William Flora

William Flora. 1755(?)-1820. , William "Billy" Flora was born free in the vicinity of Portsmouth, Virginia around 1755. Little is known of his life prior to 1775. In that year he volunteered to fight in Col. William Woodford's Second Virginia Regiment. Flora is considered a hero of the Battle of Great Bridge because of the valor he displayed against the troops of Lord Dunmore, the last Colonial Governor of Virginia., The Battle of Great Bridge on December 9, 1775, was the first major land battle of the Revolutionary War on Virginia soil. The Virginia forces were entrenched behind a brestwork when Lord Dunmore attacked. Amid a shower of musket balls, Flora was the last sentinel to withdraw into the brestwork. It was described thus:,

Other troops had quitted their stations as the enemy was crossing the bridge, and one person kept his ground until he had fired eight times, and after receiving the fire of a whole platoon made his escape over the causeway into the brestwork.

, The Virginia victory cut off the main supply route to North Carolina and without supplies the British ships departed Norfolk and Portsmouth. As a result of the Patriot victory and subsequent events, the Virginia Convention on May 15, 1776, instructed its delegates to Philadelphia to propose and vote for independence., After the British surrender at Yorktown, Flora prospered in Portsmouth. He built considerable wealth and owned several properties. His main business was a livery stable, where he rented out horses and carriages. It was located one block from here at the corner of Queen and Middle streets., Flora purchased the freedom of his wife and child. A second child was later born to them. The names of his wife and two children remain unknown. It is believed that Flora died in Portsmouth in 1820. He was a Hero of the American Revolution, a wealthy businessman and a respected member of the community. He will long be remembered for his good character and bravery.