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Capt Benjamin Wesley Justice

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Birth	:	10 Jun 1827 Wake County, North Carolina, USA
Death	:	22 Sep 1871 Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA
Burial	:	Lakewood Park Cemetery, Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.4710960, -81.8634186
Plot	:	PESCUD 29
Description	:	Benjamin Wesley Justice was born 1827 in Wake County, NC, the 7th of 9 known surviving born (3 boys/6 girls) to farmers David Justice and his wife, Mary Rogers; and grandson of David Justice, Sr. and Sarah High. Benjamin graduated from Wake Forest College in 1850 with highest honors, and was retained there as a tutor until about 1852. It was that year, on December 16, 1852, the 25-year old scholar married 21-year old Ann Gorman of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The couple resided in Tuscaloosa where Benjamin taught an academy for boys, attaining distinction as an instructor of youth, and was pronounced... Read More	Benjamin Wesley Justice was born 1827 in Wake County, NC, the 7th of 9 known surviving born (3 boys/6 girls) to farmers David Justice and his wife, Mary Rogers; and grandson of David Justice, Sr. and Sarah High. Benjamin graduated from Wake Forest College in 1850 with highest honors, and was retained there as a tutor until about 1852. It was that year, on December 16, 1852, the 25-year old scholar married 21-year old Ann Gorman of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The couple resided in Tuscaloosa where Benjamin taught an academy for boys, attaining distinction as an instructor of youth, and was pronounced by the President of the University of Alabama to be one of the best teachers in the state. The couple would become parents to 3 known children, the two eldest being born in Tuscaloosa, and the youngest born in NC, but perishing young: John Gorman Justice (1853-1928), David J. Justice (c. 1857) and James H. Justice (1860-1877). In about 1859, the couple returned to North Carolina when his only brother died, leaving his widowed mother alone. He, Ann, and the children settled into a small cottage on the banks of the Neuse River living comfortably until the outbreak of the Civil War in April 1861. In late 1861 or early 1862, the 35-year old father of 3 left his family and joined Company E, of the NC 47th Regiment with the rank of Lieutenant. Almost immediately he was made Commissary of the Regiment and promoted to the rank of Captain. He later advanced to the position of Commissary of Pettigrew's Brigade. The 47th Infantry Regiment was organized in March, 1862, at Camp Mangum, near Raleigh, North Carolina. The regiment served in the Department of North Carolina until l May, 1863, when it moved to Virginia. During the conflict it was brigaded under Generals Pettigrew, Kirkland, and MacRae. It fought with the Army of Northern Virginia from Gettysburg to Cold Harbor, then was involved in the long Petersburg siege south of the James River and the Appomattox Campaign. The unit lost over thirty-five percent of the 567 engaged at Gettysburg and reported 42 casualties at Bristoe and 20 at The Wilderness. It surrendered at Appomattox with 5 officers and 72 men. After the war he returned to the farm and resumed his teaching. In about 1868 or 1869 the family moved to Raleigh where Benjamin had been offered the position of Corresponding Secretary of the Baptist Sunday School Association of North Carolina, a position he held for a year. He then formed a business connection with the firm of A.G. Lee & Company. Benjamin Wesley Justice suffered an accidental death on the morning of September 22, 1871, when he fell through an open hatch-way on the third floor of the A.G. Lee & Company Store where he was supervising the hoisting of some cotton bales. He was only 44 years old. His 40-year old widow and wife of 19 years, never remarried, and suffered great emotional loss at his death. Her youngest son, James, died at age 17 in 1877, and it must have taken a toll on her. Her two surviving sons cared for her until she was admitted sometime in 1900 to the Raleigh State Hospital (for the insane). She died there in 1911 at age 80. Today, Benjamin Wesley Justice is remembered for the collection of letters he wrote to his wife and family while serving in the Civil War. The collection is housed at Atlanta's Emory University Manuscripts, Archives & Rare Books Library and represents true insights into the war, this religiously devoted man, and the love and affection he had for his friends and family. His letters, dating from 1851 to 1869, are divided between his personal feelings for his wife and family and the news of army and camp life. He describes his part in the Battle of the Wilderness, the Battle at Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, and the siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Ann Justice's letters detail the activities and health of family and friends, conditions on the farm, scarcities and prices of various staples, farm products and live stock. Here is just one example of his wonderful correspondence in which he describes the emotion that was at the core of so many soldiers' thoughts: a longing for home: "My Sweet Darling Wife, ... I do not know anything that would afford me more real pleasure now than to spend a week or two at home in the pure enjoyment of domestic happiness. I think of you all day and night. I love you all very dearly and long for the time when I can be with you again. My chief thought is in reading your letters, praying for your happiness and welfare, thinking of the pure joys I have tasted since you were mine, and looking forward to the day that will unite us again when war and all its horrows [sic] are overpast. My imagination loves to dwell on your bright, sunny smiles, the sweet tones of your voice, the words of endearment and affection which you occasionally bestow on your "Cousin Ben," on the words and looks and gestures and childish sports of my sweet children, and on the subdued yet pleasant expression of face of Mother. O, when shall I see you all again. How my heart yearns for home and its sweet association. How my weary spirit longs for rest at home. How my soul pants for communion with that loved little circle. I think of your frugal vegetable dinners, your delicious dishes of tomatoes, onions, okra, snaps, etc. O how I wish I could eat one of them with you all in peace and quiet and not hear the sound of drums and fifes and the dim and bustle of camp. Well, home will be the sweeter and the loved ones there be dearer for this long, weary, painful absence. Time flies rapidly, and I care not how swiftly it flies until it brings the "better time coming," when peace shall spread her reign over this distracted country. I hope I shall not weary you by writing so often. I am planning a visit to Montpelier, the residence and last resting place of Madison. When I return I will write an account of what I may see there. Much love and many kisses to parents, children, sisters, etc. Write soon. A heart full of love to you, my sweet darling. B.W. Justice "

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Capt Benjamin Wesley Justice's memorial?
Capt Benjamin Wesley Justice's memorial is located at: Lakewood Park Cemetery, Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, USA.
When did Capt Benjamin Wesley Justice death?
Capt Benjamin Wesley Justice death on 22 Sep 1871 in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Capt Benjamin Wesley Justice's memorial?
Latitude: 41.4710960
Longitude: -81.8634186

Family Members:

Spouse

Ann L. Gorman Justice

(1831 - 1911)

Children

John Gorman Justice

(1853 - 1928)

James H. Justice

(1860 - 1877)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Lakewood Park Cemetery
Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4710960, -81.8634186

2. Farr Cemetery
Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4709720, -81.8736920

3. Thompson Cemetery
Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4579360, -81.8660890

4. Dogs of War Memorial
Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4667920, -81.8332650

5. Wright Family Cemetery
Rockport, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4808710, -81.8351750

6. Fairview Park Cemetery
Fairview Park, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4511986, -81.8361969

7. Westlake Christian Church Columbarium (Defunct)
Westlake, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4633790, -81.9059930

8. Saint Peters Episcopal Church Columbarium
Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4838520, -81.8222910

9. Lakewood Congregational Church Columbarium
Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4848720, -81.8222850

10. Saint Joseph Mother House Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4603050, -81.8185270

11. Poor Clares Monastery Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4576000, -81.8132810

12. Maple Ridge Cemetery
Westlake, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4431000, -81.9028015

13. Alger Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4488983, -81.8143997

14. Dover Congregational Church Columbarium
Westlake, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4557850, -81.9213970

15. Coe Ridge Cemetery
North Olmsted, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4281006, -81.8921967

16. Saint Patrick Church Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4341774, -81.8220596

17. Saint Paul Lutheran Cemetery
Westlake, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4659271, -81.9324112

18. Lakeside Cemetery
Bay Village, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4910300, -81.9405600

19. Assumption of Mary Cemetery
Brook Park, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4185486, -81.8001099

20. Butternut Ridge Cemetery
North Olmsted, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4071999, -81.9056015

21. Evergreen Cemetery
Westlake, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4303017, -81.9449997

22. Gods Acre Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4314003, -81.7807999

23. Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church Columbarium
Bay Village, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4848440, -81.9608500

24. Holy Cross Cemetery
Brook Park, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4136009, -81.7968979