James Stoddard Boynton

James Stoddard Boynton was born in Henry County, Georgia to Elijah Snow Boynton and Elizabeth Moffett on May 7, 1833. He attended Hearn's School at Cave Springs, Georgia and later studied law., Upon passing the Bar in October 1852, Boynton practiced in both Monticello and Jackson, Georgia. In 1860, he was elected Ordinary of Butts County, Georgia., On September 25, 1861, as hostilities increased between the United States and Confederate States, Boynton enlisted as a Private into what would become known as Co. A, 30th Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry. On May 15, 1862, he was elected Major and by December 16, 1862 was elected again Lt. Col. After the retirement of Colonel Thomas W. Mangham, Boynton was promoted to Colonel on May 14, 1864. On July 22, 1864, while leading his men at the Battle of Atlanta, Col. Boynton was severely wounded. He was taken to Utoy Primitive Baptist Church, which was used as a Confederate Hospital., After discharge, Col. Boynton rejoined his unit and surrendered on April 26, 1865 in Greensboro, North Carolina., After the war he rejoined his family in Griffin and again practiced law. In 1866 Boynton served as the City Court Judge in Spalding County. He later served as mayor of Griffin from 1869 to 1872. He was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1880 and served until 1883., As a freshman, he was unanimously elected. President of the Senate and held that position until March 4, 1883. Governor Alexander Hamilton Stephens died in office on that date, thus thrusting Boynton into the Governor's seat. He would serve as Governor until May 10, 1883., On January 1, 1886, he was appointed Superior Court Judge of the Flint Circuit until resigning on April 8, 1893., In 1896, he was elected to serve Spalding County in the Georgia House of Representatives and he did so for two years. He died at his home in Griffin on December 22, 1902 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery., A.P. Adamson wrote of Boynton in A Brief History of the Thirteen Georgia Regiment. "Very few public men in Georgia had greater personal popularity than Col. Boynton. There was a certain magnetism about him that drew men toward him. Of fine personal appearance, attractive and courtly manners, and genial companionship, with an intellect naturally strong, u lawyer learned in his profession, quick, logical and forcible in debate, he was a man to command attention before any audience Behind all was his pure, sincere and earnest character that gave weight to every utterance he made. The simplicity and generosity of his character, the nobility of his nature and his many amiable qualities combined to make a personality so winning that few men held more warm friends. He was a man close to the people, and no wonder their hearts went out to him as the blossom to the sun, for the sunlight of his nature shone upon all of them. As the commander of his regiment, he was honored and revered, and his surviving comrades feel a just pride in his patriotic record as a soldier, his eminent ability as a lawyer and jurist, his wisdom as a legislator and chief magistrate of our state, and his high Christian character and many noble qualities.", The local United Daughters of the Confederacy Chapter is named in his honor. His wife the former Miss Susan Harris, was the originator and elected President for life of this chapter.