James William Boykin1

Male, #43423, (circa 1792 - 1846)

ParentMajor Francis Boykin (1751 - 17 Aug 1821)
ParentCatherine Whitaker (say 1748 - after 1800)
James William Boykin|b. circa 1792\nd. 1846|p43423.htm|Major Francis Boykin|b. 1751\nd. 17 Aug 1821|p9997.htm|Catherine Whitaker|b. say 1748\nd. after 1800|p10028.htm|William Boykin II|b. before 1710\nd. circa 1784|p10002.htm|Elizabeth Bryant|b. say 1712|p10003.htm|James Whitaker|b. 1728\nd. 20 Apr 1782|p10022.htm|Catherine Wiggins|b. circa 1732\nd. after 1771|p10023.htm|

Birth*circa 1792 James was born at Camden, Kershaw District, South Carolina, circa 1792.2,3 
 He was the son of Major Francis Boykin and Catherine Whitaker. 
Tax roll*1813 He registered to pay taxes at Baldwin Co., Georgia, in 1813.4 
War of 1812*between 1813 and 1814 He served in the War of 1812 between 1813 and 1814.5 
Marriage*say 1813 He married Clarissa Ann Owens say 1813. 
(executor) Will8 Sep 1814 In Elijah Owens's will, James was named by Elijah to handle his estate on 8 Sep 1814.
     (Proved 4 Mar 1816. Wife: Nancy Owens; Daughter: Clarissa Ann Boykin; Sons: John J. Owens, James Nehemiah Owens and Eijah Smith Owens, the last two minors; Executors: Wife Nancy and son-in-law James Boykin; Witnesses: Thomas Woodward, Robert Rutherford, J. H. Howard).6 
1820 Census*7 Aug 1820 James was listed as the head of a family on the 1820 Census at Baldwin Co., Georgia. 
Land Lottery*1821 He had a fortunate draw in the land lottery in 1821 at Baldwin Co., Georgia, (Lot 47, Section 1, Henry Co.).7 
(Witness) Biography The Whitaker Place.
     In Baldwin County, about twelve miles to the southeast of Milledgeville, lies the plantation known for many years as the "Whitaker Place." It was originally owned by Maj. Francis Boykin, a South Carolinian, prominent in the war of the Revolution, who moved to this county in 1800. He was a successful farmer and accumulated a large area of land which lay on the east side of the Oconee River for a long distance, and extended toward the east to Gum Creek, the dividing line between Washington and Baldwin counties.
     At that time, boats came up the river as far as Milledgeville. Maj. Boykin was appointed one of the River Commissioners, whose duties were to see that the stream was kept clear of snags and other obstructions interfering with the passage of the boats.
     In 1821, Maj. Boykin died. He left two sons and one daughter, Dr. Samuel Boykin, who practiced medicine in Milledgeville; Mr. James Boykin, a Deacon in the Baptist Church; and Miss Eliza Boykin, who married the father of Prof. William Rutherford, of Athens, Ga. Prof. Rutherford was the father of Miss Mildred Rutherford, to whom the South owes a lasting debt of gratitude for the preservation of much of its history.
     Upon the death of his father, Dr. Samuel Boykin gave up his practice in Milledgeville and moved to the plantation. He built a large two-story house for a residence, which became known for miles around as "The White House," because it was the only painted house in the community. He was a great lover of plants and flowers and was the first to demonstrate that sugar cane could be grown in Georgia as high up as Baldwin County. In 1836, he decided to move to Alabama, and sold his plantation to Mr. William Whitaker, a kinsman, who had recently moved into the community from North Carolina.
     William Whitaker cultivated the soil as did Dr. Boykin, and grew large crops of corn, cotton and other products.
     In those days, people traveled by stage coach, and on the long roads there were "Relay Stations" where fresh horses were exchanged for the tired ones, which rested until the return trips. A Relay Station was located on this place and was the center of much interest.
     Upon the death of William Whitaker, the plantation was divided into three parts, and his three children, James, Samuel, and Martha drew for a part.
     The part upon which Dr. Boykin's residence was located, fell to Samuel Whitaker. By that time, this place was very attractive; tall oaks shaded the white sandy yard; in the rear were several black walnut trees which, in later years, attained to immense size. Cherokee rose vines draped the trees on either side of the avenue leading to the public road. Down this road, to the right, was a lane leading to the negro quarters. At the end of the lane was the Overseer's house. On one side of the lane was the Gin House, the first built in that section of the country. This was burned by Sherman's men when a part of his army encamped for several days on that plantation, leaving desolation and ruin behind it.
     At another point, the lane was shaded by a sugar berry tree, unusually tall and branching. There was a superstition among the negroes that this tree was haunted by a spirit which could foretell death, because it had been observed that, just before a death occurred on the place, the tree gave forth a weird and peculiar sound as of the opening of a creaky door. When this was heard, consternation filled the Quarters, be- cause no one doubted but that someone's days were numbered.
     Samuel Whitaker kept a Diary, in which each day's work was faithfully recorded. Every field was designated by its own particular name-as "The New Ground," "The Vineyard Field," "The Goode Field" -the name was symbolic of the nature of the soil or of some association.
     Mrs. Whitaker took an active interest in the religious training of the negroes. A place was provided where they could assemble in public worship. The negro children would come from the Quarters on Sunday afternoons and sit on the steps of her front porch, the larger ones standing in line on the ground, while she talked to them of spiritual things and taught them lessons from the Bible.
     At the close of the war, when losses were heavy, the plantation passed into the hands of Mr. Wirtzfielder, who owned it for a number of years, then sold it to Mr. Sam Walker. After Mr. Walker's death, it became the property of his daughter, Mrs. John Shinholser. Mr. Shinholser now owns the place.
     Mr. Whitaker rented the plantation, after it passed from his hands, and lived there until his death. He was married three times and reared two sons and three daughters: the late William Whitaker was his elder son; the younger son was Dr. James M. Whitaker, for many years on the staff of physicians of the State Sanitarium. The three daughters were Mrs. Elbert Bivins, Mrs. H. D. Allen and Mrs. O. M. Cone.

(Names referenced above: Major Francis Boykin Elizabeth S. Boykin and Dr. Samuel Boykin).8 
Deed*1829 He granted a deed to Dr. Samuel Boykin in 1829 at Milledgeville, Baldwin Co., Georgia.9 
Marriage*say 1830 He married (?) Rutherford say 1830.10 
Miscellaneous*Nov 1837 Stockholder of Bank of Columbus in Nov 1837 at Columbus, Muscogee Co., Georgia.11 
1840 Census*1 Jun 1840 James was listed as the head of a family on the 1840 Census on 1 Jun 1840 at Muscogee Co., Georgia. 
Burial*1846 His body was interred in 1846 at Linwood Cemetery, Columbus, Muscogee Co., Georgia.9 
Death*1846 He died at Columbus, Muscogee Co., Georgia, in 1846.2 
Will*14 Aug 1846 He made a will at Muscogee Co., Georgia, on 14 Aug 1846.
     James Boykin Will signed 14 Aug 1846 and proved Nov 1846. Wife: ?; Sons: Dr. James Boykin, Francis E. Boykin. Daughters: Mrs. Ann C. Jones, Mrs. Clara Billups. Grand-children: Eliza and Emma Woodland. Executiors: SOn-in-law James R. Jones and Son Francis Boykin. Witnesses: John H. Howard, Mansfield Torrance, Marshall J. Wellborn, Thomas B. Slade, Edwin T. Winkler..12 
Biography* James helped establish Mercer University. He sSold his plantation to brother Samuel Boykin in 1829 and moved to Columbus about 1830. He was an early Deacon of the First Baptist Church at Columbus, GA. Lost nearly $100,000 by security debt. A friend caused his financial ruin (Baptist Encl. p. 132-125)
     In 1830, he was named Ambassador of Indian Affairs and was he was one of the first settlers in Russell Co., AL. Six of the first 12 deeds in the courthouse are from individual Creek Indians to James, approved by General Andrew Jackson. One tract was bought from Tukosasyoholo, under a treaty with the Creeks of 24 Mar 1832.
     In about 1834, James built his home at Rose Hill in Russell Co., AL. He had two sons: Francis E. Boykin, born 1814 and James Owen Boykin, born 7 Aug 1821. James Owen was a doctor and served as a surgeon in the CSA. He married Amanda Peirce, a niece of President Franklin Pierce. (For more info see History of Alabama, p 200, and Dict of AL Biog, p 190)
(Names referenced above: James William Boykin James William Boykin). 

Family

Clarissa Ann Owens (say 1795 - )
Marriage*say 1813 He married Clarissa Ann Owens say 1813. 
Children

Charts Edward Boykin Descendants
Last Edited 29 Jan 2005

Citations

  1. Anne Jacobs Boykin (Mrs. Robert Neal) Murphy, History and Genealogy of the Boykin Family Mrs. Robert Neal Murphy and Bernard Carter Boykin, Richmond, VA, 1964.
  2. Boykin Family Papers.
  3. Katherine Bowman Walters, Oconee River Tales to Tell, Eaton, Putnam Co., GA: Eaton, Putnam Co. (GA) Historical Society, 1995.
    Chapter 5, pp 53-57. Assumption on place of birth based on fact that his father had relocated to south of Milledegville in 1785.
  4. Frances T. Ingmire, Baldwin Co., GA 1813 Tax List, page 2:
    Francis Boykin, Brown's District
    James Boykin, Brown's District
    Samuel Boykin, 1 Poll.
  5. Dictionary of Alabama Biography, page 191.
  6. Frances T. Ingmire, Baldwin Co., GA Will Book A Abstracts, 1808-1832, St. Louis, 198?, page 8.
  7. Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas Jr., The Fourth or 1821 Land Lottery of Georgia, Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1986, Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. 975.8 R2lb.
    page 23.
  8. Anna Maria Green Cook, History of Baldwin County
    , Anderson, SC: Kays-Hearn, 1925 (Pages 115-117).
    Article by Mrs. O. M. Cone, 1925, Pages 476-478.
  9. , RootsWeb WorldConnect Project, Ancestry.com: Rootsweb.
    http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/
    Alexander's - Southside VA/NC, GA & AL.
  10. Mrs. Bun Wylie -- State Regent 1930-32, Boykin Family Bible (Given to Emily Boykin Tichenor on 16 Apr 1861 by Sam and Laura Boykin) Transcription contained in "Historical Collections of the Georgia Chapters, DAR, Vol. IV Old Bible Records and Land Lotteries, 1932.
  11. Tad Evans, compiler, Milledgeville, Georgia, Newspaper Clippings: Southern Recorder, 1820-1827, Vol. I, Savannah, GA: T. Evans, 1995, Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. 975.8573/M1 B3e v. 1.
    Vol XII, page 438.
  12. Christine Aldridge, Early Miscellaneous Wills, Estates and Administrations of Georgia, Partin Publications, Nacogdoches, TX, 1994, page 59.
  13. , RootsWeb WorldConnect Project, Ancestry.com: Rootsweb.
    http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/
    Diros Ross Johnston.
  14. , RootsWeb WorldConnect Project, Ancestry.com: Rootsweb.
    http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/
    Doris Ross Johnston.