“Thomas Boughan was born February the 2 1814 And departed this life September the 6 1878” [Boughan family Bible at the Virginia State Archives, Acc. 24166]

1820 U.S. Census, Dinwiddie County, Virginia, page 5:
Baughan, Gabriel
3 males under 10 [Thomas Boughan, unknown male child, Caston Boughan]
1 male 26-45 [Gabriel Boughan]
1 female under 10 [Elizabeth A. Boughan]
1 female 26-45 [Milly Ward]
2 people engaged in agriculture
1 male slave 14-26

1830 U.S. Census for Essex County, Virginia:
Printed page number 121
Boughan, Gabriel
1 male age 10-15 [this would be Caston Boughan]
1 male age 15-20 [this would be Thomas Boughan]
1 male age 40-50 [this would be Gabriel Boughan]
1 female age 15-20 [this would be Elizabeth A. Boughan]
5 slaves lived with this family.

On 18 September 1834, Thomas Boughan witnessed the will of Elizabeth Howerton. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, pages 298–299.]

It is possible that in the 1830s Thomas Boughan married Lucy Clark, daughter of James Clark. See EC 39-C-8.

The estate of Gabriel Boughan, deceased, in account with Larkin Noel, Deputy Sheriff for Richard Rowzee of Essex County & Committee of the Estate of Gabriel Boughan, from 1835 to 1837 was ordered recorded on 21 August 1837. Includes credit on 10 May 1836 for “Sale of Girl Rachel for Cash this day” for $215; income on 1 January 1837 for “hire of man Latane due this day” of $40; and payment on 1 January 1837 to “Thomas Boughan for supporting chargeable Negroes”. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 178–9.]

On 4 April 1837, sales of the estate of John Boughan were made, with purchases by Mrs John Boughan, Richd Sherwood, Thos Boughan, Jas Croxton, Thos N Clarke, H H Boughan, Lucy Boughan, William Bezley, Robert Brooks, Mrs Minter, Dr J Miner, Frank Coleman, Jas Semple, Jas Phillips, John Rouzee, Jos Wilmore, Robert Moody, Mrs Frances Boughan, Ro: G Haile, Charlott Howerton, Susan Jones, and John Coleman. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 118–119.]

The estate of Gabriel Boughan, deceased, in account with Larkin Noel, DS for Richard Rowzee, late Sheriff of Essex County & Committee admor, from 1837 to 1841 was ordered recorded on 19 July 1841. Mentions payment to Thomas Boughan for support and clothing chargeable negroes, as well as payments to Thomas Boughan for support and clothing of Woman & Children. Payment to Dr. Lnd. Henley his medical account. Income from hire of Man Latane. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 616–617.]

On 17 November 1841, Lucy Boughan, Catharine Minter, Frances Boughan widow of John Boughan deceased, Richard Shearwood and Lucy M his wife, Frances Ann Boughan, Charles Lewis Boughan, Cary Caston Boughan, John Boughan, Catharine Boughan, Henry Caston Boughan and John Thomas Boughan, the ten first named persons of the County of Essex, and the two last named children of the late Thomas Boughan deceased and residents of the County of Buckingham, all of the first part, sold to Thomas Boughan, Caston Boughan, Silas Connelley and Elizabeth his wife, all of the County of Essex, of the second part. For $120 paid by Gabriel Boughan deceased, the father of the parties of the second part, in part of the sum aforesaid and the balance in full paid by the said parties of the second part, a tract of land situate and lying in Southfarnham parish Essex containing Twenty four acres by actual survey and bounded by the lands of Jno H Upshaw deceased, John A Parker, James Croxton, and the lands of Gabriel Boughan deceased, as will more fully appear by reference to the division plot of the lands of the late Major Boughan deceased made about the year 1818, it being the lot of parcel of land allotted in said division to Caston Boughan who has since died intestate and the parties of the first part are his lawful heirs and distributees. Signed Lucy Boughan, Catharine Minter, Frances Boughan, Richard Shearwood, Lucy Munday Shearwood, Frances A Boughan, Charles L Boughan. On 17 November 1841, Lucy M Shearwood and Miss Lucy Boughan acknowledged this to be same to be their act. On 17 July 1843, with the acknowledgment of Lucy M Shearwood the wife of Richard Shearwood, ordered to be recorded. On 6 September 1843, Catharine Minter acknowledged the same to be her act. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 48, pages 76–78.]

On 24 November 1841 Thomas Boughan, Caston Boughan, and Silas Connelly and Elizabeth his wife sold 64 acres to William R. Purkins for $600. This land had been allotted to Caston Boughan deceased and Gabriel Boughan deceased upon division of lands of Major Boughan deceased. All parties signed. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 48, page 350.]

Thos. Baughan and Mary F. Wood were married 8 March 1843 in Essex County. The bondsmen were Thos. Baughan and Howard W. Montague. Both Thomas and Mary were single (not widowed). The clerk was James R. Micou. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 1, page 256, line 32.]

On 27 October 1843, orator Philip Montague executor of the last will and testament of Elizabeth M. Boughan deceased and of Lucy Boughan deceased complained that the said Elizabeth M. Boughan died on or about 2 February 183[blank] having left a last will and testament making various bequests. But she survived her brothers Gabriel Boughan and John Boughan, to whom bequests were made. The said Elizabeth M. was not much in debt, and debts and legacies have now been paid. The said Lucy died about 4 October 1841 having left a last will and testament in which she gave to her sister Elizabeth M. Boughan and to Gabriel and John, all of whom predeceased her. Both Elizabeth and Lucy died unmarried and without issue. Their heirs are Thomas Boughan, Caston Boughan and Elizabeth Ann wife of Silas Conaly children of Gabriel Boughan deceased a brother of the whole blood; Lucy M. wife of Richard Shearwood, Frances Ann wife of Ephraim Beazley, Charles L., Carey, John T and Catharine Boughan children of John Boughan deceased a brother of the whole blood; Catharine Minter a sister of the half blood; Henry Caston and John T. children of Thomas Boughan a brother of the half blood. For division of the estate. Filed as Montague vs. Minter. All answers were filed on the same day. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 49, item 49-E-25.]

On 12 May 1844, Thomas Boughan and Mary his wife answered a bill of complaint exhibited against them in the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for Essex County by John A. Parker. They stated that they knew nothing about the demands against Fontaine Wood for debt; that Fontaine did intermarry with Ann, a daughter of Ambrose Hunley deceased and that Ann died many years ago, long before the death of Elizabeth, widow of Ambrose; that the respondents have received an equitable portion of the estate of Elizabeth Hunley; that in 1825 Fontaine became guardian of his children Mary, one of the respondents, and Thomas Wood, with H. H. Boughan as his security, for the purpose of receiving their share of the estate of Ambrose Hunley; that such shares may have been received by Fontaine Wood; that the estate of H. H. Boughan is wholly and hopelessly insolvent. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 54, item 54-K-9.]

On 20 November 1844, Thomas Boughan served on the jury of an inquisition concerning the death of Thomas J. G. B. Allen. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 25, page 332.]

On 17 March 1845, a chancery case was concluded concerning the division of the lands of Elizabeth and Lucy Boughan, deceased. Plaintiffs were Thomas Boughan; Caston Boughan; Silas Conly [sic] & Elizabeth A. his wife who was Elizabeth A. Boughan and daughter of Gabriel Boughan, deceased; Richard H. Shearwood and Lucy M. his wife who was Lucy M. Boughan, daughter of John Boughan deceased; Ephraim Beazley and Frances A. his wife who was Frances A. Boughan and daughter of John Boughan; Charles L. Boughan; Cary C. Boughan; John T. Boughan; Catharine Boughan; the last three infants of John Boughan by Frances Boughan their next friend; Henry C. Boughan son of Thomas Boughan deceased; John Thomas Boughan infant by Washington H. Purkins his next friend, against Catharine Minter. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 50, pages 458-459.]

In January 1846 (date left blank), a deed of trust was executed between Caston Boughan of the first part, Thomas N. Clarke of the second part, and Thomas Boughan of the third part, all of the County of Essex and State of Virginia. Whereas the said Thomas Boughan is bound as the Security of the said Caston Boughan to various individuals in the gross sum of $300 and __ cents, and whereas the said Caston Boughan is also indebted to the said Thomas Boughan in the sum of $300 and __ cents, and whereas the said Caston is willing and desirous to save Thomas Boughan harmless from all loss, Caston Boughan for $1 paid by Thomas N Clarke sells to Thomas N Clarke two negro slaves Harry and Philip, one Chesnut sorrel mare, saddle and bridle. If Caston fails to pay the debt the slave and items are to be auctioned. Signed Caston Boughan, Thomas N Clarke, Thomas Boughan. Ordered recorded 3 February 1846. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 49, pages 48–49.]

On 23 December 1846, a sale of certain property of Henry H. Boughan was held that had been conveyed under a deed of trust from Henry H. Boughan to George Wright on 28 January 1837 to secure the payment of $1000 with interest due by bond to Henry W. Latane Esquire. Among the purchasers was Thomas Boughan, who purchased land and slaves for $1,698. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 49, pages 260–261.]

On 23 December 1846 Thomas Boughan purchased 200 acres at a court ordered sale after a default by Henry H. Boughan and Julia his wife on a deed of trust for the same property. The property included land on which Sarah Wood then resided, subject to the dower rights of Matilda Wood, the wife of Fountaine Wood. Thomas Boughan was the highest bidder at $1,612. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 49, pages 244-246.]

On 2 February 1847 Thomas Boughan, Mary F. Boughan and Sally Wood, widow of William Wood, sold to Frances Croxton the land Thomas Boughan purchased on 23 December 1846. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 49, pages 255-256.]

On 18 December 1847, John Parker filed a bill of complaint, the first section of which is now missing. It was apparently a case of debt against Fontaine Wood, who had moved out of the state. The bill suggests that Elizabeth Hundley, widow of Ambrose Hundley, held dower interest in the estate of Ambrose that will revert to Fontaine Wood and to other parties he seeks to have named as defendants, including Fontaine’s children by Ann Hundley (Mary, wife of Thomas Boughan and Thomas Wood) and Susan D. Mann, executrix of Elizabeth Hundley’s estate. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 54, item 54-K-30.]

On 17 November 1849, John A. Parker brought suit against “Fontaine Wood Susan D Mann admix of Elizabeth Hundley decd Thomas Boughan and Mary his wife and Thomas Wood (the said Mary and Thomas being children of the said Fontaine Wood by his first wife Ann Hundley decd) and Peter S. Trible and John Cowles Trustees in a certain Deed of Trust from George Trible to them bearing date the 23rd day of September 1846 and recorded in Essex County Court Clerk's Office on the 24th day of September 1846 and Matilda Wood the wife of the said Fontaine Wood” defendants. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book Chancery 1, page 389 and following.]

1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Dwelling 578, Family 578
Boughan, Thomas, 35, male, manager, value of real estate $1,000, born in Virginia, can read and write
Boughan, Mary, 27, female, born in Virginia, can read and write
Boughan, William, 5, male, born in Virginia, can read and write
Boughan, Thomas, 2, female [sic], born in Virginia, can read and write

1850 U.S. Census for Essex County, Virginia, census, agricultural schedule, page 161–162, line 34:
Thomas Boughan
Acres improved: 600
Acres unimproved: 200
Cash value: $8,000
Value of farming equipment and machinery: $200
Horses: 6
Asses & mules: 0
Milch Cows: 2
Working Oxen: 8
Other cattle: 7
Sheep: 25
Swine: 30
Value of livestock: $475
Wheat, bushels of: 600
Rye, bushels of: 0
Indian corn, bushels of: 2,500
Oats, bushels of: 100
Rice, bushels of: 0
Tobacco, lbs. of: 20
Ginned cotton, bales of 400 lbs. each: 1
Wool, lbs. of: 100
Peas & beans, bushels of: 50
Irish potatoes, bushels of: 30
Sweet potatoes, bushels of: 50
Barley, bushels of: 0
Buckwheat, bushels of: 0
Value of Orchard products in $: 100
Value of Wine in $: 0
Value of Market Garden in $: 0
Butter, lbs. of: 50
Cheese, lbs. of: 0
Hay, tons of: 4
Clover, grass, hops, hemp, flax, flaxseed, silles, maple sugar, cane sugar, molasses and beeswax all listed at 0
Value of home-made manufacture: 100
Value of animals slaughtered: 200

1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia, Slave Schedule:
Boughan, Thomas
70 Male
50 Male
50 Male
45 Female
40 Male
40 Male
32 Male
30 Male
28 Male
27 Female
26 Female
24 Female
22 Male
20 Female
14 Female
12 Male
11 Female
11 Female
8 Female
8 Female
8 Male
8 Male
4 Male
4 Female
2 Male
2 Female
2 Male
2 Female
2 Male
1 Female

On 22 May 1851, a deed of trust was executed between Thomas Boughan of the first part, Thomas Croxton of the second part, and Elzer Fogg of the third part, all of the County of Essex and State of Virginia. Whereas the said Elzer Fogg is bound as security for Elizabeth A. Conoly and the said Thomas Boughan in a bond payable to Austin Brockenbrough for $450 dated the same day and year as this deed, and where as the said Thomas Boughan being willing and desirous to secure and save harmless Elzer Fogg, this deed. For $1 paid by Thomas Boughan, Thomas Boughan grants and conveys to Thomas Croxton slaves Mary and Addison with the future increase of the female until default of payment, at which point they are to be sold. Signed Thomas Boughan. Ordered recorded 22 May 1851. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 50, pages 142-143.]

On 8 December 1851, Thomas Boughan and Mary F his wife of the County of Essex and State of Virginia sold to Alexander S Boughton of the same. For $1,000, land in the County of Essex and parish of southfarnham supposed to contain 91 acres be it more or less, bounded by the lands of Robert G. Haile, Wm S. Croxton, James Croxton and Piscattaway Swamp, it being the same land formerly held by Charles L. Boughan and purchased by the said Thomas Boughan. Signed Thomas Boughan, Mary F Boughan. Ordered recorded 15 March 1852. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 50, pages 250–251.]

On 17 May 1852, Catharine Minter, Nathaniel I. B. Whitlocke and Thomas Boughan were bound $3,000 for Catharine Minter administration of the estate of Arthur T. Acrey. Signed Catharine Minter, N. I. B. Whitlocke, Thomas Boughan. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 27, page 167.]

In 1854, Thomas Boughan purchased property at the estate sale of Elizabeth A. Conoly. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 27, pages 674-675.]

On 14 August 1856, Charles C. Smith and Elima his wife of the County of Spotsylvania sold to Thomas Boughan of the County of Essex. For $1,550, all right title and interest in a parcel in Essex County called Springfield except one hundred acres conveyed to deed dated 1 August 1856 to Temple Brizendine, bounded by the lands of Geo: Hill, Robert Lumpkin, Mrs Catharine Micou, Miss Betsy Walden and the main road leading from Howertons church to Tappahannock, 175 acres by survey. Signed Chas C Smith, Emila C Smith. Ordered recorded 27 February 1857. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 51, page 55.]

On 22 December 1858, Henry W. Daingerfield, Leonard Henley and Thomas Croxton of the one part loaned to Thomas Boughan of the second part, one table, 2 stands, 1 sideboard, lot of crockery, 1 Bed, bedstead & furniture, 5 chairs, lot dishes, one saw & pigs bought by said Daingerfield at said Boughan’s sale this day, one small bed, bedstead & furniture, one large bed, bedstead & furniture, and lot of [illegible] &c bought at said sale by said Henley, and one large lot of dishes, one hog, one red hog, one rockaway and harness, one yoke of oxen, one sorrel horse, one other yoke of oxen, one ox cart, yokes and body, one other red hog, one clock, one small oven, and a lot of pot hookage bought at said sale by said Croxton, the grantors retaining their property in said articles and receiving full right to sell the same at any time they see fit, and to take possession of same when they please. Signed H W Daingerfield, Leonard Henley, Th: Croxton. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 51, pages 285–286.]

On 17 October 1859, an accounting of a trust fund conveyed by two deeds of trust by Thomas Boughan, in account with Thomas Croxton, trustee, were ordered recorded. Includes payments to Thomas N. Clarke, Charles C. Smith, Joshua L. Boughton, Robert G. Haile, William S. Croxton, N. I. B. Whitlocke, all of which in addition to other expenses totaled $3,060.04. Income from sale of tract of land to Robert T. Shackelford for $1,700, sale of negro man Frank to Jno. P. Richards for $1,040, sale of personal property for $320, leaving a deficiency of $266.11. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 51, pages 366–367.]

1860 U.S. Census, King and Queen County, Virginia
Dwelling 839, Family 839
Vaughn, Thomas, 45, male, overseer of farm, $100 personal estate, born in Virginia
Vaughn, Mary, 38, female, born in Virginia
Vaughn, William, 15, male, born in Virginia
Vaughn, Thomas, 12, male, born in Virginia, attended school
Vaughn, Edward, 9, male, born in Virginia, attended school
Vaughn, John, 6, male, born in Virginia, attended school
Vaughn, Milly, 3, female, born in Virginia
Conelly, Emma, 16, female, born in Virginia

On 8 October 1862, Thomas Boughan sold to the Confederate government at Newtown four head of Beef Cattle for $175.00. At some other time during the war (paper undate), he sold 44 chickens for $55.00 at Hospital No. 21. [National Archives, Confederate Papers Relating to Citizens and Business Firms, Microfilm 346, Roll 83.]

1870 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Millers Tavern Post Office, Sheet 39
Dwelling 294 Family 294
Boughan, Thomas, 56, male, white, farmer, value of real estate $3,000, value of personal estate $500, born in Virginia
Boughan, Thomas W., 22, male, white, farm laborer, born in Virginia
Boughan, Edward, 17, male, white, farm laborer, born in Virginia
Boughan, John T., 16, male, white, farm laborer, born in Virginia
Boughan, Milly A., 13, female, white, without occupation, born in Virginia
Boughan, Joseph A., 9, male, white, at home, born in Virginia
Boughan, Francis, 21, female, white, keeping house, born in Virginia
Conoly, Emma, 23, female, white, without occupation, born in Virginia

On 7 December 1870, the wedding of Thomas’s niece Emma J. Conoly to Muscoe R. Dunn was held at Howard Grove, the residence of Thomas Boughan, which was also the Essex County poor house. “In a meeting of the Board [Essex County governing board] at Howard Grove on 3 August 1872, the Board confirmed Thomas Boughan, elected in November 1871, as Superintendent of the Poor, and set his salary as $200.00 per year. At the same time they set the rent of the dwelling, barns, garden, and fields, formerly given gratis to the Superintendent, at $100.00 per year, to be taken out of his salary. There were five Superintendants between 1871-1920; Thomas Boughan (1871-1875), Booker Garnett (1875-1884), Henry S. Rouzie (1884-1888), John T. Boughan (1888-1896) John G. Boughan (1896-1920). Each district would continue to elect its own overseer, who would look after the poor in his district, and move them to the poor house if necessary…There was a Physician for the poor house, whose salary was set at $100.00/year. John T. Boughan held this office from 1870-1895, and at his death in 1896, various doctors served, including E.L.W. Ferry, William J. Haile, William Taliaferro, and H.B. Bristow.” [“The Poor of Essex County Part 2: After the War, Suzanne P. Derieux and Wesley E. Pippenger, Essex County Musuem and Historical Society Bulletin, Volume 57, December 2011.]

Thos. Boughan married Mrs. Mary E. Saunders on 9 Jan 1873 in Essex County, Virginia. He was 58; she was 30. Both were widowed; both were born in Essex County and resided there. The parents were Gabriel Boughan and Miss Milly Ward, and George Taylor and Ann Beazley. Thomas was a farmer. Peter Ainslie performed the ceremony. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 1, page 32, line 12.]

“Thomas Boughan departed this life September the 6 1878” [Boughan family Bible at the Virginia State Archives, Acc. 24166]

On 16 September 1878, William F. Boughan, W. A. Jordan and John G. Boughan entered into a bond of $500 for William F. Boughan’s administration of the personal estate of Thomas Boughan deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 29, page 723.]

On 1 October 1878, an appraisal of the personal estate of Thomas Boughan was made by William F. Boughan administrator. The total valuation was $52.45. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 29, pages 755–756.]

On 1 October 1878, sale of the personal estate of Thomas Boughan was made by William F. Boughan administrator. Sales were made to William F. Boughan, Thomas Boughan, Joseph A. Boughan, James Samuel, Eugene M. Cockran, N. I. B. Whitlocke, George T. Croxton, William A. Jordon, John G. Boughan, Thomas M. Henley, Joseph Mann and Mrs. Betty Boughan. Total sales were $36.17. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 29, pages 756–757.]

Thomas Boughan is listed amoung the messengers of the Rappahannock [Baptist] Association from 1843 to 1900 in Planted 1774 by Mildred Bates, Missouri Baptist Press, Jefferson City, Missouri, 1974, page 112.