Squire Bosworth Papers, 1848-1892 (Ms2010-060)

Squire Bosworth Papers, 1848-1892 (Ms2010-060)

Local/Regional History and Appalachian South

This collection contains papers of Squire Bosworth, a physician and county court clerk of Randolph County, Virginia/West Virginia. The collection includes correspondence of Bosworth, other members of his family, and seemingly unrelated individuals. Among the correspondence are several post-Civil War letters written by family and friends, discussing the political climate of the day in Virginia and West Virginia as well as Reconstruction issues in North Carolina and Virginia. Also among the correspondence is a letter from Squire Bosworth filing a claim against the U. S. government for services he rendered as a physician during the war. An 1849 letter from E. D. Wilson of Philippi provides information on area politics and mentions the growing urbanization of Beverly, (West) Virginia. Also within the correspondence are several letters addressed to Bosworth in his capacity as Randolph County court clerk.

Among the legal papers in the collection is an 1848 bill of sale for a female slave named Huldah, purchased by Squire Bosworth from Peter Buckey. The collection also contains a summons ordering Squire Bosworth to appear before a local voter registration board to explain why his name should not be stricken from the local roll of voters. Also contained are deeds, marriage certificates, Bosworth's medical license, and a certificate granting local patent rights to a hillside plow improvement. The collection also contains several documents relating to attempts by John W. Bosworth, acting as the executor of his father's estate, to secure a claim against the U. S. government for goods confiscated by the army during the Civil War.

Squire Bosworth, the son of Joshua Bosworth, was born in Montgomery, Massachusetts in 1785. He moved with his family to what is northwestern Virginia (now West Virginia) while still young. After teaching school in Parkersburg and Beverly, Bosworth studied medicine under a Dr. Dolbear and established his practice in Beverly. He served for a time as Randolph County court clerk and as deputy sheriff and represented Randolph and Tucker counties in the Virginia General Assembly. Bosworth married Hannah Buckey, daughter of Peter Buckey, in 1816, and the couple would have ten children: John W., Squire N., George W., Elam B., Rebecca, Lucy, Harriet, Martha, Christina, and Mary. Squire Bosworth died in Beverly, West Virginia in 1870. His son, John W. Bosworth, would also become a physician. Another son, Squire N. Bosworth, served during the Civil War in the 31st Virginia Infantry. Following the war, Squire N. Bosworth married Florence A. Brown (daughter of Bernard L. Brown). He worked as a dry goods merchant and served for many years as Beverly's postmaster.

Bosworth family, Randolph County, Va. (now WV)

Bosworth, Squire, Dr.

1848-1892

Collection is open to research.

English

text

Ms2010-060

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Squire Bosworth Papers, Ms2010-060 - Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.