When the Maryland Society SAR was founded in 1889, it was well over 100 years after the War ended. All the Patriots were long since deceased. (The last surviving veteran was Daniel F. Bakeman who died in 1869 at age 110 years old and was placed on the pension rolls by an act of U.S. Congress. He is listed as the last survivor of the military conflict by the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs.) You would also think that after 100 years, all the children of the Patriots were long since deceased too and only grandchildren or great children were then living. However there were still a few children of Patriots living in 1889 and the Maryland SAR was fortunate to have 3 actual sons join our Society based on their fathers’ service. We call these men - “Real Sons”.

Those three men were notable in their own right aside from their own longevity and service of their father. They contributed greatly to their country themselves. Here are brief biographies researched by Rev. Christos Christou Jr., about each of the three MDSSAR Real Sons.  This is the first part of a Three part series.

Capt. Edward B. Waples

Born: January 17 1825

Capt. Edward WAPLES was born on January 17, 1825 in Accomack Co, VA and died November 8, 1912 in Onancock, VA.  He joined the National Society SAR in March 1905 and the MDSSAR in May 1912.  He served as a Captain in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.  He was the son of Samuel Waples and Sabra Polk.  His father, Samuel, was 70 years old when he had Edward. Samuel was a native of Sussex Co. Delaware. He served in the Revolution as a Lieutenant in the 9th VA Regiment.  Lt. Samuel Waples died Aug 11, 1834 at age 80y, at his residence in Accomack County, Virginia, according to his obituary.  Click on the headstone for a larger image.

OBITUARY: Waples, Edward B., Capt. - Date of Death; 8 Nov 1912 - Aged; 87 - Of Onancock - He was 87 years old the 17th of January - He was a real son of the Revolution, his father, Lieutenant Samuel Waples, having done valiant service in the cause of freedom. - He married twice, first Miss Sarah Finney , then Miss Agnes West, who survives him. - Survived by 5 sons, Capt. Samuel T., John S., and E. B. Waples, of Onancock, Jennings Wise Waples, of Cape Charles and Charles S. Waples, of Philadelphia - Interment in Onancock Cemetery - Capt. E. B. Waples - Peninsula Enterprise 16 Nov 1912.

OBITUARY: Waples, Edward B., Capt. - Date of Death; 8 Nov 1912 - Born; 17 Jan 1825 - Of Onancock - Interment in Onancock Cemetery - Son of Capt. Samuel Waples, who was a prominent figure in the Revolutionary War, being Lieutenant in the command of General Green - Mother, was Mrs. Sabra Polk Waples, was half sister to the mother of the late Judge Benj. T. Gunter, and half sister to the father of Mrs. Sally Weaver, wife of the late James C. Weaver and also, half sister to Mrs. Sally Bayley, mother of James H. Bayley, Sr. of Cashville. Married twice, 1st, Miss Sarah A. Finney, daughter of Capt. Thomas W. and Fletcher Finney, whom he married 27 Nov 1851 - From this union were 6 children, of whom 5 sons survive him, Samuel T., Edward B. and John S. Waples, of Onancock, Jennings W. Waples, of Cape Charles and Charles S. Waples, of Philadelphia - Married 2nd, Miss Agnes West, 20 Apr 1889, daughter of Revell and Elizabeth West, who survives him. - A charter member of Onancock Baptist Church, which was organized in 1856. Capt. Edward B. Waples - Accomack News 16 Nov 1912. 

OBITUARY: Waples, Edward B., Capt. - Date of Death; last Friday - Aged; 87 - A Confederate veteran, commander of a company of Virginia Troops in the Civil War, also, a real son of the Revolution, his father, Lieut. Samuel Waples - Married twice, first Miss Sarah Finney, then Mrs. Agnes West, who survives him - Survived by 5 sons, Capt. Samuel T., John S., and E. B. Waples, of Onancock, Jennings Wise Waples, of Cape Charles and Charles B. Waples, of Philadelphia - Capt. Edward B. Waples Dead - Eastern Shore Herald (Eastville) 15 Nov 1912.
OBIT: Waples, Eliza - Aged; 36 - Wife of Edward B. Waples, Jr. - Peninsula Enterprise 17 Nov 1894.