William T. Sutherlin

Who was William T. Sutherlin?

William Thomas Sutherlin was a 19th Century tobacco entrepreneur most famous for opening his Danville, Virginia, home to the President of the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet during the week before Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Courthouse.

Before the Civil War, Sutherlin operated the second largest tobacco factory in the state of Virginia and was the first Virginian to apply steam power to hydraulic tobacco presses. Sutherlin also founded and served as the first president of the Bank of Danville. In 1855, Sutherlin was elected as Danville's mayor and served for 6 years in this capacity.

Sutherlin resigned as mayor after he was elected to be a delegate to the Virginia Convention of 1861, which was to take up the issue of secession. Sutherlin was opposed to secession until Fort Sumter was fired upon on April 12, 1861.

Because of Sutherlin's poor health, he was unable to serve actively, however he was appointed Quartermaster of Danville and rose to the rank of major. His duties included oversight of food, medicine, and arms supply as Danville served as a primary supply depot and arsenal of the Confederacy. Major Sutherlin also allowed his tobacco factory to be used as a prison for captured Union soldiers.