 His widow and young son Joseph Chinn moved to Tappahannock, Essex County, Virginia where they lived with the family of merchant Robert Hopkins.By 1860 the boy had reached legal age, claimed his inheritance and married, living with his wife Gabriella in Richmond County.He would leave the University of Virginia in July, 1861, enlist as a private in the 40th Virginia Infantry and become the regimental sergeant major in 1862 before transferring to the 9th Virginia Cavalry.