Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/502

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY


City, in 1800, died in 1875, in Norfolk, Vir- ginia. He attended the Catholic schools, and although he was not a graduate, he was a man well read, intelligent and fully in- formed. His life was largely devoted to real estate improvement and dealing, in con- tracting, and in supplying the naval station and ships with food stuffs and farm produce. He owned farms near Norfolk, some of which he platted as additions to the city, two of these additions. Villa Heights and Park Place, now being of the favored resi- dential districts of the city. His personal lesidence was on York street, and there his wife resided as wife and widow for sixty-six years. The farms, which he managed per- sonally. Mr. Ward operated as truck and vegetable gardens, maintained dairies and poultry yards on a large scale, finding ready markets in the city and harbor, his largest trade being with the many vessels whose port of supply was Norfolk. He did a large business of this kind, his real estate inter- ests also being very large and profitable. He was a man of exceedingly friendly, gen- erous nature, always ready and anxious to help others, and a great friend to the chil- dren. He was public spirited and progres- sive, a Democrat in politics, a member of the common council, and for some time president of that body. He was devoted to his family, and in all things was a good citizen, leaving behind him an honored name. Prior to his death he retired from business and sold most of his real estate, re- taining his York street home, and the home on W^est Bute street, now occupied by his two daughters, Julia and Priscilla.

William (2) \\'ard married, in 1829, Pris- cilla Cross, of North Carolina, who died Au- gust 27, 1893. Children: i. Emily R., mar- ried Richard G. Broughton ; children: Wil- liam Rollins, Pauline, Eulalie, Emily. 2. Colonel William Henry, of the United States navy, commanded the Tallahassee ; he was at sea when the Civil war broke out; upon his arrival in port he resigned, was made a prisoner of war,. soon afterwards ex- changed, then was in Confederate navy, three times captured and each time ex- changed, the last time being the last pris- oner to be liberated after the war ; subse- quently he was in the army service of the Egyptian government, and received from the Khedive the highest honor he could be- stow upon a foreigner ; he died in Norfolk,


\"irginia, in 1892. 3. Artemus, was in the Virginia cavalry throughout the Civil war, and was a brave soldier ; he died in Norfolk, Virginia, 1898. 4. Thomas Bryson, M. D., a surgeon in the Confederate army four years and in charge of hospitals ; was after- wards a well known surgeon of Norfolk ; died in 1885; he married Julia Paul; chil- dren : Anna Moore, married Lieutenant Fritz Lewis Sanduz, of New Orleans, United States navy, now resides in Wash- ington, D. C. ; Mary Baird. deceased ; Henry, residing in Norfolk; Isidore, deceased. 5. Anna Pauline, married E. D. Smith ; chil- dren : Herman, Henry, Julia, Emily, Anna Belfield. 6. John Tyler, was in the sixth \'irginia Artillery Volunteers and remained throughout the war; died in Norfolk, 1892. 7. Julia Rollins. 8. Priscilla. The latter two daughters are unmarried and reside in Norfolk, at No. 357 West Bute street, their home being a veritable treasure house of antiques, portraits and family relics. Their house is an historical one, having been used in the war of 1812 as an officers' hospital. It was probably built about 1780, purchased by \\'illiam (2) Ward in 1830. Many peo- ple were buried in the grounds surrounding the house, and it is said that sculls were dug up by the boys in after years. The Misses Ward are greatly beloved by a large circle of friends and entertain with charming hos- pitality.

Thomas Boiling Coles. Thomas Boiling Coles, of New York City, is descended from an early Virginia family, of Irish or Scotch- Irish origin. The first known ancestor was John Coles, who came from Enniscarthy, Ireland, to Virginia about 1712, and located in Hanover county, Virginia, where he lived and died. He married Mary Winton, and had children : Walter. Sarah, Mary, John and Isaac. Mary married John Payne, and was the mother of Doroth}-, wife of Presi- dent Madison. Isaac was a member of con- gress from Virginia, residing in Halifax county.

John (2) Coles, second son of John (i) and Mary (Winton) Coles, bought three thousand acres at Enniscarthy, Albemarle county, Virginia, receiving a deed in 1777, and resided there. He married Rebecca E. Tucker, born 1727, in Jamestown, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Travis) Tucker, of Norfolk. John Tucker's tomb is in Norfolk