WM. WATSON BOOMER'S
DIARY
Contributed by Kay
Midgett Sheppard
William Watson Boomer's diary was copied by R.T. Bonner and Miss Lottie Hale Bonner, Aurora, N.C. on October 19, 1916 and includes personal letters, surveys, and genealogy records of the Watson, Gibbs, Benson and Boomer families. William Watson Boomer lived in the Lake Comfort area of Hyde County. The first entry states "W.W. Boomer's book bought at Suffolk, Va. March 8th 1862."
Number of acres of land belonging to John BENSON, dec'd.
Good Land
Lake Flats 155 260 186 1/2 283 104 69 100 213 65 6 836 Total 836 Total 1446
June 19th 1822 - Letter written by Clara Watson to Henry Boomer, Mattamuskeet
My dear friend,
I received yours June 3d and presume you have awaited my answer with grate integrity but I hope your humanity wont take it as an unkindness of mine, for I have been waiting for an opportunity to be least discoverable by and of the family, for I am a person that endeavors to conceal such sentiments as those especially as first you wrote to me that I am the peculiar object of your passion, if you are in reality I entreat you to come on with a good resolution for I know that there is no passion so apt to be tampered with as love, but flatter me not my friend for I am very easy flattered, notwithstanding I think it is the greatest piece of cruelty, that man can be guilty of but I always had an idea that you was a man of a steadfast opinion that is a better opinion than I have of every person or even myself. You can continue the correspondence in writing or any way at your own disposal.
I presume this will be sufficient for the present, And subscribe myself, Yours very Respectfully,
C.W.
[This was copied by William W. Boomer in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight and sixty two (1862) June 5th]
July 3rd 1822 - Letter written by Clara Watson to Henry Boomer, Mattamuskeet
Dear Sir,
I received your kind letter July 2d in petition for an answer, but could not comply with your request. I first thought I had no objection but next day after I gave you an answer Brother Spec came here & he was very anxious to know if I ever intended to get married. I gave him to understand that I did; he gave me his advice on the subject and I assure you that I never had before nor since shall I remember itas long as I live. I knew I had give you some incouragement and considered it for several days and at last found myself as far out of the notion as I ever was in, and hope your humanity will excuse my change of mind; the reason why I did not give you a more direct answer when you stated the question to my ear there was two many busy folks present. It was much against my will to keep you in suspence. I know if I continue in the mind I am now in which I trust the Lord I shall, You nor your superiors nor inferiors will never get me to join matrimony and bind myself when I know I can live free and maintain my freedom. I mean to strive to get religion and live happy and die happy for I believe peace is for all that seeketh, the scripture tells us seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened. As you mentioned the first miracle Christ wrought upon earth it was in land at Cana of Galilee and after he had turned the water into wine his disciples believed in him & done all that he told them and the next miracle he performed in Jerusalem, because the Jews sinned against him, he ordered them to destroy the Temple which was forty & six in building and he reared up in three days. If we were to believe in his gracious word, he would perform as great miracles for us as he did for his disciples in Cana of Galilee, but I think he leaves it to our own disposal concerning marrying if you would rightly consider on the troubles and vexations that in married life, them they are bound under male tyrrany or we may say in iron bands, then there earthly pleasures are gone, notwithstanding I think you or your inferiors is worthy of me. I dont want to persuade you nor no one else against marrying but persuade you to fly to another object which may soon engage your affection. I hope you wont abandon the house because I have written the world lovelorn. I shall esteem you as a friend as long as I live.
C.W.
May Peace be with you forever. Amen
[This was copied by William W. Boomer in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty two this June 6th]
September 16, 1862
This is a true copy taken from the Washington Dispatch dated August 6, 1861. The Editor says there may be some trifling errors but that the statistics are mainly correct to the figure. This September 16th 1862.
Battles of the Revolution
British Loss of Lives
American Loss of Lives
Battle of Lexington - April 19, 1775 273 83 Bunker Hill - June 17, 1775 1054 454 Flatbush - Aug. 12, 1776 400 200 White Plains - Aug. 26, 1776 400 400 Trenton - Dec. 25, 1776 1000 9 Princeton - Jan. 5, 1777 400 100 Hubbardstown - Aug. 16-17, 1777 800 800 Bennington - Aug. 16, 1777 800 100 Brandywine - Sept. 11, 1777 500 1100 Stillwater - Sept. 17, 1777 600 350 Germantown - Oct. 4, 1777 600 1200 Saratoga - Oct. 17, 1777 Surrendered 6752 ----- Red Hook - Oct. 22, 1777 500 ----- Monmouth - June 25, 1778 400 130 Rhode Island - Aug. 27, 1778 260 211 Briar Creek - March 30, 1779 13 400 Stony Point - July 15, 1779 600 100 Camden - Aug. 16, 1779 375 610 King's Mountain - Oct. 7, 1780 950 96 Cowpen's - Jan. 11, 1781 800 72 Guilford Court House - March 15, 1781 532 400 Hobkirk Hills - April 25, 1781 400 460 Eutaw Springs - Sept. 1781 1000 550 Yorktown - Oct. 1781 Surrendered 7072 -----
Sept. 20th 1871
Survey of Bluff Swamp by W.W. Boomer, R.B. Stotesbury and others commencing at a twined pine tree standing on the right and near the head of Deep Creek in the West or Big Bluff Bay, running a North course six and a half miles to the mouth of the lane between R. Benson & David Murray land on South Lake.
Length of chain = 33 feet - No. of sticks = 9 - 20 outs to the mile
- 1st Out 20 - Growth Pines, Black Gum, Gallberries
- 2nd Out 20 - Growth Pines, Black Gum, Gallberries, & Reeds
- 3rd Out 20 - Growth Low, Boggy Savanna
- 4th Out 20 - Growth Low, Boggy Savanna
- 5th Out 20 - Low Boggy Savanna
- 6th Out 20 - Growth small pine, Laurels & Briers
- 7th Out 1/2 mile - Lake Swamp
Entire crew on above march:
- W.W. Boomer
- R.B. Stotesbury
- W.S. Watson
- Joseph Swindell
- George Carawan
- Anson Stotesbury, Col.
- Robert Whitaker, Col.
Saturday, Jan. 9th 1875 - W.W. Boomer
A party given to Adaranah Lee Boomer, January 4th 1875, it being her tenth birthday. Persons present:
- Boys
- Thomas Jennett
- Ugen Clay Boomer
- Thomas Weston
- Byron Weston
- Samuel Weston
- Jessa Sadler
- Momo Caffee
- Thomas Swindell
- Charlie Stotesbury
- Ugen B. Bell
- Edward Spencer
- Thomas R. Benson
- Girls
- Sarah McClaud
- Manda Swindell
- Fanny Swindell
- Ida Weston
- Renak Credle
- Dorah Sadler
- Sac Bell
- Sally Spencer
- Etta Spencer
- Lida Spencer
- Annie Spencer
- Florence Spencer
- Spectators
- Joanna Bell
- Milton Sadler
- Dina Weston
- Frances Weston
- Margaret A. Swindell
- baby Betty
["In Memory Of" states that Adaranah Lee "Addie" Boomer was born January 4, 1865 and died July 15, 1884. She was the daughter of William Watson Boomer and Dorcas Elizabeth Benson.]
WATSON FAMILY RECORDS
William Watson and Sophia Cary his wife, came to Hyde County, N.C. from the Eastern shore of Maryland. Previous to their removal to this State had born to them: Israel, Easter, James, Jenny, and Comfort and after their residence here, Sophia, William and Benjamin.
Rev. Israel Watson married the widow, Sarah Owens, nee Smith, of Currituck and had born to them: Lydia, Benjamin and Easter, and she dying he married Charity Brooks and had born to them Israel S. Watson.
Easter Watson married Timothy Murray and had born to them: Peleg, Rachel, Daniel, Polly, Frances, Riley, Durant H. and Nancy.
James Watson married Susanna Benson and had born to them: Nancy, Rebecca, Mahaly, Mary, Prudence, and Benaja.
Jenny Watson married Thomas Gibbs and had born to them: Brinson, Iva, Thomas B., Sophia, and Rebecca.
Comfort Watson married Henry Gibbs and had born to them: Brittania, Asbury, Deidama, Matilda, Nancy, Israel, and Hilliard.
Sophia Watson married Joseph Jarvis and [had] born to them: Emma, Rebecca, Brittania, Bryant, and John.
William Watson married Dina Bartie Gibbs and had born to them: Clarissa, Sophia, Cary, Mary, Joanna, Dina, William, Samuel G., Augustian, and James M.
Benjamin Watson married Elizabeth _______ and had born to them: Wiley, Nancy, Selby, Benjamin, Julias C., and Rebecca.
Israel B. Watson married Margaret Mann and had born to them: Victor, Annice, Mary, Margaret, Braxton, Lexace, Bessie, John, and Winslow.
Rebecca married Wm. D. Murray and had born to them: Margaret Isabella.
William Watson, son of William Watson and Sophia Cary his wife, was the father of Clarissa, Joanna, Dina, William, Samuel G., Augustus, James M. and Sophia Cary.
Clarissa Watson married Henry Boomer and had born to them: Samuel G., Frances, Eliza, William W. Boomer, and James M. Boomer.
Joanna Watson married Jordan Bell and had born to them: Israel F. Bell.
Mary [married] William Weston and had born to them: Elizabeth, Emilene, Louisa, Clarissa, Dina, and Frances.
Dina _______ [Watson] married Samuel Weston and had born to them: Milton, Jabes G., and James A. Samuel Weston died and she married James W. Swindell and had born to them Walter, Carolina, and Sally.
William Watson married Sally Weston and had born to them: Joseph M., Anna E., Adeline, Elizabeth, and Minnie.
Samuel G. Watson married Nancy Boomer and had born to them: Jennie C. (who married John Bell), Charles A. (who died in the CSA), Sada, William Independence (who married Charlie S. Archbell), Samuel Mann (who married Annie Bedford Hooker), John, James H. (who married Mary White), and Annie Mary (who married George Israel Swindell).
Augustus Watson married Nancy _____ [Shaw].
James M. Watson married Sarah Ann Brooks and had born to them: George Israel Watson, Sarah, and Ann Virginia.
William Watson son [of] William Watson and Sophia Cary was born April 10th, 1772 and died Nov. 26th 1834.
Dina Bartie Watson, wife of William Watson, born Dec. 10th 1779.
Augustus Watson born Jan. 8th 1814; died Oct. 2nd 1884.
Nancy Watson, wife [of] A.W. Watson born 1817; died Dec. 17th 1888.
Jas. M. Watson born Dec. 2, 1817; died Jan. 17th 1894.
Sarah Ann Watson born Dec. 12th 1832 died Sept. 20th 1854.
George Israel Watson born Feb. 22, 1851.
Sarah Ann Virginia born Aug. 22, 1854; died Oct. 1, 1854.
Rev. Benjamin Watson, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Watson, was born in Hyde County, N.C. April 10, 1810 and died March 23, 1891 at White Sulphur Springs, Jefferson County, Arkansas. His father was strictly moral but worldly minded; his mother a pious member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had an early Christian training. He was converted by the preaching of Rev. Joseph Carson at a camp-meeting in the Autumn of 1830, professed religion a few months after and joined the M.E. Church and was licensed to preach in June, 1831. He was employed by the presiding elder to take the place of Miles Foy on the Roanoke Circuit, Virginia Conference. In February 1832, he was received into the Virginia Conference and sent to the Williamsburg Circuit. Between three and four hundred professed religion under his ministry there. In 1833, he was sent to Amherts Circuit. In 1834 he was ordained deacon and was ordained elder in 1836. In 1841 he was transferred to the Memphis Conference and was sent to Salem Circuit. In 1842-44 he was presiding Elder of Texas District. In 1849 he was transferred to Arkansas Conference and was appointed President of the Saulsbury Institute at Batesville, Ark. In January 1855 he was appointed to the Presidency of the Female College located at Tulip, Ark. In 1868 he was appointed to the Sulphur Springs Circuit and took charge of Pleasant Ridge Academy until July 1872. In the 67th year of his summing up the result of his labors he concluded that he had traveled 60,000 miles, preached 7,000 sermons and received 10,000 members into the Methodist Church. His life closed like a glorious sunset on a bright, clear summer day. Such was the life of this good man. Lord may we meet him in the 'Sweet By and By'.
GIBBS FAMILY RECORDS
Children of Cason Gibbs & Dina Bartee ---------------- 6
Children of Cason Gibbs & Nancy Locker -------------- 4
Children of Cason Gibbs & Pheba Harris -------------- 11Their Husbands and Wives:
- Sally Gibbs married 1st Cason Jones; 2nd Adam Gaskins
- Mahaly Gibbs married 1st Pelege Spencer; 2nd David Carter
- Dina Gibbs married William Watson
- Alexander Gibbs drowned
- Samuel Gibbs married 1st Dorcas Jones; 2nd Sally Hendren
- Cason Gibbs married Sally Owens
- Betsy married Richard Spencer
- Louisa Gibbs married 1st Anson Seth [Gibbs?]; 2nd Iva Gibbs
- Jesse Gibbs married Polly Young
- Jerdain Gibbs married Nancy Wallace
- Hetta Gibbs married 1st Ned Spencer; 2nd John T. Davis
- Alice Gibbs married George Howard
- Nancy Gibbs married George Howard
- Drucilla Gibbs married 1st Philip Bell; 2nd Lam Winfield
- Eliza Gibbs married Oliver Swindell
- Priscilla Gibbs died single
- Hosea Gibbs died single
- Carney Gibbs married Affa Spencer
- Oliver Gibbs married Lydia Watson
- Volintine Gibbs died single
- Littleton Gibbs married Ella Cahoon
BOOMER FAMILY RECORDS
Marriages
- Henry Boomer and Clarissa Watson was married October the 8th 1823.
- Henry Boomer and Elizabeth E. Swindell was married August 9th 1838.
- Henry Boomer and Sally McGowin was married August the 7th 1839.
- Samuel G. Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, was married to Frances B. Weston March 27th 1849.
- John H.W. Weston and Eliza Boomer was married December 14th 1858.
- William W. Boomer and Dorcas E. Benson was married March 3, 1863.
- Caleb S. Boomer and Dorcas E. Midyett was married Febr. 6th 1873.
- Henry J. Boomer and Mary Williams was married February 16th 1873.
- Caleb S. Boomer and Mary Ann Swindell was married Feb. 22, 1876.
Births
- Henry Boomer, the son of Mathew Boomer and Elizabeth his wife, was born March 9th 1797.
- Clarissa Watson, the daughter of William Watson and Dinah his wife, was born October 8th 1801.
- Samuel Gibbs Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, was born October 6th 1824.
- James Maxwell Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, was born October 19th 1826.
- Frances Boomer, daughter of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, was born February the 17th 1829. Died November 9th 1898 4 A.M.
- David Doggett Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, was born March 18th 1831.
- Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, was born May 8th 1833.
- William John Watson Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, was born October 16th 1834.
- Eliza Boomer, daughter of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, was born Jan. 22, 1837.
- William Watson Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, was born April 3rd 1838.
- Mathew F. Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, was born June 13th 1839.
- Calib Swindell Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Sally his wife, was born July 18th 1840.
- Clarissa Elizabeth Boomer, daughter of Henry Boomer and Sally his wife, was born January the 28th 1842.
- Henry Jones Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Sally his wife, was born September the 1st 1844.
- William Boomer, the son of Mathew Boomer and Elizabeth his wife, was born September 23rd 1792.
- Elizabeth E. Swindell, the daughter of J.L. Swindell & Rebecca his wife, was born August 7th 1812.
- Sally McGowin, the daughter of James McGowin and Elizabeth his wife, was born September 11th 1809.
- Adaranah Lee Boomer, the daughter of Wm. W. Boomer and Dorcas his wife, was born January 4th 1865.
- Mary Watson, daughter of William Watson & Dinah his wife, was born 1803, Oct 1.
- Joanna Watson, daughter of William Watson & Dinah his wife, was born March 9th 1805.
- Dinah, daughter of William Watson & Dinah his wife, was born _____ 1808.
- Dinah, daughter of William Watson & Dinah his wife, died March 26, 1881.
- William, son of William Watson & Dinah his wife, was born July __ 1810.
- Samuel G., son of William Watson & Dinah his wife, was born June 16, 1812.
- Augustus W., son of William Watson & Dinah his wife, was born Feb. 14, 1814.
- James M. Watson, son of Wm. Watson & Dinah his wife, was born Dec. 2, 1817.
- Sophia C., daughter of Wm. Watson & Dinah his wife, was born Sept. __ 1820. Died _______ 1874.
- Orpha V. Weston, daughter of Jas. Weston and wife Frances, was born June 4, 1853.
- Mrs. Joanna Bell, daughter of William Watson & Dina his wife, was born March 9, 1805. Joined the M.E. Church South about 1820 under the Rev. Banister Floid. Died Sept. 22, 1884. Buried at Amity Church.
Deaths
- Henry Boomer, the son of Mathew Boomer and Elizabeth his wife, was taken sick October 29th 1845 and died the 6th November following, his age being 48 years, seven months and seven days. Grandson of William Boomer.
- Clarissa Boomer, the wife of Henry Boomer, died May 6th 1838.
- Elizabeth E. Boomer, the wife of Henry Boomer, died June 21, 1839
- Sallie Boomer, the wife of Henry Boomer, died January 28th 1866.
- Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, died June 15th 1835.
- William Watson John Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clairssa his wife, died August 1, 1836.
- David Doggett Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, died October 6th 1836.
- Mathew F. Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Elizabeth his wife, died June 25th 1839.
- Samuel G. Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, died February 20th 1862.
- Frances B. Boomer, the wife of Samuel G. Boomer, died Feb. 5, 1862.
- Sam. G. Boomer [died] February 20, 1862.
- James M. Boomer, the son of Henry Boomer and Clarissa his wife, died September 5th 1867.
- S.A.S. Boomer, the wife of Jas. M. Boomer, died January 17th 1869.
- Patsy Benson, wife of John Benson, died August 12, 1861.
- John Benson, son of Reuben Benson, died July 6, 1866.
- Edward C. Benson, son of John Benson, died Febr. 7th 1873.
- Minnie E. McClaud, daughter of William Weston & Sally his wife, died April 9th A.D. 1876. N.B., wife of H.G. McClaud.
- Annie E. Smith, wife of C.C. Smith and daughter of Wm. Watson & Sally his wife, was taken sick & died July 4th 1876.
- Orpha V. Weston, daughter of Jas. Weston and Frances his wife, died July Tuesday 11th 1876. Age 23 years, 1 month, 29 days.
- Annie E. Smith, daughter of Charles C. Smith & wife Annie, was born July 4th 1876 and died July 18, 1876. Age 15 days.
- Gildeppe D. Cartright, daughter of John Benson, died Nov. 7, 1876.
William Watson, Sr. of England & Sopha Cary his wife of Ireland, emigrated to the United States first to Virginia then to North Carolina, Hyde Co. and was the father of Israel, James, William, Benjamin, Comfort, Sophia, Easter, Mary & Rebecca Watson and grandfather of Clarissa, Mary, Joanna, Sopha Cary, Mahaly, Sopha Caroline, William, Samuel Gibbs, Augustus Washington, and James Marshal Watson and great-grandfather of Samuel G., James M., Frances, David D., Elizabeth, William J., Eliza, and William Watson Boomer.
- Elizabeth E. Sadler, wife of Milton Sadler & daughter of W. Weston & Mary his wife, was taken sick about 10 October Sunday A.M. and lived about 15 minutes, Dec. 29th 1878.
- Henry Jones Boomer, son of Henry Boomer and Sally his wife, died January 19th 1885.
- Malissa Lee Boomer, daughter of Henry J. Boomer and Polly Williams, was born January 6th 1875.
- Edgar Po, son of Henry J. Boomer & Polly Williams his wife, born Nov. 10, 1876
- Henry Clay & Calib Samuel Jones [sons?] of Henry J. Boomer & Polly Williams his wife, was born Feb. 17th 1879.
- William Cromwell & James Edgar Jones [sons?] of Henry J. Boomer & Polly his wife, was born March 29, 1881.
BENSON FAMILY RECORDS
- John Benson, son of Reuben Benson and Dorcas his wife, was born Sept. 3, 1809.
- John Graam Benson, son of John Benson and Sarah his wife, was born October 19th 1836.
- Margaret Ann Benson, daughter of John Benson and Patsy his wife, was born Jan. 4th 1839.
- George W. Benson, son of John Benson and Patsy his wife, was born June 27th 1842.
- Dorcas E. Benson, the daughter of John Benson and Patsy his wife, was born May 31, 1844.
- Martin V. Benson, son of John Benson and Patsy his wife, was born March 10th 1847.
- Gildeppy D. Benson, daughter of John Benson and Patsy his wife, was born March 3rd 1849 and died Nov. A.D. 1876.
- Edward C. Benson, son of John Benson and Patsy his wife, was born Feb. 16th 1851.
- Charles F. Benson, son of John Benson and Patsy his wife, was born July 16th 1853.
- Thomas R. Benson, son of John Benson and Patsy his wife, was born August 13th 1858
- Alexander C. Benson, son of John G. Benson and Cercy Jane his wife, was born April 27th 1859.
Copyright 2000