The Big Sandy Valley; History of the People and country, From the Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, by William Ely....Published 1887
Page 446, 447:
"HUGH BOGGS OF BLAINE:
The nestor of the Boggses on Caines Creek, a branch of the Blaine, has been a man of remarkable energy. Hugh Boggs opened a large farm on his creek, and, by chopping wood and bossing other wood-choppers at the old-time furnaces, made money enough to build a steam saw and grain mill and a carding machine at quite an early day. Had Hugh Boggs lived at a place more get-at-able, he would have been to Caines Creek what Judge Borders was to his section, and what William Adams was to Licking Station.
The country around Mr. Boggs was too sparsely settled to expand his business, yet nevertheless he was always a good liver. Caines Creek, in Lawrence County, is a stream of wide and rich bottom land, almost all of which is owned by the Boggses, descendants of either Hugh Boggs or his kinsmen. He nears the end of his earthly race, being quite feeble in body but smart in mind. He has been a benefactor, an educator, and a philanthropist, although in his unselfishness he might himself never have suspected it."
The Boggs families left Lee County Virginia in the early 1800's and settled in Caines Creek, KY.
Poem, "Coming to Kentucky" written by Hugh Boggs about his family's arrival at Caines Creek, Kentucky.
Deep in the hills, 'neath an azure sky, There's a place so remote, the world passed it by. For thousands of years, no mortal had trod, the green dewy valley's rich, fertile sod. Till one day long ago, twas just break of dawn, The curtain of night had parted and gone, to make room for the sun, coming over the hill, when life began stirring, and song birds to trill.
High on the hill top, there stood a young man, his blue eyes were narrowed, the landscape to scan. It was hard to believe, "this" was not paradise, or a dream, surely soon, he would open his eyes.
Could he be back in Virginia, from whence he had come, his thoughts were conflicting, his body felt numb.
He had come a long way, this young man of sod, not seeking vast fortunes, just a homestead and God. He felt a soft breeze touch his tired brow and cheek, as he drank in the beauty, of Old Caines Creek. In his heart sprang new hope, in his eyes a fire lit, as he whispered so softly, "Sacred Wind", this is it! His glance wandered back, to the newly made road, and the old covered wagon, with it's oversized load. Of worldly possessions, his kindred and wife, all the blessings it takes, to complete a man's life.
With a lump in his throat, and a prayer-full sigh, he lifted his eyes, towards the blue, cloudless sky. He would cast his lot, 'neath this heavenly dome', and make this new valley, his much beloved home.
Bright eyes were now peering, from out of the side, of the old covered wagon, from whose long weary ride, had kept vigil so faithfully, through the long sleepless nights, were now anxiously waiting, to explore new delights. For they knew by the smile on the young man's face, their searching had ended, this was the "PLACE"!
He smiled as he nodded them, all to alight, and the picture they made was a heart warming sight. As they hustled and bustled, and flitted about, his bosom swelled proudly, he felt he could shout. There was Cessie and Azzel, John, Henry and Jim, Emily, Hannah, Hugh, Jason and Tim. Sarah, Ellen, Matilda, Clem, Orkie and Bud, and the cow they brought with them, still chewing her cud. There was Pa who had courage, faith, muscle and brawn, and Ma who was shy, as a newly born fawn. But her Irish eyes twinkled and sparked with such fire, as she glanced at her 'brood',and her tall, handsome 'sire'. All these and still more, of his beloved kin, took part in the new life, about to begin. There was hard work ahead, hungry children to feed. There were blankets and quilts, and plenty of seed. Sharp axes and hoes, and mallets galore, Kind hearts and strong hands, could a man ask for more?
Everyone was astir, busy as bees; clearing land, burning brush, and chopping down trees, that were hewn, niched then rolled, and set up in place, soon this spot in the wildwood, took on a new face, that was pleasing to God, who smiled a "well done", as they played, sang and danced, and relaxed in their fun.
Now the hillsides were covered, with sweet golden corn, where wild honey-suckle sends it's fragrance each morn. From it's lofty abode, in it's dewy recluse, where mocking birds sing, and morning doves coo; there! the clear crystal dew, trickles over the rocks, that jut from the hills, where sheep graze in flocks. And winds it's way down, to the creek far below, where the bob-o-links nest, and the wild flowers grow. Where paintings that hung, in the great halls of fame, could match this wild beauty, or portray the same, ethereal colors that flame in the sky.
As dawn is approaching, and night passes by, my thoughts travel back to the sweet yesteryear, when folks were good neighbors, and kin-folks were dear. To the children who sat, by the bright fire-logs, and listed to tales, of their grand-sire "Boggs".
Tales of Sacred Winds, Coming of Age in Appalachia by Cratis Williams
pages 146/147:
"Hugh and Hannah Boggs (Granny Hanner)
Hugh Boggs, son of John and Nancy Wells Boggs, was considered a generous man. He was a farmer and timber man. A page is devoted to him in William Ely's History of the BigSandy Valley. Mr. Ely implies that Hugh was imposed upon by his less industrious sons. There is a story that Hugh's son Henderson bought all the land on the right fork of Caines Creek for a ham of meat and a rifle-gun. Henderson's home, still standing and occupied at this time (1965) by his descendant Opal Boggs Liming, is one of the better homes in that section. It is said that Hugh and his aged wife spent their last days with Henderson in this house. It is also said that Hugh's mother-in-law Hannah Lyons Blevins, also lived with Henderson after she became a widow. She was over a hundred years old when she dies and was one of the last widows of the American Revolution carried on the pension rolls of Lawrence County. She was blind in her old age. There is an instance of a "judgement sent on" one of the old lady's descendants for laughing at her great-grandmother's infirmities. Phoebe Jane, daughter of Jim Goins and Matilda Lyons Boggs, laughed at her blind great-granny and 'mocked' (imitated) her pigeon-toed walk. Phoebe Jane (always called 'Pet') who married Henry Hicks became pigeon-toed and later, blind, like Granny Hanner.
An interesting story is also told of William Blevins, Granny Hanner's husband. He was the son of a 'long hunter' from Wilkes County, NC. His uncle by marriage, also a long hunter, was named Walden. Old hunter Blevins, his sons, and his son-in-law tracked into Kentucky before Daniel Boone ever visited Kentucky. The Monrovian Records of North Carolina carry an item for 1754 reporting that Blevins and his sons brought to the trading post at old Salem more pelts than there was cash to pay for, but that they happily accepted goods in leu of cash. Walden's Ridge was named for William Blevins' uncle. William, referred to locally as "Old Bill", was an unkind man to his family. He hung his meat in the rafters of his cabin, but would not permit his wife to use the hams, which he gave to a woman that he kept on his land."
Pam Marks 
