William T. Sutherlin
Encyclopedia
William Thomas Sutherlin (1822 – 1893) was a 19th Century tobacco entrepreneur most famous for opening his Danville, Virginia
, home to the President of the Confederate States of America
Jefferson Davis
and his Cabinet during the week before Gen. Robert E. Lee
surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia
at Appomattox Courthouse (April 3 – April 10, 1865).
Before the Civil War
, Sutherlin operated the second largest tobacco factory in the state of Virginia
and was the first Virginian to apply steam power to hydraulic tobacco presses. Sutherlin also founded and served as the first president of the Bank of Danville. In 1855, Sutherlin was elected as Danville's mayor and served for 6 years in this capacity.
Sutherlin resigned as mayor after he was elected to be a delegate to the Virginia Convention of 1861, which was to take up the issue of secession
. Sutherlin was opposed to secession until Fort Sumter
was fired upon on April 12, 1861.
Because of Sutherlin's poor health, he was unable to serve actively, however he was appointed Quartermaster of Danville and rose to the rank of major
. His duties included oversight of food, medicine, and arms supply as Danville served as a primary supply depot and arsenal of the Confederacy. Major Sutherlin also allowed his tobacco factory to be used as a prison for captured Union soldiers.
The Union invasion of Richmond, Virginia
, on April 3, 1865, forced Confederate President Jefferson Davis to flee south on the Richmond and Danville Railroad
for Danville. Sutherlin opened his home to the beleaguered executive and his cabinet. It was here where Davis would pen his last official proclamation as President of the Confederacy.
After the war, Sutherlin continued to farm on a large scale and pursue business ventures. In 1871 he was elected to the Virginia General Assembly
where he served for two years.
Danville, Virginia
Danville is an independent city in Virginia, United States, bounded by Pittsylvania County, Virginia and Caswell County, North Carolina. It was the last capital of the Confederate States of America. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Danville with Pittsylvania county for...
, home to the President of the Confederate States of America
President of the Confederate States of America
The President of the Confederate States of America was the Head of State and Head of Government of the Confederate States of America, which was formed from the states which declared their secession from the United States, thus precipitating the American Civil War. The only person to hold the...
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
and his Cabinet during the week before Gen. Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
at Appomattox Courthouse (April 3 – April 10, 1865).
Before the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Sutherlin operated the second largest tobacco factory in the state of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and was the first Virginian to apply steam power to hydraulic tobacco presses. Sutherlin also founded and served as the first president of the Bank of Danville. In 1855, Sutherlin was elected as Danville's mayor and served for 6 years in this capacity.
Sutherlin resigned as mayor after he was elected to be a delegate to the Virginia Convention of 1861, which was to take up the issue of secession
Secession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
. Sutherlin was opposed to secession until Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is a Third System masonry coastal fortification located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The fort is best known as the site upon which the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter.- Construction :...
was fired upon on April 12, 1861.
Because of Sutherlin's poor health, he was unable to serve actively, however he was appointed Quartermaster of Danville and rose to the rank of major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
. His duties included oversight of food, medicine, and arms supply as Danville served as a primary supply depot and arsenal of the Confederacy. Major Sutherlin also allowed his tobacco factory to be used as a prison for captured Union soldiers.
The Union invasion of Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, on April 3, 1865, forced Confederate President Jefferson Davis to flee south on the Richmond and Danville Railroad
Richmond and Danville Railroad
The Richmond and Danville Railroad was chartered in Virginia in the United States in 1847. The portion between Richmond and Danville, Virginia was completed in 1856...
for Danville. Sutherlin opened his home to the beleaguered executive and his cabinet. It was here where Davis would pen his last official proclamation as President of the Confederacy.
After the war, Sutherlin continued to farm on a large scale and pursue business ventures. In 1871 he was elected to the Virginia General Assembly
Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
where he served for two years.