William Crenshaw

July 7, 1824 (age 72)

Richmond City, Virginia, United States

William Graves Crenshaw was a man of remarkable ability. When the Civil War broke out, though not yet thirty-seven years of age, he was the senior member of Crenshaw & Co, whose business extended over a large part of the world, much of their foreign trade being done in vessels built and owned by himself and his brothers. As soon as Virginia seceded he determined to discontinue business and go into the army, and raised and equipped at his own expense a battery of artillery, known as "Crenshaw's Battery," which became famous. After the arduous campaign of 1863, having participated in every battle from Mechanicsville to Sharpsburg, he was detailed by the Confederate Government to go to Europe as its commercial agent. This position he held to the end of the war, accomplishing large results in obtaining ordnance, clothing, provisions, and other supplies for the government; in building, steamers to get these supplies into the blockaded ports; and also building several notable privateers for the Confederacy. He remained in England until the summer of 1868 and was thereafter for many years engaged in business in New York.

William Graves Crenshaw

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businessman Industrialist merchant

Background

William Graves Crenshaw was born on 7 July 1824 in Richmond City, Virginia, United States. Little is known of his family or his upbringing.

Career

William Graves Crenshaw was a man of remarkable ability. When the Civil War broke out, though not yet thirty-seven years of age, he was the senior member of Crenshaw & Co, whose business extended over a large part of the world, much of their foreign trade being done in vessels built and owned by himself and his brothers.

As soon as Virginia seceded he determined to discontinue business and go into the army, and raised and equipped at his own expense a battery of artillery, known as "Crenshaw's Battery," which became famous. After the arduous campaign of 1863, having participated in every battle from Mechanicsville to Sharpsburg, he was detailed by the Confederate Government to go to Europe as its commercial agent. This position he held to the end of the war, accomplishing large results in obtaining ordnance, clothing, provisions, and other supplies for the government; in building, steamers to get these supplies into the blockaded ports; and also building several notable privateers for the Confederacy. He remained in England until the summer of 1868 and was thereafter for many years engaged in business in New York.

Achievements

William Graves Crenshaw owned large holdings of land and slaves in Orange County and had founded the Crenshaw Woolen Mills in Richmond before the War. He raised and equipped a battery of light artillery and was 37 years old and living in Richmond when he was commissioned Captain on 14 March 1862.

Personality

Throughout his life William was an ardent, enthusiastic and successful farmer and stock breeder, spending all the time he could spare at Hawfield, where he resided permanently the last ten years of his life.

Connections

William Graves Crenshaw married Frances Elizabeth Graves Crenshaw. Their children were William Graves Crenshaw, Fanny Holladay Crenshaw, Mary Lewis Crenshaw, Spottswood Dabney Crenshaw, Margaret Winifred Crenshaw, Ann Grant Crenshaw Willis.

Wife:: Frances Elizabeth Graves Crenshaw
Son:: William Graves Crenshaw
Daughter:: Fanny Holladay Crenshaw
Daughter:: Mary Lewis Crenshaw
Son:: Spottswood Dabney Crenshaw
Daughter:: Margaret Winifred Crenshaw
Daughter:: Ann Grant Crenshaw Willis

References

The Purcell, Crenshaw & Letcher Artillery
1991

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William Graves Crenshaw

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