Background
Mayo, William Kennon was born on May 29, 1829 in Drummondtown, Virginia, United States. Son of Peter Poythress and Leah Curtis (Upshur) Mayo.
Mayo, William Kennon was born on May 29, 1829 in Drummondtown, Virginia, United States. Son of Peter Poythress and Leah Curtis (Upshur) Mayo.
Attended United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, 1847-1848.
No children. Became midshipman United States Navy, 1841. Did 1st duty aboard United States, 1842. Served in ship St. Mary’s during blockades of Tampico and Vera Cruz during Mexican War.
Passed midshipman, 1847. Instructor seamanship and gunnery, 1854. Instructor ethics and English, United States Naval Academy, 1859-1860.
Promoted Lieutenant, 1855. Served aboard St. Mary’s, Pacific Squadron, 1860-1862. Executive officer in ship Housutonic, 1862.
Promoted lieutenant commander, 1862. Commander ship Kanawha, W. Gulf Squadron, 1862-1863. Commander Nahant, 1864-1865.
Ordnance officer S. Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1865. Commissioned commander, 1866. Commanded ships Tuscarora, Congress, N. Atlantic Squadron, 1870-1871.
Commander ship Omaha, 1872-1874, Hartford, 1877-1879. Commandant Norfolk Navy Yard, 1882-1885. Promoted commodore, 1882, retired, 1886.
Because of adherence to Union, was by vote of Virginia Convention, July 1861, declared an alien enemy and forever banished from the State. During Civil war executive officer steamsloop “Housatonic,” blockade off Charleston, South Carolina. Then commander “Kanawha” in Western Gulf squadron, having engagements with riflemen and field batteries, Mobile Point, and a fight with Fort Morgan, October 1863.
Later engaged in blockade of Charleston, South Carolina., in command of a monitor. After war on duty at several stations, commanding Naval Station, Norfolk, Virginia, 1882-1885.
Married Virginia Kendall. Married second, Nannie Glover.