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Colonial Virginia Source Records, 1600-1700s
Marriages of Virginia residents Vol LL, Part II, Page 133
Benjamin Grayson Orr, son of John and Susannah(Grayson); mayor of Washington, DC., 1814; married __________Flood. 13T258

Benjamin Grayson Orr was bred a merchant, was active, energetic and enterprising. He had large transactions with the General Government as Contractor for the Northwestern Army of the War of 1812. After the close he settled in Washington D. C. And was Mayor of the City from 1817 to 1819. He is remembered as an official of unspotted character and ever solicitous for the public weal. He left no children.

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NameBirth/DeathAgeRange/SiteInterments in the Historic Congressional CemeteryLast Updated: 07/14/01
Orr, Benjamin G.d. 10 Apr 1822R28/15Orr. In this city on Wednesday night, Benjamin Grayson Orr, Esq. aged near sixty years, of a lingering and painful illness, the closing scene of which was fortunate, peaceful, and composed. He was an active and useful citizen, and was lately, for two years, Mayor of the City of Washington (1818-1819). He was humane,kind, and hospitable, and sincerely respected and beloved by the circle of relatives and friends, who knew how to estimate the social virtues which eminently distinguished him.Abstract from: Allen C. Clark, “Colonel Benjamin G. Orr, Mayor,” Vol. 28, Columbia HistoricalSociety, 1923.Very little is known of Colonel Benjamin Orr’s early years. It appears he was born in Virginia and married Elizabeth Flood also of Virginia. In 1797 he was involved in a quarrel in Kentucky that later resulted in a challenge to a duel -- which he ignored. He owned a store on Jefferson Street in Georgetown that sold groceries and liquor, and he became a large investor in realty. From 1813 he was a contractor for armysupplies to Ohio and the Territory of Michigan.Orr was elected Alderman in 1812 but resigned in 1813. He was elected the fourth major in 1817 by the City Council and served 2 terms during the presidency of James Monroe. His residence was at the N.W. corner of
8th Street and Market Space N.W.During his terms he was very active in procuring public improvements such as grading streets and inpromoting laws to better maintain law and order. Orr repealed laws allowing public markets to open on Sunday to the consternation of most housewives. He was , however, instrumental in establishing Washington’s first volunteer fire companies. He appropriated $1,000 for the purchase of four fire bells andprocured apparatus for the companies. One of his final acts was to authorize a lottery to collect funds to builda city hall and penitentiary.Benjamin Orr died on Wed. April 10, 1822 at the age of 59. Mrs. Orr died February 16, 1827. Both are
interred in the Congressional Cemetery, but their graves are unmarked. They had no children.

Orr, Elizabethd. 18 Feb 1827R28/17Orr. In this City, yesterday, after a long and severe illness, Mrs. Elizabeth Orr, relict of Col. Benjamin G.Orr, formerly Mayor of the City of Washington. She bore, with exemplary firmness and pious resignation,
the bodily afflictions, of which, during her life, so large a portion fell to her share. The strength of her mind
remained with her until death; and she died in the confidence, in which, she had always lived, of a glorious
resurrection to life in a better world. The Friends and acquaintances of the deceased are requested, without
further notice, to attend her funeral, from her late dwelling, tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, at two o'clock.Will of Elizabeth Orr, of City of Washington(dtd. Oct. 18 1825, probated Feb. 28, 1827, Will Book 3)Wish to be interred in the burial ground by the side of my dear husband, in as plain a manner as decency
will admit, without having an undertaker employed except for the purpose of making a plain coffin; service to
be provided by a Baptist minister; expenses out of the money in the hands of friend Barcroft; divisionbetween brother William P. Flood and John Barcroft; to [Sarah] Reynold, of City of Washington, $10; to my
servant Lucy Digges, $10; to a woman belonging to Peter Hagner, of City of Washington, called Cleona, $10;
to Margaret Hopkins, a free colored woman, in City of Washington, $10; to friend Walter Jones, of City of
Washington, my husbands writing desk containing his papers, my Wilton carpeting, and hair cloth soft to
furnish his office; to A.D. Stewart, son of Ann Stewart, of City of Washington, my gold watch; to my twonieces, Elizabeth Cunie, of Lancaster Co., Va., and Anna Peck, of Richmond Co., Va., my books, to be
equally divided; to niece Ellen L. Orr, of City of Washington, my mahogany wardrobe; testator has
endeavored by the strictest economy in order to buy the freedom of a slave named Cleona and her two
children now owned by Peter Hagner.
Exr.: John Barcroft, friendWits.: Samuel Brook; William Yeates, Jr.; Thomas Leving
Codicil, dated Jan. 30, 1827: the carpet and heart rug at present in my front room should be given to my
friend Sarah Hutchinson, City of Washington

.Orr, Sarah Janed. 20 Apr 185530 yrs.Public VaultOrr. On the 20th instant, Sarah Jane, wife of John Orr, clerk in the General Post Office in the 31st year of her
age. The funeral will take place at her late residence on Capitol Hill, corner of east Capitol and 2d street
tomorrow (Sunday) at 4 o’clock p.m.