James Boulware, Sr.
Died January 19, 1946
"The Grand Patriarch of the Boulware Family"
James Boulware, Sr. (Papa) was a strong man of wisdom, mind and moral fiber. He was a farmer who was concerned with the survival of his family as well as his community. He instilled these values and attributes into his children while they were yet still young. Papa felt that with love and proper parental guidance for his children, they would be productive individuals with their own families one day. Papa never had the opportunity to attend school as a young boy. He was aware that education was the answer to a lot of the black man's problem. As Papa and Mama Alberta raised their children, he learned to read and write. |  |
Although Papa had no real formal education, you could not swindle him out of his money. It was said that he could "count money in his head quicker than you could add it on paper." Papa believed in knowing how to count money, because if you did not have that skill you were an easy prey "to the man." Papa trained his children the art of counting their money in their heads. All of Papa's children were good in math and some aspired to have their own businesses.
Papa was a man of soulnd moral attributes and he encouraged his children to be likewise. However, it was said, he was a man of few words, and would fight you if you vexed him. Although he was a "short man in stature," he did not mind fighting you; that's probably why his children didn't back down from a physical or verbal confrontations. It was told, while they lived on the "Quarter," (a parcel of land for sharecroppers) if one fought, all fought. NOTE: Can you visualize your mom, your dad or your aunties and uncles throwing down? The youngest of the sibling was the official rock thrower while the others fought.
Papa loved Mama Alberta and he was a good provider for the family. He was truly a family man, a one woman man and believed in supporting and loving all family members. It was nothing for him to share with Mama Alberta's relatives their limited resources. If one ate, all ate. He loved also taking care ofhis livestock, and was known to be an excellent horseman. It as told that Papa would run off his porch and jump onto his horse and ride it.
Papa passed before many of his grandchildren were born, and some of his younger children were still in their early twenties; however, his grandchildren still recall their parents telling them how Papa instilled strong family values to love and to support one another. Today, these attributes are still being resonated in the Boulwares.
Papa James Boulware, Sr., died January 19, 1946 of pneumonia.
