The theme for Week 7 was “Love.” One of the wisest decisions I have ever made was to become involve in genealogy research. As my skills increased, I was able to concentrate on my family’s history. Out of the many interesting family members that I love to research was Peter W. Bough, born in 1854 on St. Croix.
Peter is the brother of my 3rd Great-Grandfather and the youngest son for his mother Susan Crow-Bough. As an apprentice at 15 he studied a trade which carried him throughout most of his life. He was the hint, that supported the oral history connection of the Muckle branch to the family tree. Peter Bough was listed as a witness on the marriage record of his niece, Julia Bough and Alfred Muckle in the Anglican Church. I was amazed at his travels, which included a trip to Boston visiting his nephew Dr. Irvin Bough as well as his livelihood as a painter. At first, I thought he was an artist, but further research showed that he was not an artist but was an accomplished self-employed painter who worked for private families. He must have been very successful to be able to live on the Upper East Side of New York in the early part of the 1900’s. As someone who was born in New York, I can tell you that you would not have found many persons of color from the Danish West Indies living in that area; most of us lived in Harlem. I was very impressed to know that my Uncle Peter was a man of prestige and prominence. Peter was married to Adrianna Williams of St. Croix. He died in New York he was 67 years old.
Sources:
Marriages, 1867-1901 St. Johns Anglican Church Book Records.
Virgin Islands Social History Associates (VISHA), comp. U.S. Virgin Islands Census, 1835-1911 (Danish Period) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.
New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1915; Election District: 08; Assembly District: 20; City: New York; County: New York; Page: 41
The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Petitions for Naturalization from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1897-1944; Series: M1972; Roll: 122
Source Information
My Genealogical Journey: 
As always, Shelly, interesting, interesting, and love reading your family history.
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Ive been trying to keep up with the 52 week challenge. It has me quite busy… Thank you for hanging around…..I appreciate your comments.
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Hi Shelley,
I stumbled upon this page through Google. My own name is Peter W. Bough. My father is Bruce W Bough and my grandfather was also named Peter W Bough. His parents (my great grandfather) died when he was quite young and he was essentially orphaned. They lived in London and we now live in Ireland. I wonder is there any relation there? Maybe you could shed some light?
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Hey Peter:
The possibility of a London/Irish connection goes hand and hand with the family lore. It is said that as early as the 19th century the Boughs came to the Danish West INdies hailed out of Cavan County Ireland. https://shelleyskylinejourney.com/2015/02/05/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks-5-family-lore-ireland-to-the-danish-west-indies/. Have you considered any DnA testings. Perhaps we can share and shed light on the possibilities.
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