Historical Rosters Database

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William McLaughlin Palmer

Roster ID 962
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:William
Middle Name:McLaughlin
Last Name:Palmer
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1859
Biography & Genealogy:William McLaughlin Palmer, Class of 1859: Genealogy: Born- June 3, 1835 in Halifax Co. Va. Father- Melcajah Palmer; Mother- Mary Bohannon. Grandparents- unknown. Married- Mary Delilah Yancey of Casewell Co. NC. No children. VMI Record: Entered VMI- July 22, 1854; Deficient in Math, had to repeat his 4th Classman (Freshman) year; Graduated July 4, 1859 standing 20th in a class of 29. Military Record: Appointed Lieut. in the Provisional Army of Va. at an unknown date; Adjutant at Camp of Instruction in Richmond, Va. June- Aug. 1861; served as Adjutant of the 1st Va. Battalion at an unknown date; may have been the man who served as contract Surgeon and Acting Assistant Surgeon in hospitals in Richmond and Lynchburg, Va. 1862-65. Careers: Teacher; Physician; Member of Va. Legislature Representing Halifax Co. in Va. House of Delegates 1879-80 and 1897-98. Died- April 6, 1911

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