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Boat(w)right Family Genealogy in America

Generation 7

7-276. MARY ANN BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born 27 Feb 1801 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 11 Oct 1855. She married THOMAS KENNERLY HUTCHINSON 25 Jun 1816 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, son of THOMAS KENNERLY HUTCHINSON and MARY COOKE. He was born 1797 in South Carolina.

Notes for MARY ANN BOATWRIGHT:

South Carolina Marriages, 1641-1965 
Name: Mary Boatright 
Spouse: Thomas Hutchinson 
Marriage Date: 25 Jun 1816 
Source: South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol 5, # 4 

Child of MARY BOATWRIGHT and THOMAS HUTCHINSON is:

        i. ANN ELIZABETH HUTCHINSON, b. 1820, Richland County, South Carolina.

       ii. ELIZABETH MARY HUTCHINSON, b. 1820, Richland County, South Carolina.

      iii. THOMAS KENNERLY HUTCHINSON, b. 1825, Richland County, South Carolina.

       iv. BURRELL BROWN HUTCHINSON, b. 1827, Richland County, South Carolina.

        v. JAMES HUTCHINSON, b. 1828, Richland County, South Carolina.

       vi. SAMUEL ADOLPHUS HUTCHINSON, b. 1830, Richland County, South Carolina.

      vii. JOHN HUTCHINSON, b. 1833, Richland County, South Carolina.

     viii. BENJAMIN HUTCHINSON, b. 1835, Richland County, South Carolina.

       ix. REBECCA HUTCHINSON, b. 1841, Richland County, South Carolina.

        x. SAMPSON HUTCHINSON, b. 1843, Richland County, South Carolina.

7-277. SARAH BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born 22 Jan 1803 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 25 Apr 1883 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. She married JAMES DAVID FLEMING 15 Aug 1818 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, son of DAVID FLEMING and MARY WADE. He was born 06 Dec 1797 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 22 Dec 1844 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

Notes for SARA BOATWRIGHT:

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 
Name: Sara Boatwright 
Gender: Female 
Birth Year: 1803 
Spouse Name: James David Fleming 
Spouse Birth Place: SC 
Spouse Birth Year: 1797 
Marriage Year: 1818 

Notes for JAMES DAVID FLEMING:

Burial: Washington Street Methodist Church Cemetery, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina

Children of SARAH BOATWRIGHT and JAMES FLEMING are:

        i. MALVINA WADE FLEMING, b. 1820, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

       ii. ELIZABETH BOATWRIGHT FLEMING, b. 24 Apr 1825, Columbia, Richland 
                                          County, South Carolina.
      iii. JAMES THOMAS FLEMING, b. 1826, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

       iv. DAVID GEORGE FLEMING, b. 1830, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

        v. CHARLES EDWIN FLEMING, b. 29 Aug 1835, Columbia, Richland County, South 
                                   Carolina.
8-792  vi. ROBERT GREEN FLEMING, b. 02 Apr 1838, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                  South Carolina; d. 20 Feb 1895, 
                                  Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. 
      vii. DONALD FLEMING, b. 1840, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

7-278. MARTHA BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born 09 Sep 1805 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 22 Jul 1882 in South Carolina. She married ELI KENNERLY 11 Dec 1823 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, son of THOMAS KENNERLY and MARY MARGARET AMBERGER. He was born Feb 1787 in South Carolina, and died 11 Sep 1861 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

Notes for MARTHA BOATWRIGHT:

Burial: Washington Street Methodist Church Cemetery, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina

Notes for ELI KENNERLY:

Eli Kennerly served as the Richland County Sheriff from 1817 to 1820 (Richland County Bond, 1816, 1817) and served a second tenure as Richland County Sheriff from 1841 to 1843 (Richland County Bond, 1840). Source: Robert Kennerley

Burial: Washington Street Methodist Church Cemetery, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina

Children of MARTHA BOATWRIGHT and ELI KENNERLY are:

         i. JULIA KENNERLY, b. 1825, Richland County, South Carolina.

        ii. JAMES BOATWRIGHT KENNERLY, b. 24 Feb 1827, Richland County, South Carolina;
                                        d. 20 Aug 1847, Mexican War.
       iii. SUSAN ANNE KENNERLY, b. 19 Dec 1832, Richland County, South Carolina.

8-785.  iv. REBECCA HARRIETT KENNERLY, b. 1835, Richland County, South Carolina;
                                        d. Oct 1866, Edgefield County, South Carolina.
         v. ELLA KENNERLY, b. 24 Jan 1836, Richland County, South Carolina;

        vi. JOHN KENNERLY, b. 1837, Richland County, South Carolina;

7-279. BURRELL THOMAS BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born 21 Feb 1809 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 23 Sep 1888 in Ridge Spring, Edgefield County, South Carolina. He married SOPHIA WATSON 15 Nov 1831 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, daughter of ELIJA WATSON and CHLOE WIMBERLEY. She was born 02 May 1817 in Ridge Spring, Edgefield County, South Carolina, and died 02 Oct 1890 in Ridge Spring, Edgefield County, South Carolina.

Notes for BURRELL THOMAS BOATWRIGHT:

Burrell Thomas Boatwright Portrait, oil on canvas, 30" by 25". Burrell Thomas Boatwright was born on February 21, 1809, son of James and Elizabeth (Faust) Boatwright of Columbia. On November 15, 1831, he married Sophia Watson of Ridge Spring, South Carolina, where the couple made their home. Boatwright was a planter and owed large acreages in that area. He died on September 23, 1888, and is buried in the Boatwright-Watson walled cemetery in Ridge Spring. Collection: Mrs. Mark Boatwright, Columbia, South Carolina. Source: South Carolina Portraits, 1996.

Sources:
1 - Bible Records, (DAR Magazine, Nov 1937, Vol. LXXI, No. 11, page 1028
2 - Clemens, William Montgomery, North and South Carolina Marriage Records from the Earliest Colonial Days to the Civil War, (E.P. Dutton, 1927), pp 77or 82.
3 - Letters, various dates, from Mark Toney Boatwright, (1915- ), Johnston, SC.
4 - Marriage Notices, Religious Herald), 3 June 1869.
5 - Letter, April 1966, from Mrs. Fred C. Alexander, Charlotte, NC.

1840 Census:
Name: Burrel Boatright
Township: Not Stated
County: Edgefield
State: South Carolina
Roll: 511
Page: 124
Household:
2 males: 0 - 5, 1 male: 5 - 10, 
2 males: 30 - 40,
1 female: 0 - 5, 2 females: 20 - 30, 
1 female: 30 - 40,
2 males slaves: 0 - 10, 3 males slaves: 10 - 24, 
5 males slaves: 24 - 36,
8 female slaves: 0 - 10, 1 female slave: 10 - 24, 
5 female slaves: 24 - 36,
33 total, 12 agriculture,



1850 Census:
Name: Burrel Boatwright
Date: September 11, 1850
Age: 41
Estimated birth year: abt 1809
Birth place: South Carolina
Gender: Male
Home in 1850
(City,County,State): The District, 
Richland County, South Carolina
Occupation: Planter
Value of Real Estate: $2,000
Page: 71
Roll: M432_858

1860 Census:
Name: B T Boatwright
Date: June 5, 1860
Age in 1860: 51
Birthplace: South Carolina
Home in 1860: Edgefield, Edgefield County, 
South Carolina
Gender: Male
Value of real estate: $25,000
Post Office: Ridge
Roll: M653_1219
Page: 2
Year: 1860
Head of Household: B T Boatwright

1870 Census:
Name: B T Boatwright
Date: June 20, 1870
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1809
Age in 1870: 61
Birthplace: South Carolina
Home in 1870: Spring Grove, Edgefield, 
South Carolina
Occupation: Farmer
Race: White
Gender: Male
Value of real estate: $10,000
Post Office: Ward
Roll: M593_1495
Page: 471
Image: 421
Year: 1870

1880 Census:
Name: Burrell T. BOATWRIGHT
Date: June 1, 1880
Age: 71
Estimated birth year: <1809>
Birthplace: South Carolina
Occupation: Farmer
Relationship to head-of-household: Self
Home in 1880: Ridge Springs, Edgefield, South Carolina
Marital status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Spouse's name: Sophia BOATWRIGHT
Father's birthplace: VA
Mother's birthplace: SC
Census Place: Ridge Springs, Edgefield, South Carolina; 
Roll: T9_1228; Family History Film: 1255228; Page: 416A; 
Enumeration District: 64;

Notes for SOPHIA WATSON:

Sophia Watson Portrait, oil on canvas, 30" by 25". Sophia Watson was born on May 2, 1814, daughter of Elijah and Chloe (Wimberly) Watson of Ridge Spring, South Carolina. She married Burrell Thomas Boatwright (1809 - 1888) and they lived in Ridge Spring. They were the parents of seven children. Mrs. Boatwright died on October 8, 1880. Collection: Mrs. Mark Boatwright, Columbia, South Carolina. Source: South Carolina Portraits, 1996.

1850 Census:
Name: Sophia Boatwright
Date: September 11, 1850
Age: 36
Estimated birth year: abt 1814
Birth place: South Carolina
Gender: Female
Home in 1850
(City,County,State): Richland County, 
South Carolina
Page: 71
Roll: M432_858

1860 Census:
Name: Sophia Boatwright
Date: June 5, 1860
Age in 1860: 45
Birthplace: South Carolina
Home in 1860: Edgefield, Edgefield County, SC
Gender: Female
Value of real estate: $0
Post Office: Ridge
Roll: M653_1219
Page: 2
Year: 1860
Head of Household: B T Boatwright



1870 Census:
Name: Sophia Boatwright
Date: June 20, 1870
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1814
Age in 1870: 56
Birthplace: South Carolina
Home in 1870: Spring Grove, Edgefield, SC
Race: White
Gender: Female
Value of real estate: $0
Post Office: Ward
Roll: M593_1495
Page: 471
Image: 421
Year: 1870

1880 Census:
Name: Sophia BOATWRIGHT
Date: June 1, 1880
Age: 66
Estimated birth year: <1814>
Birthplace: South Carolina
Occupation: Keeping House
Relationship to head-of-household: Wife
Home in 1880: Ridge Springs, Edgefield, SC
Marital status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Female
Spouse's name: Burrell T. BOATWRIGHT
Father's birthplace: SC
Mother's birthplace: SC
Census Place: Ridge Springs, Edgefield, South Carolina; 
Roll: T9_1228; Family History Film: 1255228; Page: 416A; 
Enumeration District: 64;

Children of BURRELL BOATWRIGHT and SOPHIA WATSON are:

8-785.    i. JAMES BOATWRIGHT, b. 18 Jan 1833, Ridge Spring, Edgefield County,
                                South Carolina; d. 13 Sep 1896, Monetta, 
                                Edgefield County, South Carolina.
8-786.   ii. ELIJAH BOATWRIGHT, b. 16 Feb 1834, Ridge Spring, Edgefield County,
                                 South Carolina; d. 21 Nov 1894, Ridge Spring, 
                                 Edgefield County, South Carolina.
8-787.  iii. BENJAMIN MIDDLETON BOATWRIGHT, b. 23 Jul 1836, Ridge Spring,
                                             Edgefield County, South Carolina;
                                             d. 29 Aug 1899, Ridge Spring, 
                                             Edgefield County, South Carolina.
8-788.   iv. SARAH "SALLIE" ANNE BOATWRIGHT, b. 09 Oct 1838, Ridge Spring,
                                              Edgefield County, South Carolina;
                                              d. 10 Jan 1921, Ridge Spring, 
                                              Edgefield County, South Carolina.
8-789.    v. FAUST BOATWRIGHT, b. 30 Jul 1841, Ridge Spring, Edgefield County,
                                South Carolina; d. 25 Aug 1892, Ridge Spring,
                                Edgefield County, South Carolina.
8-790.   vi. SUMPTER BOATWRIGHT, b. 11 Apr 1844, Ridge Spring, Edgefield County,
                                  Edgefield County, South Carolina; d. 16 Feb
                                  1891, Ridge Spring, Edgefield County, South
                                  Carolina.

7-280. ELIZABETH CHRISTIANA BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born 12 May 1811 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 24 Apr 1854. She married JAMES DOUTHIT TREADWELL 13 Nov 1832 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, son of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TREADWELL and ELIZA MCKENNEDY BYRD. He was born 31 Mar 1810 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 23 Nov 1880 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

Notes for ELIZABETH CHRISTIANA BOATWRIGHT:

Burial: Washington Street Methodist Church Cemetery, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina

Children of ELIZABETH BOATWRIGHT and JAMES TREADWELL are:

        i. ELIZABETH FAUST TREADWELL, b. 26 Aug 1833, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                       South Carolina.
       ii. ELLA REBECCA TREADWELL, b. 24 Jan 1836, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                    South Carolina.
      iii. JAMES WILLIAM TREADWELL, b. 24 Jan 1842, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                     South Carolina. 
       iv. ALESTER GARDEN TREADWELL, b. 18 Mar 1844, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                      South Carolina. 
        v. IDA SISSIE TREADWELL, b. 08 Oct 1846, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                  South Carolina. 

7-281. JAMES SAMUEL BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born 17 Mar 1813 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 27 Jan 1857 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. He married ELEANOR ELLEN MIOT 19 May 1835 in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, daughter of CHARLES HENRY MIOTT and ELEANOR PERSIANA BELL. She was born 21 Jun 1819 in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, and died 02 Apr 1892 in Toccoa, Stephens County, Georgia.

Notes for JAMES SAMUEL BOATWRIGHT:

James was a carriage maker at Columbia, South Carolina then a business partner with William Glaze in silversmithing. He was named Executor of his father's Estate, South Carolina. James died before his father.

Source: Author: Ricker, Norman H.
Title: "Index & Outline: The Boat(w)right and Allied Families"
Publication: LDS Library, Salt lake City, Utah, 1989
Note: Material Compiled by Lt. Col. Wm. E. Boatright, Cabool, Missouri

In regards to James' middle name; his grand-daughter, Marguerite Roosevelt Boatwright, lists his name as James Samuel Boatwright in her DAR application:

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 115
page 67
Miss Marguerite Roosevelt Boatwright
DAR ID Number: 114213
Born in Richmond County, Georgia.

Descendant of Burwell Faust, Lieut. Col. Azariah Dunham, Jacob Ford, and Dr. Lewis Ford Dunham, as follows:

1. Allen Middleton Boatwright (b. 1852) m. 1889 Margaret M. R. Fleming (b. 1866).

2. James Samuel Boatwright (1815-57) m. Ellen Miot (1819-92); John Lowrey Fleming (1815-93) m. 1863 Jane Dunham Crommelin (1826-95).

3. James Boatwright (1773-1857) m. 1800 Elizabeth Faust (1783-1855);

1840 Census:
Name: J S Boatwright
Township: Columbia
County: Richland
State: South Carolina
Roll: 514
Page: 407
Household:
1 male: 15 - 20, 1 male: 20 - 30,
2 females: 0 - 5, 1 female: 20 - 30,
1 male slave: 10 - 24,
2 female slaves: 0 - 10, 1 female slave: 36 - 55
9 total, 1 commerce, 2 navigation

1850 Census:
Name: James S Boatwright
Date: October 18, 1850
Age: 36
Estimated birth year: abt 1814
Birth place: South Carolina
Gender: Male
Home in 1850
(City,County,State): Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
Occupation: Mechanic
Page: 25
Roll: M432_858

1850 Census:
Name: Ellen Boatwright
Date: October 18, 1850
Age: 30
Estimated birth year: abt 1820
Birth place: South Carolina
Gender: Female
Home in 1850
(City,County,State): Columbia, 
Richland County, South Carolina
Page: 25
Roll: M432_858

1860 Census:
Name: Ellen Boatwright
Date: July 20, 1860
Age in 1860: 40
Birthplace: South Carolina
Home in 1860: Columbia, 
Richland, South Carolina
Gender: Female
Value of real estate: $1,200
Post Office: Columbia
Roll: M653_1227
Page: 42
Year: 1860
Head of Household: Ellen Boatwright

1880 Census:
Name: Ellen BOATWRIGHT
Date: June 8, 1880
Age: 60
Estimated birth year: <1820>
Birthplace: South Carolina
Occupation: At Home
Relationship to head-of-household: Mother-in-law
Home in 1880: Augusta, Richmond, Georgia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Father's birthplace: SC
Mother's birthplace: SC
Census Place: Augusta, Richmond, Georgia;
Roll: T9_163; Family History Film: 1254163; Page: 254D; 
Enumeration District: 96; Image: 0291.
living with daughter Anna and her family

Children of JAMES BOATWRIGHT and ELEANOR MIOT are:

8-791.    i. LAURA BOATWRIGHT, b. 12 Oct 1839, Columbia, Richland County, South
                                Carolina; d. 16 Aug 1895, Taccoa, Stephens County, Georgia.
8-792.   ii. ANNA RANDOLPH BOATWRIGHT, b. 06 Jan 1844, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                        South Carolina; d. 01 Apr 1903, 
                                        Germantown, Philadelphia County, 
                                        Pennsylvania.
8-793.  iii. FLORENCE BOATWRIGHT, b. Abt. 1846, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                   South Carolina; d. Feb 1917.
8-794.   iv. REBECCA HARRIETT BOATWRIGHT, b. 08 Mar 1848, Columbia, Richland 
                                           County, South Carolina; d. 09 Dec 1919, 
                                           Laurens County, South Carolina. 
8-795.    v. ELEANOR BOATWRIGHT, b. 11 May 1850, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                  South Carolina.  
8-796.   vi. ALLEN MIDDLETON BOATWRIGHT, b. 22 Aug 1852, Columbia, Richland 
                                          County, South Carolina; d. 26 Aug 1917.
8-797.  vii. ADA BOATWRIGHT, b. 26 Nov 1854, Columbia, Richland County, South 
                              Carolina; d. 10 Nov 1918, Augusta, Richmond County, 
                              Georgia.
8-798. viii. JAMES SAMPSON BOATWRIGHT, b. 14 Feb 1857, Columbia, Richland 
                                        County, South Carolina; d. 11 Jul 1917, 
                                        Roanoke, Virginia.

7-282. JOHN HENRY BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born 15 Jan 1815 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 15 Oct 1865 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. He married MARY ELIZA LORD 21 Jun 1840 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, daughter of JOHN LORD and MARY TOOMER. She was born Oct 1821 in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, and died 31 Aug 1903 in New Hanover County, North Carolina.

Notes for JOHN HENRY BOATWRIGHT:

Obituary: Dr. John H. Boatwright, died in Columbia, South Carolina Oct. 16, 1865. His loss is irreparable to his afflicted family, and will be keenly felt by the community, in which he was a highly honored and of which he was so prominent a member. Dr. Boatwright was a genial friend, exemplary husband, affectionate parent, kind master, warm hearted citizen, and in the relations of family connections, he was sincere, amiable and true. He had been twice elevated to a seat in the General Assembly of the State, as a Representative from Richland District, which trust he so well maintained and illustrated by his sincerity, independence and honesty; as to have secured him a second re-election, had he lived to enjoy the reassured confidence of his fellow citizens. But he is taken from then but two days previous to the election for members to the Legislature. As a Mason, his worth was distinguished and his skill in the Workmanship of the Craft was son highly appreciated, as to elevate him to the position and dignity as Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina .

Dr. Boatwright had served his fellow citizens as Mayor of Columbia in which office he distinguished himself, by his impartiality, urbanity and a devoted zeal for the welfare, improvement and well being of the city and ever tempering justice with mercy, in all matters of which he had official cognizance. He had not any superior, who had filled the chair of this office, and after an observation of Thirty Five years, the writer of this obituary, does not think he had an equal.

But Dr. Boatwright has passed from among us. Gathered to the immense throng in the spirit world, he had preceded his many sorrowing friends to a knowledge of the realities beyond the grave, and it is alone left us to honor his memory, by esteem for the man and regret for his removal.

From P. Stansbury Hayden's "Military Ballooning", published 1941 by the Johns Hopkins Press:
P.161 - P166.

"Despite this series of failures, Lowe (Thaddeus Sobieski Constantine Lowe, T. S. C. Lowe for short) was more determined than ever to prove the feasibility of his idea (trans-Atlantic balloon flight), and cary his plans through to success. He exhausted the last of his resources in making preparations for a new envelope, and in the manufacture of a smaller balloon for additional experiments. He then made a further appeal to the wealthier and more prominent Philadelphians, including Dr. Cresson, George Harding of the Inquirer, and others, addressed a memorial on lowe's behalf to Professor Joseph Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute , stating that they had full confidence in Lowe and his project, and recommended that the Smithsonian furnish aid and advice "as may assist in the success of the attempt".

The memorial was read before a meeting of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian on February 16, 1861, and a resolution was adopted recommending that Professor Henry furnish Lowe with technical information and advice. At a second meeting of the Regents held a week later, suitable replies to the requests of Lowe and the Philadelphia Committee were framed. The latter was informed that the endowed income of the Smithsonian could not be made available for the purpose desired, but that every assistance in the form of technical service and advice would be rendered. Professor Henry then wrote to Lowe that he concurred fully in the theory of the upper easterly current, and expressed his belief that it could be used successfully in making an aerial passage to Europe. Henry advised, however, that a trial voyage be made over land, from one of the interior cities to test the current more fully and to gain more experience in navigating a balloon in it over long distances. Lowe thereupon went to Washington at once and discussed the matter with Henry. The action of the Philadelphia committee in bringing about this acquaintance between Henry and Lowe was to prove a greater work of assistance than was at first apparent. Henry became one of Lowe's firmest friends, and was soon to become one of his supporters and a constant adviser in his operations with the army.

Acting on Henry's advice, Lowe packed up his smaller balloon, which he named Enterprise, and proceeded early in April to Cincinnati, the interior city selected for the point of departure for the test flight. Here he enlisted the aid of Murat Halstead, editor of the Cincinnati Commercial, in backing the proposed voyage. Lowe was well received, and through Halstead's influence he was invited by a number of locally distinquished business and professional men to present several lectures on his proposed test flight and trans-Atlantic project.

With funds raised in this manner, and with the special assistance of Halstead, he was ready to start on his trial trip by April 19.

Preparations for the ascent were made in a boarded off lot attached to the grounds of the Commercial Hospital. Inflation was accomplished about two o'clock on the morning of the 20th, and at half past three in a dead calm, in brilliant moonlight under a cloudless sky, Lowe ascended to a height of 12,000 feet under and entered the prevailing upper current which rapidly carried the balloon eastward. At the last moment, a sheaf of Commercials, the early morning edition still damp from the press, bearing notices of the ascention, were taken into the car as evidence of the hour and point of departure. Shortly before one o'clock on the afternoon of the same day, Lowe landed at a point nine miles west of Unionville, South Carolina. He had accomplished a flight estimated from 900 to 1,200 miles in approximately nine hours.

Lowe's initial reception upon reaching earth was unusual and unpleasant. The illiterate whites and negros of the neighborhood insisted that he was some kind of devil that had descended upon them from the wrong direction (up versus down). Being convinced at length that he was at least human, they hustled him off to the nearest jail, from which he was rescued by the local dignitaries of Unionville and offered all the courtesies approporiate to a distinquished visitor. Especially kind in this respect was A. W. Thomson, editor of the local paper, also a member of the South Carolina legislature, who furnished Lowe with a letter of introduction to influential friends in Columbia, to insure his courteous reception there. A local committee also drew up a certificate stating the time and place of Lowe's arrival, in order that documentary evidence of the time of flight and point of landing might be preserved. Lowe thereupon prepared to return North. On April 22 he placed his balloon and instruments on a train for Columbia and proceeded to the State capital intending to continue on to Washington.

But the time was unpropitious for the arrival of a northern visitor. Only a week before, Beauregard's cannon had thundered defiance to the Federal government, inaugurating formal hostilities at adjacent Charleston. The Confererate seizure of Harper's Ferry and its arsenal had pre-dated Lowe's flight by less than two days. Only twenty-four hours before the Enterprise ascended from Cincinnati, a Baltimore mob had attacked the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, and on the same day that this outburst took place, President Lincoln had declared the blockade of Southern ports. And even while Lowe was on his voyage, Colonel Robert E. Lee was tendering his resignation from the United States Army. A serious time it was for a Yankee balloonist, with a bundle of abolition newspapers, to be landing in South Carolina, the stronghold of secession and Southern nationalism.

This fact was only too apparent when Lowe reached Columbia. When it bacame known that a Northern aeronaut had arrived in the State with abolition papers only nine hours old, the authorities immediately concluded that he was either a bearer of dispatches or a spy. At the station platform Lowe was arrested by the sheriff of Columbia and conducted to jail for a second time, followed by a lusty throng of ardent secessionists who urged that he be dealt with summarily. Some of the less violent spectators advised their colleagues to "tar and feather the damn Yankee" without further ado; the more sanguine demanded that he grace the nearest tree of suitable size.

Safely incarcerated, Lowe was soon visited by J. H. Boatwright, Mayor of Columbia, and several other officials. Fortunately the publicity attending the proposed trans-oceanic flight had reached Columbia, and this fact was helpful in establishing his identity. Lowe was known by reputation to several prominent citizens of the town, including members of the faculty of South Carolina College, some of whom knew of his connections with Professor Henry. The assurance of these gentlemen that Lowe was not connected with politics or the Federal service was further strengthened by the letter of introduction from A. W. Thomson, of Unionville.

These evidences of integrity, along with the certificate of the Unionville committee, secured Lowe's release almost at once. Mayor Boatwright then drew up a formal passport designed to conduct the aeronaut safely through Confederate territory on his return North. All authorities and private citizens were assured of Lowe's integrity and purely scientific purpose in coming South, and were admonished to render him assistance and courtesy on his return journey. The seal of Columbia was affixed to make the document official.

Because of the chaotic condition of the railway service caused by troop movements and the severance of rail communication between Washington and the South, Lowe found the only way open for his return was to Cincinnati by way of Louisville, Kentucky. He packed up his balloon and equipment for shipment by express, and telegraphed the offices of the Commercial that he was on his way to Louisville. The same day he boarded a train for his return journey.

The route North was marked with numerous indications of the coming conflict. Encampments were clustered thickly about the various rail junctions, and Lowe's train overtook several troop-trains loaded with Confederate regiments on their way to the Virginia frontier. Recruiting posts were conspicuous near the depots in the villages and towns. Occasionally a glittering regimental band serenaded the train as it stopped to discharge and take on passengers. The martial scenes encountered at every turn along the way impressed Lowe with the magnitude of the national crisis. There was no denying that the Southerners were in deadly earnest, all the units of troops he observed seemed to be exceptionally well armed and equipped, and their enthusiasm ran high. As the train gradually neared the Ohio River, the trans-Atlantic project seemed to fade from Lowe's mind in contrast with the grim realities of the present. He was in the midst of civil war, and crossing the ocean by air seemed trivial in the face of national catastrophe. In the North men were enrolling companies and regiments for the defense of the Union. He would offer his services as a military aeronaut and organize an army balloon corps."

Columbia, South Carolina Obituaries, 1859-1877

Dr. John H. Boatwright, died in Col'a. So. Ca. Oct. 16, 1865. His loss is irreparable to his afflicted family, and will be keenly felt by the community, in which he was a highly honored and of which he was so prominent a member.

Dr. Boatwright was a genial friend, exemplary husband, affectionate parent, kind master, warm hearted citizen, and in the relations of family connections, he was sincere, amiable and true. He had been twice elevated to a seat in the General Assembly of the State, as a Representative from Richland District, which trust he so well maintained and illustrated by his sincerity, independence and honesty; as to have secured him a second re-election, had he lived to enjoy the reassured confidence of his fellow citizens. But he is taken from then but two days previous to the election for members to the Legislature. As a Mason, his worth was distinguished and his skill in the Workmanship of the Craft was son highly appreciated, as to elevate him to the position and dignity as Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina.

Dr. Boatwright had served his fellow citizens as Mayor of Columbia in which office he distinguished himself, by his impartiality, urbanity and a devoted zeal for the welfare, improvement and well being of the city and ever tempering justice with mercy, in all matters of which he had official cognizance. He had not any superior, who had filled the chair of this office, and after an observation of Thirty Five years, the writer of this obituary, does not think he had an equal.

But Dr. Boatwright has passed from among us. Gathered to the immense throng in the spirit world, he had preceded his many sorrowing friends to a knowledge of the realities beyond the grae, and it is alone left us to honor his memory, by esteem for the man and regret for his removal.


A list of mayors of Columbia, South Carolina from 1855-1865

Term/Mayor
1855-1857 Edward J. Arthur
1857-1859 James D. Tradewell
1859-1861 Allen J. Green
1861-1863 John H. Boatwright
1863-1865 Thomas J. Goodwyn

England, Alien Arrivals, 1810-1811, 1826-1869 
Name: John Henry Boatwright 
Port of Arrival: Dover, England 
Arrival Date: 12 Sep 1850 
Country of Origin/Native of: America 

1850 Census:
Name: John H Boatwright
Date: October 25, 1850
Age: 30
Estimated birth year: abt 1820
Birth place: South Carolina
Gender: Male
Home in 1850
(City,County,State): Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
Occupation: Physician
Value of Real Estate: $5,000
Page: 37
Roll: M432_858

England, Alien Arrivals, 1810-1811, 1826-1869 
Name: John Henry Boatwright 
Port of Arrival: Dover, England 
Arrival Date: 18 Nov 1850 
Country of Origin/Native of: America 

1860 Census:
Name: John H Boatwright
Date: July 18, 1860
Age in 1860: 44
Birthplace: South Carolina
Home in 1860: Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
Occupation: Mayor of Columbia
Gender: Male
Value of real estate: $10,000
Post Office: Columbia
Roll: M653_1227
Page: 27
Year: 1860
Head of Household: John H Boatwright

1850 Census:
Name: Mary E Boatwright
Date: October 25, 1850
Age: 28
Estimated birth year: abt 1822
Birth place: South Carolina
Gender: Female
Home in 1850
(City,County,State): Columbia, Richland County, 
 South Carolina
Page: 37
Roll: M432_858

1860 Census:
Name: Mary E Boatwright
Date: July 18, 1860
Age in 1860: 34
Birthplace: South Carolina
Home in 1860: Columbia, Richland County, 
 South Carolina
Gender: Female
Value of real estate: $0
Post Office: Columbia
Roll: M653_1227
Page: 27
Year: 1860
Head of Household: John H Boatwright

1870 Census:
Name: Mary E Boatwright
Date: July 26, 1870
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1822
Age in 1870: 48
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1870: Wilmington, New Hanover, North Carolina
Race: White
Gender: Female
Value of real estate: $0
Post Office: Wilmington
Roll: M593_1151
Page: 434
Image: 572
Year: 1870

1900 Census:
Name: Mary Boatwright
Date: June 16, 1900
Home in 1900: Wilmington Ward 2, New Hanover, North Carolina
Age: 78
Estimated birth year: 1822
Birthplace: North Carolina
Race: White
Relationship to head-of-house: Mother-in-law
Census Place: Wilmington Ward 2, New Hanover, North Carolina; 
Roll: T623 1208; Page: 7A; 
Enumeration District: 70.
living with daughter Alice and family

Children of JOHN BOATWRIGHT and MARY LORD are:

8-799.    i. JOHN LORD BOATWRIGHT, b. 24 May 1843, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                    South Carolina; d. 14 Jan 1917, Wilmington, 
                                    New Hanover County, North Carolina.
8-800.   ii. JAMES HENRY "HAL" BOATWRIGHT, b. 30 Jul 1846, Columbia, Richland 
                                            County, South Carolina; d. 27 Jan 1911, 
                                            New Hanover County, North Carolina.
8-801.  iii. ALICE LONDON BOATWRIGHT, b. 17 Jan 1848, Columbia, Richland County, 
                                       South Carolina; d. 04 Mar 1940, Wilmington, 
                                       New Hanover County, North Carolina.

7-283. ANDREW JACKSON BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born 25 Mar 1817 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 28 Jun 1817 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

7-284. BENJAMIN MIDDLETON BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born Nov 1818 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 14 Jan 1836 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

Notes for BENJAMIN MIDDLETON BOATWRIGHT:

Burial: Washington Street Methodist Church Annex, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina

7-285. REBECCA HARRIOTT BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born 09 Jul 1821 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 02 Jul 1842 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

Notes for REBECCA HARRIOTT BOATWRIGHT:

Burial: Washington Street Methodist Church Cemetery, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina

7-286. FAUST BOATWRIGHT (JAMES³, AMBROSE², Not Yet Determined¹) was born 27 Jul 1823 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, and died 29 Sep 1823 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

URL: http://www.boatwrightgenealogy.com

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