 04 September 1814 until November 1814. He also served as a Private in the 7th
Virginia Militia Regiment of Norfolk County commanded by Lt Colonel Bernard Magnein. He is listed in the 1820 US
Census in Norfolk, the 1830 US Census in Portsmouth, the 1840 US Census in Norfolk and the 1850 US Census again
in Portsmouth. He was a member of the 1854 Soldiers of War of 1812 Society while residing in Portsmouth. He
married first on 13 Dec 1810 in Norfolk, Serina Yarwood, and second Mary J. (__), who was born in 1791, and died on
22 Jun 1877. Service source: NARA records 92 & 95.
BAYTON, Beverly, was born in 1774 and died in Portsmouth on 20 Jun 1834. He served as a Private in the 7th
Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel Bernard Magnien with service in the Norfolk-Portsmouth area.
He is listed as sea Captain residing in Portsmouth in 1820-1830 timeframe, and "Captain" is inscribed on his
gravestone, however no War of 1812 naval service has been found. He is listed in the 1830 US Census in Portsmouth.
He married in Norfolk 23 Apr 1799, Eunice Jones, who was born in 1782 and died on 07 Jan 1847. Service source:
NARA record 1078.
BENTHALL Ariel B. was born in 1792 and died on 23 Jul 1843. A person of this name, assumed to be him, was a
Private in the 9th Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel William Sharp. This unit was stationed at
Camp Armistead in Norfolk at the Rope Walk until 12 Sep 1814 when it was ordered to Plum's Creek to the battery on
Smith's Creek, rear Brambles. "Commander, US Navy" is inscribed on his gravestone, however no War of 1812 naval
service has been found, thus perhaps this service may have occurred after the War was over. Service source: NARA
record 312 and gravestone inscription.
BENTHALL, William, was born on 10 Dec 1780 and died in Portsmouth on 19 Oct 1854. He was a Private in the 7th
Virginia Militia Regiment of Norfolk County commanded by Lt Colonel Bernard Magnien with service in the NorfolkPortsmouth area. He is listed in the 1850 US Census in Portsmouth. He has the rank of Captain inscribed on his
gravestone. He married first Frances D. Turner who was born in 1790 and died on 23 May 1820 a "native of the Island
of Bernuda" (sic). He married second, Miriam (__) who was born in 1783 and died on 16 May 1837, and he married
third in Portsmouth on 18 Nov 1838, Jane Ferguson. Service source: NARA record 323
BLOW, George Seiger, was born in Portsmouth on 03 Feb 1787 and died at Tower Hill in Sussex County on 21 Oct
1870. His son Judge George Blow of Norfolk had his remains moved to the family plot at Cedar Grove Cemetery in
Portsmouth. He was a Lieutenant assigned the position of Assistant Quartermaster General in the 4th Virginia Militia
Regiment and was later also assigned as one of the Governor of Virginia's Staff officers in the rank of Colonel. He
married in Williamsburg on 12 Dec 1807, Elizabeth Waller who was born on in Williamsburg on 31 Jan 1791 and died
in Portsmouth on18 Jul 1841. Service source: Virginia Muster Rolls, pg 43.
BROWNE, Samuel B., was born on 09 Feb 1798 and died in Portsmouth on 10 Jul 1848. He was a Private in the 4th
Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel Elisha Boyd. This Regiment was initially stationed in Portsmouth
and later moved to Fort Norfolk and its attached companies were stationed at various places on each side of the fort. He
is shown residing in Portsmouth in both the 1830 and 1840 US census. Service source: NARA record 2551
BURTON William Herbert, was born in 1795 and died in 1849. He was a Private in Captain Emmerson's Company of
Portsmouth Artillery and undoubtedly at the Battle of Craney Island. He was residing in Norfolk in the 1820 US
Census and in Portsmouth in the 1840 US Census. He married Sarah Toomer Herbert, who was born on 01 Oct 1797,
and who died on 01 Sep 1869. She is buried in the cemetery lot with him. Service source: NARA record 494
CASSELL, Charles, was born in Genoa, Italy on 26 Sep 1793 and died in Portsmouth on 03 Sep 1855. He was the son
of Warrant Officer, Charles Cassell who worked at the Washington Navy Yard. While living in the District of
Columbia, he enlisted as a Private in the DC Militia in their 2nd Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel Brent. He was a
member of 1854 Soldiers of War of 1812 Society while residing in Portsmouth. After the War he served as Captain of
the Portsmouth Light Artillery Blues during the period 1828-1839 and as a Lt Colonel commanded the 4th Regiment of
Artillery in Portsmouth in 1851. After the War he married Sarah Murry, born 09 Dec 1805 and died 18 Jun 1867. He
died of yellow fever. Service source: NARA record 831
CHANDLER, John Adams, was born on 28 Aug 1795 and died in Portsmouth on 31 Aug 1848. He was a Private in the
9th Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel William Sharp. This unit was originally stationed at Camp
Armistead at the Rope Walk in Norfolk until 12 Sep 1814 when it was ordered to Plum's Creek and to the battery at
Smith's Creek near Brambles. He was residing in Portsmouth according to the 1840 US Census. He married Sarah (__)
who was born on 10 Sep 1801 and died on 03 Jul 1876. Service source: NARA record 1849
CLARK, Charles, was born in Scotland in 1790 and died in Portsmouth on 01 Aug 1855. He served as a Private in the
2nd Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Col William Sharp with service in the Norfolk area. He was residing
in Portsmouth according to the 1850 US Census. He married Dinah (__), who died in Jun 1852. Service source NARA
record 350
COCKE, Buller, was born on 09 Jul 1777, the son of Richard and Anne (Claiborne) Cocke of Surry County and died in
Portsmouth on 09 May 1838. He perhaps is the person of this name that was a Private in the 2nd DC Cavalry (Tayloe),
however Naval records indicate a person of this name was a Purser in the US Navy effective 06 October 1798 and
following this a Navy storekeeper, and that he was discharged on 08 April 1816. Service source: NARA record 1226 &
http://www.history.navy.mil/books/callahan/reg-usn-c.htm
COCKE, Nathaniel, was born in 1787, son of Richard and (___) Thompson Cocke of Surry County and died in
Portsmouth on 04 Feb 1837. He was a Sergeant in Captain Atkinson's Troop of Calvary from Isle of Wight County, a
part of a Detachment of Calvary that served in the Norfolk area from May to December 1813. In the 1820 US Census
he was residing in Princes Anne County. Service source: NARA record 1262 and Virginia Payrolls page 113
COCKE, William Henry, was born in 1771, son of Colonel Richard Cocke, and was killed on the schooner Fox from a
cannon ball fired from the Moro Castle in the harbor of St John's Porto Rica on 06 Mar 1823. He was a Lieutenant in
the US Navy in command of the vessel. He received his commission on 24 Jul 1813 on the Brig Stark. The US Navy
had his remains disinterred and brought to the Cedar Grove Cemetery on 25 Jul 1832. He married Elizabeth Woddrop
Johnson, daughter of James Johnson of James City County. Service source:
http://www.history.navy.mil/wars/war1812/list3.htm
COOKE, Mordecai, was born in Gloucester County on 19 Apr 1785 and died in Portsmouth on 29 Apr 1845. He was
the son of Revolutionary War Lieutenant, Mordecai Cooke and Elizabeth Scrosby. He was a Private in the 2d Virginia
Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel William Sharp. This Regiment served in the Norfolk and Craney Island
area. He also served in Richard Jone's Company of the 21st Virginia Militia Regiment of Gloucester County.
According to his obituary Colonel Mordecai Cooke was a distinguished citizen, a prominent Mason, and a charitable
Christian. His portrait adorns the hall of the Grand Lodge of Masons at Richmond. He represented the County in the
House of Burgesses. He married Margaret Kearns. The Colonel's rank is inscribed on his grave stone. Service source:
NARA record 1583 and Virginia Muster Rolls, page 500.
CUNNINGHAM, Alexander, was born in South Carolina on 15 Apr 1776 and died in Portsmouth on 26 Apr 1856. He
served as an Officer in the US Navy. He received his Sailing Master rank after the war period on 15 Nov 1815 so his
rank during the war period is not known. He is listed as a sea Captain residing in Portsmouth during the period 1820-
1830. He is shown residing in Portsmouth during the US 1850 Census. Sailing Master is inscribed on his grave stone.
He married in Prince Edward County on 01 Dec 1796, Sarah Meadows, a daughter of Jeremiah Meadows. Service
source: http://www.history.navy.mil/books/callahan/reg-usn-c.htm
EMMERSON, Arthur III: was born in Brunswick County in 1778, son of Arthur Emmerson II and grandson of
Reverend Arthur Emmerson, Sr. and died in Portsmouth on 06 Jun 1842. He moved with his family to Portsmouth in
1785. He served as a Captain of the Portsmouth Light Artillery Blues in the 3rd Virginia Militia Regiment in March
1813 and then again in the 6th Virginia Militia Regiment of Artillery, commanded by Lt Colonel Reade during the
period April to 08 September 1813 and served again from 22 August to 25 October 1813 in the Battalion of Artillery,
Virginia Militia. During the Battle of Craney Island on 22 June 1813, his unit was stationed there and delivered
accurate fire on a British land force attempting to invade the island causing them to retreat with heavy casualties. Then
he turned his unit's guns and attacked a British amphibious landing causing them enough casualties so they were not
able to come ashore. From this action he is considered by many to be the hero of the battle.
He married Mary Ann Herbert at her parent's home in Gosport. After the War he became a merchant sea Captain. He
was Captain of a schooner called "Rebecca" which was taken as a prize by a French warship, and imprisoned in
Marseille. When the Trinity Church reopened in 1821 he was elected Vestryman and Warden. There is an 1812 plaque
on his gravestone. Service source: NARA record 2563
GRICE, Charles A. was born 26 Oct 1792 and died in Portsmouth on 22 Jul 1870. He served as a Private in the
Pennsylvania Militia. He drew a pension and received bounty land for his service. After the War he was Secretary of
the Soldiers of War of 1812 Society from 1854-1865 from Portsmouth. He was the Virginia Grand Commander in the
Masonic fraternity and was one of the founders of St John's Episcopal Church. He organized the first fire company ever
formed in the City. He married on 22 Jul 1847, Elizabeth Davis Edwards, who was born 10 Sep 1803, and died 02 Feb
1878. He received bounty land for his service. Service source: Bounty Land record
HALL, Daniel, was born in 1768 and died in Portsmouth on 19 Oct 1841. He was a Private in the 6th Virginia Militia
Artillery Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel Thomas Reade Jr. Artillery companies of this Regiment were stationed
at Forts Barbour, Nelson, Norfolk or Craney Island. He was the minister of M.E. Church in Portsmouth for 50 years.
Service source: NARA record 215
JARVIS, James, was born on 28 May 1791 and died in Portsmouth on 04 Jun 1863. He was a First Sergeant in the 9th
Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel William Sharp. This unit was originally stationed at Camp
Armistead at the Rope Walk in Norfolk until 12 Sep 1814 when it was ordered to Plum's Creek and to the battery at
Smith's Creek near Brambles. He was a member of the 1854 Soldiers of War of 1812 Society while residing in
Portsmouth .He married Mary Powell who was born on 29 Sep 1793, and died on 13 Apr 1858. Service source: NARA
record 301
JONES, William M. was born on 15 Apr 1793 and died on 27 Sep 1855. He served as Quarter Master in the 59th
Virginia Militia Regiment of Nansemond County commanded by Josiah Diddick, Jr. Companies of this unit were
stationed in the vicinity of Craney Island. Before he was promoted in the Regiment, he was a Sergeant in Captain
Arthur Smith's Company that was stationed at Town Point in the County and during the battle on 23 Jun 1813 this unit
was positioned about four miles inland from the island. He is listed in the 1850 US Census in Portsmouth. He married
Mary Collins who was born on 08 Apr 1801, and died on 01 Sep 1875. Service source: NARA record 3071 and
Virginia Muster Rolls page 721.
MARSHALL, George, was born in Gloucester County in 1782 and died in Portsmouth on 02 Aug 1855. He served as a
US Navy Gunner receiving this rank on 15 Jul 1809 on the Sloop Eire. After the 1812 War period he received the
Master's rank in 1841. He resigned from the Navy on 26 August 1846. He is listed in the US Census in Portsmouth in
1850. He married Phillippi (__) born 1785. Service source: http://www.history.navy.mil/books/callahan/reg-usn-m.htm
MOFFAT, Jr, William, was born in 1797and died in Portsmouth on 22 Feb 1836. He was the son of William and Ann
(__) Moffat whom are buried in the same plot in the cemetery He was a Sergeant in Capt Emmerson's Co, of the
Portsmouth Artillery which was in the battle of Craney Island in Jun 1813. He is listed as a sea Captain residing in
Portsmouth in the 1820-1830 timeframe and is listed in the 1830 US census there. Service source: NARA record 1492
MYERS, Charles S, was born in 1796 and died in Portsmouth on 25 Aug 1855. He served as a Private in the 9th
Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel William Sharp with duty in the Norfolk area. This unit was
stationed at Camp Armistead at the Rope Walk until 12 Sep 1814 when it was ordered to Plum's Creek to the battery on
Smith's Creek, rear Brambles. His occupation was a plumber according to the 1850 US Census in Portsmouth. He was
a member of the 1854 Soldiers of War of 1812 Society. He received bounty land for his service in the War. He married
Ardilsey or Ardelia (__) born in 1801 and died on 26 May 1853. Service source: NARA record 14884 and his bounty
land records
OWENS, Zachariah, was born 04 Apr 1796 and died in Portsmouth on 07 Jan 1875. In the War he was a Ship's
Carpenter in the US Navy. He drew a pension and received bounty land for his service. He and his wife were both in
the 1870 US Census in Portsmouth at age 74. He married first Ann Jefferson in Norfolk on 9 Nov 1817 and second
Fanny Toomer on 12 Feb 1835 in Tyrell County NC. She was born on 25 Oct 1795, and died on 12 Nov 1872. Service
source: Wardell, P.G., War of 1812: VA Bounty Land & Pension Applicants, page 253
PAGE, Hugh Nelson, was born in Norfolk in 1787, son of John Page of Caroline County and Elizabeth Burwell and
died in Princess Anne County on 03 Jun 1871. He entered the United States Navy as Midshipman on 01 Sep 1811 and
was assigned to duty on board the schooner Tigress. In June, 1812, he was ordered to the gunboat squadron, stationed
at Norfolk for the protection of the harbor. On 13 Aug 1812, he was ordered to Commodore Chauncey's squadron, on
Lake Ontario; but left this, and joined Commodore Perry, on Lake Erie--volunteers for this service having been called
for. He took an active part in the Battle of Lake Erie on the schooner Somers. The sea battle began at 12 midnight and
finished at 3 P.M. that same day. In this action he behaved with great gallantry, and was wounded in the hand. He was
placed in charge of the prisoners, and had the honor of bearing to General Harrison, who was then stationed at the
mouth of Sandusky River, the immortal dispatch from Commodore Perry. In the spring of 1814, he went, under
Commodore Sinclair, to Detroit, to convey Major Crogan's force to retake Mackinaw. Crogan was defeated, and his
force was taken on board again. After destroying an English fort on Saginaw River, and burning a large schooner
loaded with provisions, he proceeded to Erie to winter there. For his brilliant services on this occasion, he was voted a
sword by the United States Congress, and one also by the State of Virginia. After the War he continued in the US Navy
obtaining the rank of Captain before retiring in 1855. He married, in November 1838, Imogen, daughter of Guy
Wheeler Esq., of Nansemond County. She died in 1847, without issue. He married, second, 13 Jul 1848, Elizabeth P.
Wilson, daughter of Holt Wilson, Esq., of Portsmouth. Service source: Special issued pension records.
PAGE, Robert D, was born in 1789 and died in Portsmouth on 13 Nov 1815 He was a Lieutenant in the USMC as this
is inscribed on his gravestone. He reportedly received bounty land for his service. No record is found of a marriage.
Service source: No official record of his service is found, thus reliance is on gravestone inscription.
PEED, Robert, was born in 1771 and died in Portsmouth on 14 Oct 1840. He served as a Private in the 61st Virginia
Militia Regiment of Mathews County commanded by Lt Colonel Levin Gayle. He was in the 1820 US Census in
Norfolk and the 1830 and 1840 US Census in Portsmouth, thus indicating he moved from Mathews County. He
married Jane Herbert on 01 Aug 1794 in Norfolk who was born in 1771 and he married again in Norfolk on 25 August
1825, Sarah Ann Benson. Service source: NARA record 7644.
PINKHAM, Alexander B., was born in 1798 and died in Portsmouth on 23 Jul 1843. He was a Midshipman in the USN
acquiring the rank on 17 Jun 1814. After the War he obtained the rank of Lieutenant on 13 Jun 1825 and Commander
on 08 Sep 1841. He was in the 1840 US census in Portsmouth. He married Lydia H. (__) who was born on 25 Mar
1811 and died on 17 Dec 1882. Service source: http://www.history.navy.mil/books/callahan/reg-usn-p.htm
POTTS, James B., was born 30 Apr 1762 and died in Portsmouth on 08 May 1839. He received his warrant as Sailing
Master in Norfolk on 24 Jul 1812. He may also have had Revolutionary War naval service. He was in the 1830 Census
in Portsmouth. US Navy is inscribed on his gravestone. He married in Norfolk, Elizabeth Hendree on 07 March 1797,
and perhaps also Sarah (__) born 1794, and who died on 22 Aug 1855, as she is buried in the same lot with him.
Service source: http://www.history.navy.mil/books/callahan/reg-usn-p.htm
REED, James R., was born in Massachusetts on 08 Jun 1770 and died in Portsmouth on 04 Mar 1854. He served as a
Private in the 4th Virginia Militia Regiment. Companies attached to this regiment originally formed at Portsmouth but
then moved to the Norfolk area. He was in the 1810 US census in Norfolk and in the 1850 US Census in Portsmouth.
He married Esther (__) who is buried in same lot in the cemetery who was born in 1788, and died in 1850. Service
source: NARA record 7317
RUTTER(Rutten), John, was born in 1768 and died in Portsmouth on 20 Jun 1845. He served as a Private in the 7th
Virginia Militia Regiment from Norfolk County commanded by Lt Colonel Bernard Magnein with service in the
Norfolk-Portsmouth area. He was in the 1810 and 1820 US Census in Norfolk and the 1840 US Census in Portsmouth.
He married in Norfolk, on 01 Apr 1793, Sophia McCoy, who was born in 1769 and died 09 Sep 1849. Service source:
NARA record 6455
SCHOOLFIELD, Joseph James, was born 18 Sep 1784, in Worcester Co., Maryland, son of John & Hannah
Schoolfield, and died in Portsmouth on 26 Sep 1850. During the War he was a Surgeon in the 65th Virginia Militia
Regiment from Southampton County. He was commissioned 10 Sep 1805 in the US Navy and promoted to Surgeon 28
Jun 1809. He was the Medical officer at the Naval Hospital during War of 1812. He resigned 27 Oct 1817. He
practiced medicine for many years in the city. He married Mary Ann Lewis on 27 Oct 1808 who was born on 26 Jan
1791, and died on 30 Nov 1862. Their children were Mary Ann, Lewis, Hannah and Frances. Service source: NARA
record 12727
SCOTT, Thomas, was born in Portsmouth in 1779, and died in Portsmouth on 31 May 1841. He served as a Private in
Captain Lemuel Cornick's Light Infantry Company of the 20th Virginia Militia Regiment of Princess Anne County
commanded by Lt Colonel James Robinson. This Company was at the Lynnhaven Inlet and was placed under the
command of Major William Nimmo during several periods during 1813. The Portsmouth Rifle Company was present
at his initial internment at the Scott cemetery on 6th Avenue and Scott's Creek which indicates he was a member of that
unit after the War. Service source: Virginia Muster Rolls pg 249.
SPRATLEY, Benjamin, was born in Norfolk on 19 Apr 1793 and died on 10 Sep 1856. He served as a Corporal in both
Captain Waggoner's and Captain Turner's Companies in the 2nd Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel
William Sharp in the defense of the Norfolk area. He was a member of 1854 Soldiers of War of 1812 Society while
residing in Portsmouth. He married Joanna (Johanna) Schutte who was born in 1795 and died on 03 Mar 1879. He
received bounty land for his service and his wife received his pension. Service source: NARA record 17662, Bounty
land record & spouse's pension
SWIFT, Thomas R., was born in Gosport in 1785 and died on 22 May 1824 as a student at William & Mary College in
Williamsburg. He was a Quartermaster Sergeant during the War assigned to Captain Charles Thompson, Jr's Company,
74th Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel Trueheart with duty during various periods March to July
1813 in the defense of Richmond in camps along the James River. He was in the 1820 US Census in Norfolk. Service
source: Vol II, VA Muster Rolls pg 771 & NARA record 1839
TALBOT, John, was born in 1786 and died in Portsmouth in Sep 1864. He was a Private in the 7th Virginia Militia
Regiment of Norfolk County commanded by Lt Colonel Bernard Magnien. He was in the 1860 US Census in
Portsmouth. He married Fanny Culpeper who was born in 1796, and who died on 02 Jul 1865. Service source: NARA
record 560.
TATEM, Robert H., was born in 1799 and died in Portsmouth on 26 Mar 1849. He was a Private in the 9th Virginia
Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel William Sharp. This unit was stationed at Camp Armistead at the Rope
Walk until 12 Sep 1814 when it was ordered to Plum's Creek to the battery on Smith's Creek, rear Brambles. He was in
the 1840 US Census in Portsmouth. He married Mary Ann (__) who was born 26 Oct 1808, and died 08 Aug 1884.
Service source: NARA record 2074
TEE, William, was born in 1758 and died in Portsmouth on 14 Oct 1849. He was a Sailing Master on Gunboat 67 and
Chief Pilot of the fleet on the Elizabeth River during the War. He played a significant role in June 1813 in preparing
the river defenses for the battle of Craney Island. He superintended the blockading of the harbor by sinking wrecks in
the channel to prevent the approach of enemy vessels. After the War he was employed by the government to clear the
channel for navigation. When the first lightboat was placed at Craney Island he was placed in charge of it and held the
position for over thirty years. His home in Portsmouth was at the site of the current St John's church. He drew a
pension and has a Veteran's Administration gravestone. Service source: pension record
THOMPSON, John, was born in Queen Ann County, MD on 22 Oct 1768 and died 27 Jul 1847, in Portsmouth. He was
a Captain and Company Commander in the 7th Virginia Militia Regiment of Norfolk County commanded by Lt
Colonel Bernard Magnien during the period 22 August to 24 October 1814. His unit was attached to the 9th Virginia
Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel William Sharp and stationed at Camp Armistead at the Rope Walk until
12 Sep 1814 when it was ordered to Plum's Creek to the battery on Smith's Creek, rear Brambles. He was in the 1840
US Census in Portsmouth. He married Elizabeth (__) who was born in 1776 and who died on 20 Jun 1851. Service
source: NARA record 2447
WATTS, Dempsey, was born in 1773 and died in Portsmouth on 12 Aug 1841. He served during the war in the rank of
Major as a staff officer in the 7th Regiment of Norfolk County commanded by Lt Colonel Bernard Magnien and thenas
a staff officer in the 9th Virginia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel William Sharp. After the war he obtained the
title of Colonel which is inscribed on his gravestone. He was in the 1820 US Census in Norfolk but was in the 1830 and
1840 census in Portsmouth. He is reported to have been a large landowner. He apparently married three times first in
Norfolk, 10 Jan 1795 to Juda Bowens, second in Norfolk to Mary Moore, 31 Jan 1797 and third in Norfolk to Mary
Carney on 06 Feb 1804. Service source: Butler's Guide to VA Militia Units, pg 154 and NARA record 1845.
WATTS, Samuel, was born on 28 Nov 1799 in Virginia and died in Portsmouth on 17 May 1878. He served as a
Private in Captain Mile's Cary's Company of the 115th Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel Henry
Howard from Elizabeth City County. This unit was stationed near Hampton in the defense of the city and perhaps was
in the battle there in June 1813. He was in the1840 US Census at Old Point Comfort. By 1850 he had moved to
Portsmouth and was in the US Census there in 1850, 1860 and 1870. He married Lousia A. (__) born about 1816.
Service source: VA Muster Rolls pg 205
WHIDBEE, William R., was born in 1793 and died in Portsmouth on 10 Oct 1873. He was a Private in Captain John
West's Co, 8th Virginia Militia Regiment commanded by Lt Colonel Bernard Magnien with service at Fort Nelson in
Portsmouth. He was a member of the 1854 Soldiers of War of 1812 Society. He was in the 1860 US Census in
Portsmouth. He married Diana (__) who was born in 1801, and died on 26 Jun 1868, and married second, Susan M.
(__), born about 1802. He received bounty land for his service and he and his wife Susan both received a pension.
Service source: NARA record 1825
WILLIAMSON, Thomas S., was born on 01 Aug 1788 in Maryland and died on 12 Jan 1859.
He was an Assistant Surgeon in the US Navy during the War. He received the rank as Surgeons Mate after the war
period on 27 May 1818. He married Caroline Dulton who was born on 24 Jul 1807, and who died on 04 Jul 1885.
Service source: http://www.history.navy.mil/books/callahan/reg-usn-p.htm
WINGFIELD, John Henry, was born in Virginia in 1796 and died in Portsmouth on 05 Dec 1871. He served as a
Private in the 5th Virginia Militia Regiment. Most of the companies of this Regiment were stationed to the rear of Fort
Norfolk. He was in the 1870 US Census in Portsmouth. "Reverend and D.D" is inscribed on his gravestone. He married
Elizabeth S, (__) who was born in 1802 and died after 1850. Service source: NARA record 921.
WOOD, William D., was born on 12 Sep 1785 and died in Portsmouth on 29 Mar 1855.
He was a Sergeant serving in Captain John Thompson's company of the 7th Virginia Militia Regiment from Norfolk
County commanded by Lt Colonel Bernard Magnien during the period 22 August to 24 October 1814. The unit was
stationed at Camp Armistead at the Rope Walk until 12 Sep 1814 when it was ordered to Plum's Creek to the battery on
Smith's Creek, rear Brambles. He was in the 1850 US Census in Portsmouth, and was a member of the 1854 Soldiers of
War of 1812 Society. He received bounty land for his service. He married Sarah Gaskins Reed who was born on 05
Sep 1795, and who died 29 Mar 1859. His widow Sarah received his pension. Service source: NARA record 1893 and
BLW.
Notes: The counties listed are those in being during the War of 1812.
Sources of where units were assigned: Butler, Stuart Lee, A Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812 pub.
Iberian Publishing Company, Athens, Georgia
Sources of Burial:
Works Progress Administration (WPA) reports for Cedar Grove Cemetery in Portsmouth 1936-8
http://files.usgwarchives.org/va/portsmouth/cemeteries/cedargrove.txt
Matthews, Bettie Jo, Cedar Grove Cemetery, Portsmouth, Virginia. Plot book 1 and book 2, Heritage Books, Inc,
Electronic Edition 2000