James Stoddard Boynton (May 7, 1833 – December 22, 1902) was an American politician and jurist.

James S. Boynton
51st Governor of Georgia
In office
March 4, 1883 – May 10, 1883
Preceded byAlexander H. Stephens
Succeeded byHenry D. McDaniel
Personal details
Born
James Stoddard Boynton

(1833-05-07)May 7, 1833
Henry County, Georgia, U.S.
DiedDecember 22, 1902(1902-12-22) (aged 69)
Griffin, Georgia, U.S.
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Early life

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Boynton was born in Henry County, Georgia on May 7, 1833. He was a lawyer, having passed the bar in 1852.

Civil War

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Boynton fought in the Civil War, serving as a private with the 30th Georgia Infantry.[1] He was wounded in the Battle of Atlanta,[2] and achieved the rank of colonel by the end of the war.[3] After the war, Boynton moved to Griffin in 1865.

Political life

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Boynton briefly served as the 51st governor of Georgia from 1883 after the death of Governor Alexander Stephens. At the time of Stephens death, Boynton was serving as the president of the Georgia Senate so he assumed the governorship. His additional political service included the office of Mayor of Griffin, Georgia.

Boynton also served as a judge in the Spalding County, Georgia Court and the Flint Circuit Superior Court.[4]

Death and legacy

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He died at his home in Griffin in 1902 and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in that same city.

A street in Chickamauga, Georgia is named for him.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Powell, David A. (2014). The Chickamauga Campaign: a Mad Irregular Battle From the Crossing of Tennessee River Through the First Day, August 22 - September 19, 1863. Dorado Hills, Calif.: Savas Beatie. p. 309. ISBN 9781611211740.
  2. ^ "Historic Utoy Church historical marker". Digital Library of Georgia. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  3. ^ "James Boynton". National Governors Association. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  4. ^ Cimbala, Paul A. (1999). The Freedmen's Bureau reconstructing the American South after the Civil War. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-1575240947.
  5. ^ "Walker County". Calhoun Times. September 1, 2004. p. 106. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
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Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Georgia
1883
Succeeded by