Park View in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
John W. H. Porter
1842-1916
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026
1. John W. H. Porter Marker
Although he is best known today as the author of History of Norfolk County, John W. H. Porter was better known in his own time as a lawyer, political figure, newspaper editor and historical writer.
In 1861 Porter, the son of iron-clad designer John Luke Porter, dropped out of college at the University of Virginia to join the Confederate army's Company K, 9th Regiment of the Virginia Infantry, the Old Dominion Guard. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1864. After the war. he studied for the law in a local office and was admitted to the bar in 1866.
Political office beckoned and he was elected city attorney, served in the Virginia Legislature (two terms), and was a city councilman. Yet a literary bent also meant ten years as editor and publisher of the Portsmouth Daily Enterprise, during which time, he wrote many historically oriented articles.
In 1892 he published his magnum opus, History of Norfolk County, the local history of the Portsmouth and Norfolk County men who served in the battles of the Confederacy.
Stonewall Camp # 380, SCV
Erected 2008 by Stonewall Camp # 380, SCV (Sons of Confederate Veterans).
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 36° 50.31′ N, 76° 18.492′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Park View. It can be reached from Fort Lane north of London Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. The marker stands in Cedar 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, and in the Tidewater. 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
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026
2. John W. H. Porter Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Co. G, 9th Va. Infantry Monument (a few steps from this marker); Portsmouth Rifles Monument (a few steps from this marker); Colonel James Gregory Hodges (within shouting distance of this marker); James F. Crocker (within shouting distance of this marker); Commodore James Wallace Cooke (within shouting distance of this marker); John Luke Porter (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sisters of Mercy (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.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026
3. John W. H. Porter's grave
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026
4. John W. H. Porter's grave
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 14, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
