J. D. PERLEY
CALLING CARD
 
1833-1915
A picture of James Perley as an older man is found in the book by Ervin L. Jordan and Herbert A. Thomas Jr., 19th Virginia Infantry which Willow Bend Books sells for $19.95 + 3.00 s&h.   http://www.mediasoft.net/ScottC
 
 
The following information has been graciously provided by Libbie Griffin,  yyex00a@prodigy.com.  She writes that a biography of J. D. Perley  was, "... written by John W. Perley and published in  "A Sketch of the History and Activities of The Monticello Guard", prepared for a reunion of the Guard in 1939. It says, "James Perley was the son of James and Elizabeth Perley and was born in Alexandria on July 3rd, 1833.  The family moved to Fredericksburg in 1839, and after a two years residence they came to Charlottesville, where the remainder of his life was spent.

"Upon formation of the local military company, known as the Monticello Guard, Mr. Perley enlisted and soon rose to the rank of sergeant, serving with the company when it was called to Charles Town upon the occasion of the execution of John Brown.

Accompanying the Guard to Manassas on April 16th 1861, where it was merged into Company A, Nineteenth Virginia Regt., Garnett's Brigade, Pickett's Division, Mr. Perley served continuously to the close of the war, participating in all the battles of the 19th Va. Regt. and was a true and brave soldier.  He was captured at Sailor's Creek, a few days before the surrender and carried to Point Lookout, and was there when the war closed.

"In 1855 Mr. Perley married Miss Mary Jane Mooney, of Albemarle Co., and to this union were born six children: James Vincent, Annie E., John W., Charles M., Mary V., and Rosa Lee.  In 1867 he entered the furniture and undertaking business in Charlottesville, succeeding John B. Dodd.  The business grew steadily and in 1885 had reached such proportions that Mr. Perley decided to form a partnership, admitting his sons to the business , under the firm name James Perley & Sons, and continued as directing head of the concern until his death on January 10th, 1915, having reached the ripe age of 82 years.

Throughout his long life Mr. Perley was active in all public efforts to advance the welfare of the community, and took a deep interest in the affairs of his church."
 
 

The John B. Dodd referred to is my third-great uncle (I guess that's the relationship.)  My great-grandfather's family lived in Georgia (I still haven't discovered why -- they were from Fauquier Co.) and his parents both were dead by 1855, leaving my John B. and his brother orphaned.  They were living with their uncle, also named John B. Dodd, the local undertaker and cabinet maker as well as the second or third mayor of Charlottesville, when the war began.

The Monticello Guard were Company A, 19th Va. Regt. under Longstreet.  The Monticello Guard is still active as the local national guard unit.  It actually dates to the Revolution.  There is an active re-enactment group associated with the 19th Va.  Enough, already!  It's fun to think about somebody my great-grandfather obviously knew very, very well."
 
 

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