The Dawson journal., 1883-03-22
James S. Boynton.

~ ~ "At'Jj 1000 LIS LdUuef,
Elijah S. Boynton, was a native Of
the State Of Vermont, who early
came South, and was one Of the
first settlers Of Henry county. He
was OF Scotch descent. NJ. Boyn-
tons mother, whose maiden name
was Elizabeth Moffet, came from a
South Carolina family,and was Of
French extraction. James was
the seventh son and eleventh
child. His opportunities as a boy
We're of the most meagre descrip
ton. His parents. though in fair
circumstances, were never wealthy.
His only education was that dsriy-
ed from the old-feld school, which
was kept open but few months
III each year, and the curriculum
OF which embraced only an ele-
mentary English education. Dur
ing the rest Of the year young
james worked on The farm, follow
ing the plow, carrying corn to the
old country mill, or, perchance,
with gun or rod,pursuing the pleas
ures OF shooting or fishing amongst
the fields or along the banks Of the
beautiful stream of his native
county. But even amidst these
peaceful events, his active mind |
was not idle, fired no doubt by the |
heroic deeds OF Southern valor in
the Mexican war, the warm, enthu-
slastic heart of the spirited boy
dreamed of glory, and his pracI-
cal mind, not content with idle Wis
ion, planned for himself a militia
ry career. Young Boynton deter
mined, If possible, to secure an ap- 4
pointment to West Point. In or
der that he might prepare himself .
for this life, in l849 he was placed .
IN the family of John W. Crockett. |
and attended the school Of Rev.
W. A. Rogers, a clergyman Of the
Methodist Church, most compe-
tent teacher, and one who has since /
attained gteht prominence in the |
church and as an educator
To the surprise Of everybody, |
his indomitable will and energy, !
coupled with his natural quick
ness,enabled him not only TO avoid
falling behind in the studies Of his
classes, but won for him a reputa-
tion for talent and scholarship |
among his compeers. In Novem
Der, 1649, he lost his father, who
left him as his patrimony one hun
dred acres OF land and one negro.
Young Boynton, still intent on
carving out his fortune in a mill
tary career, determined on contin-
uing his studies. He chose for
his guardian VIM. Beck, Esq, who
took young Boynton to bis house
and treated him as one of his
family, aiding him to continue his
studies and encouraging him in
his efforts to attain the objects Of |
his ambition, and promising to
furnish the means necessary for
its attainment During portion
of this time, in order to increase
his limited means, he taught one
of the country schools, still con-
tinuing, however, his preparation
for West Point Unfortunately |
for young Boynton, Mr. Beck died
in 1851, soon after he became his
guardian. This was a severe
blow, and destroyed all hopes Of
West Point, as without Mr.. Beck's |
aid, he could not bear the expense,
and he had no other friend who |
would aid him; but nothing daunt-
ed, Boynton, with the consent Of
Mr. Jno. A. Smith, who had taken
Mr. Beck's place as guardian, sold
his property and determined to
apply for admission inte the Geor-
gia Military Institute at Marietta,
Ga. In order to prepare himself,
he re-entered Mr.. Rogers school,
which he had left in order to be-
come teacher, butremained there
only a short time. Going to Mar
ietta in the spring of 1852, with
his scanty supply of money, all he
had in the world, this brave boy |
learned that his hopes of a militia
ry education must be forever aban-
doned; his utmost means could, by
the srictest economy, support him
but two years, while three was the
least number that would suffice to
enable him to graduate.