Citizens & Civilians involved with the Battle of Plymouth, NC

The civilian population of Plymouth, NC had gradually faded from 660 to 250 under the Union Occupation from 1863 to 1864. Many Union officers and a few enlisted men had their wives with them at Plymouth. Many of the 1st & 2nd NC Union Volunteers brought their family to Plymouth for protection. There was also a large number of African-Americans who sought that protection as well. When the battle began on April 17, 1864, the civilians were quickly ordered to be taken to the USS MASSASOITand transported to Roanoke Island for safety. With more than two hundred civilians safely aboard, the ship cast off her lines and headed down the Roanoke River and arrived to the safety of the Albemarle Sound. Some civilians did stay behind, including civilian Union Sutlers (businessmen). The Massasoit returned with re-reinforcements from Roanoke Island. And again, more civilians and wounded boarded the ship and left for Roanoke Island.

ATKINSON, William - Loyal Citizen and businessman. Escaped after the Battle of Plymouth. Chicago Tribune, April 29, 1864. TWO CITIZENS ESCAPED from Plymouth after the rebels took possession of the town. Their names are Wm. Atkinson and ___ Mitchel, loyal men, who carried on business there. They packed their trunks in a wagon, and, after getting clear of the town, they took to the swamp, and during the night they managed to obtain a rowboat, moved up in that to the mouth of the river, where they were picked up by one of the Union gunboats patrolling the Sound. Before leaving Plymouth these gentleman met Captain Bowers, of a Georgia regiment, a sort of milk and water officer, who was very fierce on Union people. They conversed with him some time, when a cry was raised that a Yankee Monitor and several transports with troops were coming, whereupon the rebel captain skedaddled, and in the confusion Atkinson and Mitchel made their escape from town.

BASNIGHT, Mary Elizabeth (Bateman) - Born 20 May 1825 in NC, daughter of Solomon & Elizabeth (Cooper) Bateman. Elizabeth married 16 Aug 1848 to Mordecai Basnight, who later served as a Private, Co. B, 2nd NC Union Volunteers and was killed 20 April 1864 at Plymouth, NC. It is unknown if she was at Plymouth during the battle, but interestingly, Elizabeth has a Civil War Military Headstone! Died 18 Jan 1867 in Washington Co., NC.

BASNIGHT, Hezekiah - Discharged Private, Co. L, 1st NC Union Volunteers. Born about 1817 in Tyrell Co., NC, the son of Jacob & Polly (Messer) Basnight. Married Brittania Bateman about 1845. Enlisted 20 April 1863 at Plymouth, NC at age 44 from Tyrrell Co., NC. As per 1st Sgt Nehemiah Ambrose, on 22 July 1863 Hezekiah was thrown from his mount causing a double hernia and a head wound while making a charge at Tarboro, NC (Potter's Raid). Discharged 26 Feb 1864 due to disability at Washington, NC. Hezekiah went to Plymouth, NC and was operating a store as a civilian. During the Battle of Plymouth, Hezekiah was given a gun and told to guard the jail. He was seen fighting in the area of the courthouse alongside John Patrick & Hezekiah Jackson. All three were captured 20 April 1864 at Plymouth and held captive at Castle Thunder Prison in Richmond, VA. Admitted 11 Nov 1864 to General Hospital #13 due to Congestio Cerebrew and died 15 Nov 1864.

BIRD, Caroline - Wife of James Bird, 2nd NC Union volunteers. She and her children were taken aboard the Massasoit and sent to Roanoke Island. She was sick at the time and only lived two or three weeks after their arrival. James remarried to Mrs. Emeline Butler, widow of John Butler, 2nd NC Union Volunteers who died as a POW at Andersonville, GA.

BOND, George W. - Colored Steward for Commissary Sergeant Nathan Lanphere, 85th NY. Born 1828 in Pasquotank Co., NC. Married to Mariah. He states in the pension file of Charles White, USS Southfield that he was captured at the Battle of Plymouth. Living in Elizabeth City, NC in 1880.

BROWN, Emily A. J. (Adkins) - Born 24 May 1850 in Tyrrell Co., NC, daughter of James & Maria (Merritt) Atkins. James was a Shingle Maker. Married 12 April 1864 at Plymouth, NC by Chaplain Dixon, of the 16th CT to Musician John W. Brown, 101st PA Infantry. Left on the Massasoit for Roanoke Island. John was captured on 20 April 64 and survived his prison stay and was paroled 27 Feb 65 at N.E. Ferry, Wilmington, NC. Discharged 20 June 65. They moved to Sandusky Co., OH by 1880. John died 5 Dec 1903 in Gibsonburg, Sandusky Co., OH. Emily re-married 6 Oct 1904 to Henry Friar. She died 4 Jan 1924 of Myocardosis and is buried in West Union Cemetery. Headstone

BUTLER, Emeline - Born about 1827 in NC. Wife of John Butler, 2nd NC Union Volunteers. She and her children left on the Massasoit for Roanoke Island. Her husband died at Andersonville, GA. She remarried to James Bird, 2nd NC Union Volunteers.

BUTLER, Mary E. - Born 25 May 1843 in NC, daughter of John & Emeline Butler. Left with her mother on the Massasoit for Roanoke Island. Married to William H. Cale, Co. C, 1st NC Union Volunteers. Died 18 July 1920 at Windsor, Bertie Co., NC.

CHRISTIAN, Wilson - Mentioned in the pension file of Private John Ward, 37th USCT, that he "was there but not enlisted."

COOPER, Mary E. (Kirk) - Born 1833 in NY, daughter of William B. & Mary (McAuley) Kirk. Married 1863 to 1st Lieutenant Alonzo Cooper, Co. F, 12th NY Cavalry. She was present with him at Plymouth, NC. When the fighting began at Plymouth on the 17th of April 64, she boarded the steamer Massasoit which took non-combatants to Roanoke Island, NC. Died 1927. Buried in Sterling Center Cemetery, Cayuga Co., NY. Headstone.

CROOME, Caroline “Carrie” E. (Stone). Born in OH and appears to have been orphaned. Married 3 July 1851 to George L. Croome in Montgomery Co., OH. George was born 1829 in Boston, MA and worked as a Wood Engraver in Dayton, OH. He enlisted 31 July 1861 as 1^st Lieutenant, 1^st Independent Battery of Light Artillery. Killed 14 Sept 1862 at the Battle of South Mountain, MD and buried 4 Nov 62 in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, OH. Rev. Horace James, Superintendent of Negro Affairs in NC mentions Mrs. Croome in his 1864 annual report. There was a desire to start a Freeman school in the area of Clumfort’s Creek, Carteret Co., NC. “The American Missionary Association had posted its advanced picket here in the person of Rev. George W. Greene, who had no sooner established this northern institution than it was entered and occupied by a cultured lady, whom the New England Freedmen’s Aid Society sent out from Boston. This was Mrs. Carrie E. Croome. The rebels had slain her noble husband while in command of his battery at South Mountain, and she would avenge his untimely death by teaching the ignorant negroes how to throw off the yoke which those dastardly rebels had put upon their necks. This was the sublime retaliation of the gospel.” Unfortunately, the school was burned by three “ruffians” and she was threatened not to teach the Freemen any more. It is unclear when she went to Plymouth. She assisted Sarah Freeman and her daughter Kate with the Contraband School at Plymouth. According to Sergeant J. W. Merrill, 24th NY Battery, "A contraband school was instituted, and held its sessions in one of the churches [presumably the Methodist]. As many as six hundred colored people, young and old, took advantage of this opportunity to study and learn. The school was superintended by Mrs. Freeman - a woman eminently fitted for the position - assisted by her daughter, and Mrs. Coombs, from Ohio. These ladies, when the approach of the enemy was known, were sent by steamer to Roanoke Island, where they finally established a very large and very successful colored school under the auspices of the Christian Commission. The sufferings which these ladies lessened among both blacks and the whites, and the good they did, make for them a name that shall live for ever in the hearts of the poor creatures to whom they gave knowledge, comfort and consolation." Rev. Horace James again mentions Mrs. Croome in regards to the evacuation of civilians to Roanoke Island during the Battle of Plymouth. “At the same time were removed our three northern teachers, Mrs. Freeman and daughter, and Mrs. Croome, with the wives of several officers." After the war, Mrs. Croome continued to work to support the Freedmen. After the war she moved with her son William to Harlowe, Craven Co., NC where she became a farmer. She later became a Pensioner helping African-Americans apply for their pensions. It is believed she died near Harlowe, but her grave has not been located.

CUTTING, Andrew - Civilian Clerk, 18th Corps Quarter Master Department. Born 29 Dec 1841 in Boston, MA, son of Gilbert & Mary Adaline (Hastings) Cutting. Enlisted Aug 1862 as a Corporal, Co. C, 44th MA Infantry, serving for 9 months. The 44th was stationed at New Bern, NC as part of Gen. Foster's 18th Corps. In June 1863, the 44th returned to Boston to be mustered out, but it appears that Andrew stayed and joined the QM Department of the 18th Corps as a Civilian Clerk. He eventually was stationed at Plymouth, NC. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. POW at Andersonville, GA (Squad D, Mess S). Transferred 21 Feb 65 to Columbia, SC. Paroled 27 Feb 65 at N.E. Ferry, Wilmington, NC. Also listed as being exchanged 6 April 65. After the war he served as a Clerk and Ship Broker. In 1884 he became a Mason with the Lodge of Eleusis with his occupation listed as Merchant. In his last position, he was the Boston Argentine Consul for the firm of Larkin & Cutting, successors to Larkin, Stackpole & Co., who for years engaged in extensive trade with Buenos Aires. Never Married. Died suddenly on 25 Jan 1898 at his residence in Cambridge, MA. Buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA. Headstone. Special Thanks to Glen Swain for bringing this man to my attention!

EVERETT, Thornley S. - Chief Clerk, Post Quartermaster. Born about 1809 at Stafford, Virginia. Private at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY in 1846. Enlisted 10 Oct 1846 for 5 years in Co. A, U.S Engineers. Promoted 14 July 1848, while at Fort Columbus, NY harbor, as 2nd Lieutenant, Co. H, 1st U.S. Artillery. Joined the company 15 Sept 48 at Fort McHenry, MD. Transferred 11 Oct 1848 to Fort Washington, MD. Detached 1 Jan 1850 to Fort Mead, FL. Detached 1 Jan 1851 to Fort Brooke, Tampa Bay, Florida, serving as Acting Assistant Adjutant General of the Troops in Florida. Married 17 Sept 1851 to Elizabeth Seaton Lyles at Prince Georges Co., MD. Commissioned 5 Aug 61 as Captain, U.S. Volunteers Adjutant General Department. Resigned 1 April 62. Per Sgt. Kellogg, "One of the Plymouth prisoners was an old citizen, who had been chief clerk for the Post Quartermaster at that place, and in former and more prosperous days a captain in the regular army; even holding, at one time, a position upon this same Gen. Winder's staff. He was very much respected where he was known, and almost every body in Plymouth knew Capt. Everett. He was put into prison with the rest of us, and was finally taken sick, the hardships of his confinement proving too much for his age. When Gen. Winder learned the condition of the man who had once been associated with him, he took him out of his miserable place and gave him good care, providing medical attendance and better food than he would otherwise have had. But it was too late. The old Captain died, yet he had a respectable Christian burial; and this convinced us that there was one soft spot in the heart of the Rebel General, after all." Died 23 August 1864 at Andersonville, GA. Grave 13707. Headstone. Widow Eliza died 4 March 1911 at Washington, DC and buried in Glenwood Cemetery.

FREEMAN, Mrs. Sarah (Pearl) and daughter Kate S. - "A school for the contrabands had been established at Plymouth and the teachers included Mrs. Freeman of Massachusetts, and her daughter Miss Kate Freeman, both ladies of accomplishment." During the Battle of Plymouth, both left on the Massasoit for Roanoke Island. Mrs. Freeman and her daughter were very involved with the Freedman schools on Roanoke Island and in New Bern, NC.

Sarah Pearl was born about 1813 in Vernon, Tolland Co., CT, daughter of Joshua & Eunice (Stedman) Pearl. At some point she moved to Maine. Her brother was Rev. Cyril Pearl, an outspoken member of the Congregational Church and also a Mason, being appointed Grand High Priest in 1861. Cyril served with the Christian Commission during the Civil War and took a great interest in the Freedmen before dying of Pneumonia 19 Feb 1865 in South Freeport, ME. Sarah married Smith Freeman, a Teacher from Orrington, ME and founding member of the East Orrington Congregational Church. They had two daughters, Henrietta & Katherine both born in Maine. Smith Freeman died 3 Jan 1855 in Maine. Widow Sarah, a School Teacher, and her daughter Kate, are next located in Milford, Worcestor Co., MA in 1860. A good number of the 2nd MA Heavy Artillery soldiers were from Milford.

Sarah and her daughter were commissioned  as teachers with the National Freedmen's Relief Association and sent to NC.

After the war, Sarah & Kate settled in Indianapolis, IN. Sarah died there 28 May 1893. Kate married to Attorney Robert P. Parker who died in 1879. Kate became a Registrar and very involved with the Charity Organization Society of Indianapolis. Kate died 23 Aug 1924. All are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis.

FRICK, Phebe Mary Keturiah - Wife of Surgeon Abraham P. Frick, 103rd PA. Born 29 Oct 1841 in Philadelphia, PA, dau. of Nathan S. & Lavinia S. (Tennis) Smith. Married 19 March 1861 to Abraham Frick at at Union M.E. Church, Philadelphia, PA. She was present with her husband at Plymouth, NC. When the fighting began at Plymouth on the 17th of April 64, she boarded the steamer Massasoit which took non-combatants to Roanoke Island, NC. Died 31 July 1916 at Santa Clara Co., CA. Buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park. Headstone.

HASTINGS, Helen (Ames) - Born about 1837 in Oswego, NY, daughter of Hon. Cheney & Emily (North) Ames. Married 8 July 62 to George Seymour Hastings, who would become 1st Lieutenant, 24th NY Independent Battery. She was with her husband at Plymouth, NC. When the fighting began at Plymouth on the 17th of April 64, she boarded the steamer Massasoit. Died 29 April 1873 at Hoboken, NJ.

HOCK, Carolina Cecelia (Yoerg) - Born 1844 in Germany, daughter of Frederick J. and Catharine (Treyens) Yoerg. Frederick was a Baker in NYC. She was the wife of Captain Robert B. Hock, Co. F, 12th NY Cavalry. Caroline was present with him at Plymouth, NC. When the fighting began at Plymouth on the 17th of April 64, she boarded the steamer Massasoit which took non-combatants to Roanoke Island, NC. Died 10 Feb 1913 at Goshen, NY. Buried in Slate Hill Cemetery, Goshen, NY. Headstone.

HUNT, Herbert & Francis "Janie" Jane - Janie Hunt holds the distinction of being the only POW to give birth to a baby at Andersonville! Their complete story is a mystery. There are a couple of different stories as to how Herbert & Janie Hunt ended up being captured at Plymouth and one other account states that they were actually captured 1 June 1863 at Fairfield, NC.

Herbert Hunt was born about Dec 1838 in Belfast, Waldo Co., Maine. Enrolled 21 Dec 1861 in Co. I, 61st Illinois Infantry, a 23 year old Sailor from Chicago. Mustered in as a Private. Promoted to Sergeant. Discharged for Disability 22 May 1862. Herbert then became a Government Employee hauling wood or corn for the Union. Herbert has been verified as a Government Employee but an unverified story states that "Harry" Hunt, a sea captain from Buffalo, NY and his wife Janie of Chicago set out from New York with their wedding party on a honeymoon voyage but were stopped by a federal revenue cutter who diverted them to Plymouth. Herbert was married prior to his enlistment in the 61st IL, but it is possible they had a late honeymoon voyage.

After being captured at Plymouth, Janie accompanied Herbert to Andersonville where Wirz gave her a private tent outside of the stockade where she gave birth to a child, Frank, who died and Herbert became Ward Master of the hospital. Herbert & Janie were exchanged 19 April 1865 at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Their entire story is still a mystery, and it can't be verified that they were even captured at Plymouth, NC.

The best compiled research into the Hunts can be found in Ghosts and Shadows of Andersonville by Robert Scott Davis.

JACKSON, Hezekiah - Private, Co. L, 1st NC Union Volunteers. Born in Tyrrell Co., NC, son of Shadrach & Lovinia Jackson. Enrolled & Mustered 24 April 63 into Co. C, 1st NC Infantry at Plymouth, NC, an 18 year old Farmer. Transferred 10 Aug 63 to Co. L. In Plymouth on furlough when the battle began. During the battle, Hezekiah was seen fighting in the area of the courthouse alongside John Patrick & Hezekiah Basnight, both of whom had recently been discharged from Co. L, 1st NC Union Volunteers. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth. Paroled 13 Dec 64 at Charleston, SC. Reported 15 Dec 64 to College Green Barracks, Annapolis, MD. Transferred 17 Dec to Camp Parole, MD. Furloughed 25 Dec 64 for 30 days. Furlough extended for 20 days. Arrived 1 March 65 to the regiment at Beaufort, NC. Mustered out 27 June 65 at New Bern, NC. Married 10 April 1867 to Elizabeth Barnes at Washington Co., NC.

KREBS, Adolph K. - Sutler. Born 1832 in Hanover, Germany. Married Friedericke E. Straub. Lithographer in Cincinnati, OH from 1847 to 1856 working for the firm Klauprecht and Menzel. Relocated to Pittsburgh, PA and began the A. Krebs & Bro. Lithographing Co. Became Sutler for the 103rd PA. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. Prisoner at Andersonville, GA. Among the testimony of Thomas Walsh, 74th NY, to the Government in 1867, he states, "Early in the month of May, 1864, several regiments that had been captured at Plymouth, North Carolina, arrived at Andersonville, and with them a Mr. Krebbs, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a sutler to one of the brigades. He was well known to Mr. Rinehart, who was captured with me, and I and Rinehart invited Mr. Krebbs to take up his quarters with us; he did so. Mr. Krebbs had some money with which he occasionally purchased fresh beef, potatoes. &c., for our use." Paroled. After the war, he returned to Lithography and relocated back to Cincinnati and worked for the firm Ehrgott and Forbriger.  After the death of Adolf Forbriger in 1869 and Peter Ehrogott's death in 1874, the establishment became the Krebs Lithographing Company along with Herman Krebs. Died 15 Sept 1884 in Cincinnati and is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery. Photo & Headstone Also photo on page 30 of the 103rd PA Regimental History.

LEONARD, Margaret (Larney, Larmar or Lamar)- Born about 1833 in Ireland. Married 26 Aug 1862 to Isaac Newton Leonard in Springfield, MA. In Warren Lee Goss’ book, The Soldier’s Story of his Captivity at Andersonville, Belle Isle, and other Rebel Prisons, we learn that “The conduct of one woman deserves to be mentioned, - Margaret Leonard - the wife of a private [Isaac Newton Leonard] of Company H, second Massachusetts heavy artillery. During the battle, she was engaged in making coffee for the men in a building exposed to heavy fire. At one time a solid shot passed through the building, taking with it one of her dresses, which hung on a nail by the wall. Another carried away the front legs of her cooking stove. Yet when the fight was over, on the evening of the 19th, she had coffee for the men and supper for the officers. She was in Fort Williams during the remainder of the fight and subsequently went through with a long and severe imprisonment at Andersonville, Macon, and Castle Thunder, Richmond.” She accompanied the sick & wounded from Plymouth to a hospital in Raleigh, NC. From there she was sent to Andersonville and later held captive at Macon, GA and Castle Thunder, Richmond, VA. In 1870 she was living with her son George in Springfield, MA and working as a Washer Woman. By 1890 she was living in Kernville, Kern Co., California, with her son George Walker Leonard. She applied 22 Nov 1890 applied for a widow's pension. She died there around 1900.

Margaret is just one of three documented women who were held captive at Andersonville.

LEONARD, Mrs. - Wife of James W. Leonard, Private, Co. K, 85th NY Infantry. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. Acted as a Hospital Nurse. Further research is needed. James was single when he enlisted, but could have been married at Plymouth. This could also be a mis-identification of Margaret Leonard.

LEWIS, John - "Camp Boy" for Orderly Sgt. Henry Wilson, Co. A, 12th NY Cavalry. Escaped capture and later enlisted in Co. G, 37th USCT. Living in "Bill's Fury," NC in 1889.

MITCHEL - Loyal Citizen and businessman. Escaped after the Battle of Plymouth. See William Atkinson.

MORRIS, John - Government Wood Contractor from NY. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. Further research is needed.

NORKUM, Miss - Per Major Oliver R. McNary, 37th USCT - "Next morning the prisoners, - 2197, - not including the wounded, were formed in open order, faced inward, and five rebel soldiers marched through between our lines and looked every man in the face. They were followed by a rebel Major and a Miss Norkum, on horse back. Miss Norkum and her mother lived inside our lines and had often received orders from me, on our commissary, for provisions. She was well acquainted with me, and slightly acquainted with Major Marvin. When I saw her I supposed it was all up with us; they rode down one line and back the other. I raised my head and looked her full in the face, until she passed. I did not intend to look pleasant. I supposed I was about to be betrayed by a woman whom I had befriended, but for whom, just then, I felt the utmost contempt. She looked me straight in the eye for a few seconds as she came towards me, and then turned away her face. She did not betray me."

PATRICK, John - Discharged Private, Co. L, 1st NC Union Volunteers. Born about 1827 in Washington Co., NC. Married to Matilda. Enlisted 30 May 63 at Plymouth, NC, a 36 year old House Carpenter from near Mackeys Ferry, Washington Co., NC. Mustered 20 June 63 at Plymouth. About 5 July 63 he received a Scrotal Hernia by being flung into the pommel of his saddle while drilling in New Bern, NC. The hernial was of an "aggravated character" and he was deemed unfit for duty both in the Army and the Invalid Corps. Discharged for Disability 26 Feb 64 at Washington, NC. Living in Plymouth, NC when the battle began. He was seen fighting in the area of the courthouse alongside Hezekiah Basnight & Hezekiah Jackson. Captured 20 April 1864 at Plymouth, NC. POW at Castle Thunder Prison, Richmond, VA. He was to be tried for treason, but it was determined 7 Sept 64 that he hadn't enlisted in the C.S.A. prior to his enlistment in the "yankee army.". Continued to be held as a prisoner of war. Transferred 31 Jan 65 to General Hospital No. 21, Richmond, VA where he died 7 Feb 1865 of Pneumonia.

RAY, Mrs. Harriet - Born 1810 in NC. Married 3 January 1847 to Thomas Ray at Windsor, Bertie Co., NC. Thomas died 5 May 1850. Her son John T. Ray enlisted 18 Oct 63 in the 2nd NC Union Volunteers at age 18. Harriet went with John to Plymouth when he enlisted. He rented a house in Plymouth for her and provided her support. John died 2 Feb 1864 of Congestive Intermittent Fever in his quarters at Plymouth, NC. At his death, John was indebted to his company officer and the sutler because of his support for his mother. Private Marcus Todd took over the care of Harriet until the Battle of Plymouth when she boarded the Massasoit and went to Roanoke Island. She drew provisions from the government for the rest of the war. She lived near Windsor, NC after the war.

SPRUILL, Benjamin - 2nd Lieut. Bernard F. Blakeslee, 16th CT, boarded with this man while at Plymouth. After the fall of Plymouth, "Mr. Spruell, 'a secessionist' objected to the plundering of a trunk which he had packed and was killed with the butt end of a musket by a Confederate."

TAYLOR, Joseph W. - Sutler's Clerk. Joseph was the brother of Colonel Alexander W. Taylor of the 101st PA. He was serving in a citizen capacity as a sutler’s clerk. Captured 20 April 64 at Plymouth, NC. He died 10 July 1864 as a POW in Salisbury, NC.

TOODLE, Harriet - Free. Born about 1801 in NC. Artillery gun placement in her back yard on the west side of town.

WASHINGTON, Amanda (Speller) - Wife of Private George Washington of the 24th NY Independent Battery and serving as a colored cook. They were married at Plymouth during June 1863. She was killed during the Battle of Plymouth. George was captured, but escaped three days later.

WELLS, William H. - POW at Andersonville, GA. (Squad 22, 2nd Mess) Nothing is known about him, but he was with the Plymouth Pilgrims at Andersonville. Died 17 Sept 1864 of Chronic Diarrhea in the stockade at Andersonville, GA. Grave 9065. Headstone.

WHITAKER, Mrs. - Owner of the Laundry. Survived the battle. Possibly Martha L., wife of Wiley Whitaker, Merchant.

WILLIS, Elijah H. - Local Agent of the U.S. Treasury Dept. Sometimes referred to as Major. Born about 1813 in NC. Commercial Merchant in Plymouth. Delegate from Washington Co., NC to the Whig National Convention at Baltimore in May 1844. Eluded capture during the Battle of Plymouth. Nominated by the Senate on 11 June 1866 as Collector of Customs at Plymouth. Appointed as a Delegate from Washington Co., NC to the Southern Union Convention, held 3 Sept 1866 at Philadelphia, PA.