On 11 March 1702/1703, James Boughan’s father made a gift of land and property to him. James Boughan of the County of Essex for and in Consideration of the naturall Love and effection I have unto my Son James Boughan. All my Land and plantation which I now have and hold and on wch my sd son James Boughan now dwelleth scituate lying & being on ye maine Swamp of Pescataway Creeke & known by the name of Pescataway Pocoson. But I shall have occasion to use timber for my Mill adjacent to the sd Land & for the consideration of the above I grant & give unto my sd son James Boughan all ye Stock of Cattell hogs which I now have on & are accustomed to be there upon ye sd Land & Plantation & all their Increase & also two ffeather beds & their ffurniture Twelve Chairs Two Tables wth what polls[?] and pewter which are there upon the plantation And also two Negro slaves one man & one woman the man slave called by the Name Robin & ye Woman Jenny. Signed James Boughan. Witnesses: Salvator Muscoe, Robt Moseley. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 10, pages 136–137.]

On 9 July 1703, James Boughan junr witnessed a deed from John Harper to Thomas Harper, both of Essex County. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 11, pages 22–24.]

On 10 March 1703/1704, William Johnson, Eliza Johnson, John Games and James Boughan were bound £200 sterling for William Johnson’s administration of the goods rights and credits of James Picket deceased. Signed Wm Johnson, Eliza Johnson, John Games, Jas Boughan junr. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 11, pages 204–205.]

On 27 September 1704, Tho: Edmondson delivered a judgement in court in the case of James Boughan Junr against Darby ffiningham. [Virginia State Library, Research and Information Services Division, Essex County Court Records, County Court Papers 1683–1728, Folder 9/1704.]

On 2 May 1705 James Boughan, Junr. and John Boughan were granted 200 acres in Essex and King and Queen Counties. “Part of 5,000 acs. granted George Morris, 16 Apr. 1683, deserted, & now granted by order, &c. Trans of 40 pers:…” [Virginia Patent Book 9, page 645.]

On 10 July 1705, James Boughan Junr. witnessed a deed of gift from Henry Boughan to his son James Boughan. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 12, page 103.]

On 11 March 1705/1706, a James Boughan witnessed a deed of gift from John ffargison to Class Caston and Cary his wife. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 12, pages 208–211.]

On 2 April 1706, James Boughan Senior conveyed to James Boughan Junior and Elizabeth Fisher. I James Boughan Senior of the County of Essex in Rappa. River in Virginia for valuable consideration but more especially for & out of the Naturall love & affection I have for, & hereunto, & for the future benefitt & advancement, I give, grant, & confirm unto James Boughan Junr. & Elizabeth ffisher my Son & Daughter the third part of all the Land contained in a Patent granted unto me the Said James Boughan & to Richard Covington & William Williams bearing date the twenty Sixth day of Aprill in the third year of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lady Ann … Anno Dom 1704 containing 2400 Acres of Land, But by a read measurement made by Capt. Charles Smith 2550 Acres, which said Land is Situate & being in the County of Essex. Signed James Boughan. Witnesses: Jno. Games, Mary her x mark Wellch, Edw ffarrington. Acknoweldged in court in 10 April 1706 and ordered recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 12, pages 210–211.]

On 10 April 1706, James Boughan Junr witnessed a deed from John Burnett to James Boughan. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 12, pages 211–212.]

On 10 April 1708, James Boughan Junr witnessed a bond of Dorothy Henry, James Boughan and John Parker. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 13, pages 98–99.]

On 9 August 1708, an indenture was executed by and between Coll Richard Covington of the County of Essex, Major James Boughan, Mr Edward Gouldman, Mr Benja ffisher, and Mr James Boughan the Younger, all of the same County. Joyntly & Severally Seized of a tract on the south side of the Rappahannock River and upon the branches of Occupacia Creek, to divide equally, Do declare equal division by consent. One part to Colo Richard Covington of 1064 acres; one part to Major James Boughan, Benja ffisher and James Boughan the Younger of 1180 acres; one part to Edward Gouldman of 1122 acres. From a patent dated 25 Aprill 1704 to the said Richard Covington, James Boughan and William Williams, the said William Williams his part being already sold to the said Edward Gouldman. Signed Richd Covington, James Boughan, Edw Gouldman, Benja ffisher, James Boughan Junr. Witnesses: Wm Tomlin, Willm Daingerfield, Henry his H mark Reeves. Acknowledged 10 August 1708 and ordered recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 13, pages 120–122.]

On 10 May 1711, John Boughan, Robert Coleman and James Boughan junr of the County of Essex were bound £500 sterling for John Boughan’s administration of the goods, rights and credits of Daniell Henry, deceased. Signed John Boughan, Robert Coleman, James Boughan junr. Witnesses: Ja: Alderson, Jos: Reeves. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 13, page 410.]

James Boughan and his children were mentioned in the 14 January 1711/12 will of his father James Boughan: “Seventhly I give & bequeath unto my beloved Grandson James Boughan the Son of my Son James Boughan all my Land & Plantation whereon I now live together with my Water Mill And all that Tract of Land that I bought of ye Holts together with my old Plantations wth ye Ippurtences thereunto belonging I give & bequeath unto my sd loving Grandson and the issue of his Body lawfully begotten and for want of such Issue to my Grandson John Boughan the Son of my Son James Boughan & to the issue of his body lawfully begotten…All the rest of my Estate of what nature or quality Soever I Give unto my Loveing Son James Boughan & his heires for ever whome I do appoint my whole & Sole Executor of this my last will & Testament…” [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 14, pages 76–77.]

On 18 March 1711/12 a petition was brought to Essex County Court. “James Boughan presenting a petition for admini[hole]on of the Estate of his deced father James Boughan. James Boughan the youngest opposes the administration alledging that the deced left a will the sd petit[hole] theref[hole] next [hole] that the sd Boughan the youngest may produce his [hole]. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 4, page 427.]

On 12 June 1712 a case was continued in Essex County Court, first begun 18 March 1711. “James Boughan Son of Henry Boughan presents a bill in chancery agt James Boughan Son of Major James Boughan deced & John Boughan his brother and Benja ffisher It is therefore ordered by the Court that the said James Boughan deced [hole] John Boughan & [hole] ffisher be by the Sheriff of his Deputy Summoned, personally to appear at the next Court…” [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 4, page 449.]

On 11 July 1712, Essex Court Court records state that the petition of James Boughan and Benjamin Fisher to administer the Estate of James Boughan is to be considered at the next court. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 4, page 468.]

On 19 August 1712, James Boughan, John Boughan, Benja ffisher, Augt. Smith, William Thompson and John Pickett (or Pukett) were bound £500 sterling for James Boughan, John Boughan and Benja ffisher’s administration with the will annexed for the goods, chattels and credits of James Boughan deceased. Witnesses: Ja: Alderson, Robert Jones. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 14, pages 77–78.]

On 8 January 1712/1713, James Boughan, John Boughan and Benja ffisher presented in court an inventory and appraisal of the estate of James Boughan. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 14, pages 93–95.]

On 12 Feb. 1712/13 James Boughan Sen’r of So. Farn. Par., planter, son and heir of James Boughan of same Par. and Co., sells John Boughan Senr., of St. Anns Par., planter, for £50. Sterl., 620 acres granted Richard Holt deceased by patent dated 4 Nov. 1685 and by Richard Holt and William Holt conveyed to the said James Boughan deceased by deed dated 2 Feb. 1705. The land bounded by Kings Swamp below Piscataway Mill, land of Oliver Seager, land formerly owned by Thomas Gaines and John Morraine, Piscataway Creek, etc. Signed James Boughan. Wit: Dan’ll Browne, Tho Ley, Robt. Hardee. Rec. 12 Feb. 1712/13. Robert Jones, by letter of attorney from Sarah Boughan wife of James Boughan, relinquishes dower rights to John Boughan. The letter is signed Sarah Boughan and witnessed by Jonathan ffisher and Benj’a ffisher. The sale of this land, which was not rightfully James Boughan [644]’s, later resulted in a lawsuit to recover it. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 14, page 102]

On 14 March 1712/13, Henry Boughan, John Pickett and Mary his wife, Francis Pierce and Eliza his wife, and William Cox were summoned to answer a plea by James Boughan, which sued for the division of 600 acres held in common. James sued for one third of the property, which was likely property that had been held in common by his father and three uncles: James Boughan (d. 1712), John Boughan, Henry Boughan, and Alexander Boughan. Alexander died at some unknown date, leaving no issue, dividing the rights of the parcel into thirds. Henry was still living in 1713, but John had died in 1697, so his share was further divided into thirds: John Pickett and Mary his wife, Francis Pierce and Eliza his wife, and William Cox, who must have married a daughter who was deceased prior to March 1713. (Unless William Cox purchased someone else’s interest in the parcel, which seems unlikely.) “Henry Boughan John Pickett and Mary his wife ffrancis Pierce and Eliza his wife and Wm Cox were Sumoned to answere James Boughan of a plea wherefore whereas the sd Henry, John & Mary his wife the sd ffrancis and Eliza his wife the said Wm and the sd James do hold together and undivided to them & their heirs Six hundred acres of Land wth the appurtenances in the parish of S farnham in the County of Essex the Defts refuse to make partition thereof among them and the plt according to the form of the statute in this Case made & provided and the same to be Done do unjustly hinder agt the form of the Statute and whereupon the said James saith that the said Deftdts and this plt together & undivided do hold to them and their heirs the Land and appurtenances afd whereof it belongs to the plt to have one third and the sd Defts the other two thirds Separatly So that the sd plt may Improve his third Separatly and the said Defts may make Improvemt of their two thirds Seperatly the sd Defts to make peticon with the plt according to the for[m — page torn] of the Statute in this Case made & provided do deny and the same do unjustly hinder Contrary to the [torn] sd statute &c whereby the plt Saith he is the worse and damage hath one hundred pou[torn] the Defts being returnd Sumoned and failing to appear It is therefore Considered by the Court an attacht be granted to the plt agt the body of the sd Defts So that they be had at ye next Court to answere upon the premises and that the Lands aforesaid by Distrained & put into ye posession of the plt untill they the Defts Shall appear and answere as aforesaid” [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 4, pages 511–512.] This seems to be related to an earlier case that was dismissed 12 December 1712: “The accon of partition brot by James Boughan agt Henry Boughan John Pickett & Mary his wife ffrancis Pierce & Eliza his wife and Wm Cox is Dismissed the plt failing to prosecute.” [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 4, page 489.] On 10 April 1713, the suit of 14 March 1713 was dismissed: “The accon brot by James Boughan agt Henry Boughan John Pickett & Mary his wife & ffrancis Pierce and Eliza his wife and Wm Cox is Dismissed ye plt failing to prosecute.” [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 4, page 521.]

On 14 January 1713/14, James Boughan Senr. of the parish of South farnham in the County of Essex planter Son & heir of James Boughan of the parish & County aforesaid Dec’d sold to Henry Boughan of ye parish & County aforesd, planter. In consideration of a certain parcel of land convey’d to him the said James Boughan by the said Henry Boughan, James Boughan sells to Henry Boughan all his right and title that he, the said James Boughan, hath in and to a certain Patent of land that was formerly in Copartnership betwen Thomas Harper and his Grandfather James Boughan both Dated and formerly given by a Deed from under the hand & Seal of his father James Boughan to John Boughan, Henry Boughan & Alexander Boughan bearing date the Twenty Ninth day of March 1678, which said Patent bearing date the Eighth day of October One Thousand Six hundred Seventy two. Signed James Boughan. Witnesses: James Edmondson, Jos Baker. Acknowledged in court on 14 January 1713. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 14, page 168.]

Beverley Fleet, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Volume II, page 27:
“p. 196. Deed. 15 Jan. 1713/14. Richd Covington of St Anns Par. and James Boughan of So. Farnham Par., son and heir of Major James Boughan late of said Par., deceased, sell to Thomas Gouldman and Edward Gouldman sons and Devisees of Edward Gouldman late of St. Anns Par., deceased, land, acreage not shown, ‘Whereas the said Edward Gouldman by purchase from one William Williams a certain parcel of land granted to Collo Richard Covington; Major James Boughan and the sd William Williams, by Patent Dated the 25 day Aprill 1704’, in St Anns Par. This land formerly granted to Thomas Pannell Dec’d by Patent 4 Nov. 1673, and afterwards granted to Covington, Boughan and Williams, having been lost by Pannell for want of seating. The land was partitioned between the said Collo Richard Covington of the first part, and Major James Boughan, Benjamin ffisher and James Boughan Junr. of the second part, and the said Edward Gouldman (who had purchased Williams’ share) of the third part, by deed the 9th August 1708. Rec. 10 Aug. 1708 in Essex Court. And whereas Collo Richard Covington and Major James Boughan, by deed, 11 Aug. 1707, between William Pennell, son and heir of the said Thomas Pennell, decased: Francis Stone and Mary his wife Daughter of the said Thomas Pennell, of the one part, and Richard Convington and James Boughan of the other part, for £39., did purchase the interest of Wm Pannell, Francis and Mary Stone. Signed Richard Covington, James Boughan. Wit: Zachary Lewis, Will’m Todd. Rec. 11 Feb. 1713/14.”

On 6 October 1714, a case brought by James Baughan against Thomas Yeats for 830 pounds of sweetscented tobacco was dropped, the plaintiff not prosecuting. [Richmond County, Virginia, Order Book 6, page 254.]

On 19 June 1716, Eliza ffisher, James Boughan and John Boughan were bound £400 sterling for Eliza ffisher’s execution of the last will and testament of Benjamin ffisher. Elizabeth signed Elizabeth her E mark ffisher. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 14, page 582.]

In 1716 James Boughan received payments from Benjamin Fisher’s estate. [Essex County, Virginia, Wills, Inventories and Settlements of Estates No. 3, 1717–1721, pages 67–69, as abstracted by John Frederick Dorman.]

On 21 May 1717, Benjamin Edmondson, James Boughan, Jno Boughan and John Crow were bound £500 sterling for Benjamin Edmondson and James Boughan’s administration of the goods chattles and credits of Wm Edmondson deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 15, page 48.]

On 13 December 1718, a James Boughan witnessed a deed from Wm Cox, Tho: Meedes and Elizabeth his wife, John Wood and Thomas Wood to Bryant Edmondson. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 15, pages 257–259.]

On 16 November 1720 James Boughan witnessed a deed from Rebecca Fisher to Richard Taylor. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 16, pages 240–241, as abstracted by John Frederick Dorman.]

On 13 January 1720/1721, a James Boughan witnessed a deed from Benjamin Mathis to his son Benjamin Mathis. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 16, pages 287–288, as abstracted by John Frederick Dorman.]

On 21 March 1720/21, a James Boughan witnessed a deed from Bryant Edmondson to John ffarguson. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 16, pages 280–282.]

The will of James Boughan: “In the name of God Amen I James Boughan Senr in the Parish of Southfarnham in the County Essex being very sick & weak of body but of perfect Sense & memory make this my Last Will & Testament in manner & form following. I Give & bequeath my Soul unto Almighty God that gave it me with a sure and certain hope of a joyfull Resurrection through the mertis of my blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ & my body unto my mother the Earth & for my worldly Estate in manner & form following after my just & Lawfull Debts are paid & satisfyed I give unto my Eldest son John Boughan this plantation where I now live on begining at the walnut poynt so up the Clay path branch to the mouth of my Spring branch thence along the Kings Road to the fork of a small branch by a bridge thence up the South West that makes up the Christopher Smiths old field thence to a Stooping red oak standing in Freemans line by the Road to him & his heirs for ever. I Give my Son James Boughan all my Land on the South East side of the Clay patch branch known by the name of the old plantation to him & his heirs for ever. I give unto my Son Abner Boughan the remainin part of ye Land I bought William Acres & the remainin part of that Land I now live on that is not already bequeathed to him & his heirs for ever. I give unto my two youngest Sons Thomas Boughan & Ben Boughan a certain parcell of Land lying in King & Queen County known by the name of the ffrench mans Neck to be equally divided between them to them & their heirs for ever But if either of them should dye without heirs the Survivr to have the whole I Lend my beloved wife Sarah Boughan ye use of all my Lands durin her life I Lend my wife the use of my mill for sixteen years & for the bringin up & givein my Children Scholin my five Sons John & James & Abner & Thomas & Ben to taught to read & wrighte & acount as far as the rule of Divition & after the Sixteen years is Expired I give my mill to my son James Boughan to him & his heirs for ever I also apoynt my Loving wife Sarah & James Edmondson & James Boughan my Kinsman my Sole & hole Exers: of this my Last Will & Testament & this Last Will to Cut of & Disannull all former Wills whatsoever as Witness my hand & Seal this 21st day of November 1721.”
Signed James Boughan. Witnessed by Danll Brown, Thomas Evitt Junr, William his m mark Smith. Presented in court on 19th June 1722 by Sarah Boughan and James Boughan, executors, proved by Daniel Brown and Thomas Evit Jun. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 3, pages 305–306.]

On 17 July 1722, an inventory of the estate of James Boughan was returned to court by Richard Tyler, John Fargeson and William Dunn, and signed by James Boughan, executor, and Sarah Boughan, executrix. Total valuation £25.19.4. [Essex County, Virginia, Wills, Inventories and Settlements of Estates No. 3, 1717–1721, pages 309–311, as abstracted by John Frederick Dorman.]