Nancy Marguerite Boggs was born July 11, 1874 to James Henry 'Goins' Boggs and Matilda Lyons. Nancy was the second youngest child of 13 children born to James and Matilda. Nancy's grandfather Hugh Boggs arrived to this part of Kentucky from Virginia in the early 1800's. They settled along Cains Creek, Lawrence County, where many of the Boggs descendants still reside today. Nancy's grandfather, Hugh, was highly regarded and the following was written about him:
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."
Nancy Boggs was considered the "prettiest gal in the holler" and it was at at picnic that she met her future husband, George Washington Ferguson. The couple married March 17, 1894, and were given land in Sacred Wind as a gift from her father. The couple settled on this land (near the Sacred Wind Post Office) and built a cabin. Their first son, Luther, was born August 9, 1895. Luther was followed by James on May 28, 1896, and Ivy Myrtle May on July 23, 1899. Sadly, their son Luther died in 1898. Another son, Earl, was born June 3, 1902.
As the lumber industry in Lawrence County became depressed, the couple decided to sell their land and move to Whatcom County, Washington. George had a distant cousin who at the time was running a lumber mill in Bellingham, and this cousin wrote and asked that his cousins and friends come out west and work for him. So, Nancy and George sold their land, packed up and landed in Washington in 1903. They were also joined by Nancy's sister Sarah Boggs and her husband Amos Johnson, and sister Sina 'Ellen' Boggs and husband Thomas Triplett.
Per 1903/1904 Polk Directory for Whatcom City & County, Silver Beach:
Ferguson, George packer for Lake Shingle Co.
(Silver Beach located 1 1/2 miles east of Whatcom; Post Office on Lake Whatcom)
By the 1910 US Census, 3 more children had been added to the family
George & Nancy listed in Meridian Pct., Supervisor Dist. #1, Enumeration 347, Sheet 7B: Census date May 2, 1910; George is listed as
Household #138
George W. age 36, born WV Timberman, out of work a total of 4 weeks in 1909; married 16 years, with 6 living children.
Nancy M. age 34, born KY
James W. age 14, born KY
Iva M. age 10 born KY
Earl J. age 8 born KY
Thelma age 4 WA
'Dorothy ' age 3 WA
Charles age 2 WA
in 1910, living nearby were:
Living in dwelling # 124 was Nancy's nephew, James Triplett and his wife.
Living in dwelling # 126 was Nancy's sister Sina Ellen, and husband Thomas Triplett.
Living in dwelling # 134 was Nancy's sister, Sarah L., and husband Amos Johnson. Also living with the Johnson's was their son James O., age 17, and a niece, Lora Boggs, age 18
1911 Whatcom Co. Tax List page 478: Ferguson, G.W. $70 Lynden RFD1
Matilda Ferguson was born to Nancy on June 17, 1914. Named after Nancy's mother, Matilda unfortunately passed away when she was several hours old. The physician that attended the birth told Nancy that she should refrain from having any further children.
Unfortunately, Nancy didn't listen to her physician and gave birth to another baby girl on August 24, 1916. The baby was 3 months premature and died, and a day later, Nancy Boggs Ferguson passed away.
Per Nancy's death certificate, she was treated by the physician from 8/22 thru 8/25/1916, dying on the last day at 10:35 pm. The main cause of death was heart failure due to hemorrhaging. Nancy had been in the St. Joseph's Hospital for 3 days until her death. She was attended by Dr. J. Reid Morrison. Nancy's parents are listed as James Boggs and Matilda Lyons, both of Kentucky. She was 42 years, 1 month and 14 days old at the time of her death. Washington State Board of Health # 159
Nancy was buried in Lynden Cemetery, 8/28/1916, by Arthur O. Harlow, undertaker. Her baby was buried in the coffin with her, and at that time a photo was taken of the two of them in the coffin, prior to burial.
(Harlow & Livingston, funeral directors, 1051-1055 Elk street. Bellingham)
On September 13, 1916, Nancy's son Charley had emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix and peritonitis. Charley died during the surgery. He was buried on top of his mother's coffin, in the same grave.
Per her Obit:
Thursday, August 31, 1916 Lynden Tribune page 1:
"Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug 29, for Mrs. G.W. Ferguson of Goshen at the Mission Church, Rev. C.E. Hodges officiating. Mrs. Ferguson and her infant baby girl passed away at St. Joseph's hospital. The baby was born Thursday, Aug. 24, and lived only twelve hours. Mrs. Ferguson died the next day.
Nancy Boggs was born in Sacredwind, KY., July 11, 1874. She was married to G.W. Ferguson March 17, 1894. They lived in Kentucky until 1903, when they came west. Mrs. Ferguson leaves to mourn her besides her husband and eight children, a brother in British Columbia, two sisters in Kendall, Wa., a brother and six sisters in Kentucky and many other relatives and friends."
August 31, 1916 Lynden Tribune:
"Card of Thanks...
We wish to thank our many friends for their sympathy and kindness during our late bereavement...
Mr. G. W. Ferguson and Family
Mr. & Mrs. John Lemming
Mr. and Mrs. A. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. T. Triplett
Mr. and Mrs. R.F. Palmer
Lora and Verna Boggs"
Kathy Pinna 
Pam Marks 
Rita Fleener 
