Palmer, William H. (1845 - 1887)

By William "Bennett" White, Spring 2023

William H. Palmer was born in Accomack County, Virginia in 1845. He enlisted in the 36th United States Colored Infantry Regiment on October 22, 1863. His unit was involved in many different campaigns during the war, including the siege of Richmond and Petersburg, Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, Appomattox Courthouse, the occupation of Richmond, and service along the Rio Grande. Before being mustered out, he achieved the rank of Sargent. Upon his return to Norfolk, he married Anna (or Annie) Palmer (nee Smith) on October 9, 1867. According to the 1870 US Census, Palmer was employed as a domestic servant and Anna was a homemaker. By 1880, he was still married to Anna, was working as a Revenue Inspector at an unidentified business, and had one child, William H. Palmer, Jr. He died in Norfolk in 1887 and was buried at West Point Cemetery.

Sources:

Full Name: William H. Palmer

Birth Date: ca. 1845

Birthplace: Accomack County, Virginia, possibly Northampton County, VA

Parents: Isaac Palmer, Ellen Palmer

Ethnicity:

Race: African American

Spouse: Anna R. Palmer (née Smith)

Children: William Palmer, Crispus Attucks Palmer, Harris Palmer, Katie Palmer

Marriage Date: October 9, 1867

Marriage Place: Norfolk, VA

Death Date: November 3, 1887

Death Place: Norfolk, VA

Burial Date:

Burial Place: West Point Cemetery, Norfolk, VA

Major Keywords/Search Terms:

William H. Palmer | Accomack County, VA | Norfolk, VA | United States Colored Troops | 36th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry |

Sources:

1. Primary Sources:

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1. 2. Documents/Collections:

The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served with the United States Colored Troops: Infantry Organizations, 36th through 40th; Microfilm Serial: M1993; Microfilm Roll: 16

Year: 1870; Census Place: Norfolk Ward 2, Norfolk, Virginia; Roll: M593_1666; Page: 150B

Year: 1880; Census Place: Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia; Roll: 1381; Page: 434A; Enumeration District: 072

Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia Deaths, 1912-2014

Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

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National Park Service, “Richmond National Battlefield Park: United States Colored Troops 36th Regiment Infantry,” Last modified (n.d.), Accessed on March 17, 2023, United States Colored Troops 36th Regiment Infantry - Richmond National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) 

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