| 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. - - - [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- 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. - - -
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1740 - 1830 (90 years)