Archibald Atkinson
(1792—1872)
ATKINSON, Archibald, a Representative from Virginia; born in Isle of Wight County, Va., September 15, 1792; received
a liberal education; attended the law department of William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Va.; served during
the War of 1812; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Smithfield, Isle of Wight County, Va.; member
of the State house of delegates 1815-1817 and 1828-1831; served in the State senate 1839-1843; elected as a Democrat
to the Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, and Thirtieth Congresses (March 4, 1843-March 3, 1849); was not a candidate
for renomination in 1848 to the Thirty-first Congress; served as prosecuting attorney for Isle of Wight County;
died in Smithfield, Va., on January 7, 1872; interment in the graveyard of Old St. Luke’s Church, four miles southeast
of Smithfield, Va.
Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present
Contributed by Anna Newell
Colonel Francis Marshall Boykin.
Born in Isle of Wight, a southeastern county of Virginia, a descendant of most distinguished ancestors, Colonel
Boykin, after a military career in which he won deserved distinction, located in the city of Richmond, Virginia,
in the year 1870, where he became prominent in business and social life and resided until death ended his usefulness.
The Boykins of Virginia descend from Edward Boykin, who settled in Isle of Wight county, Virginia, in 1685, on
a large tract of land granted him by Lord Howard. In the revolutionary war, Francis M. Boykin, great-grandfather
of Colonel Francis M. Boykin, served as second lieutenant of the First Regiment Virginia Line, that regiment being
commanded by Colonel Patrick Henry. Francis Marshall (1) Boykin, son of Lieutenant Francis Boykin and grandfather
of Colonel Francis Marshall (2) Boykin, was lieutenant-colonel of a Smithfield, Isle of Wight county, Virginia,
regiment, in the war of 1812. General Francis Marshall (2) Boykin was a general of Virginia militia, and for many
years a state senator. On the maternal side Colonel Boykin descended from equally distinguished ancestry, including
Colonel Joseph Bridger, of Virginia, who in 1686 was a member of council and adjutant general of the colony. Another
ancestor, Thomas Godwin, born in 1607, was a member of the London Company, and in 1677 was speaker of the Virginia
house of burgesses. Through intermarriage Colonel Boykin was connected with many of the best Virginia families
as is his wife, Ellen Burton (George) Boykin.
General Francis Marshall (2) Boykin, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Marshall (1) and Fannie (Godwin) Boykin,
was born in 1806, died in 1863. He was an eminent physician, a prosperous planter and a distinguished member of
the Virginia senate for many years representing Isle of Wight, Southampton and Nansemond counties. He gained his
military title by long service in the state militia and ranked with the leading men of his day. He married Hester
Ann Briggs, of Southampton county, Virginia.
Colonel Francis Marshall (3) Boykin, son of General Francis Marshall (2) and Hester Ann (Briggs) Boykin, was born
in Isle of Wight county, Virginia, March 1, 1837, died in the city of Richmond, May 5, 1906, remains interred in
Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond. He obtained his earlier education in private schools in Isle of Wight and Portsmouth,
Virginia, then true to the military instincts inherited from patriotic sires, entered Virginia Military Institute,
founded two years after his birth, and was there graduated, class of 1856. The next five years were spent in the
government service, in the coast survey and in teaching school, years of valuable experience. When war broke out
between the states, he threw himself with all the ardor of his nature into the conflict, the military deeds of
his sires inspiring him to equally valorous service. He was commissioned by Governor Letcher, of Virginia, as
major of the Thirty-first Regiment Virginia Infantry, and by order of General Robert E. Lee was assigned to duty
in western Virginia, with authority to muster into the service all volunteer companies offering themselves for
state defence [sic]. There was a strong Union sentiment in that part of the state and at Grafton a mob nearly
encompassed his death. His first field service with the Thirty-first was in the campaign in western Virginia at
the battle of Cheat Mountain and later at the battle of Alleghany Summit, where he especially distinguished himself,
won promotion to the rank of lieutenant-colonel on the field of battle, and led the regiment, the colonel being
absent. His lieutenant-colonel's commission from Governor Fletcher bears date of December 14, 1861. He believed
heart and soul in the justice of the southern cause and fought with all his valor, leading his men in many battles,
winning many successes, suffering many defeats, but with undaunted courage, led, cheered and encouraged his men
until the battle of Sailor Creek, fought April 5, 1865, he was captured by Union forces and confined on Johnson's
Island until July, 1865, the final humiliation of the Army of Northern Virginia, being the only part of the glorious
career of that army in which he did not participate.
After his release from confinement, Colonel Boykin married and with his bride located in Norfolk, Virginia, where
he taught school until 1870. In that year he moved to Richmond, where in association with John P. George he established
the leaf tobacco exporting firm of George & Boykin, that for several years conducted a large and prosperous
business. Finally the firm dissolved, Colonel Boykin continuing in the leaf tobacco business alone. He became
very prominent in the trade and for several years was president of the Richmond Tobacco Exchange. He continued
the active head of a large business, prominent in social and club life, the centre of a company of cultured Virginia
gentlemen of the old school, dignified, courtly, hospitable and reserved. For two terms he was president of the
Westmoreland Club, was a member of Metropolitan Lodge, No. 11, Free and Accepted Masons, was a devout churchman,
a communicant of St. James' Episcopal Church, also one of the founders of the Church of the Holy Trinity, and in
his political faith, intensely Democratic, but neither seeking or accepting public office. He held to all the
best traditions of his race, practiced all their virtues and left behind him an untarnished name.
Colonel Boykin
married, November 16, 1865, Ellen Burton George, daughter of John and Anna
Burton (Brown) George, paternal granddaughter of Major Byrd George (war of
1812) and Mary Crutchfield, his wife, maternal granddaughter of James Brown
Sr. and Anna Pitfield Braddock, his wife, all of old and
influential Virginia
families. Colonel
and Mrs. Boykin were the parents of three sons and two daughters, Anna Brown Boykin and Ellen Pitfield Boykin,
both residing in Richmond. Two sons died in infancy, the third son, Hamilton Godwin Boykin, is also a resident
of Richmond.
[Source: Encyclopedia of Virginia Biographies - Vol. IV. Transcribed by Chris
Davis]
Richard Miles Cary
Cary, Richard Miles, merchant, banker, was born May 19, 1861, in
Isle of Wight County, Va. He received a thorough education under the guidance
of his father, Professor R. M. Cary. He is a
successful business man of Pensacola, Fla.;
president of Cary and company, coal merchants; vice-president of the People's
bank of Pensacola; and secretary of the Pensacola home and savings association. He has been
cashier and paymaster of the Pensacola and Alabama
and Tennessee railroad company; and auditor and secretary of the corporation.
He is colonel and inspector-general on the staff of the Florida National
Guard.
[Herringshaw’s
National Library of American Biography: Contains Thirty-five Thousand
Biographies of the Acknowledged Leaders of Life and Thought of the United
States, by William Herringshaw, 1909 – Transcribed by Therman Kellar]
