My Genealogy Hound

R. F. Bostick, was born in Halifax County, Va., in 1832, son of Francis M and Lucy W. (Palmer) Bostick, both of whom were born in the same county and State as our subject, the former in 1802 and the latter in 1805. The father was a farmer, and in 1833 took a trip to western Tennessee and Kentucky, being near Boydsville on the ever memorable night of the shower of meteors. He returned home and in 1847 left the Old Dominion with his family and moved to Graves County, Ky., where he died in December, 1851. The mother died April 9, 1865, on the day Gen Lee surrendered. Of their ten children nine lived to be grown and five are now living. Samuel E., R. F., L. William, Sarah E. (Mrs. James C. Hopkins), and Lucy C. (Mrs. J. F. Richmond). Our subject was educated in his native State and made his home with parents until twenty-three years old. In 1856 he made a trip to the “Golden Gate” via Cuba, Isthmus of Panama and up the Pacific Coast, making the voyage in thirty-three days. He remained nearly two years working in the gold mines and then returned home in January, 1858. April 24, 1861, he wedded Sarah J. Riggs, daughter of Col. B. A. and Mary (Palmer) Riggs. Mrs. Bostick was born July 26, 1844, and is the mother of ten children: Mary, Lucy (Mrs. John Honey), Commodore F., Eddie C., Riggs, Oliver F., Samuel Tilden, Jones, Charley E. and Emma R. The year Mr. Bostick married he was clerking in the dry goods store of W. I. Powell, at Como, Henry County, with whom he remained one year. In 1862 he located, with his father-in-law, B. A. Riggs, near Palmersville, where he has since resided. He owns 216 acres of land, and in politics is a Democrat. Since 1870 he has served as magistrate of the Fifth District. He is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. His wife and daughter Mary are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. His daughter, Lucy, is a member of the Christian Church.