She is mentioned in the will of her husband John, dated 2 January 1697.

She is probably Mary Mess. The will of John Mess calls John Boughan “my brother” and includes a gift to Mary Boughan, daughter of John and Mary. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 9, pages 163–165.]

Essex County Court of 10 August 1699. “Mary Boughan Complains that Jno Puckett did Some time about ye 24 day of July assault, beat & kick her after a cruel [blot] So that she was bruised and incapable of going about her affairs, whereupon Its refer’d to a Jury for Tryal who (by name Henry Woodnutt, Jno Hawkins, Tho Short, Wm Ayers, Job Virgid, Wm Irving, Jno Parker, Bartho Vawter, Tho Ramsey, Tho Munday Tho Hucklescott, & Geo Lloyd) being Sworne return for verdt: we of ye Jury do find for the abuse of the plt one thousand pounds of Tobo wch is ordered to be recorded and that the defendt pay the said [sic] one thousand pounds of Tobacco to the Plt with Costs [illeg, 1 word] Exo ffrom wch the defendt appeals to ye 6th day of the next Genll Court Its therefore ordered that he give Security to prosente the same according to Law.” [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 10 reverse, page 6.]

On 10 March 1701/2, the suite betweene Mary Boughan and Jeffery Dyer was dismist for want of Prosecution. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 10 reverse, page 113.]