Boatner Place was built in 1907 by Dr. Frank Piece Boatner, one of the founders of the modern town of Potts Camp. Dr. Boatner came to Potts Camp around 1890 and opened up a medical practice in the small town. Boatner spent part of his time traveling the country roads via horse and buggy, visiting sick patients. Boatner would go on to represent Marshall County in the Mississippi Senate, and served on the local town, school and church boards. Dr. Boatner had numerous children with his first wife, Mary Boatner, who died in 1905. Boatner’s oldest son, Frank Boatner Jr., died in a tragic drowning accident in 1916. Boatner would go on to marry his second wife, Lena Boatner, before dying in 1930.
After Dr. Boatner’s death, this house was owned by his second wife, Lena Boatner, until her death in 1964. After Lena’s death, the house passed to Dr. Boatner’s children and grandchildren, and in 1966 the home was sold to J. M. “Flick” Ash, who lived here with his wife Floy until 2002. Floy Ash continues to live in the house to this day.
Boatner Place is a typical late Victorian cottage, with a gable-front, two-bay porch supported by round columns on brick piers, and a beautiful circular stained-glass window. Originally, Boatner Place had intricate Victorian lattice work over the front gable, but this was removed at some point in the past.
Thanks to local Potts Camp historian Mary Minor and “expert deed investigator” Beverly “Nubby” Hurdle for help researching the history of Boatner Place.
Hill Country History 
I enjoy your emails. Dr. Boatner and my great grandmother were first cousins. Their grandfather, John Wesley Boatner, moved to this area in 1835. He was a South Carolina native. By the time of the 1860 census, he had 2000 acres of land south of Hickory Flat. He was also the founder of Amaziah Baptist Church and cemetery and was a state delegate for Mississippi in 1851. On May 29, 2016 10:29 AM, “Hill Country History” wrote:
> Phillip Knecht posted: ” Boatner Place was built in 1907 by Dr. Frank > Piece Boatner, one of the founders of the modern town of Potts Camp. Dr. > Boatner came to Potts Camp around 1890 and opened up a medical practice in > the small town. Boatner spent part of his time traveling t” >
LikeLiked by 1 person