CIVIL WAR FATHER FIGHTS SON
William P Williamson’s
Father Rear Admiral Thomas Williamson died only a few months after his fatal accident aboard the Orisaba on August 17, 1918.William P. Williamson’s
Grandfather who has the same name, William P. Williamson, was the Chief Engineer for the Confederate Army and was in charge of the designing of the engines for the famous ship the Merrimac.William P. Williamson
Son of Thom Williamson and grandson of William P. Williamson who was in the Confederate Navy here are some curious questions to be asked? How or what was the circumstances that brought LCDR Williamson to Hackensack where he met Florence Beam whom upon his death had been married to for 7 years? Could it have been just coincidence that he came to Hackensack and met her or perhaps a chance meeting somewhere else? On the listed on the World War I veterans there is a Floyd Beam, could he be her brother and have been in the Navy and brought Williamson home to his house in Hackensack. The possibilities are endless but another one to consider would be that Admiral Hewitt graduated from the Naval Academy around the same time as William P. Williamson did in 1907. Maybe they were friends and on a trip to visit Hewitt or a stay at his house before shipping out from NY he met
Florence Beam? When researching these names it always seems for every answer there are ten questions.Another question: William P. Williamson’s father Rear Admiral
Thom Williamson, according to his papers at
Old Dominion University was cut off from family and friends after his decision to serve in the Union Army. The papers claim he was reconciled to the family after the war. He had seven children, five girls and two boys. His last son, William P. appears to be named after his Grandfather, was this part of the reconciling or just tradition?
Had they reconciled shortly after the War or many years later? QUESTIONS?Written by:Bob MeliJuly 2009