William Flora (1755-1820) was one of the African Americans in the Norfolk area who distinguished himself as a soldier fighting on the American side during the Revolution and eventually found success as a business leader. Flora was a free black born in Portsmouth, Virginia who stood his ground at the Battle of Great Bridge, defending it against the British attack in December 1776. His bravery was credited with sparking an American victory that eventually forced the British to withdraw from Norfolk. At the end of the war, as a reward for his meritorious service, Flora received the standard 100 acre land bounty which allowed him to become a successful livery stable operator. So successful was Flora’s livery stable with blacks and whites, that he became one of the first free blacks to buy town property. When he died, Flora owned 2 homes and numerous horses and carriages.
For Further Reading:
The Battle of Great Bridge – Wikipedia
This Vignette Provided By
Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Associate Professor of History, Norfolk State University
