General Notes

Notes from the Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography Vol. III II-- Judges Supreme Court of Appeals as database of Ancestry.com viewing records 13277-13286 of 22143.

His early youth was passed in Richmond, where he attended a school conducted by Mr. Turner. He afterwards was a stucent at New London Academy, in Bedford County, then under the charge of the Rev. Nicholas H. Cobbs, afterward  the distinguished Bishop of Alabama. At this celebrated shcool he completed his academic studies, and on his return home, for a year taught a heighborhood school. He then removed to Halifax county, where he toook up law studies under the office preceptorship of the Hon. William Leigh, one of Virginia's greatest jurists, and who ever afterwaard cherished a genuine affection and admiration for his pupil. On coming to the bar, Mr. Bouldin found his capabilities taxed to the utmost in settling the affairs of his father, and the extensive estate of Frederick Ross( for whom the elder Bouldin was the representative), which had been left greatly embarassed. In dischrging these onerous duties, Mr. Bouldin established a high reputation for ability and integity, He now settled in Charlotte Court House, where he practiced his profession with great success. in 1842 , seeking a lorger field, he removed to Richmond, where he entered into a law partnership with Robert C. Stanard, one of the most eminent lawyers of his day. He at once took his position in the front rank of the Richmond bar, and Grattan's Reports record many opions which attest his ability and learning. In 1853 he purchased the fine platation of Stauntion river, on which John Randolph, of Ranoke, had resided, and here took up his residence, and practiced his profession in Charlotte, Halifax and Mecklenburg counties. When civil war was inpending, Mr. Boulding was make a delegate to the Virginia convention of 1861. Here he insisted that the state should never leave the Union until she had made every endeavor to settle the differences between the different sections of the country, and refused to vote for the secession ordinance until President Lincoln called upon Virginia for troops, when he cast his lot with his state. During the war, he was one of the most trusted leaders in the legislature. After the surrender of Gen. Lee, he did not indulge in vain regrets, but took a patriot's part in seeking to recover the state and its people from the destructive results of the war. In the Great"Capitol Disaster" in Richmond, he was among  those who ere in the court room, and went down with the falling floors. He was extricated, as was believed, without serious injury, but his system had been severely shocked, and he sought a brief rest. in 1872 he was elected by the legislature to the Supreme Court of Appeals, to succeed the Hon. William T Joynes and after much hesitation, he accepted , at the cost of considerable pecuniary sacifice. His judicial career was shor, his death occurring , at his home. Oct 10, 1876. "He exhibited a learning and grasp of intellect which placed him in the front rank of the great jurists who had adorned the Virginia Bench.