Burwell Armistead, Jr.

During the Civil War, the Tylers’ neighbor, William Clopton, wrote that U.S. General Wild placed Burwell, Jr. and another enslaved man named Claiborne in charge of Sherwood Forest when Julia Tyler escaped to New York. [1] In 1864, David Gardiner Tyler also mentioned that “Burwell Jr and his wife together with Claiborne Randolph and Lucy are at Sherwood.” [2] James A. Semple, a Tyler relative, also reported that “Little Burwell and his wife (one of Clopton’s women)” were among those living at Sherwood Forest during the Civil War in 1864. [3]

Burwell Armstead, age 34, appears on the 1870 census for Charles City County alongside Eliza, age 23, and Rebecca, age 50. Burwell’s occupation is listed as laborer. [4] This Burwell could be the son of the older man named Burwell Armistead, Sr. who was Julia’s gardener and coachman before Peter Hall. Burwell Armistead lists his parents as Burwell and Maria Armistead in a marriage license from Charles City County in 1876. This younger Burwell’s marriage status was listed as “W” for widow, and his new wife was named Louisa Ann Bowman, age 23. [5] Read more about Burwell, Sr. and Maria Armistead.

[1] William Clopton to Julia Gardiner Tyler, 2 Aug. 1864, Transcripts of Tyler Family Papers, Sherwood Forest Plantation Foundation, Charles City County, Virginia.

[2] David Gardiner Tyler to Julia Gardiner Tyler, 6 Sep. 1864, Transcripts of Tyler Family Papers, Sherwood Forest Plantation Foundation, Charles City County, Virginia.

[3] James A. Semple to Julia Gardiner Tyler, 10 Sep. 1864, Transcripts of Tyler Family Papers, Sherwood Forest Plantation Foundation, Charles City County, Virginia.

[4] Entry for Burwell Armistead and Louisa Ann Bowman, Genealogical Databases: Charles City County Marriage Database, Richard M. Bowman Center for Local History, Charles City County, Virginia.

[5] 1870 U.S. Census, Charles City County, Virginia, retrieved from FamilySearch.org, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFLL-YF1.