Son of William Bird and Hester (Hessie) Mears, born 1826 on family plantation on Old Church Road (Route 609) between Tasley and Daugherty in Accomac County, Virginia. Moved with family at age two to Washington, DC in 1828. A successful builder and contractor in Washington, DC, John was responsible for much of the building of the Smithsonian Building in Washington and the Naval Observatory (Vice President's House). John's first wife was Eleanor Hall, whom he married in 1848; Eleanor died with her infant child in Baltimore in 1849 a year after their marriage. After being a widower for six years, John married Georgianna Polkinhorn 4 August 1855. John made guns for Union army during Civil War (John's brother Abel and Georgianna's family fought on the Confederate side). Died at daughter Rebecca's (Mrs. Webster Marshall's) house in Onancock, VA (Accomac County).

The names of eight of John's and Georgianna's 13 children are carved on the back of the marker stone. Seven of the names are: B. William (Willie), Eleanor, John H. Jr., Frederick (Freddie), Anne (Annie) A., John Henry II, Ethyl Wallis, and Mary Edna.

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AGED CONTRACTOR DEAD
[The Washington Post, 21 March 1908, p.12]

John H. Bird Supervised Erection of Many Public Buildings Here.

John H. Bird died at his home in Onancock, Va., Thursday
night. aged eighty-three years. Mr. Bird was born In Onancock
October 26, 1826. Three years later his parents moved to
Washington with their son, and he made the Capital city ills home
for seventy-five years.

Embarking in contracting and building in early life, Mr. Bird was
a successful business man for many years. Many structures yet
standing were erected under his supervision. He erected the
National Museum, the Fish Commission building, the old magazines,
several of the older school houses, and other public and private
buildings.

Retiring from active business several years ago, Mr. Bird
returned to his birthplace to spend the last years of his life.

Mr. Bird and Miss Georgiana Polkinhorn were married In 1853. Of
this union thirteen children were born, five of whom are still
living. Mrs. Webster Marshall, of Onancock, Va.;
Mrs. Samuel A. Wood, of New York; Mrs. B. H. Stlnemetz, of
Washington; T. Gedney Bird, of Boston, Mass.; and J- Maurice Bird,
of this city. Mr. Bird was a charter member of Dawson Lodge,
F. A. A. M., of this city. Funeral will be from the chapel in
Glenwood Cemetery this afternoon at 3 o'clock.