Elijah Cannon was born in December of 1836 in Rappahannock, Virginia. His father, Reuben Cannon, was 46 years old at the time, and his mother, Hannah Settle, was 41. Elijah was named after his mother’s father, Elijah Settle. Elijah Cannon had 5 brothers, and three sisters. He was the seventh child of the nine.

The 1860 Census shows that his father was no longer around, and after further research, I found out he did indeed die in 1860 at 70 years old. Only three of Elijah’s siblings still lived with him in 1860. His 26 year old brother Thomas R Cannon, his 22 year old sister Agnes Cannon, and his 22 year old brother George lived there. His mother Hannah Cannon was still alive at 65 years old. Elijah worked as a farmhand up until he was 23.

Elijah was mustered into service in Fairfax, Virginia on May 20, 1861. He enrolled for active service in Washington D.C. on April 22, 1861. Captain J.S Green enrolled Elijah in D.C. He enlisted in company B in the 6th Virginia Cavalry in 1861 at just 25 years old. He was a Private for 3 and a half years that he was enrolled. He fought in many battles including the First Battle of Manassas, the Battle of Front Royal, and the Battle of Georgetown.

In April of 1861, many citizens in Rappahannock County, Virginia formed a cavalry unit. Their goal was to fight for the commonwealth of Virginia. The group of citizens fought as an independent command at the First Battle of Manassas. After this, the company became a part of the 6th Virginia Cavalry. They are remembered for charging the last of the Union artillery at the end of the Battle of Front Royal on May 23, 1862. Elijah Cannon was shot in the hand, but did not die from the injury.

Elijah married Lucy Margaret Mcquinn in Rappahannock Co. Virginia on December 12, 1865. Lucy was only 17 at the time, while Elijah was 11 years older. His mother, Hannah, was able to attend the wedding, but died 5 years later. He had fair skin, dark hair, grey eyes, and was about 5’7. By the time Elijah was 80, he had lost his mother, father, two brothers, and one sister. Exact time of death is unknown, but I infer that it was soon after the death of his brother, George, in 1916. There is no record of Elijah in the 1920 census, so his estimated time of death is between 1916 and 1920. He was between 80-84 at the time of death. Elijah lived a long healthy life, and fought in many battles that made his family and cavalry proud. No records show that Elijah and Lucy had any children during their marriage, but they lived in Virginia for the remainder of their lives.

To find out more information on Elijah Cannon and his family, visit ancestry.com, fold3.com, and civilwartrust.org

Sources:

Ancestry.com-1860 Census

Fold3.com- Civil War Confederate Service Records

Civilwartrust.org