Park View in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Lieutenant William H. Cocke

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026

1. Lieutenant William H. Cocke Marker

Inscription.
Lt. Cocke was borne at Shoal Bay, Isle of Wight County, Virginia in 1792. He was a career naval officer, being commissioned a midshipman in 1809 by President Thomas Jefferson and promoted to the rank of lieutenant by President James Monroe. He served with Commodore Oliver Perry in the construction of an American fleet that defeated the British in the battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

Lt. Cocke was in command of the United States Naval Schooner Fox in a squadron under Commodore Perry in 1823 with the mission to eliminate the pirates in the West Indies. It was while on this expedition that the guns of the Moro, San Juan, Puerto Rico fired on his ship and a cannonball cut him in half. He was interned there, however, nearly ten years later in 1832, his remains were brought back to Portsmouth by the United States Navy and re-interred with full military honors here at this location. The Navy then erected this unique "Table-Top" memorial over his grave.

His nephew and namesake, William H. Cocke, MD was a practicing physician in Portsmouth who was one of two doctors that remained at their post throughout the

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yellow fever epidemic of 1855. Dr. Cocke enlisted in the 14th Virginia Infantry Regiment on April 23, 1861 and was promoted to Major, Assistant Surgeon, in May 1864. He served with the 14th Virginia throughout the war until he was wounded and captured at the battle of Five Forks on April 2, 1865. He was imprisoned at the Old Capital prison in Washington, D.C. and he died of pneumonia and the result of his wounds on April 25, 1865. His remains were returned to Portsmouth and are buried here in the same vault with his uncle.

Erected 2008 by Stonewall Camp # 380, SCV (Sons of Confederate Veterans).

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War of 1812 • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1823.

Location. 36° 50.288′ N, 76° 18.457′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Park View. It can be reached from Fort Lane south of Enterprise Way, on the right when traveling north. The Marker is located in Cedar

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026

2. Lieutenant William H. Cocke Marker

Grove Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Fort Lane, Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Captain John Julius Guthrie (here, next to this marker); Captain Hugh Nelson Page (a few steps from this marker); Arthur Emmerson (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain William Tee (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Arthur Emmerson (within shouting distance of this marker); War of 1812 Veterans buried in this Cemetery

Lieutenant William H. Cocke Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026

3. Lieutenant William H. Cocke Grave Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Commodore James Wallace Cooke (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellsberry V. White (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.

Lieutenant Cocke's tabletop grave marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026

4. Lieutenant Cocke's tabletop grave marker

Dr. Cocke's grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026

5. Dr. Cocke's grave

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 13, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.