Benjamin West Poindexter, Sr.
(“BWP” to 9/1911)
Benjamin West Poindexter, Sr. (4/9/1870-1/20/1928 (Riverview Cemetery)) was among the first Virginia employees/associates that Charles M. Robinson engaged and is, by that fact, extremely important to the original establishment of the Firm. His name appears (as the second “assistant” (even though his name would have appeared first had the names been listed alphabetically) on the first known Virginia letterhead stationery (dated Feb 9, 1909 (Virginia Military Institute Archives)) but his initials do not appear on plans until May of 1911—the first month that plans contained employees/associates initials. A November 28, 1909 letter does not list Poindexter’s name, but lists “Marcellus E. Wright” below “Charles M. Robinson.”
A Richmond Times-Times Dispatch article about scholars at the Keswick School in Cobham, Virginia lists Poindexter as having received distinctive honors in English. The 1900 Census lists him as 30 years old, living with his parents, 3 brothers and 1 sister in Charlottesville and employed as “architect.” He has a big family, his father, James T. Poindexter, is the Charlottesville Deputy Court Clerk and his mother, Susan Berry, was originally from Warrenton.
A search of Richmond City Directories to and including 1907 does not list him. The 1908 directory lists him as “Architect” with an office at 723 East Main, living at 715 East Franklin. The 1909 directory lists him as “Architect, Charles M. Robinson” and living at 2010-A Park Avenue. The 1910 directory lists him as a draftsman at “Scarborough & Howell” and living at 2011 Park Avenue. The 1910 Census lists him as renting 2011 Park Avenue, being 40 years old and living with his wife, “Minnie M.” who is 25 years old. They have three children, Susan Garland (5), Benjamin, Jr. (1) and a new-born, James Twyman. The 1911 directory lists him as “Draftsman, Charles M. Robinson” and living at 2242 Stuart Avnue. The 1912 and 1913 directories list him as a draftsman, respectfully, at Poindexter and Morrison and then Noland & Baskerville.
The 1914-1916 directories list him simply as “Architect” or “Draftsman” with no place of employment and living at “Stop 22 Westhampton Line,” where he will live for the rest of his life. The 1917 and 1918 directories list his office address as the same address as Marcellus E. Wright’s office. 1919 to 1927 directories list him as only “Architect, Stop 22 Westhampton Line” with later ones listing “407 Maple Avenue.” James West Poindexter, Sr. died on January 20, 1928 of a cerebral hemorrhage and instantaneous nephritis at Age 57. Minnie Poindexter, born January 6, 1884 died on December 24, 1976 – 48 years after her husband -- and is also buried in Riverview.