Notes:

. Family papers may be found at NJ Historical Society. The collection consists of the papers of the Boggs family, as well as the allied Blauvelt, Kearny & Lawrence families. The materials range in date from 1737 to 1950, & include correspondence; composition notebooks; diaries; estate, financial & legal papers; genealogies; & musical scores.

. Robert Boggs 3 wives are:
1st. Cousin Mary Morris, daughter of Uncle Robt. Morris. T2 Boggs children. Married 28 May 1795.
2nd. Mary Lawrence, daughter of Hon. John Lawrence, of Burlington, NJ. married 7 Aug, 1802.*
3rd wife: Maria Eliza Brenton Stewart. Widow of Leslie Stewart of Halifax, NS. Married 17 Jun 1817. One Boggs child.

. Robert, eldest child of Dr. James & Mary Morris Boggs, was brought up together with his other brothers & sisters whom his father had left behind him in New Jersey, in the home of his uncle, Judge Morris, of New Brunswick, with whom he studied & practiced law, spending his life in that city where he was at one time clerk of the US district court. He died in New Brunswick, in 1831. He married (first) his cousin. Mary Morris, by whom he had one child, Robert, who married Jane Dunham, & had 3 children.
He married (second) Mary, the sister of James Lawrence, United States Navy, who commanded the frigate "Chesapeake" in her engagement with the "Shannon." She bore him 3 children:
1. Brenton, of the United States navy.
2. Mary, married J. S. Blauvelt, of New Brunswick.
3. Charles Stuart, referred to below. He married (third) Maria Brenton, born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1780, died in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1866. They had one child: Edward Brenton.
Ref: Genealogical & memorial history of the State of New Jersey, 1910.

. The children of Dr. James Boggs & Mary Morris 2 sons, Robert & James, remained in the United States, when the family removed to Nova Scotia. The American Branch of the Boggs Family.
ROBERT BOGGS was born at Indian Neck, Tinton Falls, near Eatontown, New Jersey, Nov. 13th, 1766, at 3 P. M., & died at New Brunswick, N. J., Jan. 11th, 1831, after a lingering illness caused by tumor of the stomach. The Baptismal Register of Christ Church, Shrewsbury, N.J., has an entry for Dec. 14th, 1766, & indicates that the ceremony was performed by Rev. Mr. Cooke; that it was a private one; & that the sponsors were Robert McKean, Theodore Maurice, & Elizabeth Stogdell.
Robert was seventeen years of age at the time the family removed from New Jersey to Nova Scotia, & he chose to remain in the United States. He studied law in the office of his uncle, Judge Robert Morris, & practiced his profession in New Brunswick, N. J. He was admitted Attorney-at-law in 1789, a* Counsellor-at-law in 1794. He was Judge Advocate General of the NJ Militia, from 1794 to 1795. He was Clerk of the United States District Court from 1790 to 1815, & appointed Sergeant-at-law in 1816. He was elected a trustee of Rutgers College in 1800. An active & influential member of the Anglican Church, he was almost all his life connected with Christ Church, New Brunswick Co., [USA] holding office frequently. He was Clerk of the Convention; member of the Standing Committee; Deputy to the General Convention. He was Vestryman & Clerk of the Parish in 1793. He continued an active & prominent member of the vestry until his death. His remains were interred in Christ Churchyard, New Brunswick, where his tombstone bears this inscription: Born November 13th 1766. Died January 11th, 1831.
'This mortal shall put on immortality. For the trumpet shall sound & the dead shall be raised'."
Robert was one of the executors of the will of his uncle, Robert Morris, who died in June 1815, & it would seem from the correspondence that has survived the years, regarding this duty, that it was by no means a small task, extending, as it did, over several years, & entailing a vast amount of correspondence. The settlement of the 2 wills, that of Robert Hunter Morris, & that of his son, Robert Morris, loomed up as a business of prodigious importance & almost interminable work & worry for all the members of the family in the days of Robert Boggs & his contemporaries.
Robert Boggs was married 3 times. His first wife, whom he married on May 28th, 1795, was his cousin, Mary Morris, daughter of Judge Robert Morris. She was born at Newark, N. J., in Feb. 1775, & died at New Brunswick, N. J., June 24th, 1799, aged 25 years. She was interred in Christ Churchyard, New Brunswick.
Robert's second wife was Mary Lawrence, daughter of John Lawrence, Esq., of Burlington, N. J., & a
sister of Capt. James Lawrence, the heroic commander of the United States frigate "Chesapeake. … Mary Lawrence was born at Burlington, N. J., in 1777, & died at New Brunswick, N. J., Feb. 12th, 1815. She was married to Robert Boggs, August 7th, 1802.

. 1791 Apr 15, Tues. District Court of US, NJ District, By Order of Hon Robert Morris, Esquire, Judge of said Court. Notice is hereby given to all whom it may concern the following goods & wares, fabric, buttons, china etc. sized as contraband by Jon Ross Esq. collect of customs for the port of Burlington. By Order of the Court, Robert Boggs, Clerk.
Ref: Brunswick Gazette, NJ.
. 1787 Wardens of Christ Church, New Brunswick Diocese, NJ, Robt. Boggs.

. 1799 Oct 24. Dr. Boggs wrote to his son Robert, who was in New Jersey, & in this letter says "we have just received accounts of Seringapatam being taken & Tippoo killed & a most complete victory obtained over him, so that the black Scoundrel will never disturb that quarter of the World any more."

. 1798 Dec 3rd, Thomas Boggs, writing from Halifax to his brother Robert in NJ, indicates that he he still living with his parents & has recently purchased a large house which they occupy & to which they invite their New Brunswick, NJ relatives for a visit.

. Stayed in NJ when his parents moved to Halifax, NS. He served in the US Navy in the Mexico & Civil Wars. In the Civil War he commanded at Varunan under Farragut's fleet in their entry to New Orleans.
Robert had studied law in the Rutgers College office of his uncle Robert Morris (who served with the Revolutionary troops) & practiced law in New Brunswick. Robert Boggs served as the Judge Advocate General of the New Jersey Militia from 1794-1795, then a clerk of the U.S. District Court from 1790-1815, & became a Rutgers trustee in 1800.

. Robert Boggs, studied law in the office of Uncle, US Judge, Robt. Morris; Attorney-at-law, 1789, Counsellor-at-law 1794, Judge Advocate General of NJ Militia, 1794-5 Clerk of US District Court 1790-115.
Sergeant-at-law in 1794. [His father-in-law, John Brown Lawrence had also held this position.]

. Unrecorded Estate Papers 2914-3142, Middlesex:
. Account of Maria E Boggs & Wm. Brenton Boggs & their disbursements of the Estate of said RM Boggs [Extracts from very orderly account of 15 pages!]
. 1831 Feb 24, Amount of Inventory, $30,330.68 [listing investments in banks & money owing to him]
. Amounts of Bonds & Montages not collected, Total $235.11
. Amount paid Mrs Boggs for supper of household out of income of Estate/per Will, $3,440.30.
Balance in accounts: $58,683.66. as of
. 1834 Mar 17, Signed, M E Boggs, Wm Brenton Boggs, Executors.
Surrogate Court Wit: Thos Hance, Jos Churney, To ford, Simons Maungy. [p452]
Ref: NJ Wills & Probate Records, 1739, Estate File 983, Robert Morris Boggs, p 441-460.

. 1790 Nov 17 - New Brunswick, on the 2nd instant the District Court of NJ was held in Burlington. Robert Boggs & Joseph Scudder, Esqrs. were admitted as attorneys of said Court.
Ref: NJ Journal.

. 1799 Oct 24th, Dr. Robt. Boggs wrote to his son Robert, who was in NJ, & in this letter tells about British battle at Tippoo.
In 1798 Dec 3rd, Thomas Boggs, writing from Halifax to his brother Robert in NJ, indicates that he he still living with his parents & has recently purchased a large house which they occupy & to which they invite their New Brunswick, NJ relatives for a visit.

. 1800 Dec 24 -WILL of Joseph Covehoven, Franklin Twp. Somerset: Wit. Robt. Boggs.
. 1812 Jan. - Ben. Tuttle of N. Brunswick, Middlesex Co. NJ. Wit: Robt. Boggs, Kearney Newell.

. 1805 Jan 31 - The stockholders of the Trenton & New Brunswick Turnpike Company met at Kingston, 622 shares being represented & elected: President John Baynard, Robert Boggs, Director.
. 1805 Jun 17, New Brunswick, Notice is hereby given that the Trento & NB Turnpike Company will received proposals for forming & graveling eh Turnpike Rd from Trenton to NB about 24 miles on Tuesday 23 July next. The road will be contracted for entire or in ports as may be agreed at the time; when its with & form, will be made known & drafts of contracts for the inspector of those disposed to contracts, By order of the Board, R Boggs, Clerk,

. 1811 Jan 7 - Clerk of the District of New Jersey, Trenton.
. 1812 Jun 15, District of NJ SS. Be it remember that on the 22 May in 36 year of independence of USA, Abj. Davis of the said District have deposit in this office the title of a book the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit: An American Version of the Psalms of David, suited to the state of the Church in the present age of the world. by Abj. Davis, manger of the Gospel at Millville, NJ conformity with the act of the Congress of the US, "An act for the engagement? of learning by securing the copies of maps, charts & broke to the authors & proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned.: L.S. Robert Boggs, Clk. of the District of N.J.
Ref: True American Newspaper.

. 1815 Aug 30 - 2nd Election of a Bishop of NJ, Annual Convention of Diocese of NJ, St. Michael's Church, Trenton. 18 parishes represented by lady deputies from Burlington, Jackson B French. Appointed to Standing Committee: Robert Boggs.
. 1815, 1818, Warden of St. Mary's Church,. Jackson B French.
.1819 Jul 13, 1824 Apr 19. St. Mary's Treasurers, Jackson B French.

1822 Sep 26 - Fire! On Saturday night last about midnight a barn & 2 barracks, all nearly filled with hay gain etc situated a short distance from this city belonging to Robert Boggs, Esq. were totally consumed by fire. In the barn were a pair of valuable horses & farming utensils of considerable value which were also burnt. The estimated loss by this fire we have not heard. The conflagration was undoubtedly the work of some vile incendiary.
Ref: New Brunswick Fredonia Newspaper, New Brunswick, NJ.

Supreme Court Case Files:
Numerous examples may be found, including:
. State of NJ - Boggs, Robt., Attorney for Defendant, Middlesex, Morris & Somerset 1813-14, Habeas corpus in Manumissions case #34942
Harris, Robt. - Boggs, Robt. & James, 1772
Boggs, Robt. -Talmage, Elias C., Sussex Co., 1818, Trespass & Ejectment #5423
Boggs, Mary - Kay, Isaac, Gloucester, 1796, Debt, #3802.

. 1815 August 30 - Robert Boggs, Esq. & a Isaac Lawrence were on a Standing Committee for St. Mary's Burlington Church & on Thurs. morning, 28 May, 1829, Robt. Boggs. Esq., Standing Committee.

. 1817 May 27 Tuesday - Wm. Penningaton, Esq. of Newark is appointed Clerk of District Court of US, NJ District, in place of Robert Boggs, Esq., resigned.
Ref: Centinel of Freedom, Newark Centinel Newspaper.

. 1822 Sep 26, Thurs. FIRE! Saturday night last, about midnight a barn & 2 barracks, all nearly filled with hay, grain, etc, situated a short distance from this city, belonging to Robert Boggs. Esq. were tollway consumed by fire. In the barn were a pair of valuable horses & farming utensils of considerable value, which were also burnt. The estimated loss by this fire we have not heart. The conflagration was undoubtedly the work of some vile incendiary.

. 1822 Oct 9 - $100 REWARD. At a late meeting of the Society for the protection of property, in this city, it was resolved that a reward of $100 be offered for the apprehension of the incendiary, who set on fire the barn of Robt. Riggs, Esq. on the 21st ult. At the same time a committee was appointed from he society to solicit the aid & cooperation of the Common Council of this city, endeavoring to ferret out & bring to condign punishment the perpetrator of that diabolical act - the the society adjourned to meet again at Joseph Runyon's on Sat. 12th inst. at 7 o'clock in the evening.

. 1822 Oct 4, In Common Council. Resolved that the Mayor be authorized to offer a reward of $100 for the discovery of the persons who set fire to the barn of Robert Boggs Esq. on the night of 21 Sep. last, to be paid on conviction of the offender/s. H C Guest, Clerk.

. 1822 Nov 5, Autumnal Cattle Show & Fair, at an early hour at Runyans hotel, President R Boggs Esq. from he head table announced to the society the premiums & delivered them to the successful candidates in neat silk purses made expressly for the purpose & presented by several ladies friendly to the Institution:
to Rt M Boggs. of NB, for the best Fat Cow, $6.
Ref: Fredonia Newspaper, New Brunswick, NJ.

. 1826 Nov 1, Fri. - 3 o'clock, the House met. Mr. McDowell presented the petition of Wm L Johnson & Robert Boggs, on behalf of the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of NJ, praying the incorporation of the convention of said Church. - [no outcome mentioned.]
Ref: New Brunswick Fredonian Newspaper, NJ.

. 1830 North Brunswick Twp., Middlesex Co., New Jersey
Robert Boggs, men between 60 - 70 y. one;
Boys 5 years & under: one;
Women between 20 - 30 years: 2; Women between 50 - 60 years: one.

. 1831 Jan 11, Died on 11th inst. New Brunswick, Nj, 64 years, Robert Boggs, upwards of 40 years a highly respectable member of the Bar in that State.
Ref: NY Evening Post newspaper.

. 1897 relative, J. Lawrence Boggs of Perth Amboy recorded the Yellow Meeting House monument:
"In Memory of William Boggs who departed this life October 27, 1776, aged 36 years."

. "In memory of Jere Boggs, who departed this life October 12, 1776 aged 4 years."
Ref: "Notes on Lawrence of Hackensack" New York Genealogical & Biographical Record. Vol.XXVIII., p.170.


Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Part Two Newspaper Article

. 1807 Jan 21 - To Robert Boggs, Esq. The editors of this paper a few weeks since, published a hand bill said to be signed, by you & five other gentlemen of your city, as a Committee, appointed to address the electors of your county, previous to the lat election: I have waited with some hope of seeing you come forward & publicly deny your agency in that handbill: for I cannot conceive how a man in your station - an officer one of the US courts, and as such, possessed of the means of correct information on the subject of your address - would lend his signature to give currency to a catalogue of tales that have been hackneyed so long and refused so offend, as those on which you have ventured your reputation, as a man of veracity. And this address is made to you, in preference of your colleagues only as you are an officer of the government you have thought fit to traduce.
Every gov. expects support for every member that a composes it; but should it pursue a system evidently inimical to the interest of the governed, the virtuous ember will certainly preset this duty paramount, which he owes his country & denounce the corruptor vicious part of it. His virtue will also to be consistent, compel him to decline all cooperation in the administration of the gov. he hold it his duty to denounced, and all the emoluments too, annexed to his part of it.
How Mr. Boggs, will you conduct square with this rule? You have done you at most to calumniate, even beyond the verge of the circle of your influence the gov. that feuds you: you have put your name to a general libel on it, without adducing one singe solitary evidence to support this libel. And yet you receive the wages of the gov. you have libeled Unhappy, infatuated X! That animal is but a type of thee, that while he greedily gnaws his bone, snaps at the hand that reaches at! If our gov. is so wretched, why have any thing to do in it. Withdraw your Herculean shoulder from the wheel and let it sink into the more of contemptibility!
Your committee has bravely constructed a Socratic battery? against the administration of our union & state gov; and annoy them severely with a folly of insidious questions. You seem deeply read in this kind of argument - but how happened your Socratic wisdom totally to overlook the obligation you were under the finding some mode of argument to prove the truth of the assertions on which you questions are predicated? You as a lawyer, would not admit your adversary to beg the question. Your committee is a set of sturdy beggars who have begged nine in a breath! But owing to jerry? perhaps, you never thought of proving one of them. Now sir, your queries may all be answered, as far as they have any specific meaning attached to them where they have not have or may follow you into the wide field of conjecture and if the answers are forward for us, we'll direct you to where you may find them already done, in a manner that forbids every idea of cavil or doubt. This will be undertaken as leisure and convenience will admit. I am YOUR FRIEND.
Ref: True American Newspaper, Trenton, NJ. published 1805 Feb 4.

. 1807 Feb 16 & cont. Feb 23rd - for the True American To Robert Boggs, Esq.,
The crisis, we think is drawing near when the American people will no long believe that the provisions of a constitution they hold hear can be best carried into effect by its bitterest enemies.
Question 1. Can the American people always believe that he spirit of the '76 exclusively inspires foreigners who have emigrated either since '83 or mushroom patriots, who have sprung up since '89?
Ref. True American Newspaper, Trenton, NJ. Extracted long article, appears to be the questions by Robt. Boggs. -

. Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Birth:
b. at 3 P.M. - in Indian Neck, Tinton Falls, near Eatontown, New Jersey.

Died:
COD: lingering illness caused by tumour of the stomach.

Buried:
Burlington, NJ. The mortal shall put on immortality. For the trumpet shall sound & the dead shall be raised.

Robert married Mary LAWRENCE, .vi on 7 Aug 1802. Mary (daughter of John Brown LAWRENCE, Esq., U.E. and Martha TALLMAN) was born in Nov 1776 in Burlington, Burlington Co., New Jersey; died on 12 Feb 1815 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; was buried in Christ Church Episcopal Churchyard. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Lucy Lawrence BOGGS was born in 1802 in Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died on 16 Oct 1813 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.
2. John Lawrence BOGGS, Sr. was born on 10 May 1803 in Burlington, Burlington Co., New Jersey; died on 22 Sep 1804 in Burlington, Burlington Co., New Jersey; was buried on 23 Sep 1804 in Christ Church Episcopal Churchyard.
3. James Lawrence BOGGS, .iv was born on 18 Jan 1806 in Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died on 23 Jul 1828 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; was buried in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.
4. Mary Rebecca BOGGS was born on 4 Apr 1808 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died on 7 Mar 1885 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; was buried in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey.
5. William BRENTON BOGGS, .i was born on 2 Jul 1809 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died on 11 Mar 1875 in Georgetown, District of Columbia; was buried on 15 Mar 1875 in Oak Hill Cemetery.
6. Rear Admiral Charles Stuart BOGGS, .i was born on 28 Jan 1811 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died on 22 Apr 1888 in Middlesex County, New Jersey; was buried in Christ Church Episcopal Churchyard.
7. John LAWRENCE BOGGS, .ii was born on 24 Jun 1812 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died on 29 May 1893 in Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; was buried in St. Peter's Anglican Church, Perth Amboy.

Robert married Mary MORRIS, .ii on 28 May 1795. Mary was born in Feb 1775 in Newark, Essex Co., New Jersey; died on 24 Jun 1799 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; was buried in Christ Church Episcopal Churchyard. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Robert Morris BOGGS, Jr. was born on 2 May 1796 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died on 28 May 1827 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; was buried in Christ Church Episcopal Churchyard.
2. James BOGGS, .III was born on 24 Jun 1799 in New Brunswick, Middlesex Co., New Jersey; died in Aug 1799; was buried in Christ Church Episcopal Churchyard.

Robert married Maria Eliza BRENTON on 17 Jun 1817 in St. John's Church, New York. Maria was born on 26 Dec 1784 in Halifax, Nova Scotia; died on 26 Mar 1864. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Bishop Hobart

1. Rev. Edward Brenton BOGGS was born on 7 Dec 1820 in New Jersey; died on 8 May 1895 in New Jersey; was buried on 10 May 1895 in Christ Church Episcopal Churchyard.

Notes:

Part One: Biography1:
. James, a native of Delaware, & is the son of Ezekiel Boggs, born Ireland & Rebecca Baird, of Strabane, Co. Tyrone, Ireland. The Boggs family North American genealogy begins with Ezekiel Boggs, a lawyer who emigrated from the north of Ireland in the early 1700s, originally settling in Delaware. Ezekiel & his wife Elizabeth had 2 children, Rebecca & James.

(I) Ezekiel Boggs, founder of the family under consideration, came from Ireland & settled in Delaware, where he left behind him one son James, who is referred to below, & one daughter, Rebecca, who married a Mr. Rish, of Philadelphia.

(II ) James, son of Ezekiel Boggs, was born January 22, 1740, but whether in this country or in Ireland is uncertain. Coming from Delaware to Philadelphia, he studied medicine, & then settled in Shrewsbury, Monmouth county. New Jersey, where he remained until the breaking out of the revolution when he joined the British army as a surgeon, & continued with it until the close of the war, when he went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he lived until his death at a very advanced age. He was highly esteemed as a physician, & manifested great interest in the promotion of the science of medicine. He became a member of the Medical Society of New Jersey the year after its organization & was an influential member until the breaking out of the war. His manners were pleasant & gentlemanly & he took great delight in his old age in relating incidents & adventures which occurred in his personal history, more particularly when the British were in possession of New York & his family living for the time near Perth Amboy, whom he could only visit by stealth.
Dr. James Boggs married Mary, daughter of Robert Hunter Morris, of New Jersey, & left a large family behind him, many of his descendants being now found in Halifax, Prince Edward Island, & the provinces of Lower Canada. He left, however, 5 children, 3 sons & 2 daughters in this country, from whom have come the New Jersey branch of the family. Among their children were: 1. Robert. 2. James, who went into business in New York City, where he became the senior member of the old firm of Boggs, Thompson & Company; his children were: Mary, married a Mr. Ray; Julia, married Lewis Livingston. 3. A son who died young in Wilmington, Delaware.
Ref: Genealogical & Memorial history of the State of New Jersey, 1910.

. Dr. James Boggs, Surgeon, NJ Volunteers, friend of Lieut. Col. Elisha Lawrence of Monmouth;
June 1770 - Vestry man, Anglican Christ Church.
2 Feb 1774 - Signed petition opposing slave Manumission.
3 Mar 1779 - Estate inquisitor for forfeiture, estate confiscated.

. New Jersey Volunteers, 2nd Battalion Surgeon's Mate: James Bogg.
James Boggs was Surgeon's mate of the 2nd Battalion during the first 2 years of the war. He was a Pennsylvanian by birth & residence. He continued after the war as a surgeon of the British Army in Canada, was made surgeon of the garrison at Halifax. Nov. 22nd 1798 was retired on half-pay in 1814, & died in Halifax in 832, 91 years of age.
Ref: NJ Volunteers Loyalist, in the Revolutionary War, by Wm. S Stryker.

James was a doctor & a loyalist who narrowly escaped capture by the Revolutionary forces, fleeing to Sandy Hook where he was taken aboard the Swan, a British sloop-of-war. He then worked as a surgeon in New York, while his family remained in Shrewsbury, where they were able to remain due to Mary's connections to the rebel army through her brother Robert. James surreptitiously visited his family throughout the remainder of the war, but was eventually forced to move with his wife & most of their children to Nova Scotia, thus forming the Canadian branch of the family.

Boggs, James, Lyons, James & Lockyer, Henry
Petition to Kempt: Petitioners are merchants of Halifax who have taken over the affairs of the first of Benton & Bulger, Auctioneers & traders. William E. Benton & Richard Bulger held a mortgage on a lot at Leavers Lake for which Adam Baker received a crown lease in 1814. Adam Baker was a trader, & became indebted to Benton & Bulger. No part of the debt was ever paid. Now this firm is unable to pay their creditors, & the petitioners have accepted the assignment. Adam Baker is dead, & no knowledge of his widow, Mary Baker, or of his children, can be found. Petitioners ask a grant. Copy of mortgage; Copy of lease: Note: In consequence of late land, regulations His Excellency cannot take this petition into consideration. Land Petition 1828 Cape Breton Isl., Nova Scotia.

. Property Confiscations Monmouth County - 1 Jun, 1787, JAMES BOGGS, property in Monmouth was confiscated by the New Jersey State.
Ref: Great Britain, Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 12, Volume 85, folios 43-46.

. James Boggs, Surgeon's Mate in the general hospital an NY from 1777 until 1783 he removed to Nova Scotia. He was appointed Surgeon to the Garrison at Halifax & later to the household of HR Edward, Duke of Kent, the father of the late Queen Victoria, when he was Commander-in-Chief of HM Forex in Nova Scotia. In June 1810 he was retired from active service.
James Boggs was married Nov 24, 1765 by Rev. Mr. Ogilvie of NY, to Mary Morris, daughter of Robt. H Morris, Chief Justice of NJ. She was born in NJ Apr 5, 1746 & died at her home in Halifax NS 21 Feb 1831.

. JAMES BOGGS was surgeon's mate of the Second Battalion during the first two years of the war. He was a Pennsylvanian by birth & residence. He continued after the war as surgeon of the British army in Canada, was made surgeon of the garrison at Halifax, November 22d, 1798, was retired on half-pay in 1814, & died in Halifax in 1832, 91 years of age.

. 1780 Mar 10 - Public note is hereby given to all persons who have in their custody or power, any goods or chattels, bonds, bills, mortgages. notes account books or instruments of writing; or who are indebted the following fugitives & offenders: [a multitude of names & Dr. James Boggs.
Notice is hereby given to any persons having any claim upon the estates of the above persons, to exhibit her respective croutons to any two Jus of county Court, who will attend at Monmouth Courthouse on Monday, 1st May to received & adjust the said accounts.
Signed, Samuel Forman, Joseph Lawrence, Kenneth Jankinson, Jacob Wikoff, Commissioners.

. 1784 March 10th. Claims & Memorials, Memorial of James Boggs of New Jersey
To the Commissioners appointed by Act of Parliament to enquire into the Losses & services of the American Loyalists.
The Memorial of Doctor James BOGGS, late of Shrewsbury, Monmouth County in the Province of New Jersey, Sheweth, That your Memorialist was early & steadily attached to his Majesty's Person & the British Government, & that he uniformly opposed the measures of the American Congress. That He joined the British Army in New Jersey in 1776.
That in 1777 your Memorialist was attainted by a Law of the State of New Jersey & his property an appraisement of which is herewith presented, was confiscated & sold - & applied to the use of the state.
That by the Unfortunate Issue of the American War, Your Memorialist has lost his all. That he has a wife & a very large Family of Children to provide for. That he is reduced to great distress. Therefore prays that you will take his case into consideration, that under your Report he may be enabled to receive such aid & relief as his Losses & Services may be found to deserve.
James BOGGS
by his Atty., William TAYLOR, Castle street, Oxford Market. No. 5, March 10th 1784, Castle Street, Oxford Market No. 5.

. JOHN WARDELL [a Commissioner on at the Claims & Loss of Am. Loyalist] & REVARD KEARNEY appeared & sworn, before David Mathews, Esq., Mayor of New York City: James Boggs was the proprietor of a Farm in Shrewsbury Twp., NJ & they are well acquainted with the farm, valued £1000 NY Currency when Dr James Boggs let it, confiscated by NJ State & sold by reason of J Boggs join the Kings Army. Signed, Ravard Kearny, D. Mathaews, May, 20 Aug, 1783.

. LT. COL. ELISHA LAWRENCE, late of Monmouth County, New Jersey, sworn:
Knew the claimant in America, & as far as he could Judge he acted as a loyal subject & joined the British army in Dec 1776. He know his farm in Shrewsbury township. It was tolerably good, & about half cleared. Lands in that neighborhood sold for £8 or £9 Y.Y. currency per crd. The claimant practiced Phisick, & had the first business in the township.

. LAWRENCE HARTSHORN affirms: Says he know Dr. Boggs at Shrewsbury. He as a very loyal man, & uniformly so. Knew his farm. Thinks that it was worth £1,000 NY currency, with the house & improvements on it. Dr. Boggs had all the practice of the town. Thinks he might clear £150 currency per annum by his profession. Has been told that the stock, etc. has been all taken from the family.

. PERSONAL PROPERTY CLAIMS: Wagon, sulky chaise, 3 horses, 3 cattle, Plough & Harrow, 3 feather Beds, bedstead & bedding, 2 dining tables, a tea table & dressing table, a bureau, 8 charges, Kitchen furniture, Books, sheets & table linen, totaling £189.
Physician & surgeon series, there was no practitioners within 7 miles. £200 NY currency.
Ref: Claims & Losses of American Loyalist, Great Britain, Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Volume 17, folio 99.
XRef: Claims & Losses continues with his wife, Mary Morris.

James Boggs, Certificate #954, NY, Property claim £562.10, Sum Originally allowed: £530; Total sum payable under Act of Parliament £530; Sum already received, £159, Balance £371; Claim for loss of Incomer per year £112: Pension Genl. Hospital Nova Scotia £136.17.6.

. 1784 March 3rd, Port Matoun, Nova Scotia [ Near Liverpool, NS] [Extracted Version - PJA].
Some persons who have just come from Shelburn or Port Roseway, through the country, bring accounts of schooner being arrived from NY tho she left it a long time ago. The vessel left this place about middle of Nov. last by which I wrote my first letter to my dearest Molly from this place & by her I flatter myself with the happiness of hearing from you & my ever dear children who it must be of an old date, judge how very great my patience as the last most welcome favor from you was 13 NOV., which came by the [May' Fleet & have not rec. a line since 10 Jan. Tho L. Hartshorn of Halifax has assured me me to send my letters as soon as possible, I am in perfect health & have not had an hour of sickness since our most painful parting. The whole month of December was very moderate. The whole of January also exceedingly mild except the 11th & 12 were very cold & we had snow 4 inches deed. February was moderate, except 16th to 27 were very cold, but more more so than I have experience often in NY.
My habitation is small for so large a family, yet comfortable. Urge your holding yourself in readiness the beginning of April for any good opportune that may present Col. Molleson to be at N. York to bring horses.
Some good friends or your good brother to interest himself to find out what vessels are coming to Port Roseway or Halifax this Sprint. There will be several to hire a good cabin, sufficient to accommodate the family, in a good safe vessel of not less than 80 or 100 burthen, with proper berths fits up & conveniences & room enough reserved in the hold for whatever you may bring wit you. This will be expensive. I will take care that you have friends to pay you every attention & civility. Bring also hams & smoked beef, dried tongues, ax handles, good rum, even 1 Bible if you could & some wine, cooper's ware, 8 or 10 rush bottomed chairs, half dozen camp stools., a good supply of Beef & Mutton, excellent cod & herring.
Oh my Love how my heart aching in this long & tedious separation, but 2 months more will gives us a happy meeting. Signed, JAMES BOGGS.

. 1786, May 8, Nova Scotia Tax. His (?) statements as to value of property were corroborated by Dr. James Boggs & Wm. Drake. Fragment reference. Jersey, has in his possession a letter written on Jan 29 1762, from Strabane, Ireland, by one Wm. Baird to James Boggs, son of Ezekiel, Wm. Baird of man of 87 years, addresses himself as your most friendly Uncle.

. 1798 Jul 10 We have been favored with the following very handsome subscriptions, of the Regiments & Departments, under the command of Lieut. Gen. His Royal Highness Prince Edward, £300,
James Boggs, Garrison Surgeon, £5.5/
Ref: Royal Gazette & Nova Scotia Advertiser, Halifax, published in Report on Canadian Archives - 1940

. 1819 May 9, Halifax. WILL of DR. JAMES BOGGS;
James Boggs of Halifax, physician, to my affectionate wife Mary Boggs all my Estate Real & Personal, during her life,
son Charles Bogg £750;
dau. Rebecca, interest of £500, the remainder of my table & tea service;
dau. Mary Tremain £500
niece Rebecca Bond of Philadelphia, $200;
son Robert Boggs, one large & 2 smaller silver salvers, after his decade, to his eldest son Robert Morris Boggs;
son Thomas, one sett of silver castors;
son Charles Boggs, one dozen silver table spoons;
son James Boggs, £100 to be expelled in the purchase of a piece of plate;
Robert Morris Boggs the portrait of Robert Morris Esquire;
The residue of my seat after the decease of my wife, to children, Thomas & Charles Boggs & Mary Tremain to be equally divided amongst them.
Executors: Thomas & Charles Boggs;
Signed, James Boggs,
Wit: Hartshorne, Jr, Wm. Neqron?, Will M Deblois,
Will proved 1830, Aug 1830, Lawrence Hartshorn.

. February 21st, 1831, in her 85th year. She was buried by the side of her husband in old'St. Paul's Cemetery. Dr. Boggs & his wife & family were members of the Church of England, & for" many years they were members of the congregation of St". Paul's in Halifax. For some years before his death Dr. Boggs had to a very large extent, lost the use of his faculties. His son Thomas, writing to the eldest son Robert, October 10th, 1S25, says "you will receive comfort from knowing that our excellent mother continues as clear & bright almost as ever - if anything could raise her in our love & respect it would be the cheerfulness she supports under the very many heavy trials father's loss of memory imposes upon her." Richard Tremaine, a son-in-law of Dr. Boggs, writing, March 8th, 1826, to Robert Boggs, his brother-in-law, says "Dr. B. seldom goes out & has no pleasure when he does - he requires some one with him & returns to his home as tho' he was a stranger to it. We ought to be very thankful that our good mother retains her faculties as she does, altho' she has enough to wear her out & yet I should not be surprised if both remain with us even for years to come."
Ref: The genealogical record of the Boggs family, W E Boggs, 1916, Halifax, NS.

Research & transcriptions by PJ Ahlberg. Thank you. - - -

Part Two:

. The claimant enjoys half pay as Capt. in the South Carolina Volunteers, Class 2nd. Confiscation proved.
5. Evidence in the case of Dr. JAS. BOGGS, late of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Claimant sworn. Memorial read.
He is a native of Delaware County. At the commencement 7th December, of the trouble he resided at Shrewsbury, in New Jersey, & says that he uniformly supported the Brit. Govt. He ever opposed the choosing of committees, & says he never took an oath or carried arms with the Americans. A number of Loyalists were taken up in Shrewsbury in Nov. 1776. The dread of being taken up made him fly to Sandy Hook, where he got aboard the Swan sloop of war.
He has continued under the protection of the British troops ever since. He acted as mate in the Gen. Hospital at New York from July 1777, until Sept., 1783. When he was appointed by Sir Guy Carleton Assist. Surgeon on the Staff. His pay in both situations has been 7s. 6d. per diem. (is).
Property: 111 acres in the township of Shrewsbury. Produces Appointment, Copy of a Deed of Bargain & Sale, whereby Stoffel Loggan xx."
Conveys to the claimant & his heirs a tract of land as above in Trenton manor in consideration of £777 N. York currency, bearing"'xx date 25th Mar 1773 The original Deed produced. The land was very good, part of it, about 60 acres cleared, with the a copy When he bought it he made very considerable improvements, examined which cost him about £200 N. Y. currency. Thinks it was well worth £1,000 N. York currency', but he cannot say it would have sold for so much if he had not purchased it when he did. Another person would have given the same price for it. He knows this property is sold under confiscation. Is required to produce copys of the records of sale under confiscation. It is in the possession of Moses Sheppard.
Personal property: Says when his claim was sent to England it was believed in New York that the lands only would be attended to as claims. Requests a few days to arrange the remaining part of his claim.

. LT. COL. ELISHA LAWRENCE, late of Monmouth County, New Jersey, sworn:
Knew the claimant in America, & as far as he could judge be acted as a loyal subject, & joined the British army in Decem. 1776. He knew his farm in Shrewsbury township. It was tolerably good, & about half cleared. Lands in that neighborhood sold for £8 or £9 N. Y. currency per acre.The claimant practiced Physician, & had the first business in the township.

. LAWRENCE HARTSHORN, affirmed:
Says he knew Dr. Boggs at Shrewsbury. He was a very loyal man, & uniformly so. Knew his farm. Thinks that it was worth £1,000 N. York currency, with the house & improvements on it.
Dr. Boggs had all the practice of the town. Thinks he might clear £150 currency per an. by his profession. Has been told that the stock, etc., has been all taken from the family.

. 1785 Dec 12. Further evidence in the case of DR. JAS. BOGGS.
Claimant sworn: Produces an acct. of different articles of personal property, which were sold under confiscation. Mrs. Boggs was present when the whole was sold: 1777.
Waggon, £10; chaise, £10; & sulky, £12 £32.0.0
3 horses 48.0.0
5 horned cattle, old & young 13.0.0
Plough & harrow ' 2.10.0
3 feather beds, & bedstead, & bedding 18.0.0
2 dining tables 4.0.0
A tea table & dressing table 2.10.0
(is). A bureau 8.0.0
Chairs, 8 16.0.0
Kitchen furniture 5.0.0
Shop furniture, medicines, etc. 30.0.0
Books 6.0.0
Sheets & table linen 4.0.0
Amounting to N. York currency £189.0.0
Since to the value 1.0.0
£190.0.0
He practiced as physician & surgeon to a very considerable extent. There was no practitioner of note within 7 miles of the place.
Ref: Commission for Claims of Loyal losses. St. Johns, NB. - - -

Buried:
Recumbant grey stone monument with tombstone on top.

James married Mary MORRIS, .i on 24 Nov 1765 in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Mary was born on 5 Apr 1746 in Monmouth County, New Jersey; died on 21 Feb 1831 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Boggs, Shrewsbury, household head.

. Mary Morris, (1746-1831) the daughter of Robert Hunter Morris, the Chief Justice of New Jersey & Governor of Pennsylvania, & sister of Judge Robert Morris, (d. 1815) who taught law at Rutgers College.

. Mary Morris Boggs children are Robert, Samuel, Charles, Thomas, James Jr., Rebecca & Elizabeth Boggs. Robert Boggs, (1766-1831) & James Boggs remained in New Jersey.
Ref: NJ Historical Society, Newark, NJ.

. Further evidence in the case of Dr. Jas. Boggs.
Claimant sworn: roduces an acct. of different articles of personal property, which were sold under confiscation. Mrs. Boggs was present when the whole was sold:
1777: Waggon £10; chaise £10; sulky £13m £32; 3 horses £48, 5 horned cattle old & young £13;
Plough & harrow £2.10.0; 3 feather beds, bedstead & bedding £18;
£2.10.0; a bureau £8; 8 Chairs £16;
Kitchen furniture £5; shop furniture, medicines etc. £30, Books £6; Sheets & table linen £4.
Amounting to N. York currency £189, since to the value £1. £190.
He practiced as physician & surgeon to a very considerable exert. There was no practitioner of note with 7 miles of the place. He estimated his professional gains at £200 N.Y. currency.

. MARY BOGGS, wife of the claimant, sworn:
She remained behind her husband at Shrewsbury, & recollects all the articles contained in the list delivered in, were all sold by the Committee of Sequestration. Thinks they are all charged under their real value. 2 of the houses were valuable.
Decision in the case of Dr. Jas. Boggs: The claimant is a meritorious Loyalist. He lost a farm in Shrewsbury, 111 acres, Valued at £430.0.0 str.
Personal property 100.0.0 (is) Profession 100.0.0 per acre.
Ref: Commission for Loyalist Claims, Saint John, New Brunswick.

. 1770 Oct 7, Shrewsbury, to Robert Morris
Dear Brother, You will doubtless be surprised at receipt of a line from me & I daresay can't devine the case that sets my pen in motion after remaining so long in a lethargic state. You must known I have taken it most unaccountably in my hand to long for a gown made out of a certain figured silk suite of clothes of your fathers, that he had made at Paris, now dear brother, if you have not allowed these cloths for your own wearing & have otherwise no particular object, I should esteem it a favor if you would take the earliest opportunity of sending them down to me. We have been expecting you down sometimes 7 & hope you intend t take up your winter quarters with us, you know how very agreeable it would be to Mr. Boggs. Signed, Sister Mary Boggs.

. 1777, Oct 22, I received with pleasure my dear brother favor, but was sorry to find you was unwell -as have since heard you are prodding at Morris court presume you have recovered your health. Nothing new here but what the daily transgression . Returned in safely from the actions at Philadelphia suppose you have heard. I much obliged to you the pains you have taken to supply me with butter. Have sent your message to Mrs. Leonard but there has not been time since to git an answer, Truly affectionate sister, Mary Boggs.

. 1780, May 24 - I just love received my dear brothers favor of 13th Instant. I removed to Black Point the 27 April, am to pay Mr. Hartshore £25 for the house & land that Mrsch occupied which is 20 Acres. We could not procure our own horse again but have got a small mare. I am sorry you have so troublesome a complaint as sore eyes you should not let business prevent your taking proper care of your own health. i am sincerely sorry for Mr. G. Morris should he recover he well need ll this good sense & philosophy to bear such a misfortune as the loss of a limb & at his time of life too.,. Your fiends here are all will, my little ones grown friendly excuse the mother MISS KEARNY is with me. Signed, Mary Boggs.

. 1793 Sep 30 Halifax, My Dear Brother, Now more than a year since I sent my youngest son to your care & direction since which we have never had a single line from you. ...Believe me my brother we have never or can forget you. Beck was not so happy as to meet your approbation & read gives me sufficient regret., Signed, sister Mary Boggs.

. 1807, June 13, Halifax. After so many ears of silence the hand writing of a sister will not be recommend, - her heart tho ever grateful, but my dear & excellent brother has evert continued his acts of kindness to me & mine. Thank yo for the late prints in the barrel & box both of which we have safe & in good order. If I may judge by the excellent likeness you have favored with me, - time has laid a more lenient hand on you than myself, you looks are the same as you wore 3 & 20 years ago. Robert's last letter gave us that both your health & looks were of late much improved. I am grieved to find that his poor fellow are quite the contrary, but hope there is no cause for serious alarm, if he will only quit the ODIOUS HABIT OF SMOKING. Thomas & Charles have each excellent wives & healthy fine children. - Betsy is a pattern of industry, serving for comfort & independence in the cultivation of their farm & garden in the stone clad soil. Rebecca still lignite ins singe blesses , the comfort & assistant of her mother. Signed, with your very affectionate sister, Mary Boggs.

. 1831 Jan 9, Halifax, WILL of Mary Boggs, widow, Nova Scotia
Formerly entitled to a share in the Estate of my late father Robt. Hunter Morris & various money paid to my late husband, James Bogg, Surgeon, did release our interest upon receiving $1200 invested in NS & US.
Sons Thomas & Charles Boggs, Executors of my late husband Estate, do dispose my estate in a similar manner. Signed, MARY BOGGS,.
Proved 1831 Dec 9, Lawrence Hartshorne.
In the last WILL of my late husband the 3 silver salvers bequeathed to son Robert Boggs & at his decade to his son Robt. Morris Boggs, I now hive to my son Thomas Boggs, he paying the heirs to Robt M Boggs a fair & reasonable compensation. Signed, Mary Boggs. - - -