James Bothwell, his brother, William, and their wives, Ruth and Diana, were founding members of the Albany (IL) Congreational Church and leaders in the petition drive that separated their congregation from the First Presbyterian Church in Albany, of which they were members. William was made a deacon at the formation of the church in 1842, James was elected to a five year term as a trustee of the church in 1844 and on 12 July, 1846, was elected to a three-year term as deacon.202

According to his obituary. Willam and family came to Illinois in 1840 and settled in Galena where they lived for 10 years. In 1854, they moved to Dubuque. Born in Armagh, Ireland, he “emigrated to this country while quite a young man.”

In the probate recrods, Oct. term 1885, William left $5 each to Lavinia Turner, John R. Bothwell, Margaret Ellis, Charles Edward Bothwell, George W. Bothwell, Anna Bice, Albert J. Bothwell, and Frank Bothwell. Two lots, 14 and 15 in block 2 in Clinton, were bequeathed to William’s brother, Jeremiah, “for his benefit so long as he may live.” Everything else was left to his wife, Dinah.

As an added mystery, in the 1850 census a Margaret Bothwell, born in CAN abt 1830, was listed in the household. In 1856, she married Benjamin W. Ellis (6/16/1856). Margaret Ellis is mentioned in William’s will.

Land patents issued to William Bothwell of Whiteside Co. from the Federal government included one for 40 acres in the NE quarter of the NW fractional quarter of Section 20, twp 21, Range 3 East. It was issued May 1, 1843. (Township 21 is Garden Plain

On March 1, 1847, another patent was issued to him for 40 acres of the SE quarter of the NW quarter of Section 20, Twp. 21, Range 3 East.

From the Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database, it appears the above two plots were originally purchased by Isaac C. Allen

A patent for 80 acres was issued on May 1, 1843, to William Bothwell of Boone Co., for 80.23 acres consisting of the W 1/2 of the NE 1.4 of Sec. 1, Twp. 41, R3E. (South Grove twp, DeKalb Co.) According to the Illinois State Archives, the purchase was dated 10/31/1839 at $1.25/acre for a total cost of $100.29. The state file listed his residence as “unknown.”

All three sales were under the 1820 law which allowed sale of public lands for $1.25/acre (apx). Because of the volume of claims, the BLM says it could take years between the time the land was purchased and the date the patent was issued.

Death Certificate: record 1749, reported 3 Nov 1885
>William Bothwell, Male, White>Age 76 years, 5 months, 8 days >Married >Died, 8 Jun 1885, 6:30 pm >Born, Armagh, Ireland >Naturalized >Years in Iowa 31 >cause of death Nervous Exhaustion>Buried, 10 Jun 1885, Linwood Cemetery> Physician E.R. Jackson.


William's Will Book 41 p 301
I William Bothwell of the City and County of Dubuque and State of Iowa being of sound mind and memory do make declare and publish this my last will and testament. I hereby give and bequeath to each one of my children, Sarah Jane Bothwell, Mrs. Levinah Turner, John R. Bothwell, Charles Edward Bothwell, George W. Bothwell, Mrs. Anna Bice, Albert J Bothwell and Frank Bothwell the sum of Five Dollars.
Also I hereby give bequeath and devise to my brother Jeremiah of the City of Clinton, Clinton County Iowa the following described real estate, to wit: Lot fifteen (15) Block Two (2) and Lot fourteen (14) Block Two (2) in the City of Clinton Iowa as (made?) and stated and recorded in the Recorder's Office of Clinton, Clinton County Iowa to be used by him or for him and for his benefit as long as he lives. in the condition that he will pay all taxes levied therein; it is the understanding also that he shall have the use and benefit of all the improvements that are now or may hereafter be made upon the above described property. This seems like the property was only Jeremiah's for life, but J. willed it to be sold . . .
All the rest and residue of (and now there's a line missing, duh)
and I hereby appoint my said wife the executrix of this my will and provide that she shall not be required to give a bond as such executrix.
Witness my hand this 15th day of December 1877

in 1849, he was listed as arriving at the Commercial Hotel in Louisville, KY on April 8 (p;robably on way to California). (Louisville Daily Journal, April 9, 1849).

He is mentioned in an April 17, 1850 letter published in the Express in Dubuque about the hardships of mining in California.

Sometime after 1896, when female members were admitted, she became a member of the Dubuque County Early Settlers Association, organized in 1865.

Death Certificate #6234 registered 5 Sep 1895
Dinah Bothwell, female, white, 83 y, 3 m old, d. 12 Apr 1895, 9pm, widow, b. Canada, 41 years in county, 863 Locust, cause of death - old age, buried Linwood, ER Jackson, doctor


Dinah's Will - Will book 59 page 86
Know all men by these presents that I Dinah Bothwell, of the City and County of Dubuque and State of Iowa, relict of the deceased William Bothwell of said City of Dubuque, being of sound mind and impressed the necessity of settling my affairs during my life so as to prevent disputes arising after my death. Do now publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say:
First. I give bequeath and devise to my daughter Sarah Jane Bothwell, presently residing with me, all my real and personal property of every kind, now belonging or that may belong to me at the time of my death, but she shall pay all by just debts.
Second. I hereby nominate and appoint her the said Sarah Jane Bothwell to be my sole executrix of this my last will and testament, on condition that she shall not require to grant bond or other security, to entitle her to letters testamentary, nor shall she be required to have my personal estate inventoried nor appraised nor to account to the probate or other court for her actions or doings with my said estate. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of October A.D. 1889.

Dinah Manson’s family.

Her family were loyalists, who moved to Canada after the Revolution. They used the Lake Champlain route to move from Saratoga, NY, where Dinah’s father was born, to the St. Armand area of Canada. Her Father, James, was born in Saratoga. His parents, William Manson & Janet McDole (?) were both from the Glasgow area, William being born art 1743.

They emigrated in 1773 to New York, settling in the Saratoga area, until heading north after the Revolution. William got a farm in an area called Mansonville and James got a farm about a mile northeast of there with a German farmer named Jacob Pier or Peer, whose daughter, Amy, became James’ wife & the mother of Dinah.

Some other members of that family also lived in parts of Vermont.

Another member of the family, Joseph Manson of Mansonville, wrote a letter to his nephew, David Manson, in which he noted the route traveled.

“The early settlers following up the Hudson River, thence north to the east side of Lake Champlain, following the west side of Vermont was a regular highway for emigrants of all nations. In this way our relatives travelled till they reached Moore’s Corner three miles north of Canadian Line and three miles east of Missisquoi Bay or Phillipsburg.”

This may be part of the route that our Bothwell siblings traveled.

All this is from a book, History of Brome County Quebec, Vol. 1, by Rev. Ernest M. Taylor, MA, published in Montreal under the auspices of the Brome Co. Historical Society in 1908.

Marriage performed by Rev. J.K. Converse

In 1910 census mother of 6, 2 living.

In the 1850 census Margaret Bothwell, born in CAN abt 1830, was listed in the household of William and Dinah. In 1856, she married Benjamin W. Ellis (6/16/1856). Margaret Ellis is mentioned in William’s will.

In 1856 state census of Iowa, she is listed living with the family of F. and C. Sawslayer of Germany for one year and is listed as married and born in MS. She also is listed as a “native voter.” Age given as 25.
In 1880 census, birthplace listed as Ireland abt 1830 (assuming its the same person)

In the 1910 census her birthplace is listed as Ireland and her arrival in the United States as 1831.

Note: There is a Julia M. Elis, wife of Benjamin whose parents are bemjamin and hannah, in Stanbridge, Missisquoi, East Canada in the 1851 census but I suspect they are not the same as this family.

According to Sarah’s obituary, John, George, and Frank all lived in CA while Albert lived in Wyoming. However, in the probate records, George’s address was listed as Ontario, Calif., and Albert’s as New York City.
In 1856 state census, her birthplace listed as New York.

Sister Anna was living with George and Lavinia in 1870.
She was mentioned in her father’s will in 1885.

In 1860, John is listed in the census in Illinois as a teacher (at age 16).


In 1880, he appears in the census in East Orange, Essex Co., NJ as publisher of the Daylee News. Living with him were Susan’s daughter, Minnie, by her first marriage, a gardner, Willaim G. Manning, and a housekeeper, Rosa Rogers.

He entered into a pertnership with Prof. William B. Clark as Clark & Bothwell, brokers, on Nassau St. in New York City, apparently in 1880. In 1882, they were charged with misappropriating funds from several mining companies they represented (Bothwell was treasurer of the corporation.) They were sued by the Stormont Silver Mining Co., the San Bruno Copper Co., and the Satamo Gold Quartz Mining Co. Clark blamed everything on Bothwell, who apparently left New York for Chicago.

Bothwell next shows up as a promoter involved in the project to build a canal to bring rrigation water to Box Elder Co., UT.

The irrigation project was started by Alexander Toponce, who partnered with a sheepherder named John W. Kerr to form the Corinne Mill Canal and Stock Co., but they were unsuccessful in developing the canal. In 1889, promoter John Bothwell of Kansas City secured financing for the canal from Quaker societies in the British isles. Construction began in Sept., 1889. As a result of the canal, the town of Bothwell in Box Elder Co. was named after John R. Bothwell.139

For many years prior to the building of the Bothwell Canal that part of Bear River Valley which is now included in the Bothwell Ward was, with other parts of the valley, used as grazing country for sheep, horses and cattle. But in 1890 a number of people in anticipation of the Bothwell Canal, which was then in course of construction, took up lands under the Homestead and Desert Entry Act. Among the first permanent settlers in the district were John M. Stokes, Andrew Anderson and John L. Hunsaker, who located there in the spring of 1884, in private houses, and a branch of the Church was organized June 14, 1894, at Point Lookout and given the name of Roweville Branch with Joseph M. Stokes as presiding Elder. A school house, 24 by 34 feet, was built in 1895, a post office was established under the name of Roweville post office, with Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Priest as postmistress. On June 26, 1898, the Roweville Branch was organized into a ward named Bothwell, in honor of John R. Bothwell, the builder of the Bothwell Canal, with Joseph Wm. Stokes as Bishop.

Arrived from Liverpool Feb. 10, 1915

Enlisted in Co, I, 12th Iowa Infantry, on Oct. 29, 1861, in Dubuque, Iowa. He was 17 and was mustered out that same day when it was discovered he was under age and did not have parents permission. Within a month, he presented the recruiter in Dubuque, 1st Lt. Samuel S. Newbury of the 12th Infantry Regiment, with a consent form signed (but neither dated nor witnessed) by his father and enlisted for a three year commitment on Nov. 21, 1861 in the 12th US Infantry.

He was 17 years, 5 months of age, with blue eyes, light hair and complexion, stood 5-foot-8 and listed his occupation as “editor.”

He was sent to Fort Hamilton, NY for initial training.

In April, 1862, the 2nd Battalion was organizing at Fort Hamilton with the recruits formed into companies.

He was discharged Feb. 9, 1864, at Kettle Run, Va. and immediately re-enlisted by 1st. Lt. M.H. Stacy of the 12th Infantry as a corporal in Co. H. However, the re-enlistment form is headed: 16th District, County of Rensselear, Town of S—ingburg, New York. John’s signature apparently occurred at “Camp 12th Infantry.” His first enlistment was in Co. H, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry.

Separated from the 12th infantry June 11, 1864 because he had received a commission on May 18, 1864 as a 2nd lieutenant in the 4th US Infantry.

Appears for the first time on the monthly report of the 4th US Infantry for June, 1864, with the notation that he joined by Assignment June 7, and was assigned to Co. K at the City Point Garrison at City Point, VA. At this point, the 4th was down to 134 effectives and was designated Gen. Grant’s headquarters Guard.

(Grant, commanding the Union armies, had served with the 4th as a lieutenant in Mexico and on the frontier. To recognize its distinguished valor during the Civil War, he designated it as the guard unit during the formal surrender ceremony at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. Immediately following the war, survivors of the 4th marched in the grand review of troops in Washington D.C. in May 1865.)

Although his promotion to 1st lieutenant was effective Feb. 11, 1865, he was still carried on the books of the 4th In April of 1865 as a 2nd lieutenant with Co. K at Central Point, Va., and was acting regimental quartermaster since Jan. 15, per Regimental Order of that date.

Once his promotion was actually received by the 4th, he was transferred to Co. H at Camp D????, Richmond, VA., and remained acting regimental quartermaster.

In 1870, he and his wife, Alice, are listed in the census at Fort Lyon, Colorado Territory, along with their 3-year-old daughter, Maggie.

In Nov., 1870, John was courtmartialed on charges of making and presenting for payment a false and fraudulent claim against the United states, misappropriating for his own benefit money and property of the government, and conduct unbecoming an officer. He was convicted and cashiered. He then went to Chicago where he got a job as a reporter on the Chicago Times in 1871, until he was fired in 1873. He then went on to be editor of the Chicago Morning Courier briefly, then traveled to St. Louis, Baltimore, and several other cities, before reaching the New York City area.30


John Randolph Bothwell enlisted in the 12th Infantry Rgt. of the U.S. Army at the age of 17 years 5 months on 21 Nov., 1861, in the city of Dubuque. It was a 3-year enlistment, His occupation was listed as editor. He was described as 5-foot-8 with blue eyes, light hair and light complexion.
The recruiting officer was 1st Lt. Samuel S. Newbury of the 12th Infantry Regiment.
As he was a minor at the time, the consent form was signed by his father, William Bothwell, although it was neither dated nor witnessed.
Discharged Feb. 9, 1864, re-enlisted same day at Kettle Run, VA., as a corporal. He had been assigned to Co. H, 2nd Btn, 12th Infantry. Re-enlisted by 1st Lt. M.H. Stacy, 12th Inf.  Although the Army’s register of enlistments listed the re-enlistment as taking place at Kettle Run, VA, the certificate was issued in the Town of Lansingburg, New York in the 15th district of Rensselaer County (misspelled as Rensselear on the certificate).
(Note, some of the earliest Bothwell settlers of the United States had lived in Rensselaer County, around the city of Troy.)
Received appointment to 2nd Lt. May 18, 1864.
Discharged from the 12th Infantry Rgt. June 12, 1864, transferred to the 4th Infantry Rgt.
Promoted to 1st Lt. Feb. 11, 1865.
Cashiered Dec. 29, 1870.
My note: This is everything the National Archives has on his service record. Since the record does not show a transfer to the 5th Infantry, it may be he was “loaned” to the 5th Infantry -- or it may have been lost.

Commissioned 2nd Lt. 18 May 1864 (4th Infantry)
Commissioned 1st Lt. 11 Feb 1865
R. QM 1 June 1866
Unassigned 23 March 1869
Transferred to 8th Infantry 10 Dec. 1869

May 7, 1869, US Army Adjutant General’s Office, issued General Orders No. 49:

“…the following officers, left out of their regimental organizations by the consolidation of the infantry regiments, are, under and by authority of an act of Congress organizing the Indian Department, approved June 30, 1834, hereby detailed to execute the duties of indian superintendents and agents; and immediately on receiving notice of this order, will report by letter from their places of residence to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs … for assignment to duty and for instructions. Should vacancies occur entitling them to promotion in the regular army during their term of service on such Indian duty, they shall receive promotion the same as though on ordinary detached military duty, viz: … Agents — … First Lieutenant John R. Bothwell, U. S. Army, ….” (published in the Washington (DE) National Republican May 12, 1869.

Same newspaper, Jan. 20, 1870, reported he had been transferred from Co. H, 8th US Infantry, to Co. A, 5th US Infantry and 1st. Lt. Charles Porter transfered from Co. A, 5th US Infantry to Co. H, 8th US Infantry.

He was in Colorado in the 1870 and 1880 census reports. Occupation listed as farmer.

In 1882, Charles’ property in Custer Co., CO, was listed on the delinquent list: “DELINQUENT TAXES, 1882.
TREASURER'S OFFICE,
COUNTY OF CUSTER,
State of Colorado,
May 4th, 1882.

Public notice is hereby given, that I will, according to law, offer at public sale, at the office of the Treasurer of the County of Custer, and State of Colorado, on the 5th day of June, 1882, and succeeding days, commencing at the hour of 10 o'clock, A. M., of said day, so much of the following described real estate, situate in said Co., on which the taxes for the years 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, and 1881 have not been paid, as shall be necessary to pay said taxes, interests and penalties, and taxes and charges assessed against the owner thereof for personal property, to wit: . . . Bothwell, C.E.

Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette (Jan 26, 1893) gives the name J.S. Bothwell,
but everything else matches the information about Charles Edward Bothwell:

"A young man named J.S. Bothwell, of Dubuque, died here on the 12th, while
visiting in the city.  His wife accompanied him.  Today the body was sent
home via the B&O railway for burial.  Col. Henderson and Mr. E.L. Currier of
the house of representatives, who is from Independence, rendered needed
attention."

Enlisted at 15 in 12th US Infantry on 21 Dec. 1861. Discharged Jan. 17, 1862 at Fort Hamilton, NY Harbor. Never went through training or got assigned rank or a company. Under Age.. Description 5’4”, blue eyes, auburn hair, light complexion.

A George Bothwell married a Lilly Danforth in Arapaho Co., CO, 10/24/1880 and she later (1907) filed under her maiden name for a Civil War pension in CA. Unable to decipher the unit on the Civil War Pension Index information online but it did not appear to be anything close to the third Wisconsin Infantry. However, on the 1920 census, it appears the name given for George’s wife was Lilly D. Bothwell.

George was listed as a farmer in the silver mining area of Custer Co., CO, in the 1870 and 1880 census. Shows up next in the 1910 and 1920 census in Ontario, San Bernardino Co., CA, just east of Los Angeles.

In 1880, a G.W. Bothwell is listed in the Colorado State business directory as an attorney and a mining and real estate agent in Silver Cliff.

1896 listed as registered to vote in the Hedges Precinct pf San Diego County. Described as 5’10, gair, with light grey hair and grey eyes, occupation mining superintendent.

1892 was registered to vote in 7th precinct, 40th Assembly district of San Francisco Co., eye color listed there as blue, occupation miner, residence 1604 O’Farrell, date of registration Oct. 14, 1892.

In 1915, was named on a patent for a heater. (LAT7/11/1915)

1/30/1864 to 7/18/1865 Co. E, 3rd Wisc. Inf. Enlisted From Alto., Wisc. (Civil War)

Her death is assumed as she does not show up in the 1860 census when she would have been about 11.

In 1870 census, Anna is enumerated living in the household of her sister, Lavinia, and her husband, George S. Turner. Further investigation is needed to determine if George Turner is related to the Alice Turner who married Anna and Lavinia’s brother, John Randolph, in 1865.

He showed up in the 1870 and 1880 census in Custer Co., Colorado. I believe he also was the Albert Bothwell listed in the Denver City Directory some years after 1900 as head of the Cattlemen’s Association.

In 1880/81, Albert’s property in Custer Co., CO, was listed on the delinquent tax rolls:

In 1889,was listed as postmaster of Sweetwater, Natrona Co., Wyoming. on May 21, 1891, appointed postmaster of Bothwell, Natrona Co., Wyoming.


Delinquent Taxes, 1880
Treasurer's Office
County of Custer
State of Colorado

Public notice is hereby given that I will, according to law, offer at public sale, at the office of the Treasurer of the County of Custer and State of Colorado, on the 5th day of July, A. D., 1881, and succeeding days, commencing at the hour of 9 o'clok, A. M., of said day, so much of the following described real estate, situate in said Co., on which the taxes for the years 1879 and 1880 have not been paid, as shall be necessary to pay said taxes, interest and penalty, to-wit: . . . Bothwell A J

In 1883, he is listed in the Colorado state business directory in Ula. In the 1880 directory there is a listing in Ula for Bowling and Bothwell under cattle growers, dealers and shippers. In 1903 he ls listed as the manager of the Western Breeders Association at the Union Stock Yards in Denver. In another directory in 1903 he is listed as President of the Western Breeders Association.

In July, 1914, he is listed on the IRS assessment list for the year ended 12/31/1913 in the Colorado district as a resident of Aloora, Wyo. In the 1915 list, the town is spelled Alcova.

Showed up in the 1870 and 1880 census in Custer Co., Colorado, apparently farming. Believed to have settled later in Southern CA.

In the 1880s, was involved in JR’s mines schemes, running stamping mills at several mines in the West, niotably Bernice, NV.

In 1900 he was an attendant at the Southern California State Hospital in Patton.

His third marriage, her 2nd. both were widowed.