Thomas Boffin (bef. 1831 - aft. 1864)

Born before 29 Mar 1831 in Bicester, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Charlotte (Howse) Milnes — married 28 Mar 1852 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died after 30 Mar 1864 after age 33 in Huntsville, Madison, Alabama, United States

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Biography

Thomas Boffin was born in Oxfordshire, England.

Private Thomas Boffin served in the United States Civil War.
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Regular Army 1st Infantry: US Rifles, 3rd Cavalry

Thomas was baptised March 29, 1831 in Bicester, Oxfordshire, England, the son of James Boffin and Elizabeth Alley who married in Bicester in 1825.

1841 CENSUS - Bicester, Oxfordshire, England ^[1]

Elizabeth Boffin 35 NOT in county

Elizabeth Boffin 14 in county

Thomas Boffin 10 in county

1851 CENSUS - Bicester Market End, Oxfordshire, England ^[2]

George Harris Head 35 St Pancras Brewer & Solrs Managing Clerk Married

Elizabeth Harris Wife 46 Christ Church, Surrey Brewer's Wife (formerly Boffin)

Thomas Boffin Son-in-Law 20 Bicester, Oxfordshire Single Brewer's Clerk & Assistant (should be STEP-son)

Charlotte Howes Visitor 19 Bicester, Oxfordshire Farmer's Dau Single

Hannah Hounslow Servant 19 Bicester, Oxfordshire Single

He married Charlotte Howes (baptised Howse) on March 28, 1852 at St Paul in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. She was of full age, a spinster, resided at Clarendon, Place and her father Jacob Howes was a farmer. The groom was of full age, a bachelor, an attorney clerk, resided at Clarendon Place and his father James Boffin was an inn keeper. Both signed their names in the parish register and witnesses were James Howes and Sarah Howes.^[3]

Civil War (America)

INDEX TO COMPILED MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS

Name Thomas Boffin

Enlistment Rank Private

Muster Company H

Muster Regiment Regular Army 1st Infantry

Muster Regiment Type Infantry

Muster Information Enlisted

Transfer From Unit H

Transfer To Unit D

Side of War Union

Additional Notes 2 Transfer 2 From Unit: D; Transfer 2 To Unit: G

He was also in the "G" Co. US Army 3rd Cavalry.

Thomas Boffin signed up for the Union Army on August 17, 1861 at Fort Union, Mora, New Mexico (age 25) born Oxford, England.^[4]

He re-enlisted on February 16, 1864 at Huntsville, Madison, Alabama (age 27) then deserted on March 30, 1864.^[5]

Research Notes

This seems to be him but nothing can be proven ... at least without further research. Perhaps he's missing from the 1870 and 1880 Census because of his fear of being discovered to have been a Civil War deserter?

Possible Death & Burial

Private Thomas Boffin died on January 22, 1888 in Highwood, Chouteau, Montana and was buried there in Upper Highwood Cemetery.^[6]

Possible Obituaries

DEATH of THOMAS BOFFIN

"Highwood, Jan. 22-- Editor of River Press:

"Mr. Thomas Boffin died at my place on upper Highwood this evening at seven o'clock, of heart disease. Very respectfully, R.P. Mead.

Mr. Boffin was a highly respected citizen of upper Highwood and we believe he owns a farm there. He has no family.^[7]

FUNERAL OF THOMAS BOFFIN

"The funeral of Mr. Thomas Boffin took place on Tuesday from the school house on upper Highwood.

The services were conducted by Rev. W.W. Van Orsdel, and the funeral cortege that followed the remains to its final resting place was the largest ever seen in the valley. Mr. Boffin was much loved and highly respected by his neighbors, who mourn the death of one who was faithful and upright in all his relations." ^[8]

POSSIBLE LAND ASSESSMENT RECORDS

• "United States Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1800-c. 1955", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6VPN-78MD : Sat Mar 09 20:05:55 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Boffin, 26 Jan 1883.
• "United States Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1800-c. 1955", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6VPN-78M8 : Sat Mar 09 20:05:55 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Boffin, 17 Feb 1883.
• "United States Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1800-c. 1955", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6VPN-78M7 : Sat Mar 09 20:05:56 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Boffin, 9 Apr 1885.
• "United States Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1800-c. 1955", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6VPX-1TD3 : Fri Mar 08 08:19:25 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Boffin, 1 May 1886.

Sources

1. ↑ 1841 Census for Thomas Boffin, his mother & sister
2. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1851", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGXK-CJK : Mon Mar 11 00:07:26 UTC 2024), Entry for George Harris and Charlotte Howes, 1851.
3. ↑ Marriage of Charlotte to Thomas Boffin
4. ↑ "United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDR-YCCB : Sat Mar 09 10:44:26 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Boffin, 17 Aug 1861.
5. ↑ "United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDR-BPY7 : Sun Mar 10 23:02:37 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Boffin, 16 Feb 1864.
6. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #140631007
7. ↑ The River Press, Fort Benton, Montana. 25 January 1888.
8. ↑ The River Press, Fort Benton, Montana. 1 February 1888.

SEE ALSO:

• "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSQ6-T3T : 25 August 2021), Thomas Boffin, 1861-1865.
• "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSJ6-X68 : 25 August 2021), Thomas Boffin, 1861-1865.