Hertford County, NC - Dr. Thomas W. & Harriott Godwin Borland
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Chapter 1: PARENTS & ANCESTORS
"Solon Borland & FAMILY"
Chapter 1: "Family's Early Years"
(10-29-08), (01-15-13)
His .
Her ancestry.
Doctor THOMAS WOOD BORLAND (1779SCOT-ca1831NC) (with Roscius &
Solon's sons named for him) married HARRIOTT GODWIN
(1787VA-ca1825NC) (with a granddaughter & great,granddaughter named
for her) in 1805. With this union were three known children, all sons;
Roscius Cicero born 1807, Nansemond county, Euclid born 27 October
1809, and Solon born 8 August 1811, both in Suffolk, Nansemond county,
Virginia. Harriott died ca1825 and Thomas ca1831. Death dates, causes,
locations and burial site(s) unknown.
Sons were likely named from his interest in Greek history: Roscius
Cicero, for Sextus Roscius of Ameria and friend Cicreo of 80 B C,
Euclid for Euclid of Alexandria, the mathamatition of 300 B C and
Solon for, Solon the Lawmaker, who died 559 B C.
Solon's father; Thomas Wood BORLAND, M D, an emigrant from Hamilton,
Scotland, reportedly, son of Robert BORLAND and Margaret JACK (January
2006 info from Sam CAHILL, Naples, Florida to wit: Goodspeed Publshing
Company's 1892 biography of grandson, General Euclid BORLAND, Jr,
http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/hertford/bios/borland9.txt ) and
(September 2007, info from Robert BORLAND of Wembleton, England to
wit:
"...born 9 Dec 1779 Hamilton. His father Robert Borland m. Margaret
Jack 18 Jan1778. Thomas Borland of Goodsburn (near Strathaven not far
from Hamilton) mentioned a Robert Borland who emigrated to America
towards the end of the 18th century with his son Thomas but he didn't
say precisely which Robert it was. I had suspected that it was the
Robert who m. Margaret Jack and I still think that. These Hamilton
Borlands are related to the John Borland who emigrated to Boston
in1682. It is often difficult to link American Borlands with Borlands
in Scotland or Ireland but in this case the link is quite clear."
Arrived in Nansemond county ca 1796 so wrote Fay HEMPSTEAD
(1847AR-1934AR) a classmate at University of Virginia of Solon's
nephews, Euclid, jr and Thomas Roscius BORLAND.
Solon's mother; Harriott GODWIN, a fifth generation American,
(spelling from son Euclid's, once toppled tombstone), born to Jeremiah
GODWIN, Jr (1766VA- 1820GA) and Sally WILKINSON (17xx-1843VA),
following their 30 September 1784 marriage, George, first born, 3
December 1785 then Harriott on 17 September 1787. Their parents first
lived at "Stockley Plantation", reportedly aka "Small Hopes Farm",
then "Castle Inn" when owner left town in 1813, then in 1817 on 135
acres named "Athens", North West of Suffolk, possibly in Chuckatuck
township(?), before moving to Putnam county, Georgia where Jeremiah Jr
passed away in 1820. Mother Sally returning to die 1843, while living
with son George and his 1804 bride, Fanny GREEN.
Harriott's father was son of his namesake, Jeremiah GODWIN, born 2
February 1766, two days later his mother, Mary HOLLADAY, died, she,
first of at least four wives. Jeremiah Sr, was son of Thomas, III who
married 1st cousin Mary GODWIN (d/o Captain Edmund GODWIN & Sarah
BEMBRIDGE), --- he son of Colonel Thomas GODWIN II, married to Martha,
daughter of Colonel Joseph BRIDGER of Isle of Wight, and is said to
have been Speaker of the House of Burgess during Nathanial BACON's
Rebellion of 1676, who in turn was son of Captain Thomas GODWIN, the
original emmigrant mid-seventeenth century to Upper Norfolk, later
Nansemond, the ancestor of the GODWINs of Nansemond county, reportedly
was (or son Thomas II) justice, coroner and Colonel Commandant of
Nansemond county and had represented Nansemond county in the House of
Burgess in 1652, 1654 & possibly other years. The 1674 (2 Hening,318)
act, ascertaining the bounds of counties of Isle of Wight and
Nansemond, he is designated as "an ancient inhabitant of Nanzemond
Countie Court" -- the act directed that the boundary line should be so
run as to leave the house and cleared land of Capt. Thomas GODWIN
("Old Castle", within Nansemond county. His will is dated March 24th,
1676-7. Most all of above is from Samuel Bassett FRENCH's (1820-1898)
Biographical Sketches published in Virginia Historical Magazine, Notes
and Queries, Volume 17, pages 96-98, much confirmed with Thomas HUME
Papers, summary, #3239 of the University of North Carolina, pages 1-7,
dated 2/18/05 and by descendant Barbara of Houston, Texas. Another
source said; Captain Thomas GODWIN emigrated to Nansemond county when
it was known as "Upper Norfolk", creatd 1637 then named "Nandsamund"
in mid-seventeenth century with Sleepy Hole Point renamed Suffolk in
1742!
For more detail of the GODWIN family visit www.sallysfamilyplace.com
http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=DESC&db=califia1&id=I5880
Our Robert BOGGUS', my 7th g,grandparents, are recorded 1 April 1644
in Deed Book B; 37a, Norfolk county, from Nansemond county, soon to
transplant to the "North Neck" country.
Harriott was Colonel David Jeremiah GODWIN's aunt. He married Lucrece
P WILSON, and was once a partner with Thomas HUME, also commander over
her grandson, Thomas Roscius BORLAND, Roscius Cicero's' son (who
honored his grandmother by nameing his 3rd child Harriott Godwin
BORLAND), during civil war. Harriott being older sister to his father
David (1793-1841), married to Cherry (Charity) KELLY, but she's
younger sister of brother George GODWIN (1785-1866) married Frances
(Fanny) GREEN in 1804, he 74, she 72 years old in 1860 census,
loveable Fanny, daughter of Thomas GREEN and Mary GILES, sister to
James Giles GREEN, who was first husband of Ann T B HANCOCK. (see
SHARPLES portraits), her second husband with two offsprings was Joseph
PINNER.
Thomas Wood BORLAND, M D and Harriott GODWIN are reported in Fillmore
NORFLEET's book, "Suffolk in Virginia", as living on property of
Mathias JONES, just south of the Castle Inn (modern day address, 444
north Main street), across street from George and Fanny (Green) GODWIN
who lived in a home Dr. Robert H FISHER (1785-1815) built with wife
Charlotte HOLLAND (ca1784-aft1860), on a lot, in Suffolk, Virginia,
well before the city's 3 Jun 1837 fire which burnt some one hundred
and thirty homes and after its 1797 fire. He son of Thomas FISHER and
Mary TEMBIE, see SHARPLES portraits.
The 1820 Virginia census has two white males, ages 10-15, with Dr.
BORLAND, undoubtedly Roscius Cicero & Euclid. Oddly, it lists only a
male 26-44. Where might wife/mother, 33 y/o Harriott be? There is a
"Harriat GODWIN" listed separately? George GODWIN's household has
listed one white boy 0-9 y/o, most likely Solon, male 26-44, female
26-44 and 31 slaves. There's a 1821 receipt (WM) for Solon's school
paid by Geroge GODWIN to Bennett M DEFORD.
George and Fanny, were seemingly raising their nephew Solon in 1820
Nansemond county census, they one of fifteen (15) GODWIN househiolds
listed thereon.
Solon named children of his third marriage, George Godwin & Fanny
Green, with each of his brothers naming daughters Fanny, no doubt in
my mind, honoring their aunt Fanny (Green) GODWIN.
Its reported Dr BORLAND moved family to Murfreesboro, North Carolina
in 1823 and the 1830 census lists Dr. BORLAND in North Carolina with
three males, most likely Roscius, Euclid & Solon, plus 5 male & 9
female, slaves, wife Harriott believed died, ca 1825.
Reply from Sue WOODWARD of the Suffolk-Nansemond County Historical
Society 7 February 2004 quoted Fillmore NORFLEET's book "Suffolk in
Virginia", which in part, appears to rely on S. Bassett FRENCH's
(1820- 1898) Biographical Sketches, printed by Whittet & Shepperson,
Richmond, VA, copyright 1974, a copy of which we received via
interlibrary loan 10 March 2004 again May 2006, to wit;
"1)- George Godwin (b. Dec 1785, at "Stockley Plantation"----d.s.p.,
1866), married 1804, Frances [Fanny] Green (b. 1785, daughter of
Thomas and Mary Giles Green), and lived on Main Street in house built
on Dr. Robert H. Fisher's lot.
"2)- Harriet [Harriott] Godwin (b. Sept. 17, 1787 - d. ABT 1825)
married in 1805, Thomas Wood Borland, M.D. (b. in Scotland - d. ABT
1831) and lived in Suffolk where he rented a "Dwelling & Doctor's
Shop" from Mathias Jones in 1811 and a "dwelling, stable, and
warehouse" from Jacob Keeling in 1822, after which time he settled in
Murfreesboro, NC, from where he wrote to Joseph Prentis [Esq.
(1785-1851), from Williamsburg in 1805, [whose home in 2005 is subject
of historical society's sale, later refurbished and now on display,
see above], January 6, 1825, about his wife's illness. Their three
sons were: Roscius Cicero (1807-1845), Euclid (1809- 1872[1881]) and
Solon ([1811]- d. 1864)."
NORFLEET's book contained black & white prints of pastel portraits, by
famous James SHARPLES (1751ENG-1811NY) (the 1895 two-cent postage
stamp having one of his portraits of Geo WASHINGTON), ~ ~ courtesy of
Frick Art Reference Library, N.Y., at least 9 created after he and son
Felix's 1806 return from England and during a southern tour. Sitting
was in 1809 at "Small Hopes Plantation" according to note afixed
backside of Roscius' portrait, included are Solon's parents, brothers,
maternal grandparents, uncle and aunt George and Fanny GODWIN, and her
mother Mrs. Thomas GREEN (nee Mary Giles) --- all noted as formerly
owned by a Colonel Charles B BORLAND (grand nephew of Solon's). Thomas
C PARRAMOORE copied Dr Thomas and Harriott BORLAND's portraits
crediting Fillmore NORFLEET in his book. 1 June 2005, we learned these
portraits were owned by Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia,
since 1964, www.chrysler.org following our lead of an earlier reply to
an on-line query, formerly owned by Auslew Galleries of Norfolk area.
Chrylser Museum of Art, graciously furnished me copies which where
shared with my Texas cohort. Many other locals were done, most likely
during same time frame, over two hundred years ago.
We were advised by Chrysler Museum of Art, these were; "chalk on
paper", 10 x 8 inches, created at "Small Hopes Farm" by famous son of
James SHARPLES, Felix Thomas SHARPLES (1786ENG-1830VA) (others report
his more famous father, James, so that's now under review at Chrysler
who have attbributed them to both) in 1809, then they furnished copies
for our use
Ownership of nine of these SHARPLES portraits was; assumed George
GODWIN, then nephew, Dr Euclid BORLAND ending with his nephew, Thomas
Roscius BORLAND *(see HUME letter), to wife Carrie (said to be by
James SHARPLES in 1897 letter by Thomas R BORLAND, then in a book by
BOLTON as did the Smithsonian Institute), ending with his youngest son
Colonel Charles Barney BORLAND, he to the Auslew Gallery (Norfolk
area) then since 1964, at Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia.
Modern portraits from photographs of Colonel Charles Barney BORLAND
(1886VA-1972VA) Norfolk City Manager 1938 till December 1945, his
second wife Cornelia (McBlair) STRIBBING (1884VA-1987VA), his father,
Thomas Roscius BORLAND (1844NC-1900VA), with second wife Carrie BARNEY
(1849VA-1928VA) are also at Chrysler Art Gallery, of which it was
determined father & son were mixed after receiving a newspaper article
from Norfolk Library with picture of Thomas R same as that in the
museum, Chrysler agreed, thusly have corrected that mix-up, but not so
until after my first booklet was printed, now corrected in 2008.
HOWEVER, Sally's site is corrected and so is Hertford county's GenWeb
site, to wit: www.usgwarchives.net/nc/hertford/hertfordbios.htm .
Unfortunately for all, the court house fire of 1830 burnt most of
Hertford County records, then the Feds set fire to the new court house
during the civil war. Benjamin B WINBORNE tried to reconstruct history
in writing from family records.
To quote from Benjamin B WINBORNE's 1906 book; "The Colonial and State
Political History of Hertford County, N.C.":
"He [Dr. Thomas BORLAND] was profound as a scholar, eminent as a
physician, haughty and, chivalrous in manner, strong in his love of
country, and greatly respected by his neighbors. He was thoroughly
familiar with all the classics and could read Greek and Latin
fluently, and through life he enjoyed reading his Greek books. For a
long while prior to his death, in 1830 or 1831, he was one of the
wealthy and aristocratic, justices of the county, and was often seen
presiding over the court.
"Dr. Borland married Harriott Godwin leaving the following sons:
Euclid, Roscius Cicero and Solon.
"The Borlands were all brave, true, honorable and chivalrous people.
Hertford County for some reason never insisted upon the advancement of
her noble and able sons for governmental honors. They were, however,
always appreciated in their adopted homes."
Dr Borland was court appointed guardian of William Traders heirs.
"Many of the Borlands [only Euclid's family with tombstones] and the
members of their families are buried near Murfreesboro on the Ramsey
farm [Ramsey Cemetery, on Vaughan Creek Road], owned by my wife [who
was a Vaughan]". (ca 1890's)
Thomas PARRAMORE wrote; Dr. Thomas BORLAND served a term in the
Virginia legislature, supported by the "American National Biography",
Volume 3. He also cites a story of Dr. BORLAND in 1877 by Rev. Bennett
Taylor BLAKE, of being chased by a dog named "Bose" at the residence
now known as Roberts-Vaughan House, when he went to visit Aunt Sally
VAUGHAN, while living around the corner on what now is College Street.
Seems the dog got the best of Dr. BORLAND. John GILIPIN used to sing;
'Long live good Aunt Sally Vaughan!, ' Long Live good Dr. B.!, 'And
when he runs another race, 'May I be there to see'
NORFLEET and WINBORNE, wrote of Gilbert Montier, Marquis de
La'FAYETTE's 1824-1825 visit of our, by then 24 states, including
towns of Suffolk, Somerton, and Murfreesboro, Friday, 25 February 1825
& Saturday, 26 February 1825, with gala and festive receptions, to
wit; Norfleet pages 45-47 describe the day long event, where General
La'FAYETTE shook hands with all who came near the Indian Queen
Hotel/Tavern, and NORFLEET's page 127:
"Appraised of La'Fayette's intended visit, a group of Murfreesboro
citizens had a meeting, presided over by Dr. Thomas Wood Borland
(formerly of Suffolk, Note 66) and decided that a committee of five
men should meet the General at Somerton, a village in Nansemond
County, and escort him to town. Accordingly, La'Fayette, after a
copious "banquet" served him by Washington
Smith (Note 136),~ ~ [husband of Mary POWELL, father of Thomas
Washington SMITH (1832VA-1912VA) who married Solon's niece, Harriott
Godwin BORLAND (1838NC-1890VA), daughter of Roscius Cicero BORLAND,
Esq.] ~ ~ reached Murfreesboro on [Saturday] February 26 1825."
WINBORNE, to wit:
"Dr. Borland presided and William Rea was Secretary. A committee
consisted of Colonel James Brickle, Dr. O'Bryon, Lewis M. Cowper and
John Southall was appointed to meet the General at Somerton, Va., and
escort him to town. He stopped at the Indian Queen Hotel on Broad
street
"On Monday following he was escorted to Jackson, where Chief Justice
John Lewis Taylor was holding court."
The College of William & Mary's, Earl Gregg Swen Library,
http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/published/wm/viw00044.component ,
was found April 2006 to have 521 documents, known as Borland Papers,
Mss65 B66 of which we obtained our limit of 75 selected items, mostly
letters, some receipts which were most revealing of material
heretofore unknown, concerning BORLAND family noted herein (WM).
Mother Harriott was alive but ill, 6 January 1825 when Dr. BORLAND
penned a letter to friend Joseph PRENTIS II, Esquire, concerning her
illness. It is reported that Dr BORLAND suffered ill health also
(seemingly, the entire BORLAND family had health problems), and is
believed she died, ca 1825.
(WM) Letter of 19 April 1828 to father's brother-in-law, George
GODWIN, from son Euclid BORLAND (age 18) after father, Dr Thomas W
BORLAND, brought him to The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg,
Virginia, second such institution of higher learning after Havard,
created 1693. Delayed by high-water at James towne ferry. Thomas and
son Euclid dined at Judge BROWN's. The evening Thomas left, Euclid and
all students were invited to Professor CAMPBELL's, their mathematics
professor, for tea. Euclid wrote he had the best furnished room on
campus and was really impressed with all, professors, students and the
school, however he was looking forward to seeing aunt Fanny and all at
"Castle Hill", later known as "Buntings" come 4th of July.
The following court minutes were found;
"Hertford County, NC - February 1830 Court Minutes
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~~~~ " ~~~~~~~~
Chairmen "To the use of William Trader
heirs by Thomas Borland Guardian"
Trial Docket No.** vs Debt Charles Spires, Elisha H. Sharp & James H. Bryant
It is ordered by the Court, that the Report of the Clerk be & is in
all things Confirmed & that he be allowed Twenty dollars for his
Report.
Jury No 1. Sworn and empanelled Say they find all the issues in favor
of the plaintiff and assess his damages for the br****s alleged in
plaintiffs declaration to One Thousand Six hundred and Seven dollars &
Ninety five cents "$1,607.90" of which Sum, there is due to Martha
Trader $261.54/100, and to each and to each of the coming heirs five
in Number $269.28.
~~~~ " ~~~~~~~
Judgment of the Court for the penalty of the bond to 6,000, to be
discharged on the payment of the above Sum of $1607.95 & costs.~~~ "
http://files.usgwarchive.net/nc/hertford/court/feb1830min.txt
Found on the internet was:
"Southall Wills and Probate Records Extracts of Daniel Southalls
Estate Inventory and Accounts from: Record of Accounts, Inventories &
Sales of Estates, Hertford Co., NC, 1835-1837,Volume II "A Dr. Borland
bought a lot of this stuff."
Dr Thomas Wood BORLAND, father to Solon BORLAND, prepared his will 19
November 1831,
http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/hertford/wills/borlandm22wl.txt and
read at the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions of Hertford county on
the fourth Monday [27th] of February 1832, as the Last Will and
Testament of Thomas BORLAND as exhibited by its executor, Lewis M
COWPER and proved by the oath of Morris HATCHELL one of the
subscribing witnesses. In his will item one was;
"...I direct LUCY a young woman aged about eighteen in appearance very
nearly white to be immediately set free and from this moment I do
emancipate her and declare then by this writing to be free and no
longer the property of any person whatever."
Death causes, dates and burial locations are still unknown to us for;
Dr Thomas & wife Harriott, as well as for Roscius C & wife "Tempe",
plus their children, George Boyd and Fanny Green. We do have copy of a
letter (WM) dated 8th December 1846 by Fredrick M CAPHART to George
GODWIN, but not listing names, stating Roscius' family remains were to
be removed to Suffolk (perhaps to Small Hopes Farm?) for burial 18th
December 1846. Surname BORLAND is NOT listed in thirty-two acre, Cedar
Hill cemetery, created 1832, where Roscius' daughter Harriott Godwin
(Borland) SMITH was buried in 1890 and husband Tom Washington SMITH,
in 1912, with common tombstone, located, east, behind where the Dr
BORLAND's once lived.
PREPARED BY:
Compiled with copies originally mailed November 2008 by William (Bill)
Samuel BOGGESS, raised Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri(ah) until
1944.
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Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
William S. Boggess - bog417@gmail.com
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