Historical Rosters Database

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Benjamin Chapin Wherry

Roster ID 794
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:Benjamin
Middle Name:Chapin
Last Name:Wherry
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1860
Biography & Genealogy:Benjamin Chapin Wherry, Jr. Class of 1860: Genealogy: Born- April 27, 1840 in Manchester, Va. Father- Benjamin C. Wherry; Mother- Emeline Hix Pat. Grandfather- Jesse Wherry; Pat. Grandmother- unknown. Mat. Grandfather- Jesse Hix; Mat. Grandmother- Polly Buckner. Married- Dec. 11, 1866 to Julie Somerville, daughter of Robert B. Somervile of Richmond, Va. Children- 1- Emmie Wherry; 2- Douglas Wherry; 3- Benjamin C. Wherry; 4- Robert S. Wherry; 5- Jesse Wherry. VMI Record: Entered VMI- July 16, 1856; Graduated July 4, 1860 ranking 37th in a class of 41. Military Record: Enlisted April 21, 1861 as 2nd Lieut. in the Provisional Army of Va., Co. A 1st Va. Battalion. Records show different dates for promotions and transfers; In fall of 1862 transferred to Co. B; in Feb. 1863 assigned extra duty as Acting Battalion Adjutant; In June, 1863 appointed Acting Adjutant; promoted to 1st Lieut., Co. D, in 1864; Paroled at Appomattox in 1865. Careers: Insurance agent; Assistant Secretary of Richmond Fire Association. Died- July 26, 1922.

About the Database

The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516