Virginia Public Guard — 1847

The Virginia Public Guard was organized in 1802 as the Commonwealth’s standing army. It was authorized to have 69 enlisted men, 14 non-commissioned officers and musicians and three officers. Their principal duties were ceremonial, to guard the public property and state officials in Richmond and to guard the Commonwealth penitentiary.

The Public Guard was also charged with maintenance of the Public Armory and the weapons contained therein. Barracks were built near the Armory to house the men and their families.

The Virginia Public Guard continued in existence until 1869, when it was abolished. The functions of the Guard were assumed by the Virginia State Police.

Roster of the Virginia Public Guard, September 30, 1847

Virginia Public Guard — 1847
Name	Rank	Age	Place of Birth	Complexion	Eyes	Hair	Height	Occupation
Dimmock, Charles	Captain
Brown, Elijah	Lieutenant
Gay, Edward S.	Lieutenant
Evans, William	Sergeant	43	Baltimore MD	fair	grey	light	5’9″	soldier
Hill, William N.	Sergeant	38	Richmond VA	fair	blue	sandy	5′ 7 3/4″	soldier
Thomas, Joseph	Sergeant	37	Wales	fair	blue	auburn	5’6″	Soldier
Ford, John	Sergeant	26	Henrico Co. VA.	fair	blue	brown	6′	Soldier
Garbar, Michael	Sergeant	31	Lancaster Co. PA.	dark	black	black	5’6″	Soldier
Irvin, William	Sergeant	27	PA.	florid	gray	sandy	5’11”	Soldier
Wilsford, John T.	Corporal	28	Richmond Va.	dark	blue	dakr	5’11”	Soldier

Members of the Public Guard who died in the year ending September 30, 1847

Dance, Edward R.,
Freeman, David G.
Leonard, James T.
Rouse, Tazwell A.

Members of the Public Guard Discharged during the year ending September 30, 1847

Discharged Members of Virginia Public Guard — 1847
Name	Rank	Place of Birth	Comments
Applegate, John C.	Private	New York
Baber, Joseph H.	Private	North Carolina
Blandley, Damascus L.	Private	Virginia
Bottom, Pleasant	Private	Virginia	Volunteer for Mexico
Bowen, Alexander	Private	Virginia	Volunteer for Mexico
Branch, John W.	Private	Virginia
Broadus, Henry F.	Private	Virginia
Clark, James L.	Private	Virginia	Volunteer for Mexico
Clay, Sidney C.	Private	Virginia
Deacon, George	Sergeant	London England	Volunteer for Mexico

VA Counties and Independent Cities

Virginia and Neighboring States

Richmond skyline after the Evacuation Fire of 1865.

Virginia Museum of Natural History

Virginia Public Guard — 1847

Roster of the Virginia Public Guard, September 30, 1847

Members of the Public Guard who died in the year ending September 30, 1847

Members of the Public Guard Discharged during the year ending September 30, 1847