Fort Norfolk History - 1802
On July 27, 1802, Secretary of War, Henry Dearborn ordered Major Decius Wadsworth to Washington for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements to take the superintendency of military works in Norfolk’s harbor, and “to make some repairs on the fortifications at Norfolk and to erect Barracks at said place”.
Henry Dearborn, Secretary of War, wrote Major Decius Wadsworth on August 16, 1802; “Having personally surveyed and critically examine the position and state of the military works at Fort Nelson in the state of Virginia, it may be useful to suggest to you my views as to the construction and completion of the works contemplated, and placed under your immediate superintendence: to these views you will conform in all practicable cases.
To Barracks are to be erected of the following dimensions and description: fifty seven by nineteen and a half feet, including the walls. One story high of nine feet in the clear. The walls to be continued two and a half feet above the story. The thickness of the walls will be that of the length of a brick.
In relation to the military works I am of opinion that the brick facings of the parapet should be at least twenty two and a half inches in thickness or the length of two and a half bricks, and within twelve inches of the top of the parapet, which should be covered with a thick coat of lime-mortar and when dry to be covered with sods, uniting with the other part of the sod-work.
A Gate way should be arched with brick of dimensions sufficient to admit a gate of 8 feet square. The crown of the arch should have strips of planks or boards inlaid with the brick to which laths may be nailed; to be shingled and painted.
The officers building at Fort Norfolk you will cause to be removed to Fort Nelson, and converted into an Hospital in the rear of the public lands.”
Henry Dearborn, Secretary of War, wrote John Saunders on August 17, 1802; “You will receive this by Major Wadsworth who will Act in the character of an Engineer in repairing the works, building barracks &c. at Fort Nelson. You will please to accommodate Major Wadsworth with quarters, and furnish him with such materials and workmen as he may require. “
It seems probable that the "officers building" was the structure that Isaac Sexton depicted standing behind the Fort Norfolk rampart in 1795. (see above) Despite local opposition, the cannon were also removed.
Major Decius Wadsworth wrote Henry Dearborn, Secretary of War, on January 29, 1803 at Fort Nelson; Requesting permission to visit West Point.
Henry Dearborn, Secretary of War, wrote James Wilson on April 21, 1803; “You will be pleased to repair to Fort Nelson near Norfolk in the state of Virginia, and proceed in the repairs of the works at that post conformably to the plan proposed by Majr Wadsworth the last season.”
James Wilson wrote Henry Dearborn, Secretary of War, on February 12, 1804 at Fort Nelson, will immediately prepare for his departure from post.
By 1806, Fort Norfolk was no longer counted as a federal facility (Bradshaw and Tompkins n.d.:14; Clary 1990:29).
More History
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Source of Information
Henry Dearborn, "Henry Dearborn to Decius Wadsworth", July 27, 1802, National Archives, Microfilm, M417 Roll#1, Buell Collection of Historical Documents Relating to the Corps of Engineers 1801 - 1819, List of Documents (File No. 58510/836, 1801 - 1819), Documents (File Nos. 58510/1 - 283, 1801 - 1811).
Henry Dearborn, "Henry Dearborn to Decius Wadsworth", August 16, 1802, National Archives, Microfilm, M417 Roll#1, Buell Collection of Historical Documents Relating to the Corps of Engineers 1801 - 1819, List of Documents (File No. 58510/836, 1801 - 1819), Documents (File Nos. 58510/1 - 283, 1801 - 1811), #16
Henry Dearborn, "Henry Dearborn to John Saunders", August 17, 1802, National Archives, Microfilm, M417 Roll#1, Buell Collection of Historical Documents Relating to the Corps of Engineers 1801 - 1819, List of Documents (File No. 58510/836, 1801 - 1819), Documents (File Nos. 58510/1 - 283, 1801 - 1811).
Decius Wadsworth, "Decius Wadsworth to Henry Dearborn", January 29, 1803, National Archives, Microfilm, M417 Roll#1, Buell Collection of Historical Documents Relating to the Corps of Engineers 1801 - 1819, List of Documents (File No. 58510/836, 1801 - 1819), Documents (File Nos. 58510/1 - 283, 1801 - 1811).
Henry Dearborn, "Henry Dearborn to James Wilson", April 21, 1803, National Archives, Microfilm, M417 Roll#1, Buell Collection of Historical Documents Relating to the Corps of Engineers 1801 - 1819, List of Documents (File No. 58510/836, 1801 - 1819), Documents (File Nos. 58510/1 - 283, 1801 - 1811).
James Wilson, "James Wilson to Henry Dearborn", February 12, 1804, National Archives, Microfilm, M417 Roll#1, Buell Collection of Historical Documents Relating to the Corps of Engineers 1801 - 1819, List of Documents (File No. 58510/836, 1801 - 1819), Documents (File Nos. 58510/1 - 283, 1801 - 1811).
College Of WILLIAM & MARY, "A CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN OF FORT NORFOLK, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA", November 1995, prepared for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District under Contract No. DACW65-94-Q-0075, 14.
David A. Clary's Fortress America: The Corps of Engineers, Hampton Roads, and United States Coastal Defense (1990)