| 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. - - - [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- 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. - - -
|
1766 - 1831 (64 years)