The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
No GPS data for grave site on Find-a-Grave - Oct 2020
Author: Earle Conway Richardson
Robert Porterfield was born in Frederick County, VA on February 22, 1752. He lived there with his father, Charles Porterfield, who emmigrated from County Donegal, Ireland, and his older brother, Charles. Robert was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Continental Army on December 24, 1776. He served with the 11th Virginia Militia, William Johnston’s Company, commanded by Col. Daniel Morgan. He served under Morgan through August, 1777, and was promoted to 1st Lt. June 1, 1777. 1st Lt. Robert Porterfield was with the Continental Army at Valley Forge. He was in the same cabin with other officers; including his brother, Capt. Charles Porterfield, Capt. William Johnson, Capt. Phillip Slaughter, and Lt. John Marshall (later to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court). Capt. Slaughter recounted that “we had no money, no credit, almost naked, and many times only half rations. We suffered more than I can describe”. On July 2nd, 1779, Robert was promoted to Capt. and appointed as Aide de Camp to General Woodford’s Brigade. He took part in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. Later he marched to Charleston, SC and was captured in that city in May, 1780. After he was exchanged, he was transferred to the 2nd Virginia Regiment, and continued to serve until the end of the war. Following the war, Robert moved to Augusta County, VA, on a farm he called “Soldiers Retreat”. He served as Magistrate and also High Sheriff in the county for many years. He married Rebecca Farrar, of Amelia County, and had four children. During the war of 1812, Robert was appointed as Brigadier-General and was actively engaged in organizing troops and sending them into the field. In 1814 he was asked by the Governor to explore the grounds where the enemy might attempt to land on the York and James rivers, and the country over which they might march toward Richmond. The War Pension Files show that Robert applied for a pension on June 16, 1828, when he was 76 years old. He died on February 13, 1843 and was originally buried in Heritage, but was subsequently moved to the Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, VA in November, 1908.
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