Background
Robert Henry was born on September 14, 1814, in Nansemond County, Virginia, United States. Little is known about his early life.
Charlottesville, VA, United States
Robert received a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1839.
Robert Henry was born on September 14, 1814, in Nansemond County, Virginia, United States. Little is known about his early life.
Robert received a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1839.
In 1861, Robert Whitfield was a unionist delegate to the Virginia Secession Convention, but he finally voted for the Ordinance of Secession after Lincoln called for troops. There is no record of his early war service. Elected to the second Confederate House of Representatives from Virginia’s Second Congressional District, he served on the Naval Affairs and Patents Committees.
Whitfield took many leaves of absence before resigning from his office on March 7, 1865. He lost most of his financial assets after the war and was in poor health in 1866.
In 1849 Whitfield was married to Rebecca Ann Peebles, and they had five children.