BOGGS: Of Smithfield.

James R. Boggs was born in Greenbrier County, western Virginia, May 22, 1800, son of John, born in Ireland, and Susan (Drinnen) Boggs, his wife, a Virginian lady; John claims to have had five brothers in the battle of Point Pleasant. James R. was twice married; first wife, Har-riet Walkup, and their children were Susan, John Nathaniel and Mary J.

James R. Boggs's second wife was Lacy Ann O'Brien, whom he mar-ried in Gilmer County, western Virginia, year 1845, and with his family came in the next year and settled on Middle Henry Fork, then a part of Gilmer County.

To James R. and Lacy Ann (O'Brien) Boggs were born, on Henrys Fork, Walter D., 1847; Sarah, 1849; Melinda, 1852; Caroline, 1854; and Mary J., 1858.

Of this James R. and Lacy Ann Boggs family we write further:

Thaddeus Boggs, the son, succeeded to the home lands on Henrys Fork, and was long a well known man of the county; he was born "on Easter Sunday," 1835; on outbreak of the "Civil" war he enlisted in the 34th Virginia Infantry, transferred to the cavalry of the Confederate forces; was two months a prisoner at Wheeling; four months at Fort Delaware, and two months at Point Lookout -- captured each time; returned unhurt.

In the same year of his return, 1866, Thaddeus Boggs married Susan Webb, of his own neighborhood, yet born in Washington County, Virginia, in 1840; to Thaddeus and Susan were born five children as follows: Melissa, 1866; Alice, 1867; Anderson, March 22, 1868; George W., October 17, 1872; Rebecca, 1877.

Melissa became the wife of Rev. Wilbur Spencer; Anderson married and lives in Smithfield District; George W. has been a resident of Columbus, Ohio, for several years.

Later in their lives this family acquired and made a farm out of woodlands in Smithfield District of Roane.


Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927, William H. Bishop, Esq., p 455
Submitter: Sandy Spradling, October 1, 1999