Spartanburg County, South Carolina - The Bomar Family, 1900

The Bomar Family

The first information we have of the Bomar familygoes back to their residence in Halifax county, Va., whither they had come about the year 1778 in their migrations from Essex county, Va. The tradition in the family is that there were three brothers who came from England, whose names were William, John and Thomas. All of these died in the last decade of the eighteenth century (except Thomas, who died in 1802).

Those of the family who came to South Carolina from Virginia after the Revolution are all descended from William and John. The descendants of Thomas Bomar, the youngest of the three brothers referred to, are all in Tennessee, Kentucky and in the far West, as far as they are known. The tradition is positive that the latter, John Bomar, and some of his sons, were soldiers of the Revolution. The " Writings of Rev. Thomas Bomar" show that all were Whigs.

Some time in the latter part of the eighteenth century Armstead Bomar, son of John, settled in Spartanburg district, on South Pacolet, about two miles southwest of New Prospect. Subsequently he moved to Georgia, where some of his descendants still live. Reuben Bomar, another son of John, evidently lived for a short time in Spartanburg district, for he left a large tract of unimproved land, which was sold and divided among his descendants. His brother, Edward Bomar, settled on North Tyger River, near the town of Fair Forest. About the same time his cousins, Thomas and John Bomar, settled near him, and his brother Elisha settled in the village of Spartanburg, with lands on Fair Forest creek and Lawson Fork. The present families of Bomar in Spartanburg county are all descendants of Edward, Thomas and Elisha, except a few of the lineal descendatits of Armstead Bomar, which still remain.

Thomas Bomar became a minister of the gospel. A brief biography of him was written by Wilson N. Hunt, Esq., published in 1827, which gives the date of his birth April 13th, 1770, in Essex county, Va. In 1778 his parents moved to Halifax county. He was educated in the best schools to be found in his day and time. His father, William Bomar, was an Episcopalian in his religious profession, and one whose exemplary course of conduct was highly characteristic of genuine piety.

Thomas Bomar was of delicate health, and his afflictions at last brought him to Christ. He was baptized by Rev. Thomas Dobson, united with Hunting Creek Baptist church and ordained a minister in 1803, at the annual session of Ronoake (Va.) Association. The next year he migrated to Spartanburg district, S. C. His first charges were Bethlehem and Mount Zion churches, the latter being an " arm " (the old name for mission) of Bethlehem, Subsequently he became pastor of New Prospect church and the citizens of Spartanburg village received a liberal share of his exertions. His life was actively given to the cause of Christ and was attended with great results. He was an ardent missionary in speech, and was for a time president of the Spartanburg Auxiliary Bible Society. At one time he filled the office of tax-collector in Spartanburg district. He died suddenly at the house of John S. Rowland, near Boiling Spring, June 13th, 1830. His body lies buried in the cemetery of Bethlehem church, his first pastoral charge. The vacancy in his ministerial work caused by his death was filled by Rev. J. G. Landrum. He married in October, 1797, Miss Elizabeth C. High, and left a family of twelve children, most of whom migrated to the West. Among those that remained was one son whose name is inseparably connected with Spartanburg county ; this was General Alexander C. Bomar. He is remembered as the sheriff of said county, which office he held for several years. He was also brigadier-general of the Ninth Brigade South Carolina Militia, and was an efficient ofhcer and active member of Mount Ziori church. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, firmness and decision of character ; was useful to his neighborhood and pos. sessed all the traits of character that go to make up a good man and gentleman. He was married twice, his first wife being Miss Norman, of Cross Keys, Union county, by whom he had three children, the eldest son, Norman, having lost his life during the civil war. His second marriage was to Miss Emily Chapman, by whom he also had several children.

Edward Bomar, already mentioned, was born in Virginia 1 769 and emigrated from that State to Spartanburg district* in 1796, with his wife, me Mary Wood, and three children, Catharine, Patience and John. He settled, as we have already stated, on North Tyger River, near the town of Fair Forest. Here, in his quiet and hospitable home, near his beloved church, Mount Zion, he spent a long and useful life, and his remains lie buried in the family graveyard on his estate. His life was uneventful ; he bore no part in county politics, held no ofhce so far as can be learned, but

He is affectionately remembered not only by his descendants, bnt by others who knew him and still live, and his memory is held in high esteem because of his pure character, exemplary piety and good works.

The following are the names and dates of the birth of his children : Catherine, born October 31st, 1791 ; Patience, October 17th, 1793; John, February 15th, 1795; Elizabeth, April 6th, 1799; William, August 5th, 1801 ; Mary, July i6th, 1804; George W., May 7th, 1807, and Booker, April 26th, 1810. His descendants number about one thousand, nine-tenths of whom are Baptists.

John Bomar, Jr

son of Edward and Mary (Wood) Bomar, was born in Halifax county, Va., February 15th, 1796, and while an infant was carried by his father to Spartanburg district, where he grew up to manhood and spent all his life, with the exception of a few years in early life when he resided in Kentucky and taught school, and the further exception of a short sojourn in Charleston, S. C, wdiither he had gone after his marriage to embark in the mercantile business. He married Mary Crawford Vernon, daughter of James Vernon, and to this happy marriage and to the loving sympathy of his wife was due much of the success of his earlier years. She, the wife of his youth, died at the early age of thirty-seven, leaving him with a family of three girls : Elizabeth, who became the wife of Dr. R. E. Cleveland ; Margaret, who became the wife of Major Thomas Bomar; and Louisa, who became the wife of Major John Earle Bomar. Subsequently he married ]\Irs. Sarah Blassingame nee Sloan, with whom he lived until his death, in 1868. Two children were born of this union. Belle V., now Mrs. Trimmier of Georgia,

Perhaps but few men who ever lived in Spartanburg county were more useful than the subject of this sketch. In early life he embraced Christianity and was an active and useful member of Mt. Zion church.

He was also one of the prominent temperance w^orkers in the county, and was one of the first men to discontinue the old-time practice of keeping wines and liquors for the hospitable entertainment of his friends. In the earlier years of his life he was a farmer, merchant, builder, and for a time an innkeeper, and even then in a small way a manufacturer, for he was never without a flour and grist-mill, or both, and a tan-yard. His purchase of Bivingsville (now Glendale ) cotton factory as bankrupt property was one of his business ventures. Success in this enterprise would have been difficult, if not impossible even with his associates in the business, had it not been for this power of knowing men. His hope lay in getting some one with practical expert knowledge to "run" the factory. This was found in the person of D. E. Converse (see sketch), wdiose business management and reputation as a manufacturer will alwavs follow- him.

In a notice which appeared in the Spartan soon after his death, it is truthfully stated that " he possessed in the highest degree the confidence and respect of all Avho knew him. , . . He was chosen ordinary of the district for several years, the responsible duties of which he discharged to the utmost public satisfaction. ' '

In the organization of the Tyger River (Baptist) Association he bore an active part, being one of a committee of four (Rev. John G. Landrum, Dr. John W. Lewis and Dr. Robt. M. Young being the other three members) who brought about its organization.

His body was buried in his beloved town, Spartanburg, and his tomb bears this appropriate inscription : " Diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

Elisha Bomar, Esq

was the son of William Bomar and his wife Elizabeth Hurt, the fifth son and one of seven children. Rev. Thomas Bomar, whom we have mentioned, being a full brother. One other of his brothers, John, died in Spartanburg district, and another, William, in Georgia. His father having died in 1790, it was early in life when Elisha Bomar moved to Spartanburg district. He was nearly all of his life a resident of Spartanburg village, where early in his married life he built the house which stood for many years on the site of the present court-house grounds.

On the nth of March, 1823, he was married by Rev. Wm. Rector, to Amaryllis Earle, daughter of Colonel John Earle, ou Nor.th Pacolet (Polk county, N. C), on the present Prince homestead. His father was a soldier of the Revolution, a captain of the Rangers, and her mother, 7iee Rebecca Berry, was, by her first husband.

the wife of John Wood, who was killed by the Tories under "Bloody Bill" Cunningham during his infamous raid to the Spartanburg region November, 1781.

Elisha Bomar was for over twenty years clerk of court for Spartanburg district, and died suddenly, March 27th, 1836, while still in office, as he was preparing ta attend Bethlehem church, of which he was an active member. A public meeting was held by the citizens of Spartanburg to express their appreciation of the deceased and their sorrow at his sudden death and sym-^ pathy for the bereaved family.

The members of the Spartanburg bar and other members of the court and community generally, Judge O'Neall presiding, held a meeting which, after expressing lament in the loss of a valuable friend, resolved that the public had "lost an able, impartial and industrious officer, and the members of the bar and other officers of the court a liberal, high-minded and faithful associate.'^

Elisha Bomar took the liveliest interest in the educational efforts of his day, and was one of the founders and promoters of the high schools in Spartanburg, one for the boys and another for the girls, which flourished in other days ; besides, part of his estate was donated by his widow to found the Spartanburg Female College.

By his marriage with Miss Earle he raised two children, Harriet and John Earle. The former became the wife of Judge T. O. P. Vernon (see sketch).

Hon. John Earle Bomar

son of Elisha and Amaryllis (Earle) Bomar, was born July 29th, 1827. His father having died when he was a lad, he was carefully educated and trained by his mother. In Spartanburg he was taught by Erastus and Milton Rowley. Afterwards he attended the Citadel Academy at Charleston, but withdrew in a short time on account of the lax discipline which prevailed and which led to the reorganization of the Citadel within a few years after his departure. Then for a time he attended Erskine College at Due West, S. C, where he made a good record, but left for some cause shortly before his graduation.

Ii^ 1855-56 he was editor and one of the proprietors of the Carolina Spartan^ in connection with M a j o r Wm. H. Trimmier. "No one," wrote one of his successors, " of the many who had editorial control of that paper, ever wielded a more graceful pen."

It was while a young editor that he became interested in military life. In this he rose to the rank of brigade major and thus obtained his title of major, by which he was ever afterwards called.

In 1857 he was elected ordinary of Spartanburg district, to which he was elected by successive elections until after the close of the civil war.

In 1862 he reorganized the Morgan Rifles in Spartanburg, which, as captain, he led to the army and which was known as Company C, Holcombe Legion. He served faithfully in this capacity for several months, participating in several engagements on the seacoast. His health, however, breaking down, he obtained honorable discharge. Abont the same time he was reelected ordinary.

In 1869 he began the practice of law in copartnership with Colonel John H. Evins, under the firm name of Evins & Bomar ; subsequently, upon the entrance of S. J. Simpson, the firm was known as Evins, Bomar & Simpson, and upon the death of Colonel Evins in 1884, as Bomar & Simpson, till the death of Major Bomar, February 3d, 1899. At the time of his death he was the Nestor of the Spartanburg bar.

During the time he practiced law he was also for several terms county commissioner, being chairman of the board. He also served one term in the Legislature (1874-76) during that terrible period which preceded the revolution of 1876. While he never sought this position, yet he held various positions of honor and trust. Under the constitution of 1866 he was elected by the Legislature and commissioned by Governor Orr district judge, but declined to serve. He was for many years trustee of the schools which preceded the graded school system, vice-president of the Board of Trustees of Converse College, a trustee (for many years chairman of the Board) of Cooper Limestone Institute, and treasurer of Kenedy Library, in which he took the liveliest interest. He was a master mason, but for some years before his death, not an active member. For many years he was deacon of Spartanburg Baptist Church and served for two or three years as moderator of Spartanburg Baptist Association.

Touching his death, appropriate resohitions were passed by Boards of Trustees of Kenedy Library and Converse College and by the Spartanburg bar, which the latter set forth among other things the following: "In Major Bomar the elements of character were so blended as to make his influence an estimable moral force in the community. A gentleman of the old school, he kept fully abreast of the movements of the times, remaining actively in the practice of his profession to the last. His career was a striking example of energy and activity, without that inordinate greed for gain which is so marked an evil of the times. Major Bomar was positive in his convictions, yet kind in his judgments; a Christian of such ample mould as to be admired by all denominations. While his public services to the religious and charitable organizations are a part of the history of Spartanburg, he exemplified yet more,

It was while as yet a young editor that he married his distant cousin, Louisa N. Bomar,* daughter of John Bomar, Jr. The blessing of heaven rested upon this union, for she was one of the loveliest of women. By this marrriage the following children survive : Rev. E. E. Bomar, D,D. ; Elisha Bomar, Rev. Paul Bomar, John Bomar, Horace Bomar, INIamie, wife of Beverly Montgomery ; Louise, wife of Dr. J. H. Montgomery, and Amaryllis, single.