The collection is open for research.
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Squire Bosworth Papers, Ms2010-060, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The Squire Bosworth Papers were purchased in two lots from the same source in May 2010. The first lot was comprised entirely of materials dated prior to 1865; the second, of materials dated from 1865 to 1892, plus a single undated letter.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Squire Bosworth Papers commenced in July 2010 and was completed in August 2010.
Squire Bosworth, the son of Joshua Bosworth, was born in Montgomery, Massachusetts in 1785. He moved with his family to what is northwestern Virginia (now West Virginia) while still young. After teaching school in Parkersburg and Beverly, Bosworth studied medicine under a Dr. Dolbear and established his practice in Beverly. He served for a time as Randolph County court clerk and as deputy sheriff and represented Randolph and Tucker counties in the Virginia General Assembly. Bosworth married Hannah Buckey, daughter of Peter Buckey, in 1816, and the couple would have ten children: John W., Squire N., George W., Elam B., Rebecca, Lucy, Harriet, Martha, Christina, and Mary. Squire Bosworth died in Beverly, West Virginia in 1870. His son, John W. Bosworth, would also become a physician. Another son, Squire N. Bosworth, served during the American Civil War in the 31st Virginia Infantry. Following the war, Squire N. Bosworth married Florence A. Brown (daughter of Bernard L. Brown). He worked as a dry goods merchant and served for many years as Beverly's postmaster.
This collection contains papers of Squire Bosworth, a physician and county court clerk of Randolph County, Virginia (later West Virginia). The collection includes correspondence of Bosworth, other members of his family, and seemingly unrelated individuals. Among the correspondence are several post-American Civil War letters written by family and friends, discussing the political climate of the day in Virginia and West Virginia as well as Reconstruction issues in North Carolina and Virginia. Also among the correspondence is a letter from Squire Bosworth filing a claim against the U. S. government for services he rendered as a physician during the war. An 1849 letter from E. D. Wilson of Philippi provides information on area politics and mentions the growing urbanization of Beverly, (West) Virginia. Also within the correspondence are several letters addressed to Bosworth in his capacity as Randolph County court clerk.
Among the legal papers in the collection is an 1848 bill of sale for a female enslaved person named Huldah, purchased by Squire Bosworth from Peter Buckey. The collection also contains a summons ordering Squire Bosworth to appear before a local voter registration board to explain why his name should not be stricken from the local roll of voters. Also contained are deeds, marriage certificates, Bosworth's medical license, and a certificate granting local patent rights to a hillside plow improvement. The collection also contains several documents relating to attempts by John W. Bosworth, acting as the executor of his father's estate, to secure a claim against the U. S. government for goods confiscated by the army during the Civil War.
The collection is arranged by document type, then chronologically.
The guide to the Squire Bosworth Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).