William Boatwright

Other Events:

• Name: William Boatright
• Reference Number: 1952
• Birth: 1750, York, Virginia, USA
• Death: 1828, Chesterfield, South Carolina, USA

Other Events:

• Name: Thomas Boatright
• Reference Number: 1948
• Birth: 1715, York, Virginia, USA
• Death: 26 Mar 1778, South Carolina, USA

Notes:

Notes for Thomas Boatwright, Sr.:

In 1714 William Byrd,II argued before the Colonial Board that the cost of the government in Virginia, which had become a burden on the King, could be defrayed by selling the land outright at 5 shillings for 50 acres. This produced a profound effect on the colony and by 1755 almost all of present Virginia had been claimed, mostly by descendants of the early colonists. Persons arriving in years after that were obligated to purchase land from the conglomerate landholders and speculators at the market rate.

Boatright Research Notes by Norman Hurd Ricker, Jr. - Virginia Boatwrights:

Thomas Boatwright - 1733, Son of John - Henrico County, Virginia - purchased 322 acres on 6-22-1733. descendants settled Henrico Hanover, Cumberland & Prince Edward Counties.

Thomas Boatwright - 1733, Son of John - Henrico County, Virginia - Thomas patented 322 acres on 6-20-1733.

Thomas Boatwright - 1735, Son of John - Henrico County, Virginia - Henrico Shire created of what now is Henrico, Chesterfield & Powhatan Counties; Thomas' land mentioned in boundry description. Name spelled "Bootright".

Thomas Boatwright - 1736, Son of John - Henrico County, Virginia - Sold land to William Laffoon of Brunswick County 5-3-1736. (Others spell Saffoon)

Note: There are no futher records of Thomas in Henrico County. The next record of Thomas is in 1757 in Craven County, South Carolina.
Thomas Boatwright located to Craven County, which became Cheraws District in 1769, Chesterfield County in 1785 and then Chesterfield District in 1798.

Boatright Research Notes by Norman Hurd Ricker, Jr. - South Carolina Boatwrights:

Thomas Boatwright - 1757, Witness to Will of Abraham Paul of Cravens Co in 1757. (first record of Thomas Sr. in South Carolina)

Thomas Boatwright - 1757, Witnessed Will of Abraham Paul, wife Amey, 1-13-1757.

Thomas Boatwright - 1759, Witnessed Deed Martin Johnson to John Bone.

Thomas Boatwright - 1762 Grant on Thompson Creek to him 12-20-1762 by the Province.

Thomas Boatwright - 1768 He voted in election of Members of Assembly for St David’s Parish,10-5-1768.

Thomas Boatwright - 1768 Voted for vestrymen in St Davids Parish (Old Cheraws, SC)

Thomas Boatwright - 1770 Deed Thomas Botewright Sr to Thomas Botewright Jr. 100 Acres on Thomsons Creek, 9-20-1770 recorded 10-21-1771.

Thomas Boatwright - 1770 Deed Thomas Botewright Sr to William Botewright 200 Acres, balance of Grant to Thomas Sr. not deeded to Thomas Jr. dated 9-20-1770 recorded 10-21-1771.

Thomas Boatwright - 1771 Thomas Underwood to Thomas Boatwright, sale. Archives 0007 001 03X0 00350 00 Public Register of Conveyances 1719-26. (William Moss m Dosier Underwood born 1803 Georgia; Lemuel Underwood born 1771 Virginia was enumerated with William Moss in 1850 census Newton County, Georgia Census.

Thomas Boatwright - 1772 Deed Thomas Underwood, Yeoman of St. David's Parish SC to Thomas Boatwright, Planter, same place, 100 acres on north side of Thompson's Creek, being half of 200 acres granted 7-4-1749 by Govenor James Glen to Abraham Paul. Recorded 7-3-1771.

Thomas Boatwright - 1772 Deed Thomas Underwood to Thomas Boatwright 2-1-1772, Thomas Underwood in Parish of St David Prov of SC Yeoman, Thomas Boatwright of the same, Planter, 200 Acres on Thompsons Creek in Parish of St David's. Land conveyed by Almleam Paul by heirship unto John Paul unto Thomas Underwood for 10 pounds for 100 Acres on north side of Thompson Creek, part of 200 Acres. Witness: Jacob Johnson, Robert Williams Peter Walker, M.P. Mark. Sworn to 2-21-1772, Recorded 7-3-1772.

Thomas Boatwright - 1775 Thomas Singleton Plat for 700 Acres 5-8-1775. Archives 0009 003 0019 00489 01 Secretary State, Surveyor General Colonel Plats.

Thomas Boatwright - 1775 John Belton Plat for 100 Acres 5-9-1775. Archives 0009 003 0013 00193 01 Secretary State, Surveyor General Colonel Plats.

Thomas Boatwright - 1776 Misc Estate Records 1774 to 1779, Page 441/442 dated 8-15-1776. Wife Margaret. son, William. William born Virginia ca 1744. Daniel Sundy - Witness. Rachel Hendrick - Witness. Recorded 8-16-1776 Cheraw District.

Notes: relationship of Thomas and James Boatwright:

There is no firm information to show that Thomas was the brother of James; however, his was the "first Boatwright name in America" found in early records. (See Boddie, "Historical Southern Families", Vol. VIII, p 180.). Thomas's descendants are known to have settled in Henrico, Cumberland, Hanover and Prince Edward Counties of Virginia. This is consistent with James.

Thomas's relationship with Daniel is similarly indefinite.

There is a persistent family legend that Boatwrights in America descend from early immigrants who changed their name to escape from an English bondage. The following is found in "Index and Outline: The Boat(w)right and Allied Families in the SE USA" edited by Norman H. Ricker, LDS microfilm #1597678: "James, Jesse and John Allen escaped from King of England's Court to America ca. 1703; another account says they came from Ireland to avoid military service. In America, they worked as boat builders, and to avoid discovery assumed the name of BOATWRIGHT. There is no factual evidence to support these stories. Boat(w)right is an authentic English name."

Sources:

Author: Boddie, John Bennett
Title: "Historical Southern Families"
Publication: Genealogical Publishing Company
Note: Sixteen Volume Set
Material for chapter titled "The Boatwright family of Virginia", was provided by R. G.
Boatright and Lorene Miller Wallace.
Repository:
Page: Volume II, p. 53; Volume XI, p. 183-4.

Author: Ricker, Norman H.
Title: "Index & Outline: The Boat(w)right and Allied Families"
Publication: LDS Library, Salt lake City, Utah, 1989
Note:
Material Compiled by Lt. Colonel Wm. E. Boatright, Cabool, Missouri
Repository:
Page: p. 111

Notes: St. David's Parish, South Carolina:

Thomas Boatwright was a founding member of St. David's Parish Anglican Church, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

In 1768 by an act of the General Assembly of the Province of South Carolina, St. David's Parish was established to serve both the religious and civic needs of a growing population. The parish included the lands that later became Chesterfield, Marlboro, and Darlington Counties and portions of Florence and Lee.

During the colonial period, the Anglican Church was the established church in South Carolina, and the Vestry was as much a political body as a religious one. The wardens and commissioners were responsible for the roads, the poor, orphans, voting and collecting taxes in addition to their church duties.

This last parish to be established under King George III was named for David, patron saint of Wales. The first major Settlement in the Old Cheraws was the Welsh one near present day Society Hill, and the "Welsh Neck" made up a large portion of the new parish.

On February 22, 1770 the Commissioners contracted the building of a church with Thomas Bingham, carpenter. The building was to be located on the southwest side of the Pee Dee River on land granted for that purpose by Ely Kershaw, who owned most of what is now the downtown area of Cheraw. The church was in use by 1772, but was not actually completed until 1774.

During the Revolution, St. Davids was used by the South Carolina militia as quarters on several occasions, and in the summer of 1780, the 71st Highlanders (British) also used the church for quarters and a hospital. The Highlanders were a regiment of Lord Cornwallis' Army under the command of Colonel Campbell. A number of them became ill, probably with small pox, died and are buried in an unmarked mass grave at the front of the church. The officers were buried individually in graves covered by brick mounds.

The first "settlement" clergyman was the Rev. Andrew Fowler who came in 1819. He also founded a mission in Wadesboro NC. Later rectors founded the Episcopal churches in Society Hill (1834) and Bennettsville (1863). Two Episcopal Bishops were rectors of Old St. David's. The Rt. Rev. Alexander Gregg was the rector from 1846-1859. He also authored A History of the Old Cheraws. The Rev. Gregg was called to be the first Episcopal bishop of Texas where he named a number of parishes "St. David's" after his former church. During the War Between the States, Old St. David's was used as a hospital by both armies. There are two drawings showing the church with rows of tents among the graves. The church was slightly damaged in the munitions explosion that destroyed most of the business area at that time.

In the surrounding cemetery lie soldiers from all of America's wars. The first Confederate Monument (1867) ever built is there, as well as the graves of famous steamboat commander Moses Rogers, and Alexander Gregg. While the old portion of the cemetery belongs to the Episcopal Church, people of all faiths are buried here, and there is even a Catholic section. Please note that because the Vestry of St. David's also served the community as a political body (voting, collecting taxes, etc.), early records will contain the names of members of all religious denominations.

Minutes of St. David's Vestry

April 1768:

The following gentlemen were named Commissioners for the Parish of St. David's:

Claudius Pegues Charles Bedingfield Philip Pledger James James Alexander Mackintosh Robert Weaver George Hicks James Thomson Thomas Ellerbee Thomas Crawford Robert Alison Thomas Porte Thomas Lide Benjamin Rogers

August 1st 1768:

The Commissioners met at the House of Mr. Charles Bedingfield. Absent were Thomas Ellerbee, Robert Weaver, James Thomson, Thomas Crawford and Thomas Porte.

Declining to act as Commissioners were Alexander Mackintosh, James James and Robert Alison.

Elections were held.

Elected as Vestry Men:

* Claudius Pegues
* Philip Pledger
* William Godfrey
* Charles Bedingfield
* Thomas Lide
* Thomas Ellerbee
* Thomas Bingham

Elected as Church Wardens: Alexander Gordon and Benjamin Rogers.

Durham Hitts was appointed Clerk of the Vestry.

Electors were:

* William Hardwick
* Duke Glen
* John Mackintosh
* John Jenkins
* Edward Ellerbee
* John Husbands
* Thomas Boatright, Senior
* Jesse Counsell
* John Pledger
* Robert Clary
* Robert Anderson
* Benjamin Jackson
* James Knight
* Samuel Wise
* James Thursby
* Thomas Williams
* Thomas Wade
* Leonard Dozier

1776 Will of Thomas Boatwright Sr.:

BOATRIGHT Pgs 441 & 442 Misc. Estate Records 177401779, obtained from SC Archives. Indenture used as a Will by Thomas Boatright Sr., dated 8-15-1776, Recorded on 8-16-1776, Cheraw District, Craven County SC.

This indenture made the 15th day of August in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy Six between Thomas Boatwright (Sen.) of the County of Craven in the Province of South Carolina, Planter, of the one part and William Boatwright, son of the said Thomas Boatwright, of the County and Province afd of the other part - WITNESSETH that the said Thomas Boatwright, as well, for, and in consideration of the natural love and affection which he beareth unto his sd son Wm Boatwright, as also of the sum of five pounds current money, of the aforesaid Province, to him in hand paid by the sd Wm Boatwright, he the sd Thomas Boatwright, hath given, granted and confirmed, & by these presents doth give grant & confirm unto the sd Wm Boatwright_______ all that stock of horses & mares having br the name of _______ Boatwright now running at large in the af _____________ branded, with a figure of six as also all my meat cattle marked with a swallow fork & a nick in the left ear, the right ear, whole. One feather bed & furniture, as well also all & singular my household furniture in what place or places so ever the same, shall be found, as well in his own possession and custody, as in the custody or possession of any other person or persons what so ever, as they now are, or which at any time here after during the life of the sd Thomas Boatwright may be ___________reased. To have & to hold all and singular, the said horses meat cattle & all other, the premises afsd unto the said Wm Boatwright his Executors, Administrators & Assigns for ever, provided always, and upon condition that the said Wm Boatwright, his Executors, Adm. & Assigns, do & shall permit & suffer him the sd Thomas Boatwright to have hold, use, occupy, possess, and enjoy the sd horses meat cattle and all & singular the premises within granted for and during so long time as the sd Thomas Boatwright and Margaret his wife, shall happen to live and the sd Thomas Boatwright for himself, his Executors and Administrators, doth covenant and agree to & with sd William Boatwright his Executors and Administrators, by & under the conditions afsd not otherwise, shall & may peaceably & quietly, have, hold, and enjoy all & singular the horses meat cattle & premises afsd in manner afsd without any molestation hindrance or interruption, by any person or persons what so ever, claiming under him or by his act means or procurement, IN WITNESS whereof I the sd Thomas Boatwright, have here unto put my hand and seal the day & year first within written.

Signed Sealed & Delivered In presence of - Daniel Sundy, Rachel Hendrick
Thomas Boatwright (Seal)

Thomas married Margaret Dyer 1725, Virginia, USA. Margaret was born 1707, Virginia, USA; died Aft 1776, Chesterfield, South Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 4368

Other Events:

• Find-A-Grave: 49862770
• Reference Number: 1905

Notes:

John is recorded as being born in 1680, a resident of New Kent County, a member of the St. Peter & Paul parishes, paying tax or quit rent on 250 acres of land. St Peter's parish is located in New Kent County. St Paul's parish is located in what was then New Kent County but today is Hanover County, formed in 1720 from a portion of New Kent County.

There is evidence that John married Sarah Dyer in 1701, she was born, ca 1683, the daughter of William Dyer, born 1661 and wife Mary, born 1664. Sarah's mother, Mary's will, dated March 7, 1702 named "Sarah Boatright my daughter," and Sarah's brothers & sisters.

John appears to have lived his life in New Kent/Hanover Counties. Because of the burning of the New Kent and Hanover court house records, many valuable records including land purchases, birth and death records, to further substantiate John's life, have been lost.

Buried:
Boatwright Burial Ground

John married Sarah Dyer 1701, York, Virginia, USA. Sarah (daughter of William Dyer and Mary Taylor) was born Abt 1683, York, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 4369

Other Events:

• Find-A-Grave: 49862644
• Reference Number: 1908
• Birth: 1635, Fressingfield, Suffolk, England

Notes:

The coach box is said to have belonged to John, the original Boatwright immigrant to America. The box has been passed down through the James Boatwright (b. 1745 - Virginia) family and is now owned by Dan Boatwright.

Our ancestor, John Boatwright, Jr. traveled from Suffolk, England to the new world of Virginia in the mid 1600's. John, Jr. signed on as an indentured servant. It must be emphasized that the indentured servants were not slaves, and that at the expiration of their terms there was no barrier, legal, racial, or social to their advancement. The terms of indenture not only took for granted that the servant, upon completing his contract would establish himself as a proprietor, but usually made it obligatory for the master to furnish him with the equipment necessary for his new life. The servants upon completing their contract, were often given fifty acre plots and finally became owners of land. In exchange for his passage to America, young John agreed to work as an indentured servant for three to seven years. This was a very common way of attracting people to the new world: the promise of a bright future, land ownership and freedom, in exchange for three to seven years of hard labor. John's headright was granted to Humphrey Dennis, of Virginia, in 1654, in exchange for the payment of John Jr.'s passage to Virginia.

John Boatwright Coach Box

Why did young John travel from England to Virginia? England was in turmoil in the late 1640's. The English civil war had just ended. Victorious Puritans would soon behead the King, Charles I. Oliver Cromwell was in the early stages of his protectorate and still battling competitors for supremacy among their Puritan comrades. As the Puritan government became established, Englishmen who supported the monarchy found that England was no longer a safe haven for them. Not only might they lose their financial wealth, some were in danger of losing their heads if they remained in England. The Stepney docks must have been frantically busy as entire families and their retainers sought passage out of England. Was it, perhaps, imperative that John Jr. leave the country at this time? Was John Jr. or his parents so closely associated with the Royalist cause that he had to flee for his safety? Or was John simply looking for a better life, the chance to own land and prosper? We will most likely never know the cause of John's immigration to Virginia as an indentured servant.

John 1631 Gloucester, VA 1654 Immigrated, transportation paid by Humphry Dennis. (Early VA Immigrants 1622- 66, by Greer).

John 1631 Gloucester, VA 1654 He was indentured to Humphrey Dennis of Gloucester Co in 1654. His head right for 50 Acres on South side of Kings Creek, near Poropotank, Gloucester Co, registered 7-6-1654 at Richmond Land Office, Henrico Co VA (Boatright Research Notes by Norman Hurd Ricker, Jr. - Virginia Boatwrights).

The Gloucester County court minute books (book 3, page 322, dated July 6, 1654) record 200 acres granted to Humphrey Dennis, on the south side of Kings Creek, near Poropotank. Headrights for Mary Smith, Thomas Bourne, Thomas Thraile and John Boatwright. These same 200 acres were re-granted as head rights to John Guthrie, noted in the record that the land was "Granted to Humphrey Dennis 1654, deserted". Humphrey Dennis traveled to Virginia as an indentured servant, his head right recorded in 1639 by George Minifye, Esquire, on the north side of the Charles (York) River, beginning at the creek upon the west side of the Indian Fields, opposite Queens Creek and down the river to Timberneck Creek. Kings Creek, Timberneck Creek, Queens Creek and the Poropotank river exist today. The Poropotank river forms the border between Gloucester County and what was then New Kent County (today King & Queen County). The Poropotank river feeds into the York River.

One of only two records of John Jr. in Virginia is the recording of the land granted to Humphrey Dennis for John's headright. That land was located near the Poropotank River, on what is today the border of Gloucester and King & Queen Counties. At the time John arrived in Virginia, both Gloucester and King & Queen Counties were part of York County. John most likely farmed tobacco and would have moved west, in search of land. John Jr. and his son, John III, are recorded in the 1704 Virginia Quit Rent Rolls. John Jr. is indicated as owning 250 acres of land in New Kent County. John III is recorded as being born in 1680, a resident of New Kent County, a member of the St. Peter & Paul parishes, paying tax or quit rent on 250 acres of land.

St. Peter's parish is located in New Kent County. St. Paul's parish is located in what was then New Kent County but today is Hanover County, formed in 1720 from a portion of New Kent County. It would appear by these records that John Jr. settled in what was originally York County but became New Kent County and eventually Hanover County. Because of the burning of the New Kent and Hanover court house records, many valuable records including land purchases, birth and death records, to further substantiate John Jr. or John III's lives, have been lost.

Buried:
Boatwright Burial Ground

John married Elizabeth (Unknown) Abt 1676, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth was born Abt 1646, England; died , Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 4488
• Birth: 1641, Lincolnshire, England

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 4370

William — Mary Taylor. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 13833