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- Charles Stuart Boggs married his half first cousin, Cornelia Bell Patterson (verify bride's name).
John Brown Lawrence is the grandfather of Commodore Boggs, who so distinguished himself in the Varuna in passing the forts below New Orleans during the late rebellion. Here his ship was rammed by a Confederate ironclad & sunk. For gallantry in this action Boggs was voted a sword by this native NJ. In July 186 we was placed in command of the Sacrament, blocking a squadron off Cape Fear River.
Ref: Naval Officer, Their Heredity & Development, by Charles Benedict.
Charles was courteous & mild, but strict disciplinary.
The Varuna War Ship
. 1862 May 8, Commander Charles S Boggs, of NV, NJ whose heroic exploits on the Mississippi rival those of the proudest days of the Navy, is a son of Robert Boggs, Esq, formerly of NB, well known as an eminent, influential lawyer. Also a descent of Gov. Morris of colonial times & on the mother's side was a nephew of Capt. Lawrence of Don't give up the Ship memory.
Capt. Boggs entered the Nay 1826 as midshipman & made his first cruise with Commodore Kearney. He was first lieutenant & executive officer of Princeton, our first steamship during the Mexican war, officer on board the receiving ship North Carolina other latest cruise. Appointed to US Mail Steamer Illinois from NY to Aspinwall; supt. of contracts in Brooklyn Navy Yard, Supt. light houses Pacific coast from Oregon to California. Recalled & placed in command of the Varuna, a new gunboat with very heavy armament. Before the Varnuna sunk she destroyed 6 rebel steamers. As long as his vessel floated, Capt Boggs fought valiantly with is guns. Varuna's last guns ere fired when her decks were under water.
Ref: Newark Daily Advertiser Newspaper, NJ. Extracted version.
In a letter c.1864 to the author Chas. Sabine recounts that a member of the family in New Jersey, informed him that Commander Charles S Boggs of the US Navy, is a grandson of the Loyalist John Brown Lawrence. The letter was published in the NY Post & remarks, that "Capt. Boggs is too modest to say the he destroyed 6 out the 11" steamers destroyed in the battle.
Child of Commodore Boggs & Cordelia B Patterson is John Lawrence Boggs, born Nov. 16, 1865.
Charles Stuart, youngest child & second son of Robert & Mary Lawrence Boggs, was born in New Brunswick in 1811, died in 1888. Entering the US navy as a midshipman in 1826, he became lieutenant in 1837, served in Commodore Connor's squadron in the Mexican war, in April, 1862, distinguished himself under Farragut at New Orleans, & was the same year raised to the rank of captain. In 1870 he became a rear admiral, & 3 years later was retired.
Ref: Genealogical & memorial history of the State of New Jersey, 1910.
. Charles Stuart Bobbs, an American Naval Officer,
. Born 28 Jan 1811 New Brunswick, NJ - 22 Apr 1888
. Entered the US Navy 1836 as midshipman
. Lieutenant 1837 & served upon the steamer "Princeton" during the MexicanWar & at the Siege of Vera Cruz.
. 1855 Commander of the mail steamer Illinois
. 1861 on the gun boat Varuna
Under Admiral Farragut during the Battle of New Orleans, Civil War.
Commodore of Lighthouse Inspection
Rear Admiral 1870 - retired in 1873.
Two photos: Handsome smiling, older man with full trimmed beard, wearing a naval uniform with two gold braids at the wrist. White shirt with string bow tie. Well weathered man. Pocket watch hangs from vest.
Second photo is a much older man with white hair & full beard, wearing another naval uniform with large shoulder braids. 1877? Much paler than previous previous photo.
. Sword & scabbard in case, ca. 1862, Maker: H. Sauerbier
Presented To: Charles Stuart Boggs
Medium Steel, brass, gilding, mother of pearl, gem, silver; textile, brass, gilding, mother of pearl; wood, textile, glass, metal (sword): 37 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. (95.3 x 14 x 8.9 cm)
Gift of Dr. James Lawrence Pool & Mr. Beekman Pool, Object #1949.133ab.
Marks etched: on obverse of blade near hilt: "IRON PROOF" etched: on obverse of blade near center: engraved: on throat of scabbard reverse side: "PRESENTED By the COMMON COUNCIL of / New Brunswick N.J.
TO CAPTAIN Charles S. Boggs FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICES At New Orleans APRIL 24th 1862
Engraved: on brass plaque on front of case: "Capt. Charles S. Boggs."
Ref: New York Historical Society, NYC. - - - [1, 2]
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1811 - 1888 (77 years)