Please click the links provided on this page to view the scanned images of the original records, or other online document source. You can right-click and select to open the source in a new window if you prefer. I have tried to transcribe where possible. Please use the contact form to let me know about any errors.
My original inquiry was to Ron Turner who, along with others, has made many invaluable Prince William County, Virginia records available online. Mr. Turner very helpfully forwarded my email to a Botts descendant and hobby genealogist in Prince William County Virginia who prefers to remain anonymous.
I wondered whether there was any evidence available to establish who the parents of John P. Botts (1805 – 1880+), George H. Botts (1806 – 1880+), and Benjamin T. Botts (1811-1891) actually were.
Many Botts families are quite well documented; however, these men seemed to have sprung forth close to one another in Missouri without any other apparent connections and no one that I encountered had been able to trace beyond their generation. It was perplexing. Since John P. is my direct ancestor, I revisited the issue of his parents numerous times over the years, but you can only get so far with the information available on the internet.
Census records indicated that all three men were born in Virginia and that both of their parents were as well. Because they were all located quite close to one another in Missouri, arrived about the same time, seemed to be repeating the same given names among all 3 families, and were uniquely unattached to any generation above them I began a working hypothesis that they were brothers.
Through a process of elimination, looking at other documented Virginia-based Botts families of that era that could potentially have been their parents, I concluded that the most likely parents of these men were Bernard Botts (1778 – 1843) and Susan Renno (1776 – 1838).
This wonderful anonymous Botts descendant spent countless hours searching, inspecting, and copying the Prince William County, Virginia (“PWC”) records that establish with a reasonable indicia of reliability that the aforementioned men were the sons of Bernard Botts and Susan Renno. While some doubt will always remain because, thus far, no actual records of their births have been found, the circumstantial evidence is compelling.
Before we move on to the issue of the children we should discuss Bernard’s wife Susan. Some family trees and online discussions urge that her last name may have been Jackson, rather than Renno.
The will of Enoch Renno (his preferred spelling, although I have also seen it as Reno / Renoe / Rennoe / Reneau / Reynaud) enumerated his children by order of their birth. His daughters were mentioned under their husband’s names and the first item on Enoch Renno’s will mentions Bernard Botts, Susan Renno’s husband.
Source: Prince William County, Virginia court records
See image locally: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/09/30/enoch-rennos-will/
Enoch Renno was married to Sibyl Farrow, daughter of Isaac Farrow, and her sister Mary Farrow was married to Samuel Jackson. Mary Farrow and Samuel Jackson had a daughter named Susanna Jackson who married Philip Langfit.
Samuel Jackson’s will, like Enoch Renno’s, enumerates his children and explicitly mentions his daughter Susanna Jackson Langfit. He goes on in the will to later name his daughter Susanna’s husband Philip Langfit as one of the executors of his estate.
originally shared by by mccachern@sbcglobal.net
Source: Prince William Co, VA, Will Book K: 388-90.
Source: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/JACKSON/2006-11/1164753062
See local text of will: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/09/30/samuel-jacksons-will/
Samuel Jackson, Mary Farrow’s husband, and Enoch Renno, Sibyl Farrow’s husband, were the executors of their father-in-law, Isaac Farrow’s estate. As such they sold Bernard Botts, Susan Renno Botts’ husband, 281 acres of land in Prince William County, Virginia in 1804.
Source: Prince William County, Virginia court records
Local images: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/estate-of-isaac-farrow-1804/
Consequently, the evidence indicates that Susan Renno was married to Bernard Botts and her cousin Susanna Jackson was married to Philip Langfit. Please see the graphical family tree representation below.
— A short break now to include some DNA Discoveries —
Via Ancestry DNA testing, we now have a confirmed match for 2 people who share Bernard Botts (1778 – 1843) and Susan Renno (1776 – 1838) as 4th great grandparents, through the lines of John P. and Benjamin T. Botts.
We are still waiting to find DNA descendants of George H. Botts (1806 – after 1860) and of Bernard and and his second wife, Mary “Polly” Crawley (1799 – 1848)
Update, April 2019: thanks to Ancestry.com DNA results we have found descendants of George H. Botts!
*** If you are a descendant of Bernard Botts, and one of these above mentioned lines especially, please have your DNA tested at the Ancestry.com site, since that’s where the most DNA match results for this line are located. ***
We also have a confirmed DNA match on Ancestry via 7th great grandparents Abraham Farrow (1689-1743) and Sybil Whitledge (1690-1744) between 8th cousins. For practical purposes, this puts to rest any further speculation about who Bernard’s first wife may have been: it was Susan Renno, and the DNA match is via her mother Sybil Farrow.
Our most recent match is 1st cousins 1x removed on the John P. Botts line at Ancestry!
DNA is all very interesting and informative and such, but if you’re a part of the Botts Family then you’re ours, DNA match or no! 🙂
— We return now to our family history —
In 1809 Susan Renno Botts and Bernard Botts sold the lands Bernard inherited from his father Aaron Botts in Stafford and Culpepper Counties to his brother Samuel Botts. Interestingly, it looks like Susan’s uncle, Samuel Jackson, may have had a role as an examiner of Susan and perhaps that Bernard and Samuel’s younger brother Johnathon Botts acted as a witness to this deed.
See image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/bernard-botts-virginia-court-records/
By the 1810 census in Prince William County, Virginia, Bernard and Susan reported the following in their household: 2 males age 0 to 10 years, 3 females age 0 to 10 years, 2 females age 10 to 16, 1 male age 26 to 45, and a female age 26 to 45.
Source: http://pwcvabooks.com/documents/1810PrinceWilliamCensus.doc
See also: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
Based on the available data, Bernard was born about 1778 and would have been about 32 years old in 1810. Susan was born about 1776 and would have been about 34. John P. was born about 1805 and would have been about 5. George H. was born about 1806 and would have been about 4 in 1810. Benjamin T. was born the next year, in 1811.
It looks like Susan and Bernard could have had up to 5 daughters, but records of them have not been found except a notation in the account of Enoch Renno’s estate where a C. Botts is paid for cutting out clothing.
In 1811 Bernard Botts was on a Prince William County grand jury. In light of the events of Bernard’s life after about 1824 it is difficult to read the report without some small sense of irony.
Source: http://pwcvabooks.com/documents/GrandJuryIndictmentsJamesCornwellandothers13May1811.pdf
From 1813 through 1819 in the Prince William County, Virginia personal property tax lists Bernard Botts reported one male over 16 years of age, himself.
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
An 1820 summons issued compelling Bernard Botts to provide testimony and stated that the petitioner thought Bernard intended to leave the state of Virginia soon and not return for some time.
Source: PWC court records and
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/bernard-botts-virginia-court-records/
In the 1820 PWC census, Bernard Botts’ household contained: 2 males age 0-10, 1 female age 10 to 16, 1 male 16-26, 1 female 16-26, 1 male 26-45 and 1 female 26-45.
Source: http://pwcvabooks.com/documents/1820PrinceWilliamCensus.doc
See also: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
From 1820 to 1822 in the PWC personal property tax lists Bernard reported two males over age 16, himself and John P. presumably.
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
In 1823 Bernard created an indenture to his brother Samuel to cover a debt of Bernard’s.
Source: PWC court records and
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/bernard-botts-virginia-court-records/
The 1823 PWC personal property tax lists show Bernard reporting 4 males over 16 and a carriage worth $50.
This would account for Bernard, John P., and George H. and one other male over age 16. Whether he included his youngest son Benjamin, who would have been only 12 at that time, or whether some other person was living with the family that year is unknown.
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
The 1824 PWC personal property tax lists show Bernard reporting 2 males over age 16, presumably himself and Benjamin T.
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
The 1825 PWC personal property tax lists show no entry for a Botts.
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
It appears that Bernard Botts and Susan Renno Botts permanently parted company sometime around 1825. They did not, however, legally separate or divorce.
To understand the situation better it helps to consider the Virginia divorce policies of that era. According to Thomas E. Buckley who wrote “The Great Catastrophe of My Life: Divorce in the Old Dominion:
“From the end of the Revolution until 1851, the Virginia legislature granted most divorces in the state. It granted divorces rarely, however, turning down two-thirds of those who petitioned for them. ” (https://www.amazon.com/Great-Catastrophe-My-Life-Dominion/dp/0807853801 )
Apparently, quite a bit of shame and stigma, an overriding sense of personal and social failure, attached to the process of divorce in that time and place.
So, here we have Bernard and Susan parting company, but seemingly maintaining at least some semblance of amicable separation and familial integrity for their children, but unable to attain a legal divorce
In 1826 Susan Botts first appears by herself in the PWC personal property and reports no males over age 16.
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
The 1827 PWC personal property tax list reads:
“Susan Botts and two sons” with two males over 16.
(Benjamin T. & George H. probably)
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
In 1827 Ann Parks Botts wrote her will and mentioned her son Bernard Botts therein.
Source: Prince William County, Virginia court and historical records.
See local copy: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/15/ann-parks-botts-will-1827/
In 1827 Dr. Mark Reid wrote to his mother, Ann (Nancy) Botts Reid concerning the last days and death of his aunt, Ann Parks Botts.
Source: Prince William County, Virginia court and historical records.
See local copy: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/15/dr-mark-reids-letter-to-his-mother-concerning-the-last-days-of-ann-parks-botts-in-1827/
The 1828 PWC personal property tax list shows:
“Botts, Susan & son” with 1 male over 16.
(Benjamin T. probably)
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
In 1828, Sibby Farrow Renno filed suit against the executor of her late husband Enoch Renno’s estate, her son-in-law William F. Moore, her daughter Charlotte Renno Beaty, and her son-in-law Bernard Botts to reclaim her dower lands and her portion of the estate assets. Her grandson, Bernard’s and Susan’s son, John P. Botts acted as attorney in fact for his father, Bernard Botts, and his aunt, Charlotte Renno Beaty, who were not in the area by that time. Later, in 1833, Sibby Renno sold the lands and her grandson George H. Botts, son of Bernard Botts and Susan Renno Botts, acted as a witness to the deed.
Source: Prince William County, Virginia court and historical records.
See local copy: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/15/renoe-vs-renoe-executors-1828-prince-william-county-virginia/
The 1829 PWC personal property tax list shows:
“Botts, Susan & sons” with 2 males over 16.
(Benjamin T. and George H. probably)
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
Image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/prince-william-county-virginia-tax-rolls-related-to-bernard-botts-and-susan-renno-and-their-descendants/
In the 1830 PWC census, Susan Renno Botts’ household contained:
1 male age 15-20, 1 male age 20 to 30, 1 female 15-20, 1 female 20-30, 1 female 40-50.
Source: http://pwcvabooks.com/documents/1830pwccensus.doc
See also: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
The 1830 PWC personal property tax list shows two consecutive entries:
“Botts, Susan & son” with 1 male over 16
(probably Benjamin T.)
“Botts, George H.” with 1 male over 16
(George H.)
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
Image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/prince-william-county-virginia-tax-rolls-related-to-bernard-botts-and-susan-renno-and-their-descendants/
Bernard Botts appears in the 1830 census for Morgan County, Illinois with:
1 male 0 to 4 years, 1 male between 15 to 19, 1 male 50 to 59, 1 female 0 to 4 years, and 1 female 30 to 39.
Source: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH5S-151
Image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
Later documentation shows that Bernard Botts and Polly Crawley had 4 children together:
Martha Botts, born in Illinois in 1827;
Samuel Botts, born in Illinois in 1829;
Mary Botts, born in Illinois in 1831;
Elizabeth Botts, born in Illinois in 1835.
Bernard Botts purchased three parcels of land, probably adjoining, in Morgan County, Illinois, between 1831 and 1836. He is the only Botts that purchased land tracts in Morgan Co.
Source: http://www.ilsos.gov/isa/landsrch.jsp (searching with land purchaser name “Botts”)
For more details locally see: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/some-land-purchases-by-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
The 1832 PWC personal property tax list has two consecutive entries:
“Botts, Susan & son” with 1 male over 16
(probably Benjamin T.)
“Botts, John P. & Brother” with 2 males over 16
(probably John P. & George H., with John P. being considered head of household)
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
Image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/prince-william-county-virginia-tax-rolls-related-to-bernard-botts-and-susan-renno-and-their-descendants/
So, in 1832 the three brothers, John P., George H., and Bejamin T., were present with or near their mother, Susan Renno Botts, in Prince William County, Virginia.
The 1834 PWC personal property tax list shows:
“Botts, John P.” with 2 males over 16
(probably John P. & George H.)
“Botts, Susan & son Benjamin” with 1 male over 16
(probably Benjamin T.)
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
Image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/prince-william-county-virginia-tax-rolls-related-to-bernard-botts-and-susan-renno-and-their-descendants/
The 1835 PWC personal property tax list shows:
“Botts, John P.” with 1 male over 16
“Botts, Susan & son Benj’n” with 1 male over 16
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
Image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/prince-william-county-virginia-tax-rolls-related-to-bernard-botts-and-susan-renno-and-their-descendants/
Susan Renno Botts appears on the 1836, 1837 and on the 1838 PWC personal property tax list for the last time. There are no entries for her in 1839 or 1840.
Source: Prince William county personal property tax lists 1816-1843 on microfilm at the PWC Public Library and LDS or Family Search film number 33141.
On Aug. 7, 1837, Susan (Reno) Botts filed an answer filed in a chancery suit in the PWC court: “At a court of quarterly sessions held for Prince William County at the Court House on the 7th day of August 1837. … Moore vs Botts (In Chancery) answer of Susan Botts filed.”
This is the last PWC court record found so far for Susan Renno Botts.
Source: http://pwcvabooks.com/documents/1833PWCCourtMinutes.doc and
http://pwcvabooks.com/documents/1833-1838Minutes.doc
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/prince-william-records-related-to-susan-renno-botts/
Between 1833 and 1838, in Prince William County Court:
- John P. Botts was elected a constable for the district below Cedar Run and Occoquan, VA;
- John B. Davis and his wife acknowledged and recordation occurred of their indenture to John P. Botts;
- – with others, John P. Botts was authorized to conduct elections in the Town of Occoquan;
- Samuel J. Davis and John P. Botts produced a sheriffs tax receipt and were granted a license, which was subsequently renewed, to have an ordinary (bar or pub) in the Town of Occoquan, since they were of “good character & not addicted to drunkenness or gaming”;
- John P. Botts and Samuel J. Davis transferred (sold) their ordinary to Gustavous Ashby, “the court believing that he will keep an useful & orderly house of entertainment.”;
- an indenture of Jan. 15, 1835, conveying real estate, was proved, between John P. Botts, trustee of John B. Davis, and Samuel J. Davis, on Aug. 10, 1835;
- “… Clerks Office of Prince William County Court, September 29th 1835 John C. Weedon plaintiff against John P. Botts defendant In debt. The defendant being arrested and in custody upon the writ of Copias as Respondendum issued in this cause acknowledged the plaintiffs action for the debt and interest in the said writ mentioned, and the costs. Therefore, it is considered, that the plaintiff recover against the defendant $50.00 with legal interest thereon from the 28th day of November 1832 till payment, the debt and interest aforesaid, and his costs by him about his suit in this behalf expended. And the said defendant in mercy &c. Teste – Jno Deakins D.C.”
Source: http://pwcvabooks.com/documents/1833PWCCourtMinutes.doc
Local images: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/prince-william-county-virginia-court-records-related-to-john-p-botts-and-benjamin-t-botts-descendants-of-bernard-botts/
On May 13, 1835 “Jno Botts” and “Benj Botts” sat together on a Prince William County, VA jury in the trial of “Josiah Kings Adm. vs R. L. Scott Adm.”
Source: http://pwcvabooks.com/documents/PWCClerksLoosePapersVolIII.doc
Local images: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/prince-william-county-virginia-court-records-related-to-john-p-botts-and-benjamin-t-botts-descendants-of-bernard-botts/
On Dec. 2, 1838, Bernard Botts married Mary “Polly” Crawley, in Morgan County, Illinois.
Contained in volume 00B, page 0016, license number 00000451.
Source: http://www.ilsos.gov/isavital/marriageSearch.do (searching with groom “Botts”)
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/marriage-records-of-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
When Bernard and Polly married in 1838 Martha, their oldest daughter, was 10; Samuel, son, was 8; Mary, 2nd oldest daughter, was 5; and Elizabeth, youngest daughter, was 3 years old.
Recall that divorces in Virginia were extremely difficult to obtain at that time. Bernard and Polly were, unfortunately, unable to wed until after Bernard’s first wife, Susan Renno, passed on. This was probably a source of shame for various members of the family and it appears that records for that line of the family were not maintained as a result.
Because Susan Renno Botts last appears in the Prince William County court records in 1837, makes her final appearance in the Prince William County tax roll of 1838, and her husband Bernard Botts is finally able to marry his second wife, Polly, on December 2nd, 1838, it is reasonable to speculate that Susan Renno Botts passed on between April and December of 1838.
Bernard appears to have continued paying the taxes on the Virginia land where Susan and his older children resided, appears in the 1828 will of Enoch Renno, and paid back his portion of the estate when the Rennoe estate became insolvent in 1939. It also appears from the census records of Prince Wiliam County, Virginia and Morgan County, Illinois that Susan and Bernard’s sons may have moved back and forth between the two households. Consequently, it appears that the separation of Susan Renno and Bernard Botts was amicable despite the unavailability of a state-sanctioned dissolution.
Bernard Botts repaid some portion of his 1828+/- distribution from the, by then, insolvent estate of his late father-in-law Enoch Renno in 1839.
Source: PWC court records and
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/bernard-botts-virginia-court-records/
George H. Botts purchased land in Missouri between 1839 and 1859.
Source: http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/results/default.aspx?searchCriteria=type=patent|st=MO|cty=|ln=Botts|fn=George|sp=true|sw=true|sadv=false
For more details locally see: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/some-land-purchases-by-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
George H. Botts, middle son, appears to be the first of the three sons of Bernard and Susan to purchase land in Missouri.
In the 1840 Prince William County Census, no Botts appear.
Source: http://pwcvabooks.com/documents/1840PrinceWilliamCensus.doc
On Sep. 13, 1840, George H. Botts married Maria Davis in Lewis County, Missouri .
Source: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~molewis/1833-1850.htm
Source of image: familysearch.org (searching Missouri marriages with Botts groom)
Local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/marriage-records-of-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In the 1840 census in Lewis Co, Missouri, John P. Botts appears.
Source: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHT5-FQ4
Image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In the 1840 census noted above John P. Botts appears to be acting as a school teacher with, as I recall, about 30 students in Lewis County, Missouri. Whether he or George arrived first in Missouri remains to be determined. When youngest brother Benjamin T. shows up on the Missouri census in 1850, see below, he too is listed as a teacher.
In the 1840 census, John Linkins is listed in Winchester, Scott County, Illinois.
He may have been a relative of Martha Ann Linkins.
Source: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHBJ-24H
In the 1840 census, Josiah Crawley is listed in Morgan Co., Ill.
He may have been a relative of Mary “Polly” Crawley.
Source: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHBD-Z6K
After searching through all of the Morgan County, Illinois entries in the 1840 census it appears to me that the census taker neglected to cross the ‘T’s in the name Botts and consequently Bernard appears to be listed as Bernard “Balls” or possibly “Bolls.” Ancestry.com has it listed as “Bernard Bolls” or “Burnard Balk.”
Image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
On Jan. 17, 1842, Benjamin T. Botts (1811) married Martha Linkins (aka “Lincoln”) (1818), License # 191, Page 46, in Scott County, Illinois (formerly Morgan County).
Source: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=gel-01&id=I8874
The marriage of Benj T. Botts and Martha A. is also found in Illinois vital records, but with a transcription error, citing Martha incorrectly as “Jenkins” instead of “Linkins.”
Source: http://www.ilsos.gov/isavital/marriagesrch.jsp (searching with groom “Botts”)
The Benj. T. Botts and Martha Linkins marriage also appears in Family Search records, but with the transcription error affecting Benjamin, citing him as “Batts.”
Source: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V2PD-MXS
Local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/marriage-records-of-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
Above we have Benjamin T. Botts marrying his bride, Martha Ann Linkins in Morgan County, Illinois. He was living with or near the family of his father Bernard and Polly at that time.
On Aug. 2, 1843, Bernard Botts acknowledged and signed his will before witnesses. He mentions his first wife and their children in Virginia and states he has already given them all that he intended by giving them his land in Virginia. He also mentions his second wife Polly and lists their four children: Martha, Samuel, Mary, and Elizabeth.
On Aug. 20, 1843, Bernard Botts died in Morgan Co., Ill.
Source for image of Bernard Botts’ will, page 1: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17910-97392-25?cc=1834344&wc=MDR8-3TL:162589301,162620501
and page 2: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17910-97776-5?cc=1834344&wc=MDR8-3TL:162589301,162620501
Local images: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/last-will-and-testament-of-bernard-botts-morgan-county-illinois-1843/
In August 1843, Bernard Botts was buried in the Arcadia Cemetery, Arcadia Township, Morgan County, Ill.
Source: http://morgan.illinoisgenweb.org/cemetery/arcadia.htm
In 1848, Bernard Botts’ wife, Mary “Polly” Crawley (Mar. 26, 1799 – Nov 5, 1848), was also buried in the Arcadia Cemetery, Arcadia Township, Morgan County, Ill.
Source: http://morgan.illinoisgenweb.org/cemetery/arcadia.htm
Bernard and Mary “Polly” are the only Botts buried in the Arcadia Cemetery.
Source: http://morgan.illinoisgenweb.org/cemetery/arcadia.htm
In the 1850 census, two years after their mother’s death and seven years after their father’s death, all four of Bernard Botts and Mary “Polly” Crawleys’ children are listed at the same household in Morgan County, Illinois. Their son, Samuel, age 20 by then, is listed as “farmer.”
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace Birth year
Martha Botts F 22 Illinois 1828
Samuel Botts M 20 Illinois 1830
Mary Botts F 17 Illinois 1833
Elizabeth Botts F 15 Illinois 1835
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M85D-3WS and image: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11760-129719-59?cc=1401638
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In 1850 census, John P. Botts listed in Lewis County, Missouri:
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace Occupation approx. birth year
John P Botts M 45 Virginia Schoolteacher ~ 1805
Nancy A Botts F 37 Virginia ~ 1813
Geo W Botts M 11 Missouri ~ 1839
Isaac N Botts M 11 Missouri ~ 1839
Ann M Botts F 8 Missouri ~ 1842
John Botts M 5 Missouri Sept. 1844
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MDZD-1J6 and image: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11822-119372-67?cc=1401638
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In 1850 census, Benjamin T. Botts is listed in Lewis County, Missouri.
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace Occupation approx. birth date
Benj T Botts M 39 Virginia [may be “teacher”] Mar. 2, 1811
Martha Ann Botts F 31 District Of Columbia Nov. 3, 1817
Mary E Botts F 7 Missouri ~ 1843
Charles I Botts M 5 Illinois ~ 1845
Wm Botts M 4 Missouri ~ 1846
Richd Botts M3 Missouri ~ 1847
Benj F Botts M 1 Missouri ~ 1849
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MDZD-1JK and image: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11822-119372-67?cc=1401638
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
George H. Botts and his children by wife Maria Davis appear in the 1850 census in Collins County, Texas. He and his family seem to have moved from Missouri to Texas in about 1846. His wife Maria died sometime between the birth of their son George W. Botts in Texas in 1847 and the 1850 census in Texas.
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace approx. birth date
George Botts M 44 ~ 1806 *age conflict w/1860 census b.1819
B Botts M 8 Missouri ~ 1842
Joseph Botts M 5 Missouri ~ 1845
George W Botts M 3 Texas ~ 1847
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MXLV-GXT and image: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-13030-74040-89?cc=1401638
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
Samuel Botts, Bernard and Polly’s son, married Minerva Ann Hedges in 1851 in Morgan County, Illinois.
Source of image: familysearch.org (searching Missouri marriages with Botts groom)
Local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/marriage-records-of-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
Martha Botts, Bernard and Polly’s oldest daughter, married Preston Spates in 1852 in Morgan County, Illinois.
Source: http://www.ilsos.gov/isavital/marriageSearch.do (searching with bride “Botts”)
Local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/marriage-records-of-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
Mary Botts, Bernard and Polly’s second oldest daughter, married Augustus Patterson in 1853 in Cass County, Illinois.
Source: http://www.ilsos.gov/isavital/marriageSearch.do (searching with bride “Botts”)
Local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/marriage-records-of-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
Elizabeth Botts, Bernard and Polly’s youngest daughter, married Charles Spates in 1854 in Cass County, Illinois.
Source: http://www.ilsos.gov/isavital/marriageSearch.do (searching with bride “Botts”)
Local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/marriage-records-of-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In 1854 Benjamin Botts purchased 2 pieces of land, via patent, in Knox County, Missouri.
Source: http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/results/default.aspx?searchCriteria=type=patent|st=MO|cty=|ln=Botts|fn=benjamin|sp=true|sw=true|sadv=false
For more details locally see: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/some-land-purchases-by-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
John P.Botts’ wife Nancy A. seems to have passed on sometime after 1850 and he married his 2nd wife, Susan Kem, 10 April 1856, still in Lewis County, Missouri. Please note that the familysearch data is at odds with other historical documents and John P.’s 2nd wife’s last name appears to be Kem.
Source: familysearch.org (searching Missouri marriages with Botts groom)
Local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/marriage-records-of-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In the 1860 Census John P. Botts is listed in Reddish Township, Lewis, Missouri.
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace approx.birth date
J P Botts M 53 Virginia ~ 1805
Susan Botts F 32 Kentucky ~ 1828
Geo W Botts M 21 Missouri ~ 1839
J N Botts M 21 Missouri ~ 1839
Ann M Botts F 17 Missouri ~ 1842
John Botts M 16 Missouri Sept. 1844
Jos Botts M 2 Missouri ~ 1858
*2nd wife, Susan, is mother only of youngest son
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MHZH-HB3 and image: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9BSH-HGD?i=24&wc=QZ2C-G5L%3A1589429312%2C1589428026%2C1589430831%3Fcc%3D1473181&cc=1473181
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In the 1860 census Benjamin T. Botts is listed in Dickerson Township, Lewis, Missouri.
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace approx. birth date
Benjamin L Botts M 48 Virginia Mar. 2, 1811
Martha Botts F 37 Virginia Nov. 3, 1817
Mary Botts F 16 Missouri ~ 1843
Charles Botts M 15 Illinois ~ 1845
Wm Botts M 13 Missouri ~ 1846
Richard Botts M 11 Missouri ~ 1847
Benjamin T Botts M 10 Missouri ~ 1849
Charlotte Botts F 7 Missouri April 21, 1854
Sarah Botts F 5 Missouri Oct 2, 1855
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MHZ4-YQD and image: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBSH-CZR?i=2&wc=QZ2C-G5Z%3A1589429312%2C1589428026%2C1589430807%3Fcc%3D1473181&cc=1473181
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
By the 1860 census George H. Botts has moved back to Missouri with his second wife, Mary C. and is listed in Benton Township, Cedar, MO, US
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace approx. birth date
George H Botts M 41 Virginia ~ 1819 *age conflicts w/1850 census of b. 1806
Mary C Botts F 30 Tennessee ~ 1830
Jas P Botts M 16 Missouri ~ 1845
George W Botts M 13 Texas ~ 1847
Cornelias A Botts M Missouri ~ 1855
John S Botts M 4 Missouri ~ 1856
Benjmain Botts M 2 Missouri ~ 1858
Marry N Botts F 1 Missouri ~ 1859
*Wife #2. Oldest children: B (not listed, age 18), Jas P, and Geo W. were by 1st wife, Maria.
Source: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MHZP-M6W and image: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9BSS-KN7?wc=QZ2C-NBR%3A1589429312%2C1589426903%2C1589422480%3Fcc%3D1473181&cc=1473181
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
George W. Botts, John P.’s son and Bernard’s grandson, married Maria Crossen (misspelled Crossan in the Illinois record) on 9-27-1866.
Source: http://www.ilsos.gov/isavital/marriageSearch.do (searching with groom “Botts”)
Local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/marriage-records-of-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In the 1870 census John P. Botts (incorrectly transcribed as John C.) is listed in Lewis County, Missouri.
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace approx. Birth date
John C Botts M 64 Virginia ~ 1805
Susan Botts F 39 Kentucky ~ 1828
John Botts M 24 Missouri Sept. 1844
Joseph S Botts M 12 Missouri ~ 1858
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M46F-VDP and image: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D1D7-YBS?i=1&wc=92KS-ZJV%3A518659401%2C518748301%2C519517901%3Fcc%3D1438024&cc=1438024
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In the 1870 census Benjamin T. Botts is listed in Lewis County, Missouri.
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace approx. birth date
Benjamin Botts M 58 Virginia Dec. 11, 1811
Martha Botts F 52 Dist. Of Columbia Nov. 3, 1817
Mary Botts F 25 Missouri ~ 1843
Richard Botts M 21 Missouri ~ 1845
Frank Botts M 19 Missouri ~ 1846
Charlotte Botts F 16 Missouri ~ 1847
Sarah Botts F 12 Missouri ~ 1849
Charles Meaghes M 40 Ireland *listed as “servant”
John Cadle M 30 Ireland *listed as “servant”
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M46F-DVX and image: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11682-161309-89?cc=1438024
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In the 1870 census Mary C. Botts, widow of George H. Botts, and their children are listed in Cedar County, Missouri.
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Mary C Botts M 40 Tennessee
Cornelius A Botts M 15 Missouri
John S Botts M 13 Missouri
Benj F Botts M 11 Missouri
Mary M Botts F 10 Missouri
Image source: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X42B-7J?i=22&wc=9224-T3R%3A518659401%2C518744301%2C519034001%3Fcc%3D1438024&cc=1438024
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In the 1880 census Susan Botts (John P. Botts’ 2nd wife and widow) is listed in Reddish, Lewis County, Missouri.
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace approx. birth date
Susan Botts Self F 51 Kentucky ~ 1828
Joseph Samuel Botts Son M 21 Missouri ~ 1858
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6XV-VJD and image: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-25146-7986-66?cc=1417683
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
In the 1880 census Benjamin T. Botts is listed in Canton, Lewis County, Missouri.
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace approx. birth date
Benjamin Botts Self M 68 Virginia Dec. 11, 1811
Martha Botts Wife F 65 Virginia Nov. 3, 1817
Charles Botts Son M 28 Illinois (~1852)
* This is probably the Charles listed in Benj. T’s 1850 and 1860 census w/ b. 1845
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6XV-S7Q and image: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBW-QLD?i=4&wc=QZ27-JKR%3A1589408163%2C1589404647%2C1589396488%2C1589394804%3Fcc%3D1417683&cc=1417683
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
By 1880 George H. Botts had died and his second wife, Mary was living in Colorado with their children.
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Mary Botts Self F 19 Missouri, United States
Mary Botts Mother F 50 Tennessee, United States
Cornelus Botts Son M 24 Missouri, United States
Benjamin Botts Son M 22 Missouri, United States
Thomas Conly Other M 25 Ireland
John Burton Other M 20 Ireland
Source of image: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YYX-398?i=26&wc=QZ2Q-57Y%3A1589395618%2C1589397170%2C1589398209%2C1589394812%3Fcc%3D1417683&cc=1417683
local image: https://bernardbottsdescendants.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/census-records-related-to-bernard-botts-and-descendants/
This information would not have been possible without the efforts of an anonymous Botts descendant who currently resides in Prince William County, Virginia, the fine staff at the Prince William County Public Library Virginia Room, the Prince William County Clerk, Ron Turner and volunteers who made PWC records available, and various online sources that pointed the potential way.
Bernard Botts Descendants 