History of my 6th Great Grand father Thomas Bouldin Jr.
When I started really getting serious about my family history I discovered that my lineage takes me into some pretty special and interesting organizations. I have been a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution since 2013. At one point even serving as the 1st Vice Regent for my local chapter. I’ve proven lineage to three direct ancestors thus far with DAR and have a lot more but, the time and expense has forced me to push it to the back seat for a while.
Besides the DAR, I have over a dozen or so organizations that I could also join. But again, the application costs and membership dues makes it really not cost effective for me. Maybe someday my resume will include: Society of Mayflower Descendants, Daughters of the Union Vets of the Civil War and even Daughter of Early American Witches just to name a few. I have so many other things I want to focus on, THIS BLOG FOR ONE.
My 7th Great Grandfather was Thomas Bouldin Sr. Thomas was born in January of 1702. In 1733, he married my 7th Great Grandmother Ann in Maryland. Eleven years later they traveled from Maryland to settle in Virginia. So with their 6 sons, Thomas loaded up a pregnant Ann and boarded a ship to travel to VA across the Chesapeake Bay. While aboard the ship Ann gave birth to yet another son. Eventually these two had over 11 children. Their first born, Thomas Jr. became my 6th Great Grandfather.
According to Thomas Sr’s Last Will in Testament, they settled in Lunenburg Virginia and eventually Charlotte County where he served as the First Sheriff of both counties. (Yep, there’s a group for that too, (Descendants of Sheriffs & Constables of Colonial Antebellum America). Thomas Sr. was very active in county affairs and served in the French and Indian War. He then served as Colonel during the American Revolution. He raised his family to be very active in their community and government.
Thomas Bouldin Jr was born New Year’s Eve 1738 and grew up to marry my 6th Great Grandma Martha. Together they to had an insane amount of children. In 1763, he applied for and was granted a license to run an “Ordinary” in Lunenburg County, VA. Ordinaries were also known as roadhouses, taverns or pubs. As they were for food, drink and lodging. Thomas’ “roadhouse” provided aid for travelers as well as soldiers. And YEP, yet another group to join: The Flagon and Trencher: Descendants of Colonial Tavern Keepers
“The tavern chair is the throne of human felicity.”
Samuel Johnson
For me the word Roadhouse creates imagery where I picture old Gramps like Patrick Swayze dressed in Revolutionary garb telling his staff to “be nice until it’s time to not be nice.” Let’s not forget the occasional throat rip.
The taverns of the time were not Double Deuces by no means. Roadhouses, taverns or pubs were where literate men would go to not only drink but to read and share news, as well as hold community meetings about the war efforts. Think about it, the Boston Tea Party was planned in a Tavern. It’s even said that the Freemasons and even the US Marine Corp can trace roots back to Tavern meetings. Amazing what some men sitting in a bar can come up with.
“Better to pay the tavern keeper than the druggist.”
Spanish Proverb
Eventually Thomas sold the Tavern to his brother in law Edward Mosely (My 6th Great Grand Uncle). Thomas went into business with Peter Perkins in Henry County VA called “Bouldin and Perkins Iron Works.” Eventually buying out his partner in 1804, Thomas renamed it as “Thomas Bouldin & Sons Iron Works.” Soon after, he acquired several hundred acres and became a tobacco farmer until his death in 1827. His namesake, Thomas the 3rd (my 5th Great Grandfather) was an ensign in the War of 1812.
Fun Fact: Ties to President John Tyler
Thomas’ brother Wood married Joanna Tyler (the aunt of our 10th president John Adams). Wood and Joanna had two sons that grew up and served as US Congressmen for VA. They served in the 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th Continental Congress. Another son was a VA state senator, and yet another was a judge. Even their grandson was a big wig being a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia. Hopefully politics back then weren’t as corrupt. But wait, back then it was nothing to have a duel when shit got real. Maybe they should bring that back.
Lady Bootlegger 