Hertford County, NC - Thomas Roscius Borland ~~~~~~~~~~ THOMAS ROSCIUS BORLAND (Revision: 07-25-06) Son of Roscius Cicero Borland and wife Temperence Ramsey, was fourth and last known born 3 March 1844 in Murfreesboro, Hertford county, North Carolina, found in 1846 & in 1850 census with uncle George, aunt Fanny (Green) Godwin and "Miss Betsy King", "Small Hopes Farm (?), Nansemond county, Virginia, following death of mother and orphaned with his father's demise November/December 1845. I believe it is he listed as "Solon, age 16" in 1860 census with uncle Euclid at Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Thomas served his country, state, county and city well. Dying at the young age of 55, buried at Elmwood cemetery, Norfolk where in 1897 & 1898 he was selected the Memorial Day orator. At age 17, Thomas served in Company K, 9th Virginia Infantry, Lt. James F Crocker, adjutant (later friend & Judge in Portsmouth) and cousin Colonel David Jeremiah Godwin (later, Judge of Corporation Court of Norfolk City) all under General Lewis Addison Armistead until the Gen's 5 July 1863 death from wounds received at Gettysburg Battle, in General Pickett's raid among the 180 who died of the 300, also was Colonel James Gregory Hodges. Crocker was captured and Thomas slightly wounded but recovered to fight until surrender at Appomattox. See; Address by Judge James F Crocker, before Stonewall Camp, Confederate Veterans, Portsmouth, Va., June 18th, 1909. Concerning Colonel James Gregory Hodges. ) Found were 500 documents (most likely from his files) of which we obtained our limit of 75 from The College of William & Mary, Earl Gregg Swen Library, "Borland Papers, Mss65 66", with prefix, (WM) herein. (WM) 1 April 1864, letter to "My Dear Old Uncle", from Thomas R Borland, at Hicksford, Greensville county, Virginia, tells of visit with cousin David (Col David J Godwin?) and cousin James Murray is coming to Suffolk, wrote uncle Euclid, if he comes sister will probable come also, tell Miss Betsy I will write, signed, Thomas R Borland, Co. K, 9th Va Infantry, Barton Brigade, Picketts Division. (WM) 26 November 1866, letter to uncle George Godwin(?), from Thomas R at University of Virginia, wrote he heard from sister last week, wants wine sent via Henry Cowper before Christmas, his regards to Miss Betsy, sending them "Norfolk Virginian" (WM) 11 March 1867, 3 page letter to Thomas R at University of Virginia, from uncle Euclid, New Orleans, his handwriting is tough to read, says something about Thomas and Euclid, (Jr) spending money. May be in preparation for European trip?? (WM) 17 October 1867, 3 page letter to Miss Betsy from Thomas R in Paris, France, been wondering four months, sailing home November, be in Suffolk 1st December, hopefully, Euclid left earlier. Been to Ireland, Scotland. "I shall find you in Suffolk instead of "Small Hopes" and the old place will have received another tenant.", signed; "Yr' affectionate son, T R Borland" Thomas attended University of Virginia during some of the same years as cousin Euclid and Arkansan, Fay Hempstead. Euclid & Thomas journeyed to Europe summer of 1867, Euclid again in 1868, Thomas, graduated with his law degree, As an unmarried attorney of age 26, was in 1870 census, 1st Ward, Norfolk, Virginia he served in state Legislature 1871-72. Became partner with John C Baker in what later was Baker & Borland, later, when appointed to his third consecutive term as Attorney for Norfolk, formed a partnership with Judge Thomas H Willcox lasting till death. First married before 6th December 1872 to Mary "Mamie" Lousia Camp, she born 29 July 1844VA, died 18 January 1878VA, d/o George Washington Camp & Elizabeth Barron Armistead of Norfolk. (WM) 6 December 1872, 2 page letter to Miss Betsy from Thomas R Borland at Richmond, Virginia, with commit by his wife at end. (WM) 26 December 1872, 3 page letter to Miss Betsy from Thomas R, from Norfolk, Speaks of how much he likes the socks she made for him, and wants her to make him "two or three shirts" As in ever letter, tells her he wants her to come live with them, apparently gave her money for Xmas. (WM) 29 July 1873, 2 page letter to Miss Betsy, from Thomas R at Norfolk, said sorry to hear of sudden death of uncle Billy. sister will have told her their little daughter (Mary Chapman, their first) was born 24 July, both are doing "excellently", but Mamie suffered a great deal before the birth. (WM) 26 December 1873, 2 page letter to Miss Betsy, from Thomas R at Norfolk, writing that; "..when you leave the farm, you are to live with us." (WM) 9 February 1874, one page letter to Miss Betsy, from Thomas R at Norfolk, he writes; you know my home is your home ---whenever you are ready to come." Second marriage occurred 23 December 1879 to Caroline (Carrie) H Barney, born 20 September 1849AL, died 22 June 1928VA, she being the fifth child of Henry Barney, Nantucket, Massachusetts and Mary Nelson, Paughkeepsie, New York, married 12 September1837. The 1880 Census has T.R. BOWLAND (T.R. Borland) with 2nd wife Carrie Barney and two children of his 1st wife. In 1884 he was again elected to the state legislature. President Benjamin Harrison appointed Thomas R Borland to serve as his United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Miss Betsy King, born 1823, according to her obituary moved in with Thomas for several years and died at Thomas' home 25 March 1899, buried with family in Lot #38, Elmwood cemetery, Norfolk (WHO WAS SHE?) Thomas died 2 January 1900, 36 years & 1 day following death of his famous uncle, Colonel Solon Borland, M D. His 3 January 1900 obituary miscued, --- having him son of Euclid Borland instead of his father Roscius Cicero Borland, both older brothers of "That Man Named Solon". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ELIZABETH (BETSY) KING (1823VA-1899VA) Betsy was a very important person in Thomas' life and spent her final years in his home. She may have been his "nanny" when he was orphaned at less than two years of age, living with aunt Fanny Green and uncle George Godwin in Nansemond county, Virginia, possibly at "Small Hopes Farm(?)". Euclid Borland also sent Betsy letters which are in (WM) files. It could be her, a female, 10 to 15 in 1840 census in George Godwin's household, and is listed 1850 & '60, then in her own household 1870 & '80 at Chuckatuck Township with Suffolk Post Office, Letters were addressed to her at "Small Hopes Farm" Her aunt Amelia (Melie) Saunders, born ca 1801, also single is with her in 1870 & '80. As afore stated, Elizabeth King is buried, Lot #38, Elmwood cemetery (Thomas Borland's family lot), Norfolk, Virginia. Interment card has, -- she died at 158 York Street, 25th March 1899, that being home of Thomas R Borland. Who was she? And where is that mysterious" Small Hopes Farm", A note is on back of Roscius Cicero Borland's portrait, says it is location the portraits were drawn in 1809! ~~~~~~~~~~~ Contested election in Congress from the Second District of Virginia: Notice of contest from Thomas R. Borland to D. Gardiner Tyler, for seat in the LIV. Congress by Thomas Roscius Borland R.H. Darby Released: 1895 ~~~~~~~~~~~ Newspaper item "Norfolk In By-Gone Days" by the Rev W H T Squires, D D, dated 17 May 1939 states Thomas R Borland was selected orator for MEMORIAL DAY in years 1897 and again Thursday, May 19, 1898, --- THE only person so selected for two years since its beginning in1883. Thomas' 19 January 1897 letter, was most likely (?) written to Portsmouth friend, "Major" (Judge) James F Crocker, from Thomas Hume's files, concerning Colonel Hodges, and was most informative. Revealing; his father died in 1845, he inherited, from Uncle Euclid, nine "James Sharpless", chalk on paper, of the family's pastel-portraits Borland and Godwin family members --- actually work of Felix Thomas Sharples, noted as done, 1809 at " Small Hopes Farm"(?) in Nansemond county, Virginia housed at Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Virginia, who graciously furnished copies for our use. Thomas Roscius Borland, as most of his family, is buried in Lot 38 Elmwood Cemetery, Norfolk, Virginia. Children by first union with Mary "Mamie" Louisa Camp, as found with ALL Borland parents, seemed to be planed two years apart: 5D-a. MARY CHAPMAN BORLAND, born 24 July 1873, died 6 January 1890, age16+ 5D-b. ARMISTEAD BORLAND, born 26 June 1875, died 29 August 1949, age 74, married, ca 1901, Bonnie Barrington Myers, born 1882VA, died 24 July 1949, age 67, d/o Wm. W & Martha McRorie Myers. Armistead served in Spanish-American and WWI, was Norfolk's Civil Service Secretary, 1920-1947. 5D-b-1. THOMAS ROSICUS BORLAND (1902VA-1936TX), buried Elmwood cemetery, 21 June 1936, age34 5D-b-2.. ELIZABETH A (Armistead?) BORLAND, born 5 January 1904, died 15 July 1988, married John Franklin Ross, Jr. born, 5 March 1904, died 15 January 1961 5D-b-3. CATHERINE W BORLAND, born ca1907VA, died post 1972, married Wayne Adams, was in; California 1936, Buenos Aires 1949 & California 1988. 5D-b-3a. Miss ARMISTEAD BORLAND ADAMS 5D-b-3b. WAYNE W ADAMS 5D-c. HARRIOTT GODWIN BORLAND, born 2 months before 1 July 1877 burial. Children of second union with Caroline (Carrie) H. Barney, also seemingly two years separation of births: 5D-d. THOMAS ROSICUS BORLAND, Jr, born February 1881, died 14 December 1885 5D-e. RAMSEY BORLAND, born 28 August1883, died 7 April 1939, married 1921, Rosa Ella Weyman, born 1884NY, died 28 October 1946 5D-f. CHARLES BARNEY BORLAND, born 8 January 1886, died 3 March 1972, married 1st before shipping overseas, 4 August 1917 in New York, Grace (Gracie) Odend'hal, born 16 December 1884, died 10 May 1959, d/o Joseph Slack & Julia Herbert Cason of Norfolk. Married 2nd, 15 November 1960, Richmond, Virginia, Cornelia (McBlair) Stribbling, (1884VA-1987VA), age 103(obit), (ts ,1887-1987) d/o George and Cornelia G McBlair. Colonel Charles B Borland served in Army during WWI, helped organize Norfolk's American Legion Post in 1919, became a City of Norfolk employee same year, Chief of Police 1934-1938, City Manager 1938 through 31 Dec 1945, very active in civic affairs, retired to Virginia Beach, Virginia, buried in Lot #38 with other family members and 1st wife in Elmwood Cemetery, Norfolk, His 2nd wife, Cornelia, is buried with her McBlair family across Princess Anne Road in Cedar Grove Cemetery, obituaries and interment cards saying she was 103 years old. 5D-g. CARRIE B(Barney?) BORLAND, born October 1888, died, pre-1949, married Benjamin Burroughs, Norfolk. ______________________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________________