The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-18
THOMAS WALKER BOSWELL,
DEATH OF THIS WELL KNOWN
OLD vIRGlNlAN.


Life.
Major Thomas Walker boswell, an nom
oroa and distinguished Virginia gentleman
. a,es Yesterday morning at the hXceange
Hotel in his sixty-seyenth year.
For half century his figure was Ia
m;l,ar one in Richmond, though he lived IN
Hanover county. For the past two wears
Major Boswell has been in Calling health
..out eight weeks ago his disease culm'-
mated by an attack Of gansrcne III
,ho right foot. The blood poison
oS Tho affection, which could not be arrest
81. was the immediate cause Of ms deatn'
Ilc came 10 the city from his home IN nan
over about four weeks ago IN order 10 receive
the proper medical treatment. ne was
first attended by Drs. J. II. McIaw anu :,
w. L. Brock. Later vt. "un ',.,.
thing that human skill and aifctioh
could suggest was done FOR him. Never
tbeIess he continued 10 grow worse, ana ms
condition a week ago had reached suCh "
scrimus aspect that all the absent members
Of the family were summoned. me! ar
rived last Thursday and remained al MS o'u-
side until the sufferers spirit He'd
HIS ANCESTORS.
Major boswell was the son Oh me
lato Major Thomas boswell ana Nu-
san Brown Christian. me lalheI W.
born at Newmarket, Hanover county
Va November II, 1872. This dIstlh-
,uished gentleman made himself Ia
NOUS. as did afterwards his son. IN CON
pection with race horses ana the tuti' hV
WAS one of the most esteemed OF OLD II
ginia gentlemen of his time. -.
His son was born at "Bullheld, NoNcn-
Der ~, 1925, the year before ms ia'nei ucI",'
his career upon the turf Alter lca. i"N
school he acted as deputy sheriff IN nan,
over county for about two years. lie moved
20 Richmond in March, 1871, ana Harmed
the sberjfaltv Of Colonel Richard Adams
and qualified as his deputy on the hrsl
Monday in March, lsi,. AT the chd ol
Colonel Adams term, he acted as deputy
for William Il. Randolph, the next sherih
of Henrico. At the end Of the two years oil
MIR. RandOlph's term, he EARNED Inc
. sherifaIty again of Isaac a. Goddln, VINO
was the last sheriff Of HcnrlcO county,
under the old constitution. nder the new
constitution in 1851 llenrico and klchhond
had each a shoFiff. Major boswell was the
first sheriff Richmond ever had.
- FATHERS ASSOCIATE.
lfter retiring from the office OF sheriff oi
Richmond Major boswell became asso-
ciated with his father in the business oil
racine and raising horses for the turf. They
were the owners of some of the most IA
NOUS horses that eyoy trOd the turf. Among
Others were Nina and sarah Washington,
Planet EOle and Bushwhacker.
When the war broke out, Major boswell
entered the army as an AIDE 10 NehcIal
William T.. Starke, who was kllIcu 1t,
Sharpsburg. After the death OF General
Starke he became assistant provost mar
shall Of Richmond, which position ne heid
till the close of the war.
OTHER BUSINESS.
After peace was restored he became first
"a member of the firm % Davenport co.,
and was engaged in the insurance ana
STOCK brokerage business in tins CITY, IN
which business ne continued Tor NUMBER
of years, with great success
He afterwards removed TO his ola nome,
.'Bullfield," and p-engaged IN racing ana
raising horses for the turf, ana was one ol
the most successful in the south. and turn
ed out some of the most celebrated horses
HIS MARRIAGE.
Major boswell married Miss Fannie a.
Sutton, daughter of the late James /: suit
ION. ESQ, of Hanover, and sister OF MAJOR
II. f. sutton and the late William VI. suit
ton. Of this city. Major boswell leaves one
son. Mr., T. Bernard boswell, ana iOur
daughters. Misses Sallie, Ella and Norma,
and Mrs. Allen Tyler, Of this city.
No man of his day had more or warmer
friends or attached them 10 him more closely
than Major boswell. His warmhearted-
ness and genial nature, his refinement ana
high sense of honor drew those 10 him with
whom nc was brought in contact by strong
ties OF regard and affection.
AT HIS HOME.
Since he returned to his old home at
"Bullfeld," his popularity and hospitality
have brought TO his home friends from all
over the country, and once every year a
large number of his friends would gather
there on what he called his field day, to en-
10y his genial welcome and Kindness. lie
had warm grasp and kind word LOT
everyone. and was the prince Of
hosts. His friends were legion, his
foes none. lie always retained his love for
his native county, and was prominently
identified with many features OF local inter-
est and progress. His advice was often
and generally sought on subjects OF dlner-
ent natures, as well as the turf. Nhile he
was an authority on the latter, his careful
ly given opinions were always taken on any
subject.
DIFFERENT LINES.
As a merchant, Major boswell did much
to advance the name of the historic CITY.
AS turfman, he assembled TO the topinost
round upon the ladder OF fame and pre-eml-
nence. As public officer, he was without
bemish and faithful 10 every trust. rs "a
citizen, he was ever at his post of duty. As
n soldier he was dauutless and courageous,
and gladly risked the dangers Of the bat
tie and the hardships Of the war for his
country, home and God. lie was the most
devoted of husbands and the kindest Of
fathers, and to all Of the enrolling at
tributes of character and manhood had
connected kindness Of heart, courtesy
Of manner and the greatest hberalitl
blended with flrmness and ioriitude
which could neither do wrong or cOunten-
ance it in others, and could not. under any
circumstances, DC deferred from doing that
what he believed TO be right. In every
sense he appreciated the words duty and
right, and placed them the first OF all things
in his practical life.
HAPPILY CONSTITUTED.
Major boswell was one 81 those happily
constituted men that never grow old. His
nature caught and reflected the sunlight
OF contentment. lie loved genial life, and
lived in atmosphere that for nearly seventy
years held at bay the ravages OF time and
disease. lie was one Of the sign-pOsts along
the pathway Of life which reminded the
present generation Of the times that pro
duced men of a mould that is now scarce.
His dealings with the world were varied
and wide, but always marked with an up
rightness that was unimpeachable. lie was
widely known both in and out of the state,
and universally respected.
LIFK As A THURMAN.
Major DOswell's turf life is famous as well
as interesting. His turf characteristics
were partially inherited and partially ac-
quired. lie was a turfman of 'the old
school," as the youngsters Of the present
era like 10 call it, and these kind OF turfman
are all too rare. One might count on the
fingers Of both hands the representatives
now on the turf of the great old racing dy-
nasties of the past. In the early part Of
1855, just two years ago, when YOU men,
toned the names Of Bowie. Ferguson, Dos.
well, Franklin, Cheatham, johnson, and
one or two other names, YOU pretty nearly
exhaust the list of those whose fathers or
grandfathers dominated the turf in the
good old DAYS when charge OF foul work
In connection with racing was a thing un-
heard Of-sOmethng of contrast, by the
way. 10 the present era. Now, that the
name OF boswell is dropped from the noted
list, "A vacancy occurs that can never be