| 1. | Dr. JAMES Richard Henry was born about 1829 in Southampton County, Virginia (Drewryville ?) (son of JAMES John and DRAKE Eliza A.); was buried in Surry County, VA (Rogers Family Cemetary, Off Rt.40). Other Events and Attributes:
- Reference Number: 1172
- Census: 1850, Nottoway Parrish, Southampton County, VA
- Census: 1860, Cabin Point, Surry County, VA.
- Military: 20 Apr 1861, Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; Civil War
- Census: 1880, Guilford, Surry, Virginia
Notes:
Her husband, Dr. Richard Henry James, was an alcoholic who abandoned his wife. When he died, the Booth's refused to let him be buried next to his wife, and he was interred on a nearby farm owned by the Rogers family.
Obit. of daughter, Othelia Florence James Westbrook, in Sussex Gazette, August 1937. indicates she was a daughter of Dr. J. J. James, a prominent physician of Southampton County, however, in the family bible, she is the daughter of Dr. Richard Henry James, and John James is her grandfather. Also, Southampton County Census Records show John and Eliza James as the parents of Richard Henry James and Mary T. James.
In October, 2006, Patricia McElroy Smith and I (Jean G. Johnson), agreed on the following interpretation of a letter Patricia found among the papers of her Aunt Mary Baird Bray. Mary very likely obtained it along with other items from her mother, Lola Idene (Daisy) Westbrook Baird who was a grand-daughter of Richard Henry James and his wife Georganna Booth. Some words were illegible or questionable. " Phildelphia. Dear Sister, I received your letter this afternoon and was very glad to hear_________ but there was a passage that wounded my feelings very much it was the death of her whose soothing words has frequently calmed my raging mind, whose tender smiles has caused me to reflect when nothing on earth could, therefore I c___________ with those whom I loved and who I had every reason to believe loved me, (Mrs. Gurley) I have finally determined am going home Christmas and you must surely be________ home I cannot tell what time but I will most assuredly eat my Christmas dinner at home I thought from the scrap of paper in the letter you desired a piece of cambric as such I sent it but I find it was all a mistake of yours, but (eventually??) you will find a use for it give my love to all. I am well in better health than I have been in for some time believe me. ever yours truly as a dear brother Dr. R. H. James October the 10th 1852."
Making certain asumptions and with research, I (Jean) concluded he was in medical school in Philadelphia in 1852 as he was 23 yrs. of age, signed the letter as "Dr.", in 1860 Surry Co. Census his occupation was "MD", the 1870 Southampton Co. Census listed his occupation as "Physcian". I provided details about RHJ to Thomas Jefferson Universiy Archives in Philadelphia and received this letter from the University Archivist. " Dear Mrs. Johnson, Richard Henry James did not graduate here but did take courses for one year at JMC (it was a two-year program). The Student Registration Book lists the following: "Sept 4, 1852/ R. H. James/ Farmers Grove/Southampton/Virginia/$20. second course/ (Preceptor) Dr. J. W. Gurley/ [Remarks] Harp. L'ndg.-1851-2" The preceptor was his sponsor whom he "apprenticed" under and the Remarks column usually refers to previous course work taken. FYI, James had a colleague, J. Thomas Butts, also from Farmers Grove who shared the same preceptor. Lack of a diploma did not exclude one from practicing medicine in those days before medical licensure. Best of luck, Michael Angelo, Universiy Archivist."
These findings are interesting: RHJ mentions the death of Mrs. Gurley in his letter. Dr. J. W. Gurley was his sponsor at the university. The 1850 Southampton Co. Census- Nottoway Parish shows John W. Gurley at house #165 and his occupation was physcian. John and Eliza A. James were at house #164 as were their children, Richard H. (19 yr. old student) and Mary T. (18 yrs. old) John James was listed as a 44 yr. old farmer, his wife, Eliza was 37. Also the 1850 census lists James T. Butts, a 19 yr. old student at house #166.
The 1860 Southampton Co. Census does not list John W. Gurley. Richard H. James was a physcian in Surry Co. in 1860, was married to Georganna E. (Booth) James and had 3 children - Otelia, Sarah, and Mary.
Census:
1850 United States Federal Census
about Richard H James Name: Richard H James
Age: 19
Estimated birth year: abt 1831
Birth Place: Virginia
Gender: Male
Home in 1850 (City,County,State): Nottaway Parish, Southampton, Virginia
Family Number: 164
Household Members: Name Age
John James 44
Eliza A James 37
Richard H James 19
Mary T James 18
Census:
1860 United States Federal Census
about Richard H James Name: Richard H James
Age in 1860: 29
Birth Year: abt 1831
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Surry, Virginia
Gender: Male
Post Office: Cabin Point
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members: Name Age
Richard H James 29
Georgiana E James 22
Sarah James 4
Otelia F James 3
Mary G James 1
Military:
U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles
about Richard H James Name: Richard H James
Occupation: Physician
Age at Enlistment: 31
Enlistment Date: 20 Apr 1861
Rank at enlistment: Private
Enlistment Place: Surry County, VA
State Served: Virginia
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company E, Virginia 5th Cavalry Regiment on 20 Apr 1861.
Mustered out on 03 May 1862 at Camp Pryor, VA.
Description: height: 5 ft. 9 in., light complexion, dark eyes, auburn hair.
Birth Date: abt 1830
Sources: The Virginia Regimental Histories Series
Census:
1880 United States Federal Census
about Richard James Name: Richard James
Home in 1880: Guilford, Surry, Virginia
Age: 50
Estimated birth year: abt 1830
Birthplace: Virginia
Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head)
Spouse's name: Georgianna James
Father's birthplace: Virginia
Mother's birthplace: Virginia
Neighbors: View others on page
Occupation: Farmer
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Cannot read/write:
Blind:
Deaf and dumb:
Otherwise disabled:
Idiotic or insane: View image
Household Members: Name Age
Richard James 50
Georgianna James 42
Sarah James 24
Mary J. James 22
Eva J. James 15
Ann D. James 14
John S. James 12
Richard married BOOTH Georgianna Elizabeth on 30 Jan 1855. Georgianna (daughter of Col. BOOTH Samuel and ELLIS Sarah (Sally)) was born on 2 Mar 1838 in Surry County, VA (Snow Hill Plantation); died on 23 Nov 1897; was buried in Surry County, VA (Snow Hill Cemetery). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- JAMES Sarah Eugenia was born on 22 Nov 1855; and died.
- JAMES Otelia Florence was born on 5 Oct 1856; died on 20 Aug 1937 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; was buried in Surry County, VA (Westbrook Family Cemetary).
- JAMES Mary Gertrude was born on 9 Jul 1858; and died.
- JAMES Nannie Beth was born on 6 Oct 1860; died on 16 Jul 1862.
- JAMES Eliza Frances was born on 12 Jun 1862; died on 14 Jul 1863.
- JAMES Annie Missoura was born on 5 Oct 1863; died on 9 Jul 1865.
- JAMES Eva Jackson was born on 20 Jan 1865 in Dendron, Surry, Virginia, United States; died on 3 Dec 1934 in Petersburg, VA; was buried in Petersburg, VA.
- JAMES Ann Booth was born on 15 Feb 1866; and died.
- JAMES John Samuel was born on 17 Jun 1868; died on 7 Jul 1870.
|
Abt 1829 - 