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(L to R) Kathleen Bogart Kennedy and Brown Library historian Stephen Farrell

Brown Library historian Stephen Farrell holds the saber of Colonel David Nevious Bogart (Clark Curtis/For WDN)

Colonel David Nevious Bogart picurured with his saber

Saber of Colonel David Nevious Bogart

Handcrafted jewelry of Mary Morton Bogart

(L to R) Brown Library historian Stephen Farrell and Kathleen Bogart Kennedy with the Bogart Family Bible (Clark Curtis/For WDN)

Brown Library historian Stephen Farrell and Kathleen Bogart Kennedy by display case with Bogart family artifacts, top shelf (Clark Curtis/For WDN)

By Clark Curtis, For Washington Daily News

Colonel David Nevious Bogart was born in Washington in 1847. He served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War and would go on to become the Lt. Colonel of the First Regiment of the North Carolina State Guard. But perhaps he is best known for opening his own drug store in Washington in 1868 and becoming one of the most respected druggists in the area. He also became known for his philanthropy and work with the poor and disadvantaged. It was during Bogart’s service in the North Carolina State Guard that he met his untimely death after being thrown from his horse while on duty. As written by Washington Pastor E.E. Bigger at the time of Bogart’s funeral, “He entered into the feelings, the sorrows, and the struggle of the suffering. His kindness was without stint or respect of class, it was loving-kindness. He was the poor mans’ friend, the poor mans’ doctor.”

Several months ago, by happenstance, the great-granddaughter of Bogart, Kathleen Bogart Kennedy, who was raised in Washington and now lives in Virginia, met Brown Library Historian, Stephen Farrell. “I was staying at When Pigs Fly while visiting and just walked over to the library and asked who I should speak with about my family history,” said Kennedy. “I, of course, was introduced to Mr. Farrell, which led to a lengthy conversation. We swapped stories about the Bogart family and I told him about many of the family heirlooms and artifacts that I had become the caretaker of over the years.”

Kennedy recently paid another visit to the Brown Library, and this time bringing with her some of the family heirlooms which included, the Bogart family Bible, handcrafted jewelry of her great grandmother Mary Morton Bogart and the military saber that her great-grandfather once donned while in the North Carolina State Guard.

“We have the picture of Colonel Bogart in his State Guard military dress uniform with the sword that we have here today,” said Farrell. “Being able to actually see something that has laid in the shadows for the last 130 years that he touched and was with him on the day of his untimely death, is hard to put into words. It is everyone’s dream in my profession to be able to connect the story of such a revered man to the object. To be able to hold something that he once held was truly remarkable, and one that I will remember throughout my career and after.”

Kennedy is in search of a new home for many of these artifacts. “All of these family heirlooms have been funneled down to me as no one else in the family really seemed to want them,” said Kennedy. “We have a great family history to share and people need to know about it and see it before it ends up on eBay, stuffed away in a box in a dark closet someplace, or left on the lawn for a yard sale when grandma dies. My goal is to keep it protected somewhere in the public domain for others to see.”

Farrell is quite honored that the Brown Library could become the new home of such treasured artifacts of one of Washington’s historic legends. “Washington is unique in that we are building a collection here at the library that visitors and residents alike have an opportunity to be in the same room with and be up close to it,” said Farrell. “Very seldom is it that you are able to place a military artifact with the picture of a military veteran. For our visitors and myself, it is like opening a Christmas present every day of the year.”

As for Kennedy, it is now time to reflect upon her recent visit to Washington, with hopes of donating the items to the city’s history collection that Farrell has been advocating for at the Brown Library.

“It is remarkable that the people outside of our family here at the Brown Library care enough and are interested enough to preserve and share with the public a part of our past,” said Kennedy. “I grew up living on South Bonner street. I played in the home where the Flying Pig is now located on East Second Street with one of my friends. I remember running up and down all of the stairs and playing in all of the rooms. I love Washington.”

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