Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Truxton, Thomas July 16, 1890
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Suzy Ward Fleming wardflemin@aol.com April 23, 2015, 5:42 pm

The Norfolk Landmark, Thurs., July 17, 1890, pg. 1 

A Little Son of the Late Commodore Truxton Loses His Life While Bathing
The western portion of the city was thrown into a state of gloom yesterday 
afternoon by the announcement of the death by drowning of Thomas Truxton, the 
oldest son of the late Commodore W.T. Truxton, U.S.N., by his second marriage. 
The event was a sad one and there was a deep feeling of sadness over those who 
knew the bright little fellow and his mother.
From what could be learned it seems that young Truxton, with two other young 
boys, went in bathing at Fort Norfolk and getting out of his depth was drowned 
in spite of the heroic efforts of his companions to save him. The two little 
fellows who were with him were Bradford Burwell, son on Lieutenant Commander 
W.T. Burwell, U.S.N., and Pinckney Payne, a son of Captain W.T. Payne.
Truxton who could not swim was paddling about on a long narrow plank, but 
finding that he was out of his depth he let go of it and went down twice. He 
called for help, and young Burwell went to his assistance. He caught Truxton, 
but his weight made him go down twice, and he had to let go. Young Payne then 
went to the rescue, and had succeeded in getting Truxton’s head above the 
water, when a dog that was on the seawall sprang into the water, and putting 
forefeet on Payne’s shoulders, forced him under and made him lose his hold on 
Truxton, who sank and was not seen again. 
Lieutenant Commander Burwell had been watching the boys from the porch of his 
residence at the fort, but just at the time of the accident he was called away 
to look at some repairs that had been made around the grounds of the fort. One 
of the boys ran up and told him of the accident and he started for the spot at 
a run. He got out of breath, and when he reached the water he was almost 
exhausted, but sprang in to look for Truxton. So exhausted was he, however that 
he had to desist almost immediately.
Efforts were made to recover the body of the unfortunate little fellow at once, 
and quite a large force volunteered for the work, but up to a late hour last 
night the search had been unsuccessful.

The Norfolk Landmark, Sat., July 19, 1890, pg. 1

Yesterday afternoon, after the storm, the body of young Thomas Truxton, who was 
drowned at Fort Norfolk Wednesday, came to the surface, the result, it is 
thought of the thunder. The coroner was at once notified, but he deemed an 
inquest unnecessary, as the facts of the distressing accident were all known. 
The remains were but little disfigured by crabs, which are to dreaded in such 
cases. It is thought very remarkable that the body did not wash down the river 
with the strong current. It was found within seventy-five feet of the spot 
where the fatal accident occurred.
The funeral will take place this afternoon at 6 o’clock, from the residence of 
his mother, No. 102 Freemason Street.

The Public Ledger, Mon., July 21, 1890, pg. 1

Funeral of Young Thos. Truxton-This sad event took place at 6 o’clock Saturday 
afternoon, and the attendance was very large, the deceased having been widely 
known and a general favorite. The display of flowers was also extensive, and 
the designs were beautiful and appropriate. The services at the residence of 
the mother of the deceased, 102 Freemason Street, and at the grave in the 
family lot in Elmwood Cemetery, where conducted by Rev. O.S. Barten, D.D., of 
Christ Church, and Rev. Robert D., of Christ Church, and Rev. Robert Gatewood, 
who had been the teacher of the deceased. The casket was borne by the uncles of 
the deceased, and the honorary pall-bearers were Arthur Gatewood, Arthur 
Freeman, Jr., Albert Burruss, Robert Wainwright, McLane Tilton, Pinckney Payne, 
Edward Old and Harry Gresham.



Additional Comments:
Elmwood

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