Descendants
of James Boatwright (Allen)
1.
JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN)1 was born
in England, and died in Virginia.
Notes for JAMES BOATWRIGHT (ALLEN):
In an undated letter from Martha E.J. Boatright Hamor
Chitty to her sister, Rietta Jehoshebeath Boatright Johnson, Martha discusses
the family history as she knows it.
These ladies were granddaughters of the James Boatwright of Cumberland
County, Virginia, who was married to Elizabeth Kidd, and who, upon her death,
married her sister Mary Kidd. Martha's
father was Chesley Hood Boatright, the youngest child of James.
My grandmother, Verna Boatright Milstead, received a
copy of this letter from Ruth Boatright Parker of Hobbs, New Mexico, a great
great granddaughter of Chesley Hood Boatright.
Mrs. Parker obtained a typed copy of the letter from Opal Johnson Cook,
of Little Rock, Arkansas. Mrs. Cook had
copied it from the original letter which belonged to an Aunt in Missouri. The
location of the original is unknown to me as this is written in 1998.
In the letter to her sister, Martha states:
"Well, now for all that I can tell you about
where our Boatwright ancestors came from; three brothers, Daniel, Jesse, and
James Allen (English) stood buckled in armor to guard the life of King George
of England, always standing in the king's court. They heard much of the new world, as this Western continent was
then called. There was no freedom for
men whose services the king required.
They could not marry nor own property.
They were slaves to the king for as long as they lived. The 3 brothers skipped their bondage and
came to America. They took up the trade
of boat building and took the name Boatwright.
James and Jesse married. Daniel
did not. The brothers fought for
American liberty in the Revolution from King George. Two of our father's brothers were soldiers in 1812 to 1815.
James was our great grandfather (English). Our grandfather was named James. His first wife, Elizabeth Kidd, his second
wife Mary Kidd. Our
grandmother--[letter is torn here].
They lived in Virginia. After
our grandfather died, his sons scattered into different states. They are scattered, I suppose, in every
state; never were much to huddle together.
I don't know where the three brothers landed on the American shore, nor
the exact date.
They were here in time to do their part in freeing
Young America from the British rule, but they took the name Boatwright in the
new country to protect themselves from the King's officers that were in power
before the revolution that freed Americans from a tyrant across the sea. I have always been proud of their love of
freedom and their determination to succeed, even to leaving their old English
name and taking a purely American name & chose to labor with free people
rather than stand as a slave in the King's palace. Yes, children, I am proud of the blood. I don't know of any record except what Father kept of his own
family. I know two of his brothers
fought the British and Indians 100 years ago.
I don't have an idea of who has a record, other than you. I hope you will write soon to your
Sister,
Martha E.J. Chitty"
Information supporting this version of our line of
the Boat(w)right family was also found in Goodspeed's "History of Northwest
Arkansas", which was published in 1889.
This information is quoted in the "notes" section on the
family page of Chesley Hood Boatwright, the youngest son of James Boatwright
(born abt. 1745) of Cumberland County, Virginia.
As this is written, 1998, we know nothing of the
family of the Jesse Boatwright (Allen) mentioned by Martha Boatwright
Chitty. According to her, the third
brother, Daniel, never married and nor had any children. The genealogy of James' son, also named
James, is a part of this family history and is relatively complete. We do not
know at this time if the second James was an only child, though this is
unlikely in an era of large families.
The story of the name change from Allen to Boatwright
was passed down in several branches of the family. Another version of the story indicates that the three brothers
were named James, Jesse, and John.
There is one Jesse Boatwright included in this
genealogy who lived in Cumberland County in the late 1700's and early 1800's
about whom we know very little. His
will, from which virtually all of the
information concerning this Jesse is derived, is dated in 1821, which would
exclude him from being one of the three original brothers unless he was well
over 100 years of age. We know his wife
was named Judith, we have a list of all of his children living at the time his
will was written, and we know from marriage records that one his sons,
Langhorne, married a cousin, Sally Boatwright, in Cumberland County in 1785. We know little else about this Jesse but
speculate that he is some relation to James, the progenitor of our line of the
family, because of the geographic proximity between the two and the
similarities of the names of the children of both. The best guess, and it is a guess only, is that Jesse and James
are probably brothers.
There are references that have been found to several
Boatwrights of whom we either have little or no knowledge, or are not able to
positively identify, who lived during this time period in the same area of
Virginia. Different documents, land records, etc., mention a John Baughtwright
in 1704 in New Kent County, a Thomas Bootwright in 1735-1736 in Powhatan
County, and a Thomas Boatwright again in 1751 in the same area.
The U.S. Census of 1782-85 gives a William, Jesse,
and James Boatwright as living in Cumberland County. We know who Jesse and James are, but are uncertain as to the
parentage and other relationships of William.
The same census indicates that a Benjamine, Daniel,
James, and John Boatwright lived in Hanover County. These men are believed to be the sons of Thomas Boatwright, born
1715, and no relation to our line.
Daniel and Micajah Boatwright enlisted as soldiers in
the Revolutionary War and John Boatwright, who died in Prince Edward County in
1832, enlisted from Cumberland County under Captain Brad Haskins in the winter
of 1780-81.
A number of Boat(w)right family researchers have
speculated that the above mentioned Thomas Boatwright is the father of our
James and/or the Daniel Boatwright who married Jane Martin about 1757-1758. I
do not agree with this speculation for the following reasons:
1. The above
quoted letter makes it clear that the father of our James was also named James.
2. It was the
custom of the times to name at least one male child after the grandfather,
father, and/or uncles. None of either
James' or Daniel's children or grandchildren is named Thomas. Furthermore, none of the family records such
as those mentioned above or any of the existing Bible records mentions a Thomas
Boatwright. Also, many of Thomas'
descendants in the Carolinas and Georgia are named Thomas, but no other Thomas
Boatwrights are found in the Cumberland County area of Virginia.
3. Thomas
apparently moved from Virginia to the Carolinas between 1751-1755. James, born about 1745, would have been much
to young to leave by himself, but we have no information which indicates our
James ever lived anywhere but Virginia.
Therefore, I do not believe Thomas Boatwright is
directly related to our line of the family.
Cumberland County records contain the will of Daniel
Boatwright, born about 1739, probated March 26, 1798, in which he mentions his
wife Jane, sons John, James, and Valentine, and daughters Jane Smith, Elizabeth
Martin, Esther Martin, Nancy Miller, Rhoda, and Lockey. I have a copy of this will in my possession.
We are not sure of Daniel's exact relationship to
James Boatwright, the progenitor of our line of the family. He could not be James' son Daniel as that
Daniel was born in 1777 and would have
been only twenty-one in 1798 when the Daniel in question died. Hardly enough time to have sired nine
children.
Based upon the time frame and residence in Cumberland
County, we must assume that Daniel is the son of either Jesse or James, two of the original brothers who came from
England. If one accepts the alternate
version of the Allen story, then he could be the son of John. He may also be the brother of our James, but
as with Jesse, there is no hard evidence of that available to us at this time.
Sources- Ruth Boatright Parker, Verna Boatright
Milstead, Robert Guy Boatright, Dennis Guy Boatright, W.E. Boatright,
"Boat(w)right Family of the Southeastern United States" by Norman
Hurd Ricker, Jr.
Children of JAMES BOATWRIGHT (ALLEN) are:
2. i. DANIEL2 BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1739; d. March 26, 1797, Cumberland County, Virginia.
3. ii. JAMES BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1745, Virginia; d. 1815, Cumberland County, Virginia.
Generation
No. 2
2.
DANIEL2 BOATWRIGHT (JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN))2 was born
Abt. 1739, and died March 26, 1797 in Cumberland County, Virginia. He married JANE MARTIN Bet. 1757
- 1758, daughter of VALENTINE MARTIN and JANE BRIDGEWATER. She was born Abt. 1737 in probably New Kent County, Virginia3,
and died Aft. 1798 in Cumberland County, Virginia.
Notes for DANIEL BOATWRIGHT:
1. Source-
The DAR Patriot Index, Part 1, DAR, Washington, D.C., 1990, pg. 292: Boatwright, Boatright, Bootwright: Daniel: b.? Virginia, d. before 26 March,
1798, Virginia, m. Jane Martin, soldier, PS, VA.
NOTE: It has
not been positively established that Daniel Boatwright is the son of James
Boatwright (Allen).
BOATRIGHT
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF DANIEL BOATRIGHT
Dated 4-21-1797, Bk 3, Pg 114/115.
VIRGINIA :
CUMBERLAND COUNTY :
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I
Daniel Boatright of Cumberland County,
being in a low state of health but in perfect mind & memory do make and
ordain this my last Will & Testament, hereby revoking all former wills to
this day. My Will & desire is that
after my debts & funeral expenses are paid the following distribution of my
Estate real & personal, to wit:
Item I lend
to my wife Jane Boatright all my estate that I now have in possession real
& personal, during her natural life except as much of my stock as will
furnish three beds for the use of my daughters that are now single.
Item I give
unto my daughter Nancy Boatright a negro girl Biddy which she has in
possession, to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give
unto my daughter Jane Smith fifty pounds, twenty five pounds of which she has
in possession, & the balance at the division of the estate, also the bed
& furniture whereon we lay, to her, her heirs or assigns forever.
Item I give
unto my son John Boatright sixty pounds that I lent him, now in his possession,
also forty acres of land that I leased to Gabriel Peasly after the said lease
expires, with the income thereof to him, his heirs or assigns forever.
Item I give
unto my daughter Sally Boatright one negro man named Simon & one bed &
furniture to her & the heirs of her body forever, but if she should die
without a child, I then give it to be equally divided between all my children
to them & their heirs forever.
Item I give
unto my son James Boatright the land whereon I now live, to him his heirs or
assigns forever.
Item I give
unto my son Valentine Boatright one hundred pounds, which money is raised by
the sale of a piece of land in Buckingham County, to his use, to him & his
heirs forever.
Item I give
unto my daughter Elizabeth Martin one negro girl Patty, which she has in
possession, to her & her heirs forever.
Item I give
unto my daughter Esther Martin one negro girl Aggy, which she has in
possession, to her & her heirs forever.
Item I give
unto my daughter Milley Boatright to take possession at any time one negro girl
Lucy, one bed & one cow & calf, to her, her heirs or assigns forever.
Item I give
unto my daughter Drucilla Meadow one negro girl Dilsa which she has in
possession, to her & her heirs forever.
Item I give
unto my daughter Rhoda Boatright one negro woman Ony & her increase, to
take possession when ever her mother thinks proper, also one bed & one cow
& calf, to her & her assigns forever.
Item I give
to my daughter Locky Boatright one negro girl Dicey & her increase, to take
possession whenever her mother thinks proper, also one bed, one cow & calf
& one side saddle, to her, her heirs or assigns forever.
Item I lend
unto my three sons, John Boatright, James Boatright & Valentine Boatright,
my negro man Sam in the manner following, to wit, each of them shall hold a
share in him during their natural lives & no longer, he is to be well used,
& is not to be sold nor hired out, but shall labour a twelve months at a
time in rotation according to their ages, & when one of them shall decease,
this claim to him shall cease & the other two hold him in like manner,
& at the decease of the whole of them, the N. Sam shall become free &
independent. Balance of my estate
personal, after the death of my wife, I leave to be equally divided between all
my daughters or their representatives, them or their heirs forever. I nominate & appoint John Boatright,
Valentine Boatright & John Martin Executors of this my last Will &
Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal
this twenty first day of April 179 seven.
Signed Sealed & delivered :
in presence of :
Frederick Jones :
Daniel Boatright (Seal)
James (X) Boatright, Jr. :
John Stratton, Jr. :
Examined at Court held for Cumberland County the 26th
day of March 1798. This last Will and
Testament of Daniel Boatright, deceased, was exhibited in Court and proved by
the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste Js Woodsman,
D.C.
NOTE:
Immediately following on page 115 is the last Will & testament of
Obadiah Hendrick of the Parish of Littleton in the County of Cumberland. Hendrick family members were significantly
associated with Theophilus Scarborough in Bulloch Co GA; Rachel Hendrick
witnessed in the settlement of the estate of Thomas Boatright, Dec'd, and
William Boatright 8-15-1776 in Edgefield SC;
Frederick Moss, Sr's dau Margaret m Russell Hendrick.
More About DANIEL BOATWRIGHT:
Burial: Buried Burnt Chimney Cemetery, Littleton
Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia
Fact 1: See notes
More About JANE MARTIN:
Burial: Buried Burnt Chimney Cemetery, Littleton
Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia
Children of DANIEL BOATWRIGHT and JANE MARTIN are:
i. NANCY3 BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1760.
ii. JANE SMITH BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1762; m. (1) FNU SMITH; m. (2) PETER GIBBONS, February
16, 1810, Cumberland County, Virginia4; m. (3) WILLIAM HUDSON, December
09, 1822, Cumberland County, Virginia.
More About PETER GIBBONS and JANE BOATWRIGHT:
Fact 1: Shawnda Kimmel gives the date of marriage as
June 6, 1810.
Notes for WILLIAM HUDSON:
Marriage Records on Broderbund's CD #229 show his last
name as Hensen.
4. iii. JOHN JOSEPH BOATWRIGHT, b. 1764,
Amherst County, Virginia; d. Aft. 1833, Kentucky.
iv. SALLY BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1766; m. LANGHORNE BOATWRIGHT, July 15, 1785, Cumberland County,
Virginia.
5. v. JAMES BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1768, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. 1850, Campbell County, Virginia.
6. vi. VALENTINE BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1770, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. May 28, 1849, Cumberland County,
Virginia.
7. vii. ELIZABETH BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1772; d. Bef. 1843.
8. viii. ESTER BOATWRIGHT, b.
February 17, 1773, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. December 29, 1857, Campbell
County, Virginia.
ix. MILDRED "MILLY" BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1776; m. GEORGE A. WRIGHT.
x. DRUCILLA BOATWRIGHT, b. June
06, 1777, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. December 08, 1843; m. JOHN MEADOR; b. May
23, 1778, Cumberland County, Virginia5; d. February 19, 18205.
More About JOHN MEADOR:
Fact 1: Shawnda Kimmel gives John's name as Jehu.
xi. RHODA BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1780, Cumberland County, Virginia; m. JONAS MEADOR5.
xii. LOCKEY BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1782; d. April 05, 18206; m. ISHAM STEGAR, October
10, 1803, Cumberland County, Virginia.
3.
JAMES2 BOATWRIGHT (JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN))7,8,9,10 was born
Abt. 1745 in Virginia, and died 1815 in Cumberland County, Virginia. He married (1) ELIZABETH KIDD Abt. 1768
in Cumberland County, Virginia. She
died Bet. 1777 - 1778. He married (2) MARY KIDD Abt. 1778
in Virginia. She died Bet. 1797 - 1814
in Virginia.
Notes for JAMES BOATWRIGHT:
The names , birth dates, and death dates of James
Boatwright, his wives, children, and their children, are drawn from a variety
of sources, the most reliable of which are bible entries. Elizabeth Blackburn Boatwright, the wife of
James' oldest son Benoni, called Benjamine, recorded births, deaths, and
marriages, including those of some of the family slaves, in her Bible. The entries are somewhat haphazard and are
not complete for each family line, but it must be assumed that what is written
is correct, particularly since much of the material is corroborated by other
sources.
My copy of the entries in Elizabeth's Bible was sent
to me by Dennis Guy Boatright of Texas.
He had received a copy of the pertinent pages of Elizabeth's Bible from
Denny Boatright of Missouri. The actual
bible was last known to be in the possession of Mrs. Joe Adams, a grand
daughter of William Letcher Todd and Eliza Ann Boatwright Todd.
Chesley Hood Boatwright, the youngest son of James,
had a bible, last believed to be in the possession of Clara Boatright Laningham
of Arkansas, in which were found two neatly folded sheets of paper containing a
list of all of the children of James Boatwright and their birth dates. I received a Xerox copy of this list from my
grandmother, Verna Boatright Milstead, and from Dennis Guy Boatright. At the
bottom of the list is written, "The above register was drawn from his
Father's family bible by his youngest son February 5th, 1843." It is signed "C. H. Bootright."
I have chosen to accept the dates and the spellings
of names as shown in these bible entries as correct. Where there is any discrepancy or disagreement, the alternative
opinion will be mentioned and clearly labeled as to source.
It should be noted, however, that the spelling of the
surname itself is a cause of confusion.
In most sources, one finds that the name as used by the early members of
the family is spelled Boatwright. Generally, although not in all cases, the
"w" was dropped in later generations. However, in the following will of James, written in 1814, the
name is spelled "Boatright" throughout. The reason could be that the will was written by an attorney for
James and, as seems to be the custom of the times, he spelled the name the way
he saw fit. Nonetheless, in a
handwritten list of siblings and their birth dates compiled by James' youngest
son, Chesley Hood, Chesley spells the name "Bootright". In Elizabeth Blackburn's Bible, the name is
spelled both "Boatwright" and "Boatright." To make the matter even more uncertain, she
spells the surname of her husband Benjamine, James' oldest son, without the
"w" as she does James'. She
also spells her married name without the "w" in the Bible, but on her
tombstone the "w" is included.
Inconsistency abounds in the spelling of the
Boat(w)right name, particularly in this line of the family. It seems best not to become too concerned
over the spelling of the surname, realizing that our earlier ancestors seemed
to have spelled it as the mood struck them on any given day.
WILL OF JAMES BOATWRIGHT OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, VA.
The following will of James Boatwright can be found
in the Cumberland County, Virginia, Circuit Court records, Will Book 5, Page
86:
"In the name of God amen, knowing that it is
appointed for all men once to die, I James Boatright of Cumberland County and
State of Virginia, being in my right mind and of disposing memory, do make this
my last will and testament.
1st. I give
to my son Leonard Boatright, my island on the James River known by the name of
Daniels Iland and also my Punch Creek tract of land by him paying in two years
after my death two hundred dollars to my estate, to him and his heirs forever.
2nd. I give
to my son John Boatright my tract of land in the County of Fluvanna, which I
purchased of Mathew Wills, containing one hundred and twenty four acres be the
same more or less, by him paying fifty dollars in two years to my estate after
my death, to him and his heirs forever.
3rdly. I give
to my son Chestly Boatright my tract of land on which I live, of one hundred
and nineteen acres be the same, as also my still and still vessels provisor
that the said Chestly Boatright lets my daughter Drucilla Boatright remain in
the mansion house on said plantation with him after my death and boarding free
until she marrys, to him and his heirs forever.
4thly. I give
to each of my children as they may need that have not received heretofore one
bed and furniture.
5thly. I give
to my son Drury Boatright ten dollars in addition to what I have deeded him
proviso that he obligates himself to give free liberty or use of the spring
called Drummons.
6thly. I give
the balance of all my estate not heretofore mentioned or willed, to be equally
divided between my sons Samuel Boatright, James Boatright, Benj'n Boatright,
Daniel Boatright, and William Boatright and my daughters Ann Steger, Judith
Martin, Drucilla Boatright, Patsy Boatright, and Polly Boatright, giving to my
son Samuel my negro Tarlton at valuation, giving to my son James Boatright my
negro George at valuation, giving to my daughter Ann Steger my negro Sally at
valuation, giving to my son William Boatright my negro Nelson at valuation,
giving to my daughter Judith Martin my negro Julia at valuation, and giving to
my daughter Drucilla Boatright my negro Cloe at valuation, each of them paying
the overplus should there be any at the division and, lastly, I do hereby
constitute and appoint my sons Benjamin, Samuel, Leonard, and Chestly Boatright
Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other or
former wills or testaments by me heretofore made.
In witness there of I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed my hand and affixed my seal this 10th day of January in the year one
thousand eight hundred and fourteen (1814).
Signed, sealed, published and declared
as and for the last will and testament of
the named James Boatright in the presence
of us
D. Shields
Wm. Montague
Abraham Daniel
James (His
Mark) Boatright"
NOTE:
It is apparent from the signature at the end of this
will that James, for all his land and property holdings, was unable to read and
write. As he obviously did not write
this will himself, it would account for the misspellings, particularly of
family members. The names of his
children Chesley and Drucillah, are spelled incorrectly throughout this
document. The accurate and correct spelling of these names is well documented
in letters, bible records, etc., some of which are written by the same family
members whose names are misspelled in the will.
Nonetheless, I have reproduced the will from a
microfilm copy of the original, handwritten
document, complete with misspellings and grammatical errors, as
accurately as I am able for the sake of maintaining the integrity of the will
as originally written.
It is interesting to note that the "Daniel's
Iland" willed to his son Leonard can be found on a current (1998) map of
Cumberland County and is now known as "Boatwright's Island".
More About JAMES BOATWRIGHT:
Fact 1: Some documents show his date of birth as
1747.
More About ELIZABETH KIDD:
Fact 1: Sister of Mary Kidd, James Boatwright's
second wife.
More About MARY KIDD:
Fact 1: Sister of Elizabeth Kidd, James Boatwright's
first wife.
Children of JAMES BOATWRIGHT and ELIZABETH KIDD are:
9. i. BENONI (BENJAMINE)3 BOATWRIGHT, b.
September 08, 1769, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. June 13, 1816, Powhatan
County, Virginia.
10. ii. SAMUEL BOATWRIGHT, b. April
17, 1771, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. 1844.
iii. JESSE BOATWRIGHT, b. August
30, 177211; d. Bef. 1814.
Notes for JESSE BOATWRIGHT:
As he is not mentioned in his father's will, it is
believed that he died before 1814.
iv. ELIZABETH BOATWRIGHT, b.
November 07, 177311.
v. MARTHA "PATSY" BOATWRIGHT, b.
November 09, 177511.
vi. DANIEL BOATWRIGHT, b. April
13, 177711.
Notes for DANIEL BOATWRIGHT:
There
has been some disagreement among researchers as to whether Daniel's name was
"Daniel" or "David".
It appears to be Daniel in the handwritten list previously referred to
from Chesley Hood Boatwright's bible and is definitely Daniel in the
handwritten copy of his father's will written in 1814. .
Children of JAMES BOATWRIGHT and MARY KIDD are:
vii. SALLY3 BOATWRIGHT, b. June
11, 177911; d. Bef. 1814.
Notes for SALLY BOATWRIGHT:
As she is not mentioned in his father's will, it is
believed that she died before 1814.
viii. JOHN BOATWRIGHT, b.
October 01, 178011.
Notes for JOHN BOATWRIGHT:
Believed to have died young as a later son of James
and Mary Boatwright was also named John (John Wade, born August 22, 1795).
ix. JAMES BOATWRIGHT, b.
January 04, 178211.
x. ANN "NANCY" BOATWRIGHT11, b. April
05, 178311; m. SKIP H. STEGAR, December
03, 1805, Cumberland County, Virginia12,13.
Notes for ANN "NANCY" BOATWRIGHT:
She is referred to as "Ann Stegar" in her
father's will and as "Ann called Nancy" in Chesley Hood Boatwright's
Bible.
This is probably the "Anne Boatwright" found
in the Cumberland County marriage records as marrying Skipp H. Stegar on
December 3, 1805.
11. xi. WILLIAM BOATWRIGHT, b. May
29, 1784, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. August 08, 1875, Madison County,
Arkansas.
xii. DRURY BOATWRIGHT14, b. June
11, 178515; m. MARTHA BOATWRIGHT, August
25, 1802, Fluvanna County, Virginia16,17.
xiii. SUSAN BOATWRIGHT, b.
January 22, 178718; d. Bef. 1814.
Notes for SUSAN BOATWRIGHT:
As she is not mentioned in his father's will, it is
believed that she died before 1814.
xiv. MARY "POLLY" BOATWRIGHT, b. March
27, 178818; m. JOHN JOHNSON, February
27, 1808, Cumberland County, Virginia19.
Marriage Notes for MARY BOATWRIGHT and JOHN JOHNSON:
It is not absolutely certain that the marriage records
found in Cumberland County are referring to this particular Mary Boatwright
when recording a marriage between Mary Boatwright and John Johnson; however, it
is probable that this is the correct Mary Boatwright.
xv. JUDITH BOATWRIGHT, b.
October 27, 178920; d. 1858; m. ORSON MARTIN21, October
04, 1813, Cumberland County, Virginia21.
xvi. DRUCILLAH BOATWRIGHT, b. April
27, 179122; m. DANIEL D. SMITH23, August
22, 1815, Cumberland County, Virginia23.
12. xvii. LEONARD BOATWRIGHT, b. April
03, 1793; d. Abt. 1856, Cumberland County, Virginia.
xviii. JOHN WADE BOATWRIGHT, b. August
22, 1795, Cumberland County, Virginia24; d. August 03, 1860,
Madison County, Arkansas25.
13. xix. CHESLEY HOOD BOATRIGHT, b.
November 25, 1797, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. May 27, 1867, Madison
County, Arkansas.
4.
JOHN JOSEPH3 BOATWRIGHT (DANIEL2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN))26 was born
1764 in Amherst County, Virginia, and died Aft. 1833 in Kentucky. He married FRANCES ELIZABETH TINSLEY November
24, 1785 in Powhatan County, Virginia27, daughter of WYATT TINSLEY and ELIZABETH HARRISON. She was born Abt. 1767 in Virginia.
Notes for JOHN JOSEPH BOATWRIGHT:
John Boatwright is believed to be the same as the
individual who applied for a Revolutionary War pension on April 15, 1833.
This is reported in Virgil D. White's "General
Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files", Vol. 1.
"Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary
War", Part II, page 56 reports the following:
"Boatwright, John--Prince Edward, Aug. 22,
1832. Born in Amherst, 1764. Enlisted in the winter of 1780-81under Capt.
Brad Haskins, of Cumberland, and served three months, in Col. Posey's regiment,
of Gen. Muhlenberg's command. In next tour was under colonels Dolman and
Parker, marching to Suffolk and Portsmouth, in which vicinity he was in several
skirmishes, and then sent to Gen. Gregory's station, returning after a few days
to Gen. Muhlenberg near Suffolk.
Discharged after three months at Chuckatuck Mills. Also in 1781, served two months under Capt.
William Meredith, of Gen. Steubin's command, campaigning in and about
Chesterfield County."
Ricker's notes from "The Boat(w)right Family of
Southeastern Virginia" states that,
"four of his sons, described as 'tall, rawboned men, from 6'2"
to 6'4" in stocking feet,' also enlisted in the Continental Army. Three were killed by Indians who were with
the British in a battle at Craney's Island at the mouth of the Roanoke River in
Virginia."
It is presumed that Ricker is talking about the War
of 1812 as John's sons would have been too young to have fought in the
Revolutionary War.
Application for Pension of John Boatwright
Born 1764, Amhurst County, Virginia
National Archives M805-0101, S. 5290
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act
of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
STATE OF VIRGINIA, COUNTY OF PRINCE EDWARD CO:
On this fifteenth day of April 1833, personally
appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Peace of said County, now
sitting, John Boatwright, a resident of said County and State aforesaid, aged
sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of
Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he
entered the service of the United States in the Virginia Militia as a private
soldier some time in the winter of 1781, the particular date not recalled and
served under the command of Capt Creed Haskins from Cumberland County, where he
then resided. He marched from
Cumberland County to Suffolk, thence to the Long Bridge, near Butsmouth, and in
that neighborhood had several skirmishes with the British, thence to Gen
Gregorys Station where the troops remained a few days and returned to Gen
Muhlenbergs Station near Suffolk, from thence he marched up James River and was
discharged at Chuckaluck mills, having served a tour of three months, , the
field officers in command during this tour were Col Posey, Dalman or Dourman
and Parker. In a short time during the
same year he was again called into the service as a private or soldier in the
Virginia Militia in the same service and from the same County of Cumberland,
under the Command of Capt William Merideth, marched to the _____ of Manchester,
where they ____ and joined Bacon Station in Chesterfield County in said State
and served a tour of two months where he was discharged in said State. After this last tour in the same year he was
again called into the service as a private or soldier in the Virginia Militia
in the United States service, from the same County of Cumberland in the said
State and marched under Capt Seymore Scott to York and was there at the seige
and engaged in that transaction, and served during this tour two months and was
discharged near York in said State of Virginia. He the said declarant further states that he was born in the
county of Amhurst in Virginia as he believes in the year 1764, he has a ____
age in too popepion(?) in his bible. He
lived at the time he was called into service, in the County of Cumberland in
Virginia, and has since the year 1797 lived in the County of Prince Edward,
where he still lives, he was called into service each time and was drafted in
his own place. The names of the
officers regulars he believes who were in command over the troops with whom he
served in the first tour were Cols Posey, Dolman or Downman and Parker, Genl
Muchlenburg and Gregory, in his second Baron Struben, in his third Gen Lawson
Marquis Lafayette & Washington, he has no written discharge of his service,
they were, he believes, verbal by the Captain who was in Command over him in
each tour after his term of service had expired. He names as persons who are acquainted with him in his present
neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their
belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution, John Treggco, Nathaniel
Pesciek, Edward Booker, Charles Fare, Joseph Todd, Joseph Bonford, Charles
Balkison, William Nenuble, Samuel C Anderson and the Rev Wm Johnson.
(All names questionable)
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever of a
pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Boatwright
----------------------------
BOATRIGHT
March 21, 1933
John Boatwright-S.5290
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. J.W. Meehan
420 Fulton Street
Mount Vernon, Washington
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information in
regard to John Boatwright, a Revolutionary War Pensioner of Prince Edward
County, Virginia.
The data contained herein were obtained from the
papers on file in pension claim, S.5290, based upon the Revolutionary War
service of John Boatwright.
He was born in the year 1764 in Amherst County,
Virginia; the names of his parents are not given.
John Boatwright enlisted, while residing in
Cumberland County, Virginia and served as a private with the Virginia troops,
as follows - in 1781, three months in Captain Creed Haskins' company, Colonel
Posey's regiment, and was in several skirmishes with the British; in 1781, two
months in Captain William Meredith's company under Baron Steuben; in 1781, two
months in Captain Seymour Scott's company, and was in the siege of Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
April 15, 1833, while a resident of Prince Edward County, Virginia, where he
had lived since 1797.
There are no data in this claim relative to his
family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of
pension, the name and address to whom sent and possibly the date of death of
the Revolutionary War pensioner, John Boatwright, you should apply to the
Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington,
D.C., citing all the following data -
John Boatwright
Certificate No 12494
Issued May 3, 1833
Rate $23.33 per annum
To commence March 4, 1831
Act of June 7th 1832
Virginia Agency
Very truly yours,
A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
JOHN BOATWRIGHT OF VA LAND GRANT
Land Grants 42, 1798-1799, Reel 108
Pgs 597-598, VA State Library
James Wood, Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of
Virginia, to all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:
Know ye, that by virtue of a Land Office Treasury
Warrant Number two thousand three hundred and six, issued the thirty-first day
of October Seventeen Hundred and Ninety Seven, there is Granted by the said
Commonwealth, unto John Botewright a certain tract or parcel of land containing
sixty six and a half acres by survey bearing date the twenty third day of
October One Thousand Seven hundred and Ninety Eight, lying and being in the
County of Prince Edward on the waters of Appomattox River, and bounded as
followeth to wit, Beginning at a white oak near the mount branch running thence
down the same as it meanders sixty six poles to a leach in Peaks patent line;
thence on his line North sixty seven degrees East twenty five poles to a
poplar, South fifty degrees East eighty three poles to Dillon's corner thence
on his line South forty one degrees West thirty poles to a dead corner pine
thence on the same South seven degrees West seventy eight poles to Peniks
corner pine, thence on his line North sixty six degrees West four poles to a
pine, thence continuing on his line South eighty one and a half degrees West
seventy two poles to the mouth of a branch, thence down the branch ninety five
poles to the Beginning, with its appurtenances, to have and to hold the said
tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances, John Botewright and his heirs
forever.
In Witness whereof the said James Wood, Esquire, Governor
of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has hereunto set his and caused the lesser
seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the fourth day of
September in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Nine,
and of the Commonwealth the twenty fourth."
Children of JOHN BOATWRIGHT and FRANCES TINSLEY are:
i. ANEAS4 BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1786, Virginia.
ii. TECUMSEH BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1787, Virginia.
iii. RICHARD BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1788, Virginia.
iv. MARLOW T. BOATWRIGHT, b. April
12, 1789, Virginia; m. CATHERINE CRISON, May 31,
1816, Cumberland County, Virginia.
14. v. POWHATAN VALENTINE BOATWRIGHT, b. July
13, 1790, Amherst County, Virginia; d. December 21, 1880, Union Parish,
Louisiana.
vi. MAJOR P. BOATWRIGHT, b. February
13, 1791; m. SUSAN BERKLEY, June 25, 1823, Logan County, Kentucky28.
vii. PRIOR J. BOATWRIGHT29, b.
October 05, 1792, Amherst, Virginia.
15. viii. WILLIAM BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1793, Virginia; d. 1887, Madison County, Arkansas.
16. ix. LITTLEBERRY BOATWRIGHT, b.
October 12, 1794, Virginia; d. March 06, 1860, Powhatan County, Virginia.
x. MARLOW P. BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1795, Virginia; m. CATHARINE CRISON, May 31,
1816, Cumberland County, Virginia30.
xi. PRIOS BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1797, Virginia.
17. xii. CARY HARRISON BOATWRIGHT, b.
December 03, 1800, Virginia; d. March 18, 1870, Cooper County, Missouri.
5.
JAMES3 BOATWRIGHT (DANIEL2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN)) was born
Abt. 1768 in Cumberland County, Virginia, and died 1850 in Campbell County,
Virginia. He married (1) SARAH "SALLY" THOMAS September
28, 1789 in Cumberland County, Virginia31, daughter of JAMES THOMAS and ELIZABETH CHILDRESS. She died 1815 in Campbell County,
Virginia. He married (2) RHODA MOORE WOOD December
16, 1816 in Campbell County, Virginia.
More About JAMES BOATWRIGHT:
Fact 1: Some sources give date of birth as 1765.
Children of JAMES BOATWRIGHT and SARAH THOMAS are:
i. JANE M. "JENNY"4 BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1792, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. Aft. 1850; m. JAMES WEST, February
10, 1812, Campbell County, Virginia32.
18. ii. DANIEL DAVID BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1794, Campbell County, Virginia; d. Bef. March 23, 1850, Hendricks County,
Indiana.
19. iii. MARY "POLLY" BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1796; d. Bef. 1850.
20. iv. ANNE BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt. 1797.
21. v. ESTHER BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1799.
vi. CHARLOTTE "LOCKEY" BOATWRIGHT, b.
February 11, 1802, Campbell County, Virginia; d. April 11, 1883, Highland
County, Ohio; m. JAMES GEORGE FRAZIER, August 31, 1821, Campbell County, Virginia.
6.
VALENTINE3 BOATWRIGHT (DANIEL2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN)) was born
Abt. 1770 in Cumberland County, Virginia, and died May 28, 1849 in Cumberland
County, Virginia. He married SARAH MEADOR December
27, 1792 in Cumberland County, Virginia, daughter of JEHU MEADOR and SARAH ATKINSON. She was born 1772 in Cumberland County,
Virginia33, and died March 18, 182933.
Notes for VALENTINE BOATWRIGHT:
Most of the information concerning the family of
Valentine Boatwright is taken from Norman Hurd Ricker's book, "The Boat(w)right
Family of the Southeastern United States", and from the will of Valentine
Boatwright.
WILL OF VALENTINE BOATWRIGHT
In the name of God Amen. I, Valentine Boatright of the County of Cumberland being Sick and
Weak in body But of sound mind, and disposing memory for which I thank
God. And calling to mind the
uncertainty of life, I desire to dispose of all such worldly Estate as it hath
pleased God to bless me with. I therefore
desire that after my just debts and funeral expenses be paid to dispose of my
property as herein after expressed.
Item the First:
It is my Will and desire that my negro man Monday(?) be kept leased out
by my Executor herein after named, and the monies arising from the lease of the
said negro man Monday be paid to my daughter Rebecca Hamilton annually during
her life, or during the lifetime of the said negro if he should not live as
long as my Daughter Rebecca and if the said negro man Monday shall be living at
the death of my daughter Rebecca then I give the said negro to my grand
daughter Judith Ann Hamilton, and her heirs forever.
Item the Second:
I leave (my man Jack) to my Daughter Mary Brown during her life and at
the death of my daughter Mary I give the said negro Jack to my grand daughter
Ann Maria Brown to (illegible) her heirs forever.
Item the Third:
I give the proceeds of the sale of my land which I have sold myself to
my sons to be equally divided among them.
That is to say my sons Meador Boatright, Jonas Boatright, and Valentine
Boatright.
Item the Fourth: I have given to my son Daniel
Boatright, his proportional part of my Estate during my life, so that nothing
(illegible) to him.
Item the Fifth:
It is my will that my negro woman Liantha (?), select a home among my
children, and the One she selects to live with, shall keep her during her life.
Item the Sixth and Lastly: I appoint my friend V. L. Royals (?) my Executor to this my last
Will and Testament revoking all former wills made by me.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed my seal this 18th day of April 1849.
Witnesses:
Z. Talley Valentine (X) Boatright
(?) Hamilton (his mark)
Alexander Ransome
Robert I. Meador
At a court held for Cumberland County the 28th day of
May, 1849, This Last will and Testament of Valentine Boatright deceased was
presented in Court proved by the oath of Zack Talley, One of the subscribing
witnesses thereunto and continued for further (illegible). And at a Court held for said
County the 25th day of June 1849 The (illegible) was
again presented in Court and further proved by the oaths of Alexander Ransome and Robert I. Meador, two of the
subscribing witnesses thereto and Ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Vincent L. Royals, the
Executor in said will named who made oath (or both) (illegible) and together
with William H. Hobson and Willis (illegible) his (next two words illegible)
entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $3500.00 conditioned as
the Law directs, a certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of the
said will in (next two words illegible).
Test.
B. B. Woodson
NOTE: The
above transcribed will was copied from a Xerox of the original, complete with
grammatical errors. All entries in
parenthesis except for "my man Jack" in the third paragraph are mine
and not part of the original document.
More About SARAH MEADOR:
Fact 1: Sarah's last name has also been found spelled
"Meadow".
Children of VALENTINE BOATWRIGHT and SARAH MEADOR are:
22. i. REBECCA4 BOATWRIGHT, b.
October 01, 1794, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; d. March 09, 1874.
23. ii. MEADOR BOATWRIGHT, b. July
19, 1796, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. December 24, 1876, Scott County,
Virginia.
24. iii. MARY BOATWRIGHT, b. April
19, 1799, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. February 20, 1859, Cumberland County,
Virginia.
25. iv. JONAS BOATWRIGHT, b. July
03, 1801, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. January 25, 1871, Highland County,
Ohio.
v. JUDITH BOATWRIGHT, b. July
15, 1803; d. January 181434.
26. vi. VALENTINE BOATWRIGHT II, b.
October 14, 1805; d. May 31, 1884.
vii. SARAH BOATWRIGHT34, b. 1807;
d. March 18, 1829.
27. viii. DANIEL BOATWRIGHT II, b.
August 10, 1810, prob. Cumberland County, Virginia; d. prob. Jasper County, Iowa.
7.
ELIZABETH3 BOATWRIGHT (DANIEL2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN)) was born
Abt. 1772, and died Bef. 1843. She
married JOHN MARTIN March 02, 1789 in Cumberland County, Virginia, son
of ORSIN MARTIN and ANN FORSEE. He was born 176734, and
died August 184334.
Child of ELIZABETH BOATWRIGHT and JOHN MARTIN is:
28. i. VALENTINE4 MARTIN, b. 1797;
d. 1879.
8.
ESTER3 BOATWRIGHT (DANIEL2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN)) was born
February 17, 1773 in Cumberland County, Virginia, and died December 29, 1857 in
Campbell County, Virginia. She married
STEPHEN MARTIN 1795 in Cumberland County, Virginia, son of ORSIN MARTIN and ANN FORSEE. He was born December 09, 1765 in Cumberland
County, Virginia34, and died 1850 in Campbell County,
Virginia.
More About STEPHEN MARTIN:
Fact 1: Information concerning the children of
Stephen and Ester was received from Shawnda Kimmel.
Children of ESTER BOATWRIGHT and STEPHEN MARTIN are:
29. i. DELILAH4 MARTIN, b.
November 12, 1796.
30. ii. ABNER MARTIN, b. May
04, 1798, Appomattox County, Virginia; d. October 03, 1861, Henry County,
Virginia.
iii. DANIEL MARTIN, b. May
04, 1798.
iv. SILAS BOATWRIGHT MARTIN, b. May
26, 1801.
v. JONATHAN MARTIN, b. August
12, 1803.
vi. JANE ANN MARTIN, b.
November 09, 1805.
vii. STEPHEN LAFAYETTE MARTIN, b.
February 07, 1807.
viii. VALENTINE MARTIN, b. May
13, 1809.
31. ix. ORSON MARTIN, JR., b. 1811,
Appomattox County, Virginia; d. 1879, Rockingham County, North Carolina.
x. SAMUEL GILBERT MARTIN, b. May
15, 1816.
9.
BENONI (BENJAMINE)3 BOATWRIGHT (JAMES2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN))35,36 was born
September 08, 1769 in Cumberland County, Virginia37, and died
June 13, 1816 in Powhatan County, Virginia38. He married ELIZABETH BLACKBURN April 19,
1797 in Powhatan County, Virginia39,40, daughter of JAMES BLACKBURN and RHODA BAUGH. She was born July 01, 1779 in Cumberland
County, Virginia40, and died September 11, 1862 in Garrard
County, Kentucky.
Notes for BENONI (BENJAMINE) BOATWRIGHT:
He is generally known as "Benjamin";
however, in his youngest brother's list of the children of James Boatwright,
his name is shown as "Benoni-called Benjamin." Some documents spell his name as Benjamine.
The name is biblical, from Genesis 35:18: "As she breathed her last-for she was
dying-she named her son Ben-Oni, but his father named him Benjamin."
Norman Hurd Ricker indicates that records reflect
Benjamin served as a Private in Captain Hudson M. Wingfield's Infantry Company
of the 4th Virginia Regiment from 03/16/1814-04/11/1814 at Norfolk,
Virginia. He also served as a Private
in Captain Jesse Woodson's Company of the 1st Regiment at Holly Springs from
10/01/1814-to 11/04/1814 as a substitute for Richard Boatright. He further served in Captain John Pollock's
Light Infantry Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment of the Virginia Militia
from 12/28/1814-02/21/1815 as a substitute for Shadh Alvis, Sr.
BOATRIGHT
ESTATE RECORDS OF BENJAMIN BOATRIGHT
(SON OF JAMES)
July 17, 1816
Powhatan County Will Book 5, Page 105
Benjamin died 6-13-1816 intestate. William Blackburn, Uncle of Elizabeth
Blackburn, Widow of Benjamin, and George Mosely accompanied her to Powhatan
County Court where she was appointed Administratrix.
POWHATAN COUNTY :
VIRGINIA
:
Know all men by these presents, that we Elizabeth
Boatwright, George Moseley, and Wm. Blackburn, are held and firmly bound unto
Thomas Miller, John H. Steger, Jesse Hughes, and Littleberry H. Mosby,
Gentlemen, Justices of the County of Powhatan, now sitting, in the just and
full sum of Five Thousand Dollars: to the payment whereof, well and truly to be
made to the said Justices, or their successors, we bind ourselves, and each of
us, our, and each of our heirs, executors, and Administrators, jointly and
severally, firmly by these presents: Sealed with our seals and dated this 17th
day of July 1816, in the 41st year of the Commonwealth.
The condition of the above obligation is such, that
if the said Elizabeth Boatwright, Administratrix of the goods, chattels, and
credits of Benjamin Boatwright, deceased, do make a true and perfect inventory
of all and singularly the goods, chattels, and credits of the said de-ceased,
which have; or shall come to the hands, the possession or know-ledge of her,
the said Administratrix, or into the hands or possession of any other person or
persons for her, and the same so made do exhibit into the said County Court of
Powhatan, when she shall be thereto required by the said Court; and such goods,
chattels, and credits do well and truly administer according to law; and
further do make a just and true account of her actings and doings therein, rest
of the said goods, chattels, and credits, which shall be found remaining upon
the account of the said Administratrix, the same being first examined and
allowed by the Justices of the said Court, for the time being, shall deliver
and pay unto such persons respectively, as are entitled to the same by law; and
if it shall hereafter appear, that any last will and testament was made by the
deceased, and the same be proved in Court, and the executor obtain a
certificate of Probate thereof, and the said Elizabeth Boatwright do in such
case, being required, render and deliver up her Letters of Administration, then
the above obligation to be void, else to remain in full force.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged :
:
in presence of Powhatan County :
Elizabeth Boatwright (Seal)
:
Court and ordered to be recorded: George Moseley (Seal)
:
: His
: Wm. X
Blackburn (Seal)
: Mark
----------------------
Page 122, Will Book 5, Powhatan County VA:
Benjamin Boatwright's Appraisement: An Inventory and appraisement of the estate of
a personal kind belonging to Benjamin Boatwright, decd lately of Powhatan
County VA, to wit:
1 negro man Nelson $500.00 (Willed by James to William)
1 D_______Len 500.00 (probably Darkie)
1 negro Woman Grace 300.00
1 negro Child Archer 200.00
1 D______ Daniel 150.00
1 D______ George 100.00 (Willed by James to Benjamin)
Follows itemized household, livery and farming goods.
--------------------------
Page 124, Will Book 5, Powhatan County VA:
In obedience to an order of the worshipful the Court
of Powhatan County, we, the undersigned, being first sworn, having viewed and
appraised the personal estate of Benjamin Boatwright decd and find it to
consist of the articles above specifyed, and of the value above stated. Given under our hands this 16th day of
August in the year 1816.
Peter Dupery
John Maxey Jun (Jr)
Joseph B. Davis
At a Court of monthly sessions holden for the County
of Powhatan on the 21st day of August 1816.
This appraisement of the personal estate of Benjamin
Boatwright deceased was presented in Court and was by the Court ordered to be
recorded.
Wm S. Dance, C.
--------------------------
Without prior approval of the Court, Elizabeth moved
the family and Estate Property of Benjamin to Kentucky; leaving her Uncle
William Blackburn responsible under bond to the Court for administration of the
Estate, and without the ability to perform.
William Blackburn took legal action to protect his bond.
To the Honorable Judge of the Garrard (County KY)
Circuit Court in Chancery sitting, the orator, William Blackburn, complaining,
showeth unto your honor that Benjamin Boatright, late of Powhatan County
Virginia, departed this life intestate on the
day of June, 1816 in said County of Powhatan, and on the 17th day of
July 1816, Elizabeth Boatright, his widow, who is made defendant hereto,
qualified as his Administratrix in the County Court of said County and then and
there entered into an Administration Bond with George Mosely and your orator,
as her securities in the penalty of 5,000 dollars a copy of which bond for
greater certainty is here exhibited marked Exhibit A. The personal estate constituting appoints and then have aforesaid
addition was appraised to 2,674.60 dollars as will appear by reference to a
certified copy of said appraisement here exhibited and marked B. Decedent at his death left the following
children, the following heirs to wit:
Martha, James, William, Eliza, Allen, RhodeAnne, Lucy, and Benjamin
Boatright. The last five of whom are
infants. About three years ago, said
Administrator, with the said children, who are also made defendants, removed to
Garrard County, in Kentucky, without having returned any Inventory of said
estate, or have made any settlement thereof with the County Court of Powhatan,
that he knows of, and bringing with her all or most of the said estate, or its
proceeds, she made no allotment for distribution of said estate among said
children, but is managing and disposing of the same, as if it were her own.
Your orator is apprehensive that said estate may be
wasted or illegally and improvidently managed to his eventual injury as
security as aforesaid. By removal to
Kentucky said Elizabeth has become unexcessible by the County Court of
Powhatan. In this predicament your
orator does not only endanger of ultimate liability and loss as security but is
removeless except in your Court of Chancery.
In tender consideration whereof and as he is remidiless
at law, he prays interposition of your Honor he prays that defendant may be
compelled to answer this bill. He prays
that you will restrain by interposition from sellers or otherwise, putting out
of her hands said property or any part thereof until this bill be heard and
disposed of, he prays that on the final hearing your Honor will make said
injunction perpetual or take said estate out of the possession of said
Administrator unless you will indemnify your orator aforesaid any liability as
security as aforesaid, that you will compel said heirs to make distribution
among them-selves of the said estate liable to such distribution or waive any
claim hereafter on your orator as security as aforesaid. And that you will grant such other and
faithful relief as may be just and proper.
William Blackburn
G. Robertson, as Council
Notes for ELIZABETH BLACKBURN:
According to Denny Boatright, the original Boatwright
Homestead was purchased by Benjamin Daniel Boatwright, the youngest son of
Benjamine (Benoni) and Elizabeth Blackburn Boatwright, on August 31, 1835. His mother, Elizabeth, lived in the house
until she died in 1862. The property consisted of 175.4 acres and the log house
and the sale is recorded in Madison County Deed Book W, page 100.
On June 30, 1852, the Homestead and property was
deeded to Alexander A. Boatwright, another son, by the other children and
heirs. Alexander was a widower at that
time and lived with his mother, Elizabeth, and his daughter, Eliza Ann. Alexander was an ordained Baptist
minister. The property and homestead
were deeded to his daughter, who had married William Letcher Todd, upon
Alexander's death in 1885.
After the death of Eliza in 1920, Madison County Deed
Book 95, pages 327-329, indicate that the homestead was deeded to one of her
sons, Thomas A. Todd. Todd and his
family made the property their home until 1928 and also acquired an additional,
adjoining 79.66 acre farm known as the "Miracle Place".
In 1928 the farm was sold to Thomas Todd's brother,
George Boatwright Todd, as recorded in Madison County Deed Book 106, page
598. Todd apparently lived there until
1950 when the land was sold to Harold E. Richardson for $28,000. George as the last of the Boatwrights or
their descendants to own the property.
On December 2, 1973, Richardson sold the farm to J.W.
Ramsey for $102,000. During Ramsey's
ownership, the old homestead went to ruin and the solid walnut logs were sold
off. The only thing remaining is the
main rock chimney.
More About ELIZABETH BLACKBURN:
Fact 1: Buried in Boatright Cemetery on George Todd
farm, Garrard County, Kentucky
Children of BENONI BOATWRIGHT and ELIZABETH BLACKBURN are:
32. i. MARTHA GILL4 BOATWRIGHT, b. March
02, 1798, Powhatan County, Virginia; d. November 25, 1881, Paint Lick,
Kentucky.
ii. MARIAH B. BOATWRIGHT, b.
November 24, 1799, Powhatan County, Virginia40; d. September
17, 1800, Powhatan County, Virginia40.
More About MARIAH B. BOATWRIGHT:
Fact 1: Spelling of first name is taken from Elizabeth
Blackburn Boatwright's Bible. Some
sources spell the name "Mira".
33. iii. JAMES BLACKBURN BOATWRIGHT, b. May
26, 1801, Powhatan County, Virginia; d. Abt. 1875, Doniphan County, Kansas.
34. iv. WILLIAM VON BOATWRIGHT, b.
October 19, 1803, Powhatan County, Virginia; d. April 28, 1867, Darlington,
Missouri.
35. v. ELIZA REDFORD BOATWRIGHT, b. June
18, 1806, Powhatan County, Virginia; d. October 22, 1840, Madison County,
Kentucky.
36. vi. ALEXANDER ALLEN BOATWRIGHT, b.
January 03, 1808, Powhatan County, Virginia; d. January 21, 1885, Garrard
County, Kentucky.
vii. INFANT BOATWRIGHT, b.
January 03, 1811, Powhatan County, Virginia40; d. January 18,
1811, Powhatan County, Virginia40.
37. viii. RHODA ANN BOATWRIGHT, b. May
20, 1812, Powhatan County, Virginia; d. May 31, 1895, Platte County, Missouri.
38. ix. LUCY B. BOATWRIGHT, b. August
11, 1814, Powhatan County, Virginia; d. November 05, 1876, Maryville, Missouri.
39. x. BENJAMINE DANIEL BOATWRIGHT, b. December
11, 1816, Powhatan County, Virginia; d. Aft. 1891, Paint Lick, Garrard County,
Kentucky.
10.
SAMUEL3 BOATWRIGHT (JAMES2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN)) was born
April 17, 1771 in Cumberland County, Virginia41, and died
184442. He married RUTH JAIN November
1808 in Grainger County, Tennessee43.
Notes for SAMUEL BOATWRIGHT:
Much of the information concerning the descendants of
Samuel Boatwright was received from Dennis Guy Boatright. He gives Gerald Martin Boatright and Audry
B. Nash as his sources for this information.
More About RUTH JAIN:
Fact 1: Name appears in marriage records as Jain
Ruth.
Children of SAMUEL BOATWRIGHT and RUTH JAIN are:
i. DANIEL4 BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1809.
ii. HENRY H. BOATWRIGHT.
iii. JAMES W. BOATWRIGHT, m. MARY SANDERSON.
iv. JANE ANN BOATWRIGHT, m. MINOR HUMPHREY, 1844,
Fluvanna County, Virginia.
v. LITTLEBERRY BOATWRIGHT.
vi. MARTHA A. BOATWRIGHT, m. (1) SAMUEL PARRISH; m. (2) JAMES GENTRY.
40. vii. MICKLEBERRY BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1799, Virginia; d. 1887.
41. viii. SALLY BOATWRIGHT, d. Bef.
1838.
42. ix. ROBERT S. BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1810.
x. BUCK BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1812.
43. xi. DRURY WILSON BOATWRIGHT, b. June
24, 1814.
11.
WILLIAM3 BOATWRIGHT (JAMES2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN)) was born
May 29, 1784 in Cumberland County, Virginia44, and died
August 08, 1875 in Madison County, Arkansas45. He married (1) JAMIMA BOWEN July 22,
1808 in Grainger County, Tennessee46. She died 1820. He married (2) NANCY MORGAN April 29, 1821 in Grainger County, Tennessee. She was born February 15, 1804 in Tennessee,
and died in Madison County, Arkansas.
Notes for WILLIAM BOATWRIGHT:
Various dates of birth have been found for
William. We use the date shown, May 29,
1784, as this is the date found in his father's bible, as recorded by his
youngest brother, Chesley Hood Boatright.
A xerox copy of this recording is in my possession.
The 1850 Madison County, Arkansas, census, from which
the list of William's children by his second wife is taken, indicates that he was
63 years of age in 1850. This would
make his birth year 1787 rather than 1784, but we regard his father's bible
records as more accurate than the census.
It should also be noted that the 1850 census records
his second wife's age as 41 in 1850. We
show a date of birth for this wife, Nancy Morgan, as February 15, 1804, which
would make her about 46 years of age when the census was taken rather than 41
as shown in the census records.
Unfortunately, the source for Nancy's date of birth
was lost before it was recorded with these records, so we cannot positively
verify her actual date of birth.
The 1850 census also records the fact that Elizabeth
Waits, age 6; John Waits, age 4; and John Wells, age 19, were all living in
William's household in 1850.
More About WILLIAM BOATWRIGHT:
Fact 1: Buried at Huntsville, Madison County,
Arkansas
More About WILLIAM BOATWRIGHT and JAMIMA BOWEN:
Fact 1: Married by Samuel Yancey
More About WILLIAM BOATWRIGHT and NANCY MORGAN:
Fact 1: Married by J. C. Bunch, Justice of the Peace
Children of WILLIAM BOATWRIGHT and JAMIMA BOWEN are:
44. i. JOHN CALVIN4 BOATRIGHT, b. Bet.
1809 - 1811, Grainger County, Tennessee.
45. ii. JAMES H. BOATRIGHT, b. 1812,
Grainger County, Tennessee.
46. iii. NANCY PALESTINE BOATRIGHT, b. May
10, 1818, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. October 08, 1892, Arkansas.
Children of WILLIAM BOATWRIGHT and NANCY MORGAN are:
iv. TENNESSEE4 BOATRIGHT, b. Abt.
1836, Arkansas47.
v. MARTHA BOATRIGHT, b. Abt.
1838, Arkansas47.
vi. CERILDA BOATRIGHT, b. Abt.
1844, Arkansas47.
12.
LEONARD3 BOATWRIGHT (JAMES2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN)) was born
April 03, 179348, and died Abt. 1856 in Cumberland County,
Virginia. He married SUSANNAH S. RODGERS December
20, 1815 in Cumberland County, Virginia49. She was born Bet. 1784 - 1785.
Notes for LEONARD BOATWRIGHT:
Gerald Martin Boatwright reports that the 1830
Cumberland County, Virginia, Census indicates Leonard had 1 son under age 5 and
three between the ages of 10 and 14.
He also states that the 1840 Census of Cumberland
County shows 1 son between 10-14 years of age and 1 between 20-29 years old.
Finally, the 1850 Census indicates only 1 child at
home, a daughter, Mary, born 1826-27.
It is unclear why Mary didn't show up in the earlier
census records.
Children of LEONARD BOATWRIGHT and SUSANNAH RODGERS are:
47. i. WILLIAM L.4 BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1816.
ii. MARY BOATWRIGHT50, b. Bet.
1826 - 1827.
13.
CHESLEY HOOD3 BOATRIGHT (JAMES2 BOATWRIGHT, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN))51,52 was born
November 25, 1797 in Cumberland County, Virginia53, and died
May 27, 1867 in Madison County, Arkansas.
He married LOUISA TAYLOR March 29, 1818 in Grainger County, Tennessee54,
daughter of HUGHES TAYLOR and ELIZABETH CANNON. She was born August 16, 1801 in
Pittsylvania, Virginia, and died December 23, 1875 in Madison County, Arkansas.
Notes for CHESLEY HOOD BOATRIGHT:
Unless otherwise noted, sources for information
concerning the descendants of Chesley Hood Boatright are Verna Boatright
Milstead, Dennis Guy Boatright, Ruth Boatright Parker, Kristin Vaughn, Norman
Ricker, Betty Busbee, and David Michael Boatright.
The following paragraph concerning Chesley Hood is
taken from the "History of Northwest Arkansas", the chapter on
Madison county, Page 1102. It is an
excerpt of a biography which discusses Charles S. Keeney, his wife Mary
Elizabeth Boatright, and Charles' family.
"The mother was a daughter of the Rev. Chesley
Boatright, a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church. The Boatright [p.1102]
family of America belonged to the King's body guard, and escaping settled in
America prior to the Revolution, in which they took an active part. A number of
the family also did honorable service in the War of 1812. The Rev. Chesley
Boatright was a native of Virginia, and came to Madison County as a missionary
of the Baptist Church when the country was but sparsely settled. He established
the first Baptist Church in Northwest Arkansas, and was one of the best known
men in the Cherokee Nation."
Chesley Hood Boatright was ordained a Baptist
minister in 1833 at the Hebron Church, Knox County, Tennessee.
More About CHESLEY HOOD BOATRIGHT:
Fact 1: Buried in Boatright Cemetery, east of
Buckeye, Madison County, Arkansas
Fact 2: Existing documents indicate that Chesley
spelled his last name "Bootright".
More About LOUISA TAYLOR:
Fact 1: Buried in Boatright Cemetery, east of
Buckeye, Madison County, Arkansas
Fact 2: Dennis Guy Boatright and Norman Hurd Ricker,
Jr., give Louisa's place of birth as Grainger County, Tennessee.
More About CHESLEY BOATRIGHT and LOUISA TAYLOR:
Fact 1: Married by Caleb Witt, Minister of the Gospel
Children of CHESLEY BOATRIGHT and LOUISA TAYLOR are:
48. i. MARY ELIZABETH4 BOATRIGHT, b. March
22, 1819, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. 1889.
49. ii. JAMES HUGHES BOATRIGHT, b.
February 21, 1821, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. September 08, 1910, Madison
County, Arkansas.
iii. CYNTHIA EMILY BOATRIGHT, b. May
17, 1823, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. January 11, 1840.
50. iv. HARVEY WOODSON BOATRIGHT, b.
November 02, 1825, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. November 01, 1853, Campbell
County, Tennessee.
v. RACHEL LOUISA BOATRIGHT, b.
February 23, 1828, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. March 10, 1840.
51. vi. RIETTA JEHOSABETH BOATRIGHT, b.
February 26, 1832, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. September 23, 1912, Johnson,
Arkansas.
vii. CHESLEY TAYLOR BOATRIGHT55,56,57, b. June
13, 1834, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. January 10, 1863, Madison County, Arkansas;
m. ELIZABETH WEST58, January
1861, Arkansas; b. Abt. 1835, Tennessee.
Notes for CHESLEY TAYLOR BOATRIGHT:
Chesley T. Boatwright served in Waul's Legion, Company
"A", C.S.A., from Texas. He
was killed in service in 1863.
52. viii. MARTHA ELEANOR JANE BOATWRIGHT, b.
September 08, 1836, Grainger County, Tennessee.
ix. NANCY KESIA "KAY" BOATRIGHT, b.
February 21, 1839, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. May 26, 1864, Washington
County, Arkansas59; m. BENJAMIN F. JOHNSON59,60, October
01, 1856, Arkansas; b. March 12, 1835, Tennessee.
Notes for BENJAMIN F. JOHNSON:
Benjamin is the brother of Jacob Queener Johnson,
husband of Rietta J. Boatwright.
x. EDNA ANN BOATRIGHT61, b. June 11,
1841, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. February 23, 1862, Madison County,
Arkansas.
More About EDNA ANN BOATRIGHT:
Fact 1: Buried in Boatright Cemetery, east of Buckeye,
Madison County, Arkansas
xi. ELISA VIRGINIA BOATRIGHT, b. November
05, 1843, Grainger County, Tennessee; m. MR. EVANS61.
More About ELISA VIRGINIA BOATRIGHT:
Fact
1: Some sources give her first name as Eliza or Elizabeth..
Generation
No. 4
14.
POWHATAN VALENTINE4 BOATWRIGHT (JOHN JOSEPH3, DANIEL2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN))61,62 was born
July 13, 1790 in Amherst County, Virginia, and died December 21, 1880 in Union
Parish, Louisiana. He married (1) LUCY UTELY63 December
23, 1815 in Jessamine County, Kentucky63, daughter of WILLIAM UTLEY and MARY RAGLAND. She was born Abt. 1799, and died Aft.
1823. He married (2) NANCY ELEANOR BURKE63 July 24,
1826 in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.
She was born Abt. 1792 in South Carolina, and died Abt. 1870 in Union
Parish, Louisiana.
Notes for POWHATAN VALENTINE BOATWRIGHT:
There is some uncertainty as to whether Powhatan was
the son of John James and Elizabeth Boatwright, but both William E. Boatright
and Norman Hurd Ricker support the fact that he was.
He enlisted in Captain Parke Bailey's company of the
Virginia Militia on 02/28/1814 in Cumberland County. He transferred to Captain John Cole's company on 03/25/1814 and
was discharged on 06/29/1814. He
applied for and received a Pension on October 3, 1873.
He was also commissioned a 1st Lt. in the 7th Regiment,
Arkansas Militia on September 21, 1824.
In 1836 he owned 500 acres of land in Union Parish,
Louisiana, near the Arkansas line.
Records indicate that he was an elected Police Juryman (County
Commissioner) in 1841 and was one of the men selected to pick a church site for
the Zion Hill Baptist Church in 1845.
In 1860 his real estate property was assessed at $2,700 and his personal
property at $790.
He is buried at the Boatright Cemetery 9 miles north
of Farmerville, Louisiana.
More About POWHATAN VALENTINE BOATWRIGHT:
Fact 1: Unless otherwise noted, most of the
information concerning the descendants of Powhatan was received from Tim
Hudson.
Notes for LUCY UTELY:
Lucy was one of twelve children. Her mother was already deceased at the time
of her father's death and an older brother was named guardian of the younger
children. Lucy spent some time in
Amelia County, Virginia, before going to Jessamine County, Kentucky, to live
with an older brother and his family.
It was in Jessamine county where she married Powhatan.
It was only two months later, February 5, 1816, that
she placed an ad in the Kentucky Gazette as "Lucy Botewright, late Lucy
Utley of Virginia," regarding her "runaway husband, Powhattan
Botewright."
They were obviously reunited as three children were
born to Powhatan and Lucy between 1818 and 1823. It is believed, but not proven, that Lucy died as a result of
giving birth to their third child in 1823.
Source: Tim
Hudson
More About NANCY ELEANOR BURKE:
Fact 1: Nancy Burke was a widow when married by
Powhatan Boatwright.
Fact 2: Some sources indicate date of death between
1873-1880.
Children of POWHATAN BOATWRIGHT and LUCY UTELY are:
53. i. JOHN W.5 BOATRIGHT, b. Abt.
1818, Virginia; d. April 24, 1862, Richmond, Virginia.
54. ii. JAMES S. BOATRIGHT, b. Abt.
1822, Batesville, Arkansas; d. November 25, 1862, Hinds County, Mississippi.
55. iii. CHARLOTTE "CHARITY" BOATRIGHT, b.
September 20, 1823, Batesville, Arkansas; d. February 01, 1913, Union Parish,
Louisiana.
Children of POWHATAN BOATWRIGHT and NANCY BURKE are:
iv. FRANCES "FRANKIE"5 BOATRIGHT63, b. Abt.
1827, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana; d. Aft. November 01, 1881, Union Parish,
Louisiana; m. (1) THOMAS PEARSON, March 25, 1845, Farmerville, Louisiana; b. Abt.
1822; d. Abt. 1869; m. (2) FRANCIS WILLIAM GOYNE, 1873; b. Abt. 1821.
More About FRANCES "FRANKIE" BOATRIGHT:
Fact 1: Some sources give her date of birth as 1828.
Fact 2: Tim Hudson gives year of death as 1897
v. POWHATAN B. BOATRIGHT63, b. Abt.
1829, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.
More About POWHATAN B. BOATRIGHT:
Fact 1: One source gives name as "Pucatan
B."
56. vi. JESSE BOATRIGHT, b.
November 17, 1832, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana; d. May 14, 1905, Union Parish,
Louisiana.
57. vii. LINIER "LEWIS" BOATRIGHT, b. Abt. 1835,
Claiborne Parish, Louisiana; d. September 10, 1862, Union Parish, Louisiana.
58. viii. MARY BOATRIGHT, b. Abt.
1837, Ouachita or Claiborne Parish, Louisiana; d. February 12, 1897, Union
Parish, Louisiana.
59. ix. WILLIAM CLEATON BOATRIGHT, b. Abt.
1839, Union Parish, Louisiana; d. September 10, 1862, Hinds County,
Mississippi.
15.
WILLIAM4 BOATWRIGHT (JOHN JOSEPH3, DANIEL2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN)) was born
Abt. 1793 in Virginia, and died 1887 in Madison County, Arkansas64.
Children of WILLIAM BOATWRIGHT are:
60. i. WILLIAM MCLEAN5 BOATRIGHT, b. March
01, 1814, Grainger County, Tennessee; d. September 04, 1889, Arkansas.
61. ii. CHESLEY H. BOATRIGHT, b. Abt.
1824; d. 1865.
16.
LITTLEBERRY4 BOATWRIGHT (JOHN JOSEPH3, DANIEL2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN))65,66 was born
October 12, 1794 in Virginia, and died March 06, 1860 in Powhatan County,
Virginia66. He
married JUDITH SUBLETT December 08, 1817 in Powhatan County, Virginia67. She was born Abt. 178368,
and died June 01, 188169.
Notes for LITTLEBERRY BOATWRIGHT:
List of children of Littleberry and Judith, as well
as Judith's date of birth, contain a number of uncertainties.
Norman Hurd Ricker lists all of the children and
their date of births except for John.
Information concerning John comes from Roberta Blomberg. None of the information concerning these
children has been verified anywhere else and may not be completely accurate.
For example, Ricker shows William as being born about
1834. He also indicates that Judith was
born about 1783. If both of these dates
are correct, Judith would have been over fifty when Wiliam was born. While not impossible, it would have been
unusual, particularly in those times.
More About LITTLEBERRY BOATWRIGHT:
Fact 1: Served with Samuel Marshall's Co., Virginia
Militia, War of 1812.
Children of LITTLEBERRY BOATWRIGHT and JUDITH SUBLETT are:
i. ELIZA5 BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1825.
ii. GARRISON BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1828.
iii. JOHN J. BOATWRIGHT70, b. Abt.
1830; m. LOUISA C. HAMILTON.
More About LOUISA C. HAMILTON:
Burial: Buried Greenfield Cemetery, Goochland County,
Virginia
Fact 1: First name has also been found spelled Louise.
iv. VIRGINIA BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1832.
v. WILLIAM BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt.
1834.
17. CARY HARRISON4 BOATWRIGHT (JOHN JOSEPH3, DANIEL2, JAMES BOATWRIGHT1 (ALLEN)) was born December 03, 1800 in Virginia, and died March 18, 1870 in Cooper County, Missouri. He married (1) MAHALA WHEELER December 13, 1821 in Kanawha County, Virginia71. She was born Abt. 1803, and died August 24, 1824 in Kanawha County, Virginia. He married (2) MARGARET JINKINS (JENKINS) May 23, 1825 in Kanawha County, Virginia71. She died November 23, 1828 in Kanawha County, Virginia. He married (3) HARRIET STARKE December 13, 1828 in Kanawha County, Virginia, daughter of JOHN STARKE and SALLIE WHITESIDE. She was born D