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History  of  the  Boyd  Family 
and  its  Descendants 


WILLIAM  P.  BOYD 


HISTORY 


OF   THE 


BOYD    FAMILY  AND 
DESCENDANTS 


WITH 

HISTORICAL  SKETCHES 

OF   THE    Ancient    Family    of    Boyd's    in    Scotland   from 

THE  YEAR  I200,  AND  THOSE  OF  IRELAND  FROM  THE  YEAR  1680, 

WITH  Records  of  their  Descendants  in  Kent,  New 
Windsor,  Albany,  Middletown  and  Salem,  N.  Y.,  Boston, 
Mass.,  Northumberland  County,  Pa.,  and  Sketches  of 
those    from    the    Southern    and    Western    States   from 

1740  TO  1 9 12 


BY 


WILLIAM    P.  BOYD 

author  of    history    OF    BOYD    FAMILY    (1884) 
history    of    town    of    CONESUS    (1887),    ETC. 


ROCHESTER,    N.    Y. 
JOHN    P.    SMITH    PRINTING    COMPANY 

1912 

.A 


•B7-1 


COPYRIGHT    I9I2 
BY    \VILLIAM    P.    BOYD 


Contents 


PART     I 

Chapter  Puge 

Introductory  Chapter i-vi 

I     History  of  the  Early  Settlements  of  Scotland i 

II     History  of  the  City  of  Kilmarnock,  Scotland -21 

III  History  of  the  Ancient  Home  of  the  Boyds  in  Scotland  35 

IV  History  of  the  Old  and  Ancient  Family  of  Boyds  in 

vScotland 53 

V     History  of  the  Stewart  or  Stuart  Family  of  Scotland.  85 

VI     History  of  the  Boyd  Family  of  Ireland 93 

VII     History  of  the  Coats  of  Arms  Given  to  the  Boyds  of 

Scotland 99 

VIII     History  of  the  Boyds  of  America 113 

IX     Copies  of  Letters  Relating  to  the  Boyd  FamiHes  of 

America 123 

X     Historical  Sketches  of  the  Boyd  Families  of  America.  151 


PART     II 

I     History  of  the  Boyds  of  Kent,  Piitnam  Co.,  N.  Y., 

and  Descendants 189 

II     History  of  the  Boyds  of  Salem, N.Y., and  Descendants      321 

III  History  of  the  Boyds  of   MiddletowU;   N.  Y.,  and 

Descendants 337 

IV  History  of  the  Boyds  of  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.,  and 

Descendants 355 

V     History   of  the    Boyds  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and  De- 
scendants        421 

VI     History  of  the  Boyds  of  Boston,   Mass.,  and  De- 
scendants       445 

VII     History  of  the  Boyds  of  Northumberland  Co.,  Pa., 

and  Descendants 463 

VIII     History  of  the  Boyds  of  Aghadcwey,  County  Antrim, 

Ireland 487 


PART     ONE 


General   Introduction 


This  volume  is  a  family  record.  Its  design  is  to  give  a 
history  of  the  ancient  family  of  "Boyt"  or  "Boyd"  of  the  Old 
World  and  their  descendants  in  America.  To  preserve  their  tra- 
dition, gather  up  the  fading  memorials  of  the  past,  and  transmit 
them  to  those  who  shall  succeed  us.  Prior  to  the  year  of 
1884,  or  before  I  published  my  first  edition  and  commenced  to 
investigate  my  lineage,  which  was  not  done  for  the  purpose  of 
publishing  the  same  in  book  form,  but  done  only  for  my  own 
satisfaction,  that  I  might  learn  the  true  character  of  my  ancestors 
and  of  those  who  honorably  bore  the  name  of  Boyd.  But,  becom- 
ing interested  in  the  work  and  meeting  at  that  time  so  much 
success,  far  beyond  m.y  expectation,  in  obtaining  information 
from  Scotland  and  Ireland  pertaining  to  the  first  families  of  the 
Boyds  of  those  countries,  as  well  as  those  in  my  native  land,  and 
resting  under  many  solicitations  from  others,  I  decided  to  con- 
tinue my  researches  and  print  what  information  I  could  obtain, 
that  it  might  not  become  lost  to  the  coming  generations  of  descend- 
ants that  will  follow  after  us.  If  I  had  known  at  that  time  the 
difiQculties  I  had  to  encounter  and  overcome,  and  the  expense  to  be 
incurred,  the  years  of  toil  to  be  spent,  which  many  would  have 
shrunk  back  appalled  at  the  magnitude  of  the  undertaking  in  the 
preparation  of  that  little  book.  As  it  caused  me  to  write  more 
than  a  thousand  letters  to  all  parts  of  America,  as  well  as  to  the 
Old  World  and  to  travel  many  miles  to  investigate  records  of  their 
native  places,  and  to  obtain  information  from  church  and  church 
yards  as  well  as  family  records.  If  I  had  spent  more  time  and 
labor,  the  work  might  have  been  greatly  improved.     Yet  as  it 


II  GENERAL    INTRODUCTION 

was,  four  years  soon  rolled  away  in  search  of  the  papers  and 
records  from  which  I  prepared  my  first  edition  of  the  Boyd 
family  for  the  press  and  to  look  for  a  publisher  to  finish  my 
great  undertaking  and  give  me  a  rest.  It  was  now  that  I  received 
my  first  real  disappointment.  For  as  soon  as  I  began  to  consult 
some  of  the  large  printing  firms  throughout  the  country,  I  found 
my  imaginary  expectation  badly  discouraged.  The  prices  of  the 
publishers  that  were  given  me  reached  so  far  beyond  the  encour- 
agement I  had  received  in  the  sale  of  books  from  the  descendants 
of  the  Boyd  families,  placed  the  printing  of  the  little  volume  out 
of  my  financial  reach,  and  like  an  over-taxed  schoolboy,  did  not 
know  what  to  do  next.  Having  for  six  years,  a  small  printing 
office  of  my  own,  that  had  been  miy  constant  care  in  passing  my 
leisure  timiC  away.  So  after  meditating  a  short  time  over  my 
misfortunes  of  life,  a  bright  thought  struck  my  mind — why  could 
I  not  do  the  work  myself. 

As  a  persons'  life  is  built  of  sunshine  and  shadows  from  the 
edge  of  a  dark  cloud,  so  it  was  with  m^e  at  this  time,  and  after 
short  meditation,  I  concluded  to  undertake  it.  I  now  found 
another  great  obstruction  in  my  way  and  that  was  my  limited 
education  which  I  had  obtained  in  a  common  district  school  at 
the  place  of  my  birth.  Oh!  how  I  now  long  to  turn  back  to  the 
days  of  my  childhood  again,  and  improve  the  hours  I  had  whiled 
away  in  vain!  But  it  was  now  too  late,  and  with  sad  thoughts 
on  my  inind,  and  brooding  over  my  educational  misfortunes,  my 
devoted  wife  (to  whom  the  readers  of  this  edition  are  indebted  for 
the  printing  of  the  first  edition,  and  whose  likeness  will  be  found 
in  the  proper  place  in  our  chapter  of  the  Boyds  of  Kent,  N.  Y.) 
came  to  my  relief,  and  with  her  kind  dictation  I  was  enabled  to 
prepare  and  print  my  little  Boyd  history  of  1884.  Yet  at  the 
same  time  I  would  have  you  bear  in  mind  that  I  set  every  letter, 
transposed  them  into  lines,  formed  them  into  pages,  printed  them 
from  a  rotary  press  of  my  own  make  and  a  folding  machine  of  my 
own  construction.  No  doubt  there  were  many  mistakes,  words 
spelled  wrong,  sentences  discomposed  and  many  other  typo- 
graphical errors  (as  most  of  the  work  was  done  after  dark  and 
a  hard  dav's  work  on  the  old  farm  of  mv  father's.     But  as  far  as 


GENERAL    INTRODUCTION  III 

it  went,  it  gave  a  correct  history  of  those  it  mentioned  and  held 
their  names  on  record  to  the  memory  of  the  Hving  generations, 
for  years  to  come.  This  Httle  book,  whose  edition  was  only  150 
copies,  flew  like  the  wind  all  over  the  world,  and  in  a  few 
months  (except  a  few  reserved  copies)  was  out  of  the  reach  of 
all. 

Twenty-seven  years  have  come  and  rolled  away.  In  that  time 
I  have  received  many  letters  froin  those  who  were  disappointed 
that  their  branches  were  not  represented.  And  from  the  same 
persons  I  have  received  a  large  number  of  valuable  sketches  of 
their  branches  which  I  have  saved,  and  I  have  been  urged  by 
many  to  prepare  this  volume,  our  second  edition,  and  with  offers 
of  encouragement,  I  have  done  so,  after  much  time  and  labor. 

Dear  readers,  genealogical  works  are  never  perfect.  The 
source  from  which  they  are  obtained  from  the  county,  town  and 
family  records  are  more  or  less  defective.  They  are  vanished 
lines  which  would  require  large  sums  of  money  and  years  to  trace 
out,  and  lost  threads  that  can  never  be  recovered.  Many  families 
keep  no  records,  and  many  records  are  lost  by  accident,  so  it  is 
utterly  impossible  always  to  ascertain  the  correct  dates.  We 
have  given  as  full  a  record  as  could  be  made  from  the  infonnation 
at  our  command.  As  mere  names  and  dates  are  not  always  inter- 
esting reading,  we  have  endeavored  to  bring  before  the  reader 
the  living  individuals,  and  have  introduced  a  large  amount  of 
biographical  and  historical  matter,  giving  the  prominent  facts 
of  the  descendants' lives,  the  position  they  have  occupied  in  civil 
life,  in  the  military  service  of  their  country,  or  in  liberal  pro- 
fessions, as  our  space  would  permit. 

In  the  orthography  of  proper  names,  we  have  generally 
followed  the  spelling  sent  us  in  records.  When  you  find  we  have 
made  errors  in  dates  (which  are  many  in  all  genealogical  works), 
some  blame  must  rest  on  those  sending  them.  Records  are  often 
written  unlegibly  and  some  times  given  different  by  the  same 
person.  Our  dates  of  the  births,  marriages  and  deaths  of  descend- 
ants will  be  found  as  full  as  extensive  records  can  make  them. 

Our  history  of  the  Boyds  of  the  Southern  States  is  very 
limited.     At  the  time  of  the  Civil  War  sweeping  over  the  same, 


IV  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

rnan}^  records  of  families  were  lost  and  have  never  been  recovered, 
and  today  there  are  but  a  few  Boyds  in  those  States  that  can  go 
back  far  in  their  ancestory.  After  spending  much  time  and 
labor  in  our  researches,  we  have  had  to  give  up  our  investigations 
in  vain.  This  volum.e  which  now  goes  before  the  public  as  a 
famib/ record,  as  we  have  said  before,  is  woven  from  such  material 
as  could  be  gathered  after  no  little  labor,  though  in  a  manner 
somewhat  desultory.  Fidelity  to  truth  and  justice  to  the  char- 
acter of  persons  has  been  my  conscientious  aim.  It  has  been 
my  intention  not  to  give  anything  in  this  work  to  reflect  upon  the 
character  of  persons,  or  hurt  the  feelings  of  their  descendants. 
Should  there  be  a  single  instance  of  that  kind  in  the  book,  I 
humbly  ask  their  pardon  from  intentionally  doing  them  an  injury. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

I  wish  to  express  my  deep  obligation  to  all  who  have  so 
kindly  seconded  my  efforts  by  correspondence  and  words  of 
encouragement  and  personal  assistance. 

To  Miss  Ellen  W.  Boyd,  who  was  preceptress  of  the  St. 
Agnes  School  of  Alban}^,  New  York,  in  1884  and  a  descendant  of 
the  New  Windsor  Boyds,  for  her  kind  assistance  at  that  time 
in  obtaining  a  sketch  of  the  ruins  of  Dean  Castle,  one  of  the  homes 
of  the  Boyds  of  Scotland,  while  upon  a  pleasure  tour  to  the  city 
of  Kilmarnock  through  the  summer  months  of  1882.  She  also 
at  that  time  furnished  me  cuts  of  the  coat  of  arms  belonging  to 
her  father,  Hon.  John  Boyd  of  Winchester  County,  Connecticut, 
beside  many  other  valuable  papers  pertaining  to  her  branch  of 
the  Boyd  family. 

To  Mr.  N.  T.  Boyd  of  Warppingers  Falls  and  Mr.  Samuel  J. 
Boyd  of  Ottisville,  New  York,  who  have  been  very  liberal  and 
zealous  in  preparing  the  history  of  their  respective  branches  of 
the  same  family.  To  the  latter  we  are  indebted  for  furnishing 
cuts  of  his  branch,  and  securing  for  us  a  large  number  of  sub- 
scribers for  copies  of  this  work. 

To  Mr.  Frederick  Boyd  of  Middletown,  New  York,  for  compil- 
ing the  history  of  his  branch  of  the  Middletown  Bo3'ds. 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS  V 

To  Mrs.  Alice  E.  Pray  of  Albany,  New  York,  for  papers  and 
records  of  the  Boyds  of  Albany,  New  York,  and  preparing  the 
chapter  of  her  branch  and  also  to  Mr.  Charles  L.  Boyd  of  Chicago 
and  Mr.  Henry  Griffing  of  Warrensburg,  New  York,  for  kind 
assistance  in  same. 

To  Mr.  Robert  K.  Boyd  ex-councilman  of  Eau  Claire,  Wis- 
consin. To  him  the  readers  of  this  book  are  greatly  indebted 
for  the  publication  of  same,  who  in  the  financial  dark  hours  en- 
countered by  the  author,  came  forward  with  financial  aid.  Also 
for  the  records,  etc.,  of  the  Salem  Boyds  of  New  York. 

To  the  Rev.  Thomas  Wallace  Boyd  of  Oakland,  California, 
foniierly  a  native  of  the  Northern  part  of  Ireland,  and  Mr. 
William  J.  Boyd  of  Caledonia  and  Mr.  Henry  A.  Boyd  of  Buffalo, 
New  York,  for  historical  facts  pertaining  to  the  Boyds  of  Ireland 
and  the  latter  for  sending  cut  of  coat  of  arms  and  a  view  of  Dean 
Castle  in  1790. 

Regarding  the  history  of  the  Boyds  of  Kent,  New  York, 
Boston,  Massachusetts  and  Northumberland,  Pennsylvania,  has 
been  copied  from  our  former  history  of  1884,  with  many  correc- 
tions made  by  the  descendants  since  that  tmie. 

In  regard  to  the  Boyd  family  of  Franklin,  Massachusetts, 
which  we  expected  to  have  included  in  this  work,  will  say  the 
records  of  the  same  were  sent  to  me  by  a  descendant  from  which 
we  prepared  a  chapter  in  comparison  to  the  chapter  found  in  our 
book  from  a  tangible  lot  of  manuscripts.  After  doing  so  I  for- 
warded all  the  records  we  had  with  this  chapter  back  to  the 
descendant  for  his  correction  and  revisal.  He  becoming  vexed 
over  some  unknown  cause  to  us  has  uncourteously  ignored  the 
many  letters  we  have  written  him.  For  the  want  of  records,  etc., 
we  are  obliged  to  omit  the  same  from  our  book.  At  same  time  I 
extend  to  Miss  Caroline  B.  Fisk  of  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  a 
descendant,  our  thanks  for  the  kindness  she  has  exerted  to  place 
the  same  in  our  hands,  which  again  proved  a  failure. 

In  conclusion  I  must  say  to  all  who  have  been  so  kind  and 
courteous  to  the  author  in  answering  letters  and  preparing  records, 
whose  names  I  have  not  mentioned  in  this  introductory  chapter, 
to  them  the  Author  extends  his  sincere  thanks,  and  hopes  that  the 


VI  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

perusal  of  these  pages  may  afford  to  them  as  much  i)leasure  as 
the  preparation  and  pubHcation  of  this  history  of  the  Boyd 
family  has  afforded  the  Author.  This  work  has  been  his  constant 
care  for  over  thirty  years.  He  can  never  receive  pay  for  all  of 
his  toil,  and  he  is  glad  to  say,  he  has  always  been  well  treated 
(except  by  one  man)  with  the  tenderest  heart.  It  has  afforded 
him  a  delightful  jjastime,  for  without  it,  he  would  have  seen 
many  weary  hours.  And  among  the  sunny  memories  of  his  past 
and  future  life,  will  be  the  remembrance  of  the  many  true  and 
noble  men  and  women  whose  first  acquaintance  it  has  given 
him. 

William  P.  Boyd. 
Conesus,  New  York,  August  i,  igiz. 


CHAPTER     I 
History  of  the   Early  Settlements  of  Scotland 

Scotland,  the  home  of  our  forefathers,  is  a  romantic  Httle 
country  of  the  old  world,  consisting  of  about  twenty-six  thou- 
sand square  miles  or  -  a  little  more  than  twice  the  size  of  New 
Hampshire.  It  is  dotted  over  with  lakes  and  many  curious 
creeks  winding  their  way  among  its  mountains,  diminishing  to 
a  great  extent  its  habitable  surface.  The  indentations  of  the 
sea  around  Scotland  are  so  many  and  so  extensive,  that  this 
little  country  has  a  sea-coast  of  more  than  three  thousand  miles. 
While  the  amis  of  the  sea  almost  cut  it  in  two  again  and  again > 
In  several  places  but  for  a  few  miles,  one  could  sail  across  from 
the  Atlantic  to  North  Sea.  One  arm  of  Argyleshire  stretches- 
into  the  North  Channel  till  it  reaches  within  about  ten  miles  of 
the  county  of  Antrim,  in  Ireland.  When  3'ou  add  to  this,  the 
fact,  that  Scotland  is  covered  with  mountains,  traversed  in 
every  direction  by  deep  and  beautiful  valleys,  whose  surface  are 
marked  by  rapid  rivers,  has  large  flocks  of  birds  and  inniimerable 
beds  of  flowers,  exceeding  those  of  England  in  variety,  with  a 
climate  so  softened  by  the  ocean  that  the  thermometer  rarely,  if 
ever  falls  to  zero  in  winter.  While  in  summer,  80  degrees  is  the 
limit  of  heat — you  can  hardly  wonder  that  it  was  a  most  at- 
tractive land  and  dear  in  memory  to  our  forefathers  as  they 
gazed  back  in  their  settlement  here  to  their  fonner  homes  in 
that  foreign  land. 

Scotland  was  first  known  to  the  Romans  under  the  name 

of  Caledonia,  and  was  not  called  by  its  present  name  till  nearly 

[I] 


2  HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

four  hundred  years  after  their,  departure  or  about  A.  D.,  840. 
The  Roman  histories  speak  of  the  inhabitants  of  Caledonia  as 
consisting  of  many  tribes,  and  the  worst  kind  of  idolaters,  as 
robbers  and  uncivilized  Beings  living  in  huts,  nearly  naked  in 
summer  and  winter,  exceedingly  brave  and  warlike,  and  capable 
of  great  endurance.  In  speaking  of  them  the  Romans  called  them 
by  name  Picks  or  painted  men.  They  seem  to  have  inhabited  the 
low -lands  along  the  Eastern  coast,  while  the  old  Scotch  clans 
inhabited  the  Highlands.  Certainly  there  has  always  been  a 
difference  in  language  and  manners  between  the  two  races  of 
Beings.  Some  authorities  assert  that  Caledonia  was  invaded  by 
the  Scots,  a  Celtic  tribe  from  Ireland,  about  A.  D.,  500,  who 
established  a  kingdom  on  the  Western  coast,  and  gradually 
overpowered  the  Picks  and  obtained  control  of  the  whole  coun- 
try about  840.  But  this  whole  idea  that  the  original  Scotch 
were  from  Ireland,  seems  to  lack  proof  and  appears  very  much 
like  the  conjecture  of  some  historian  ambitious  to  have  a  theory. 
It  has  becom.e  certain  that  the  Saxons  invaded  the  land  about 
the  time  they  invaded  England,  and  they  conquered  and  settled 
the  lowlands  next  to  the  latter  country,  and  that  under  their 
chieftain  Edwin,  they  founded  Edwinsburg,  now  Edinburgh,  the 
capitol,  and  the  Picks  were  driven  back  West  and  North.  Prob- 
ably what  is  spoken  of  as  the  invasion  from  Ireland  in  that  mythi- 
cal period,  was  simply  an  uprising  of  the  highlanders  on  the 
North  and  West  of  Caledonia  in  which  they  poured  down  upon 
the  Saxons  and  obtained  possession  of  the  country  and  as  the 
principal  clans  in  these  victories  were  Scots,  and  the  leader  was  a 
Scot,  the  land  began  to  be  called  Scots-land,  while  the  Picks  and 
surviving  Saxons  were  absorbed  by  the  victorious  tribes. 

These  races  of  Savages,  like  the  Red  Men  of  North  America,, 
stained  their  faces,  dressed  themselves  in  the  skins  of  wild  animals, 
lived  together  in  huts  on  the  river  banks  or  in  rude  clearings  in 
the  forests.  Their  huts  were  not  made  like  those  of  American 
Indians,  of  poles  and  barks,  but  by  twisting  long  willow  sticks 
together  basket-like  shape  in  side  and  roofs  and  covering  the 
whole  with  mud,  leaving  an  opening  for  window  and  chimney. 
It  is  now  claimed  that  such  huts  are  built  and  occupied  by  some 


HISTORY   or  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  3 

of  the  tribe  at  this  present  day.  These  barbarians  were  great 
warriors,  and  enclosed  their  villages  with  trenches  and  low  mud 
walls  for  fortifications  to  defend  themselves.  They  had  many 
horses  and  cattle,  but  followed  no  agricultural  pursuits.  These 
tribes  were  polygamous,  but  unlike  the  mormons,  it  is  said  every 
woman  had  eight  or  ten  husbands.  Though  history  has  failed  to 
tell  us  how  she  managed  her  numerous  superior  half. 

These  uncivilized  tribes  were  united  by  one  common  re- 
ligion named  Druidism.  Their  priests  were  Druids.  It  took 
twenty  years  to  learn  and  commit  to  memory  their  various 
forms,  ballads  and  incantations.  They  had  no  books,  no  ser- 
mons, no  creeds,  but  had  numerous  other  rites  and  superstitions. 
The  Druids  kept  the  mystery  of  their  faith  in  their  hands  in  the 
deep  oak  forests,  so  little  is  really  known  of  them.  The  ruins  of 
their  great  temples  and  stupendous  alters  of  stone,  still  remain. 
It  was  a  terrible  religion  to  which  they  held;  sometimes  like  the 
savages  of  Africa,  they  offered  human  sacrifices,  carrying  round 
the  victim  in  wicker  cages  and  then  with  fearful  ceremonies, 
burning  them  alive.  It  was  the  most  authoritative  false  religion 
that  ever  existed. 

It  was  during  the  Roman  possessions  of  England  and  especi- 
ally the  last  part  of  it,  our  attention  is  called  to  the  Scots.  We 
are  often  told  in  history  about  the  inroads  of  the  "Picks  and 
Scots."  The  Picks  (as  I  have  stated)  were  painted  men  and  the 
Scots,  no  doubt  were  native  clans,  and  it  is  claimed  by  writers 
that  the  latter  derived  their  name  from  Anglo-Saxon  "Scot"  a 
wanderer,  while  other  writers  say  they  derived  their  name  from 
the  Anglo-Saxon  "Scot"  an  assessment  of  money  by  violence  or 
otherwise.  The  origin  of  these  old  clans  of  Scotland  is  a  matter 
m.uch  disputed  and  is  still  unsettled.  Nor  is  it  within  our  plan 
to  discuss  the  question.  Our  earliest  reliable  history  find  them 
in  the  Highlands  of  Scotland,  a  bold,  independent,  warlike,  un- 
conquerable race  which  they  are  today.  The  Romans  hated  and 
scorned  them,  but  could  not  subdue  them,  and  as  wealth  increased 
in  England  under  the  Roman  management,  the  depredations  of 
the  Scotch  rangers  increased.  They  came  down  from  the  moun- 
tains, captured  everything  they  wanted  and  departed  with  such 


4  HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

rapidity  as  to  preclude  pursuit  into  such  haunts  as  render  dis- 
covery impossible.  They  were  kind  to  the  poor,  helpful  to  the 
distressed,  having  in  all  their  lawless  depredations  a  certain 
haughty  nobleness  of  character,  they  were  on  the  whole  an  ex- 
ceedingly uncomfortable  race  to  the  Romans. 

As  a  last  resort,  the  Roman  generals  built  walls  and  dug 
ditches  between  England .  and  '  Scotland.  One  of  the  most 
formidable  of  these  walls  (which  is  said  to  have  been  built  A.  D., 
208);  was  called  the  "wall  of  Severn"  after  the  Emperor.  It  was 
inade  of  stone  eight  feet  thick,  and  twelve  feet  high,  and  along 
the  north  side  of  the  wall,  a  ditch  was  dug  the  whole  distance 
of  seventy  miles,  thirty-six  feet  wide  and  twelve  feet  deep.  It 
was  certainly  an  enormous  work.  On  this  wall  was  hundreds  of 
castles  and  turrets,  so  arranged  that  if  a  fire  was  lighted  in  one, 
it  could  be  seen  in  the  next,  and  in  that  way  extended  from 
tower  to  tower  and  from  shore  to  shore.  Such  an  immense 
barrier,  guarded  by  armed  men,  would  seem  enough  to  keep  back 
the  few  Scotch  of  the  northward  mountains.  Yet  over  this  great 
barrier,  they  often  broke  and  moved  along  the  Southern  counties 
like  the  wind,  escaping  with  their  booty  over  this  great  wall  and 
back  to  their  fortresses  behind  the  impassable  cliffs.  Consequently 
when  the  Roman  force  was  withdrawn  from  the  Island.  The  Britons 
long  used  to  being  defended  by  their  Roman  conquerors  and 
unacquainted  with  amis,  were  in  no  condition  to  meet  the  intrepid 
clansman  from  beyond  the  wall.  The  Romans  in  history  seem 
to  have  taken  their  farewell  departure  in  the  spring  of  A.  D.,  449. 
For  immediately  afterwards  the  Scots  began  pouring  in  upon  the 
defenseless  counties.  Only  a  feeble  resistance  was  offered  them; 
cattle,  horses,  fruit  and  treasures  fell  into  their  hands.  They 
seemed  to  regard  the  lands  of  the  Britons  as  their  proper  prey. 
The  latter  in  their  extremity  sent  a  deprecation  over  the  channel 
to  the  German  tribes  for  help.  And  thus  the  Scotch,  who  would 
have  controlled  the  whole  island  but  for  foreign  interference, 
became  the  occasion  of  letting  in  the  Saxons,  Angles  and  Jutes, 
who  afterward  governed  England.  Before  the  close  of  the  year 
(449)  some  seven  thousand  warriors  responded  to  the  Britons 
appeal  came  across  the  channel  and  soon  put  the  Scots  to  flight. 


HISTORY  OF  THE    BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  5 

The  rapidity  which  they  answered  to  this  call  for  help  has  been 
explained  by  the  statement  that  they  ^^  ere  already  meditating 
this  very  enterprise  by  way  of  conquest.  So  that  the  petition 
of  the  Britons  found  them  strangely  willing  not  only  to 
reply  in  the  affirmative,  but  to  follow  up  with  imm^ediate 
vigor.  Yet,  no  sooner  had  they  driven  back  the  Scotch  in- 
vaders, than  they  began  to  manifest  a  spirit  of  conquest  for 
themselves,  and  quietly  took  possession  of  one  important  place 
after  another.  Soon  being  reinforced  by  five  thousand  additional 
Saxons,  they  found  occasion  for  a  quarrel,  and  commenced 
open  hostilities  against  those  who  had  sought  their  help.  After  a 
varying  struggle,  the  Britons  were  mostly  slain  or  driven  to 
Wales  or  Cornwall.  A  few  escaped  to  France.  The  Saxons 
obtained  full  control.  The  country  was  divided  into  seven 
sm.all  kingdoms — sometime  in  conflict,  but  generally  allied 
together — and  in  this  way  they  held  on  their  course  for  more  than 
three  centuries.  But  in  827  Wessex  succeeded,  from  various 
causes,  chiefly  from  conquest  in  uniting  these  seven  kingdoms  into 
one,  which  received  the  name  of  England  (Angles-land)  and  was 
nearly  identical  in  area  with  that  which  bears  the  name  today. 
This  government  under  the  Anglo-Saxons  continued  unbroken 
until  1013,  when  the  Danes  succeeded  in  getting  possession  of 
the  kingdom  and  held  it  for  twenty-three  years,  after  which  the 
government  returned  to  the  Saxons,  and  reiTiaincd  with  them 
till  the  conquest  and  ascension  to  the  throne  of  William  the 
Norman,  in   1066. 

The  first  king  that  thus  governed  all  Scotland  was  Kenneth 
Macalpin,  and  the  Scottish  kingdom  with  various  changes  and 
vicissitudes  maintained  its  integrity  till  James  Sixth,  who  was 
heir  to  the  English  kingdoin,  quietly  ascended  the  throne  of  Eng- 
land as  successor  of  Elizabeth  in  1603,  as  James  the  First, 
uniting  the  two  countries  under  one  sovereign.  Previous  to  this 
event,  Scotland  had  many  excellent  kings.  There  was  a  long 
war  with  the  Danes,  resulting  in  the  entire  expulsion  of  the 
invaders.  Subsequently  there  was  wars  with  England  and  the 
borderland  between  the  two  countries,  was  a  scene  of  blood  and 
devastation  for  many  years,  until  the  union  under  James. 


6  HISTORY  or  THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

In  the  year  of  1290,  there  became  a  vacancy  in  the  Scottish 
throne,  John  BaiHol  and  Robert  Bruce  (a  devoted  friend  of  Sir 
Robert  Boyd  V)  being  aspirants  thereof.  To  settle  this  dispute 
which  had  extended  into  the  next  year  (1291)  was  left  to  Edward, 
King  of  England  to  decide.  He  declared  that  John  Bailiol  was 
entitled  to  the  crown  and  in  support  of  the  same,  he  required 
all  lords  to  swear  fidelity  to  himself  as  feudal  lord  of  Scotland. 
Among  this  number  was  Lord  Robert  Boyd  IV.  But  Edward 
soon  scraped  a  quarrel  with  this  weak  sovereign,  overran  his  king- 
dom and  sent  John  Bailoil  a  prisoner  to  the  tower  of  London,  and 
at  once  succeeded  in  subduing  most  of  the  fortresses  of  Scotland.  A 
deliverer  soon  arose  in  the  person  of  William  Wallace,  who  was 
joined  by  Robert  Boyd  at  the  risk  of  the  loss  of  his  castles  and 
lands.  Wallace  had  descended  from  an  ancient  family  in  the 
western  part  of  Scotland  and  though  being  of  a  small  fortune 
had  but  a  few  resources,  but  succeeded  by  great  courage  and  endur- 
ance, mingled  with  wisdom  in  freeing  his  country  from  foreigners. 
But  at  length  Wallace  was  betrayed  into  the  hands  of  the  king 
who  caused  him  to  be  executed  with  the  cruelty  and  shame  of  a 
culprit.  Thus  to  the  everlasting  disgrace  of  Edwards  and  to 
England.  Fewer  nobler  spirits  than  Wallace  ever  lived.  But  his 
death  in  1305,  only  set  the  teeth  of  every  Scotchman  tighter  and  the 
struggle  was  continued  by  young  Robert  Bruce,  a  grandson  of 
Robert  Bruce  who  claimed  the  crown  in  1290.  The  English  had 
an  abundance  of  men  and  money,  and  often  it  looked  dark  for 
Scotland.  But  her  unconquerable  warriors  were  never  broken, 
and  they  kept  up  the  unequal  contest  in  one  way  or  another  till 
their  lands  was  freed.  In  the  spring  of  13 14,  Edward  II  collected 
an  army  of  one  hundred  thousand  men  for  the  purpose  of  finishing 
up  the  Scottish  conflict,  marched  into  Scotland  and  met  with  little 
opposition  till  Bruce  confronted  him  at  Bannockburn.  The 
battle  of  that  name  was  fought  June  25,  13 14.  The  Scottish 
Chieftain  had  but  thirty  thousand  men,  but  they  were  all  heroes 
and  were  admirably  managed.  Full  one-half  of  the  English 
army  was  either  slain  or  captured.  The  young  Scotch  leader  was 
covered  with  undying  glory,  and  his  land  was  free.  He  was 
succeeded  by  many  sovereigns  until  the  crown  of  England  and 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  7 

Scotland  were  united  under  James  as  named  above.  The  latter  had 
no  further  history  as  a  separate  nation,  though  it  was  inore 
than  a  hundred  years  before  the  two  Parliaments  were  united  in 
one  as  at  the  present  time.  This  event  occurred  in  the  autumn 
of  1706,  and  since  then  the  two  countries  have  been  more  or  less 
blended  in  interest  and  character  of  each  other. 

Having  now  given  a  brief  review  of  the  first  settlement  and 
early  history  of  England  and  Scotland,  we  will  now  glance  over 
the  history  and  the  causes  that  compelled  our  forefathers  the 
Boyds  to  seek  homes  in  a  foreign  lands. 

In  the  year  of  i5og,  Henry  VUI,  ascended  the  throne  of  Eng- 
land, and  in  this  year  of  his  reign,  married  Katherine  of  Arragon 
as  his  lawful  wife.  After  the  death  of  Henry  in  1547,  and  the 
brief  reign  of  Edward  VI,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  Mary 
daughter  of  Henry  VIII  and  Katherine  of  Arragon,  ascended 
the  throne.  This  was  in  155.3,  and  she  was  the  most  bloody, 
cruel  and  devilish  of  women.  When  her  licentious  father  deter- 
mined to  get  rid  of  Katherine,  and  divorced  her  (1532);  he  was 
set  in  bitter  opposition  to  the  Pope  for  declining  to  sanction  the 
act.  He  declared  his  opposition  to  Rome  openly  and  his  passion 
lead  to  what  was  called  the  "Reformiation"  in  England.  He  had 
previously  written  a  book  against  Luther,  for  which  the  Pope 
gave  him  the  title  "Defender  of  the  Faith,"  a  title  still  retained 
by  the  sovereigns  of  England.  Now"  he  proceeded  to  persecute 
the  Papists,  and  many  met  death  at  his  hands.  Perhaps,  there- 
fore it  was  to  be  expected  that  Mary,  the  daughter  of  Katherine 
and  a  zealous  Catholic,  should  feel  herself  called  upon  to  re- 
taliate in  blood  and  established  the  persecuted  Sect,  and  she  did 
her  worst.  The  leading  Protestants  were  condemned  to  the 
flame.  Many  were  burned  at  the  stake,  and  scarcely  in  the  five 
years  of  her  reign  did  the  fire  of  Martyrdom  cease.  Great 
numbers  were  tortured  in  the  most  cruel  conceivable  methods 
and  put  to  death.  "Bloody  Mary"  died  1558,  and  her  memory 
is  covered  with  the  abhorrence  and  execration  of  mankind. 

At  her  death,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  VIII  and  the 
murdered  Queen  Anne  Boleyn  succeeded  to  the  throne  and  in 
her  first  year  of  her  reign,  Protestantism  was  forever  established 


8  HISTORY    or    THE    BOYD    FAMILY    AND    ITS    DESCENDANTS 

as  the  religion  of  England.  This  was  by  an  act  of  Parliament. 
But  for  the  object  of  putting  down  the  Catholics,  laws  were 
passed  requiring  the  abjuration  of  all  foreign  authority  both  in 
spiritual  as  well  as  temporal  things  and  the  acknowledgement  of 
the  Sovereign  of  England  as  the  head  of  the  church.  It  was 
made  a  crime  to  attend  a  religious  service  of  any  clergyman  not 
belonging  to  the  established  church.  This  arbitrary  enforce- 
ment of  religion  was  the  mistake  and  dishonor  of  Elizabeth's 
reign.  It  was  only  doing  on  the  other  side  and  in  a  milder  way, 
what  the  infamous  Mary  had  done  before  her.  Yet  these  wicked 
laws  were  in  force  for  generations,  and  many  suffered  prosecution 
and  death  at  the  hands  of  so-called  Protestants  in  the  reign  of 
Elizabeth  and  her  successor  James  I.  But  many  of  the  Protest- 
ants themselves  were  not  satisfied  with  the  established  religion, 
which,  through  putting  them  from  Papal  tyranny,  gave  them 
no  real  freedom  of  conscience.  Some  parties  called  "Non-Con- 
formists" arose  in  the  kingdom  and  in  subsequent  years  there 
was  a  very  determined  opposition,  both  in  England  and  Scotland 
to  all  these  encroachments  upon  the  rights  of  the  people  in  religion. 
Those  who  professed  to  follow  the  pious  word  of  God  were  called 
"Puritans".  They  grew  up  under  the  reign  of  "Bloody  Mary,"  but 
do  not  seem  to  have  been  called  Puritans  till  about  1564.  They 
desired  a  wider  separation  from  the  Roman  Catholic  church  than 
that  allowed  by  the  established  church  and  willingly  accepted  the 
appellation  given  them  in  reproach.  They  were  opposed  and 
ridiculed  and  persecuted.  None  joined  them  except  such  as 
were  conscientiously  devoted  to  Christ,  so  that  the  nam.e  Puritans 
came  to  be  significant  of  great  self  denial  and  excellence  in  re- 
ligion. They  were  both  godly  and  intelligent  people  and  were 
exalted  by  the  fire  they  passed  through.  The  name  Puritan  has 
been  differently  used  at  times  in  the  latter  days,  for  every  one  that 
wanted  to  live  a  decent  life  was  called  a  Puritan  by  the  irreligious 
multitude,  even  though  he  were  conformed  to  the  established 
church.  Under  Charles  I,  all  people  opposed  to  his  arbitrary 
government  were  called  "Puritans".  The  historian  Hume,  applies 
this  name  to  these  classes.  The  political  puritans  who  advanced 
the  most  radical  ideas  of  civil  liberties,  the  Puritans  in  policy, 


HISTORY   OF   THE    BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  9 

who  Opposed  the  government  and  forms  of  worship  in  the  estab- 
lished church,  and  puritans  in  doctrine  who  strenously  insisted 
on  the  terrets  of  the  reformers.  The  Puritans  that  settled  in 
America,  among  whom  no  doubt  were  many  Boyds,  certainly 
enb raced  all  of  these.  There  was  never  a  time  when  any  such 
lines  of  distinction  could  be  drawn  this  side  of  the  waters.  As 
the  history  of  the  first  settlements  of  the  Puritans  in  America  is 
so  well  known  to  every  school  boy,  we  do  not  deem  it  essential 
to  give  their  different  settlements  here,  but  simply  say  their  first 
settlement  was  made  by  John  Endicott  and  a  few  associates  at 
Salem,  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts  in  the  year  of  1628. 

Having  now  followed  and  given  a  description  of  the  Puritans 
in  their  prosecutions  in  England  and  Scotland,  let  us  now  turn 
our  attention  to  the  history  of  the  ''Scotch  Irish  "  of  Ireland  from 
where  came  so  many  families  of  the  Boyds  that  emigrated  to 
America.  Ireland  had  been  previously  invaded  and  conquered  by 
the  English  in  the  reign  of  Henry  II,  A.  D.  11 7 2.  For  four 
hundred  years  they  really  exercised  but  little  authority  in  the 
island,  and  that  in  such  a  wa^^  as  to  exasperate  the  ignorant  and 
suffering  Irish  beyond  endurance.  They  frequently  rebelled 
against  the  English  authority  during  the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  and 
it  was  not  until  the  close  of  her  reign  (1601),  that  her  govermnent 
could  be  said  to  have  been  established  there.  To  a  great  extent,  the 
lands  of  the  Catholic  rebels  were  confiscated  by  the  crown.  These 
lands  being  attractive  in  soil  and  climate  and  offered  at  a  very 
low  rate,  many  English  and  some  Scotch  settlers  were  induced 
to  come  over  and  settle  upon  them^a  course  of  things  greatly 
incouraged  by  the  government  in  the  hope  that  an  intelligent 
Protestant  population  would  counteract  the  plots  of  the  uneasy 
and  troublesome  Irish.  Jaines  I  ascending  the  throne  in  1603, 
persued  the  same  course  and  offered  increased  inducements  to 
any  of  his  countrymen  who  would  come  and  settle  on  the  vacant 
farms.  Indeed  soon  after  his  ascension,  a  company  was  formed 
in  London  to  Colonize  Ireland.  Large  parts  of  the  eastern 
counties,  and  the  whole  of  the  province  of  Ulster,  comprising 
nine  counties  in  the  north,  or  in  all  fully  one-fourth  of  the  island 
came  by  attainder  into  the  hands  of  James.     Those  parts  next  to 


10  HISTORY  or  THE    BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

England  were  slowly  filled  up,  and  occupied  by  the  British,  but 
Ulster  in  the  North,  being  a  wild  and  lawless  province,  remains 
for  the  most  part  unoccupied,  except  by  lingering  bands  of  the 
rebel  Irish,  who  had  no  legal  right  to  the  soil.  James  (whose 
government  of  Ireland  was  about  the  only  good  record  found  in 
his  reign),  owning  now  more  than  two  milhonsof  acres  in  Ulster, 
and  being  very  desirous  of  a  loyal  population  there,  thought  of  the 
Scotch  as  the  only  one  likely  to  meet  his  wish.  The  Scotch 
were  rigid  and  decided  Presbyterians,  and  James  hated  them 
as  being  bitterly  opposed  against  all  his  pet  schemes  for  estab- 
lishing Episcopacy  in  Scotland,  however  they  were  near  by 
and  exceedingly  brave  and  industrious  and  were  people  of  intelli- 
gence and  reliable  in  every  place.  The  vScotch  were  poor  and 
their  lands  were  rocky  and  hard.  It  was  thought  they  could 
be  induced  to  plant  a  Colony  over  the  channel,  where  cultivation 
was  so  much  easier.  This  vacant  territory  was  therefore  divided 
up  into  small  farms  and  offered  to  the  Scotch  on  such  favorable 
conditions,  that  like  our  young  men  going  west,  a  great  number 
went  over  and  settled  early  in  the  year  1612.  These  settlers 
were  young  men  from  all  parts  of  Scotland,  but  chiefly  from  the 
adjacent  county  of  Argyle,  hardy,  vigorous,  independent  Scotch- 
men. The  Irish  were  removed  from  the  hills  and  strong  places, 
and  settled  in  the  open  country.  The  Scotch,  though  by  honest 
purchase,  occupied  the  best  of  the  soil.  They  spread  over  the 
county  of  Antrim,  Down  and  Londonderry,  and  some  of  them 
settled  farther  to  the  south  and  west.  The  Irish  Catholic  rebels 
living  among  and  around  these  Protestant  Scotch,  not  only  looked 
upon  them  as  invaders  supplanting  their  rights,  but  as  heritics 
and  foreigners,  and  they  felt  the  keenest  hatred  toward  them. 
Although  being  awed  by  the  government  and  ovcnnatched  by  the 
superiority  of  the  Scotch  they  remained  quiet.  The  new  settlers 
flourished,  multiplied,  built  churches,  formed  presbyteries  and 
extended  themselves  largely  over  all  Ulster.  This  happy  state 
of  things  lasted  only  thirty  years.  But  the  Irish  hatred  of  these 
thirty  years  did  not  soften  with  time,  and  was  only  a  smothered 
fire,  heating  and  burning  unseen  and  ready  to  burst  forth  into 
dissolving  flames.     They  associated  with  the  Scotch  in  treacherous 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  11 

kindness  while  they  \vere  waiting  an  opportunity  to  murder  them. 
This  favorable  moment  for  that  great  murder  came  in  1641,  when 
they  thought  from  the  disturbance  in  England  and  Scotland  the 
Protestant  settlers  could  get  no  help  from  abroad.  Perhaps  they 
may  have  been  aroused  to  this  bloody  action  by  noticing  the 
thrift  and  increase  of  the  settlers,  and  the  fact  that  respectable 
accessions  about  this  time  were  being  made  to  them  by  new 
emigrants  from  Scotland.  Thus  suggesting  the  thought  that 
something  must  be  done,  or  Ireland  would  speedly  become  a  Pro- 
testant land.  King  James  I  and  Charles  I  as  they  supposed  and 
hoped,  forced  Episcopacy  upon  Scotland,  step  by  step,  when  in 
1638,  the  whole  people  of  that  land  rose  in  opposition  and  entered 
into  what  was  called"Solemn  League  and  Covenant."  This  was 
a  solemn  agreement  to  maintain  the  reformed  religion,  and  to  put 
down  Popery  and  Prelacy  in  Scotland,  and  was  signed  by  almost 
the  whole  body,  men,  women,  and  children  high  and  low.  Then 
followed  the  controversy  with  Charles;  the  effort  to  compromise 
on  his  part;  the  preparation  for  war,  the  treaties  with  that  weak 
King;  the  raising  of  new  amies,  entirely  engaging  the  attention 
of  Scotland  until  the  visit  of  Charles  to  that  kingdom  in  the 
summer  of  1641,  and  a  settlement  of  their  difficulties — which 
doubtful  negotiations  lasted  into  the  autumn  of  that  year.  Thus 
the  Papist  intriguers  in  Ireland  concluded  that  Scotland  w^as  put 
out  of  their  way. 

In  England  in  1640  and  1641  the  arbitrary  conduct  of  Charles 
was  stirring  the  kingdom  froin  border  to  border.  The  con- 
flict between  the  King  and  Parliament  was  intense,  people  were 
looking  forward  to  the  threatened  arbitratment  of  arms  which  fol- 
lowed ere  long.  The  government  had  not  sufficient  force  in  Ireland 
and  the  universal  interest  was  in  affairs  at  home.  At  this  junction, 
therefore,  the  long  quiet  malcontents  of  Popery  in  Ireland  thought 
the  favorable  moment  to  strike  for  supremacy  and  revenge  had 
come.  Some  eight  thousand  disciplined  Catholic  soldiers  dis- 
banded by  Charles  and  ready  for  any  desperate  adventure  was 
at  this  time  let  loose.  Help  to  the  Catholics  was  promised  from 
France.  Priests  excited  the  old  Irish  to  revolt.  All  the  English 
and  Scotch  in  the  Island  only  amounted  to  one-sixth  of  the  whole 


12  HISTORY   OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

population.  They  were  for  the  most  part  unarmed,  and  were  en- 
tirely unaware  of  the  storm  that  was  ready  to  break  in  upon  them. 
The  plan  was  to  rise  up  in  all  parts  of  the  kingdom  at  once,  and  wipe 
out  the  unsuspecting  Protestants  by  death.  The  plot  was  dis- 
covered in  Dublin  in  season  to  save  that  place  and  the  surround- 
ing counties  to  the  Protestants  and  prevent  an  outbreak.  But  in 
the  North  of  Ireland  it  was  carried  out  with  all  of  the  cruelty 
which  Popery  and  the  devil  could  invent.  The  time  fixed  for 
this  universal  murder  was  October  23,  1641.  On  that  morning 
(an  exceedingly  hard,  cold  day  for  the  season  of  the  year),  the 
Catholics  being  everywhere  intermingled  with  the  Protestants, 
fell  upon  them  by  surprise  and  commenced  their  contemplated 
butchery  on  every  hand.  The  Protestants  outnumbered,  five  to 
one,  unanricd,  scattered  and  surprised,  had  no  chance  at  all. 
Their  neighbors  whom  they  had  befriended  and  instructed  became 
their  murderers.  Entreaties  and  tears  availed  nothing.  The  young 
and  the  old,  the  mother  and  her  babe,  the  languishing  invalid,  the 
strong  man,  the  fair  and  innocent  child  were  murdered.  Here 
whole  families  were  butchered  slowly,  one  after  another,  so  that 
each  living  one  might  see  the  anguish  of  the  dying  before  enduring 
the  same  cruel  fate.  Even  the  Irish  women  went  farther  than 
their  husbands  in  torturing  of  the  young  mothers  and  help- 
less children  fugitives,  fleeing  naked  from  their  burning  homes, 
to  perished  from  cold  and  hunger.  A  few  survivors  were  changed 
into  maniacs  by  the  awful  scenes,  never  to  think  of  anything  but 
murder  and  flames  or  to  know  the  quietudes  of  home  again. 
There  were  hundreds  of  instances  of  lust  andtorture.  the  minute 
description  of  which  would  shock  the  most  hardened  heart,  and 
this  was  done  for  a  sacred  religion  whose  ministers  were  guilty  of 
these  murders.  Of  this  quiet  and  harmless  people,  who  had  not 
shown  the  least  unkindness  to  the  Catholic  people,  nor  been  in 
any  way  opposed  to  them  living  in  neighborly  love  and  peace 
with  them,  it  has  been  estimated  that  two  hundred  thousand 
were  thus  butchered  in  a  single  day. 

The  lowest  estimate  ever  made  was  forty  thousand.  Prob- 
ably the  mean  between  them  would  be  nearly  correct.  It  has 
been  said  by  English  authority  that  the  victims  were  mostly 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  13 

English,  and  without  question,  the  English  Colonies  in  the  North- 
ern Counties  were  blotted  out  in  this  most  inhuman  massacre.  It 
may  not  be  denied  that  the  Irish  pretended  some  friendship  to  the 
Scots,  for  some  extent  they  had  time  to  escape,  or  a  chance  to  band 
together  in  defense,  so  that  less  number  of  them  were  murdered. 
Yet  it  is  certain,  many  of  the  Scotch  were  murdered,  and  that 
fire  and  robbery  did  not  distinguish  between  theirs  and  the 
English  homes.  Many  fled  back  to  Scotland,  and  there  is  but 
little  doubt  that  many  of  the  Boyds,  who  had  emigrated  to  Ire- 
land before  this  date  perished  on  this  bloody  day,  long  to  be 
known  as  the  great  Irish  Massacre  of  1641. 

After  this  sad  event,  those  Scotch  who  remained  in  Ireland, 
lived  in  alarm.  They  were  on  the  lookout  for  defense,  during 
seven  or  eight  years  until  in  1649,  Cromwell,  having  leisure  from 
affairs  in  England,  came  over  the  Channel  and  subdued  the 
Irish.  Thence  onward  for  several  years,  the  Protestants  lived 
in  comparative  peace  and  prosperity,  and  slowly  recovered  their 
former  condition.  The  Catholics  were  disarmed  and  the  Protest- 
ants were  supplied  with  means  of  defense.  From  this  fact  it  is 
said  rose  the  habit  which  long  prevailed  of  firing  guns  at 
Scotch  weddings,  as  being  then  the  best  way  of  expressing  their 
triumph  and  their  gladness. 

In  Scotland,  during  the  last  years  of  the  reign  of  Charles 
II,  1685,  they  began  to  be  openly  persecuted.  The  latter  monarch 
was  narrow  minded,  small  and  bigoted.  Charles  II  has  been 
secretly  a  Papist,  and  James  II  was  openly  such,  and  sought  in  the 
most  bloody  and  arbitrary  way  to  enforce  it  upon  the  nation. 
To  attend  any  meeting  except  that  of  the  established  order,  was 
made  punishable  with  death.  In  the  western  lowlands  of  Scot- 
land particularly,  military  bands  were  sent  out  everywhere  to 
spy  out  the  Covenanters,  and  bring  them  to  death.  Some  of 
them  were  commissioned  to  shoot  on  the  spot  any  who  would  not 
renounce  the  Covenant  or  swear  allegiance  to  the  king  who  was 
murdering  Protestants.  James  II,  even  when  he  was  Viceroy, 
is  said  to  have  amused  himself  with  hearing  Covenanters  shriek 
and  seeing  them  writhe  while  thejr  knees  were  beaten  flat  in  their 
boots  under  them.      Subsequently  when   he  became  king,   and 


14  HISTORY   OF  THE  BOYD   FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS 

had  things  his  own  way,  he  appointed  James  Graham,  or  Lord 
Graham  of  Cleverhouse  a  prominent  leader — a  most  ingenious 
and  remorseless  wretch,  to  carry  out  his  designs. 

No  pen  can  paint  the  cruelties  which  he  enforced.  His  name 
is  now  spoken  with  abhorrence  all  over  the  earth.  When  his 
bloody  and  hardened  soldiers  shrunk  from  shedding  innocent 
blood,  he  would  plunge  his  own  sword  into  the  body  of  the  poor 
victim,  whose  only  crime  was  non-comformity  to  the  Episcopacy, 
or  unwillingless  to  pray  for  King  James  as  against  God's  will. 
These  indignities,  robberies  and  murders  was  so  numerous,  and 
constant,  as  utterly  to  surprise  all  calculations.  History  gives  us 
two  instances  out  of  thousands,  as  a  illustration.  One  of  the 
himted  Covenanters  who  had  found  shelter  in  the  house  of  a 
widow  of  a  good  family  and  name,  had  died  there.  The  corpse 
being  discovered  in  her  house,  the  soldiers  pulled  it  down,  carried 
off  all  her  property,  and  turned  her  out  with  several  small 
children,  to  perish  with  cold  and  want.  The  oldest  child,  a  lad 
of  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  was  brought  out  before  the  soldiers, 
the  guns  were  loaded  and  the  fair  sweet  boy,  without  trial  or 
delay  was  told  to  pull  his  bonnet  over  his  face.  But  he  refused, 
saying,  "  I  can  look  you  in  the  face,"  and  in  a  moment  they  fired 
and  the  boy  fell  dead  with  his  Bible  in  his  hand.  About  the  same 
time,  two  women  were  put  to  death  by  drowning.  An  attempt 
has  been  made  to  disprove  this,  but  there  is  not,  in  view  of  the 
evidence,  the  least  room  to  doubt  the  fact.  One  was  an  aged 
lady,  and  the  other  a  sweet  girl  of  eighteen,  named  Margaret 
Wilson.  Their  only  crime  was  that  they  would  not  abjure  their 
Presbyterian  faith.  They  were  taken  to  a  place  on  the  banks  of 
the  Solway,  where  it  rises  and  overflow  with  the  tide.  The  feeble 
old  lady  was  tied  to  a  stake  near  the  water,  so  that  the  terror  of  her 
death  might  frighten  the  young  girl  over  to  submission.  But  she 
prayed  and  sung  praises,  till  the  advancing  water  choked  her 
voice,  and  when  the  struggle  of  death  was  over  they  unbound 
the  unconscious  victim  from  the  stake,  and  restored  her  to  con- 
sciousness. Then  kindred  friends  begged  of  her  to  comply 
with  the  vile  murderers  command,  crying  "dear  Margaret  only 
say  God  save  the  King."     The  weak  and  heroic  girl  gasped  out, 


HISTORY   or   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  15 

"God  save  the  King  if  it  be  God's  will."  "She  has  said  it !  she  has 
said  it!"  shouted  her  friends  to  the  cruel  officer.  "Will  she  take 
the  abjuration,"  he  savagely  asked.  "Never"  she  answered,  "I 
am  for  Christ,  let  me  go."  The  waters  closed  over  her  head 
slowly  and  she  was  gone.  On  her  gravestone  at  Wigton,  are 
these  rude  words : 

"Within  the  Sea,  tied  to  a  Stake 
She  suffered  for  Christ  Jesus  sake." 
While  therefore  such  persecutions  were  in  progress  in  Scot- 
land, quite  a  large  number  of  the  Covenanters  to  escape  miseries 
at  home,  emigrated  to  Ireland,  and  joined  their  countrymen  there. 
From  1684  to  1688,  these  emigrations  in  large  numbers  took 
place.  Among  them  were  many  of  the  ancestors  of  the  Scotch- 
Irish  Boyds,  who  in  after  years  emigrated  to  America  which  we 
will  speak  of  hereafter.  But  on  their  arrival  in  Ireland  to  escape 
persecution  at  home,  they  found  things  there  were  under  Papal  rule, 
and  being  surrounded  by  Papists,  they  were  soon  disarmed,  and 
in  their  defenseless  condition,  began  to  suspect  a  repetition  of  the 
murder  of  1641,  and  it  proved  they  were  right;  that  a  desperate 
struggle  was  indeed  awaiting  them.  For  affairs  had  arrived  to 
such  a  pitch  of  discontent  in  England,  that  the  better  part  of  the 
population  began  to  look  for  deliverance  to  William,  Prince  of 
Orange,  who  had  married  Mary,  eldest  daughter  of  James  II. 

Accordingly  being  invited  over  from  Holland,  he  came  with 
five  hundred  vessels  and  fourteen  thousand  men  and  landed  in 
England  late  in  the  autumn  of  1688.  At  once  the  nobility,  clergy  and 
military,  went  over  to  William,  and  even  Anne,  daughter  of  James, 
joined  the  party  of  the  new  king  against  her  father.  James  was 
dethroned  without  a  blow.  Fleeing  to  France,  where  Catholic 
renegades  have  been  want  to  flee,  he  was  encouraged  to  attempt  to 
recover  the  crown.  As  the  Papists  adhered  to  him,  he  had  a  small 
party  of  friends  in  England ;  and  in  Scotland  had  some  strong  Catho- 
lic clans ;  while  in  Ireland  he  had  great  resources  in  the  Irish  Catho- 
lics who  constituted  the  great  body  of  the  people  of  that  Island. 
The  military  plan  of  James,  therefore,  was  a  good  one,  to  pass 
over  to  Ireland  with  men  and  money,  which  the  French  King  would 
give  him.     To  raise  there  an  immense  army  of  Irish,  then  to  pass 


16  HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

over  to  Scotland  and  with  the  addition  of  the  Catholic  Highland- 
ers, bear  down  upon  England,  from  the  North  and  sweep  every- 
thing before  him.  This  plan,  the  scheme  looked  encouraging  to 
him.  He  started  with  great  hopes  and  landed  in  the  South  part 
of  Ireland  March  12,  1689.  Then  he  made  his  way  the  best  he 
could  to  Cork,  then  to  Dublin,  expecting  to  go  North  at  once, 
and  anticipated  no  serious  resistance  till  he  should  reach  England. 
But  the  Protestant  population  in  the  Northern  part  of  Ireland 
stood  in  his  way.  Though  small,  was  judged  to  be  of  such  energy 
and  valor  that  he  must  overcome  them  at  the  start.  A  large 
army  had  been  raised  before  the  arrival  of  James,  and  had  begun 
the  attempt  to  subjugate  these  Protestant  Colonies  that  stood 
in  the  face  of  the  royal  plans.  The  strongest  of  these  Protest- 
ant positions  was  Londonderry — a  city  that  had  held  out  success- 
fully against  the  Irish  in  the  murderous  rebellion  of  1641,  and  the 
anny  of  Catholics  swept  Northward  to  capture  the  city,  which 
was  supposed  to  be  easily  done.  They  pillaged  and  murdered 
without  stint,  till  thousands  of  men,  women  and  children  fled 
before  them  for  their  life,  and  m.any  found  refuge  within  the  walls 
of  Londonderry.  The  Protestants  suffered  more,  and  lost  more 
possessions  than  the  massacre  of  1641,  though  probably  not  so 
many  lives  were  sacrificed  as  then.  But  the  city  of  Londonderry 
refused  to  surrender  and  the  whole  army  of  James,  French  and 
Irish,  outnmnbered  the  defenders  of  the  city,  five  to  one,  atteinpted 
the  work  of  its  capture.  They  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city, 
April  15,  1689,  and  at  once  entered  into  negotiations  with  the 
treacherous  Lundy,  then  Mayor,  to  give  up  the  city  on  some 
terms,  in  spite  of  the  unknown  will  of  the  people.  This  dallying 
went  on  a  day  or  two,  and  the  gates  of  the  city  were  closed  against 
James'  army  by  a  dozen  brave  defenders,  and  negotiations 
broken  off;  King  James  set  out  from  Dublin  with  fifteen  thous- 
and additional  soldiers  and  arrived  at  the  gates  of  Londonderry 
on  April  17,  1689,  and  was  exceedingly  anxious  for  the  surrender 
of  the  city,  on  any  terms,  (as  the  success  of  the  whole  undertaking 
seemed  to  depend  on  the  immediate  possession  of  this  place),  so 
that  he  might  go  on  to  Scotland  while  his  army  was  in  good 
spirits,    and    before    a   formidable    preparation    could   be   made 


HISTORY    OF    THE    BOYD    FAMILY    AND    ITS    DESCENDANTS         17 

against  them.  Expecting  the  surrender  would  l^e  made  more 
willingly  to  him,  James  advanced  at  once  within  three  hundred 
feet  of  the  Southern  gate  to  receive  it,  when  it  broke  upon  his 
ears,  the  shout  of  "No  Surrender,"  and  by  a  fire  from  that  part 
of  the  wall,  which  struck  dead  an  officer  by  his  side.  The  king 
fled  like  a  frightened  school  boy  to  get  out  of  danger.  Then  the 
real  struggle  began  from  this  eventful  day,  April  17,  1689.  We 
have  not  time  and  space  to  detail  all  the  circumstances  of  this 
remarkable  siege,  only  to  illustrate  to  the  reader  the  hardship  of 
a  number  of  families  of  Boyds  in  the  city  at  that  time.  For 
their  courage  and  endurance,  there  is  nothing  superior  in  human 
history,  to  the  weak  defenses,  scanty  provisions,  having  but  a 
few  soldiers  against  an  immense  army,  and  only  a  handful  of  that 
few,  unused  in  war,  with  a  disadvantageous  position,  and  twenty 
thousand  women,  children  and  aged  men  to  feed,  while  having 
themselves  small  hope  of  outside  help;  and  the  enemy  likely  to 
be  increased.  It  must  be  confessed  that  their  situation  at  this 
time  was  desperate  enough.  But  immense  interest  was  at  stake, 
and  they  were  determined  to  stand  for  their  religion,  come  death 
if  it  must.  While  Lundy,  the  governor  of  the  city  was  in  danger 
of  being  torn  to  pieces  by  the  maddened  people  and  he  skulked 
off  in  disguise,  at  night  to  the  foe. 

Major  Henry  Baker  and  Captain  Adam  Murry  responded  to 
the  call  of  the  people  at  arms,  and  took  the  lead  the  first  day. 
On  the  succeeding  day  the  people  again  met,  and  unanimously 
choose  Rev.  George  Walker  and  Major  Henry  Baker  governors, 
the  latter  taking  the  military  command.  These  men  managed 
affairs  with  great  wisdom  and  courage.  The  siege  was  pressed 
with  cruel  vigor,  shells  burst  constantly  over  the  defenders  heads, 
chimneys  were  knocked  down;  often  the  city  was  on  fire,  night 
and  day,  men  were  called  to  the  most  vigilant  and  desperate 
defense.  Many  sorties  were  made.  The  walls  were  often  assaulted 
by  superior  force,  parties  mining  under  the  same  were  constantly 
watched  against,  and  by  the  fierce  struggle  put  to  death;  threat 
and  artifice  were  abundantly  employed;  they  began  to  suffer  for 
the  want  of  provisions  and  for  want  of  water.  The  long  hoped 
for  reinforcement  from  England  at  last  had  come  in  sight,  but 


18  HISTORY  or   THE    BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

being  frightened  by  the  batteries  on  the  riverside,  had  sailed  away, 
leaving  the  brave  defenders  of  the  city  to  their  fate.  Their  enemies 
had  been  reinforced;  one  third  of  their  number  had  fallen,  and  the 
force  against  them  seemed  overwhelming,  yet  on  the  sixty-second 
day  of  the  siege  they  detennined  that  no  one  should  speak  of 
surrender  on  pain  of  death.  Thus  matters  went  on  day  after  day 
in  heroic  and  painful  detail,  which  we  shall  have  to  omit  for  want 
of  space.  But  before  many  days  of  July  were  gone,  famine  began 
to  press  harder  than  their  foes.  Not  a  few  died  of  starvation. 
Cats,  dogs,  rats,  mice,  horseflesh  and  old  hides  came  to  be  luxuries. 
Tallow  was  mixed  with  pepper  and  meal  to  make  a  sort  of  pan- 
cake. Starch  mixed  with  tallow  became  an  article  of  food.  A 
dog's  head  was  sold  for  two  shillings  and  six  pence,  a  quart  of 
horse  blood  one  shilling,  a  cat  for  four  shillings  and  six  pence, 
and  so  on.  They  expected  to  eat  dead  human  bodies,  yet  would 
not  entertain  the  thought  of  surrender.  So  desperate  was  the 
case,  some  fleshy  people  hid  themselves  for  fear  of  being  chosen 
for  food,  for  the  emaciated  soldiers.  On  the  thirteenth  of  July, 
the  garrison  had  became  so  far  reduced  that  they  reckoned  on 
only  two  days  more  life — there  being  but  one  pint  of  meal  left 
for  each,  already  starving  man.  But  on  this  day  deliverance 
came.     It  was  the  one-hundred  and  fortieth  day  of  the  siege. 

The  commander  of  the  English  fleet  had  received  orders  to 
relieve  the  city  at  whatever  peril.  Three  ships,  the  "Montjoy" 
of  Londonderry,  the  "Pheonix"  of  Coleraine,  both  laden  with  pro- 
visions of  releaving  and  the  war-ship  "Dartmouth"  tmdertookthe 
perilous  adventure.  The  evening  sermon  at  the  Cathedral 
had  just  closed.  The  sad  audience  had  scattered  and  it  began  to 
grow  dusk,  when  the  sentryman  on  the  tower  saw  the  sails  of 
these  three  ships  coming  up  the  Foyle.  The  river  was  narrow 
and  low.  On  the  banks  were  the  batteries,  and  the  great  Irish 
army  hurried  to  the  spot  to  prevent  the  relief  of  the  city.  Rocks 
had  been  sunk  by  them  in  the  Channel  and  an  immense  boom  had 
been  thrown  across  the  river  to  prevent  the  approach  of  a  ship, 
while  fonnidable  guns  swept  the  spot.  It  was  an  hour  of  tre- 
mendous suspense — the  besieger  straining  every  nerve  to  oppose, 
while  the  starving  defenders  looked  on  with  an  agony  of  interest, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  19 

seldom  if  ever,  equalled  in  the  world.     At  length  the  little  squad- 
ron came  bravely  to  the  critical  point.     The  "Mont joy"  lead  the 
way  and  sailed  with  all  its  force  against  the  boom,  and  the  huge 
obstruction  snapped  and  fell  apart,  but  its  strength  was  so  great 
as  to  send  the  ship  back  by  the  shock  in  the  mud,  exposed  to  a 
terrible  fire.     The  Irish  in  great  numbers  rushed  for  their  boats 
to   board   the   defenseless   ship.     Just   then   the    "Dartmouth" 
opened  upon  them  so  effectually  as  to  destroy  many  of  them  and 
held  the  rest  in  check,  while  the  "Pheonix"  left  free  by  the  struggle 
of  the  others  dashed  under  a  fearful  fire  into  the  break  made  by 
the  "Montjoy"  and  receiving  no  great  injury,  slowly  passed  all 
the  barriers.     When  the  "Montjoy"  was  stopped  in  the  mud,  the 
Irish  gave  a  scream  of  fiendish  joy,  while  the  dying  heroes  within 
the  walls  looked  at  each  other  in  hush,  and  awful  agony.     All 
features  grew  black,  and  a  feeble  wail  like  the  prayer  of  death, 
ascended  from  the  battered  defenses.     Women  and  children  wept, 
and  men  with  stern  dark  faces,  whereon  hope  had  fled,  but  no 
yielding  or  fear  was  there.     The  tide  was  rising  rapidly,  and  just 
at  the  critical  moment,  a  broadside  from  the  "Montjoy,"  not  only 
drove  back  the  approaching  enemy,  but  started  her  from  the 
mud,  and  she  sailed  on  up  the  stream.     The  "Dartmouth"  fol- 
lowing, bravely  answering  the  desperate  firing  from  shore,  and 
under  the  curse  of  the  whole  Papist  army,  and  the  rage  of  its 
officers,  with  considerable  loss  of  life,  and  injury  to  the  ships,  the 
brave     little  vessels  made  their  way  to  the  city.     As  darkness 
closed  in  and  the  firing  went  on,  it  was  a  time  of  unutterable 
suspense  within  the  gates.     When  they  arrived,  about  ten  o'clock, 
the  whole  population  turned  out  to  welcome  them.     Such  ecstasies 
of  joy  of  a  lifetime,  was  never  known.     Men  wept  and  thanked 
God.     The  bells  of  the  city  rang  all  night.     There  was  no  sleep 
within  the  walls  that  night  for  joy.     On  the  morrow,  the  Irish 
fired  tumultuously  all  day.     On  the  second  night — that  of  July 
31,  1689,  silently  that  great  army,  mortified  and  enraged  with  a 
loss  of  one  hundred  officers  and  about  nine  thousand  men  retreated 
up  the  Foyle.     Macaiah  Browning,  Captain  of  the  "Montjoy," 
was  killed  at  the  struggle  at  the  boom,  and  afterwards  a  pension 
was  conferred  on  his  widow  by  King  William,  and  that  great  mon- 
arch in  the  presence  of  the  court, put  a  chain  of  gold  about  her  neck. 


20         HISTORY    OF    THE    BOYD    FAMILY    AND    ITS    DESCENDANTS 

The  defense  of  Londonderry  was  a  great  check  to  King  James 
and  the  Papists.  It  saved  Protestantism  in  England,  Ireland  and 
Scotland.  The  enemy  were  kept  back  one  hundred  and  five  days. 
By  that  time  William  was  prepared  to  meet  James  in  Ireland,  and 
the  forces  intended  for  Scotland  and  England  never  went  across 
the  Channel.  On  the  Bank  of  the  Boyne,  James  was  soon 
defeated  in  a  decisive  battle,  June  30,  1690,  and  after  some  less 
important  struggles  he  fled  as  a  poor  outcast  to  his  premeditator's 
country,  called  France  and  died  there  at  St.  Germains,  September 
16,  1 701,  age  sixty-eight  years. 

At  the  time  of  this  notable  siege,  the  territory  surrounding 
the  same  had  many  Boyds,  who  took  part  in  the  defense  of  this 
city.  History  tells  us  of  one  noted  person.  Rev.  Thomas  Boyd, 
a  Presbyterian  minister  of  the  congregation  of  Aghadowey,  near 
Colerain,  Londonderry,  who  marshalled  on  the  green,  all  the 
able  bodied  men  and  boys  of  the  place,  and  held  prayers.  A  few 
days  before  the  siege  marched  them  to  the  defense  of  the  city,  and 
bore  all  the  hardships  of  that  noteable  time. 

As  we  advance  farther  on,  we  will  speak  more  of  this  noted 
man  in  our  chapter  on  the  history  of  the  Boyds  of  Ireland,  known 
as  the  "Scotch-Irish  Boyds,"  and  give  a  more  complete  history 
of  this  venerable  man.  Much  might  be  written  and  said  of  the 
early  history  of  Ireland  and  England.  Yet  the  name  of  many 
Boyds  may  not  be  particularly  spoken  of,  although  from  an  early 
date,  they  have  been  settlers  of  these  countries  for  nearly  four 
centuries.  Whatever  has  transpired  in  these  countries,  the  fami- 
lies of  Boyds  must  have  suffered  the  same  as  the  other  noble 
families,  therefore,  a  full  history  of  them  would  fill  inany  volumes, 
of  which  for  time  and  space  we  will  only  give  a  limited  sketch. 
The  turmoil  of  war  in  those  countries,  with  the  massacres  in  their 
midst,  made  many  of  the  Boyds  feel  that  the  same  fate  which 
had  been  dealt  out  to  their  friends  would  be  like  a  terrible  stonn 
which  any  hour  was  likely  to  break  in  upon  them.  They  left 
their  homes  and  friends  and  made  America  a  home  of  refuge,  and 
many  of  them  in  fear  of  apprehension  here  buried  all  history  of 
their  early  homes  in  the  Old  World,  from  their  descendants,  who 
follow  in  the  footsteps  of  Life  after  them. 


CHAPTER     II 

History  of  the  City  of  Kilmarnock,  Scotland 

The  City  of  Kilmarnock,  the  old  original  home  of  the  Boyd 
Family  in  the  Old  World,  is  situated  a  few  miles  inland  upon  the 
western  coast  in  the  Highlands  of  the  romantic  country  called 
"Scotland."  The  place  today  is  one  of  the  largest  towns  in  the 
county  of  Ayr  and  rests  upon  the  banks  of  two  mossy  streams 
called  "Irvin"  and  Kilmarnock  waters  some  fifteen  and  one-half 
miles  by  rail  northeast  of  Ayr  and  twenty-four  miles  south- 
west of  Glasgow.  In  1891  it  had  a  population  of  twenty-eight 
thousand,  four  hundred  and  thirty-eight  souls.  The  origin  of 
the  name  like  many  other  towns  of  importance  in  Scotland,  is 
involved  in  considerable  obscurity,  and  scarcely  anything,  illus- 
trative of  its  Ancient  history  can  be  gathered  from  the  various 
statistical  works  in  which  it  is  mentioned.  It  is  stated  by  writers, 
in  works  we  have  consulted,  that  in  the  year  of  322  A.  D.,  it  was 
the  residence  of  a  noted  Irish  minister  or  Prophet  called  "St.  Mar- 
nock"  or  "Marmock"  and  was  named  "Kel-mo-ernin-oce"  (a 
Gallic  church  of  my  Little  Ervine)  which  was  dedicated  to  the 
memory  of  that  noted  man  about  the  year  1200.  Pont,  one  of 
the  earliest  writers  of  Scotland  says:  "It  was  built  by  the  Locarttiss 
Lord  of  it  (meaning  the  Baroney)  and  dedicated  to  a  holy  man 
named  "Marnock"  as  witness  in  the  records  of  Kilvinin  Abbay. 
Kilmarnock,  for  a  long  time  after  the  death  of  him,  whom  its 
name  is  derived,  must  have  been  a  mere  hamlet,  for  we  find  no 
trace  of  it  in  history  until  nearly  the  year  of  1 591,  when  our  noble 
family  of  Boyds  became  possessors  of  the  land  and  made  a  Burgh 

|2I] 


22  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

or  Baroney  of  it.  The  earliest  mention  of  it  is  by  Barbour,  in 
his  life  of  Bruce,  as  one  of  the  chance  places  through  which  the 
English  Knight  Sir  Philip  Mowbray  fled,  after  being  defeated  by 
Douglass,  somewhere  in  the  District  of  Cunningham,  about  the 
year  of   1306. 

To  trace  the  course  and  progress  of  Kilmarnock,  would  be 
impossible  in  the  space  at  hand.  The  town  books  go  no  farther 
back  than  1686,  and  then  throws  no  light  on  the  general  history  of 
the  place.  The  first  entry  of  baptism  here  is  recorded  for  February 
6,  1644.  The  church  of  the  old  Saint  was  a  desirable  place  of 
residence.  It  was  sheltered  from  storms  that  often  raged  in  this 
part  of  the  country,  then  a  very  healthy  location  which  was  well 
watered  by  two  pleasant  streams,  the  Marnock  gliding  through  it 
and  the  brook  Irvine  meandering  at  a  short  distance,  with  fine 
lands  for  cultivation  which  was  no  doubt  the  cause  of  it  becoming  a 
noted  place,  in  the  early  history  of  the  country.  The  particular 
sites  of  the  first  houses  no  doubt  were  scattered  around  the  ancient 
chapel,  which  was  dedicated  to  St.  Marnock,  which  tradition  tell  us 
occupied  the  spot  now  used  by  the  Low  Parish  church. 

One  of  the  first  notices  of  any  consequences  which  we 
have  of  Kilmarnock,  is  in  a  document  giving  the  names  of 
persons  who  voted  on  appointment  of  a  Parish,  or  clerk  of 
Parish,  in  the  year  of  1507.  The  names  of  persons  who  took 
part  in  this  election  amounted  to  nearly  three  hundred  and  this 
likely  composed  the  whole  or  nearly  whole  of  the  heads  of  the 
families  at  that  time  in  the  Parish.  From  this  it  may  be  inferred 
that  the  population  was  a  little  more  than  four  hundred  or  five 
hundred  souls,  a  number  of  which  seems  small  when  we  consider 
that  the  Parish  of  Fenwick  was  then  included  with  that  of  Kil- 
marnock. Of  course  this  document  furnishes  us  with  no  state- 
ment in  regard  to  the  town  or  its  streets  or  buildings.  Btit  it  is 
worthy  of  remark,  that  the  most  of  the  names  attached  to  it, 
though  different  in  their  orthography  are  such  as  are  commonly 
found  in  the  city  at  the  present  day.  In  the  list,  the  Boyd  name 
are  represented  by  the  number  of  fifteen  being  but  two  other  names, 
Smyth  sixteen  and  Brown  twenty,  above  them  in  numbers.  The 
descendants  of  those  fifteen  Boyds  are  to-day  scattered  all  over 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  23 

the   different   countries,   making  it  very  difficult  for  the  present 
generation  to  trace  their  ancestors  back  to  the  Old  World. 

Timothy  Pont,  an  old  historian  about  sixty  years  after  the 
time  spoken  of,  namely  in  1609,  visited  this  town  when  making 
a  survey  of  Cunningham,  and  in  his  records,  speaks  of  Kilmarnock 
in  his  Scottish  way  as  thus: — "Kilmamock-towne  and  Kirk  is  a 
large  village  and  of  great  repraise.  It  hath  in  it  a  veekly  market — 
it  hath  a  faire  stone  bridge,  over  the  river  Marnock  vich  glides 
hard  by  the  saide  towne  till  it  falls  in  the  river  Irving.  It  hath  a 
pretty  church  from  vich  ye  village  castell  and  lordschipe  takes 
its  name.  The  Lord  Boyde  is  now  Lord  of  it  to  quhosse  pre- 
dicessors  it  hath  belonged  for  many  generations.  In  this  church 
or  divers  of  ye  Lord  Boydes  progenitors  buried  among  quhome 
there  is  one  tombe  or  stone  bearing  this  inscription  and  coat. 
Hie  lacet  Thomas  Boyde,  Dominus  de  Kilmarnock  qui  obiit 
Septimo  die  mensis  Julii  1432  and  Johanne  de  Montgomery 
eins  sposa  Orat,  pro  iis."  Kilmarnock  was  created  a  burgh  of 
barony  by  the  Scottish  Solomon  in  1591,  and  its  charter  was  con- 
firmed by  Charles  II,  in  1672. 

In  the  books  of  the  Irvine  Presbytery  the  following  notice 
occurs  regarding  Lord  Boyds  tomb.  "At  a  visitation  at  Kilmar- 
nock, June  19,  1649,  anent  ane  superstitious  image  that  was  upon 
my  Lord  Boyd  his  tomb  it  was  the  Presbiterie's  mynd  that  his 
Lordship  sould  be  written  to  that  he  wold  be  pleased  to  demolish 
and  ding  it  down  and  if  he  wold  refuse  that — these  Presbiterie 
was  to  take  a  further  course."  This  appears  to  have  been  in 
accordance  with  an  act  of  Parliament  passed  a  few  years  previously 
for  "abohshing  monuments  of  Idolatrie." 

The  following  interesting  document  is  found  among  the 
Archives  of  Scotland  today,  which  is  the  charter  of  King  James 
to  Thomas  Boyd  and  Son,  erecting  the  Town  of  Kilmarnock 
into  a  Burgh  of  Barony  and  reads  thus: 

Charter  and  Infertnum  by  James  VI.  In  favour  of  Thomas 
Lord  Boyd  in  Life  sent  and  Robert  Master  of  Boyds  in  Fee, 
Dated  12  January,  1591. 

James  by  the  grace  of  God,  King  of  Scots,  to  all  good  men 
of  his  realm,  cleric  and  laic  Greetings. 


24         HISTORY    OF    THE    BOYD    FAMILY    AND    ITS    DESCENDANTS 

"Know  that  we,  now  after  our  complete  age  of  twenty-five 
vears  have  given,  granted  and  disponed  and  to  our  present  charter 
have  confirmed  to  our  well  beloved  cousin,  Thonias  Lord  Boyd  in 
free  holding  of  life  rent  for  all  the  days  of  his  life  and  to  Robert 
Master  of  Boyd  his  eldest  son  and  heir-apparent  in  fee  heritably 
and  to  his  male  heirs  and  of  entail  respectively  and  successively 
underwritten  all  and  sundry  the  lands,  Lordship  and  baronies  re- 
spectively after — specified  with  their  castles,  towers,  forts,  manors, 
gardens,  orchards,  mills,  multures,  fishings,  outsets,  parts  pendiclis, 
breweries,  woods,  yearly  rents,  tenant-holdings,  free-holdings, 
servitudes,  advowsons,  donation  and  patronages  of  churches  and 
chapelries  of  the  same  and  with  all  and  sundry  their  pertinents 
lying  in  the  bailiwick  of  Cunningham  and  under  the  sheriffdom 
of  Ayr,  with  all  and  sundry  foresaid  lands,  Lordship,  etc.,  with 
their  etc.  belonging  heritably  aforetime  to  the  foresaid  Thomas 
Lord  Boyd  held  by  him  and  his  predecessors  immediately  from 
us  and  our  most  noble  progenitors  as  Primeis  or  Seneschals  of 
Scotland,  and  which  he  at  Holy  Roodhouse  by  his  lawful  pro- 
curators and  by  his  letter  patent  by  stick  and  staff,  as  the  manner 
is  simply  and  purely  resigned  unto  the  hands  of  us  as  his  Lord 
Superior  of  the  same  together  with  all  right  and  title,  etc.,  which 
he  has  had,  has  or  in  no  way  shall  be  able  to  have  and  renounce 
all  claim  for  the  future  for  ever  in  consideration  of  this  our  new 
Infeftment  of  the  ten  or  following: 

"We  for  good,  faithful  and  generous  service  perfoniied  and 
paid  to  us  and  our  most  noble  progenitors  by  the  foresaid  Thomas 
Lord  Boyd,  and  his  predecessors  in  times  passed  and  for  certain 
sum  of  moneys  in  name  of  composition  paid  into  our  treasurer, 
and  for  other  reasonable  cause  and  consideration  moving  us,  do 
of  our  certain  knolwedge  and  our  own  motive  give  and  grant  a 
new  and  for  ourselves  and  our  successors  forever  confirm  to  the 
said  Thomas  Lord  Boyd  in  etc.  and  to  the  said  Robert  Master 
of  Boyd,  his  etc.  and  to  his  heirs,  etc.,  all  and  hold  the 
foresaid  lands.  Lordship,  etc.  along  with  all  rights  and  title,  etc. 
which  we  for  ourselves,  our  predecessors  or  successors,  as  Kings 
or  Princes  of  Scotland  have  had  or  in  any  manner  should  be  able 
to  have  or  claim  to  them  or  any  part  of  them,  their  rents,  etc.. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    BOYD    FAMILY    AND    ITS    DESCENDANTS        25 

renouncing,  disclaiming,  exonerating,  disposing  and  transferring 
the  same  totally  from  us  and  our  successors  all  actions,  right, 
etc.,  and  in  the  like  manner  renouncing  for  ourselves  and  our 
successors  all  actions  of  non-entrance,  error,  etc.,  and  our  processes 
whatsoever  raised  or  threatened  by  us,  or  predecessors  or  successors 
or  any  of  us,  our  treasurers  or  advocates  in  our  names  against 
the  aforesaid  Thomas  Lord  Boyd,  etc.,  concerning  the  said  lands, 
lordship,  etc. 

"And  farther,  we  for  the  cause  above  written,  do  now  erect, 
unite,  annex,  incorporate  and  create  all  and  sundry  the  aforesaid 
lands,  lordship,  baronies  with  their  aforesaid  pendcies  and  other 
things  above  specified  with  their  castles,  etc.,  into  a  free  lordship 
and  free  barony  to  be  called  in  all  times  coming  the  Lordship  and 
Barony  of  Kilmarnock  and  we  also  will  and  grant  and  for  ourselves 
and  our  successors  decree  and  ordain  that  the  castle  and  mainor 
of  Kilmarnock  shall  be  the  principle  message  of  the  said  Lordship 
and  Barony  and  that  the  single  sasine  by  the  aforesaid  Thomas 
Lord  Boyd  and  his  son,  etc.,  all  the  principal  messages  shall  be 
now  and  in  the  all  timing  coming  a  sufficient  sasine  for  all  and 
sundry  the  lands.  Lordship,  Baronies,  etc. 

"Further  we  in  consideration  of  the  special  love  and  favour 
which  we  bear  and  have  toward  the  foresaid  Thomas  Lord  Boyd, 
and  in  consideration  of  the  policies  and  buildings  in  the  Kirktown 
of  Kilmarnock  lying  under  the  said  Barony  and  our  aforesaid 
sheriffdom,  do  for  the  convenience  and  entertainment  of  our  lieges 
frequenting  the  seine  of  our  present  charter;  infer,  erect  and 
create  and  teach  the  said  town  called  the  Kirktown  of  Kilmarnock 
and  the  lands  of  the  same  with  their  pertinent  into  a  free  burgh 
or  baroney  forever  to  be  called  in  all  times  coming  the  burgh  or 
town  of  Kirktown  of  Kilmarnock  and  we  give  and  grant  to  the 
inhabitants  and  inn  dwellers  of  the  said  burgh,  present  and  future 
plenary  power,  facility  and  free  power  of  buying  and  selling  in  the 
same  wine,  wax,  cloth,  woolen  and  linen,  broad  and  narrow  and 
other  merchandisers  what-so-ever  and  of  having  and  holding  in 
the  said  burgh  bakers,  brewers,  butchers,  venders  of  flesh  and 
fish  and  all  other  tradesmen  belonging  to  a  free  burgh  or  baroney 
and  we  also  grant  that  they  may  be  free  burgesses  in  the  aforesaid 


26  HISTORY  or  THE    BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS 

burgh  and  that  they  with  the  consent  of  the  said  Thomas  Lord 
Boyd  the  said  Master  of  Boyds  his  son,  etc.,  irtay  have  the  power 
of  annually  electing  for  the  future  baiHes  and  officers  for  the 
ruhng  and  governing  of  the  said  burgh  and  that  the  said  Bur- 
gesses, and  inhabitants  of  the  same  may  have  and  hold  a  market- 
cross  and  a  market  weekly  on  the  Sabbath-day  (Saturday)  and  a 
free  fair  annually  on  the  twentieth  day  of  the  month  of  October,  to 
last  for  eight  days  of  the  saine  with  plenary  power  to  the  foresaid 
Thomas  Lord  Boyd  and  his  son  foresaid,  and  etc.,  to  assign  and 
and  locate  in  full  from  his  lands  adjacent  to  the  aforesaid  town  of 
Kilmarnock  in  whole  or  in  part  into  burghal  divisions  for  build- 
ings or  houses  to  be  erected  on  the  same  with  all  the  tholnies 
customs,  (Tholonium  'the  liberty  of  buying  and  selling  on  our  own 
grounds  or  the  right  of  charging  'toll'  for  such  liberty)  privileges 
and  liberties  pretaining  or  in  any  way  able  to  pertain  in  future 
to  the  free  fair  and  free  barony  in  the  same  manner  and  as  freely 
as  any  burghs  under  our  kingdom  is  inferred  by  us  or  our 
predecessors. 

"All  and  whole  the  aforesaid  lands.  Lordship  and  Barony  of 
Kilmarnock  with  their  castle,  etc.,  to  have  and  to  hold  to  the 
aforesaid  Thomas  Lord  Boyd,  etc., and  to  the  aforesaid  Robert, 
Master  of  Boyd,  etc.,  his  brother — german  and  their  heir  male, 
etc.,  whom  failing  to  Adam  Boyd,  likewise  his  brother — german 
and  the  heir  male,  etc.,  whom  failing  to  any  other  heir  male  of 
the  body  of  the  said  Thomas  Lord  Boyd  to  be  as  yet  lawfully 
begotten  at  any  time  proceeding  his  death  and  to  the  heirs,  male 
of  their  bodies  lawfully  begotten  whom  failing  to  Robert  Boyd  of 
Badinhaith  brother  german  of  the  same  Thomas  Lord  Boyd  and 
the  heirs  male,  etc.,  whom  failing  to  Adam  Boyd  of  Penkill  ^nd 
the  heirs  male,  etc.,  whom  all  failing  (which  God  forbid)  to  the 
nearest  lawful  heir  inale,  whatsoever  of  the  said  Thomas  Lord 
Boyd  bearing  the  names  and  arms  of  Boyd,  to  wit  the  aforesaid 
burgh  or  town  of  Kirktown  of  Kilmarnock  from  us  and  our 
successors  as  Princes  and  Seneschalo  of  Scotland  in  a  free  burgh 
in  Barony  and  the  aforesaid  remaining  lands,  etc.,  in  a  free  Lord- 
ship and  free  Baroney,  etc.,  throughout  all  their  straight  bound- 
aries, old  and  divided  as  they  lie  in  length  and  breadth  in  houses, 


HISTORY    OF  THE    BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  27 

buildings,  woods,  plains,  moors,  marshes,  roads,  paths,  waters, 
ponds,  streams,  meadows,  pastures  and  pasture-lands,  mills, 
multures,  and  their  appurtenances,  fowlings,  huntings,  fishings, 
peet,  turf,  coal,  collieries,  minerals,  mines,  pigeons,  pigeon  houses, 
workshops,  distilleries,  breweries  and  broom  woods,  groves  and 
thickets,  firewood,  timber,  quarries — stone  and  lime;  with  courts, 
decrees  amercements  escheats,  etc.  of  the  said  courts;  with  gallows, 
pit,  sok-sak,  thole,  thame,  infang-thief,  out-fang-thief,  pit  and 
gallows,  with  common  pasture,  free  entrance  and  exit,  with  free 
forests  in  all  places  when  thereon,  and  have  been  woods  within 
the  foresaid  lands  with  privilege  of  forest  courts,  amercements 
and  escheats  of  the  same  and  wraik  wert  wair  and  venison  with 
all  and  sundry  the  privileges  of  a  free  baroney  and  free  forests, 
and  with  all  and  sundry  the  other  liberties,  commodities,  profits, 
conveniences  and  just  pertinents  whatsoever,  whither  not  named 
or  not  named,  whether  under  the  earth  or  upon  the  earth,  far  and 
near,  pertaining  or  in  any  manner  able,  rightly  to  pertain  in  future 
to  the  aforesaid  lands,  lordship,  etc.,  freely,  quitely,  plenarily 
entirely,  honorably  well  and  in  peace,  in  like  manner  and  as 
freely  in  all  things  and  through  all  things  as  the  said  Thomas 
Lord  Boyd  and  his  predecessors  held  and  possessed  the  same 
from  us  and  our  successors  as  Prince  and  Seneschals  of  Scotland 
before  the  resignation  aforesaid. 

"Then  being  paid  therefrom  annually  by  the  aforesaid 
Thomas  Lord  Boyd  during  his  life  and  after  his  death  by  the 
same  Robert,  Master  of  Boyd,  his  etc.,  and  by  his  heirs,  male,  etc., 
to  us  and  our  successors  as  Princes,  etc.,  the  rights  and  servitudes 
due  and  wonted  to  us  and  our  successors  before  the  said  resigna- 
tion according  to  the  tenor  of  the  ancient  infeftiment  of  the  same. 

"In  witness  whereof,  etc.,  witnesses,  etc.,  at  Holyrood  house 

the  twelfth  day  of  the  month  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord  MDXCI  and  of  our  reign  XXV."        '  ^    ^       ^,, 

James  VL 

In  the  village  of  Kilmarnock  at  this  time  by  the  Boyds, 
was  erected  what  was  called  "Gallows  Knowe"  for  punishment  of 
those  who  failed  to  do  as  they  were  requested  to,  or  were  enemies 
to  the  will  of  the  Boyds.     This  structure  stood  until  1861,  when 


28  HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND   ITS  DESCENDANTS 

it  was  torn  down.  This  authority  was  given  as  it  is  seen  in  the 
above  charter  to  Lord  Thomas  Boyd  the  right  to  establish  one 
in  his  baroney.  Dr.  Johnson  an  able  writer  on  Scottish  history 
says:  "The  name  so  called  was  in  consequence  of  being  the 
place  of  execution  in  the  days  of  feudalism.  The  Boyds  had  at 
one  time  the  right  of  pit  and  gallows,  a  privilege  conferred  on  all 
Barons  according  to  our  old  laws  of  having  on  his  grounds  a  pit  for 
drowning  women,  and  gallows  for  hanging  men  convicted  of  theft." 

The  village  of  Kilmarnock  has  been  several  times  more  or 
less  destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  complete  plans  it  were  built 
upon,  would  doubtless  facilitate  the  progress  of  its  ravages.  One 
of  these  great  fires  took  place  May  22,  1668.  The  whole  town  as 
stated  by  different  writers  was  destroyed  and  according  to  the 
following  extract  taken  from  the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Fife, 
the  number  of  those  who  suffered  was  one  hundred  and  twenty, 
and  froin  this  computation  we  concluded  that  the  whole  popula- 
tion (not  concluding  Parish)  was  then  under  six  hundred  souls. 
This  great  fire  is  alluded  to  by  Chambers  in  his  Domestic 
Annuals  of  Scotland  in  the  following  words: 

"1668,  May  22,  the  town  of  Kilmarnock  was  wholy  destroyed 
accidentally  by  fire,  when  about  six  score  families  were  driven  in  the 
fields  destitute  both  of  goods  and  homes,  endured  in  this  starving 
condition.  Matters  were  the  worse  for  them  by  reason,  that  they 
being  all  poor  tradesmen,  and  having  no  other  means  of  liveli- 
hood, than  their  daily  employment.  Having  sometime  before, 
been  reduced  to  great  misery  and  affliction,  in  consequence  of 
the  quartering  upon  them  of  a  great  part  of  the  King's  forces, 
when  they  were  sent  to  the  west  to  prevent  a  rebellion." 

Another  large  fire  visited  the  place  on  Saturday,  April  26, 
1800.  It  originated  on  the  east  side  in  a  malt  kiln  that  had  been 
•overheated.  Thirty-two  houses  were  destroyed  in  the  short 
space  of  one  and  a  half  hours.  Seventy-six  families,  consisting  of 
more  than  three  hundred  persons  were  rendered  homeless  and 
■destitute.  Floods  have  also  swept  the  place,  the  largest  one  took 
place  July   14,    1852. 

Kilmarnock  is  also  noted  for  one  of  the  oldest  lodges  of  Free- 
Masons  in    Scotland;    known    as    "Kilmarnock   Masonery    St. 


HISTORY  or   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS  DESCENDANTS  29 

John's  No.  2  2."  Among  the  members  of  this  Lodge  were  several 
Boyds,  and  one  of  the  eariiest  members  was  Thomas  Boyd  of 
Pitcon.  It  was  estabHshed  in  1734.  The  unfortunate  Earl  of 
Kilmarnock,  William  Boyd,  was  one  of  the  originators  and  was 
the  first  Right  Worshipful  Master  of  the  same. 

Kilmarnock  in  its  younger  days  must  have  been  surrounded 
with  the  tunnoils  and  strife  of  war,  and  there  was  no  time  when  its 
quietness  was  not  disturbed  by  the  clashing  of  arms,  and  the  war 
crys  of  the  many  clans  of  those  days  for  the  supreme  control  over 
this  territory,  which  at  that  tim.e  was  one  of  the  most  prominently 
settled  territories  of  Scotland.  The  popular  tradition  today 
among  authors  whom  I  have  consulted,  is  that  Campbell  which 
is  situated  near  the  border  of  a  Large  Parish,  a  few  miles  from 
above  place,  was  the  field  which  formed  the  encampment  for  the 
Scottish  army  prior  to  their  advancing  to  meet  the  Norse  invaders 
on  the  shore  of  Larqes  in  1263.  Other  places  in  the  locality  which 
preserves  momentoes  of  the  overthrow  of  Haco,  are  Burleggati, 
Killincraig  and  Keppinburn.  The  last  named  spot,  legends  affirms 
that  the  ancestors  of  the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock,  William  Boyd 
surprised  and  defeated  a  band  of  fleeing  foes.  The  above  famous 
battle  which  the  Scots  took  so  active  a  part  in  with  the  Norse 
invadeis,  lead  by  their  respective  Kings  was  fought  on  October  3, 
1263.  The  exact  scene  of  the  conflict  is  believed  to  have  taken 
place  south  of  the  town  and  iinmediately  below  Hay  lie  mansion. 
This  engagement  was  a  total  disaster  to  the  Norway  King,  for  a 
violent  storm  set  in  and  did  much  harm  to  the  Norse  fleet  and  only 
a  portion  of  the  invaders  were  able  to  effect  a  landing  on  the 
Scottish  coast.  The  result  of  this  battle  was  a  decisive  victory 
for  the  annies  of  Scotland  which  were  lead  by  Alin  Durward, 
Justician  of  the  Kingdom,  the  Earl  of  March  and  the  Steward  of 
Scotland  Robert  Boyd.  This  battle  resulted  in  a  complete 
recognition  of  the  rights  of  the  Scottish  King  to  govern  the  western 
coast  and  adjacent  islands  of  his  monarchy.  At  this  battle 
Robert  Boyd  was  rewarded  for  his  bravery  by  his  King,  with 
grant  of  Lands  in  Cunningham.  The  words  "Gold  Berry" 
(which  are  found  in  the  print  of  the  Kilmarnock  coat  of  arms) 
are  supposed  to  have  been  given  him  at  this  occasion. 


30  HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

West  Kilbride  a  few  miles  from  Kilinarnock  also  contains 
the  ruins  of  three  other  castles  of  ancient  days.  The  broken 
walls  of  Law  castle,  which  crown  the  Law  and  overlook  the  town, 
are  all  that  remains  of  a  stately  edifice  that  was  one  of  the  seats 
of  the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock.  The  Barony  of  Kilbride  was  con- 
ferred on  the  ancestors  of  the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  by  Robert 
Bruce  and  the  Parish  took  its  name  from  St.  Bridget — commonly 
called  Bride.  The  church  dedicated  to  that  saint  was  connected 
with  the  Abbey  of  Kilwiniiing. 

Irwin's  Role  of  Fame  included  many  notable  Scots  in  various 
departments  of  life.  The  town  as  related  by  Charles  S.  Dougall, 
M.  A.,  has  sent  forth  many  honorable  soldiers  in  life,  as  Sir 
Patrick  Montgomery  and  Sir  Robert  Boyd,  the  defender  of 
Gibraltar  in  17S2. 

"Killir"  as  the  Scotch  people  delight  to  call  it  is  situated  on 
the  river  Marnock,  a  few  miles  north  of  Tarbolton.  Local  history 
asserts  that  a  church  dedicated  to  Saint  Marnock,  was  established 
here  eight  hundred  years  ago,  but  for  generations  the  town  never 
emerged  from  obscurity.  In  the  reign  of  James  IV,  it  was  a 
mere  hamlet  dependent  solely  on  Dean  Castle,  the  residence  of 
Earl  of  Kilmarnock  (Robert  Boyd)  for  protection. 

In  Burn's  time,  Kilmiarnock  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being 
the  most  irregularly  built  town  in  the  west  of  Scotland.  A  pro- 
gressive municipality  aided  by  an  extensive  and  not  altogether 
unfortunate  fire  of  1800,  has  done  much  to  remove  the  approbrium. 
Its  spacious  streets  and  handsome  buildings  are  a  vast  improve- 
ment on  the  low  thatched  houses  and  the  maze  of  narrow  lanes 
that  comprised  a  veritable  puzzle  to  strangers  in  early  days. 
The  Parish  of  Kilmarnock  contains  some  interesting  memorials 
and  relics  of  grandeur  of  by  gone  days.  One  of  these  is  the  ver}' 
heavy  grown  ruins  of  Dean  Castle,  the  home  of  the  Boyd  family, 
for  nearly  eight  hundred  years  and  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1735. 
Situated  at  the  junction  of  Crawford  Lane  and  Fenwick  which  is 
about  a  mile  north  east  of  the  town  which  we  will  speak  of  in  the 
following  chapter.  The  Marnock  house  which  is  still  in  exist- 
ence and  now  used  as  an  industrial  building,  which  the  Earl  of 
Kilmarnock  "William    Bovd"   lived  in   when  he   took  sides  with. 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  31 

Charles  Stewart  "The  Pretender,"  when  he  lost  his  life.  Not 
far  from  Dean  Castle  are  the  ruins  of  Crawfordland  Castle,  part 
of  which  is  believed  to  have  been  built  in  the  earlv  vears  of  the 
eleventh  centurv. 


CHAPTER     III 

History  of  the  Ancient  Home  of  the  Boyds  in  Scotland 

Dean  Castle,  long  the  residence  and  home  of  the  old  and 
ancient  Boyd  family,  stands  at  the  distance  of  nearly  a  mile  in 
the  northeast  direction,  from  the  present  site  of  the  city  of  Kil- 
marnock, which  now  rests  upon  lands  once  owned  by  this  noble 
family,  in  the  county  of  Ayrshire  on  the  western  coast  of  Scotland. 
Its  situation  surrounded  by  the  scenes  of  the  past,  though  not  the 
most  romantic,  can  scarcely  fail  to  delight  the  admirer  of  the 
gentle,  as  well  as  the  magnificent  in  nature.  On  the  right,  and 
on  the  left  of  the  same,  the  ground  rises  in  pleasing  elevations,  as 
it  can  be  seen  by  the  picture  taken  of  it  by  "Pont"  in  1700, 
shown  m  the  cut  of  same,  in  this  book.  At  an  early  day  the 
castle  was  almost  embosomed  in  woods,  and  no  road  lead  to  it 
except  the  principal  one  from  the  southwest,  and  a  private  path 
that  lay  along  the  stream  in  the  direction  of  Fenwick.  It  is 
supposed  it  derived  its  name  "Dean". the  word  according  to  Dr. 
Jamieson  a  noted  historian  says:  "Signifies  a  small  valley  or 
hollow  where  the  ground  slopes  on  both  sides."  Close  by  the 
castle  the  scene  is  enlivened  by  two  little  mossy  streams  locally 
called  the  Borland  and  Crawfordland,  which  meet  and  mingle 
with  each  other,  fonning,  what  is  termed  Kilmarnock  water. 
The  view  in  the  neighborhood  too,  is  considerably  beautified  by 
several  steep  woody  braes.  From  one  of  these,  near  Assloss,  the 
castle  presents  a  majestic  and  stem  appearance.  Though  gray  and 
rent  with  years,  it  looks  as  if  conscious  of  its  strength,  and  as  if 

frowning  defiance  down  the  valle}^  that  stretches  before  it.     From 

[35I 


36  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

the  same  eminences  we  have  a  glimpse  of  the  town,  with  its  towers 
and  spires,  which  give  to  it  an  air  of  importance,  and  the  eye  ranging 
still  farther  rests  and  is  delighted  on  the  beautiful  green  hills 
of  Craigie,  and  the  more  romantic  heights  of  Dundonald.  In 
early  times,  according  to  the  oral  tradition  a  dense  wood  stretched 
itself  behind,  and  on  each  side  of  the  castle,  concealed  it  in  a  great 
measure  from  the  scrutinizing  eye  of  the  invader,  and  made  it 
almost  inaccessable  to  strangers,  save  by  the  principal  approach, 
which  was  found  on  the  southwest.  Here  was  situated  the  huts 
or  hovels  of  the  vassals  of  the  Manor.  In  those  days,  this  old 
baronial  stronghold  was  not  only  picturesque  and  secluded,  but 
was  secure  in  agreat  degree  from  the  attacks  of  neighboring  chiefs, 
or  of  the  more  ruthless  hordes  who  sought  to  reduce  the  country  to  a 
state  of  thraldom.  The  alann  could  be  readily  given  by  the  vassals 
from  the  Glen,  or  by  the  warder,  whose  eye  from  the  watch-tower 
could  distinctly  describe  every  movement  of  the  advancing  foemen. 
The  Dean  Castle  consists  of  two  separate  Towers  of  unequal 
height  and  appears  to  have  been  surrounded  by  a  wall  or  rampart, 
part  of  which  now  stands.  The  period,  of  which  either  of  the 
towers  was  erected  is  unknown,  but  both  bears  the  mark  of  con- 
siderable antiquity.  Gross,  one  of  Scotland's  able  writers  visited 
the  castle  about  the  year  of  lySg,  and  made  a  drawing  of  its  ruins 
for  his  "Antiquities  of  Scotland."  He  supposed  the  higher  tower 
to  have  been  built  about  the  beginning  of  the  fifteenth  century. 
In  the  wall  of  the  lower  edifice  and  looking  into  the  court  is  a  stone 
on  which  the  family  arms  are  sculptured  and  beneath  which  are 
the  words  "James  Boyd  and  Catherine  Craik,"  were  lately  legible 
and  thus  being  the  name  of  the  eighth  Lord  Boyd  and  his  Lady. 
It  has  been  sometime  conjectured,  that  the  whole  of  the  lower 
mansion  was  erected  in  their  time,  namely  about  the  middle  of 
the  seventeenth  century.  The  estate  devolved  on  the  eighth 
Lord  Boyd  in  1640,  and  his  death  took  place  about  the  year  1654. 
This  conjecture  however,  appears  to  be  incorrect.  For  Pont, 
another  early  writer  in  his  "Cunningham  Topographer,"  which 
was  written  as  we  have  said  about  i6og,  speaks  of  both  towers  as 
then  existing.  "That  portion  of  the  building,  therefore  on  which 
the  anus  are  sculptured,  inust  have  been  only  an  addition  made 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  39 

by  the  eighth  Lord  Boyd.  It  also  appears  from  the  same  author- 
ity that  both  towers  are  of  greater  antiquity  than  was  supposed 
by  Gross.  Fonts  words  in  his  "Cunningham  Topographer  says" 
Kinmernock  Castle,  is  a  staitly  faire  ancient  building,  arising 
in  two  great  high  towers  and  built  around  court  ways,  with  fyve 
(There  is  good  reason  says  the  editor  of  the  above  work,  that  the 
word  "Fyve"  here  has  been  erroneously  translated  from  the 
original  MS.  for  fine  and  that  illusion  is  simply  to  the  cheerful 
and  elegant  range  of  buildings  fronting  the  south,  the  walls  of 
which  still  remains  pretty  entire.  To  the  east  and  north,  the 
enclosing  rampart  walls  still  stand  to  their  full  height,  whilst  the 
great  tower  or  donjon-keep  occupies  almost  entirely  the  west 
angles  of  the  square,  so  no  possible  site  would  appear  within  for 
any  further  structure  of  the  least  consequence  whatever.")  low 
buildings  it  is  still  planted  and  almost  environed  with  gardens, 
orchards,  and  parks.  It  belonged  first  to  ye  Locartts,  lords  thereof, 
then  to  the  Lord  Soulis,  and  the  cheiffe  dwelling  almost  three 
hundred  zeirs  of  the  Lords  Boyd."  It  may  also  be  mentioned 
that  on  another  part  of  the  lower  building,  the  remains  of  two 
figures,  a  male  and  female,  are,  or  lately  were  discernable,  but  no 
inscription  describing  them  or  leading  to  a  knowledge  of  the  date 
of  their  erection  can  be  traced.  >^. 

As  a  place  of  strength,  as  well  as  a  manor-house,  the  "Dean" 
appears  to  have  been  superior  to  many  of  the  strong-holds  of  our 
Scottish  Barons  of  the  older  times.  The  walls  of  the  high  tower 
are  about  nine  or  ten  feet  thick.  The  lower  story  consisted  of 
several  dark  vaulted  rooms,  and  on  the  second  flat  is  a  large  hall 
thirty-eight  feet  in  length,  twenty-two  in  width  and  twenty-six 
in  height.  It  had  a  fine  arched  stone  ceiling  and  was  furnished 
with  stone  seats,  which  jut  out  around  the  lower  part  of  the  walls 
and  which  in  all  likelihood,  was  cushioned  or  covered  with  some 
kind  of  cloth,  when  the  castle  was  inhabited.  From  this  apart- 
ment, a  short  passage  leads  to  a  trap  door  of  the  dungeon  or 
prison,  which  is  immediately  beneath,  in  the  center  of  the  wall 
at. the  north  comer  of  the  tower;  and  measures  fifteen  feet  by  five, 
and  must  have  been  a  dreary  place  for  the  poor  wight  whose  mis- 
fortune it  was  to  be  incarcerated  within  it.     It  had  no  aperture  by 


40  HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

which  Hght  or  air  could  be  admitted,  save  a  little  oblong  opening 
three  or  four  inches  wide,  and  even  the  little  light  that  could  thus 
enter  had  to  struggle  down  in  a  slanting  direction  through  the 
wall  which  is  about  ten  feet  thick,  ere  it  could  sooth  the  prisoner 
with  its  cheering  influence.     The  dungeon  has  now  a  door  broken 
into  it  from  the  outside,  and  is  or  likely  was  used  as  a  milk-house. 
Adjoining  is  another  gloomy  apartment  which  is  probable  was 
also  a  place  of  confinement.     This  wall  shows  that  the  castle  was 
not  used  as  a  shelter  for  the  homeless  wanderers  who  sought  to 
worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences, 
but  as  a  stronghold  for  their  merciless  enemies.     At  the  tim.e 
Dalziel  occupied  the  town,  a  party  of  his  soldiers  was  stationed  in 
this  fortress  and  many  were  the  severities  which  the  people  in  the 
neighborhood  suffered  from  their  doings.     An  instance  of  their 
cruelty  we  will  give.      When  traversing  the  fields  one  day  in  quest 
of  the  sufferers,  they  observed  an  individual  hurrying  from  them 
at  a  distance,  and  suspecting  he  was  flying  through  a  conscious- 
ness of  guilt,  they  pursued  him  like  demons,  bent  on  some  infernal 
enterprise.     The   m.an  however,   kept  in   advance   of  them,   at 
length,  reaching  a  house,  he  passed  through  it  by  a  passage  that 
lead  to  the  back  premises,  and  with  great  presence  of  mind,  con- 
cealed himself  in  a  pool  of  water,  where  he  stood  with  only  his 
head  above  the  surface  of  the  water.     In  course  of  a  few  minutes, 
the  soldiers  were  in  the  house  expecting  their  prey,  but  no  person 
save  the  mistress  of  the  cottage  could  be  found.     They  threatened 
her  with  instant  death  if  she  did  not  produce  the  object  of  their 
search.     She  acknowledged  that  a  man  had  run  through  the  house, 
but  who  he  was  and  where  he  had  gone,  she  knew  not.     Maddened 
by  disappointment,  they  seized  her  and  lead  her  a  captive  to 
Kilmarnock  where  notwithstanding  her  declaration  of  innocence, 
she  was  condemned  to  be  immersed  in  a  dark  subterraneous 
apartment  in  Dean  Castle.     This  harsh  sentence  we  need  scarcely 
say  was  promptly  executed,  and  tradition  affirms  that  the  poor 
creature  was  never  released,  but  left  to  perish  in  that  dreary 
abode  among  filth  and  vermin.     Whither  William  Boyd  the  first 
Earl  of  Kilmarnock  took  any  active  part  against  these  sufferers, 
the  authorities  which  we  have  consulted  do  not  inform  us,  but 


HISTORY    OF    THE    BOYD    FAMILY    AND    ITS    DESCENDANTS         41 

without  doubt,  he  did  not,  and  if  he  had  been  opposed  to  such 
crimes,  no  doubt  he  was  powerless  and  obHged  to  look  on  helpless, 
for  fear  of  his  own  destinies. 

On  the  third  flat  there  was  apparently  two  chambers.  These 
are  now  roofless  and  otherwise  much  dilapidated.  One  of  them, 
with  a  large  window^  looking  to  the  north  is  said  to  have  been  the 
chapel.  In  the  walls  of  these  roomys  are  two  curious  little  recesses. 
One  of  them,  with  two  narrow  loopholes  looking  in  different 
directions,  w^as,  perhaps  used  as  a  watch-house  in  times  of  em- 
ergency. It  has  a  small  stone  seat  and  fireplace,  but  is  so  con- 
structed in  its  dimensions  that  a  person  can  scarcely  stand  upright 
within  it.  The  other  recess  was  probably  a  place  for  a  bed  as 
there  were  in  other  Scottish  castles.  The  upper  or  attic  story 
also  has  two  rooms,  crowning  the  eastern  corner,  which  seems  to 
have  been  another  watch-house,  which  must  have  commanded  an 
extensive  view  of  the  adjacent  country.  On  top  of  the  walls,  a 
walk  or  passage,  about  four  feet  in  breadth  leads  around  the  tower. 
It  was  a  plain  battlement  or  parapet  in  which  here  and  there  were 
little  openings,  considerable  portions  of  which  still  remain  and 
in  which  a  narrow  spiral  stairs  lead  to  the  various  stories,  and  the 
main  entrance  was  by  an  arched  doorway  at  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  building,  which  is  still  entire. 

In  the  lower  tower  which  was  surmounted  by  an  erection 
in  the  form  of  a  belfry,  is  shown  a  picture  engraved  by  an  ingenious 
townsman  of  Kilmarnock  named  Michael  Reid,  about  the  begin- 
ning of  the  last  century.  There  were  at  least  four  apartments 
above  the  ground  floor.  Except  some  small  patches  of  plaster, 
still  seen  on  the  wall,  nothing  remains  to  give  an  accurate  idea 
of  their  original  appearance.  The  most  commodious  part  of  the 
building  was  that  occupying  the  space  betwixt  the  two  towers 
and  fronting  to  the  south.  It  seems  to  have  been  the  principle 
dwelling  place  connected  with  the  small  tower,  and  was  lighted  by 
spacious  windows,  which  gave  to  its  rooms,  all  the  attributes 
of  some  ancient  seat  of  royalty,  rather  than  of  the  abode  of  a 
Scottish  lord  in  the  day  of  feudalism  of  the  past. 

It  is  not  likely — though  history  is  silent  on  the  subject  that 
the  Dean  was  often  beleaguered  in  the  olden  times,  when  chief 


42  HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

contended  with  chief,  through  a  love  of  gain,  a  love  of  revenge,  or 
a  love 'of  glory.  That  such  was  the  case  is  asserted  at  least  by 
tradition,  which  affirms,  it  was  once  or  twice  beseiged,  and  that 
every  attempt  to  reduce  it  was  altogether  fruitless.  Tradition, 
however,  related  the  fate  of  Lord  Soulis  by  the  hands  of  one  of 
the  Boyds  in  1444.  One  day  one  of  the  vassals,  while  taking  an 
afternoon  walk  along  the  private  path,  that  layed  along  the  stream 
in  the  direction  of  Fenwick,  heard,  or  thought  he  heard,  the 
voice  of  strangers  among  the  trees,  and  fearing  that  foemen  were 
skulking  in  the  locality,  he  ascended  a  small  height  and  imme- 
diately discovered  a  party,  who  turned  out  to  be  Southerons.  He 
stationed  himself  upon  an  eminence  at  a  short  distance  (the  spot 
of  ground  here  meant  is  that  on  which  the  powder  magazine  now 
stands  and  if  we  believe  tradition,  it  was  the  sight  of  the  Roman 
encampment  in  ancient  times.  It  commanded  an  extensive  view 
of  the  surrounding  country  and  was  therefore  well  adapted  for 
a  military  station  in  the  days  of  fedual  warfare.)  In  breathless 
anxiety  the  vassal  hastened  to  the  castle,  and  apprised  the  inmates 
of  the  discovery  he  had  made.  In  a  moment  all  was  bustle  and 
activity  among  the  Boyds.  The  tenants  of  the  Manor  and 
several  other  adherents  of  the  ancient  house  of  Dean,  among 
whom  was  the  Lord  Crawfordland,  were  soon  made  aware  of  the 
circumstances,  and  before  the  shade  of  evening  had  darkened  the 
landscape,  they  were  all  assembled  on  the  green  plain  in  front  of 
the  tower,  from  which  headed  by  the  Boyd,  they  marched  toward 
the  encampment.  On  coming  near  the  spot,  a  breathless  silence 
reigned  among  the  Southerons  as  if  they  were  refreshing  them- 
selves with  sleep,  before  attacking  the  fortress,  which,  in  all  like- 
hood,  they  meant  to  do  during  the  night  or  early  morning.  "Shall 
we  give  them  battle"  whispered  one  of  the  friends  of  Boj^d.  "We 
shall"  said  he,  "for  I  have  always  thought  it  best  to  remove  evil 
ere  it  assumes  a  formidable  shape,  let  us  disperse  them."  At  these 
words  the  followers  of  the  Boyds  rushed  upon  the  English,  who 
notwithstanding  this  unexpected  attack  displayed  no  symptoms 
of  fear.  With  a  ferocity  common  only  in  the  days  of  feudalism, 
man  met  man,  and  each  and  all  seemed  to  act  as  if  more  willing 
to  die  in  the  strife  than  to  have  their  names  associated  with 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  43 

cowardice.  In  the  midst  of  the  conflict  there  was  one  of  the 
Southerons  who's  stately  appearance  and  signal  powers  bespoke 
him  as  the  leader  of  the  party.  His  form  caught  the  eye  of  the 
Boyd  and  in  a  moment  they  were  in  close  combat,  but  was  soon 
separated  by  the  awful  scene  of  the  others.  At  length  after  a 
desperate  struggle  in  which  several  fell  on  both  sides,  the  English 
in  spite  of  their  commander  who  urged  them  to  keep  their  position 
fled  froin  the  field  and  concealed  themselves  in  the  fastnesses  of 
the  woods.  From  some  of  the  vanquished  whose  wounds  rendered 
them  unable  to  fly,  it  was  learned  that  the  name  of  their  leader 
was  Lord  Soulis,  but  their  object  in  their  coming  to  the  locality 
they  did  not  disclose.  The  darkness  was  now  gathering  fast, 
and  the  heroes  of  the  Dean  returned  in  triumph  to  the  castle, 
bearing  along  with  them  swords  and  other  instruments  of  war 
which  had  been  left  on  the  field  by  the  Southerons.  During  the 
night,  watches  were  set  around  the  castle  and  as  soon  as  the  first 
ray  of  light  of  the  morning  broke  through  the  eastern  clouds,  the 
warder  was  at  his  station  on  the  summit  of  the  tower.  In  a 
short  time,  he  discovered  one  or  two  of  the  fugitives  lurking 
about  the  bottom  of  the  glen.  This  intelligence  was  soon  com- 
municated to  the  Boyd,  who  immediately  armed  himself  with  his 
cross-bow,  and  followed  by  only  one  or  two  attendants,  left  the 
castle  in  quest  of  the  English  lord,  At  a  little  distance  below  the 
beautiful  green  mound  at  the  south  side  of  the  castle  he  crossed 
the  stream  and  hurried  on  with  the  firm  tread  of  a  warrior  along 
its  banks  in  a  southern  direction  till  he  reached  the  field  now 
known  by  the  name  of  Clerk's  Holm.  On  a  brae  at  the  other  side 
of  the  water,  he  espied  the  object  of  his  search,  and  with  deadly 
aim  he  drew  his  cross-bow  and  his  arrow  instantly  pierced  the 
heart  of  ill-fated  Soulis.  On  the  night  of  that  day,  a  sumptuous 
feast  was  spread  in  the  hall  of  the  Dean,  the  wine  cup  was  freely 
circulated.  The  festal  song  fell  upon  the  ear  of  Lord  and  Lady — 
and  the  arched  chamber  closed  not  to  echo  the  sound  of  merri- 
ment till  the  beams  of  morning  had  tinged  with  golden  hues  the 
turrets  of  the  Tower. 

The  castle,  however,  is  not  without  its  historical  associations. 
Mary,  the  sister  of  King  James  III  and  wife  of  Thomas  Boyd, 


44  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

then  Earl  of  Arran,  was  kept  for  some  time  a  prisoner  within  the 
walls  of  this  castle.  A  prisoner  as  it  will  be  seen  by  the  history 
of  this  noble  Patriarch  in  our  history  of  this  ancient  family.  But 
who  her  jailors  were  or  what  liberties  she  was  deprived  of,  our 
informant  has  failed  to  enlighten  us.  The  castle  is  also  noted  for 
having  been  used  as  a  garrison  house,  by  Captain  Inglis  and  his 
soldiers  in  the  dark  days  of  the  persecution. 

According  to  Pont,  the  grounds  around  the  castle  as  far  back 
as  the  year  of  1609,  were  well  planted  and  adorned  with  "gardens 
and  orchards."  The  exact  location  which  they  occupied  would 
now  be  a  difficult  thing  to  ascertain.  Within  the  remembrance  of 
persons  lately  living  there,  an  old  pear  tree  grew  out  on  the 
beautiful  green  mound  situated  in  what  was  formerly  called 
"Paddock  Park,"  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  one  or  other 
of  the  gardens,  or  orchards  lay  in  that  direction.  At  an  early 
period  one  of  the  little  streams  that  forni  the  Kilmarnock  water 
flowed,  it  is  alleged  between  the  mound  and  the  smaller  tower 
and  joined  the  other  rivulet  on  the  south  side  of  the  eminence. 
The  scene,  in  a  pictorial  point  of  view,  would  then  be  truly 
interesting,  for  the  two  castles  towering  fonnidably  aniid  the 
woody  enclosure,  with  the  braes  rising  gently  on  one  side,  and 
the  water  gliding  peacefully  in  the  foreground,  must  have  formed 
a  picture  pleasing  and  imposing. 

In  1735,  the  Dean  Castle  was  partly  destroyed  by  fire.  The 
lower  castle  was  the  principle  scene  of  its  ravages.  Marks  which 
we  are  told,  were  lately  traced  on  some  of  the  wood  connected 
with  the  mason  work.  The  fire  was  occasioned  by  some  flax 
being  accidentally  ignited,  while  in  the  process  of  being  cleaned, 
or  spun  by  one  of  t  he  maid  servants.  The  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  (t  he 
unfortunate  William  Boyd  of  1746)  was  then  on  the  continent. 
On  his  way  back  to  Scotland  he  had  his  attention  directed  to  a 
newspaper,  in  which  was  an  account  of  its  destruction  by  fire  of 
a  Scottish  mansion  called  the  Dean,  the  particular  locality  was 
not  given.  Fearing  it  was  his  own  castle,  he  hastened  home 
and  found  it  reduced  to  a  state  of  ruin.  It  may  be  mentioned 
that  the  eminent  scholar  James  Moor,  L.L.D.,  author  of  a  Greek 
Grammar,  and  sometimes  Professor  of  Greek  in  the  Universitv 


HISTORY   OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  47 

of  Glasgow,  was  at  the  time  of  the  burning,  tutor  in  the  family 
of  the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock.  He  lost  by  the  fire  a  considerable 
stock  of  books  which  he  had  collected  for  his  own  use.  The 
Dean  was  never  afterwards  put  into  a  habitable  condition  in 
consequence,  perhaps  of  the  vast  expense  which  its  restoration 
would  have  required.  But  though  nearly  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five  years  have  passed  away,  since  it  suffered  by  the  con- 
flagration, it  still  presents  as  we  have  said,  a  bold  stately  aspect, 
and  though  now  roofless  and  desolate,  its  great  strength  may 
enable  it  to  stand  many  centuries,  an  object  of  interest  to  the 
admirers  of  the  picturesque,  the  historical  inquirer,  and  the  lover 
of  ancient  antiquity. 

Let  us  here  add,  after  the  burning  of  Dean  Castle,  the  Boyd 
family  moved  and  resided  in  the  Kilmarnock  House,  which  is 
situated  between  St.  Marnock  street  and  Nelson  street  in  Kil- 
marnock. The  old  mansion  apparently  was  built  at  different  times. 
The  original  part  of  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  erected  about  the 
end  of  the  seventeenth  century.  The  western  portion  was  in 
course  of  being  finished  when  the  last  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  took 
part  in  the  Rebellion  of  1 745-1 746,  and  in  consequence  of  his 
connection  with  that  unfortunate  aflair,  the  progress  of  the  work 
it  is  said  was  suddenly  stopped.  That  such  was  the  case  would 
appear  from  the  fact  that  when  ingress  was  made  into  the  large 
hall  (which  had  been  shut  up  for  a  number  of  years  after  above 
date),  there  were  found  window  frames  as  if  new,  from  the  tool 
of  the  joiner,  together  with  a  tradesman's  apron  and  some  shav- 
ings of  wood.  The  stately  old  trees  with  which  the  paths  of 
Kilmarnock  house  were  adorned,  previous  to  the  formation  of 
St.  Marnock  street,  gave  it  a  fine  aspect  of  Baronical  dignity. 
One  of  these  trees — a  majestic  beach — grew  until  lately  (which 
was  cut  down  the  third  of  May,  1859  in  consequence  of  being 
decayed  and  measured  upward  of  ten  feet  in  circmnference) 
immediately  at  the  back  of  the  mansion,  and  a  few  others,  which 
formed  a  part  of  a  woody  avenue,  long  known  as  the  "Lady's 
walk"  (being  so  called  it  is  said  from  being  a  favorite  walk  of  the 
last  countess  of  Kilmarnock  in  her  hours  of  sorrow  after  her 
unfortunate  husband's  execution)  still  remain,  along  the  line  of 


48  HISTORY   OF   THE    BOYD   FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

Dondonald  Road.  This  walk  at  a  comparatively  recent  date, 
was  a  sweet  rural  retreat,  and  must  have  been  still  more  so 
at  an  earlier  period,  when  the  Kilmarnock  water  flowed  as  it 
did  in  a  westerly  course  leaving  a  grassy  edge,  this  ridge  forming 
the  walk  and  giving  to  the  whole  scene  an  air  of  freshness  and 
beauty.  But  time  and  the  spirit  of  cominercial  enterprise  have 
made  changes  and  only  a  faint  idea  can  now  be  formed  respect- 
ing the  appearance  which  Kilmarnock  House  and  its  environs 
exhibited  even  sixty  years  ago.  Instead  of  the  lordly  dwelling 
rising  in  stately  grandeur  above  the  few  humble  straw-roofed 
cottages,  which  were  in  the  vicinity,  it  is  now  itself,  thrown  into 
the  shade,  by  large  modem  structures  erected  near  it,  and  its 
quaint  old  rooms,  once  the  abode  of  the  titled  and  the  great,  are 
now  used  for  purposes  connected  with  the  Parochial  Board,  part 
of  them  being  occupied  as  offices  by  the  Inspector  of  the  Poor, 
and  part  of  them  as  the  Ragged  School.  In  regard  to  schools,  the 
Boyds  of  Kilmarnock  seemed  to  have  been  miuch  interested  in 
early  times.  For  to-day  is  found  this  interesting  paper,  which 
is  called  the  "Boyds  Charter-Chest"  pertaining  to  the  saine 
which  is  supposed  to  have  been  given  to  James  Lord  Boyd. 
Unfortunately  the  document  has  no  date,  but  is  supposed  to  have 
been  made  prior  to  the  year  of  1654,  and  reads  in  Scotch  language 
thus:  "For  keeping  one  school  within  the  parocheine  of  the 
Old  Kirk  of  Kilmarnock  and  for  provisioune  of  an  constant  rent 
and  stipend  for  holding  one  school  maister  in  the  said  parocheine 
of  the  Old  Kirk  of  Kilmarnock  quho  may  also  serve  as  musician 
in  the  said  Old  Kirk  in  all  time  coming." 

As  we  have  given  a  somewhat  minute  description  of  the 
various  apartments  of  Dean  Castle,  it  may  be  interesting  to 
our  readers  to  know  the  style  in  which  it  was  furnished,  two 
hundred  or  three  hundred  years  ago.  This  is  now  shown  by  the 
following  list  taken  from  the  vScottish  journal,  published  in  Sep- 
tember, 1847.  The  list  is  now  found  among  documents  in  the 
Scottish  archives  of  Thomas  Boyd,  bearing  the  date  July  25, 
161 2,  and  's  written  in  the  Scottish  language  as  follows: 

"Twa  cowies  of  silver,  every  ane  of  thaim  vechtain  on  unce 
of  siller,  ane  lang  carpet,  half  worset,  half  selk;   ane  schort  carpet 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  49 

for  the  chalmer  buird;  ane  lang  greine  buird  clathe  the  lenthe  of 
haill  buird ;  twa  schort  greine  buird  claithis  for  the  chalmer  buird ; 
four  cuschownis  of  tripe  valvet  (an  inferior  kind. of  velvet):  four 
cushownis  of  carpet  ruche  vark;  twa  lang  buird  claithis  of  flandiris 
damais;  saxteine  seruietis  (table  napkins)  of  damais;  ane  lang 
domick  (a  species  of  linen  table  cloth)  buird  claithe;  and  dusoun  of 
domick  serviettis;  ane  braid  domick  towell;  twelf  lang  lyning 
buird  claithis ;  four  dosun  and  ane-half  of  lyning  seruietis ;  f y ves 
buird  claithis  of  grit  lynyng ;  fyve  dosoun  of  lynyng  seruietis ;  aucht 
towellis  of  room  hard  in;  four  drinking  claithis;  twathairof  servit 
with  selk,  and  the  ither  twa  plaine;  two  lynyng  drinking  claithe 
ane  cop  buird  clathi;  ane  down  bed;  aucht  feddir  beddis,  with 
aucht  bowsteris  offering  thairto;  auchtein  codis  pair  the  filed 
with  downis  and  pairt  is  with  fedderis;  auchtein  pair  of  dowbill 
blankettis;  fewe  cowering  of  ruishe  vark;  ane  fair  rallow  caddow  (a 
kind  of  streaked  or  rayed  woolen  cloth) ;  seven  houshaild  cowerings; 
saxtein  pair  of  lynyng  scheittis;  two  pair  of  heid  scheittis  of 
small  lynyng,  schewit  with  giihyt  vork  and  perling;  ane  pair 
of  plain  heid  schettis;  sax  pair  of  het  scheittis;  ten  codwairis 
(pillow  slips)  of  small  lynyng  schewit  with  black  selk;  sax  codwairis 
of  small  lynyng  unchewit ;  ane  stand  of  stampit  crambasse (crimson) 
vorset  courteins  with  ane  schewit  pand  effering  yrto;  ane  stand 
of  greine  champit  curteinis  with  ane  pand  efTering  yrto,  ane 
ither  stand  of  gray  champit  (having  raised  figures)  vorset  cour- 
teinis  with  ane  pand  effering  yrto ;  ane  stand  or  greine  plaidine 
courtains  with  the  pand  effering  yrto ;  ane  stand  of  quhyet  schewit 
courtainis;  ane  pair  of  quhyet  vowen  courtainis  with  pand  elTering 
yrto;  seventie  pewdir  platis  ane  dusoun  pewdir  trunchoris;  ten 
coweris  of  pewder;  sexintein  saisceris;  twa  new  inglis  quart 
stowpis;  twa  new  quart  flacownit;  thrie  ale  tyne  quart  stoup-pis; 
twa  ale  tyne  quart  flacownis;  ane  tyne  pint  stoup;  twa  new 
chimer  pottis ;  four  new  tyne  chandilieris ;  fyve  grit  brassen  chan- 
dilieris;  ane  grit  inarter  of  brass,  and  ane  iron  pester;  twa  tyne 
bassings  with  ane  lawer  of  tyne ;  fyve  grit  bass  panis ;  thrie  meikle 
brassin  pottis  and  ane  lytell  brassin  pot;  ane  iron  pottis;  ane 
grispan  of  brass  and  ane  pair  of  grait  standard  raris;  fyve  lang 
speittis  ane  grit  iron  tank;  ane  meikill  frying  pan  and  ane  grit 


50         HISTORY    OF    THE    BOYD    FAMILY    AND    ITS    DESCENDANTS 

marking  fatt;  thrie  gyill  fattis;  twa  meikill  barralls;  four  pair  of 
taingis;  ane  chaimer  chimvay;  twa  lang  hall  buirds;  thrie  furmis; 
ane  schort  hail  buird;  twa  chaimer  duirdis;  twa  chyiris  of  aick; 
ane  cop  buird  of  aick;  sax  buffet  stuillis;  ane  meikill  bybil  (Bible) ; 
ane  meikill  meill  gurnells  of  aick;  thris  cofferis  twa  grit  kistis  of 
aick  for  keiping  of  naipperie;  four  less  kistis;  ane  candill  kist; 
twa  stand  bedis  of  aick." 


Memo  from  the  Antiquities  of  Scotland  by  Francis  Grose, 

Esq. 
Printed  for   S.   Hooper,  High   Holborn,   London,    1789. 

Buffalo  Pub.  Lib.  914. i  B2 — 3. 
DEAN  CASTLE — This  was  one  of  the  ancient  seats  of  the 
Boyds,  Earls  of  Kilmarnock,  for  some  time  the  favorites  of  King 
James  HL  It  was  forfeited  in  the  year  1745,  afterwards  sold 
to  the  Earl  of  Glencairen,  and  in  17S9  when  this  drawing  was 
made,  belonged  to  Miss  Scott. 

It  lies  a  small  distance  from  the  main  road  leading  from 
Kilmarnock  to  Stewarton,  and  consists  of  a  large  vaulted  square 
tower,  which  seems  to  have  been  built  about  the  beginning  of 
the  fifteenth  century ;  this  is  surrounded  by  a  court  and  other  build- 
ings, apparently  more  modem.  Upon  the  tower  under  a  defaced 
coat  of  arms,  there  is  this  inscription 

James  Lord  of 
Kilmarnock 
Dame  Katherine  Creyk 
Lady  Boyd 
The  Lord  James,  here  commemorated,  according  to  Douglas, 
died  in  1654.     He  was  a  firm  adherent  to  the  royal  cause,  for 
which  he  was  by  Oliver  Cromwell  exempted  from  pardon,  and 
fined  fifteen  hundred  pounds  sterling. 

In  this  castle,  it  is  said.  Lady  Margaret  (Douglas  calls  her 
Mary)  sister  to  King  James  III  was  confined  during  the  life  of 
her  husband,  Thomas  Boyd,  Earl  of  Arran,  from,  she  was  divorced, 
notwithstanding  she  had  borne  him  two  children.  The  pretext 
for  this  divorce  was  some  legal  impediment  at  the  time  of  mar- 
riage.    Some  say  it  was  a  prior  contract  to  the  Lord  Hamilton. 


HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  51 

On  her  husband  and  the  rest  of  his  family  falling  under  the 
king's  displeasure,  she  went  to  Denmark,  to  acquaint  him  with 
it;  who  thereupon  fled  for  refuge  to  the  courts  of  France  and 
Flanders.  In  the  mean  time  King  James  sent  for  her.  She 
hoping  to  make  her  husband's  peace,  obeyed  the  summons,  when 
the  divorce  was  procured.  After  her  husband's  death,  who  died 
abroad,  she  was  married  A.  D.  147 1,  to  the  Lord  Hamilton, 
then  created  Earl  of  Arran. 


CHAPTER     IV 

History  of  the  Old  and  Ancient  Family  of 
Bo  YDS  IN  Scotland 

According  to  the  ordinary  genealogical  authorities  as  given 
us,  the  Ancient  family  of  Boyds,  sprang  from  a  younger  son  of 
the  illustrious  Lord,  the  first  High  Steward  of  Scotland.  Somie 
writers  maintain  the  idea  that  the  first  settlers  of  this  romantic 
country  came  from  Ireland.  Others  hold  that  the  Scotch  race 
came  from  Normandy,  prior  to  the  Norman  Conquest  of  1066. 
If  this  is  the  case  we  are  unable  to  say,  and  will  leave  the 
same  too  the  kind  investigation  of  our  readers.  About  this 
time  there  was  found  in  Scotland  a  noble  and  brave  warrior 
named  "Alan"  who  was  created  Lord  High  Steward  of  his  country, 
who  was  a  son  of  Fleance,  the  latter  a  son  of  Thome,  who  had 
descended  frorji  King  Kennith  III  that  was  murdered  by  Macbeth 
the  usurper  of  1043. 

Alan  married  for  his  wife,  Margaret,  a  daughter  of  Tergus,  the 

Earl  of  Galloway,  and  by  him  had  five  children.     The  eldest  we 

know  but  a  little  of.     It  may  have  been  a  female  or  died  young. 

The  second  child  was  named  Walter,  of  whom  the  family  of 

Stewarts   of   Scotland   descended.     The   third   son   was   named 

Simon,  who  was  the  progenitor  of  the  noble  family  of  Boyds. 

The  fourth,  like  the  first,  we  have  no  record  of.     The  youngest 

was  named  Adam,  and  the  first  we  find  of  him,  he  is  mentioned 

in  a  charter  given  by  King  David  I,  in  the  year  of  1139.     Alan, 

their  father  the  High  Steward  was  a  very  noted  man  in  his  time 

and  died  in  11 5  s- 

[53I 


54  HISTORY  or  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

Simon,  the  third  son  of  Alan,  and  the  second  Lord  High 
Steward  of  Scotland.  His  name  is  found  in  the  foundation 
charter  of  the  Monastery  of  Paisley  in  1161,  and  is  designed 
"Simon  frater,"  "Walter  fiHs,"  "Alan  Lapiferi,"  "Regis  Sectiac." 
History  fails  to  inform  us  how  many  children  he  had.  His  oldest 
son  was  named  Robert,  and  being  of  a  fair  complexion,  was 
named  "Boyt"  or  "Boyd"  taken  from  the  Gaelic  or  Celtic  word 
"Boidh"or  "Boidel"  which  in  that  language  means  fair  or  yellow, 
and  from  this  fact  the  first  surname  "Boyd"  arose,  and  from  him 
all  the  families  of  the  Boyd's  in  this  and  the  Old  World  descended. 

In  the  charter  of  Paisley  which  is  supposed  to  have  been  the 
first  original  house  of  the  Boyds  of  vScotland,  in  1157  was  a 
possessor  of  Walter  Fitzalan,  ancestor  of  the  Royal  Stewarts. 
He  is  destinated  nephew  of  Alan,  High  Steward,  and  in  a  con- 
tract between  Bryce  de  Eglinton  and  the  village  of  Irvin  in  1205 
he  is  destinated  Dominus  Robertus  Boyd,  and  at  that  time 
and  since  then  the  Boyds  having  carried  the  armorial  bearings 
of  the  Stewarts  and  prove  their  descent  from  that  illustrious 
house.  Robert  (as  we  will  number  him  the  first  of  our  line  of 
descendants)  died  prior  to  the  year  of  1240  leaving  a  son  Sir 
Robert  Boyd  who  succeeded  him. 

Sir  Robert  Boyd  H,  son  of  Robert  I,  the  first  history  we  have 
of  him,  is  in  a  charter  given  Sir  John  Erskin  in  1262  and  was 
designed  in  the  same  as  Robertus  de  Boyd  Miles,  and  was  also 
called  Robert  H  of  Scotland.  He  was  a  person  of  singular 
bravery,  and  at  the  Battle  of  Large  in  1263,  when  Haco  or  Acho, 
King  of  Norway  entered  Scotland,  with  a  numerous  anny  to 
capture  her  was  put  to  flight.  He  nobly  rushed  forth  in  the 
behalf  of  his  country's  defence  and  nobly  distinguished  himself, 
and  was  rewarded  by  Alexander  the  third,  then  the  King  of 
Scotland  with  "grants  of  land  in  Cunningham"  for  his  true 
patriotism.  Tradition  maintains  that  he,  with  aid  of  a  party  he 
commanded  in  the  engagement,  threw  into  confusion  and  finally 
defeated  a  strong  detachment  of  Norwegians  at  a  place  called 
"Goldberry  Hill."  The  words  "Gold  Berry"  which  sometimes 
appear  on  the  lower  scroll  of  prints  of  the  Kilmarnock  coat  of 
amis  were  probably  adopted  in  comm.emoration  of  this  feat  of 


HISTORY   OF   THE  BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS    DESCENDANTS  OO 

Sir  Robert  Boyd.  He  died  about  the  year  1270,  leaving  a  son 
who  was  his  successor. 

Sir  Robert  Boyd  III. — Was  a  son  of  the  second  Sir  Robert 
Boyd.  In  1296,  when  Edward  the  First  of  England  took  posses- 
sion of  several  Scottish  castles  in  Scotland,  and  like  other  nobles 
of  that  country  was  compelled  to  swear  fealty  to  the  usurper  of 
their  country.  But  to  throw  off  this  yoke  of  bondage  and  degra- 
dation which  had  been  imposed  upon  them,  he,  in  the  following 
year  1297,  joined  the  small  but  intrepid  army  of  Sir  William 
Wallace,  and  by  deeds  of  daring,  under  the  banner  of  genuine 
liberty,  which  was  hoisted  by  that  hero,  showed  that  he  possessed 
a  spirit  imbued  with  patriotic  ardor  which  quailed  not  at  the 
dangers  of  war,  when  the  dearest  interests  of  Scotland  were  at 
stake.  His  name  is  honorably  mentioned  in  the  Bards  account 
of  Wallace's  encounter  with  the  English  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Loudoun  Hills,  when  the  latter  was  completely  routed  when  on 
the  way  to  Ayr  with  stores  for  the  garrison.  He  also  took  an 
active  part  in  taking  the  castle  of  Ayr  from  the  English.  He 
likewise  accompanied  Wallace  into  England,  where  with  the 
Earl  Malcolm,  he  commanded  the  west  gate  at  the  seige  of  York 
and  it  appears  from  history,  that  he  afterwards  supported  the 
Hero  of  Scotland  in  many  other  engagements.  He  died  about 
the  year  of  1300.  The  record  of  his  family  we  have  not,  only  he 
had  a  son  by  the  same  name  who  succeeded  him. 

Sir  Robert  Boyd  IV. — The  eldest  son  of  the  above  Robert 
was  a  great  and  noble  patriot.  He  was  among  the  first  of  the 
Scottish  Noblemen  who  rallied  around  the  standard  of  Robert 
Bruce,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  monarch's  immediate 
relatives,  was  perhaps  the  only  person  of  distinction  in  Ayr- 
shire, who  espoused  his  interest  when  he  first  offered  defiance  to 
the  King  of  England.  He  continued  a  faithful  supporter  of  the 
same  cause  until  the  independence  of  Scotland  was  established 
by  the  decisive  battle  of  Bannockburn,  June  23,  13 14,  at  which  time 
he  acted  as  one  of  the  principal  leaders.  For  important  service 
given  by  him  to  his  country,  he  was  rewarded  by  Bruce  with 
gifts  of  land  of  Kilmarnock,  Bondington,  and  Hertschaw,  which 
had  been  forfeited    by  John  Baliol  and  these  gifts  were  granted 


56  HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

by  charters  dated  1308  and  13 16.  According  to  Wood,  (a  prom- 
inent writer)  he  had  also  conferred  upon  him  "the  lands  of  Kilbryd 
and  Ardnel,  which  had  belonged  to  Godfrey  de  Ross's,  a  son  of  the 
deceased  Riginald  de  Ross,  also  all  the  lands  which  belonged  to 
William  de  Mora's  in  the  tenement  of  Dairy,  with  seven  acres  of 
land,  which  were  Robert  de  Ross's  in  the  tenement  of  Ardnel, 
which  was  erected  into  an  entire  and  free  Barony  to  be  held  b}^ 
the  King."  The  lands  of  Ardnel  or  Portincross,  situated  in  the 
Parish  of  west  Kilbride,  were  conferred  on  Sir  Robert  Eoyd 
about  the  year  of  1308,  and  afterwards  became  the  patrimony  of 
a  younger  son  of  the  family,  froin  whom  the  Boyd's  of  Portin- 
cross  descended,   and  remained  in   that  family  until   the  year 

1737- 

This  castle  of  the  Portincross  Boyds,  at  this  time  stood  upon 

a  ledge  of  rocks,  projecting  into  the  sea  under  a  bold  promontory, 
which  gives  it  the  name  of  a  singular,  wild  and  romantic  situation. 
Several  royal  charters  of  the  two  first  Stewart  Kings  bears  to 
have  received  the  Sign — Manual  at  "Ardnel"  which  unquestion- 
ably refers  to  t,his  fortlet,  and  which  has  lead  to  a  notion  of  writers 
that  Portincross,  was  at  that  period  a  Royal  residence  of  the 
Kings  of  Scotland.  But  there  seems  to  be  no  evidence  what- 
ever to  conclude  if  it  ever  was  such  in  the  proper  sense  of  the  term. 
The  probability  is  that  these  Sovereigns  in  passing  too  and  from 
Dondonald  in  Kyle,  and  Rothesay  in  Bute,  had  been  used  as  a 
harbor  in  crossing  the  channel  at  this  point,  and  may  occasionally, 
as  circumstances  or  inclination  suggested  have  prolonged  their 
stay  at  this  convenient  station.  Contemplating  and  gazing  on  the 
narrow  walls  of  this  sea-beaten  tower,  it  is  certainly  difficult  to 
conceive  that  it  should  ever  have  afforded  accommodation  to 
■  pestage  of  a  Royal  Court.  Yet,  when  we  reflect  on  the  cir- 
cumscribed nature  of  even  Dondonald  itself,  the  favorite  resi- 
dence of  these  same  Sovereigns,  the  contrast  by  no  means  appear 
so  extraordinary. 

Sir  Robert  Boyd  died  about  the  year  1329.  His  family 
consisted  of  three  sons,  Thomas,  Allen  and  JamiCS.  The  first 
son  was  his  successor.  The  Second  son,  who  is  said  to  have  been 
valiant  in  war,  was  killed  at  the  battle  or  siege  of  Perth  in  Scot- 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  57 

land  in  August  of  the  year,  1339.     James,  the  youngest  son  is 
mentioned  in  a  charter  of  1342. 

Sir  Thomas  Boyd  V. — Sir  Thomas  was  the  oldest  Son  of  the 
above  Robert,  and  he  flourished  in  the  reign  of  King  David 
Bruce.  Nothing  of  any  importance  respecting  him  is  on  record, 
save  that  he  accompanied  David  the  Second,  to  the  battle  of 
Durham,  fought  in  1346,  and  along  with  the  King  was  taken 
prisoner,  conveyed  to  London  and  for  a  time  imprisoned.  His 
family  consisted  of  three  children.  Thomas  his  successor,  William 
who  was  ancestor  of  the  Boyds  of  Badenheath,  and  obtained  a 
charter  from  King  David  in  1368,  and  two  from  King  Robert  II. 
In  the  year  1375  and  1376,  Robert  dcBoyd  the  third  son  was 
ancestor  of  the  Boyds  of  Portinecross  in  the  county  of  Ayrshire, 
Scotland,  and  married  a  lady  named  Grizel. 

Sir  Thomas  Boyd  VI. — Sir  Thomas  was  known  and  desig- 
nated "Dominus  de  Kilmarnock"  (First  Lord  Boyd).  A  feud 
in  the  nation  which  is  not  explained  by  the  writers  we  have  con- 
sulted, appeared  to  have  risen  between  him  and  one  Nelson  of 
Dalrymple,  and  like  m.any  of  the  disputes  among  the  turbulent 
chiefs  of  that  period  lead  to  serious  consequences.  For  Nelson, 
we  are  told  was  cruelly  slain  by  the  hands  of  Thomas,  who  after- 
wards obtained,  in  1409  a. remission  for  the  deed  from  Robert, 
Duke  of  Albany.  He  courted  and  married  one  of  the  daughters 
and  co-heiress  of  Sir  John  Gifford,  Lord  of  Yester  by  whom  he 
obtained  a  great  accession  of  fortune.  By  this  union  they  had  a 
son  named  Thomas,  who  was  his  successor. 

Sir  Thomas  Boyd  VII. — Sir  Thomas  Boyd  succeeded  his 
Father  as  second  Lord  of  Kilmarnock,  and  was  a  man  of  dis- 
tinguished abilities.  He  took  and  performed  an  active  and 
principle  part  among  the  contending  Nobles  in  the  reign  of  James 
the  First.  That  Monarch,  James,  as  the  historical  reader  is 
aware  of,  had  been  kept  for  ni'neteen  years  a  prisoner  in  England 
before  his  accession  to  the  throne  in  1442,  and  it  was  at  length 
agreed  that  a  ransom  of  four  hundred  thousand  marks  should  be 
paid  for  his  liberty.  But  the  Scots  it  would  appear,  could  only 
advance  part  of  the  sum,  and  several  Noblemen,  among  whom  was 


58  HISTORY   or   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

Sir  Thomas  Boyd  were  given  as  hostages  for  the  remainder.  Some 
historians,  when  speaking  of  this  time  mentioned  that  Thomas 
Boyd  of  Kilmarnock  (who  we  take  to  be  Sir  Thomas)  was  after- 
wards accused  along  with  others  of  having  wasted  "the  crown- 
rents"  during  the  Regency  of  the  Duke  of  Albany,  for  which  he 
was  put  in  confinement  at  Dalkeith,  but  soon  obtained  his 
liberties  by  the  Nobility  interceeding  in  his  behalf,  and  by  hiin 
making  compensation  for  the  offence  by  the  payment  of  certain 
fines  into  the  Royal  exchequer. 

Sir  Thomas  married  Johanna  Montgomery  of  Androsson,  by 
whom  he  had  two  sons.  Thomas  his  heir  and  William,  who  for 
some  time  was  Abbot  of  Kilwinning.  Thomas  died  July,  1432, 
and  had  a  monument  erected  to  his  memory  and  that  of  his  wife 
in  the  old  church  of  his  native  place. 

Sir  Thomas  Boyd  VIII. — Sir  Thomas  is  placed  on  record  in 
History,  chiefly  on  account  of  having  slain  Sir  Allen  Stewart 
of  Darnley,  between  Linlithgow  and  Falkirt  and  of  having  been 
himself  killed  through  revenge  on  July  9,  1439,  by  Alexander,  a 
brother  of  Allen,  at  Craignaucht  Hill,  in  the  parish  of  Dunlop. 
An  account  of  the  feuds  or  contests  is  given  by  an  old  historian 
named  Lindsey  of  Pitscottie,  Scotland,  as  thus:  "In  the  mean- 
time, the  country  was  over-run  and  there  was  nothing  but 
murder,  theft,  and  slaughter  in  the  south  and  west  of  Scot- 
land. For  Sir  Thomas  Boyd  slew  Allen  Stewart  of  Gartullie  at 
Polmais  Thome,  three  miles  from  Falkirk  for  an  old  feud  that 
was  between  thein,  in  the  third  year  after  the  death  of  King 
Jam.es  the  First.  Allen's  death  was  soon  revenged  hereafter. 
For  Alexander  Stewart  to  avenge  his  brother's  slaughter,  manfully 
set  upon  Sir  Thomas  Boyd  in  plain  battle,  when  the  said  Thomas 
was  cruelly  slain  and  many  valiant  inen  on  every  side.  The 
battle  was  fought  so  fiercely,  that  both  sides  would  retire  and 
leave  others  in  their  place  and  then  recounter  again  at  the  sound 
of  the  trumpet,  until  at  last  the  victory  turned  in  favor  of  Alex- 
ander Stewart."  This  deadly  contest  does  not  appear  to  have  had 
the  effect  of  calming  the  deeply  rooted  animosity  that  existed 
between  the  two  factions,  for  another  of  the  Stewarts  was  after- 
wards slain   in   revenge   by  the    Boyds,  near   the  town  of  Dun- 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  59 

barton.     Such  bloody  duels  were  not  of  rare  occurrence,  at  this 
time,  among  the  Scottish  barons. 

Whom  Sir  Thomas  Boyd  marriei,  we  are  unable  to  obtain. 
But  their  family  consisted  of  four  children  whose  names  were 
Robert,  Alexander,  Janet  and  Margaret.  Robert  succeeded  his 
father's  estate  and  his  successor,  as  Lord  Robert  Boyd. 
Alexander  lived  at  Duncan,  Scotland,  and  was  preceptor  to  King 
James  and  was  murdered  on  Castle  Hill,  Edinburgh,  1469,  as 
stated  in  the  history  of  his  brother.  Janet  became  the  wife  of 
John  Alexander  Maxwell  of  Calderwood.  Margaret  married 
Lord  Alexander  Montgomery. 

Sir  Robert  Boyd  IX. — Robert  the  heir  of  his  father's  house 
was  a  man  more  eminently  distinguished  than  any  of  his  prede- 
cessors. In  145Q,  he  was  made  Lord  of  ParHament  by  King 
James  the  Second.  He  afterwards  filled  the  ofhce  of  Lord 
Justiciary  of  Scotland  and  was  also  in  1464  and  1465  ambassador 
to  England.  But  the  elevated  position  he  had  obtained  drew 
down  upon  him  the  envy  of  other  Nobles.  He  was  accused 
along  with  his  brother  Alexander  of  having  carried  the  young 
King  James  the  Third,  only  eight  years  of  age,  from  Linlithgow 
to  Edinburgh  for  "to  enter  upon  the  regal  government"  while 
he  was  yet  in  his  minority.  For  the  investigations  of  this  matter 
a  Parliament  was  called  in  1466,  but  the  Boyds  even  by  the 
King,  James  II,  himself  were  declared  to  have  been  only  com- 
panions in  that  journey  and  therefore  innocent  of  all  crimes.  A 
decree  to  this  effect  was  registered  among  the  Acts  of  Parliament. 
In  the  same  month,  Robert  was  constituted  regent  and  intrusted 
with  defence  of  the  King,  and  charge  of  his  brothers  and  sisters, 
beside  the  command  or  all  the  fortresses  or  places  of  importance 
in  the  country.  Robert  was  now  at  the  Summit  of  distinction. 
But  earthly  possessions  and  honors  however  extensive  and  daz- 
zling, are  not  always  the  source  of  solid  happiness,  as  it  has  proved 
so  in  this  case.  The  rude  Nobility  of  those  days  began  to  grumble 
at  the  advancement  he  had  made  and  began  to  study  to  over- 
throw him.  At  last  the  time  came,  and  in  a  short  time  the 
affection  of  the  King  was  weaned  from  the  Boyds  by  the  insidi- 
ousness  of  their  enemies.     At  length  a  Parlim.ent  was  called  and 


60  HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

Robert  and  Alexander  were  summoned  to  answer  such  charges 
as  might  be  brought  against  them.  According  to  the  Historian 
of  Hawthonden  (whom  we  have  consulted)  Robert  Boyd  appeared 
on  the  day  for  his  trial,  with  a  considerable  number  of  his  friends 
and  vassals  in  arms  for  the  purpose  of  over  winning  the  Nobles 
of  the  court,  but  finding  by  private  conveyance  of  intelligence, 
that  they  were  bent  upon  his  ruin,  he  fled  into  England.  But  his 
brother.  Sir  Alexander  Boyd,  "who  was  arrested  by  sickness"  and 
trusting  to  his  innocence,  appeared  before  the  Parliament.  The 
removing  of  the  King  from  Linlithgow  to  Edinburgh  (the  principle 
crime  with  which  they  were  charged)  was  declared  to  be  treason, 
and  in  defiance  of  the  act  of  Parliament  passed  in  1466,  approv- 
ing of  the  samie,  the  Boydswere  all  found  guilty,  condemned  to  be 
executed  and  their  lands  forfeited.  Alexander  Boyd  suffered 
accordingly  on  the  Castle  Hill  of  Edinburgh  in  146Q,  and  Thomas, 
Earl  of  Arran  and  his  father  was  declared  rebels,  notwithstanding 
the.  former  being  absent  on  his  mission  to  Denmark.  Lord 
Boyd  on  hearing  the  dismal  fate  of  his  family  and  brooding  over 
the  same  died  the  next  year  (1470)  at  Alnwick  in  England  of  a 
broken  heart. 

Sir  Robert  Boyd  married  a  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Maxwell 
of  Caldenwood,  Scotland,  by  whom  his  family  consisted  of  four 
children,  namely:  Thomas  who  was  his  oldest  son  and  his 
father's  successor,  and  Alexander  who  after  the  death  of  his  nephew, 
still  carried  on  the  lineal  line  of  the  family.  Archibald,  who  was 
the  ancestor  of  the  family  of  Boyds,  Bousham,  Scotland.  Eliza- 
beth the  only  daughter,  married  Archibald  the  fifth  Earl  of 
Angus,  and  was  the  mother  of  the  old  Scottish  poet,  Gavin  or 
Gawin  Douglass,  who  was  som.etime  Bishop  of  Dunkeld,  and 
author  of  several  poetical  works.  He  was  born  in  Brechin, 
about  1474,  and  died  of  the  plague  in  London  in  1522. 

Sir  Robert  Boyd  X. — Thomas  the  oldest  son  of  "Robert 
Boyd,  was  a  youth  of  extraordinary  endowment  of  mind  and 
body.  He  married  Margaret  Stewart  (sometimes  called  Mary) 
the  King's  eldest  sister,  who  soon  after  this  was  to  have  been 
given  by  her  mother  in  marriage  to  Edward,  Prince  of  Wales. 
Bv  this  union  her  husband  obtained  considerable  wealth  and  was 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  61 

created  the  Earl  of  Arran.  At  the  time  of  the  cruel  sentence 
against  him  and  his  father's  family,  he  had  been  sent  to  Denmark 
with  a  magnificent  retinue  to  bring  home  Margaret,  the  daughter 
of  Christiern  the  First  of  that  country,  who  in  accordance  with  a 
previous  treaty  between  that  monarch  and  the  court  of  Scotland, 
was  to  have  been  given  in  marriage  to  the  young  king.  He 
knew  nothing  in  regard  to  the  fate  of  his  father's  family  until 
he  had  arrived  in  Leith  Road  with  the  Royal  bride.  He  was 
then  apprized  of  the  state  of  matters  by  his  wife  the  countess, 
who  had  contrived,  by  disguising  herself,  to  get  on  board  his  ship 
before  he  landed,  and  accompanied  by  her,  he  immediately 
returned  to  Denmark,  to  avoid  the  impending  danger,  and  then 
entered  into  the  service  of  the  Duke  of  Burgund}^,  who  became 
his  faithful  friend  until  he  died.  King  James  pretended  friend- 
ship to  his  sister,  the  wife  of  poor  Thomas,  and  by  letters  which 
he  caused  to  be  sent  her  in  Denmark,  encouraged  her  to  return 
to  Scotland.  She  at  first  hesitated,  but  at  length  through  these 
solicitations  obeyed  in  hope  of  obtaining  a  pardon  and  favor 
from  her  royal  brother  for  her  husband,  to  whom  she  was  so 
tenderly  devoted  and  attached.  But  instead  of  m.eeting  a  friendly 
welcome,  she  was  seized  and  placed  in  confinement  in  the  Dean 
Castle  during  the  life  of  her  husband.  And  her  marriage  for 
reasons  for  which  history  does  not  very  satisfactorily  explain  was 
declared  null  and  void.  Thomas  died  at  Antwerp,  Denm.ark  in 
147 1.  A  tomb  bearing  an  "honorable  inscription"  was  erected 
to  his  memory  by  his  friend  Charles,  Duke  of  Burgundy.  Soon 
after  his  death,  his  wife  was  released  from  her  confinement  (and 
it  is  said  by  compulsion)  married  the  Lord  Hamilton,  to  whom 
the  Earldom  of  Arran  was  then  given. 

Thomas  Boyd's  family  consisted  of  a  son  and  daughter 
who  were  named  James  and  Margaret.  James  was  his  successor 
and  Margaret  married  for  her  first  husband.  Lord  Forbes,  and 
for  her  second,  Earl  Cassillis,  but  she  had  no  children  by  either. 

James  Boyd  XL  James  was  the  only  son  of  Thomas,  and 
is  said  to  have  been  a  youth  of  fine  spirits  surrounded  with  great 
hopes.  Several  years  after  his  father's  death,  the  Lordship  of 
the  Boyds  was  restored  to  him  by  a  charter  from  King  James 


62  HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS 

the  Third.  This  charter  bears  the  date  of  1483  and  compre- 
hended the  lands  of  Kilmarnock,  Daloy,  Nodesdale,  Monsford, 
Muir,  Rawensdale,  Ralson,  Plate  and  inany  other  lands  in  the 
county  of  Ayr.  But  a  more  gloomy  fate  than  that  of  his  father's 
awaited  him,  for  he  was  slain  in  14S4,  while  yet  a  young  man, 
in  some  petty  feud  by  Hugh  Montgoir.ery  of  Eglinton,  and  his 
extensive  possessions  returned  to  the  crown. 

Alexander  Boyd  XII. — James  died  without  leaving  any 
descendants.  Alexander,  his  uncle  and  brother  of  his  father 
being  the  next  in  the  line  of  lineal  descendants,  the  estate  of 
James  was  soon  afterwards  conferred  upon  him  by  the  King. 
Alexander  becam.e  a  great  favorite  and  friend  of  King  James  the 
Fourth,  who  in  1505  constituted  him  Baillie  and  Chamberhn  of 
Kilmarnock.  History  gives  us  but  little  account  of  this  man, 
only  that  he  married  the  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Colville  of 
Ochlitree,  Scotland,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons  who  were  nained 
Robert,  Thomas  and  Adam.  Robert  was  his  successor.  Thomas 
was  the  ancestor  of  the  Boyds  of  Pitcon  and  Adam  was  of  those 
of  Pentville  and  Flushing. 

Robert  Boyd  XIII. — Robert  Boyd  had  the  estate  and  honors 
of  Lord  Boyd  restored  to  him  in  1536  by  James  V.  From  the 
statement  of  different  writers  he  seems  to  have  been  a  man  of 
strong  resolution  and  undaunted  covirage.  In  the  battle  of 
"Glasgow  Field"  as  some  old  writers  term  it,  fought  about  1543, 
between  the  Earl  of  Lennox  and  the  Regent  Hamilton,  near 
Kilmarnock  during  the  minority  of  Queen  Mary,  he  took  so  brave  a 
part,  it  is  said,  as  to  turn  the  tide  of  the  conflict  in  favor  of  Hamil- 
ton. "In  the  heat  of  battle"  says  the  author  of  the  Annuals  of 
Glasgow,  "while  victory  was  doubtful,  Robert  Boyd  of  the 
Kilmarncck  family  arrived  with  a  small  party  of  horsemen  and 
havmg  valiantly  thrust  him.self  into  the  midst  of  the  combat, 
decided  the  fate  of  the  day.  In  this  engagement,  there  were 
about  three  hundred  slain  on  both  sides.  After  this  victory,  the 
Regent  Hamilton  immediately  entered  the  city,  and  being  ex- 
as];erated  against  the  citizens,  gave  it  up  to  the  soldiers  to  plunder, 
which  they  did  completely.  They  carried  away  or  destroyed 
everything  movable,  and  even  tore  down  the    very  doors   and 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  63 

windows  of  the  houses.  For  thus  periHng  his  hfe,  in  the  behalf 
of  Regent  Hamilton  who  stood  high  with  the  King,  he  was 
immediately  afterwards  rewarded  with  additional  honors,  and 
was  succeeding  heir  to  James  Boyd,  son  of  the  Earl  of  Arran, 

1544- 

Robert  married  Helen  Somerville,  a  daughter  of  Sir  John 

Somerville  of  Cornnathon,  by  whom  he  was  the  father  of  two 
children,  whose  names  were  Robert  and  Margaret  Boyd.  Robert 
was  his  successor,  and  Margaret  married  Neil  Montgomery  of 
Landshaw.  The  latter  marriage  seemed  to  have  engendered  bad 
feelings  of  friendship  between  the  two  families.  For  history 
tells  us  that  her  father,  with  Mowatt  of  Busbie  and  others,  assas- 
sinated Sir  Neil  Montgomery  (supposed  to  have  been  her  hus- 
band) of  Lainshaw  at  Irvin  in  1547,  through  revenge  for  the 
death  of  her  father's  cousin  James  Boyd,  whom  we  have  stated 
was  killed  by  Hugh  Montgomery  in  1481.  According  to  Robert- 
son's description  of  Cunningham,  this  feud  was  the  cause  of  much 
blood  being  shed  throughout  the  district,  and  we  are  told  by  the 
historians  of  the  Rowallan  family,  that  Robert  the  Master  Boyd, 
for  some  time  after  the  slaughter  of  Neil  Montgomery,  did  not 
dare  to  appear  openly  within  the  country  "for  fear  of  pairty" 
or  in  other  language  from  dread  of  the  Montgomeries  and  their 
adherents.  But  a  mutual  agreement,  is  said,  was  at  last  made 
between  the  two  families  and  they  lived  in  peace.  Robert  Boyd 
died  in  the  year  of  1550. 

Robert  Boyd  XIV. — Robert  was  known  as  the  fourth 
Lord  Boyd  and  was  a  man  of  great  honor  and  integrity 
and  steady  in  his  adherence  to  the  unfortunate  Mary,  Queen 
of  Scotts,  in  whose  interest,  with  a  considerable  body  of  men 
under  his  command,  he  fought  at  the  battle  of  Langside,  May  13, 
1568,  and  was  one  of  the  Nobles,  it  is  recorded,  who  formed  around 
the  Queen's  person  during  the  conflict.  In  this  battle,  Queen 
Mary's  forces  were  defeated  and  she  fled  toward  the  boarder. 
In  her  unhappy  hour,  she  resolved  to  throw  herself  upon  the  pro- 
tection of  the  Queen  of  England.  But  after  suffering  twenty 
years'  imprisonment  in  England  she  was  beheaded  on  the  eighth 
of  February,  1587. 


64  HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

In  the  following  year,  Robert,  with  the  Bishop  of  Ross  had 
a  Commission  under  the  hand  and  signet  of  the  Queen,  to  treat 
with  Queen  Elizabeth  regarding  "her  rebellious  subject  in  Scot- 
land." But  for  espousing  the  cause  of  Mary,  he  fell  in  the  dis- 
favor of  the  Regent  Morey  and  was  comiTianded  to  leave  the 
country  with  both  of  his  sons,  who  had  also  according  to  Chalmers 
had  been  engaged  in  the  same  conflict.  He  afterwards  obtained 
the  favor  of  James  the  Sixth  and  through  his  influence  was  one 
of  the  commissioners  appointed  in  1578  and  1586  to  form  a  treaty 
with  England.  To  whom  Robert  was  married  we  are  unable  to 
say  or  how  many  children  he  had.  His  oldest  son  was  named 
Thomas  and  became  his  father's  successor.  Robert  Boyd  was 
born  in  15 17  and  died  January  3,  1589,  an  epitaph  to  his  memory 
may  still  be  seen  on  a  stone  in  the  interior  of  the  low  church  of 
Kilmarnock.  The  stone  which  was  part  of  the  old  church  was 
preserved  by  being  put  into  the  wall  of  the  present  building  at 
its  erection  in  the  year  of  1802 .     The  epitaph  was  as  follows : 

1589. 

Heir  lyis  yt  godlie  Noble  wyis  lord  Boyd 

Quha  Kirk  &  King  &  Commin  weil  decoir'd 
Quhilke  war  (quhill  they  yis  jowell  all  injoyd) 

Defendit,  counsaild  governd,  be  that  lord. 
His  ancient  hous  (oft  parreld)  he  restoired 

Twyis  sax  &  saxtie  zeirs  he  leivd  and  syne 
By  death  (ye  third  of  Januare)  devoird 

In  anno  thryis  fyve  hundreth  auchtye  nyne. 

Thomas  Boyd  XV. — Thomas  was  known  as  the  fifth  Lord 
Boyd  and  obtained  a  charter  to  many  lands  and  Baronies  between 
the  years  of  1595  and  1599.  It  also  appears  he  was  a  sickly  per- 
son and  subject  to  bodily  disease  and  was  favored  by  James  the 
Sixth  with  a  "pass  empowering  him  to  go  to  foreign  countries  for 
the  sake  of  his  health."  This  pass  read  as  follows :  "We  under- 
stand that  our  cousin,  Thomas,  Master  of  Boyds  is  vexed  with 
ane  vehement  dolour  in  his  held,  and  other  deseases  in  his  body, 
as  he  can  not  find  susficient  ease  and  remeid  within  our  realm, 
but  in  mynd  to  seik  the  same  in  foreign  countries,  quhair  the 


HISTORY  or   THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS  65 

sameyn  maist  convenientlie  may  be  had  thairfore  (we)  be  the 
tenor  heer  of  gevis  and  grantis  Hcene  to  the  said  Thomas  Master 
of  Boyds,  to  depart  and  pass  furth  of  our  reahii  to  the  partis  of 
France,  Flanderis,  wall  of  the  spa,  and  othens  partis  quhair  he 
pleases,  thair  to  remain  for  seiking  for  cure  and  remedy  of  his 
saidis  diseasis,for  space  of  thre  zeiris  after  the  date  hereof."  The 
concluding  passage  was  as  follows:  ''Providing  always  that 
our  said  cousin  do  not  attempt  nothing  in  prejudice  of  us  our 
realim  and  religioun  publiclie  preachit  and  profeist  within  our 
realme  or  otherwais  this  our  licence  to  be  null  and  of  none  availe 
force  nor  effect.  Gevin  under  our  signet  and  subscrivit  with 
our  hand  at  our  castell  of  steiviHny  the  XIIII  day  of  Julij  and 
of  our  reigne  the  twelth  zeia — 1.5.7.9.  James  R." 

Thomas  Married  Margaret  the  daughter  of  Sir  Mathew 
Campbell  of  Londoune,  Scotland,  and  his  family  consisted  of 
six  children,  namely;  Robert  Martin  Boyd  his  successor, 
Sir  Thomas  Boyd  of  Bedbay,  Adam,  whose  wnfe  was  Margaret 
Galbreath  a  sister  of  Robert  Galbreath  of  Kilbraith,  and  John 
Boyd.  One  of  the  daughters  became  the  wife  of  the  Earl  of 
Abercome,  another  Blair  of  Blair,  and  the  third  of  Elphington  of 
Blaythswood.     Thomas  died  in  16 19. 

Robert  Martin  Boyd  XVI. — Robert  was  the  oldest  son  of 
Thomas  Boyd  and  would  have  succeeded  him  as  sixth  Lord  Boyd 
if  he  had  lived,  but  died  young.  He  married  Jane,  a  daiighter 
of  the  Earl  of  Lothian  by  whom  they  had  one  son  named  Robert, 
who  became  the  Sixth  Lord  Boyd. 

Robert  Boyd  XVIL — Robert  was  the  sixth  Lord  Boyd,  and 
in  1620  and  1626,  obtained  a  charter  to  several  lands  in  Ayr- 
shire. His  first  wife  was  a  daughter  of  the  master  of  Eglinton 
by  whom  he  had  no  children.  Soon  after  her  death  he  married 
for  his  second  wife  a  daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Addington  who  is 
spoken  of  in  history  for  her  great  sympathy  with  the  persecuted 
Presbyterians.  Her  son  Lord  Boyd  also  warmly  embraced  the 
sentiment  of  the  Covenanters  and  subscribed  to  the  National 
Covenant  on  the  first  of  March,  1638  in  the  Greyfriars  church, 
Edinburgh.     By  this  union  Robert's  family  consisted  of  one  son 


66  HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

and  four  daughters  as  follows:  James  his  heir.  The  oldest 
daughter  married  Morrison  of  Preston  Grange.  The  second, 
Sinclair  of  Stevenson.  The  third,  Scott  of  Harden,  and  fourth, 
Dundas  of  Armstrong. 

James  Boyd  XVIII. — James  the  eight  Lord  Boyd,  was  to 
use  the  language  of  a  genealogist  of  the  family  "a  man  of  great 
worth  and  honor,  and  steady  in  his  support  of  the  unfortunate 
Charles  for  which  the  usurper  (Cromwell)  fined  him  £1500.  He 
wannly  embraced  the  sentiment  of  the  Covenanters  and  subscribed 
to  the  National  Covenant  on  the  first  of  March,  1638,  in  the 
Greyfriars  church,  Edinburgh.  As  we  have  stated  before,  it 
was  during  the  life  of  this  Lord  that  the  part  of  Dean  Castle  on 
which  the  Kilmarnock  Arms  are  sculptured  was  erected. 

James  married  Catherine  Craik,  who  died  in  1654,  leaving 
one  son  named  William,  who  was  his  successor. 

William  Boyd  XIX. — William  was  a  man  of  great  wit  and 
learning  and  much  attached  to  the  Royalty,  for  which  King 
Charles  the  Second  created  him  Earl  of  Kilinamock  on  August 
7,  1 66 1.  In  1672,  a  second  charter  was  given  him  conferring 
further  rights  and  privileges  on  the  town  from  the  same  king. 
He  died  in  1692,  leaving  his  oldest  son  his  heir  to  his  estate. 

William  Boyd  XX. — William  was  the  eldest  son  of  his 
father's  family  and  was  known  a's  second  Earl  of  Kilmarnock. 
He  survived  his  father  but  a  few  months  and  died  at  the  close 
of  same  year,  leaving  two  sons  of  which  the  eldest  named  William 
succeeded  him  as  his  lawful  heir. 

William  Boyd  XXI. — William  being  the  eldest  of  his  father's 
family  became  heir  to  his  father  in  1699,  as  the  third  Earl  of 
Kilmarnock.  In  1670,  he  gave  a  grant  of  land  to  his  native 
town,  and  was  a  prominent  person  among  the  tradesmen  of  that 
place.  In  life  he  was  much  attached  to  the  House  of  Hanover. 
At  the  time  that  George  the  First  was  proclaimed  in  August, 
1 7 14,  he  appeared  with  the  Bailies  and  other  gentlemen  on  the 
stair  head  of  the  old  Council  house  where  the  ceremony  was  per- 
fonned  with  great  solemnity.  The  "Stairhead"  says  the  Burgh 
Record  "was  covered  with  carpet  for  the  occasion,  the  "haill 
inhabitants"  attended  at  the  cross  in  which  a  large  bonfire  was 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  67 

kindled,  the  bells  rung  merrily  and  the  evening  was  spent  by  all 
parties  in  a  loyal  and  joyful  manner. 

In  1 715,  when  the  Earl  of  Mar,  gathered  the  clans  of  the 
North  amounting  to  twelve  thousand  men,  in  order  to  aid  the 
Pretender  (the  Leader  of  the  Stewarts)  the  Earl  still  evinced  his 
fidelity  and  zeal  to  his  Sovereign  by  serving  in  the  Royal  army 
with  a  considerable  body  of  men  who  was  raised  through  his 
influence  at  his  native  place  and  in  its  neighborhood.  These  men 
according  to  Rae's  History  of  the  Rebellion  were  well  disciplined 
and  presented  a  handsome  appearance  when  the  general  muster 
of  the  fencibles  of  Cunningham  took  place  at  Ervine  in  August, 
1 7 15.  Rae  says:  ''It  is  not  to  be  forgot  that  the  Earl  of  Kilmar- 
nock appeared  here  at  the  head  of  about  five  hundred  men  of 
his  own,  well  appointed  and  expert  in  the  exercise  of  their  arms, 
and  that  which  added  very  much  into  it,  was  the  early  blossoms 
of  the  loyal  principal  and  education  of  William,  who  though 
but  eleven  years  of  age  appeared  in  arms  with  his  father,  and 
gracefully  behaved  himself  to  the  admiration  of  all  the  beholders. 
In  the  following  month  while  the  Rebels  were  gathering  at  Perte, 
expresses  were  issued  throughout  the  west  of  Scotland,  stating 
that  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Argyle  had  collected  a  force  of  men, 
and  had  assembled  at  Glasgow.  This  sudden  and  surprising 
alarm  so  excited  the  people  of  Kilmarnock,  his  native  place  that 
on  Monday,  September  ig,  they  universally  assembled  in  arms 
with  the  rising  sun  and  in  the  presence  of  him,  offered  cheerfully 
to  march  forthwith  to  Glasgow.  Of  this  number,  two  hundred 
and  twenty  men  were  immediately  sent,  and  the  next  day  he  went 
with  one  hundred  and  twenty  more  whose  presence  very  much 
added  to  the  general  satisfaction  and  courage  of  the  city.  The 
next  day  they  entered  upon  duty,  keeping  watch  night  and  day 
till  Saturday,  the  first  of  October,  when  they  returned  home 
again. 

At  that  time  the  daring  Rob  Roy,  and  the  reckless  clan  of 
the  McGregors  were  robbing  and  plundering  in  the  highlands. 
In  compliance  with  a  letter  frcm  the  Duke  of  Argyle,  William 
marched  hither  with  the  volunteers  of  the  west,  to  curb  the 
lawless  doings  of  the  freebooters.    The  house  of  Gartar tan  and  of 


68  HISTORY   OV   THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

Perthshire  was  assigned  as  a  garrison  for  his  men,  wherein  they  were 
employed  on  duty  from  October  3,  till  the  13th  of  the  same 
month.  Then  they  were  relieved  by  a  party  of  the  Stirlingshire 
Military,  and  they  returned  to  Glasgow  where  they  were  honorably 
dismissed  on  November  21.  William  died  in  17 17,  leaving  his 
oldest  son  William  his  successor. 

William  Boyd  XXII.— The  history  of  William  Boyd,  the 
fourth  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  is  fraught  with  a  more  melancholy 
interest  than  that  of  any  of  the  fomier  Noblemen  of  our  illustrious 
family.  In  the  prosperity  of  his  town,  and  its  manufacturers 
he  always  displayed  a  deep  interest,  was  frequently  present  at 
the  meetings  of  council,  and  was  much  esteemed  by  the  inhabit- 
ants. When  the  Earl  succeeded  to  the  estate  of  his  father 
William  Boyd,  it  was  very  much  reduced  and  his  income  was  short 
for  a  person  of  his  standing.  He  married  Lady  Annie  Livingston, 
daughter  and  heiress  of  the  Earl  of  Linlithgow  and  Callander, 
who  had  been  attended  for  joining  in  the  Rebellion  of  1715.  She 
was  also  a  presumptive  heiress  of  the  Earldom  of  Errol,  and  is 
said  to  have  been  highly  accomplished  and  beautiful.  His 
family  consisted  of  three  sons.  Earl  of  Errol,  Charles  and  Wil- 
liam of  whom  we  will  speak  of  hereafter.  His  Lordship  was  the 
last  of  the  Boyds  who  resided  in  the  ancient  Castle  of  Dean,  for 
as  we  have  already  stated  it  was  rendered  uninhabitable  by  fire 

in    1735- 

In   1745,  Prince  Charles  (known  as  the  founder  of  Stewart 

dynastic  of  that  year)   planted  his  standard  in  Scotland  and 

succeeded  in  gaining  the  attachment  and  support  of   many  of 

the  nobles  and  gentlemen  of  influence.     William  too  became  one 

of  his  adherents,  but  whether  through  a  love  to  the  cause  of  the 

Stewarts  is  uncertain.     It   is  known  previous  to  this  time,  his 

public  conduct  betrayed  no  want  of  fidelity  to  the  crown.     Some 

accounts  says  that  he  was  induced  to  join  Prince  Charles  by  the 

entreaties  of  his  Countess,  who  was  a  catholic  and  consequently 

inimical  to  the  house  of  Hanover.     Be  it  as  it  may  have  been,  the 

zeal  of  the  unfortunate  Nobleman  in  the  cause  of  the  young 

chevalier,  was  evinced  soon  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion. 

For  we  find  that  the  Prince  after   marshaling  the  clans  of    the 


inniiuiUiippHtiiiijumip^^ 


WILLIAM^  4-J"  JMRL   of  KILMARNOCK 

lilllilliillllilliiilMl^ 


^ 


Taken    1745 


70  HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

North,  and  when  on  his  march  to  Edinburgh,  lodged  with 
him  one  night  in  the  Callander  House,  while  his  army  lay  among 
the  fields  in  the  vicinity.  Here  it  is  said,  he  welcomed  the  Prince 
and  assured  him  of  his  uttermost  support. 

Wilham  Boyd  the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  was  by  Prince  Charles 
appointed  colonel  of  the  Hussars  and  in  that  capacity  accompanied 
the  insurgents  into  England.  At  the  Battle  of  Falkirk  he  was 
one  of  the  principal  actors,  and  on  the  day  following  he  brought  a 
party  of  men  into  the  town  to  guard  some  prisoners,  a  list  of  whom 
he  presented  to  the  Prince  at  his  lodgings. 

An  anecdote  is  mentioned  by  writers  in  connection  with 
the  battle  of  Falkirk.  It  is  told  of  the  Earl's  wife.  She  was  then 
residing  at  the  Callander  House  in  the  vicinity,  and  in  order  to 
divert  the  attention  of  Lieutenant-General  Hawley,  the  com- 
mander of  the  Kings  forces  from  the  movements  of  the  Prince, 
she  insidously  invited  him  to  breakfast.  This  well  aimed  scheme 
was  in  some  degree  successful;  for  Hawley  was  so  fascinated  by 
the  elegant  appearance  and  engaging  demeanor  of  the  countess, 
that  Prince  Charles  found  ample  opportunity  for  choosing  as  he 
did  a  favorable  position  for  his  army.  In  short  the  general  had 
so  far  forgotten  his  duties  that  he  had  ultimately  to  be  apprised 
of  the  situation  of  the  enemy  by  a  messenger  who  was  dispatched 
to  him  for  that  purpose,  and  such  it  is  said  was  his  confusion 
of  mind  when  leaving  the  mansion  that  he  left  his  hat  behind  him 
and  hurried  bareheaded  to  the  camp.  The  Battle  of  Falkirk  in 
which  the  young  adventurer  was  victorious,  was  fought  on  the 
afternoon  of  January  17,  1746. 

In  course  of  a  few  days.  Prince  Charles  and  his  followers 
marched  to  Sterhng,  and  after  a  fruitless  attempt  to  besiege  the 
castle  retreated  to  the  north.  By  this  time  the  Duke  of  Cumber- 
land had  arrived  in  Scotland  with  addition  of  forces  for  the  sup- 
pression of  the  Rebellion,  and  the  day  was  rapidly  approaching 
when  the  golden  hopes  of  the  Prince  and  his  adherents  were 
destined  to  perish.  The  Duke  lost  no  time  on  following  them  to 
the  Highlands,  and  on  April  16,  the  two 'armies  met  on  Drummos- 
sie  Moor,  near  Culloden  House,  a  short  distance  from  Inverness. 
We  have  no  time  and  space  to  describe  this  sanguinary  conflict 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS  71 

that  ensued.  Still  as  it  proved  disastrous  to  William  Boyd,  a 
succinct  account  of  it  may  be  appropriately  given  in  these  pages. 
It  is  said  that  William  Boyd,  who  commanded  the  foot  guards  at 
this  engagement,  on  beholding  the  cool  determined  appearance 
of  the  formidable  ranks  of  Cumberland,  felt  an  inward  conviction 
that  the  Prince's  army  would  be  involved  in  defeat  and  ruin. 
But  notwithstanding  the  powerful  aspect  of  their  opponents,  the 
adherents  of  Charles,  though  greatly  inferior  in  numbers,  attacked 
them  like  men  resolved  to  conquer  or  perish. 

According  to  various  historians,  the  havoc  which  was  made 
among  the  poor  Highlanders,  in  this  Battle  was  dreadful  in 
the  extreme:  In  some  places  on  the  field  their  bodies  la}^ 
in  layers  three  or  four  deep,and  many  of  the  survivors  were  treated 
with  greatest  inhumanity  by  the  reckless  soldiers  of  the  Duke. 
Many  of  the  vanquished  who  escaped  death  on  the  field  of  battle 
were  taken  prisoners.  Among  them  was  William  Boyd,  who  it 
is  said  had  received  a  wound  in  the  engagement.  In  the  confu- 
sion of  the  fight,  or  by  the  wind — for  the  v/eather  was  tempetous, 
his  hat  having  fallen  from  his  head,  he  was  escourted  bare- 
headed along  the  line  of  the  Royal  Army.  His  eldest  son  who 
was  an  ensign  in  the  King's  service  at  the  same  combat,  with 
feeling  of  pity,  and  affection  beheld  his  father  in  that  condition,  and 
at  the  risk  of  incurring  the  displeasure  of  his  fellow officers,flew  from 
the  ranks  and  with  his  own  hat  covered  the  head  of  his  unfortunate 
parent  from  the  storm.  Many  eyes,  it  is  said,  were  moistened 
with  tears  on  witnessing  this  noble  act  of  filial  regard  on  the  part 
of  the  youthful  lord. 

William  Boyd  with  the  other  prisoners  was  carried  to  London 
and  imprisoned  hi  the  tower.  A  bill  of  indictment  having  been 
found  against  him,  he  was  brought  to  trial  along  with  the  Earl 
of  Cromarty  and  Lord  Balmerino  on  Monday  July  28,  1746 
in  Westminster  Hall,  which  had  been  fitted  up  with  great  mag- 
nificence for  the  occasion.  Unusual  pomp  was  also  displa3'ed  in 
the  assembhng  of  the  Judges.  The  Lord  High  vSteward  and  the 
Peers  of  whom  a  hundred  and  thirty-six  were  present.  The 
three  Lords  were  brought  from  the  tower  in  coaches,  along-side 
of  which  a  strong  military  force  marched  as  a  guard.     In  the 


72  HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS 

coaches  with  the  prisoners  were  the  Deputy  Governor  of  the 
Tower,  Captain  Marshall,  and  Mr.  Fowler  (the  gentleman  jailer) 
with  the  ax,  which  was  covered.  The  court  being  assembled  and 
the  Seargent-at-anrs  having  made  proclamation  for  the  bodies 
of  the  prisoners,  they  were  lead  to  the  bar  accompanied  by  the 
gentleman-jailer  who  carried  the  ax  with  the  edge  turned  from 
them.  The  indictment  of  William  Boyd  was  read,  to  which  he 
pleaded  guilty  and  recommended  himself  to  the  mercy  of  the 
King.  The  two  other  Lords  being  found  guilty,  the  court  ad- 
journed till  the  30th,  when  the  sentence  was  to  be  pronounced,  and 
the  prisoners  with  the  edge  of  "the  ax  turned  toward  them"  were 
conducted  back  to  the  tower. 

On  the  day  appointed  the  court  again  met,  and  the  Lord 
High  Steward  put  the  following  questions  to  each  of  the  prisoners. 
"Have  you  anything  to  offer  why  judgment  of  death  should  not 
be  passed  against  you?"  William  Boyd  rose  and  said:  "I  am 
well  aware  of  the  crime  of  which  I  am  charged,  and  sorry  to  have 
to  acknowledge  my  guilt.  But  I  now  throw  myself  upon  the 
sympathy  and  compassion  of  the  court  whom  I  implore  you  to 
intercede  with  my  Majesty  in  my  behalf.  I  kindly  allude  you  to 
the  unsulled  character  of  my  ancestors,  to  the  service  rendered 
by  my  father  in  the  support  of  the  House  of  Hanover,  and  in  the 
promotion  of  revolution  principles,  and  to  my  own  adherence 
and  fidelity  to  those  principles  up  to  the  moment  which  it  was 
said  I  was  lead  to  join  in  the  Rebellion.  I  also  allude  you  to  the 
service  of  my  oldest  son  in  the  cause  of  his  Majesty,  to  the  hatred 
of  Popery  and  arbitrary  power  which  is  said  to  have  been  instilled 
into  my  mind,  and  is  it  possible  that  my  endeavors  in  his  educa- 
tion would  have  been  successful,  if  I  had  not  m^^self  been  sincere 
in  those  principles,  and  an  enemy  to  those  measures,  which  has 
involved  me  and  my  family  in  ruins.  Had  my  mind  been  tainted 
with  disloyalty  and  disaffection,  I  could  not  have  dissembled  so 
closely  with  my  own  family,  but  some  tincture  would  have  de- 
volved to  my  children.  To  you  I  will  say  I  have  bought  no  arms 
or  have  I  raised  a  single  man  for  the  Pretender,  and  when  engaged 
with  the  Rebels  did  I  not  frequently  m.ake  myself  useful  to  your 
Majestic  subjects,  by  assisting  such  persons  as  were  wounded  or 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  73 

sick  among  the  prisoners  they  had  taken.  Did  I  not  separate 
myself  from  the  corps  at  the  battle  of  Cullodon  and  surrender 
myself  when  I  could  have  made  my  escape.  But  my  Lord,  of  all 
I  have  offered  is  not  a  sufficient  motive  to  your  Lordship  to  induce 
you  to  employ  your  interest,  with  your  Majesty  in  my  behalf, 
I  shall  lay  down  my  life  with  the  .utmost  resignation,  and  my  last 
moments  shall  be  employed  in  fervent  prayers  for  the  preservation 
of  the  illustrious  House  of  Hanover,  and  the  peace  and  prosper- 
ity of  Great  Britain."  Notwithstanding  these  seemingly  sincere 
sentiments  of  contrition  for  his  errors,  William  Boyd  unfortun- 
ately found  no  favor  from  the  court.  At  the  close  of  the  trial, 
the  Lord  High  Steward  miade  a  speech  to  the  prisoners  and  con- 
cluded by  pronouncing  sentence  in  the  following  words:  "The 
judgment  of  the  law  is  and  the  high  courl:  doth  award  that  you 
William,  Earl  of  Kilmarnock,  George,  Earl  of  Cromarty  and 
Arthur,  Lord  Balmcrino,  and  every  one  of  you,  return  to  the 
prison  of  the  Tower  from  whence  you  cam.e  from,  thence  you 
must  be  driven  to  the  place  of  execution:  when  you  com.e  there 
you  must  be  hanged  by  the  neck,  but  not  till  you  are  dead  for  you 
must  be  cut  down  alive,  then  your  bowels  must  be  taken  out, 
and  burnt  before  your  face,  then  your  head  must  be  severed  from 
your  bodies,  and  your  bodies  must  be  divided  each  in  four  quarters, 
and  this  must  be  at  the  King's  disposal.  And  God  Almighty  be 
merciful  to  your  souls." 

Petitions  containing  statem.ents  simiilar  to  those  embodied 
in  his  speech  at  the  trial  were  afterwards  presented  by  William 
Boyd  to  the  King,  the  Prince  of  Wales  and  Duke  of  Cumberland. 
A  petition  was  also  sent  to  the  govemm.ent  in  his  behalf,  by  the 
town  counsel  of  Kilmarnock.  His  old  family  teacher.  Professor 
Moor,  (mentioned  in  Chapter  HI)  traveled  all  the  way  to  London 
to  intercede  for  him  with  persons  of  distinction,  and  it  is  said  that 
his  unhappy  wife  hastened  thither  for  the  same  purpose,  but  none 
of  these  efforts  had  the  effect  of  producing  any  miitigation  of  his 
sentence.  It  is  generally  thought  that  his  life  would  have  been 
spared,  had  not  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  believed  that  he  had 
sanctioned  an  order  which  was  issued  by  the  leaders  of  the 
insurgents  and  signed  "George  Murray"  to  give  no  quarter  to 


74  HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

the  King's  troops.  William  Boyd  emphatically  declared  that 
he  had  no  hand  in  the  matter,  in  his  petition  to  the  Duke  and 
also  to  his  fellow-sufferer  Lord  Balimerino,  in  their  last  interview, 
in  presence  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Foster  and  others  on  the  day  of  his 
execution. 

The  appearance  of  William  Boyd  at  his  trial  is  thus  described 
by  the  Honorable  Horace  Wampole,  who  was  present.  "Lord 
Kilmarnock  is  tall  and  slender  with  an  extreme  fine  person.  His 
behavior  a  most  just  mixture  between  dignity  and  submission, 
if  in  anything  to  be  reprehended  a  little  affected  and  his  hair  too 
exactly  dressed  for  a  man  in  his  situation.  But  when  I  say  this, 
it  is  not  to  find  fault  with  him,  but  to  show  how  little  fault  there 
was  to  be  found.  He  had  the  greatest  nobleness  of  soul,  and 
desired  to  have  Lord  Cromarty  pardoned  and  saved  if  there 
could  have  been  but  one  saved." 

William  Boyd  was  attended  from  August  7,  till  within  a 
few  minutes  of  his  execution  by  the  Rev.  James  Foster,  an  eminent 
dissenting  clergyman,  who  published  an  interesting  account  of 
his  behavior  after  his  sentence.  From  that  work  which  I  have 
consulted,  William  appears  to  have  been  of  a  mild  and  benevolent 
disposition.  When  approached  on  the  subject  of  death,  he  spoke 
calmly  and  rationally,  like  one  who  had  been  weaned  from 
the  world,  by  the  soothing  influence  of  true  religion.  When  told 
that  the  warrant  for  his  execution  had  come  and  the  day  was  the 
eighteenth,  he  evinced  almost  no  perturbation  of  mind,  but  seemed 
more  concerned  for  the  consequence  of  death  than  for  the  thing 
itself,  of  which  he  said:  "He  had  no  great  reason  to  be  terrified, 
for  that  the  stroke  appeared  to  be  scarce  so  much  as  the  pain  of 
drawing  a  tooth,  or  the  first  shock  of  a  cold  bath  upon  a  weak 
a,nd  fearful  temper." 

A  minute  detail  of  all  the  solemn  and  appalling  circumstances 
that  would  attend  his  execution  was  given  to  him  by  General 
Williamson,  to  which  he  listened  without  betraying  any  inward 
emotion.  Among  other  things  he  was  informed  that  the  coffin 
would  be  in  a  mourning  hearse  close  to  the  scaffold.  So  that  when 
the  head  was  struck  off,  it  would  be  ready  to  receive  it,  to  which 
William  Boyd  said,  "that  he  thought  it  would  be  better  for  the 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  75 

cofifin  to  be  placed  upon  the  scaffold  near  by,  that  the  body 
would  sooner  be  removed  from  sight."  He  was  also  told  that  the 
executioner  was  not  only  an  expert  but  a  good,  sort  of  a  man. 
"General"  he  exclaimed,  "this  is  one  of  the  worst  circumstances 
you  could  have  mentioned.  For  I  can  not  thoroughly  like,  for  such 
work  your  good  sort  of  man,  one  of  that  character  I  apprehend 
must  be  tender  hearted  and  compassionate,  and  a  rougher  and 
less  sensible  temper  might  perhaps  be  better  for  one  to  be  em- 
ployed." He  requested  of  the  General  "that  four  persons  might 
be  appointed  to  receive  the  head  in  the  red  cloth  when  it  was 
severed  from  the  body,  so  it  might  not,  as  he  had  been  informed 
was  the  case  in  some  former  executions,  allowed  to  roll  about  the 
scaffold  and  be  hereby  mangled  and  disfigured.  Adding  he 
thought  this  was  in  coinpassion  but  a  small  circimistance,  he  was 
not  willing  that  his  body  should  appear  with  any  unnecessary 
indecency  after  the  just  sentence  of  law  had  been  satisfied." 

"I  now  come"  Mr.  Foster  says,  "to  the  conclusion  of  this 
dismal  scene — his  behavior  on  the  day  of  his  execution.  I  at- 
tended him  in  the  morning  about  eight  o'clock  and  found  him  in 
a  most  calm  and  happy  temper  without  any  disturbance  or  con- 
fusion of  mind.  He  continued  all  the  morning  in  the  same  uni- 
form temper  unruffled,  and  without  any  sudden  vicisitude  and  start 
of  passion.  This  remarkable  appearance  was,  soon  noted  after 
I  had  at  his  own  desire  made  a  short  prayer  with  him,  and  General 
Williamson  came  to  inform  him  that  the  sheriff's  waited  for  the 
prisoner.  At  receiving  this  awful  summons  to  go  to  death,  he 
was  not  in  the  least  startled,  but  said  calmly  and  gracefully, 
"General  I  am  ready,  I'll  follow  you."  At  the  foot  of  the  first 
stairs  he  met  and  embraced  Balmerino,  who  said  to  him,  "My 
Lord  I  am  heartily  sorry  to  have  your  company  in  this  expedi- 
tion." From  thence  he  walked  with  the  same  formalities  to  the 
Tower-gate,  and  after  being  delivered  into  the  custody  of  the 
sheriff,  to  the  house  about  thirty  rods  from  the  scaffold  provided 
on  Tower-hill,  with  a  serenity,  mildness  and  dignity  that  greatly 
surprised  and  affected  the  spectators." 

After  passing  a  short  tiine  in  conversation  with  Balmerino 
and  in  prayer  with  Mr.  Foster  and  others,  "William  Boyd  took 


76  HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

his  farewell  of  the  gentlemen  who  attended  him  in  a  very  affec- 
tionate manner,  and  went  out  of  the  room  preceeded  by  the  sheriff 
and  accompanied  by  his  friends."  "And  I  am  informed,"  con- 
tinued Mr.  Foster  "of  the  following  particulars  by  Mr.  Home, 
that  as  he  was  stepping  into  the  scaffold,  notwithstanding  the 
great  pains  he  had  taken  to  familiarise  the  outward  apparatus  of 
death  to  his  mind,  nature  still  incurred  upon  him  so  that  being 
struck  with  such  a  variety  of  dreadful  objects  at  once:  The  mul- 
titude, the  block,  his  cofifin,  the  executioner,  the  instruinent  of 
death — he  turned  about  and  said,  "Mr.  Home,  this  is  terrible." 
The  expression  so  suitable  to  this  awful  occasion,  must  to  all 
who  knew  the  human  heart,  appear  to  be  nothing  else  than  the 
language  of  nature,  and  was  far  from  being  a  mark  of  unmanly 
fear.  .  His  whole  behavior  was  so  humble  and  resigned,  that  not 
only  his  friends,  but  every  spectator  was  deeply  moved,  even  the 
executioners  burst  into  tears  and  were  obliged  to  use  artificial 
spirits  to  support  and  strengthen  them.  After  I  had  talked 
with  his  Lordship  a  considerable  tiiTie  to  support  him  in  his 
penitence  and  resignation,  I  embraced  him,  and  left  him  in  the  same 
calm  disposition,  having  quit  the  scaffold  soine  minutes  before 
the  execution." 

What  remains  to  be  told  of  this  mournful  scene,  we  will 
give  in  the  words  of  Rev.  Mr.  Jameson,  another  Presbyterian 
minister,  who  attended  him,  till  his  last  moments.  "My  Lord's 
hair  having  been  dressed  in  a  bag,  it  took  sometime  to  undo  it 
and  put  it  up  in  his  cap,  and  the  tucking  his  shirt  under  his  waist- 
coat, that  it  might  not  obstruct  the  blow  was  the  occasion  of  some 
further  small  delay.  But  as  soon  as  the  preliminaries  were 
adjusted,  his  lordship  gave  the  executioner  notice  what  should  be 
the  signal,  took  out  a  paper  containing  the  head  of  his  devotion, 
went  forward  to  his  last  stage  and  decently  knelt  down  at  the 
block,  whether  it  was  to  support  himself,  or  as  a  more  convenient 
position  for  devotion,  he  happened  to  lay  his  hands  with  his 
head  upon  the  same.  The  executioner  observing,  prayed  his 
lordship  to  let  his  hands  fall  down,  lest  they  should  be  mangled 
or  break  the  blow.  Then  he  was  told  that  the  neck  of  his  waist- 
coat was  in  the  way,  upon  which  he  rose  up  and  with  the  help  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  77 

one  of  his  friends,  Mr.  Walkinshaw  of  Scotstown,  had  it  taken 
off.  This  done  and  the  neck  made  bare  to  the  shoulders  he 
knelt  down  as  before.  This  sufficiently  shows  that  he  enjoyed 
full  presence  of  mind  to  the  last.  Mr.  Home's  servant,  who 
held  the  cloth  to  receive  the  head,  heard  him  direct  the  executioner 
that  in  two  minutes,  he  would  give  the  signal.  That  dreadful 
interval,  to  his  friends  who  were  upon  the  rack,  appeared  much 
longer,  but  those  who  measured  the  time  found  it  just  about  two 
minutes.  This  time  he  spent  in  fervent  devotion,  as  appeared 
by  the  motion  of  his  hands,  and  now  and  then  his  head;  having 
then  fixed  his  neck  on  the  block,  he  gave  the  signal,  and  his  body 
remained  without  the  least  motion  except  what  was  given  by  the 
stroke  of  death,  which  he  received  in  full  and  was  hereby  happily 
eased  at  once  of  all  of  its  pains.  William  Boyd's  remains  were 
accordingly,  at  his  own  request  interred  in  the  evening,  close  by 
the  side  of  Marquis  of  TuUibardine's  in  the  church  of  St.  Peter's. 
On  his  coffin  were  these  words:  "Gulielmus,  Comes  de  Kil- 
marnock, Decollatus,  i8,  Augusti  1746,  Aetat  Suae  42." 

Mr.  Walkinshaw  of  Scotstown  was  at  this  time  a  Colonel  in 
the  royal  army.  He  was  one  of  WilHam  Boyd's  intimate  friends, 
beside  holding  the  cloth  to  receive  the  head,  he  performed  the 
last  melancholy  duty  of  a  friend  by  getting  him  interred.  For 
this  service,  which  was  purely  that  of  friendship,  he  was  put  to 
the  bottom  of  the  army  list.  He  afterwards  rose  to  the  rank  of 
Major,  and  latterly  to  that  of  Lieutenant-Colonel.  He  died  in 
1793,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two. 

Soon  after  William  Boyd's  death,  his  eldest  son.  Lord  Boyd, 
who  was  then  residing  in  Kilmarnock,  where  the  family  was  much 
respected,  wrote  the  following  letter  to  Colonel  Walkinshaw  at 
Scarborough,  thanking  him  in  feeling  terms  for  his  attention  to 
his  unfortunate  father.  The  original  manuscript,  in  1S84  was 
in  the  possession  of  W.  H.  Crawford,  Esq.,  of  Crawfordland. 

"My  dear  John: — I  had  your  last  post  and  I  don't  know  in 
what  words  to  express  how  much  I  am  obliged  to  }'ou  for  doing 
the  last  duties  to  my  unfortunate  father.  You  knew  him  perfectly 
well  that  he  was  your  best  friend,  the  most  affectionate  husband 
and  the  tenderest   parent.     Poor  Lady  Kilmarnock  bears  her 


78  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

loss  much  better  than  I  could  have  imagined,  but  it  was  owing 
to  her  being  prepared  several  days  before  she  got  the  melancholy 
account  of  it.  I  shall  be  here  some  time,  as  I  have  a  good  deal 
of  business  to  do  in  this  country.  So  I  shall  be  extremely  glad  to 
see  you  as  soon  as  possible.  I  am  my  dear  John  your  sincere 
friend  and  obedient  humble  servant, 

Kilmarnock  (House),  August  27,  1746.  Boyd." 

According  to  a  declaration  made  by  Wilham  Boyd,  during 
his  confineinent  to  his  solicitor  Mr.  Ross,  and  to  the  Reverend 
and  Honorable  Mr.  Home,  his  wife,  although  a  Catholic,  had 
no  hand  in  exciting  him  to  join  the  rebelHon.  But  on  the  contrary, 
had  endeavored  to  dissuade  him  from  taking  anxch  a  course.  After 
his  death,  she  brooded  in  deepest  melancholy  over  his  fate  in 
a  secluded  avenue  called  "The  Lady's  Walk,"  which  we  have 
already  described,  and  part  of  which  yet  remains  in  the  vicinity 
of  Kilmarnock  house.  Here  she  was  wont  to  wander  alone  with 
downcast  look  and  pour  forth  the  sorrow  of  her  heart.  She  died 
of  grief  at  Kilmarnock,  September  16,  1747,  having  survived  her 
husband  a  little  over  a  year  after  his  death. 

The  following  extract  was  taken  from  Annie  Boyd's  testament 
Dative.  Showing  her  worth  in  her  pecuniary  circumstances  at 
the  time  of  her  death.  It  is  to  be  remarked  however,  says  Pater- 
son  from  whom  we  quote  it,  "that  mventories  of  this  kind  which 
was  compelled  to  be  made  in  those  days,  were  usually  made  up 
upon  the  lowest  calculation,  in  order  to  avoid  legacy  duty." 

Inventory 
There  pretained  and  belonged  to  the  said  deceased  Annie 
(Livingston)  Boyd,  Countess  of  Kilmarnock,  at  the  tiire  of  her 
death  foresaid  the  particular  goods  and  year  following,  valued  at 
the  particular  price  after  inentioned  viz. :  In  the  first,  four  cows 
valued  at  one  hundred  and  eighteen  pounds  Scots.  Item  on  hay 
stack  at  fifty-four  pound  Scots.  Item  a  little  corn  stack  at 
twenty-four  pound  ten  shillings  Scots  Item,  the  whole  furniture, 
utensils  and  domicile  in  and  about  the  defuncto  house  at  Kilmar- 
nock, at  two  hundred  and  twenty-one  pounds  Scots.  Summa  of  the 
inventory  of  the  goods  and  year  is — IV.  CXVII  pounds  X.  S.  Scots. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  79 

In  the  next  place  in  the  inventory,  there  was  indebted  endow- 
ing to  the  said  defunct,  the  time  of  her  death,  for  said  the  sum  of 
five  hundred  and  seventy-four  pound  Scots  money,  arrears  of  her 
fortune  on  the  lands  and  Barony  of  Kilmarnock  due  and  resting 
for  the  one-half  of  crops  muijc  and  forty-seven  years  and  pro- 
ceedings. 

"Summa  of  the  inventory  of  the  debts  is,  V.  C.  LXXIV 
pound  Scots. 

"Summa  of  the  inventory  of  the  goods  and  debts  is,  IX.  C. 
LXXXXI  pounds  x.  s.  Scots." 

Confirmation  granted  hereon  into  form  by  William  Weir, 
Commissar  deputy  and  Alex  Stevenson,  clerk  of  the  Commissaret 
of  Glasgow,  at  Glasgow,  the  fifth  day  of  March  muijc  and  forty- 
eight  years. 

A  few  days  before  William  Boyd's  death,  he  wrote  a  couple 
of  letters,  which  copies  came  into  my  possession  in  1884,  but  being 
lengthy  and  for  want  of  space  I  was  obliged  to  omit  them.  One 
of  these  was  directed  to  his  friend  Boyd  Paterson  and  was  written 
two  days  before  his  execution  which  you  will  see  gave  direction 
in  regard  to  his  property  and  personal  effects.  The  other  was  to 
his  oldest  son,  Earl  of  Errol  and  was  written  the  day  before  his 
death,  which  gave  him  advice  in  regard  to  the  future  welfare  of  his 
mother  and  younger  brothers.     They  were  as  follows : 

"Sir: — I  have  commanded  to  your  care  (meaning  Boyd 
Patterson)  the  enclosed  packet  to  be  delivered  to  my  wife  in  the 
manner  your  good  sense  shall  dictate  to  you  as  being  the  least 
shocking  to  her.  Let  her  be  prepared  for  it  as  much  by  degrees, 
and  with  great  tenderness,  as  the  nature  of  the  thing  will  admit 
of.  The  entire  dependence  I  have  all  my  life  had  the  most  just 
reason  to  have  on  your  integrity  and  friendship  to  my  wife  and 
family  as  well  as  to  myself,  make  me  desire  that  the  enclosed 
papers  may  come  to  my  wife  through  your  hands  in  confidence 
that  you  will  take  all  pains  to  comfort  her  and  relieve  the  grief  I 
know  she  will  be  in,  that  you  and  her  friends  can.  She  is  what  I 
leave  dearest  behind  me  in  the  world,  and  the  greatest  service  you 
can  do  to  your  dear  friend  is  to  contribute  as  much  as  possible 
to  her  happiness  in  mind  and  in  her  affairs." 


80  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

"You  will  peruse  the  State  before  you  deliver  it  to  her  and 
you  will  observe  that  there  is  a  fund  of  hers  (I  don't  mention  that) 
of  five  hundred  Pound  Scots  a  year  as  the  interest,  my  inother-in- 
law's  portion  in  the  Countess  of  Errol  hands,  which,  I  believe  a  con- 
siderable arrear  upon  it,  which  as  I  have  ordered  a  copy  of  all 
these  papers  to  that  countess,  I  did  not  care  to  put  in.  There  is 
another  thing  of  a  good  deal  of  interest,  which  I  mention  onh'  to 
you,  because  it  could  be  taken  away  without  noise.  It  would  be 
better,  but  if  it  is  pushed  it  will  be  necessary  to  defend  it,  and  that  is 
a  bond  which  you  know  Mr.  Kerr,  director  to  the  chancery  has  of 
me  for  a  considerable  sum  of  money  with  many  years  interest  on 
it,  which  was  almost  all  Play  Debt.  I  don't  think  I  ever  had 
fifty  pounds  or  the  half  of  it  of  Mr.  Kerr's  money,  and  I  am  sure 
I  never  had  a  hundred,  which  however  I  have  put  it  to  in  the 
enclosed  Declaration,  that  my  mind  may  be  entirely  at  case.  My 
intention  with  respect  to  that  sum  was  to  wait  until  I  had  some 
money,  and  then  buy  it  off  by  a  composition  of  three  hundred 
pounds,  and  if  that  was  not  accepted  of,  to  defend  it  in  which  I 
neither  saw,  nor  now  see  anything  unjust,  and  I  now  leave  it  on 
my  successors  to  do  what  they  find  most  prudent  in  it. 

"Besides  my  personal  debts  mentioned  in  general  and  par- 
ticular in  the  State,  there  is  one  in  which  I  am  liable  in  justice  if  it 
is  not  paid,  and  that  is  owing  to  poor  people  who  gave  their  work 
for  it  by  my  orders.  It  was  at  Elgin  in  Murray  when  the  regiment 
I  commanded  wanted  shoes.  I  commissioned  something  about 
seventy  pairs  of  shoes  and  brogues,  which  might  coine  to  about  3s,  or 
threeand  sixpence  each  one  with  another.  The  Magistrate's  divided 
them  among  the  shoemakers  of  the  Town  for  the  price  out  of  the 
composition  laid  on  them,  and  I  have  been  told  afterwards  at 
Inverness  that  it  was  believed  the  composition  was  otherwise 
applied  and  the  poor  shoemakers  not  paid.  As  these  poor  people 
brought  by  my  orders,  it  will  be  a  great  ease  to  my  heart  to  think 
that  they  are  not  to  lose  by  me,  as  so  many  have  done  in  the  course  of 
that  3^ear.  But  had  I  lived  I  might  have  made  some  inquiries  after  it. 
But  now  it  is  impossible  as  their  hardships  through  my  soldiers  are 
so  interwoven  with  what  was  done  by  other  people,  that  it  would  be 
very  hard  if  not  impossible  to  separate  them.     If  you'll  write  to 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  81 

Mr.  Junes  of  Dalkinty  at  Elgin  (with  whom  I  was  quartered 
when  I  lay  there)  he  will  send  you  an  account  of  the  shoes,  and  if 
they  were  paid  to  the  shoemakers  or  not.  And  if  they  are  not  I 
beg  you  get  my  wife  or  my  successors  to  pay  them  when  they  can. 

"Accept  of  my  sincere  thanks  for  your  friendship,  and  good 
service  to  me,  continue  them  to  my  wife  and  children,  my  best 
wishes  are  to  you  and  yours  and  for  the  happiness  and  prosperity 
of  the  good  Town  of  Kilmarnock.  I  am  Sir,  your  humble 
servant.  'Kilmarnock.'  " 

Tower  of  London,  August  i6,  1746. 

The  following  letter  I  have  said  was  written  to  his  son  the 
day  before  his  execution: 

Tower  of  London,  August  17,  1746. 
"Dear  Boyd: — I  must  take  this  way  to  bid  you  farewell  and 
I  pray  God  he  may  forever  bless  you  and  guide  you  in  this  world, 
and  bring  to  you  a  happy  immortality  in  the  years  to  come.  I 
will  likewise  give  you  my  last  advice.  Seek  God  in  your  youth  and 
when  you  are  old  he  will  not  depart  from  you.  Be  at  pains  to 
acquire  good  habits,  that  they  may  grow  and  become  strong 
to  you.  Love  mankind  and  do  justice  to  all  men.  Do  good  to 
as  many  as  you  can  and  neither  shut  your  ears  nor  your  purse  to 
those  in  distress  when  it  is  in  your  power  to  relieve.  Believe  me, 
you  vrill  find  more  joy  in  one  beneficent  action  and  in  your  cool 
morning  you  will  be  more  happy  with  the  reflection  of  having 
made  any  one  person  so,  who  without  your  assistance  would  have 
been  miserable,  than  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  the  pleasures  of  such 
which  pall  in  the  using — and  of  all  the  pomps  and  gaudy  shoes  of 
the  world.  Live  within  your  circumstances  by  which  means 
you  will  have  in  your  power  to  do  good  to  others,  prefer  the  public 
interest  to  your  own  whenever  they  interfered.  Love  your  family 
and  your  children  when  you  have  any,  but  never  let  your  regard 
for  them  drive  you  on  the  rock  I  split  upon.  When  on  that 
account  I  departed  from  my  principles  and  brought  the  guilt  of 
rebellion  on  my  head,  for  which  I  am  now  under  the  sentence 
justly  due  to  my  crime.  Use  all  your  interest  to  get  your  brother 
pardoned  and  brought  home  as  soon  as  possible,  and  his  circum- 


82  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

stances  and  bad  influences  of  those  he  is  among  may  not  induce 
him  to  accept  of  foreign  service  and  loose  him  both  to  his  country 
and  his  family.  If  money  can  be  found  to  support  him,  I  wish 
you  would  advise  him  to  go  to  Geneva  where  his  principles  of 
religion  and  liberty  will  be  confirmed,  and  where  he  may  stay 
till  you  see  if  a  pardon  can  be  procured  for  him.  As  soon  as 
Commodore  Barnet  comes  home,  inquire  for  your  brother  Billie 
and  take  care  of  him  on  my  account.  I  must  again  recommend 
your  unhappy  mother  to  you,  comfort  her  and  take  all  the  care 
you  can  of  your  brothers,  and  may  God  in  his  infinite  mercy 
preserve,  guide  and  conduct  you,  and  then  through  all  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  this  life  and  after  it,  bring  you  to  the  habitation  of  the 
just  and  make  you  happy  in  the  enjoyment  of  himself  to  all 
eternity. 

"Your  loving  and  unfortunate  father, 

William,  Earl  of  Kilmarnock." 

The  unfortunate  William  Boyd  had  three  sons,  Robert  the 
Earl  of  Errol,  who  was  called  Lord  Boyd,  Charles  and  William. 
Lord  Boyd,  the  oldest  son,  whom  the  above  letter  was  addressed, 
served  in  the  Scots  Fusileers,  in  the  Royal  Army  at  the  Battle 
of  Cullouden.  By  a  trust  deed  dated  1732  and  confirmed  by  the 
house  of  Peers  in  1752,  he  recovered  the  land  of  Kilmarnock 
which  had  been  forfeited  by  his  father,  which  he  sold  afterwards 
to  the  Earl  of  Glencairn.  On  the  death  of  his  grand  aunt  the 
Countess  of  Errol  in  her  own  right  he  succeeded  to  the  title  of 
Errol,  in  1758.  After  he  had  disposed  of  the  title  of  his  fore- 
fathers, which  sale  closed  the  last  title  of  the  Boyds,  which  had 
been  handed  down  from  one  generation  to  another  for  nearly 
eight  hundred  years,  he  took  up  his  residence  at  Aberdeenshire, 
Scotland,  in  Slains  castle,  which  was  situated  upon  the  sea  coast 
at  that  place. 

There  is  a  tradition  that  some  years  after  his  father's  death, 
he  visited  Kilmarnock,  so  long  the  property  and  residence  of  his 
illustrious  family.  The  Dean  Castle,  though  in  ruins,  which 
had  been  the  scenes  of  his  childhood  happy  hours,  he  hastened 
to  survey.  When  he  had  reached  the  head  of  the  town,  his  eyes 
caught  a  view  of  its  venerable  walls.     He  paused  to  gaze  upon 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  83 

them  for  a  moment — painful  associations  were  awakened  within 
him.  The  reinembrance  of  his  father's  unhappy  fate  rushed 
upon  his  inind.  Trembling  with  emotion  he  could  go  no  farther^ 
but  bursting  into  tears,  he  at  once  turned  hurriedly  away  from 
the  scenes  never  to  visit  them  again.  The  advice  of  his  father 
''do  good  to  others"  was  one  of  his  best  mottoes  of  his  life, 
and  after  raising  a  large  family  of  his  own,  he  died  at  Callander 
House  in  the  year  of  1778. 

Charles  Boyd,  the  second  son  of  William  who  took  up  the  spirit 
of  the  rebellion  with  his  father,  and  was  also  engaged  in  the  same 
battle  of  Dummosie  Moor  with  his  father,  soon  after  the  fight, 
fled  to  the  Island  of  Arran,  the  ancient  property  of  the  Boyds, 
where  he  concealed  himself  for  a  year.  He  then  went  to  France 
and  then  married  a  French  Lady  and  resided  there  for  about 
twenty  years,  when  a  pardon  was  granted  to  all  the  Rebels  and 
he  returned  again  to  his  native  country  and  resided  with  his 
brother  at  Aberdeenshire.  We  have  no  more  history  of  his 
family. 

The  history  of  William,  the  other  brother,  called  in  the 
letter  of  his  father  "Billie,"  we  have  but  a  little  knowledge  of, 
only  he  was  in  the  Royal  Navy  and  was  promoted  in  1761  to  a 
company  of  the  fourteenth  Infantry.  Being  so  close  to  the 
Revolutionary  war,  he  may  have  been  sent  to  America  with  his 
regiment.  Some  Boyd  families  today  connect  their  lineage  to 
him  or  to  a  Boyd  of  that  name  who  settled  in  the  Middle  or  East- 
ern States.  But  they  cannot  go  back  any  farther  to  prove  their 
claims.  If  it  was  him,  he  may  have  deserted  the  British  cause  at 
that  time  and  remained  here  in  secretness.  For  many  of  the 
Boyd  families  here,  find  their  ancestors  came  to  this  country 
about  the  time  of  Stewart  dynastic  of  1745—46,  and  no  doubt 
other  Boyds  were  in  the  same  fight  with  William  Boyd,  the  ill- 
fated  Earl  of  Kilmarnock,  and  were  obliged  to  flee  to  a  place  of 
safety  for  fear  of  apprehension. 

The  present  Earl  of  Errol,  known  as  Hays,  we  may  add,  is 
the  direct  descendant  of  the  Boyd  family  in  the  lineal  line.  In 
the  Peerage  of  the  United  Kingdom,  he  is  called  Baron  Kilmarnock 
of  Kilmarnock. 


CHAPTER    V 

History  of  the  Stewarts  of  Scotland 

The  Stewart  or  Steuarts  of  Scotland  as  a  family  named  are 
descendants  from  the  illustrious  and  noble  man  Robert  Bruce,  who 
gained  for  his  illfated  countrymen,  their  independence  after 
several  years  of  suffering  and  hardships,  and  being  hunted  as  a 
refugee  through  mountains  and  valleys  of  his  native  country 
Scotland,  until  June  23,  13 14,  when  the  hard  fought  battle  of 
Bannockburn  gave  to  the  Scottish  people  their  independence. 

Prior  to  this,  Bruce  had  been  defeated  and  compelled  to 
flee  from  his  enemies.  In  the  spring  of  1307,  Bruce  returned 
from  one  of  his  hiding  places  upon  a  small  island  named  Rachin, 
off  the  Northern  coast  of  Ireland,  gathered  together  a  small  band 
of  followers  (numbering  six  hundred)  and  on  May  10,  on  a  well 
chosen  position  of  Louden  Hill,  (some  fifteen  or  twenty  miles 
from  Kilmarnock  in  Ayrshire)  gave  battle  to  the  English  force 
under  the  command  of  the  Earl  of  Pembroke.  Bruce  posted  his 
six  hundred  spearmen, and  cooly  awaited  the  attack  of  the  English 
cavalry.  They  advanced  and  charged,  but  the  speaiTnan  stood 
firm,  the  cavalry  reeled  and  broke.  The  Earl  was  totally  defeated 
and  retreated  to  the  castle  of  Ayr.  Bruce  followers  now  began 
to  have  confidence  in  hnii  and  from  this  time  he  gradually  gained 
ground. 

On  July  7,  1307,  Edward  I  died  and  the  contest  was  taken 

up  by  his  son  Edward  II,  who  advanced  at  once  into  Scotland,  to 

bring  the  rebellious  Scots  under  submission.     Again  Bruce  was 

found  equal  to  the  emergency,  knowing    that  his  forces  were 

[85] 


86  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

unequal  to  his  enemies,  resolved  on  strategem.  So  with  his  fol- 
lowers in  front  of  the  invading  anny,  drove  all  the  cattle  and 
horses  into  the  pastures  of  the  mountains,  and  destroyed  all  the 
products  of  the  earth.  Edward  II  soon  found  that  to  save  his 
army  from  destruction  by  starvation,  he  was  compelled  to  retire 
from  the  territory,  while  Bruce  hung  like  lightning  from  the 
clouds  upon  the  rear  of  his  enemy. 

In  the  spring  of  13 14,  Edward  IT  again  entered  Scotland  with 
another  army  of  one  hundred  thousand  men,  including  many  from 
Wales  and  Ireland.  More  than  one-half  of  them  being  cavalry, 
he  commenced  an  active  campaign  to  bring  the  Scots  into  sub- 
mission. All  this  time  Bruce  had  not  been  idle,  for  he  had  brought 
together  some  thirty  thousand  true  Scotchmen  on  foot  and  five 
hundred  cavalry,  and  had  ordered  his  men  to  meet  in  the  Torwood 
(Forest)  near  Stirling.  He  prepared  to  guard  and  strengthen 
their  position  to  the  utmost,  and  to  fight  on  foot.  After  a  care- 
ful examination  of  the  grounds,  he  resolved  to  divide  his  army 
into  four  divisions.  Three  of  them  forming  a  front  line  inclining 
to  the  Southeast  facing  the  advance  of  the  enemy.  The  fourth 
division  was  held  in  reserve  and  placed  behind  the  center,  under 
the  command  or  the  king  himself. 

The  formation  of  the  Scotch  Spearmen  was  a  series  of  solid 
circles  so  inclines  in  front  as  to  most  effectively  to  resent  the 
shock  of  cavalry  charges.  The  right  flank  of  his  line  was  well 
protected  by  the  rugged  ground  and  by  the  broken  banks  of  the 
Bannockburn,  while  his  left  wing  was  admirably  secured  by  pits 
and  trenches  which  effectively  limited  the  space  for  the  movement 
of  the  enemies  cavalry.  On  June  23,  the  enemy  appeared  and 
opened  the  battle  by  attempting  to  force  a  body  of  cavalry  into 
the  castle  of  Sterling.  But  they  were  repulsed  by  Randolph,  the 
Earl  of  Moray,  for  the  Scotch  had  made  all  arrangements  for 
the  battle,  and  had  passed  the  night  under  arms  upon  the  field. 
At  daybreak,  the  Abbot  of  Inchaffany  celebrated  Mass  on  an 
entrance  in  front  of  the  army.  He  then  passed  along  the  line 
and  in  a  few  words  exhorted  the  Scots  to  fight  for  their  rights 
and  liberty.  The  soldiers  breakfasted  and  placed  themselves 
under  their  different  banners  in  battle  array. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  87 

The  battle  raged  with  utmost  fury.  The  English  attempted 
by  desperate  charges,  many  times  repeated  to  break  through  the 
Scottish  Spearmen,  but  in  vain.  All  during  this  important  hour 
they  thought  of  the  home  of  their  fathers  and  their  own  native 
hearths,  and  remembered  the  many  grinding  injuries,  galling  out- 
rages, cruel  and  unmitigated  suffering,  during  the  long  years 
they  had  passed,  they  rushed  on  to  victory. 

After  a  while,  Bruce  seeing  the  enemy  flaying,  he  encouraged 
his  leaders  to  strive  on,  and  assured  them  that  the  victory  would 
soon  be  won.  He  then  brought  up  the  reserve  and  all  the  divisions 
of  his  army  was  engaged.  The  English  fought  bravely,  making 
many  attempts  to  pierce  through  the  front  of  the  Spearmen,  and 
at  every  successive  charge  lost  more  men  and  horses  and  fell 
into  great  confusion.  There  was  heard  afar  the  clashing  of  armor, 
the  mingled  shout  of  war-crys,  the  agonizing  moans  and  groans 
of  the  wounded  and  dying.  The  ground  was  streaming  with 
blood  and  strewn  with  shreds  of  armour,  broken  spears,  arrows, 
and  pennons,  rich  scarfs  and  armonical  bearings,  soiled  with 
blood  and  clay. 

At  last  the  English  broke  in  a  disjointed  squadron  and  began 
to  quit  the  field.  King  Edward  stood  and  gazed  intently  upon 
the  scenes  around  him,  and  remained  on  the  fatal. field  until  all 
was  lost,  and  at  last  fled  in  utter  bewilderment.  The  struggle 
was  soon  over,  and  glory  to  the  heroes  who  fought  and  bled  and 
fell  on  Bannockburn.  Thirty  thousand  of  the  English  fell  upon 
the  field,  and  the  standards  of  twenty-seven  Barons  were  laid  in 
the  dust  and  their  owners  slain.  Two  hundred  knights  and  seven 
hundred  Squires  were  among  the  fallen.  The  English  prisoners 
fell  into  the  Scotch  hands  consisted  of  twenty-two  Barons,  sixty 
Knights  and  a  multitude  of  the  lower  ranks.  On  the  Scotch  side, 
only  two  men  of  high  rank  fell  on  the  field  and  four  thousand 
men.  It  was  said,  Bruce  showed  a  noble  character  in  the  hour  of 
victory  and  treated  his  fallen  enemies  and  prisoners  with  great 
respect  and  humanity,  which  was  a  far  different  policy  than  would 
have  been  done  if  King  Edward  had  been  the  victor. 

In  this  engagement  which  took  place  so  close  to  the  home  of 
the  Boyds  of  Kilmarnock,  this  illustrious  house  took  an  active 


88  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

part  in  this  battle,  and  were  loyal  admirers  of  Robert  Bruce.  But 
who  they  were,  we  have  no  record,  and  history  only  gives  us  the 
name  of  one.  This  was  Sir  Robert  Boyd  IV,  who  was  a  great 
and  noble  Patriot.  He  was  among  the  first  of  the  Scottish  Noble- 
men who  rallied  around  the  standard  of  Robert  Bruce,  and  with 
exception  of  that  Monarch's  immediate  relatives,  he  was  perhaps 
the  only  person  of  distinction  in  Ayrshire  who  espoused  his  in- 
terest when  he  first  offered  defiance  to  the  King  of  England. 
He  continued  a  faithful  supporter  of  the  same  till  the  independence 
of  Scotland  was  established  by  the  decisive  battle  of  Bannockburn, 
in  which  he  acted  as  one  of  the  principle  leaders,  and  for  this 
important  service  he  rendered  his  country,  was  given  by  Bruce, 
the  lands  of  his  fa1len_,enemy  which  we  will  give  more  account  of 
hereafter. 

Robert  Bruce  was  the  father  of  a  daughter,  named  Margery 
Bruce,  who  married  Walter,  called  at  the  time  Steward  or  Sen- 
schal  (a  word  derived  at  that  time  from  the  French  for  Steward 
or  Stewart),  who  afterwards  married  David  H,  later  the  King  of 
Scotland.  The  Steward  or  high  Steward  of  Scotland  at  this  time 
whose  duties  were  to  be  the  chief  of  the  household,  to  collect  and 
inanage  the  crown  revenues,  and  to  hold  the  first  place  in  the 
army  next  to  the  King  in  Battle.  The  office  was  conferred  by 
David  I  on  Walter  Fitzalan,  a  brother  of  Simon  Boyd,  who  was 
the  founder  of  the  Royal  family  or  house  of  Stewarts.  The 
ascension  of  Robert  the  Seventh,  High  Stewart  to  the  throne,  as 
Robert  H  merged  the  Seneschalship  in  the  crown,  but  the  estate 
of  the  Stewarts  afterwards  became  the  appendage  of  the-  King's 
oldest  son,  and  by  act  of  the  Scottish  Parliament  of  1469,  the 
title  of  Prince  and  High  Steward  of  Scotland,  Duke  of  Rothsay, 
Earl  of  Carnich,  Baron  of  Renfew  and  Lord  of  Isles,  were  vested 
in  the  oldest  son  and  heir  apparent  of  the  Crown  of  Scotland 
forever.  So  the  Great  Steward  of  Scotland  has  thus  become  one 
of  the  titles  of  the  Prince  of  Wales. 

In  our  sketch  of  the  House  of  Stewarts,  we  will  start  from  the 
Norman  Alan  Fitzfleald,  the  father  of  Walter  Stewart  and  also 
of  Simon  Boyd  the  progenitors  of  the  Boyds  of  Scotland,  who 
died  1 114,  who  received  from  Henry  I  the  lands  and  castle  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  89 

Owestry  in  Shopshire.  His  oldest  son  William  Fitzland  from 
1 105  to  1 160,  remained  in  England  and  became  the  ancestor 
of  the  Earl  of  Arundel,  who  through  an  heiress  in  1546,  that 
Earldom  has  passed  to  the  Duke  of  Norfolk.  The  second  son 
Walter,  died  in  11 7 7,  came  to  Scotland  in  the  service  of  David  I 
and  had  large  possessions  conferred  on  him  in  Renfrewshire,  etc., 
along  with  the  dignity  of  Steward  of  Scotland,  which  became 
hereditar}^  in  his  family  and  gave  his  descendants  the  sure  name  of 
Stewart.     Some  branches  called  it  "Steuart." 

For  seven  generations  the  stewardship  descended  without  a 
break  from  father  to  Son.  Walter,  the  grandson  of  the  first 
Stewart,  held  in  addition  the  office  of  Justizciary  of  Scotland  and 
was  one  of  the  Ambassadors  sent  in  1239  to  fetch  Marie-de-Conct 
the  second  wife  of  Alexander  II.  His  third  Son  Walter,  called 
Balock,  by  his  marriage  with  the  daughter  of  Maurice,  Earl  of 
Menteith  received  the  earldom  which  by  his  great  grand  daughter 
Margaret  was  conveyed  to  Robert  Stewart,  Duke  of  Albany, 
Son  of  Robert  II.  Alexander  the  fourth  Steward  from  12 14  to 
1283,  was  regent  of  Scotland  in  Alexander  III  minority.  He 
commanded  at  the  Battle  of  Large  in  1263,  and  invading  the 
Isle  of  Man  annexed  it  to  the  Scottish  Crown.  By  his  second 
son's  marriage  with  the  heiress  of  Bonkyle,  sprang  the  Stewarts  of 
Darnley,  Lenox  and  Aubique.  James  the  fifth  Stewart  from  1243 
to  1309,  was  one  of  the  six  Regents  of  Scotland.  After  the 
death  of  Alexander,  Walter  the  sixth  Stewart,  from  1293  to 
1326  occupied  a  conspicuous  place  among  Bruce 's  companions 
in  Arms.  He  did  good  service  at  Bannockburn  and  four  years 
later,  defeated  at  Berwick,  Edward  II  in  person.  He  married 
in  13 1 5  Margery  (some  writers  called  it  Margaret)  Bruce 's 
daughter  which  eventfully  brought  the  Crown  of  Scotland  to  his 
family.  His  son  by  Margery,  Robert,  was  the  seventh  Steward 
in  1316  to  1390,  and  on  the  death  of  David  II  in  1371  he  ascended 
the  throne  as  Robert  II.  In  his  life  he  was  twice  married.  First 
in  1349  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Adam  Muse  Rowalter  and 
second  in  1350,  to  Eaphemia  Countess  of  Moray,  daughter  of 
Hugh,  Earl  of  Ross.  His  third  son  Robert  (1349-1420)  was  in 
1398  created  Duke  of  Albany.     The  fourth  son  Alexander,  in 


90  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

1374,  got  to  be  the  Earl  of  Buchan,  and  is  famous  in  history  as 
Wolf  of  Badenock.  Between  the  years  of  13 17  and  the  year  of 
1 7 14,  a  period  of  three  hundred  and  forty-three  years,  fourteen 
Stewarts  sat  upon  the  Scottish  throne,  and  six  of  them  on  the 
English  throne. 

The  house  of  Stewarts  has  proven  to  have  been  one  of  the 
most  unlucky  houses  of  Scotland.  For  more  than  four  hundred 
years,  fate  seemed  to  have  been  against  it,  and  many  of 
them  were  driven  from  home  as  refugees,  and  many  inet  a  more 
dreadful  fate,  ''the  Block"  as  you  will  see  by  the  following  history 
of  the  family  namely: — First  was  Robert  III  (of  1340  to  1406) 
whose  eldest  son  named  David,  Duke  of  Rothsay,  was  starved  to 
death  in  prison.  About  this  time,  King  Henry  IV  of  England, 
had  an  advantage  over  one,  who  by  his  situation,  was  most  likely 
to  disturb  his  government.  This  was  Robert  III,  then  King  of 
Scotland,  a  Prince  of  slender  capacity,  who  had  a  brother  the 
Duke  of  Albany  having  assumed  the  government  of  State.  Not 
being  satisfied  with  his  present  authority  and  jealous  of  his 
brother's  office,  and  knowing  him  to  be  feeble  in  body,  and  that 
his  sons  would  soon  enter  upon  the  throne  of  Scotland,  entertained 
the  criminal  purpose  of  making  away  with  his  brother,  Robert's 
sons,  and  acquiring  the  crown  for  his  ow^n  family.  To  carry  out 
his  intentions,  he  seized  David,  his  eldest  nephew,  and  threw  him 
in  prison,  where  he  perished  with  hunger,  unknown  to  the  king, 
his  brother.  James,  a  younger  brother  of  David,  now  stood 
between  the  tyrant  and  the  throne,  and  King  Robert  seeing  his 
son's  danger,  put  him  aboard  of  a  ship  secretly,  with  the  purpose 
of  sending  him  to  France  and  intrusting  his  welfare  to  the  care 
of  a  friendly  power.  Unfortunately  the  vessel  was  taken  by  the 
English,  and  the  young  Prince,  then  in  his  ninth  year,  was  carried 
to  London,  and  although  there  existed  at  that  time  a  truce  between 
the  two  kingdoms,  Henry  refused  to  give  him  up.  Robert,  the 
father  worn  out  with  the  cares  and  infimiities,  and  unable  to 
bear  the  shock  of  his  last  misfortune,  soon  afterwards  died  on  April 
4,  1406. 

James  I  (1394  to  1437)  was  eighteen  years  a  prisoner  and 
afterwards  murdered.     James  II  (1430  to  1460)  was  killed  at  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  91 

siege  of  Roxbourgh.  James  III  (145 1  to  1489)  was  murdered 
with  his  son  in  a  rebellion  against  him.  He  had  been  defeated 
and  was  flying  from  the  field  when  his  horse  fell  and  injured  him. 
He  was  carried  into  a  cottage,  where  he  met  his  death.  James 
IV  (1473  to  1 5 13)  was  slain  upon  the  Flodden  Field  and  his 
beloved  mistress  Margaret  Drummond  was  poisoned  to  death. 
James  V  (i5i2toi542)  died  with  grief  over  his  army  being  defeated 
at  Solway  Moss.  Mary  (1542  to  1587)  was  beheaded  at  Fother- 
ingham  by  Queen  Elizabeth.  She  was  twice  a  widow  and  held  for 
twenty  years  a  captive  by  the  above  Queen.  James  VI  and  I 
(1566  to  1625)  was  Henry  Stewart,  Lord  Darnly,  her  cousin  and 
husband  was  blown  up  in  his  Lodging  house.  James  I  of  Eng- 
land died  with  suspicions  of  being  poisoned  by  Lord  Benkinham. 
His  daughter  Elizabeth  Stewart  was  the  illustrious  winter  Queen 
of  Bohema,  his  cousin  Arabella  died  insane  in  the  tower  of  London. 
Charles  I  (1600  to  1649)  was  beheaded.  Charles  II  (1620  to 
1685)  passed  many  years  in  exile  after  the  fatal  battle  of  Wor- 
chester.  James  VIII  and  II  (1633-1701)  was  driven  from  his 
throne  and  for  twelve  years  of  his  youth  an  exile,  and  again 
twelve  years  of  his  old  age.  Mary  (1662  to  1694)  daughter 
of  James  IV,  died  childless  and  Anna  her  sister  (1665  to  17 14) 
lost  all  of  her  children  in  infancy.  James  VII  and  II  by  his 
second  Queen,  Mary  of  Modena,  had  a  son,  James  Francis  Ed- 
wards, born  at  St.  James  palace,  June  10,  1688. 

Henry  the  Cardinal,  called  himself  Henry  IX  by  the  grace 
of  God,  but  not  by  the  grace  of  man.  It  has  been  fallaciously 
said  that  a  cousin  of  Queen  Anna  may  be  found  in  every  fainily 
of  modern  ladies  in  every  Cathedral  in  the  cities  of  England. 

In  England  the  Stewarts  gave  that  country  rulers  of  the 
names  of  Charles  I,  Charles  II,  James  II,  Mary  the  wife  of  WiUiam 
II  and  III.  Annie  with  the  two  pretenders  James  and  Charles 
Edward,  Henry  VII  was  the  father  of  Margaret,  who  married 
James  IV  of  Scotland  and  their  son  was  James  V  of  Scotland. 
James  V,  was  the  father  of  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  and  Mary.  Queen 
of  Scots  was  the  mother  of  James  I  of  England. 

The  Scotch  as  a  Nation  were  very  radical,  but  no  king  could 
be  less   Democratic  than  the  Stewarts.     The   Scotch  in  heart 


92  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

were  Presbyterians  and  Puritans,  but  the  Stewart  kings  were 
Catholics  in  heart  at  least  and  anything  but  Puritans,  either  in 
morals  or  religion.  Perhaps  Charles  I  was  the  best  one  of  them 
all,  and  worst  of  all  of  our  dynastic  leaders. 

The  synopsis  of  the  Stewart  family  is  finely  given  from  the 
historic  note  book  by  Rev.  E.  Cobham,  LL.D.,  Philadelphia,  and 
published  by  J.  B.  Lippincott  Co.  in  1892,  as  follows: 

"The  Stewarts  descended  froin  Margery,  daughter  of  Robert 
Bruce,  who  married  Walter  sixth  Steward  Seneschel  of  Scotland. 
Malcom  IV,  was  the  father  of  William,  the  Lyon  who  succeeded 
himself  and  of  David  Earl  of  Huntington.  William  the  Lyons 
had  no  issue.  David  Earl  of  Huntington  was  the  father  of 
Margaret  Isabella,  who  married  Robert  Bruce  and  Ada.  Josie 
Margaret,  she  was  the  mother  of  Devoirgoil  and  John  Baliol 
and  was  the  son  of  Devoirgoil  great-great  grandson  of  Malcolm 
IV.  Now  take  Isabella  (wife  of  Robert  Bruce)  was  the  Bruce 
(Robert  Bruce  No.  i).  The  Bruce  (Robert)  was  the  father  of 
Margery  Bruce  who  married  Walter  Steward  or  Seneschel  and 
their  son  was  David  II  Steward  or  Stewart  in  French  spelling. 
Lady  Macbeth  was  the  grand  daughter  of  Kenneth  IV,  who  was 
killed  in  1003,  fighting  against  Malcolm  II.  Macbeth  who  was 
accused,  did  not  murder  Dtmcan  in  his  castle  of  Inverness,  but 
attacked  and  slew  him  at  a  place  called  Bothgowan  or  Gunch 
house  near  Elgan  in  1040.  The  clans  of  Macbeth  as  grand- 
son of  Malcolm  II  was  according  to  Scotch,  much  better  than 
that  of  Duncan." 

Like  their  territorial  neighbors  the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock,  the 
Crawfords  were  always  faithful  to  the  selfated  Stewarts,  and 
when  William  Boyd  the  last  Earl  of  Kilmarnock,  went  to  the 
scaffold  on  tower  hill  for  his  Jacobits  adhesion  he  was  attended 
to  his  doom  by  the  brotherly  Laird  of  Crawfordland.  For  this 
public  exhibition  of  love  and  sympathy  says  Paterson,  Crawford- 
land  was  put  to  the  bottom  of  the  army  list." 


CHAPTER    VI 

History  of  the  Early  Boyd  Family  of  Ireland 

In  presenting  to  you,  our  readers,  this  short  sketch  of  the 
Boyds  of  that  romantic  country  of  Ireland,  whose  homes  were 
in  among  the  deep  grassy  valleys,  surrounded  by  high  green  hills 
and  vales,  of  the  northern  part  of  that  renowned  country  lying 
but  a  short  distance  west  of  Kilmarnock  city,  the  former  ancient 
home  of  the  Boyds  of  Scotland  which  was  only  separated  from  the 
same  by  the  North  Channel,  a  small  body  of  water  of  some 
seventy  miles  distance  from  their  native  home.  And  from  her 
shores  today,  she  has  the  honor  of  being  the  embarking  place  of 
all  Scotch-Irish  emigrants  to  America.  So  today,  most  all  of  our 
Boyd  families  can  only  trace  their  lineage  back  to  that  noted 
land.  For  nearly  three  years  we  have  lived,  with  great  hopes, 
to  have  obtained  more  direct  history  of  the  Boyds  of  that  country, 
which  had  been  promised  us  by  descendants  of  some  of  the 
Boyd  families  now  living  in  this  country,  whose  birth  place  and 
younger  days  were  spent  in  that  romantic  region.  But  we  have 
been  disappointed  and  are  obliged  to  go  to  the  press  without  the 
same.  What  we  now  give  has  come  to  our  notice  from  other 
sources. 

Prior  to  the  sixteenth  century,  Ireland  was  settled  by  a  race 
of  inhabitants  who  had  but  little  enterprise.  They  lived  in  hovels 
or  huts  in  a  barbarous  manner,  spending  most  of  their  time  in 
idleness  and  of  no  great  interest  to  the  government  of  England, 
who  at  that  time  had  the  controlling  power  over  Ireland  as  well 
as  that  of  Scotland. 

[93l 


94  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

As  we  have  stated  in  our  historical  chapter,  when  King 
James  I  ascended  the  throne  in  1603,  he  at  once  offered  great 
inducements  to  his  countrymen  of  Scotland  to  come  and  settle 
upon  the  lands  owned  by  the  native  Irish,  that  had  been  vacated 
by  their  removal  from  the  same,  by  orders  of  King  James  govern- 
ment. The  time  rolled  on  for  a  few  years  longer,  or  until  the  year 
161 2,  when  a  large  company  of  vigorous,  hardy  and  independant 
young  Scotchmen  from  all  parts  of  Scotland,  but  chiefly  from  the 
county  of  Argyle  and  Ayershire,  then  only  a  few  miles  across  the 
channel  to  separate  them  from  their  friends  of  their  native 
country,  came  over  to  Ireland,  which  they  did  and  soon  spread 
over  the  Northern  Counties  of  Antrim,  Downs  and  Londonderry, 
while  a  few  others  settled  farther  to  the  South  and  West.  There 
is  no  doubt  that  among  them  were  many  families  of  the  Boyds, 
who  settled  here  as  a  permanent  home  to  escape  the  persecution 
of  their  native  country. 

The  first  trace  of  the  early  Boyd  family  in  Ireland  was  at  the 
time  of  the  seige  of  Londonderry.  To  the  east  of  this  renowned 
city,  a  few  miles,  rested  in  the  County  of  Antrim,  a  small  Pres- 
byterian village  called  Aghadowey,  one  of  the  oldest  Presby- 
terian settlements  in  Ireland.  At  this  time  (1689)  found  at  this 
settlement  the  Rev.  Thomas  Boyd,  who  had  ministered 
almost  from  the  time  of  the  plantation  to  the  little  settlement  of 
this  place.  He  had  succeeded  the  predecessor  of  the  Rev.  James 
McGregor,  who  had  come  over  here  to  Ame;:"ica. 

A  few  days  before  the  seige  of  Londonderry  commenced 
(which  took  place  April  15,  1689)  this  aged  soldier  Divine,  for 
he  must  have  been  between  seventy  and  eighty  years  old  at  the 
time,  gathered  all  the  members  of  his  congregation  one  afternoon 
on  what  was  called  the  green  or  lawn,  in  front  of  the  old  church. 
Here  he  held  a  service,  picturing  to  his  congregation  the  advance- 
ment of  the  Irish  troops  toward  the  illfated  city.  He  then  after- 
wards picked  out  all  the  youths  and  men  who  were  able  to  carry 
arms.  Then  mounting  upon  a  smaU  grassy  elevation  on  the 
lawn,  with  his  sword  by  his  side  and  Bible  In  hand,  with  his  long 
white  waving  hair  hanging  over  his  shoulders,  he  addressed  the 
men  and  his  hearers,  and  aroused  them  to  the  highest    pitch  of  re- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  95 

ligious  and  patriotic  enthusiasm.  Then  formed  them  into  a 
company  of  soldiers,  and  placed  himself  in  front,  as  chief 
or  commander,  and  marched  at  the  head  of  his  company  to  the 
walls  of  Londonderry,  where,  old  as  he  was,  he  prayed  and  fought 
and  endured  all  the  deprivations  and  horrors  of  that  famous  and 
awful  siege.  He  afterwards,  returned  to  his  old  home  again, 
where  he  lived  for  nine  or  ten  years  in  peace,  to  see  his  cherished 
religion  saved,  and  died  among  those  of  his  younger  days  in  1699. 
Although  this  event  occurred  over  two  hundred  years  ago 
to  this  very  day,  his  memory  is  as  fresh  amongst  the  people  of 
Aghadowey  who  now  reside  there,  as  though  he  had  only  hved 
twenty  years  ago.  The  spot  where  he  stood  to  address  his  con- 
gregation before  he  marched  with  his  men  to  Londonderry,  is 
still  pointed  out  to  all  who  may  visit  that  place.  He  is  said  to 
have  been  a  tall,  slender,  old  gentleman  and  had  a  very  command- 
ing appearance  and  was  a  favorite  with  all  that  knew  him. 

At  this  time,  there  were  several  other  famiLes  of  Boyds  living 
at  this  place.  And  there  were  others  of  the  Boyd  name  who  went 
with  Reverend  Thomas  Boyd  to  Londonderry,  but  being  less 
noted  men,  their  names  and  deeds  have  passed  into  oblivion.  At 
the  present  day,  there  are  several  Boyds,  still  living  there,  who 
are  prominent  in  civil  history,  and  one  of  their  cleverest  judges 
descends  from  the  old  ancient  family  of  Boyds. 

On  our  investigation,  another  family  of  Boyds  of  note  in 
Ireland  were  those  of  Bally  Castle  in  the  County  of  Antrim  in 
the  Northern  part.  This  place  was  settled  in  1736,  consisting  of 
two  parts  known  as  the  Upper  and  Lower  Quay.  Both  of  these 
villages  were  connected  by  a  fine  avenue  of  trees  along  the  way. 
The  first  settlement  of  this  town  was  made  by  one  Hugh  Boyd,  to 
whom  Alexander,  Earl  of  Antrim,  granted  in  1736  a  lease  in  per- 
petuity of  all  the  coal  mines,  etc.  from  Bonamargy  to  Far-hean. 
He  built  here  a  church,  erected  coal  furnaces,  iron  foundries, 
salt  pans,  glass  furnaces,  breweries,  tanyards  and  in  a  short 
time  obtained  for  the  settlement  the  reputation  of  being  the 
most  flourishing  town  in  Ireland.  Mr.  Hamilton  Wright  in  1786 
described  the  town  as  having  gone  completely  to  decay.  Its 
founder  Hugh  Boyd  established  here  an  excellent  machine,  but 


96  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

unfortunately  left  it  without  any  permanent  principal  of  motion. 
The  dark  shadows  of  the  picture  are  today  pointed  out  of  large 
stone  houses  and  factories  and  the  dwellings  of  the  contemplated 
places  in  a  complete  state  of  of  utter  decapitation.  The 
custom  house  has  been  constructed  into  barracks  and  even  the 
collieries,  a  source  of  immense  wealth,  are  worked  but  at  intervals 
with  a  little  revenue. 

In  1724,  six  of  the  eight  mines  were  worked  by  an  English 
company.  They  were  succeeded  by  Mr.  Boyd  for  several  years 
afterwards,  until  rendered  useless  by  the  sea.  He  received 
grants  from  the  Irish  Parliament  to  the  amount  of  £23,000  to 
improve  the  harbor  and  quay.  Mr.  Boyd  died  in  1 7S0,  and  left  his 
estate  to  his  sons.  They  did  not  follow  him  with  the  business. 
Who  his  descendants  were  or  if  any  of  thein  came  to  America  is 
not  known  to  the  writer. 

Another  settlement  of  these  Boyds  in  Ireland  was  upon  the 
eastern  coast  and  we  refer  the  reader  to  the  Boston  Boyds 
in  this  book.  This  old  Homestead  was  situated  at  what  is 
called  Movilla  which  in  the  language  of  that  country  was  called 
"Ma-Hill"  or  "Maugh-ill"  when  interpretated  the  Maughment 
means  a  plain.  This  place  was  situated  one  mile  from  Newtown- 
ard,  an  old  ancient  town,  settled  in  King  James  I's  time.  The 
interpretation  of  the  last  word  had  the  meaning  an  eminence,  or 
in  other  words  a  "New-town  on  an  Eminence"  and  was  about  ten 
miles  from  Belfast,  one  of  the  principle  ports  of  those  days,  where 
so  many  of  the  Boyds  embarked  for  AiTierica.  The  whole  popu- 
lation in  and  about  Newtownards  was  originally  from  Scotland. 
Their  language,  attachments,  rehgious  observances  of  set  times 
and  holiday  prejudices  and  antipathes  were  all  Scotch,  even  to 
the  honest  belief  in  witches  and  a  good  liking  to  bag-pipes. 

Donaghadee,  situated  ten  miles  from  Newtownards  and 
twenty-two  miles  from  'Belfast  was  a  famous  shipping  port  of 
cattle  across  the  channel  to  Port  Patrick  in  Scotland.  These 
droves  were  mostly  raised  in  the  northwestern  part  of  Ireland  and 
generally  were  driven  through  Newtownard  on  their  wa\'  to 
Donaghadee  in  charge  of  the  "Upper  County  men"  better  known 
as  Irish  settlers.     William  Boyd,  Esq.  of   Mansfield,  Mass.,  now 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  97 

deceased,  wrote  me  in  18S4  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  whose 
early  home  was  in  this  part  of  the  country,  said:  "That  among 
my  boyhood  recollections,  the  other  boys  as  well  as  myself 
would  be  attracted  toward  the  cattle  that  was  on  the  way  to 
market  to  see  their  immense  growth  of  their  horns.  Our  mothers 
would  call  us  in  by  saying,  'Come  in,  an  stay  in  till  them  folks 
hae  a  gane  away,  for  they  er  Erish  oot  then  an'  ye  mawnna  gang 
neer  them.'  "  The  Boyds  trace  back  to  this  place,  by  descendants 
in  this  country,  to  one  Hugh  Boyd,  who  was  born  at  Moville  in 
1742,  who  married  Jane  Craig  at  this  place  in  1766,  and  died  at  the 
advance  age  of  seventy  years.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  was  buried 
at  his  birth  place  as  given  in  the  Records  of  the  Boyds  of  Boston. 
At  this  place  were  several  other  Boyd  families  of  which  we  have 
no  record. 

Another  prominent  settlement  of  Boyds  was  in  Roscommon 
County,  Ireland.  This  settlement  we  have  but  little  record  of. 
From  this  place  descended  the  Rev.  William  Boyd,  who  came 
over  in  17 18  to  New  England  with  the  memorial  address  to  Geo. 
Shute,  which  upon  the  same  bore  several  names  of  Boyd.  A 
descendant  of  this  noted  minister  was  Captain  William  Boyd 
an  old  sea  captain  who  came  over  the  blue  waters  of  the  ocean 
fourteen  times,  bringing  Scotch-Irish  emigrants  to  America.  He 
was  born  in  17 19  and  died  in  1790,  and  today  has  many  descend- 
ants here. 

Another  settlement  of  Boyds  in  Ireland  was  at  Ballgaston — 
in  the  County  of  Antrim.  One  of  the  progenitors  of  this  family 
was  James  Boyd,  who  was  born  here  in  1735,  and  came  a  few 
years  afterwards  to  Bridgton,  N.  J.  He  died  here  in  December 
2.3)  1775)  and  from  him  descended  some  of  the  most  prominent 
families  of  the  State.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  linen  merchant 
while  residing  in  Ireland. 


CHAPTER    VII 

Description  of  the  "Coat  of  Arms" 
IN  THE  Boyd  Family 


In  the  early  history  and  records  of  England,  Ireland  and 
Scotland,  the  different  families  were  distinguished  from  one  and 
another  by  what  was  called  a  "Coat  of  Arms."  These  Coats  of 


COAT  OF  ARMS  OF  BOYD  FAMILY 

Arms  were  usually  bestowed  upon  certain  male  members  of 
families,  the  same  as  medals  are  given  for  honorable  deeds  in  this 
country.  In  Scotland,  England  and  Ireland,  this  medal  was  usually 
given  for  gallantry  upon  the  field  of  battle.  Loyalty  to  the 
King,  and  for  Knighthood,  High  Steward  or  any  other  title  of 
honor  that  the  head  ruler  of  the  government  may  see  fit,  or  deem 
the  person  worthy  of  distinction.  These  Coats  of  Arms  (more 
properly  called  Heralds)  are  governed  and  regulated  bv  the  laws 

[99] 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

of  the  country  to  which  they  belong.  The  jurisdiction  in  the 
question  of  Arms  and  the  office  under  which  they  are  executed  in 
England  is  called  the  ''Herald  College  of  England."  Those  of 
Scotland  by  the  name  of  the  "Lyon  Court  of  Scotland"  and  those 
of  Ireland  "the  College  of  Arms  of  Ireland."  No  one  in  the 
whole  united  kingdoni  is  entitled  to  wear  any  shield  or  medal 
without  first  having  a  hereditary  descent,  or  a  grant  from  the 
government  for  honorary  distinction.  Any  person  wrongfully 
using  a  Coat  of  Anns  in  those  country  falsely,  is  subject  to  a  heavy 
penalty  and  fine.  And  when  a  person  used  a  heraldic  shield 
rightfully  or  wrongfully,  it  subjected  the  bearer  to  an  annual  tax 
to  the  government.  Not  only  the  Coat  of  Arms,  but  it  is  unlaw- 
ful for  any  person  to  use  a  "Crest"  or  any  figure  of  device  placed 
upon  a  Heraldic  wreath  which  is  considered  a  crest,  without 
authority  and  the  Heraldic  officer  is  authorized  to  collect  from 
such  persons  the  regular  tax  the  same  as  legally  granted.  In  the 
United  States,  there  is  no  law  in  regard  to  Heraldry^  and  any  persons 
who  choose  may  use  any  emblematic  sign  he  or  she  may  see  fit. 
The  Coat  of  Arms  of  the  Old  Country  consisted  of  many 
devices,  but  mostly  in  form  of  a  shield,  with  a  figure  on  the  top 
called  a  "Crest."  Sometime  the  shield  bears  upon  it  the  foiTti  of 
animals,  like  the  Goldberry  Coat  of  Arms  of  the  Boyd  family  of 
1460,  which  has  two  squirrels  or  the  seal  of  England,  which  has 
two  Lions.  vSome  have  figures,  some  have  flowers  upon  them,  but 
in  general  are  made  only  of  two  kind  of  metals,  gold  or  silver, 
which  in  heralding  are  called  "Or  and  Argent."  The  colors 
adopted  in  Heraldry  are  generally  five:  red,  blue,  black,  green  and 
purple,  which  are  more  or  less  blended  together. 

The  Coat  of  Arms  was  first  brought  into  use  in  the  eleventh 
and  twelfth  century,  and  at  that  time  was  in  the  shape  of  a  boy's 
kite,  a  form  which  seems  to  have  been  borrowed  from  the  Sicil- 
lians.  Its  object  was  designed  to  reward  the  person  and  the 
family  for  good  conduct  or  honorary  purpose.  Should  the  person 
disgrace  himself  afterwards,  they  were  taken  away  by  the  govern- 
ment and  only  restored  again  when  some  other  member  of  the 
family  or  the  same  person  redeemed  their  former  standing.  In 
Scotland,  in  the  olden  times,  when  a  person  brought  disgrace 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 


101 


upon  himself  or  family,  all  must  suffer  equally  the  same,  which 
can  be  more  plainly  seen,  to  have  been  the  case  by  the  ancient 
family  of  Boyds  in  Scotland.  In  the  Peerage  of  Scotland,  which 
we  have  consulted  ,  we  find  that  the  original  Arms  of  Kilmarnock 
family  of  the  Boyds,  the  oldest  of  any  clan  of  that  family  are  thus 
described:  "Azure  (a  fess  cheque)  argent  and  gules:"  Crest,  a 
dexter  hand,  coped  at  the  wrist,  erect,  pointing  with  the  thumb 
and  the  two  next  fingers,  the  others  turned  down:  Supporters, 
two  squirrels  proper:  Motto:  "Confido,  I  trust."  On  the  lower 
scroll,  however  of  the  various  prints  of  the  arms  as  given  to  Sir 
Robert  Boyd  of  1460,  the  word  Goldberry  usually  appears,  but 


of  its  real  meaning,  we  have  met  with  no  explicit  explanation,  but 
have  fonned  an  opinion  regarding  this  Coat  of  Arms,  for  we 
find  a  similar  one  is  given  in  Robertson's  "Ayrshire  Families." 
Many  of  these  mottoes  on  the  Annorial  bearings  of  the  ancient 
nobility,  had  their  origin  in  some  particular  war-cry,  or  singular 
heroic  deeds.  The  word  in  question,  therefore  may  have  been 
adopted,  as  we  formerly  said,  in  commemoration  of  the  bravery  of 
Sir  Robert  Boyd,  who  according  to  tradition,  when  engaged  at  the 
battle  of  Large,  attacked  and  defeated,  with  a  little  band  of  fear- 
less followers,  a  strong  detachment  of  Norwegians  at  a  place  called 
"Goldberry  Hill"  a  few  miles  south  of  the  main  scenes  of  action. 
The  oldest  representation  of  the  Arms  of  any  of  the  Boyd 
families  is  a  seal  of  Robert,  first  Lord  Boyd,  now  preserved  amone 


102       HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND' ITS  DESCENDANTS 


the  "Tweeddale  Charters."  The  document  to  which  it  is  appre- 
hended, and  to  which  Sir  Robert  Boyd  (not  yet  ennobled)  seems 
to  have  been  a  witness  is  a  "Precept  of  Seisin"  for  infesting  Sir 
David  Hay  of  Yester,  Knight  in  the  fourth  part  of  the  lands  of 
the  Baronies  of  Yester,  etc.,  in  excambion  for  the  lands  of  Teling 
in  Forfar,  and  it  bears  the  date  the  tenth  of  January,  145 1.  The 
arms  are  as  follows:  "Couche  (a  fess  cheque:)  Crest  on  a  helmet 
with  mantlings,  a  dexter  hand,  with  the  two  last  fingers  turned 
down,  issuing  from  a  coronet  of  three  points.  Supporters,  two 
squirrels.     Legend,  Sigillum  Roberti  Boyd  De  Kilmarnoc 

Plate  third  is  from  a  seal  attached 
to  a  document  of  Robert  Lord  Boyd 
in  1 460,  represents  the  ancient  armorial 
bearing  of  the  family.  It  will  be  found 
to  resemble  very  closely  the  one  just 
described,  and  the  only  difference  in 
the  legend  is  that  the  latter  has  "DN" 
(for  dominus  or  lord)  which  does  not 
occur  in  the  former.  It  has  neither 
the  motto  Confido,  nor  the  word  Gold- 
berry,  but  as  will  be  observed,  it  has  a 
coronet  and  helmet  below  the  dexter 
hand. 

Plate  four  is  taken 
from  a  piece  of  plate  now 
in  the  possession  of  the 
Boyds  of  Portland,  Me. 
This  rare  piece  of  anti- 
quity was  given  to  Mary 
the  daughter  of  King 
James  II,  upon  her  mar- 
riage to  Sir  Thomas 
Boyd  in  the  fifteenth 
century,  but  by  whom 
given,  we  have  not  been 
informed. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 


103 


The  city  of  Kilmarnock  (Scotland)  Burgh  Seal  is  similar  to 
the  arms  of  the  Boyd's  save  that  wants  the  coronet  and 
helmet  as  well  as  the  two  squirrels.  Around  the  shield  are  the 
words  "Sigillum  Commune  Burgh  de  Kilmarnock"  and  beneath 
it  "Virtute  Industria." 

Upon  the  examination  of  the  different  Coat  of  Arms,  given 
to  the  respective  Boyd  families  in  the  old  world,  which  by  the 
consulting  of  Burk's  "Peerage,  Baronage  and  Knightage"  and 
Burk's  "Heraldic  Dictionary"  (two  valuable  works  by  the  same 
author  on  this  subject).  We  find  the  Coat  of  Arms  in  Scotland 
given  to  members  of  this  family  were  ten  in  number,  namely: 

Boyd  (Kilmarnock,  County  of  Ayr,  Scotland). 

This  is  the  Coat  of  Arms  of  the  old  and  ancient  family  of 
Boyds  in  Scotland,  who  descended  from  Robert,  the  oldest  son 
of  Simon,  who  was  the  third  son  of  Alan,  and  who  was  surnamed 
"Boyt  or  Boyd"  from  the  Celtic  word  "Boidh",  meaning  fair  or 
yeUow  complexion,  and  he  was  living  in  the  year  1205.     From 
this  family  descended  Thomas  Boyd,  the  celebrated  Earl  of  Arran, 
of  1467,  who  was  the  husband  of  Mary  Stewart,  sister  of  James  II 
of  Scotland.     There  was  another  de- 
cree of  arms  granted  to  a  descendant 
of  the  same  family  as  that  of  William 
Boyd,  who  was  the  ill-fated  Earl  of 
Kilmarnock,  who  suffered  for  his  par- 
ticipation  in    the    uprising   of    1745, 
better  known  to  the  world  today  as 
the  Stuart  dynasty  of  that  year,  and 
causing  so  many  of  the  Boyd  family 
to  seek  homes  in  a  foreign  land.     This 
Coat  of  Arms  is   as  follows:     (Arms) 
The  shield  was  chiefly  argent  (mean- 
ing, made  of  silver  or  some  other  kind 
of  white  metal) :     Azure  (blue)   Gules 
(Red) ;  having  across  the  face  in  the  center  a  fcsse  chequy  (a 
horizontal  band  filled  with  checked  figures,  these  checks  being 
sometimes  blue  and  red  according  to  what  the  main  face  of  the 
shield  might  be). 


104:         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

"Crest"  (meaning  an  emblematic  sign  placed  on  top  of  the 
shield)  consisting  of  a  dexter  hand  (a  right  hand)  erect,  issuing 
out  of  a  wreath  of  feathers  and  pointing  with  the  thumb  and  two 
fingers   perpendicular. 

Motto:  "Confido"  a  Latin  word,  meaning  "trust"  or  "I 
trust"  placed  upon  the  shield  under  the  crest. 

Boyd.     (Portincross,  County  of  Ayr,  Scotland). 

The  Coat  of  Arms  of  the  Portincross  family  was  given  to  a 
cadet  of  Kilmarnock,  and  the  heiress  of  Grizel,  a  daughter  of  Sir 
Robert  Boyd  of  the  Portincross  family,  who  inarried  Alexander 
Fullarton  of  Kilmichel  in  Arran,  and  died  in  1 792,  leaving  descend- 
ants. 

(Arms).  They  were  almost  like  the  Kilmarnock  Boyds,  but 
differing  in  only  having  a  plain  bordure  around  the  shield. 

Boyd.     (Mertin  Hall,  County  of  Wigton,  Scotland). 

These  arms  were  granted  to  a  descendant  of  William  Bo3^d, 
Abbot  of  Kilwinning;  a  son  of  Thomas  Boyd  of  Kilmarnock  and, 
Joanna  his  wife,  a  daughter  of  Sir  John  Montgomery  of  Adrossin. 
The  Abbot,  William  Boyd,  had  a  dispensation  from  Rome  and  re- 
ceived grants  of  lands  in  Lanarkshire  in  Scotland,  which  descended 
in  lineal  succession  until  sold  by  the  late  Rev.  William  Boyd,  D.  D., 
of  Mertin  Hall,  father  of  the  present  Edward  Boyd  of  the  same 
place. 

(Arms).     The  same  as  the  Kilmarnock  Boyds. 

Boyd.     (Picon,  County  of  Ayr,  Scotland). 

These  Arms  were  granted  to  a  descendant  of  Thomas  Boyd, 
second  son  of  Alexander  Boyd  of  Kilmarnock. 

(Arms).  Nearly  same  as  the  Kilmarnock  family,  except 
a  plain  bordure  around  the  shield. 

"Crest."  A  hand  coped  and  pointing  a  thumb  and  two 
fingers  perpendicular. 

Motto:  The  Latin  word  "spes  mea  in  Coelis"  meaning  "my 
hope  is  in  Heaven"  or  the  Heavens. 

Boyd.     (Carlung,  County  of  Ayr,  Scotland). 

These  arms  were  given  to  a  scion  (a  younger  branch)  of  the 
Boyd  family  of  Piteon,  and  they  bore  the  same  arms. 

Boyd.     (Edinburgh,  County  of  Edinburgh,  Scotland.) 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  105 

To  whom  given  is  not  known. 

(Arms).  The  shield  was  principally  azure  (blue)  a  fesse 
chequy  (having  a  belt  across  it  in  checks)  and  the  dividing  line 
of  the  check  was  argent  (silvery  or  white).  It  was  gules  (having 
lines  running  up  and  down)  between  three  roses  in  chief  on  top 
of  the  shield,  and  a  crest  rising  out  of  the  second  or  middle  one. 
The  crest  or  hand  may  have  been  the  same  as  the  Boyds  of  Kil- 
marnock. 

Boyd.     (Pint  Hill,  Lanark  County,  Scotland). 

(Arms).  The  shield  was  principally  azure  (blue),  a  fesse 
chequy,  (checkered)  the  lines  between  the  checks  were  argent 
(silver  or  white)  gules  (lines  running  perpendicular)  in  base  across 
molin  or  crest. 

Motto.  "Prudentie  me  Sustinct"  a  Latin  meaning  word, 
"Prudence  Sustains  me." 

Boyd.     TrochrJg,  Scotland.) 

To  whom  given  is  not  known. 
(Arms).  The  shield  was  azure  (blue),  having  a  fesse  chequy 
(a  checkered  belt  across  it  horizontally) .  The  lines  of  the  same 
being  argent  (silvery  or  white)  gules  (lines  running  up  and  down) 
between  two  crosses  or  crosslet  (a  small  cross)  fitchu  in  chief, 
with  as  many  stars  in  the  base  of  the  second  "Crest"  resting  upon 
the  shield  a  sun  dial. 

Motto.  The  Latin  word  "Elemtatum  Cogita"  which  in- 
terpreted the  meaning,  is  "Think  on  Eternity." 

Boyd.     (Roslair,  County  of  Wexford,  Scotland.) 

This  was  granted  to  a  descendant  of  the  Kilmarnock  family; 
but  later  from  Higatt  Boyd,  Esq.,  to  whom  his  cousin  John 
Higatt,  Esq.  of  Roslair,  bequeathed  his  estate  by  will  dated  1677. 
The  present  descendant  of  this  ancient  family  is  James  Boyd  of  the 
same  place,  who  was  high  sheriff  of  the  County  of  Wexford,  1831. 

The  arms,  crest  and  motto  are  the  same  as  the  Kilmarnock 
Boyds. 

Boyd.     (Danson,  County  of  Kent,  Scotland). 

To  whom  given  is  not  known. 

(Arms).  The  shield  is  azure  (blue)  and  or  (golden)  gules 
(lines  running  up  and  down)  in  chief  three  mullets  (fish)  with  the 


106         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

second  fish  in  the  base  in  crescent  gold  a  "Crest",  upon  the  top 
of  the  shield  in  the  place  of  the  hand,  three  ostrich  feathers  rising 
out  of  a  wreath. 

Motto  the  same  as  Kilmarnock  Boyds. 

If  there  have  been  grants  to  members  of  the  Boyd  families 
in  England  and  Ireland,  we  are  unable  to  say  as  we  have  found 
no  record  of  them  in  our  researches. 


The  Clans  and  Tartans  of  the  Boyds  in  Scotland 

In  the  feudal  days  of  Scotland,  this  country  was  found 
more  or  less  divided  and  occupied  by  what  was  called  "Clans," 
and  in  the  past  history  of  these  days,  it  is  shown  the  country  was 
overrun  by  at  least  ninety-six  or  more  bands  of  these  fearless 
warriors.  At  this  time,  each  clan  consisted  of  several  chiefs 
occupying  sections  of  land  in  the  high  and  low  lands  of  this 
romantic  country,  which  had  been  given  them  by  the  Government 
for  gallantry  upon  the  field  of  battle  or  other  loyal  deeds  of  honor. 
Upon  these  grounds,  the  chiefs  owned  large,  extensive  and  indis- 
tructible  castles  surrounded  by  men  tenants,  called  vassals, 
who  were  at  all  times  ready  to  protect  their  leaders  domain, 
and  occupying  huts  around  the  strong  holds,  in  easy  distance  of 
being  called  in  emergency  by  their  leaders. 

The  Boyds,  although  leaders,  for  many  years  among  their 
people,  were  not  known  to  have  a  separate  Clanship  or  Tartan 
of  their  own.  But  in  being  in  close  lineal  descent  with  the  Stewarts 
became  prominent  members  of  that  noted  Clan  and  shared  with 
them  the  hardships  and  misfortunes  of  this  world  in  war  or  peace. 

It  must  never  be  forgotten  that  prior  to  1746,  when  the  Clan 
system  ceased  to  be  known,  a  Clan  was  something  very  different 
from  a  modern  Clan  Society.  Prior  to  1745,  a  Clan  consisted 
of  a  set  of  men,  all  bearing  the  same  surname  and  believing  them- 
selves to  be  related,  one  to  another  and  to  have  descended  from 
the  same  stock  of  ancestors  in  years  gone  by.  The  members  of 
every  clan,  seems  to  have  been  united  to  each  other,  not  only  by 
the  fedual  but  by  a  patriotic  bond,  for  most  of  the  individuals, 
who  composed  the  clan,  if   they  were  vassals  or  tenants   of    their 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  107 

own  hereditary  chief,  they  were  found  to  have  descended  from 
his  family,  and  they  were  able  to  count  exactly  the  degree  of  their 
descent,  and  the  right  of  primo  geniture,  together  with  the  weak- 
ness of  law  to  reach  inaccessible  countries,  had  in  the  revolution 
of  centuries  converted  their  natural  principles  of  connection 
between  the  Chief  of  the  Clan  and  his  people  was  found  the 
most  sacred  ties  of  human  life.  The  castle  of  a  chief  was  a  kind 
of  palace,  to  which  every  man  of  his  clan  was  welcome,  and  where 
he  was  entertained  according  to  his  station  in  time  of  peace,  and 
to  which  all  would  flock  at  the  sound  of  war.  Thus  the  meanest 
of  the  Clan,  believing  himself  to  be  as  well  born  as  the  chief  him- 
self, gave  to  the  latter  all  respects  of  himself. 

The  Clansmen  did  not  look  upon  their  chiefs  merely  as 
their  landlords,  but  as  the  representatives  of  the  old  patriarchs 
or  fathers  of  the  clan,  for  they  held  the  same  ofhce  and  authority 
after  having  lost  their  estates,  and  the  members  of  the  Clan 
felt  themselves  as  much  bound  for  the  chief's  support  as  when  he 
was  in  full  possession  of  his  rights.  There  are  several  instances 
on  record,  where  the  estates  being  confiscated  by  the  government 
and  the  chief  in  exile,  the  Clansinen  subjected  themselves  to  a 
voluntary  assessment  for  his  support. 

In  return  for  such  loyalty  and  devotion,  the  chief  was  bound 
to  protect  his  followers  even  against  the  loss,  and  he  was  held 
accountable  to  the  law  for  depredations  or  violence  committed  by 
any  member  of  the  Clan,  and  was  also  bound  to  provide  for 
every  member  of  the  Clan.  Thus  the  connection  was  sustained 
by  mutual  benefits  and  kind  offices ;  the  most  condescending  man- 
ner being  employed  on  both  sides. 

After  the  year  1745,  the  Clan  system  came  to  an  end,  the 
chief  accepting  crown  charters  for  what  were  known  as  Clan 
lands.  This  and  the  repressive  act  which  deprived  Highlanders 
of  their  amis  (instruments  of  war)  and  their  picturesque  dress,  so 
disgusted  them  that  many  of  them  left  their  native  land  (including 
many  of  the  Boyds)  and  sought  homes  beyond  the  Atlantic.  It 
has  been  estimated  that  between  the  year  of  1763  and  1775,  up- 
wards of  twenty  thousand  Highlanders  left  the  lands  of  their  birth 
rather  than  suffer  the  hardships  of  their  government  at  home. 


108         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

The  obnoxious  "Disarming  Act"  of  1747  remained  in  force 
till  1782,  when  it  was  repealed  through  the  influence  of  the  gallant 
Duke  of  Montrose.  The  tyranical  administration  of  the  Act 
continued  long  enough  to  stamp  out  the  use  of  the  Highland 
dress  at  least  among  the  lower  classes,  and  almost  put  an  end  to 
the  manufacture  of  tartan. 

Tartan  is  not  a  Gaelic  word;  the  striped  or  spotted  cloth 
under  this  name  is  called  "Breacan"  derived  from  brace  chequered. 
In  the  old  Gaelic  tale  of  Curio,  assigned  by  competent  authorities, 
to  the  fourteenth  century,  the  word  "breacan"  occurs,  various 
colored  cloth  have  from  a  very  early  period  been  worn  by  the 
several  Highland  clans.  Originally,  tartans  was  worn  only  by 
the  native  inhabiting  the  Highlands,  which  not  only  excluded  the 
Lowlands  or  Border  Counties  on  the  south,  but  also  the  northeast 
of  the  country,  and  in  modern  times,  many  tartans  have  been 
invented  and  manufactured  and  were  named  after  the  Border 
tribes  of  the  Lowlands. 

The  first  tartan  that  has  been  known  was  a  dress  worn  by 
King  James  V,  while  hunting  in  the  Highlands  in  the  year  of  1538. 
An  item  of  accotint  of  the  material  in  the  same  is  found  in  the 
Account  of  the  Lord  High  Treasurer  of  Scotland,  dated  August 
of  that  year.  While  there  can  be  but  a  little  doubt  that  district 
tartans  are  older  than  Clan  tartans,  for  it  is  on  record,  evidence 
to  prove  the  existence  of  Clan  tartans  as  early  as  1587.  In  a 
charter  of  that  year  granted  to  Hector  MacLean,  an  heir  of 
Duart,  certain  land  in  Islay,  the  free  duty  is  made  payable  in 
the  form  of  sixty  rolls  of  cloth  of  white,  black  and  green  colors, 
which  is  shown  to  correspond  with  the  hunting  tartan  of  the 
house  of  Duart. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  many  Clans  have  from  one 
to  four  various  tartans.  Such  was  the  case  of  the  Stewarts  and 
the  Boyds,  as  one  of  the  leading  chiefs  of  the  same.  They  were 
known  as  the  old  originally  Stewart;  the  royal  Stewarts,  the  dress 
Stewarts,  and  Prince  Charles  Edwards.  But  of  the  Boyd  family, 
they  were  called  namely:  the  Clan  Tartan;  the  Chief's  Tartan, 
worn  only  by  himself  and  heir;  the  Dress  Tartan,  and  the  Hunting 
Tartan. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  109 

Up  to  the  time  1745,  a  person  could  be  easily  distinguished 
who  he  was  and  what  Clan  he  belonged  to  by  his  dress  and  in  time 
of  battle  a  foe  was  easily  distinguished  from  a  friend.  We  have 
accoimts  of  chiefs  selecting  out  each  other  from  the  other  warriors 
and  engaging  one  another  in  a  mortal  combat.  For  one  instance 
tis  said  Lord  Boyd  saw  Lord  Soulis  in  1444,  and  went  forth  to 
slay  him.  No  doubt  it  was  his  dress  that  caught  Lord  Boyd's 
eye,  so  that  he  could  distinguish  him  from  the  other  warriors. 
Each  Clan  in  the  Highland  and  Lowlands  had  its  own  war  cry 
or  slogan  to  which  every  Clansman  responded.  It  served  as  a 
watchword  in  case  of  sudden  alann,  in  the  confusion  of  battle  or 
in  the  darkness  of  night.  There  war  cries,  so  far  was  used  the 
same  by  all  chiefs  and  warriors  of  each  Clan  and  when  one  of  their 
number  was  in  peril  in  battle  it  was  given  to  summon  help  to  their 
side.  The  Clans  were  also  distinguished  by  badges  worn  in  their 
bonnets,  which  were  usually  green  plants  or  some  native  plants  of 
their  country.  The  Boyds  favorite  flower  was  clauran  in  Scotch 
meaning  a  thistle  and  the  green  leaves  around  same,  were  called 
Daray  (meaning  Oak).  Each  Clan  had  certain  music  which  they 
played  upon  their  bagpipes  when  on  the  march  or  in  the  field  of 
battle.  This  was  also  a  favorite  custom  among  the  Clans.  The 
sacred  music  of  the  Boyds  was  the  same  as  the  Stewart's  and 
was  as  follows:  The  common  or  chief  salute  in  Scotch  were: 
"Earrach  an  aighis  a  Ghleami".  The  name  of  its  piece  in 
English  was  (Lovely  Spring  in  the  Glen).  At  a  gathering  Scotch 
"Bratach  Bhan  nan  Stiub  hartach"  (The  Stewart  White  banner) 
on  the  march  song  "Thainig  mo  High  air  tir  ane  Muidearf  (My 
King  has  landed  at  Noidart). 

The  Scotch  plaid  used  by  the  Boyds  for  their  Tartan  we  will 
describe  as  follows:  The  Clan  Tartan  consisted  of  a  blue  back- 
ground or  field  work,  set  lines  running  up  and  down  across  the 
face,  also  black  lines  the  same  forming  a  fessie  checker.  This 
tartan  has  been  known  as  the  tartan  of  the  Boyds  for  many  years. 
The  dress  Tartan  was  of  a  white  back  ground,  with  red,  blue, 
black  and  white  stripes  up  and  down,  across  its  face.  The 
Hunting  Tartan  had  a  green  face  with  blue,  black,  red  and  yellow 
stripes  across  the  face  to  form  the  fessie  checkers.     The  royal 


110         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Tartan  which  was  used  by  the  chief  only  consisted  of  a  red  back- 
ground and  had  stripes  running  as  that  of  the  Hunting  Tartan. 
The  originahty  of  this  Tartan  dress  as  near  as  we  can  trace  it  is 
as  follows: 

The  first  ancestor  of  this  gallant  and  royal  race  to  which  the 
Boyds  belong,  for  five  centuries  or  more  drew  from  the  Scottish 
people  instances  of  love,  loyalty  and  devotion  even  to  their  death, 
such  as  no  other  Clan  or  Royal  house  in  Europe  can  boast,  was 
a  Britan  Nobleman  named  Alan,  a  cadet  of  the  ancient  Count  of 
Doland  Dinan  in  Brittany.  In  crossing  to  England  he  was  ap- 
pointed sheriff  of  Shropshire  by  Henry  I,  whom  by  his  eldest  son 
William  Fitz  Alan  he  became  an  ancestor  of  the  Earls  of  Arundel 
and  the  Dukes  of  Norfolk,  etc.,  while  his  seconds  on  Walter  Fitz 
Alan  (a  brother  of  Simon,  whom  the  Boyds  descended)  was  the 
progenitor  of  the  House  of  Stewart.  Walter  crossed  the  border 
into  Scotland  and  received  from  King  David  I  the  office  of  Great 
Steward  of  Scotland,  an  office  subsequently  made  hereditary  in 
his  family.  He  was  notable  as  the  founder  of  Paisley  Abbey, 
which  he  and  his  successors  endowed  in  such  munificence,  as  no 
other  private  family  has  equaled.  An  Alan,  (a  Boyd)  and 
Walter  carried  on  the  line  to  the  time  of  Alexander  II,  the  second, 
Walter,  being  the  father  of  (i)  Alexander,  his  successor  and  (2) 
Walter,  created  Earl  of  Menteth,  in  right  of  his  wife  by  whoin  he 
became  ancestor  of  the  Stewart  and  Graham  Earls  of  Menteth, 
Stratheam  and  Airth.  This  ancient  branch  of  the  Stewarts  is 
today  represented  by  Sir  James  Stuart  Menteth,  third  Baronet 
of  Closbum  in  Dumfriesshire. 

Up  to  this  time,  the  family  had  no  surname  (surname  being 
hardly  known  which  confuses  the  readers  to  trace  the  lineage 
in  Scotland  today),  but  Walter,  the  brother  of  Simon  Boyd — the 
third  Stewart  assumed  as  his  family  surname,  the  name  of  his 
office,  which  was  then  invariably  pronounced  Stewart  instead  of 
Steuart  of  the  present  time.  In  this  way  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
old  and  in  the  circumstances  of  its  adoption,  the  correct  form  of 
spelling  for  the  race  as  a  whole  is  Stewart.  The  fonn  Stuart  is 
traceable  to  the  alliance  between  Scotland  and  France,  the  first 
or  second  to  use  it  being  Sir  John  Stuart  of  Darnley  (ancestor  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  111 

Henry  Lord  Darnley,)  who  became  a  French  Nobleman  and  died  in 
the  French  service  about  1429.  The  form  Stewart  also  originates 
in  the  same  cause  owing  to  the  absence  of  the  letter  "w"  in  the 
French  alphabet. 

Alexander  the  fourth  Stewart  and  his  brother  Walter,  Earl 
of  Menteth,  led  the  right  wing  of  the  Scottish  army  at  the  battle 
of  Large  in  1263.  Sir  Robert  Boyd  a^so  commanded  a  detach- 
ment in  the  same  battle,  and  for  the  part  he  took  in  the  same,  was 
rewarded  by  King  Alexander  III,  lands  in  Cunningham  and  for 
his  braver}',  the  word  "Gold  Berry"  sometime  appears  on  the 
Kilmarnock  Coat  of  Arms.  In  this  battle  the  Danish  power  in 
Scotland  was  finally  subdued.  Alexander  left  two  sons,  James 
his  successor  and  vSir  John  who  fell  at  the  battle  of  Falkirk  in 
1298,  commanding  the  Scottish  army  which  then  opposed  Edward 
I  of  England,  and  from  James  descended  the  lineal  line  of  Royal 
Stewarts  through  the  marriage  of  his  son  Walter  with  the  Princess 
Marjory  Bruce,  and  from  his  brother  John  descended  many 
ancestors  of  the  Stewart  family  of  Scotland.  Walter  the  sixth 
Stewart  at  the  age  of  twent^^-one  lead  his  vassals  to  Bannock- 
burn,  when  along  with  his  cousin  the  "Good  Sir  James"  of  Doug- 
lass, commanded  the  "Third  Battalion"  as  Barbour  called  it  of 
Bruce's  army.  In  the  following  year  he  married  the  Princess 
Marjory  Bruce,  by  whom  he  had  one  son  Robert  (Boyd)  who 
ultimately  ascended  the  throne  as  Robert  II.  Walter  died  at  the 
age  of  thirty-three,  and  he  was  destined  to  a  life  of  danger  and 
enterprise  not  exceeded  by  the  romantic  career  of  his  descendant 
Prince  Charlie.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  fought  at  the  head  of 
his  vassals  (including  the  Boyds  of  Kilmarnock)  at  the  battle  of 
Halidon  Hill,  where  the  Scottish  army  was  totally  defeated  and 
his  country's  independence  well  nigh  lost.  He  was  outlawed 
and  his  lands  and  offices  confiscated,  with  him  was  a  number  of 
Boyds.  But  raising  his  banner,  his  followers  flocked  around  him 
and  they  drove  the  English  out  of  his  ancestral  home  while  the 
other  Scottish  Nobles  joining  forces  with  him,  he  gradually 
recovered  the  lost  grounds  and  was  appointed  Regent  of  Scotland 
before  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Although  his  uncle  David 
II,  reigned  in  person  in  Scotland  for  about  eighteen  years,  the 


112  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Stewarts  and  their  Clans  was  the  virtual  ruler  from  about  1338 
till  his  death  in  1390.  We  will  not  carry  this  issue  any  farther 
only  to  say  that  the  Boyds  were  always  true  friends  of  the 
Stewarts  and  they  were  highly  held  in  esteem  by  them  and 
suffered  along  with  them.  They  did  not  hold  the  first  place  in 
government  as  the  Stewarts  did,  but  in  council,  in  peace  or  war, 
they  were  one  of  the  trusty  leaders  and  counted  upon  to  com-, 
mand  a  prominent  position  in  the  battle  and  government  of 
Scotland.  Therefore  the  Tartans  were  the  same  and  today  are 
classed  with  them. 


CHAPTER    VIII 

"Our  Boyds  of  America" 

In  searching  and  investigating  the  records  of  many  of  the 
Boyd  families  in  America,  and  connecting  them  back  to  those 
of  Ireland  and  Scotland,  has  been  very  unsatisfactory  to  descend- 
ants in  the  New  World.  We  find  but  a  few  who  claim  the  emi- 
gration of  their  Ancestory  came  direct  from  Scotland  here.  But 
most  of  them  trace  back  their  ancestors  to  the  northern  part  of 
Ireland  to  those  who  emigrated  there  from  Scotland  years  before. 
One  of  the  greatest  difficulties  to  overcome  in  our  researches  in 
Ireland  and  Scotland,  was  that  the  Boyds  were  of  strict  Presby- 
terian faith  and  at  the  time  of  leaving  those  countries  for  America, 
they  came  here  strong  adherents  to  that  religion,  while  the  de- 
scendants of  the  eldest  son  of  Alan ,  a  brother  of  the  Boyds  were 
Catholics  and  known  as  the  Stewarts.  The  latter  according  to 
the  ancient  custom  of  that  country,  inherited  the  crown. 
This  without  doubt,  caused  an  envious  feeling  to  rise  in  the  bosom 
of  the  Boyds,  causing  them  to  adhere  more  strictly  to  their  Pres- 
byterian faith.  The  Boyds  stood  foremost  and  were  looked  upon 
as  the  leading  faction,  until  the  Stuarts  had  drawn  to  their  folds 
a  large  proportion  of  the  Catholic  powers  of  England,  Ireland 
and  Scotland  and  with  the  insignificant  James  who  became  their 
cousin  by  marrying  a  descendant  of  the  Boyds,  and  whom  the 
Boyds  had  always  befriended,  turned  against  those  of  his  wife's 
kindred,  and  drove  many  to  a  foreign  land  as  we  have  stated. 
After  this  time  the  family  of  the  name  of  Boyd  was  not  safe  on 
account  of  their  Presbyterian  faith,  and  to  escape  the  persecu- 

Ill3l 


114         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

tionsat  home,  where  the  young  mother  with  her  cherished  infant 
in  her  arms,  felt  that  the  next  hour  would  find  her  driven  from  her 
home  to  take  refuge  in  the  forest,  and  her  devoted  husband  and 
protector  dragged  forth  to  some  dismal  dungeon  for  his  irreligious 
faith  and  then  according  to  the  will  of  his  accusers  inade  to  suffer 
the  block.  This  was  in  the  fifteenth  century  and  the  time  rolled 
along  until  the  year  1612,  without  any  change  and  only  for  the 
worst,  when  a  large  number  of  Scotch  emigrants  wishing  to  escape 
the  persecutions  at  home,  took  their  families  and  went  into  the 
northern  part  of  Ireland  and  lived  in  seclusion,  and  afterwards 
stole  awa}^  unknown  to  their  persecutors  and  einigrated  to  the 
New  World.  Those  are  known  as  "Scotch-Irish  emigrants  to 
America.''  Today  the  records  show  that  many  of  the  Boyds 
went  with  them.  Many  of  the  branches  of  the  Boyd  family  here 
can  trace  their  ancestry  back  to  Ireland  and  no  farther.  This 
shows  that  many  of  them  had  gone  there  to  escape  their  persecu- 
tions at  home  in  Scotland.  Their  friends  in  that  country  kept 
their  hiding  place  a  secret,  and  not  revealing  the  same  at  the  time 
of  their  death,  buried  with  them  all  earthly  knowledge  as  to  their 
fonner  homes  in  that  country.  And  without  doubt  in  after 
years  many  of  these  Boyds  came  to  America  and  settled.  Many  of 
there  descendants  tell  us  that  their  ancestors  would  never  mention 
a  history  of  their  early  life,  showing  that  they  had  some  hidden 
cause  which  they  for  pride's  sake  of  their  families  refused  to  reveal. 
The  early  homes  of  the  Boyds  in  America  principally  in  the  United 
States  were  many.  History  shows  us  that  they  have  existed  here 
for  more  than  two  hundred  years.  We  find  among  the  marriage 
bonds  filed  in  the  secretary's  office  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  of  the  provi- 
dence of  New  York  in  the  year  of  1762  to  1765,  no  less  than  ten 
diff^erent  couples,  where  one  of  the  contracting  parties  was  a  Boyd, 
and  in  our  researches,  we  have  only  been  enabled  to  locate  the 
descendants  of  one  of  them,  Ebenezer  Boyd  of  the  Kent  hneage 
of  this  book.  In  other  parts  of  the  United  States  at  this  time, 
there  must  have  been  many  more,  for  today,  hardly  a  township 
in  this  country  what  has  persons,  as  well  as  families  of  that  name. 
The  first  record  we  have  any  account  of  was  at  Londonderry, 
New  Hampshire.     Here  records  shows  us  that  a  nmnber  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         115 

Boyds  came  over  with  a  large  number  of  Scotch-Irish  emigrants, 
who  sent  over  here  first,  the  Rev.  WiUiam  Boyd  a  Presbyterian 
minister  of  Maccosgum  Ireland  with  a  memorial  address  to 
Governor  vShute  of  Massachusetts,  who  was  then  governor  of 
New  England  in  1718.  He  brought  with  him  a  petition  of  two 
hundred  and  seventeen  signatures,  asking  the  gift  of  land  of  that 
Governor  to  form  a  settlement  here.  In  this  list  now  on  record, 
there  were  ten  persons  by  the  name  of  Boyd.  The  name  of 
Robert,  William,  John  and  Samuel  occurred  several  times  and  if 
they  are  the  same,  or  each  one  a  different  person  it  is  not  known 
to  us.  As  soon  as  Rev.  Boyd  accomplished  his  undertaking  here, 
he  sent  or  went  back  to  Ireland,  and  his  friends  immediately 
embarked  in  five  ships  from  Belfast  and  landed  at  Boston,  August 
4,  1 7 18.  From  here,  they  soon  went  to  New  Hampshire  and 
formed  a  settlement  and  called  it  Londonderry  after  the  native 
city,  that  had  saved  their  religion  a  few  years  before  in  1689. 
How  many  Boyds  came  with  these  emigrants,  the  records  are 
now  lost.  For  we  can  only  find  the  descendants  of  one  family 
from  this  emigration,  that  is  of  Captain  William  Boyd,  whose  home 
was  at  the  above  place.  He  came  along  with  the  early  settlers  a  few 
years  after  its  settlement.  He  was  an  old  sea  captain  and  came  over 
the  dark  blue  waters  between  the  two  countries  (Ireland  and  United 
States)  fourteen  times,  bringing  Scotch-Irish  emigrants.  With 
this  Captain  Boyd,  many  of  the  Boyds  found  their  way  to  Amer- 
ica, between  the  years  of  1 718  and  1751.  He  was  born  in  17 19  and 
died  in  1 790  and  today  has  many  descendants  in  the  United  States. 

The  next  Port  of  entry  was  that  of  New  York  City.  Here 
probably  more  landed  than  any  other  city  in  the  New  World. 
From  here  they  spread  up  the  Hudson  River,  and  worked  their 
way  back  west  through  New  York  State,  and  settled  in  many 
of  the  little  frontier  settlements  of  those  days.  Among  these 
the  families  of  Albany,  New  Windsor,  Kent,  Middletown  and 
Salem,  as  well  as  the  Northumberland  County,  Pennsylvania 
Boyds  are  the  offsprings  of.  But  none  of  the  above  are  able  to 
trace  their  lineage  back  across  the  ocean. 

The  next  settlement  of  the  Boyds  in  the  United  States  was 
in  Pennsylvania.     They  landed  at  Philadelphia  before  the  Revolu- 


116  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

tionary  War.  From  here  they  spread  through  the  different 
counties  of  that  state,  and  west  to  Ohio  and  other  western  states 
and  have  today  a  large  number  of  descendants.  We  have  not 
been  able  to  trace  them  far  enough  to  connect  them  with  the 
other  families  of  Boyds,  that  the  reader  will  find  in  this  book. 

The  fourth  settlement  is  the  Boyds  of  Maryland,  Virginia, 
and  the  Southern  states.  Their  landing  place  was  at  Baltimore, 
Md.,  Richmond,  Va.,  Charleston,  S.  C,  and  at  other  ports  along 
the  coast  of  the  Southern  States.  They  came  here  at  an  early 
day  and  their  descendants  are  scattered  through  these  states  as 
well  as  that  of  West  Virginia,  Kentucky  and  Tennesee,  and  today 
there  are  counties  and  towns  that  bears  their  names.  Our  re- 
searches in  these  states  has  been  limited.  During  the  cruel  Civil 
War  of  1 86 1  to  1865,  both  armies  over-ran  this  territory  with 
fire  and  destruction.  Many  family  records  were  destroyed  never 
to  be  recovered  again.  The  writer  has  in  his  possession  many 
letters  from  descendants  of  the  Boyds  in  these  states  who  have 
gone  West,  who  wish  to  recover  lost  records  of  their  ancestors. 

In  researching  the  records  of  the  Register  office  of  Scotland, 
we  found  only  the  record  of  the  oldest  son  of  each  family  in  the 
lineal  line  in  that  country.  Without  doubt,  many  of  the  different 
Boyd  families  of  this  country  are  from  younger  sons,  of  whom  no 
records  have  been  kept  in  Scotland.  As  near  as  we  are  able  to 
trace  the  respective  families  of  this  book,  they  are  from  the  Kil- 
marnock Boyds  of  the  County  of  Ayr,  Scotland.  Some  may  have 
come  from  Wigton  and  Argyle,  a  branch  of  the  Kilmarnock  family, 
for  these  three  counties  were  the  principle  homes  of  the  Boyds, 
in  the  Old  World,  and  from  here  they  went  to  Ireland  in  their 
emigration  to  the  United  States. 

The  traits  of  the  Boyds  are  numerous.  In  all  of  our  research 
we  find  them  to  be  men  and  women  of  the  highest  standing. 
Although  there  are  no  family  or  branches  in  the  genealogical  line 
of  the  same,  but  what  had  members  who  were  not  worthy  of 
themselves  or  other.  But  of  the  Boyds,  we  find  as  little  imper- 
fections in  building  up  an  honorable  person,  than  any  other 
family  that  we  have  become  acquainted  with.  In  statue,  the 
Boyds  as  a  class,  were  tall,  slender  (in  good  proportion  to  height) 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  117 

with  long  features,  and  high  foreheads.  In  all  descendants  can 
be  seen  the  same  characteristics  found  among  the  early  Boyds  of 
Scotland.  They  are  of  a  fair  complexion,  which  from  the  same, 
they  in  an  early  day  were  called  Boit  or  Boydel,  which  in  the 
Latin  language  means  fair  or  beautiful,  from  which  they  derived 
their  name.  And  we  have  records  of  descendants  of  the  past, 
that  were  noted  for  their  great  beauty.  As  for  age,  the  Boyds 
are  as  a  general  thing  long  lived.  They  are  known  in  several 
instances  to  have  reached  the  age  of  one  hundred  years,  and  one 
member.  General  Boyd  of  Albany,  lived  to  see,  it  is  said  one 
hundred  and  fourteen  years.  A  few  years  ago  in  the  Kent  Boyds 
family,  were  two  old  veterans,  Hiram  Boyd  of  Conesus,  N.  Y., 
father  of  the  writer,  who  lived  to  the  good  old  age  of  eighty-six 
years  and  never  had  a  physician  called  for  any  physical  ailment 
till  his  death  bed.  The  other,  Stillman  Boyd  of  Jefferson  Valley, 
N.  Y.,  who  died  at  the  same  age,  never  knew  what  it  was  to  have 
a  pain. 

In  disposition  of  the  Boyds,  they  are  slow  to  anger,  but  when 
once  aroused,  they  were  firm  in  their  undertakings.  Their  word 
was  like  the  Gospel  truth,  when  they  promised  to  do  any  thing, 
it  was  certain  they  would  do  it.  They  always  despised  a  person 
who  would  not  tell  the  truth,  and  held  themselves  above  such 
persons.  They  were  charitable  to  the  poor,  and  the  needy  were 
never  seen  to  want  for  charity  sake.  They  were  driven  to  many 
deeds  in  Scotland,  of  which  if  they  had  received  different  treatment 
from  their  enemies  they  would  have  done  far  different.  At  the 
time  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  the  most  of  the  Boyds  were  firm 
in  the  hatred  to  the  British  cause.  They  were  brave  and  daring 
in  opposing  England's  encroachment  upon  the  young  republic. 
And  whatever  position  that  they  were  placed  in,  they  would  never 
reveal  nothing,  and  died  like  martyrs,  with  closed  lips.  Such  was 
the  fate  of  Thomas  Boyd,  who  lost  his  life  in  the  Sullivan  campaign 
against  the  Seneca  Indians,  September  14,  177Q,  near  the  present 
sight  of  Cuylerville,  N.  Y.  When  questioned  by  Butler  the 
British  Tory,  as  to  the  intention  of  Boyds  commander's  army, 
and  knowing  at  the  saine  time  a  refusal  was  to  him  death,  he 
revealed  nothing,  and  died  with   sealed  lips.     So  it  was  the  same 


118  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

with  William  Boyd,  the  ill-fated  Lord  of  Kilmarnock,  who  suffered 
for  his  participation  in  the  behalf  of  Charles  Stewart,  at  the  block, 
firmly  refusing  to  accuse  others  to  save  his  life.  Also  that  of 
Robert  K.  Boyd  of  Eau  Claire,  Wisconsin,  who  was  shot  five  times 
in  one  battle,  and  when  under  the  surgeon's  knife  refused  to 
acknowledge  he  suffered  any  pain.  These  are  only  a  few  of  the 
many  incidents  we  are  able  to  relate. 

In  religion,  most  of  them  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian 
church  of  Ireland  and  Scotland.  In  this  country,  they  have 
united  more  or  less  with  the  other  churches  of  our  land.  To 
this  very  day,  their  blood  curdles  with  a  hatred  against  the 
Catholic  religion  which  drove  so  many  away  to  make  homes  in 
a  foreign  country  from  the  cruel  persecutions  of  their  ancestors 
in  the  Old  World. 

In  political  life  we  find  them  filling  many  prominent  positions. 
We  find  them  holding  the  positions  of  Governors  of  states.  We 
find  them  as  Supreme  Judges  of  the  United  States;  also  that  of 
Senators  and  Congressmen,  Mayors,  and  Councilmen  of  cities. 
Noted  lawyers  and  others  connected  in  Railroad  labor,  and  many 
other  positions  of  trust.  Yet,  we  must  say,  we  are  yet  to  learn 
of  a  single  person  by  the  name  of  Boyd,  who  has  been  untrue  to 
his  trust  or  connected  with  any  unreliable  dealing  of  the  many 
business  firms  that  exist  in  our  land  today. 


AMERICANS  OF  ROYAL  DESCENT 

Chas.  N.  Browning,  Sixth  Edition  1905 
Philadelphia 

Pedigree  VIII 

Robert  Bruce  King  of  Scotland  had  by  his  second  wife  Lady 
Elizabeth  deBurgh,  daughter  of  Richard  Earl  of  Ulster. 

Princess  Margaret:  Sister  of  King  David  II:  who  married 
1344  (his  first  wife)  Wm.  Earl  of  Sutherland,  d.  1370  and  had. 

John — sixth  Earl  of  Sutherland  only  son,  who  d.  1389,  who 
m.  Lady  Mabilla  Dunbar,  daughter  of  Patrick,  tenth  Earl  of 
March  and  had. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         119 

Nicholas — eighth  Earl  of  Svitherland  second  son  d.  1399, 
who  m.  EHzabeth,  daughter  of  John  Macdonald,  Lord  of  the 
Isles  and  had. 

Robert — ninth  Earl  of  Sutherland,  d.  1442,  who  m.  Lady 
Mabilla,  daughter  of  John — second  Earl  of  Murray  and  had. 

Alexander  Sutherland  of  Dunheath,  third  Son  who  had. 

Lady  Margaret  Sutherland  w^ho  m.  William  Sinclair  third 
Earl  of  Orkney  and  Earl  of  Caithness  and  had. 

Lady  Marjory  Sinclair  who  m.  Andrew,  Lord  Leslie  who 
d.  V.  p.  1502,  son  of  George  Sinclair  first  Earl  of  Rothes  and  had. 

William  Leslie  third  son,  third  Earl  of  Rothes  who  m.  Lady 
Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  Michael  Balfour  of  Montquhanie  and 
had. 

George,  fourth  Earl  of  Rothes,  k.  in  France  in  1558,  who  had 
by  his  third  wife,  Margaret  Crichton. 

Lady  Helen  Leslie,  second  daughter,  widow  of  Gilbert  de 
Seton  the  younger,  who  m.  Mark  Ker,  Abbott  of  Commendator 
of  Newbottle  1546,  Extraordinary  lord  of  Session,  d.  1584,  second 
son  of  Sir  Andrew  Ker  of  Cessford,  and  Agnes,  daughter  of  William 
Lord  Crighton  and  had. 

Mark  Ker  eldest  son,  succeeded  his  father  in  office  and  was 
made  baron  28th,  July  1587  and  created  loth,  February  1606 
Earl  of  Lothian,  d.  8th,  April  1609  who  m.  Lady  Margaret  daughter 
of  John,  fourth  Lord  of  Maxwell,  and  Lord  Herries  in  right  of  his 
wife  Agnes,  daughter  of  William  Lord  Herries  and  had. 

Lady  Jean  Ker,  who  m.  first  the  Hon.  Robert  Bo3^d,  Master 
of  Boyd  d.  v.  p.  eldest  son  of  Thomas,  fifth  Lord  Boyd,  and  his 
wife  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  Matthew  Campbell  of  Loudon 
and  had. 

James,  eight  Lord  Boyd  of  Kilmarnock,  second  son,  who  d. 
1654,  whom.  Catherme  daughter  of  *John  Craik  of  York  City, and 
had. 

William,  ninth  Lord  Boyd  created  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  7th, 
August  1661,  d.  1692,  who  m.  25th,  April  1661  Lady  Jean  Cun- 
ningham, daughter  of  Williain  9th,  Earl  of  Glencaim,  Chancellor 
of  Scotland,  and  had. 

*An  inscription  on  tower  described  by  Grose. 


120         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Robert  Boyd  of  Kilmarnock,  fourth  son,  b.  6  August  1689, 
d.  1 761  m.  Margaret  Thompson  by  whom  he  had. 

James  Boyd,  b.  in  Kilmarnock  3,  May  1732,  d.  30,  Sept. 
1798,  in  1756  he  came  to  America  with  a  patent  from  George  II 
for  60,000  acres  in  New  Brunswick,  during  the  Revolution  he 
sided  with  the  colonists  and  thereby  forfeited  his  grant.     He  m. 

II  August  1757  Susannah,  daughter  of  Colonel  Joseph  Coffin  of 
Newburyport  and  had. 

I — Robert  Boyd,  b.  October  1758,  d.  18,  January  1827,  m. 
I,  November  1791,  Ruth,  daughter  of  David  Smith  of  Portland 
and  had. 

William  Boyd,  b.  16,  December  1800,  graduated  at  Harvard 
1820,  d.  Portland  Maine  10,  May  1875,  he  m.  10,  September  1832 
Susan  Dayton,  daughter  of  Charles  Harrod  of  New  Orleans 
Louisiana  and  his  wife,  Hannah  Dayton,  grandavighter  of  Major 
General  Elias  Dayton  of  Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey  and  had. 

I — Annie  Frances  Harrod  Boyd  a  member  of  the  Maine 
Society  of  the  Colonial  Dames  of  America,  the  Order  of  the  Crown 
etc.  II  Augusta  Dearborn  (member  of  the  Order  of  the  Crown). 

III  Julia  Wingate,  IV  Emily  Dearborn. 

2 — Joseph  Coffin  Boyd  of  Portland,  Maine,  b.  Newburyport 
23,  July  1769,  d.  12,  May  1823,  m.  24,  January  1796  Isabela,  daugh- 
ter of  Judge  Robert  Southgate  of  Scarboro,  Maine  and  had. 

Judge  Samuel  Stillman  Boyd  of  Natchez,  Mississippi,  b. 
27,  May  1807,  d.  May  1869,  m.  15,  November  1838  Catherine 
Charlotte  Wilkins  of  Natchez  and  had. 

Anna  Maria  Wilkins  Boyd,  b.  10,  March  1859  a  member  of 
the  Pennsylvania  and  Mississippi  Society  of  Colonial  Dames 
of  America,  the  Order  of  the  Crown,  etc.,  who  m.  William  Bonne- 
ville Rhodes  of  Natchez  and  had. 

Catherine  Charlotte  Boyd,  b.  1890,  Dorthy  Marie  b.  1894. 

The  above  genealogy  is  questioned  so  far  as  the  connection 
between  James  Boyd,  (the  emigrant)  son  of  Robert  Boyd  of 
Kilmarnock  with  the  Kilmarnock  family,  there  being  no  proof 
that  he  was  either  the  son  of  Robert  Boyd  or  that  he  was  bom 
in  Kilmarnock,  and  with  regard  to  the  grant  of  60,000  acres,  it 
appears  to  be  a  myth,  there  being  no  record  cither  in  Great 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         121 

Britain  or  America  of  any  such  grant,  this  appears  to  have  orig- 
inated from  the  fact  that  James  Boyd  who  did  considerable  trad- 
ing for  the  vicinity  of  Passamaquoddy  Bay  did  acquire  some 
land.  See  Boston  Transcript  genealogical  page  on  April  27, 
1904. 

There  are  also  notes  referring  to  other  pages  as  follows: 
Page  252,  Margaret,  daughter  of  David  Boyd  of  Northumberland 
Co.,  Virginia  who  m.  Augustus  Smith  of  Shooters  Hill  (b.  1738 
d.    1774)- 

Page  398,  Mrs.  Allen  R.  Boyd  (Jane  Hall  Maulsby  Ritchie) 

Page  407,  James  Boyd  Nixon. 

Page  466  the  royal  descent  of  the  Duke  of  Manchester  on 
the  female  side  beginning  with  James  Boyd  of  Newburyport  who 
had  Frances  who  m.  William  Little  of  Boston  and  had. 

Ellen,  m.  Antonio  Yznaga  de  Valle  and  had. 

Consuelo  Yznaga  who  m.  Duke  of  Manchester  and  is  the 
mother  of  the  present  Duke  of  Manchester. 


CHAPTER     IX 

Copies  of  Letters  Relating  to  the  Boyd  Families 

or  America 

In  giving  this  chapter  to  our  readers  and  to  those  who  may 
be  interested  in  them,  it  may  be  well  for  me  to  say,  after  the 
publication  of  my  former  History  of  the  Boyd  Families  and 
Descendants  in  1884,  I  have  received  a  large  number  of  letters 
from  the  descendants  of  different  families  of  Boyds  (most 
of  them  are  not  connected  with  those  given  in  my  book)  through 
the  United  States,  asking  of  me  to  give  them  infonnation  in  regard 
to  their  own  branch  of  the  Boyd  family,  w^hich  to  them  was  a 
blank.  The  statements  they  gave  to  me  in  these  letters  were 
quite  interesting,  and  contained  much  valuable  history,  liable 
to  become  lost  to  the  rising  generations,  and  will  enable  many  to 
get  a  start  in  obtaining  the  lost  threads  of  their  family  history. 
I  am  sorry  to  say,  many  of  these  writers  have  passed  away  and 
have  left  us  in  the  dark  of  obtaining  any  farther  history  of  their 
ancestors  than  what  we  have  at  hand.  So  instead  of  trying  to 
gather  up  further  information,  which  would  have  to  be  accom- 
plished by  an  extensive  research,  costing  a  large  amount  of  time 
and  money,  we  have  concluded  under  these  circumstances  to 
present  the  letters  and  correspondence  that  we  have  received  in 
the  past  twenty-six  years  and  let  our  readers  draw  their  own  con- 
clusions and  investigations. 


[123] 


124         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Fort  Wayne,  Detroit,  Mich.,  Dec.  lo,  1887, 
My  Dear  Sir: 

I  have  observed  in  some  serial  that  you  have  published,  a 
History  of  the  Boyd  family,  yet  I  never  have  seen  it,  therefore  I 
do  not  know  the  contents  of  the  book,  but  notwithstanding  I 
presume  to  transmit  to  you  some  facts  concerning  some  Boyds, 
who  formerly  resided  in  New  Hampshire,  and  the  items  I  furnish 
may  be  of  interest  to  you. 

My  grandmother  Dodge-nee  Dennett  of  Portsmouth,  was 
in  some  way  connected  with  them.  Now,  I  have  not  yet  been 
able  to  ascertain,  and  perhaps  you  may  be  able  to  assist  me  in 
solving  the  query  as  to  how  related.  She  had  a  brother 
named  George  Boyd  Dennett  and  I  recollect  she  used  to  call  one 
of  the  Boyds  her  uncle  and  George  Wm.  Boyd,  who  died  in  Port- 
land, Maine,  her  cousin.  She  was  born  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H., 
September  10,  1779,  and  died  there  March  9,  1867.  Her  father 
was  Ephinan  Dennett  and  her  mother  was  Jane  Hoyt,  who  died 
at  Portsmouth,  October  i,  1809,  aged  sixty  years  and  it  is  through 
her  mother  (Jane  H.)  that  the  Boyds  were  connected  and  probably 
in  the  Hoyt  line.  Have  you  any  dates  or  knowledge  of  this 
relationship,  or  does  your  book  give  any  Hoyt  or  Dennetts' 
names.  I  would  be  obliged  to  you  if  you  could  solve  the  Genea- 
logical enigma  for  me.      *    *    * 

I  am  respectfully  yours, 

Fred  L.  Dodge, 
ist  Lieut.  23d  U.  S.  Infantry. 

Lieutenant  Dodge  sent  me  with  this  letter  a  well  written 
history  of  his  ancestors  which  will  be  found  in  our  chapter  on  the 
different  Bovd  families  of  the  United  States. 


Manchester,  Conn.,  Dec.  13,  1887. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  received  your  book  today  and  find  it  to  be  a  very  interesting 
book  and  a  valuable  history.  I  presume  you  did  not  know  of 
the  Shelburn  Boyds.     They  were  in  Shelburn  one  hundred  and 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         125 

twenty-five  years  ago.  There  was  John,  Robert  and  Thomas 
Boyd.  I  think  Robert  and  Thomas  were  sons  of  John.  I  knew 
Mr.  Thomas  Boyd  and  his  son  (WilHam  P.)  in  1829.  In  that  year 
I  attended  a  writing  school  with  William  Parsons.  About  that 
time  the  family  left  Shelburn  and  emigrated  to  the  West — as 
it  was  called  then,  York  State  .  *  *  * 

Chas.  M.  Taintor. 


Portland,  Maine,  Dec.  19,  1887. 
Dear  Sir: 

From  a  Boston  publishing  house  I  recently  received  a  copy 
of  your  History  of  the  Boyd  Family  and  have  been  much  interested 
to  know  something  of  our  name  in  New  York,  etc.  If  your 
branch  is  from  Kilmarnock,  we  are  of  the  same  lineage  and  our 
ancestors  may  have  left  Scotland  about  the  same  time.  In 
Browning's  "Americans  of  Royal  Descent"  (Published  by  Peters 
and  Coats,  Philadelphia  in  1883),  w^e  descended  from  William, 
ninth  Lord  Boyd  and  first  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  and  is  given  quite 
extensive,  though  there  are  errors  in  names,  dates,  etc.,  it  is  in 
main  correct. 

Our  great-grandfather  James,  was  born  in  Kilmarnock  in 
1732,  and  came  to  America  in  1756,  with  a  grant  of  St.  Andreas 
Parish,  etc.,  in  the  Passamaquodda.  The  parchment  deed  or 
charter  signed  by  King  George  III,  and  bearing  the  Royal  Seal 
is  somewhere  in  the  family.  I  have  relics  brought  by  him  from 
Scotland,  among  them  a  large  piece  of  Plate  with  the  signet  and 
monogram  of  King  James  II,  which  has  been  in  our  family  for 
four  hundred  years,  and  the  legend  is  that  it  was  given  to  his 
daughter  the  Princess  Mary,  when  she  married  Sir  Thomas 
Boyd.  Also  full  coat  of  arms  painted  in  colors — very  old.  More 
or  less  intercourse  has  been  kept  up  with  the  old  families  of 
Scotland  and  some  of  them  have  visited  this  country,  whom  we 
have  known.  I  have  met  quite  a  number  of  our  name  in  Virginia, 
Kentucky  and  Tennesee  and  South  Carolina,  but  never  one  with 
any  particular  knowledge  of  their  ancestry.  They  most  all 
claimed  to  be  Irish.     I  include  one  of  our  book  marks  from   the 


126         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

old  plate,  and  now  in  use  by  us.  Our  family  is  living  now  in 
Maine,  Massachusetts,  New  York,  Washington,  Mississippi,  etc., 
which  I  write,  we  knew  some  of  all  the  names  in  the  United  States. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

Chas.  H.  Boyd. 

The  following  letter  was  also  from  Mr.  Chas.  H.  Boyd,  but 
was  written  to  a  Mr.  W.  Tracy  Curtis  of  Boston,  Mass.,  and 
sent  to  me  by  parties  of  that  place,  which  letter  the  fomier  gives 
us  more  of  the  Boyds  of  Maine: 

Washington,  D.  C,  April   lo,  1892. 
Dear  Sir: 

Many  thanks  for  yours  of  the  5th  inst.  forwarded  me  from 
m\'  home  address.  Several  years  since  I  purchased  the  history 
of  the  Boyd  family  by  W.  P.  B.  of  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  having  seen 
it  advertised,  but  found  it  contained  no  information  whatever 
about  our  branch  of  that  name.  Mr.  John  Parker  Boyd,  whom 
you  mentioned  was  the  oldest  brother  of  my  father  (William) ,  and 
Robert  Southgate  was  their  cousin,  a  son  of  Joseph  Coffin  Boyd. 
The  house  you  mentioned  is  at  the  corner  of  High  and  Pleasant 
Street,  and  was  built  by  my  grandfather,  Robert  Boyd  in  1800. 
By  inheritance  it  came  to  uncle  John  and  my  father.  My  great- 
grandfather was  born  at  Kilmarnock,  Scotland  in  1732,  and  came 
directly  from  there  to  St.  Andreas  in  1756,  where  he  had  been 
granted  a  large  tract  of  land  of  thirty  thousand  to  forty  thousand 
acres  from  the  King.  He  then  built  the  Kilmarnock  house,  resid- 
ing there  in  summer  and  at  Newburyport  in  winter.  Here  he 
married  Susannah  Coffin,  related  to  Westrain  Coffin.  Dr.  Stover, 
and  his  brother  of  your  city,  were  the  children  of  Margarett  Boyd. 
My  great  aunts  are  the  only  relatives  on  the  Boyd  side  living  there. 
So  you  see  it  was  impossible  for  any  of  our  branch  to  have  accom- 
panied the  Williain  in  171S.  We  have  a  complete  history  of  our 
branch  for  a  thousand  years  with  all  dates  of  birth,  marriages, 
deaths,  etc.  The  Rev.  Frederick  W.  Boyd  a  brother  of  South-  -^ 
gates  was  a  D.  D.  of  Cambridge,  England,  and  lived  much  of  his 
life  with  our  Scottish  relatives  with  whom  we  have  kept  up 
intercourse.     He  has  a  very  minute  history  of  the  family,  with 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  127 

all  necessary  documentary  evidence.  In  Browning's  ''Americans 
of  Royal  Descent"  published  b}'  Porter  and  Coats,  Philadelphia, 
in  iSSo  and  iSgi,  is  a  complete  history  of  our  branch.  It  is 
somewhat  singular  fact  that  my  grandfather  and  his  wife  Hannah 
Greenleaf  are  both  direct  descendants  of  King  Alfred  the  Great, 
Lord  Robert  Boyd,  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  and  sole  Regent  of  Scot- 
land during  the  minority  of  King  James  II,  is  our  former  ancestor. 
I  have  a  piece  of  plate  that  was  his  (James  II)  with  his  mono- 
gram— a  large  painted  coat  of-arms  of  the  Boyds,  seals,  etc.,  that 
was  brought  from  Scotland.  My  uncle  John  P.  always  wore  a 
large  seal  with  the  arms  that  came  from  Lord  William  Boyd,  tenth 
Lord  Boyd  his  grandfather,  and  to-day,  I  wear  a  ring  that  came 
across  the  water.  Yours  truly, 

Charles  Harrod  Boyd. 


The  following  letters  of  Mr.  McAtee  were  quite  interesting 
to  me.  After  the  elapse  of  twenty  years,  I  attempted  in  the  fall 
of  1909  to  reopen  a  correspondence  again  with  him.  My  letter 
sent  to  him  at  Caldwell,  Kansas,  was  returned  to  me  saying 
that  Mr.  Atee  had  gone  from  that  place  to  Oklahoma  and  had 
died  there  a  few  years  ago: 

Caldwell,  Kan.,  June  14,  1889. 
Wm.  P.  Boyd,  Esq., 

My  Dear  Sir: — In  reply  to  your  kind  favor  of  the  loth  inst., 
please  accept  thanks.  You  must  have  taken  great  pains  and 
trouble  in  getting  together  the  volume  on  the  Boyd  family  and 
I  would  like,  some  time  to  have  it.  I  will  buy  it  later,  or  when 
I  feel  a  trifle  more  like  indulging  myself,  than  I  do  at  present. 
I  have  made  a  lictle  table  (see  same  in  Historical  Chapter)  show- 
ing what  I  know  of  the  family  tree  indeed.  I  think  I  must  have 
errored  however  as  to  the  Shakers  or  Ohio  Boyds.  They  must  be 
descendants  of  the  first  William  Boyd  named  in  the  table,  by  a 
son,  whose  name  I  have  forgotten.  I  would  like  to  know  what  you 
can  find  out  about  the  William  Boyd  who  was  in  the  St.  Clair 
Army.  I  have  not  the  books  accessible,  of  course  I  have  a  little 
doubt  there  is  a  distant  connection.     The  family  has  been  known 


128         HISTORY   OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

as  quite  modest.  It  contained  people  in  the  older  branches 
and  no  doubt,  they  had  men  who  were  most  reliable  and  true 
in  times  of  trial.  I  am  respectfully  yours, 

Jno.  L.  McAtee. 


Caldwell,  Kan.,  July   i,   1889. 
Mr.  Wm.  Boyd. 

My  Dear  Sir: — Your  kind  favor  of  the  21st  ulto,  is  at  hand, 
accompanied  by  the  pamphlet  and  account  of  Thomas  Boyd,  for 
which  please  accept  thanks.  It  was  a  humble  tragedy  indeed. 
In  regard  to  the  connection  of  that  family  of  Boyds,  I  presume 
it  was  the  same  family  in  Scotland.  What  were  the  names  there, 
the  customary  given  names?  Among  my  ancestors  they  were 
Walter,  William  and  Manndate.  Sometimes  those  things  are  as 
indications.  You  have  been  very  obliging  to  answer  my  letters 
so  carefully.  I  thank  you  very  much.  So  far  as  I  know  of  the 
Boyd  family,  my  mother's  people,  they  were  brave,  frank,  exceed- 
ingly modest,  almost  to  shyness,  and  yet  with  very  high  and 
positive  self  respect,  devoted  to  their  friends  and  loyal  to  engage- 
ments and  to  friends  in  the  highest  degree.  They  were  not 
extremely  ambitious  nor  very  fond  of  money.  There  are  great 
things  to  claim  for  our  families  of  Boyd. 

What  were  the  traits  of  the  Dean  Castle  or  Kilmarnock 
people?  My  oldest  brother  Walter  Boyd  McAtee  is  President 
of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Baltimore,  Md. ;  my  second  brother 
William  McAtee  is  a  Presbyterian  minister  and  Doctor  of  Divin- 
ity of  Madison,  Wisconsin.  A  sister  and  I  make  up  the  remainder 
of  my  parents  family.  I  am  very  truly  yours, 

Jno.  L.  Atee. 


Caldwell,  Kan.,   February  i,   1892. 
Mr.  William  P.  Boyd. 

Dear  Sir: — I  believe  I  have  not  written  to  you  since  I  received 
from  you  sometime  last  spring  the  History  of  the  Boyd  Family. 
I  have  meant  to  have  done  so,  however.     Especially  for  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  129 

book  opened  up  to  me  matters  of  special  and  particular  interest. 
On  page  65  of  the  same,  you  say  that  the  other  brother  whom  his 
father  called  ''Billy"  we  know  nothing  except  he  was  in  the 
Royal  Navy  and  was  promoted  in  1761  to  a  company  of  the 
Fourteenth  Infantry.  Now  I  think  I  can  account  for  "Billie," 
but  am  not  certain. 

In  1755,  there  came  to  America  a  Seman  Detachment  that 
was  attached  to  the  Expedition  of  Braddock  or  perhaps  the 
vSeman  was  organized  for  that  fatal  expedition  and  on  their 
arrival  "Billie"  was  found  among  them  and  was  my  great-grand- 
father. About  that  time'or  shortly  afterwards;  William  Boyd, 
who  was  a  Scotch  Episcopalian  in  religion,  a  strong  Monarchist 
in  politics,  having  with  him  some  relics  of  the  Stuarts,  the  Pre- 
tenders family,  settled  in  western  Maryland  after  marrying 
Charity  Talbot.  He  settled  in  what  is  Washington  County,  Md., 
along  or  near  to  the  old  road  still  known  in  that  locality  as  the 
Braddock  road,  along  which  Braddock  advanced  toward  Fort 
Du  Quesne  to  his  defeat.  There  was  some  strange  mystery  about 
him.  He  was  a  man  of  high  spirits  and  sense  of  honor.  He 
transmitted  to  his  children  along  with  probably  the  story  of  his 
family  and  his  early  life  with  a  great  aversion  to  speak  of  it  and  had 
many  independent  characteristics.  All  of  his  sons  were  engaged 
in  the  Revolutionary  War  on  the  Patriots  side.  One  of  them 
died  in  the  prison  ship  at  New  York  harbor;  another  survived 
(William)  and  died — a  Lieutenant  in  St.  Clair  defeat  after  the  war. 

My  grandfather  Walter  Boyd  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Con- 
tinental service  and  commanded  Fort  Frederick,  a  Frontier  post 
on  the  Potomac  between  Williamsport  and  Hancock,  Maryland. 
He  was  the  son  of  the  Billie,  the  William  Boyd,  who  married 
Charity  Talbot.  He  had  in  his  possession  a  ra",or  hone  and  a 
knit  silk  purse  which  he  claim.ed  was  once  the  property  of  Charles 
I.  (Charles  Stuart),  but  he  refused  to  tell  his  children  among 
whom  was  my  mother — who  they  were  or  where  they  came  from 
and  to  his  death  preserved  the  utmost  secrecy  as  to  his  family. 
Saying  to  his  children,  that  they  had  their  own  way  to  make  in 
the  world,  and  that  it  would  not  help  them  to  know  who  their 
family  was  or  where  they  came  from,  and  that  was  all  that  he 


130         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

would  tell  about  his  family  history.  Now  let  me  ask  you  where 
you  got  this  information  contained  in  this  paragraph?  I  have 
cited  from  page  65  of  your  book.  I  feel  William  Boyd  was  my 
grandfather  who  came  to  America  about  the  time  of  Braddock's 
campaign  and  he  must  have  been  "Billie".  Where  can  I  find 
the  record  of  the  Fourteenth  Infantry?  Please  let  me  hear  from 
you  and  your  book  has  been  of  great  interest  to  me. 

I  am  very  respectfully  yours, 

Jno.  L.  Atee. 

A  sketch  of  this  "Billie"  was  taken  from  McKay's  History 
of  Kilmarnock,  Scotland,  for  my  History  of  the  Boyd  family  of 
1884. 


422  Benson  Ave.,  Camden,  N.  J.,  Nov.  12,  1889. 

William  P.  Boyd,  Esq., 

Dear  Sir: — In  tracing  up  the  history  of  my  family  which 
I  have  always  been  lead  to  believe  sprung  from  the  Boyds  of 
Kilmarnock.  I,  yesterday  came  across  your  voluine  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Historical  Society.  Your  account  of  that  ancient 
noble  house  is  a  good  one.  You  seem,  however,  to  be  unable  to 
grasp  the  missing  link  which  connects  the  Scotch  with  the  Irish 
Boyds.  At  least  a  hurried  glance  at  your  work  seems  to  carry 
that  impression.  I  have,  I  think  some  where  among  my  papers, 
a  memorandum  or  two  with  references  to  Kilmarnock  stock, 
and  the  names  of  two  persons  (Sir  Hams  and  Dana  I  think)  to 
whose  large  conveyance  of  lands  in  Ulster  were  made,  and  it  is 
thought  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  Boyds,  gradually  appeared  in 
the  North  of  Ireland  and  multiplied  there  to  the  extent  to  which 
the  tourist  now  finds  them. 

My  own  family  are  from  Derry  County.  I  thought  they  came 
from  the  Isle  of  Man  after  leaving  Ayrshire.  I  hope  some  day  to 
get  up  a  sufficient  genealogy  to  warrant  me  in  printing  it.  What 
I  want  to  know  is  where  I  can  get  a  copy  of  your  book  and  what 
is  the  price?  Sincerely  yours. 

Rev.  William  Boyd. 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  131 

Camden,  N.  J.,  Nov.  28,  1889. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Boyd: 

*  *  *  I  have  read  with  great  interest  your  history  of  the 
Boyd  FamiUes,  and  have  been  struck  with  the  genealogy  of  the 
Boyds  of  Londonderry,  New  Hampshire.  I  have  wondered 
whether  they  might  not  be  a  kin  to  me.  My  family  came  orig- 
inally from  County  Derry,  Ireland.  I  stood  this  summer  by  the 
side  of  the  grave  of  my  great-grandfather,  who  is  interred  in 
Mayher's  graveyard  in  that  County.  His  father  lies  but  a 
stone's  throw  of  it.  So  I  can  go  back  to  1740  or  about.  Upon 
page  67  of  your  book  of  1S84,  you  say  the  birthplace  of  the  Rev. 
Wilham  Boyd,  who  came  over  in  171S  to  New  England  with  the 
Memorial  Address  to  Govenor  Shute,  is  unknown.  He  was  the 
Rev.  William  Boyd  of  Maccosgain,  Derry  County,  Ireland,  and 
was  well  known  in  the  Irish  Presbyterian  church,  and  whether  our 
family  are  relatives  to  him  or  not,  I  cannot  say.  But  as  both 
branches  came  from  County  Derry,  I  have  an  impression  that  they 
were  connected.  I  will  gladly  give  you  any  information  about 
our  line  that  you  need.  As  I  get  a  little  leisure  I  intend  to  ferret 
out  more  of  our  history  and  hope  to  correspond  with  you  at 
intervals.  In  conclusion,  let  me  thank  you  for  your  courtesy. 
I  hope  we  will  some  day  meet  and  talk  family  matters  over.  With 
kind    regards, 

Truthfully  yours. 

Rev.  William  Boyd, 

Pastor  of  Second  Presbyterian  Church. 


Bridgeton,  N.  J.,  Aug.  31,   1895. 
Mr.  William  P.  Boyd., 

Dear  Sir: — I  write  to  you  as  one  who  probably  knows  more 
about  the  Boyd  family  than  any  one  else  on  this  side  of  the  Atlan- 
tic, to  see  if  you  can  give  me  any  infonnation  which  will  help 
me  to  learn  the  names  of  parents  or  more  remote  ancestors  of 
my  great-great-grandfather  James  Boyd,  who  was  born  at  Ball- 
gaston.  County  of  Antrim,  Ireland  in  1735.     He  came  to  Bridge- 


132  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

ton,  New  Jersey  when  he  was  old  enough  to  be  married  and  had 
two  daughters,  his  only  children,  and  died  here  December  23, 
1775.  Among  his  descendants  may  be  found  some  of  the  most 
prominent  names  in  this  State.  I  believe  he  was  a  linen  merchant 
while  in  Ireland.  Any  information  whatever,  will  be  most  grate- 
fully   received. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

Robert  Potter  Ei.mer, 

60    West  Commerce  vSt.,  Bridgeton,  N.J. 


Savannah,  Ga.,  April  2,  1S90. 
William  P.  Boyd,  Esq., 

My  Dear  Sir: — I  came  into  possession  on  this  day,  one  o* 
your  histories  of  the  Boyd  family  and  ain  interested  in  the  same 
and  I  ask  if  you  can  give  me  any  infomiation  as  to  my  branch. 
My  father  William  Spencer  Boyd,  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn., 
1800  or  1 80 1  and  went  from  here  to  Winstead,  same  state,  where 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sylvia  Tolles  Colebrook.  They  had 
four  children.  Mary  Furman  Boyd,  born  at  the  latter  place 
July,  1827;  William  Riley  Boyd  (the  writer)  born  August 
15,  1830.  My  sister  married  Ira  W.  Ford.  I  came  South  in 
1856,  where  I  man"ied  and  still  live  at  Atlanta,  Ga.  We  have 
two  sons  whose  names  are  Warren  Newcomb  and  Donald  Stewart 
Boyd,  both  of  whom  desire  more  light  if  you  can  give  it  in  the 
matter  I  shall  greatly  value,  as  I  think  too  little  attention  is  paid 
to  the  genealogy  tree.  I  do  not  think  I  belong  to  the  Presbyterian 
branch.  If  so,  I  have  not  been  inclined  that  way.  I  was  in  the 
Confederate  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Now  being  in 
peace  with  all  men,  I  shall  be  glad  if  you  have  time  to  drop  me 
a  line.  I  will  close  by  saying,  some  years  since  I  had  a  kind  letter 
from  A.  S.  K.  Boyd,  Country  Parson,  Scotland,  which  I  have 
forgotten  the  address,  we  could  not  trace  any  connection. 

Yours  truly, 

William  Riley  Boyd. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  133 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Sept.  g,  1899. 
Boyd's  Printing  Co.,  Conesus,  N.  Y., 

Gentlemen: — My  great-great  Grandparents  were  Geo.  Boyd 
and  Sarah  Knott.  They  were  married  at  the  First  Presbyterian 
church,  New  York  city,  August  12,  1 789.  I  am  desirous  of  tracing 
the  genealogy  of  Geo.  Boyd,  who  m\'  mother  (now  deceased), 
claimed,  was  of  Scotch  origin.  I  would  highly  appreciate  it,  if 
you  could  give  any  infonnation  concerning  him. 

Yours  very  truly, 

John  S.  Neill. 

„..,,.        „    „      .    „  Philadelphia,  Sept.  22,  1899. 

William  P.  Boyd,  Esq., 

Dear  Sir: — I  am  endeavoring  to  get  from  the  library  of  this 
city,  your  history  of  the  Boyd  family.  If  I  do  not  succeed,  cannot  I 
procure  a  copy  from  you.  My  mother  contended  that  her 
great  uncle  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  possibly  it 
was  the  gentleman  who  so  materially  assisted  in  the  capture  of 
Major  Andre.  I  wish  1  could  fathom  some  way  of  making  the 
connection.  Have  you  any  suggestions.  The  only  fact  I  have 
to  work  upon,  is  George  Boyd's  marriage  to  Sarah  Knott  in  the 
First  Presbyterian  church.  New  York  city,  August  12, 1 789.  One  of 
the  children  of  this  couple  was  Moia  Boyd,  who  hved  in  Dayton, 
Ohio,  and  died  there  twelve  or  fifteen  years  ago.  Have  you  any 
knowledge  of  her.  She  was  a  famous  woman  in  the  town,  devot- 
ing her  whole  life  to  charity  and  was  known  to  everybody. 

Gratefully  yours, 

John  S.  Neill. 
Southeast  corner  6th  and  Market  Sts.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


■iTr-11-        T^    T,      1    T-  Philadelphia,  Sept.  27,  1899. 

vVilliam  P.  Boyd,  hsq.,  r-       .       r- 

Dear  Sir: — Your  esteemed  favor  of  the   23d  inst.,  reached 

here  yesterday  finding  me  absent  in  New  York  city.     My  sister 

(Mrs.  William  H.  Wanamaker)  says  that  mother  always  stated 

that  Ebenezer  Boyd  was  her  great  uncle — I  am  one  of  the  fi.rm. 

If  you  will  loan  me  your  book,  you  need  not  fear  it  not  being 

properly  kept  and  returned  in  a  little  while,  and  of  course  I  will 


134         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

gladly  pay  your  expense  in  getting  it  here  and  prepay  the  express- 
age  or  mail  back.  I  have  absolutely  no  clew  to  George  Boyd.  I 
enclosed  what  I  have  collected  of  his  wife's  family.  The  Penn- 
sylvania Historical  Society  do  not  permit  any  books  to  be  taken 
from  the  library  building.     Again  thanking  you  for  your  many 

courtesies  I  am  very  gratefully  yours,  ^  o    tvt  at 

John  S.  McNeill. 

A   sketch   of   the   Knott  family  is   given  in   the   Historical 
Sketch  Chapter  as  referred  to  above. 


North  Islesboro,  Maine,  March  3,  1897. 
William  P.  Boyd,  Esq., 

Kind  Sir: — I  am  much  interested  in  your  history  of  the  Boyd 
family  and  may  I  trouble  you  a  little.  In  my  researches,  I  have 
not  got  the  book  of  Kilmarnock,  only  that  the  Kilmarnock 
family  was  in  direct  line  from  Lord  Boyd  the  great  Regent  of 
Scotland.  What  I  want  to  be  informed  upon  is  as  follows :  Were 
there  not  some  family  trouble  after  the  death  of  William  nineteenth 
in  1692,  followed  by  the  death  of  his  son,  William  twentieth,  the 
same  year,  and  during  the  term  before  William  twenty-first  came 
in  possession,  and  during  that  time,  did  not  the  remaining  son 
of  William  nineteenth  leave  another- son  besides  the  sons,  Robert, 
James  and  Charles? 

We  have  it  that  James,  son  of  William  nineteenth,  left 
Kilmarnock,  1696,  and  crossed  the  Giant's  Causway  to  Ireland 
and  his  son,  James  Boyd  came  here  and  also  the  family  of  Jam.es 
Boyd,  who  crossed  to  Ireland  with  his  brothers  in  1696,  and 
married  Mary  Whiton.  James  Boyd  came  to  America  in  1 7 18  or  20, 
and  married  Elizabeth  Garland,  and  James  Boyd,  born  in  1780, 
married  Ruth  Picker  and  Charles  Boyd,  born  in  181 2,  married 
Margaret  Davis  Boyd.  James  Boyd,  born  in  1830,  married  Mary 
Cuttings,  which  makes  me  the  fifth  generation  on  this  side.  I 
have  heard  grandfather  tell  about  Kilmarnock  and  Giant's 
Causeway.  His  father's  buildings  were  all  burned  in  1869,  so 
we  have  no  scraps  of  anything.  Our  ancestor,  we  are  told  was 
a  grandson  of  William  nineteenth,  who  died  in  1692.  Can  you 
enlighten  me?  James  Boyd. 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  135 

Kaukauna,  Wis.,  Dec.   17,   1896. 
Mr.  William  Boyd., 

Dear  Sir: — While  looking  through  the  Newbury  Library  in 
in  Chicago,  yesterday,  I  came  across  your  book  on  the  Boyds, 
published  in  1884.  I  am  very  much  interested  in  genealogy  in 
general  and  especially  the  Boyds,  for  I  inarried  a  Boyd.  *  *  * 

I  am  able  to  put  you  in  possession  of  a  very  interesting  line 
of  the  B  oy ds .  M  y  wife 's  ancestors  were  from  M  aryland .  Colonel 
George  Boyd  married  a  Miss  Harriet  Johnson,  a  sister  of  Mrs. 
John  Quincy  Adams.  He  was  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States 
government  all  his  life.  My  father-in-law  lives  with  me  now  (died 
in  1897)  and  can  tell  of  many  of  his  ancestors.  If  you  are  thinking 
of  getting  up.  a  new  edition  of  the  work,  I  would  be  glad  to  send 
you  an  account  of  my  wife's  ancestors. 

Yours  truly, 

H.  B.  Tanner,  M.  D. 

A  little  over  two  months  after  I  received  this  letter  of  Mr. 
Tanner's,  his  father-in-law  James  Boyd,  died,  and  I  was  not  able 
to  obtain  any  further  information  of  this  family.  The  sketch 
of  his  life  found  in  our  "Historical  Sketches"  in  our  Historical 
Chapter,  was  copied  from  one  of  the  daily  papers  of  his  home 
place. 

Marietta,  Ohio,  Oct.  31,  1901. 
Mr.  W.  P.  Boyd., 

Dear  Sir: — I  have  just  received  your  letter  which  gave  me 
great  pleasure.  I  saw  last  week  in  an  old  review  of  1884,  the 
notice  of  your  book  and  I  now  write  to  you  for  a  copy  of  the  same. 
I  belong  to  the  Pennsylvania  branch.  My  father  was  born  at 
Uniontown,  Fayette  County,  Pa.,  in  1767.  His  father  came  to 
Uniontown  from  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia  in  1749.  *  *  * 
I  have  been  rector  of  the  Episcopal  church  of  Marietta,  Ohio, 
for  fifty  years.  In  September,  of  1900  I  had  my  Semi-Centennial 
anniversary,  which  I  take  the  liberty  to  send  you  my  Jubilee 
Memorial.  In  reading  your  book,  may  I  have  the  liberty  to 
write  and  ask  you  many  questions  that  may  enable  me  to  connect 


136         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

my  family  in  the  line.     I  should  not  presume  to  give  you  trouble 

or  trespass  on  your  time.     With  many  thanks  for  your  prompt 

and  satisfactory  reply,  I  am        .,  „. 

Yours  bmcerely, 

John  Boyd, 

320  Second  St.,  Marietta,  O. 

The  request  of  Mr.  Boyd  for  the  privilege  of  asking  me  ques- 
tions, I  was  too  glad  to  give,  and  to  all  other  descendants  who 
wrote  me,  received  the  same  treatment,  and  I  answered  them 
with  all  the  infonnation  I  had  at  hand. 


Marietta,  Ohio,  Nov.  12,  1901. 
Mr.  William  P.  Boyd., 

My  Dear  Sir: — Many  thanks  for  your  history  of  Conesus, 
N.  Y.,  and  I  will  read  it  with  pleasure.  But  at  present  I  am  taken 
up  in  my  spare  moments  with  your  History  of  the  Boyd  Family. 
It  is  above  value  to  me,  and  I  can  not  thank  you  enough  for  it. 
I  am  delighted  with  your  description  of  Dean  Castle  and  the  coat 
of  arms.  It  all  must  have  required  iminense  labor.  You  was 
kind  enough  to  promise  me  any  assistance  you  could  give,  and  for 
the  same  I  fear  I  can  do  little  for  you  at  present.  Unfortunately, 
our  records  were  burned  and  I  am  trying  to  reproduce  them  by 
items.  My  father  was  born  at  Uniontown,  Pa.,  in  1767.  He 
studied  inedicine  in  the  University  of  Philadelphia.  Abotit  1797, 
he  came  to  Ohio,  where  the  city  of  Columbus  jiow  stands.  My 
grandfather's  name  I  do  not  know.  He  came  from  Westmore- 
land County,  Virginia  to  Fayette  County,  Pa.  in  1749,  as  I  have 
been  told,  but  I  am  not  certain.  In  all  of  your  papers,  have  you 
any  light  you  can  throw  on  the  Boyds  of  Fayette  County,  Pa.,  and 
on  the  Boyds  of  Westmoreland  County,  Va.  My  knowledge 
back  of  my  father  is  not  definite.  In  1885,  the  year  after  the 
publication  of  your  book,  there  appeared  a  genealogy  of  the 
Pennsylvania  families  of  Scotch-Irish  and  Germans,  by  William 
H.  Eyle,  published  at  Harrisburgh,  Pa.,  by  Louis  S.  Heart.  Do 
you  think  the  book  would  give  me  any  light,  and  can  it  be  had. 
Among  the  historians  of  such  facts,  do  you  know  Martin  Shallen- 
berger,  can  you  give  me  his  address.     He  has  in  his  possession 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  137 

some  facts  that  would  greatly  help  me.  If  I  can  succeed  in  getting 
my  ancestry  satisfactory  established,  I  will  take  pleasure  in  telling 
you  anything  that  you  would  care  to  learn. 

Yours  very  cordially, 

John  Boyd. 

Marietta,  Ohio,  Nov.  25,  iqoi. 
Mr.  William  P.  Boyd., 

My  Very  Dear  Sir: — You  have  granted  me  a  very  large 
charter  to  ask  questions.  On  page  44,  of  your  history  of  1884, 
you  say,  Alan,  the  illustrious  Lord — was  he  an  Earl  or  did  you 
mean  only  "Second  High  Steward."  If  he  was  an  Earl  or  what. 
You  say  Alan,  son  of  Flence,  a  son  of  Thome  of  Scotland.  Is 
Thome  here  a  proper  name,  or  is  it  a  title  of  a  title  that  was  a 
personal  name.  If  it  is  his  proper  nam.e,  how  do  you  connect 
him  with  the  line  that  leads  down  from  Kennith.  Is  Fiance,  the 
Fiance  of  Shakespeare's  Macbeth?  If  so,  the  ThomiC  of  Scotland 
would  be  Bangus.  I  have  the  genealogical  line  from  Kennith 
down  to  David  I  (11 24-1 15 2),  but  I  can  not  find  how  to  connect 
Alan  in  the  line.  That  is  my  only  missing  link  from  A.  D.  503 
to  A.  D.  1746,  and  I  am  very  anxious  to  find  that  link. 

Pardon  m.e  for  a  few  other  questions,  thus — If  Alan  married 
Margarett,  the  daughter  of  Earl  of  Galloway,  might  not  a  son 
of  theirs  become  Earl?  I  ask  this,  for  I  found  that  John  Bailor 
(the  King  of  Scotland,  12Q2-6)  was  grandson  of  Alan,  Earl  of 
Galloway  and  Margarett,  oldest  daughter  of  William  the  Lion, 
who  was  king  from  1165  to  1214.  You  say  the  second  child  (of 
Alan)  was  named  Walter,  from  whom  the  family  of  Stewarts 
descended.  I  suppose  you  mean  the  Royal  family.  If  so  can 
you  till  me  how  that  family  connects  with  Walter.  Can  you  give 
me  two  or  three  of  his  descendants.  So  I  can  see  the  continuous 
line.  Did  he  take  the  surname  Stewart  or  does  it  come  from 
marriage.  The  eldest  son  of  Lord  William  who  was  executed  in 
1746,  became  Earl.     Can  you  give  me  his  first  name. 

In  your  book,  you  mention  Gross  Antiquities  of  Scotland 
and  Robertson  Ayershire  Families,  would  they  help  me — are  they 
to  be  had?     If  so,  where,  how  and  at  what  price?     Do  you  know 


138  HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

anything  of  Engle  Pennsylvania's  Genealogy — would  it  help  me? 

I  have  failed  to  find  out.     Pardon  my  inquisitiveness,  but  your 

book    has    made   me    enthusiastic.     I   cannot   tell  you  what  a 

delight  it  has  been  to  me.     I  would  have   rejoiced  as  its  owner 

years  ago. 

John  Boyd, 

320  Second  St.,  Marietta,  O. 


Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  March  15,  1904. 
Mr.  Wm.  P.  Boyd., 

Dear  Sir: — I  thank  you  very  much  for  your  kind  favor  of 
the  12th  inst.,  and  regret  it  is  not  possible  to  obtain  the  Boyd 
History.  I  cannot  give  you  much  information  about  my  branch 
of  the  family.  My  great  grandfather  John  Boyd  came,  I  think 
from  Kilmarnock,  and  was  an  officer  in  King  George's  army  for 
more  than  four  years.  He  married  Jane  Barclay,  daughter  of  a 
loyalist  in  September  of  1785.  His  eldest  son  John — my  grand- 
father was  in  the  army  for  a  time,  but  resigned  to  become  a 
surgeon.  His  second  son  Edward,  was  a  grandson  of  the  Duke 
of  Kent,  and  became  Colonel  of  the  Royal  Engineers.  His 
third  and  youngest  son,  James  William,  was  a  Barrister  at  Law. 
My  father  was  born  at  St.  John's,  New  Brunswick.  I  was  born 
in  Portland,  Maine,  was  educated  in  Boston,  Mass.,  at  Chansy 
Hall  School  and  Massachusett's  Institute  of  Technology.  All 
of  our  family  plate  with  the  Kilmarnock  arm,  and  the  records 
were  destroyed  by  fire,  some  years  ago,  but  I  hope  ere  long  to 
have  the  records  complete  prior  to  1785,  when  my  Great  grand- 
father's sword  and  old  memorial  ring  bearing  the  name  ''Alex 
Boyd,  1626"  were  destroyed.  This  ring  was  given  to  my  ancestors 
by  his  cousin  John,  when  leaving  Aberdean.  I  am  the  only 
male  representative  of  our  family  in  this  country.  There  are 
two  sons  of  James  still  living,  one  old  bachelor,  and  the  other  lost 
his  only  son  a  few  months  ago.  One  of  my  father's  brothers  is 
still  living,  a  retired  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  British  army.  I 
have  but  two  male  cousins,  both  of  whom  are  in  South  Africa.  So 
there  are  only  three  of  us  left  to  carry  on  the  name.  Our  crest 
is  the  hand.  Motto,  Confido.     Coat  of  arms,  the  blue  shield  with 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  139 

"Silon  Ud  Cleque."  I  knew  of  a  Miss  Boyd  at  St.  Agnes  School, 
Albany,  where  my  oldest  daughter  attended  for  a  term,  but  never 
had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  her.  Yours  very  truly, 

Henry  A.  Boyd. 

Buffalo,   N.   Y.,   Oct.    17,  1908. 
Mr.  William  P.  Boyd, 

My  dear  Mr.  Boyd: — Your  esteemed  favor  of  the  14th  inst., 
came  to  hand  yesterday,  also  the  history  of  Conesus,  for  which 
I  am  greatly  obliged,  and  shall  be  pleased  to  give  it  a  place  in  my 
library.  I  note  what  you  say  about  the  coat  of  arms  and  have 
seen  the  seal  of  the  town  of  Kilmarnock,  as  you  described.  The 
word  "confido"  literally,  means  "I  trust."  I  have  seen  a  Boyd 
crest  with  the  word  "Confidemus"  which  means  "we  trust,"  and  I 
take  it  the  motto  and  the  ground  color  of  the  shield  are  in  memory 
of  the  faithfulness  of  the  early  Boyds  in  the  cause  of  Scottish 
independence. 

I  want  to  call  your  attention  to  something  you  may  not  be 
aware  of,  that  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  Stewart  Clan  is  identical 
with  that  of  the  Boyds,  except  the  ground  color  of  the  shield  is 
gold  in  the  case  of  the  Stewarts.  I  can  get  a  sample  of  the  Boyd 
plaide  from  a  Scottish  friend  of  mine  and  will  send  3^ou  the  same. 
I  have  considerable  about  the  origin  of  the  name  and  our  connec- 
tion with  the  Stewart  family,  which  I  shall  try  to  send  you  during 
the  coming  week.  I  suppose  you  have  seen  the  history  of  the 
Kilmarnock  Boyds  by  Rev.  F.  W.  Boyd.  I  have  that  complete 
in  manuscript.  I  referred  in  my  last  letter  to  Lady  Alfred  Reynold. 
Her  father  was  Alfred  Boyd,  the  oldest  son  of  John  Boyd,  who 
was  baptized  at  Clackmanan,  Scotland,  December  10,  1794,  and 
died  August  of  1854,  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Have  you  ever  came 
across  anything  about  any  of  the  above. 

Yery  truly  yours, 

Henry  A.  Boyd. 

Mr.  Henry  A.  Boyd,  who  resided  at  Buffalo,  has  been  very 
kind  in  furnishing  much  interesting  matter,  which  will  be  found  in 
our  Historical  Chapter  of  Sketches,  and  has  contributed  much  to 
this  volume  of  the  history  of  the  Boyd  family  of  the  Old  World,  etc. 


140         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Fitzgerald,  Ga.,  July  21,   1908. 
Mr.  William  P.  Boyd., 

My  Dear  Sir: — Please  pardon  my  delay  in  answering  your 
very  kind  letter  of  the  6th  inst.  I  was  waiting  for  a  book  which 
I  had  ordered  from  Munsells  &  Sons  of  Albany,  N.  Y. — Boyds 
of  Pennsylvania,  but  received  a  letter,  saying  they  were  out  of 
that,  but  had  a  later  book — Boyds  1905  for  $2.00,  and  would 
send  me  a  typewritten  chart  of  the  Boyd  family  of  Pennsylvania, 
for  $7.50.  I  considered  it  absurd  to  pay  this  amount  for  informa- 
tion that  might  be  of  no  benefit  to  me  whatever,  so  I  ordered  the 
Boyd  1905  and  was  disappointed  in  not  finding  anything  bearing 
on  my  immediate  family.  Now  I  am  going  to  look  to  you  to 
help  me^ut,  and  shall  expect  to  compensate  you  for  any  accurate 
information,  or  if  you  will  not  accept  anything,  will  be  glad  to 
tell  you  all  I  know  concerning  the  Boyds  of  Georgia  and  Florida, 
as  there  are  many  prominent  people  by  that  name  in  both  states, 
though  they  are  no  relation  of  mine. 

I  will  give  you  my  story  as  it  was  told  to  me  as  follows:  My 
great  grandfather  Samuel  Talbot  Boyd,  ran  away  from  his  parents 
in  his  youth.  His  father  being,  we  think,  a  Scotch  Presbyterian 
minister  of  Pennsylvania,  perhaps  from  Philadelphia.  He  went 
to  sea  and  followed  the  business  until  he  became  independent  as 
he  thought.  As  he  was  returning  with  a  rich  cargo,  containing 
some  gifts  for  his  mother,  he  was  taken  by  Pirates  on  the  high 
sea  and  robbed  of  all  he  had.  Mortified  over  his  loss,  he  would 
not  go  home,  but  came  South  to  the  Georgia  coast,  and  there 
met  my  grandmother,  then  a  Miss  Ashley,  near  St.  Mary's  of 
that  State.  He  never  afterwards  visited  his  old  home  and  parents 
again.  There  are  two  small  villages  near  vSt.  Mary's  called 
Scotchville  and  Kingsland,  situated  in  Canden  County,  which  he 
perhaps  named.  This  is  merely  a  conjecture  however.  There 
is  also  a  place  caUed  Kinlaw.  I  am  not  sure  how  many  children 
they  had,  but  there  was  one  called  James  Boyd,  who  was  my 
grandfather;  Robert,  Jane  and  one  daughter,  whose  name  is 
unknown  to  me.  My  great  grandmother's  people,  the  Ashleys  are 
nearly  all  wealthy  and  prominent  people  in  this  state  at  present. 
My  grandfather  James  Boyd  m_arried  Mary  Ann  Monroe,  and 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  141 

had  the  following  children:  Monroe,  Julius,  Warren  (my  father), 
Thomas,  James,  Robert  (who  died  young)  and  Edwin,  named 
''the  short"  on  account  of  his  diminutive  size.  The  girls  Avere: 
Ella,  Jane  and  Susan  C,  whose  names  probably  were  family  names 
given  to  these  children  by  my  grandfather.  My  father  was 
First  Lieutenant  of  his  company  at  the  beginning  of  the  Civil 
War  and  was  later  promoted  to  Captaincy.  I  lost  his  record 
and  afterwards  obtained  it  from  the  War  Department  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  My  mother  was  Marcilla  Smith,  daughter  of 
Martha  (Babcock)  Smith.  Her  family  consisted  of  eleven  chil- 
dren. Three  are  dead,  two  in  vSouthern  California.  My  father 
was  elected  Senator  from  the  Fifth  Senatorial  District  in  iSgo 
and  1 89 1.  He  had  a  very  fine  education,  notwithstanding  the 
ravages  of  war  and  the  financial  depression  which  overspread  the 
country,  this  was  after  his  education.  It  was  his  children  who 
suffered  from  that,  and  it  is  from  want  of  good  educational  advant- 
ages that  my  father's  oldest  brother  Monroe  Boyd,  went  to 
Mexico  and  died,  leaving  two  fine  manly  sons,  whose  names  are 
Frank  and  Robert.  At  one  time,  one  of  them  was  a  sea  captain 
and  I  think  perhaps  the  Boyds,  you  heard  from  in  Key  West,  was 
one  of  their  boys.  This  is  all  of  my  story  that  might  interest  you. 
Hoping  to  hear  from  you  favorably,  and  at  an  early  date, 
I   ain   yours  very   truly, 

Mrs.  Henry  Alonzo  Dickey. 


Fitzgerald,  Ga.,  Aug.    i,   1908. 
Mr.  William  P.  Boyd, 

Dear  Sir: — I  have  your  very  kind  favor  of  the  15th  inst.,  and 
take  pleasure  in  answering  the  same,  giving  what  information  I 
can,  that  might  aid  you  in  your  work.  I  note  you  centemplate 
lepublishing  the  fore-part  of  your  book  which  was  published 
twenty-four  years  ago.  I  certainly  trust  you  may  see  your  way 
clear  to  do  this. 

I  do  not  know  whether  you  are  aware  of  the  attention  your 
book  is  attracting,  as  I  found  mention  of  it  in  a  great  many  books 
on  genealogy,  both  in  the  State  Library  and  Carnegie  Library 


142         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

at  Atlantic,  Ga.  On  a  recent  visit  to  that  city,  I  think  it  is  in 
Volume  Six  of  American  Ancestry  published  by  Joel  Munsell 
Sons,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  when  it  was  first  brought  to  my  attention. 
It  was  from  that  firm  of  whom  I  ordered  the  little  Boyd  book 
recently,  and  your  book  is  mentioned  in  that  also.  I  have  a 
suspicion  that  playiarism  has  been  used  in  the  chart,  which  this 
firm  offered  me  of  the  Boyd  family  of  Pennsylvania,  for  $7.50.  I 
mean,  I  believe  that  you  wrote  the  history  of  this  family  first, 
though  perhaps  I  am  mistaken;  I  would  like  to  have  this  chart, 
but  would  like  to  know  before  buying  it  whether  it  pertains  to 
my  ancestors  or  not.  With  reference  to  the  little  book,  which  I 
paid  Munsell  Sons  $2.00  recently.  This  book  has  one  hundred 
and  twelve  pages,  has  the  crest  of  the  Boyd  famil}^  on  the  out-' 
side  cover,  and  on  the  front  page  is  the  name  of  the  publisher  as 
I  understand  it  "American  Publishers  Association,  Chicago,  111." 
Munsell  firm  is  not  mentioned,  although  they  sold  me  the  book. 
With  further  reference  to  its  contents,  I  quote  from  the  pages 
the  following : 

"Origin  and  history  of  the  name  of  Boyd  with  biographies  of 
all  the  most  noted  persons  of  that  name."  This  book  also  gives 
the  coat  of  Arms,  crest  and  motto  of  England,  and  crest  and  motto 
of  Scotland  and  Ireland.  There  is  nothing  pertaining  to  my  first 
ancestors  in  Georgia,  or  Samuel  Talbot  Boyd,  nor  any  of  his 
descendants.  Presuming  that  you  have  not  Volume  VI,  Ameri- 
can Ancestry,  I  quote  the  following  from  page  174,  omitting 
several  links  on  account  of  length:  "Chas.  Herrod  Boyd  of 
Portland,  Maine,  born  there  in  1833  ('See  Browning's  Ameri- 
cans of  Royal  descent,  Philadelphia  in  1835.')  Omits  links  back 
to  James  Boyd,  Newberryport,  Mass,  born  in  Kilmarnock,  Scot- 
land, May  3,  1732.  Died  at  Boston,  Mass.,  September  30,  1798, 
came  to  America  in  1756.  (Omit  much  matter  of  valuable  historical 
nature),  son  of  Robert  of  Kilmarnock,  Scotland,  who  was  born 
there  in  1689,  and  died  there  in  1762,  and  a  younger  brother  of 
William  the  tenth  Lord  Boyd,  Earl  of  Kilmarnock,  son  of  William, 
ninth  Lord  Boyd,  Earl  of  Kilmarnock,  Scotland,  who  died  1&92, 
direct  descendants  from  the  kings  of  Scotland,  through  Lord 
Robert  Boyd,  who  was  regent  of  Scotland  during  the  minority  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  143 

James  III,  etc."  If  you  do  not  possess  this  volume,  I  think  you 
would  find  it  very  interesting.  There  is  another  family  of  Boyds, 
descendants  from  John,  of  Irvine,  Scotland.  My  grandfather 
James  Boyd,  named  his  first  son  Augustus  Monroe  Boyd,  and  the 
fore  name  is  perhaps  a  family  name.  I  think  I  have  written 
you  all  that  pertains  to  our  branch  of  the  family  as  far  back  as 
I  could.  Our  family  records  have  been  destroyed,  but  I  learn 
that  my  grandfather  Jamics  Boyd  was  born  in  1812,  and  died  in 
1884.  Granting  his  father  Samuel  Talbot  Boyd  was  twenty- 
five  years  of  age  at  his  birth,  would  make  the  date  of  his  birth 
in  Pennsylvania,  about  1787.  I  do  not  know  what  year  he  cam.e 
to  Georgia,  but  I  may  find  this  out  later.  I  note  you  have  distant 
relation  by  the  name  of  James  Talbot  Boyd.  I  am  anxious  to 
learn  the  name  of  Samuel  Talbot  Boyd's  father  in  Pennsylvania. 
Then  I  feel  the  rest  of  it  would  be  comparatively  easy  as  the 
people  of  that  State  and  section  seem  to  have  given  more  atten- 
tion to  the  matter  of  history  and  records  than  most  of  the  people 
of  the  South.  If  you  should  find  this  name  or  anything  con- 
cerning this  run-a-way  lad  from  Pennsylvania,  I  would  certainly 
be  glad  to  know  it. 

In  a  book  on  genealogy  of  my  husband's  family,  I  found  that 
Mary  Dickey,  born  September  3,  1746,  married  Robert  Boyd 
and  they  settled  in  New  Boston,  N.  H.,  and  had  no  children. 
Also  Martha  Boyd  Dickey,  born  May  15,  18 13  in  Londonderry. 
N.  H.  (which  is  the  ancestral  home  of  the  Dickeys,  who  came 
from  Londonderry,  Ireland),  married  August  20,  1852,  Robert 
Boyd,  who  was  born  October  20,  1798  in  Londonderry,  where  he 
always  lived,  had  been  a  valuable  citizen  there,  having  held 
nearly  every  office  in  the  gift  of  the  town,  was  also  an  efficient 
Elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  married  and  had  five 
children  which  they  took  to  their  new  home  in  Ravenna,  Ohio, 
where,  they  afterwards  lived.  He  died  April  12,  187 1  in  Freedom, 
Ohio,  and  was  buried  at  Warren,  same  State.  This  may  give  you 
soine  information.  Hoping  to  hear  from  you  in  the  near  future, 
and  with  best   wishes, 

I  remain  very  truly, 

Ellen   Mae   Boyd   Dickey. 


144         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Key  West,  Florida,  Nov.  12,  1889. 
Mr.  William  P.  Boyd, 

My  Dear  Sir: — Will  you  please  inform  me  the  price  of  vom- 
printed  book,  the  Genealogy  of  the  Boyd  Family,  also  does  it 
contain  the  first  name  of  Mr.  Boyd's  family  of  Orange  Co.,  N.  Y., 
who  married  Elizabeth  Nicholson,  who  was  born  about  1792, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  Lieutenant  Thomas  Nicholson  and  his 
wife  was  named  Experience,  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Chandler? 
Did  Mr.  Boyd,  by  his  wife  Elizabeth,  have  any  descendants? 
Please  give  me  his  first  name  and  date  of  marriage,  also  date  of 
wife's  birth  and  death  and  the  name  of  his  children.  In  vour 
researches,  did  you  come  across  any  information  or  clew  relative 
as  to  what  was  the  first  name  of  the  parents  of  the  above  men- 
tioned Lieutenant  Thomas  Nicholson,  as  to  when  they  were  born 
and  where,  and  date  of  marriage. 

Yours  truly, 

Herbert  H.  Crain, 

P.  O.  Box  6.3,  Key  West,  Monroe  Co.,  Florida. 


Honolulu,  T.  H.,  Aug.  14,  1905. 
Dear  Mr.  Boyd: 

Your  letter  of  i\pril  3d,  has  remained  unanswered,  but  my 
interest  has  not  ceased  as  to  my  ancestry. 

Henry  Boyd  (1600  and  something)  with  three  brothers  or 
more  left  Scotland.  The  brothers  were  David,  John  and  another, 
James.  I  think  Henry  Boyd's  sons  were  David,  John  and  Archi- 
bald. I  believe  David's  sons  were  Robert,  John  and  James,  I 
think.  Robert  was  my  grandfather,  and  his  sons  were  David, 
James  and  Robert.  Robert  was  my  father.  I  can  give  this 
more  accurately  later.  What  I  want  is  to  connect,  so  as  to  cross 
back  to  Scotland,  as  these  records  are  lost  in  my  branch.  Henry 
lived  about  the  year  1600  to  1650,  North  of  Ireland,  as  did  the 
rest  of  the  family  at  that  time,  when  my  grandfather  came  over  to 
New  York  State.  They  were  Coventers  and  no  doubt  were 
expelled.     My  grandfather  remembered  his  father  taking  him 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  145 

back  to  Kilmarnock  when  a  very  young  boy  and  showing  him 
some  things  that  he  remembered.  But  our  history  of  the  family 
at  that  time  was  not  kept  very  well  by  the  Coven ters,  as  the 
church  at  that  time  considered  such  things  various  and  unworldly. 
I  hope  I  may  hear  from  you  soon. 

Very  truly  yours, 

Chas.  F.  Boyd, 

Maior  Fourth  Battalion,  Philippine  Scouts. 


REV.  THOMAS  WALLACE  BO 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  147 

The  following  letter  is  from  the  able  pen  of  Rev.  Thomas 
Wallace  Boyd,  a  Presbyterian  minister  now  located  at  V'irginia 
City,  Nevada,  giving  a  sketch  of  his  former  home  in  the  Northern 
part  of  Ireland  and  was  written  to  me  while  he  was  living  in 
Chicago. 

226  Chestnut  St.. 

Chicago,  111.,  July  5,  1909. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Boyd: 

Your  letter  came  to  hand  some  time  ago.  I  was  sorry  to 
know  your  book  had  gone  out  of  print.  But  glad  to  learn  that 
you  intend  to  bring  out  a  new  edition  soon.  I  hope  to  be  able  to 
contribute  at  least  a  little  more  information  to  you  in  the  work 
on  which  you  are  at  present  engaged.  I  will  leave  you  to  judge, 
I  do  not  just  exactly  know  how  you  are  treating  the  subject. 

Now,  I  am  what  is  called,  an  Ulster  Scotchman  or  a  Scotch- 
Irishman — having  been  born,  bred  and  to  a  large  extent  educated 
in  what  I  possess  in  Ireland.  But  I  have  been  here  a  number  of 
years.  My  brother  is  a  Presbyterian  clergyman  over  here,  mar- 
ried and  has  a  family.  He  has  been  settled  quite  a  long  time  out 
West.  We  have  also  two  cousins  in  America — Kennedy  and 
Richard.  Richard  is  a  professor  of  classics  of  one  of  the  American 
colleges.  These  are  all  I  know  of  at  present  of  the  family  to 
which  I  belong,  that  are  in  the  States.  I  could  not  with  the 
sound  of  a  single  letter,  give  you  the  history  of  the  family  just 
now.  I  have  thought  of  going  over  to  Ireland  this  present  sum- 
mer, but  circumstances  have  happened  which  have  prevented  me 
from  doing  so.  But  I  expect  to  be  over  there  for  two  or  three 
months,  next  year,  when  I  shall  spend  some  time  at  home 
and  come  back  with  full  account.  In  the  meantime,  a  little  later 
from  now,  when  I  have  more  time  at  my  command,  I  shall  write 
you  out  a  short  sketch  or  outline  of  my  ancestry. 

The  family  I  belong  to  came  to  Ireland  a  little  over  two  hun- 
dred years  ago,  from  a  town  named  Kilmarnock,  in  the  county  or 
shire  of  Ayr,  Scotland,  about  the  time  of  the  Ulster  Plantation 
and  own  lands  near  Colerain,  County  of  Londonderry.  I  think  I 
heard  my  father  say  there  were  two  or  three  young  brothers  who 
came  at  the  same  time  from  the  old  residence  in  Scotland,  called 


148  HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

the  Dean,  but  some  of  them  went  back  again.  The  ruins  of  the 
old  stronghold  are  still  to  be  seen  in  Scotland.  It  is  not  generally 
known  (at  least  in  America)  and  yet  it  is  a  historical  fact  that 
the  Boyds  of  Ayrshire  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  famous  siege 
of  Londonderry  against  King  James  II,  and  his  Catholic  troops 
and  on  behalf  of  William  III,  Prince  of  Orange  and  the  Protestant 
issue,  showing  that  although  transplanted  to  Ireland,  they  had 
not  lost  the  old  martial  spirits  of  their  ancestors,  when  truth  and 
justice  was  at  stake.  Our  knowledge  of  them  in  particular  and 
on  account  of  his  extraordinary  heroism  during  these  stormy 
times  of  the  siege,  I  cannot  refrain  from  mentioning  to  you  in  this 
letter  as  I  will  allude  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  Boyd,  who  was  the 
first  Presbyterian  minister  of  the  congregation  of  Aghadowey 
near  Colerain,  Londonderry.  Aghadowey  is  one  of  the  oldest 
Presbyterian  settlements  in  Ireland. 

Rev.  Thomas  Boyd  had  ministered  almost  from  the  time  of 
the  Plantation.  He  was  the  predecessor  of  Rev.  James  Gregor, 
who  came  out  here  to  America  a  few  days  before  the  siege  of 
Derry  commenced.  This  aged  soldier  devine  (for  he  must  have 
been  seventy  or  eighty  years  old  at  that  time)  gathered  all  the 
members  of  his  congregation  on  the  green  or  lawn  in  front 
of  the  old  church.  He  held  a  service  and  afterwards  picked 
out  all  the  youths  and  men  who  were  able  to  carry  anns. 
Mounting  a  grassy  elevation,  sword  by  his  side  and  bible 
in  hand,  with  his  long  white  waving  hair  hanging  over 
his  shoulders,  he  addressed  the  men  and  aroused  them  to 
the  highest  pitch  of  religious  and  patriotic  enthusiasm  and 
forming  them  into  a  company  of  soldiers,  with  himself  as  chief 
or  commander,  marched  at  the  head  of  them  to  the  walls  of 
Londonderry,  where,  old  as  he  was,  he  fought  and  endured  all 
the  privations  and  horror  of  that  famous  and  awful  siege.  He 
lived  for  nine  or  ten  years  afterwards,  and  I  think  he  died 
about  169Q.  This  event  occurred  over  two  hundred  years  ago. 
To  this  day,  his  memory  is  as  green  among  the  people  who  now 
live  there  as  though  he  had  only  lived  seventy  years  ago.  The 
spot  where  he  stood  and  addressed  the  congregation  before  the 
march  with  his  men  to  Londonderry  is  still  pointed  out  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY'  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  149 

visitor.     He  was  a  tall  slender  old  gentleman  it  is  said  and  had 
a  very  commanding  appearance. 

Now  perhaps  I  am  taking  up  to  much  of  }'our  valuable  time 
with  this  writing,  and  so  I  will  draw  to  a  close  this  time.  When  I 
go  home  next  year,  I  may  give  you  a  fair  account  of  the  Boyds 
in  Ireland,  and  as  the  saying  is  "holding  their  own"  although  per- 
haps not  so  prominent  in  civil  history  as  in  their  old  mother- 
land. Still  one  of  our  cleverest  judges  over  there  is  one  of  the 
old  stock — Lord  Justice  Boyd,  and  a  great  many  of  them  are  in 
the  ministry  of  the  Irish  Presbyterian  church  and  in  medical 
circles. 

The  Armament  bearings  of  the  Aghadowey  Boyds  are  (anns) 
azure,  a  fesse  chequey  arquet  and  gules  (rest)  a  right  hand  erect 
perpendicular,  having  two  fingers  turned  in.  Thumb  and  others 
pointing  up,  two  squirrels  with  the  motto  "Confido  and  Gold- 
berry." 

Sincerely, 

Thomas  Wallace  Boyd. 


Paoli,  Ind.,  December  i,  191 1. 

Dear  Sir: — In  your  letter  of  November  i,  1911,  you  state 
that  \'ou  would  assist  me  in  my  effort  to  trace  my  Ancestors  and 
if  I  can  trace  my  Ancestors  so  as  I  can  connect  them  with  those 
of  your  book  I  shall  want  one. 

My  father  was  born  near  Ashboro,  Randolph  County,  North 
Carolina  in  18 iS.  His  father  and  mother  (Ha\^wood).  Grand- 
father and  grandmother  (Rhoda  Davenport)  also  resided  there, 
the  latter  in  1780  or  1790.  His  father  and  grandmother  died 
here.  His  mother  and  her  children.  His  grandmother,  in  fact 
all  the  Boyd  relatives  came  to  Orange  County,  Indiana,  about 
1840.  His  grandfather  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  a  full  record 
found  in  the  state  of  North  Carolina  office  of  Colonial  Records 
\'ol.  16,  Page  1017  as  follows:  "Boyd,  William,  private  tenth  Regi- 
ment, Stephenson  County,  enlisted  June,  '77.  Served  three 
years."  There  is  a  record  of  a  will  at  Ashboro,  N.  C,  made  by 
WiUiam  to  Rhoda  his  wife.     This  is  supposed  to  be  my  great 


150  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

grandfather  to  his  wife.  In  niy  father's  history,  he  states  the}^ 
originally  came  from  Scotland  and  Ireland,  and  were  of  Scotch- 
Irish  blood.  The  ancestors  first  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  then 
went  South  into  North  Carolina.  What  I  want  to  know  of  them 
is  any  means  by  which  I  can  connect  my  great  grandfather  with 
some  of  the  branches  of  Boyds  that  you  have  the  history  of.  I 
do  not  know  just  where  my  great  grandfather's  people  lived, 
whether  in  North  Carolina,  or  he  was  the  first  of  the  family  to 
leave  that  State.  Can  you  suggest  any  way  by  which  I  might 
trace  his  ancestors.  Could  I  trace  it  through  the  Revolutionary 
War  records?  Respectfully, 

C.  L.  Bo  YD,  M.  D 


CHAPTER    X 

Historical  Sketches  of  the  Boyd  Families 
OF  America,  Etc. 

This  chapter  has  been  prepared  by  the  author  as  a  Historical 
Chapter  pertaining  to  the  early  history  of  the  Boyd  Family. 
These  threads  of  information  have  been  gathered  from  letters, 
sketches  from  books ,  and  researches  made  from  geneological  works 
in  the  archives  of  the  Old  and  New  World,  and  too  short  in 
narrative  to  form  a  chapter  of  their  own,  we  have  placed  them 
together,  and  give  them  to  the  reader  in  a  condensed  fonn. 
Some  of  them  may  lead  the  reader  to  start,  their  first  steppmg- 
stone  in  discovering  the  early  history  of  their  ancestors.  These 
items  I  have  gathered  mostly  since  I  issued  my  first  edition  of 
1884  as  you  will  notice  by  their  dates. 


The  following  is  taken  from  the  first  settlers  of  Albany  by  I. 
Pearson  and  who  are  supposed  to  belong  to  the  Jamestown  Branch 
as  follows: 

Alexander  Boyd  married  Elizabeth  Becker  and  their  children 
were  John,  born  in  1784  and  Peter  Boyd,  born  in  17Q5.  John 
Boyd  married  Christine  Van  Deusen,  had  one  child,  James,  who 
was  bom  July  i,  1790. 

Hugh  Boyd  married  Catherine  Staats,  born  1776,  and  had 
one  child,  Ann,  born  1797. 

James  Boyd  whose  home  was  in  Albany,  married  Jane  Mc- 

Master.     Their  children  were   Robert,   who  was  bom  April    2, 

1772.     Agnes,  born  June  5,  1779  and  John  bom  June  15,  1780. 

[151 


152         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

The  following  is  taken  from  the  list  of  New  York  families 
giving  the  names  of  persons  by  the  name  of  Boyd  to  whom  mar- 
riage licenses  were  issued  by  the  secretary  of  the  Providence  of 
New  York  previous  to  1784  as  is  now  found  in  the  Records  oi  the 
Archives  at  Albany  of  the  State  of  New  York.  These  records 
comprised  several  large  volumes  of  marriage  bonds. 

James  Boyd  and  Patty  Huester,  April  22,  1757.  Garrett 
Williamson  and  Catherine  Boyd,  July  15,  1757.  John  Boyd  and 
Annie  Morris,  February  3,  1761.  Geo.  Harris  and  Mary  Boyd, 
Oct.  20,  1762.  vSamuel  Boyd  and  Isabella  Dolles,  January  20. 
1764.  Ebenezer  Boyd  and  Sarah  Merritt,  July  20,  1764.  Wil- 
liam Boyd  and  Ann  White,  September  16,  1765.  John  Fitzmond 
Ferdinand  Shultz  and  Elizabeth  Boyd,  May  5,  1767.  Peter 
Maybee  and  Sarah  Boyd,  December  12,  1769.  John  Boyd  and 
Helen  Hewlet,  Deceinber  8,  1.772. 


The  following  is  taken  from  Baird's  History  of  Rye,  N.  Y., 
pages  397-398. 

John  Boid  or  Boyd  bought  a  house  and  lot  in  the  town  of 
Rye,  N.  Y.  in  1678  when  he  was  appeased  as  a  witness.  He 
became  co-proprietor  with  John  Merritt ,  Sr .  John  Boyd 's  meadow 
lay  opposite  the  old  mill  at  Blind  Brook  Creek.  He  died  about 
1709.  John  '"the  son  an  heir"  of  the  above  so-called  in  1709, 
married  a  daughter  of  Peter  Disbrow,  Sr.  of  which  estate  he 
obtained  a  considerable  part.  He  sold  in  17 18  to  John  Disbrow 
his  orchard-  in  Rye  of  three  acres  with  a  house  on  it .  The  spot  is 
still  known  as  Boyd's  orchard.  He  was  living  in  1736.  Ebenezer 
Boyd  is  mentioned  in  1789  when  persons  were  appointed  by  the 
town  to  collect  the  debts  due  from  them  and  others  to  the  towr. 
ship  of  Rye. 


The  following  pertaining  to  the  history  of  these  Maryland 
Boyds  was  contributed  by  Mr.  John  L.  Atee  of  Caldwell,  Kansas, 
now  deceased,  June  14,  1887. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  153 

William  Boyd  of  Herring  Bay,  Md..  who  was  born  about 
1730-1740,  married  Charity  Talbot  also  of  Maryland,  a  descend- 
ant of  George  Talbot,  a  cousin  to  Lord  Baltimore.  Their  children 
were:  First,  William  Boyd,  a  lieutenant  in  General  Arthur  St. 
Clair's  army  and  was  killed  in  St.  Clair's  defeat,. according  to  my 
grandfather's  statement  to  my  mother.  The  descendants  of  this 
William  Boyd  have  always  been  at  the  head  of  the  Colony  of 
Shakers  or  Shaking  Quakers,  near  Dayton,  Ohio.  David  Boyd 
is  now  or  was  recently  the  Chief  of  the  Colony. 

Second,  Benjamin  Boyd  who  died  in  childhood. 

Third,  Walter  Boyd  married  Amanda  Alverson  of  Chester 
County,  Pa.,  and  died  1832  at  the  age  of  sixty  or  sixty-five  years. 
This  was  my  grandfather  and  was  also  a  lieutenant  in  the  Conti- 
nental army  and  had  command  of  Fort  Frederick,  east  of  Cumber- 
land on  the  Potomac  River.  His  children  consisted  of  Maunaduke 
bom  1758  and  died  in  1871,  whose  descendants  lived  in  Maryland 
and  Kansas.  Second,  Cynthia;  third,  Matilda  and  fourth,  Olina; 
all  born  in  the  last  century  and  died  prior  to  1845.  Walter  Boyd's 
3'oungest  daughter  was  named  Anna  A.  Boyd  and  was  bom  in 
1800  and  died  in  18S0  at  the  good  age  of  eighty  years.  She 
married  William  B.  McAtee,  mv  father. 


The  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  Boyd  Family 
(Now  Extinct) 

This  sketch  was  furnished  by  Fred  L.  Dodge,  ist  Lieutenant 
of  23rd  U.  S.  Infantry,  stationed  December  10,  1887  at  Fort 
Wayne,  Mich. 

George  Boyd  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  Abegail  Hoy t  of 
Newington,  New  Hampshire,  a  daughter  of  William  Hoyt  were 
married  as  it  appears  by  the  Old  Church  records  of  Newington, 
August  21,  1730,  and  their  son  George  was  baptized  at  the  sam^e 
place,  April  23,  1732,  who  m.arried  Jane  Brewster  of  Portsmouth, 
NewHamxpshire,and  on  his  return  passage  from  England  to  America 
died   October  6,   1787  on  board  of  the  vessel  on  which  he  had 


154         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

his  tombstone,  which  he  had  purchased  in  England  with  the  in- 
tention of  having  it  erected  upon  his  famil}'^  burial  lot  in  the  North 
Cemetery  of  Portland,  New  Hampshire,  where  it  can  be  seen  to- 
day with  his  family  coat-of-arms  upon  it.  He  went  to  England, 
it  was  thought  because  he  had  Tory  proclivities  at  the  time  of 
the  Revolutionary  War.  He,  at  that  time,  left  his  family  in  the 
old  Boyd  family  mansion,  intending  to  return  to  Portsmouth 
after  awhile.  But  he  died  on  his  route  home  after  the  close  of  the 
war.  This  vessel  reached  America  October  8,  17S7  and  he 
expired  two  days  before.  The  tombstones  of  the  children  of 
George  Boyd  and  his  wife  were  erected  near  his  imposing  memorial 
stone  which  has  the  following  names  inscribed:  George,  aged  32; 
Supply,  aged  14;  Henry  C.,  aged  11;  Joseph,  aged  27;  Pheobe, 
aged  17.     Jane  Boyd  the  wife  of  George  died  in  1800. 

Jane  Brewster,  the  wife  of  George  Boyd  the  second,  was  the 
daughter  of  Joseph  Brewster.  By  this  union  there  were  five 
sons  and  five  daughters  as  follows:  Mary,  who  married  Joseph 
Champuey;  Jane,  who  married  Dr.  John  Goddard  and  died  in 
1790  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven;  Phoebe-Abigal,  who  married 
Captain  Mackay  and  after  her  first  husband's  death.  Captain 
Samuel  Hane,  who  built  the  George  Woodbury  house  in  Portland, 
New  Hampshire.  Submit,  who  married  Hon.  J.  S.  Sherburne 
and  died  in  1803  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years.  Joseph,  who 
died  unmarried;  William,  who  married  a  daughter  of  Captain 
Thomas  Martin  and  had  a  daughter  named  Louis  Maria  that 
married  George  Walace;   Supply  and  Henry  Cruger. 

The  tombstone  of  Madam  Abigail  Peavy  is  also  there.  She 
was  the  widow  of  George  Boyd,  Senior,  that  was  nee  Abigail 
Hoyt  as  already  stated.  She  married  after  her  first  husband's 
death  a  gentleman  named  Peavy  and  her  tombstone  shows  that 
she  died  September  8,  1800,  at  the  age  of  ninety.  William  Boyd 
was  the  son  of  the  George  Boyd  who  died  on  his  way  from  England 
and  he  had  a  son  also  named  George  William  Boyd  who  was  the 
great-grandson  of  George  and  Abigail  Hoyt  Boyd. 

George  William  Boyd  lived  in  Portland,  Maine,  but  was 
born  in  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire  in  1791;  fitted  for  College, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  155 

Exeter,  New  Hampshire  and  then  graduated  from'Bordmans  Col- 
lege in  1810,  when  he  went  abroad  and  remained  a  year  at  St. 
Petersburg,  Russia.  He  returned  during  the  war  of  1812-14, 
enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army  and  was  made  a  Lieutenant 
of  the  Infantry.  He  also  served  as  an  aide-de-camp  to  General 
Thomas  A.  Smith  and  was  also  at  one  tiine  Assistant  Adjutant 
General  of  the  Sth  Military  District.  In  1847  he  resigned  from 
the  army  to  engage  in  commerce  and  resided  in  New  Orleans  for 
a  short  time.  In  1S31  he  married  Meriam  F.  Guerlain,  the  widow 
of  a  Parisian  Banker  who  died  in  1837  childless.  He  left  an  adopt- 
ed son  who  bore  his  name  and  lived  in  Mobile,  Alabama. 

George  William  Boyd  died  in  Portland,  Maine,  in  1850, 
bequeathing  to  Bordman  College  his  whole  property  of  more 
than  Si 0,000,  burdened  only  with  a  small  annuity  to  the  use  of 
his  infimied  wife.  This  gift  is  called  the  Boyd  fund.  George 
William  Boyd  above,  was  the  last  one  bearing  the  name  of  this 
Boyd  family  and  his  tombstone  can  be  seen  in  the  Rice  and 
Goddard  family  lot  in  the  South  Cemetery  in  Portsmouth,  New 
Hamjp  shire. 

The  old  gentleman,  George  Boyd  who  married  Abigail  Hoyt, 
it  seems  came  from  Boston,  Massachusetts  and  his  ancestry 
is  not  known  to  me.  Her  son,  George's  wife,  Jane  Brewster,was 
the  wealthiest  man  in  Portsmouth  and  lived  in  great  elegance  in 
the  grand  old  Boyd  mansion  which  is  still  standing.  The  rambles 
about  Porstmouth,  in  two  volumes,  by  Charles  Brewster,  gives 
quite  an  account  of  this  family. 


The  following  letter  was  received  from  J.J.  Howard,  October 
4,  1887,  whose  residence  was  at  Dartmouth  Row,  Blackreth, 
Kent,  England. 

Dear  Sir:  I  wTote  to  my  friend  Miss  Julia  Boyd  at  Moor 
House,  Leamside  Junction,  Durham,  England  and  asked  her  to 
send  me  one  of  her  beautiful  armorial  bookplates  for  your  collec- 
tion. I  now  enclose  it.  It  would  be  well  for  you  to  correspond 
with  her  as  she  is  very  much  interested  in  the  Boyd  genealogy. 


156         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

She,  I  am  sure  would  subscribe  for  your  book,  and  therefore, 
think  you  had  better  send  her  a  copy,  naming  the  price  in  the 
letter  to  her  when  you  thank  her  for  the  plate.  She  would  if 
asked,  send  you  several  impressions  of  this  plate.  Any  notes  I 
may  gather  relating  to  the  famil}^  you  shall  have. 

I  sent  this  lady  the  book  but  could  not  obtain  any  further 
information. 


The  following  interesting  article  was  secured  b}^  me  from 
Mr.  Charles  Howell,  of  London,  England,  December  i6,  1881  and 
was  not  published  in  my  fonner  History  of  the  Boyd  Family  of 
1884.  At  this  time  he  was  Librarian  of  the  British  Museum  and 
also  the  Archives  of  Scotland  at  the  City  of  Edinburgh  in 
that  country.  At  this  time  I  was  making  a  historical  research  of 
the  Boyd  family  of  the  Old  World  and  more  especially  of  Scotland, 
and  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Howell  for  infonnation  and  he  sent  me  the 
following  communication. 

Txr    T^    ^      1  London,  Dec.  is,   1881. 

Mr.  W.  P.  Boyd,  '  ^ 

Dear  Sir :  You  will  think  I  have  been  a  long  time  in  answer- 
ing your  letter.  But  the  fact  is,  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  get  the 
information  you  require  as  there  is  no  book  or  history  of  the 
Boyd  family.  Of  this  I  am  positive  as  I  have  had  access  to  the 
Library  of  the  British  Museum  and  the  Archives  Library  of 
Edinburgh  the  number  of  seven  in  the  kingdom  which  by  law 
are  receptants  of  a  copy  of  every  book  published  in  the  country. 
Both  of  the  Libraries  tell  me  there  is  no  such  work.  I  have  had  to 
get  my  information  by  piece-meal.  But  I  flatter  myself.  I  have 
made  a  thorough  search  of  the  family.  So  far  as  the  country  is  con- 
cerned, I  have  turned  it  back  to  Boyd  number  one  in  the  twelfth 
ccntur\-.  You  will  understand  by  the  law  of  inheritance  of  this 
country  only  the  oldest  son  who  inherits  the  estate  and  title  (if 
there  are  any)  :s  considered  worthy  of  record.  Hence,  the  younger 
sons  are  lost  sight  of  and  it  is  from  scire  of  them  we  must  date 
back  our  ancestry.  There  was  a  crest  in  this  family,  also  a  mctto, 
a  fac  simile  of  which  I  send.  The  following  is  the  result  of  my 
labor. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  157 

Boyd  number  one  had  no  surname,  nor  is  it  known  from  whcjni 
he  cam.e.  The  first  mention  of  the  name  Boyt  or  Boidet  in  Scot- 
land (this  name  indicating  in  Gaelic,  the  Ancient  language  of 
the  country  means  Fair  Complexion)  is  a  witness  to  a  contract 
between  Boyce  de  Eglinton  and  the  town  of  Irvin  in  the  year 
of  1205.  This  man  was  a  son  of  Simon  and  the  name  was  given 
him  on  account  of  his  complexion.  The  family  is  traced  for  suc- 
cessive generations  until  1346  when  the  title  of  Sir  (Baronet)  ap- 
pears attached  to  Thomas  Boyd's  name  at  the  Battle  of  Durham. 
The  representation  of  the  family  in  1459  was  made  Lord  Boyd, 
but  with  w^hat  title  is  not  mentioned.  All  his  successors  appear 
as  Lord  Boyd  until  the  ninth  Lord  Boyd  was  created  Earl  of 
Kilmarnock  in  1661.  There  was  four  successive  Earls  of  Kil- 
mamocks.  The  last  one  William  Boyd  the  fourth  being  engaged 
in  the  rebellion  of  1745,  was  executed  at  Tower  Hill,  London 
tower,  the  eighteenth  of  August  1746.  His  estate  and  the  title 
being  forfeited  to  the  crown. 

The  crest  and  motto — a  right  hand  coped  at  the  wrist,  point- 
ing wath  the  hand  and  the  next  two  fingers,  the  other  two  turned 
down,  motto  "Confido." 

Sir  Thomas  Boyd  of  Kilmarnock  (1346)  had  three  sons. 
The  youngest,  Robert,  was  the  ancestor  of  the  Boyds  of  Portin- 
cross,  whom,  as  near  as  I  can  trace,  we  are  descendants.  There 
is  no  mention  of  any  going  to  Ireland  or  America.  But  as  I  have 
been  able  to  trace  the  successive  generations  (and  they  seem 
numerous)  from  1372  to  1712,  I  am  quite  confident  that  here  is 
our  common  origin.  I  am  strengthened  in  this  opinion  froin  the 
fact  that  they  were  opposed  to  the  Stuarts  and  hence  w^ere  Pro- 
testants. The  last  male  representative  of  this  family  died  in 
171 2,  and  the  estate  was  inherited  by  a  grandson  named  William 
FuUarton  Boyd.  Up  to  this  time  all  the  oldest  sons,  representa- 
tives of  this  family  was  named  Robert.  I  notice  also  that  the  name 
of  Alexander  is  very  frequent.  Mr.  S.  M.  Boyd,  great-grand- 
father was  named  Robert  and  his  grandfather's  name  was  Alex- 
ander. Further  Mr.  S.  M.  Boyd's  grandfather  had  a  brother  who 
had  two  sons  named  Robert  and  Alexander.  Still  among  these 
Portincross  families  are  the  one  you  speak  of  as  belonging  to 


158         HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  EAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Wigtonshire.     This  family  retained  the  crest   and  motto  of  the 
family  of  the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock. 

There  is  another  family  of  Boyds,  called  the  Boyds  of  Pitcon, 
but  they  are  descendants  from  the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  by  a  young- 
er son.  This  family  is  first  noticed  in  1608,  and  is  traced  down  to 
1770.  Wlien  the  male  issue  died  out  and  the  estate  was  sold. 
This  family  seems  to  have  somewhat  changed  the  crest  and  motto. 
The  finger  of  the  hand  pointing  to  a  sun  and  the  motto  "spas- 
mea-en-coelis"  (Meaning,  "My  hope  is  in  the  heaven  or  the 
heavens".) 

There  are  yet  two  more  Boyd  families,  both  appear  to  have 
descended  from  the  others  already  given.  They  are  called  the 
Boyds  of  Carlung,  coming  from  the  Pitcon  Boyds  and  the  Boyds 
of  Orchced  who  trace  their  predecessors  back  to  the  Earl  of  Kil- 
marnock. 

I  am  sorry  I  have  not  been  able  to  get  a  trace  of  any 
of  the  members  of  the  families  emigrating  to  America.  But  there 
are  no  records  to  be  found  of  the  fact  very  likely  for  the  reason, 
that  at  the  first  they  went  as  fugitives.  Their  friends  keeping  it 
secret  and  dying  without  revealing  it  to  the  next  generation 
following.  Probably  they  did  not  take  much  interest  in  it  at 
that  time,  as  it  was  very  unpopular  to  be  a  Protestant.  If  what  I 
have  been  able  to  gather  up,  will  be  of  any  service,  I  shall  be  only 
to  happy  in  contributing  my  share  to  the  memory  of  a  family 
of  whom,  name  and  history  we,  their  descendants  should  be  proud. 

Yours  respectfully, 

Chas.  Howell. 


The  following  memoranda  was  furnished  me  by  Mr.  Francis 
Boyd,  number  19  Pearl  Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  (now 
deceased).     Several  years  ago  and  were  New  England  Boyds. 

James  Boyd,  of  Hartford,  Vemiont,  born  January  i,  1845, 
a  pew  holder.  Archibald  Boyd  of  Bangor,  Maine,  married  Martha 
P.  Easty  October  23,  1855;  Franklin  Boyd  belonging  to  Hartford, 
Vermont's  Company,  of    3rd   regiment   of  volunteers,   and  was 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  159 

killed  in  the  Battle  of  the  Wilderness.  William  Hiram  Button, 
born  July  12,  1857,  married  Mary  M.  Boyd  December  26,  1877 
at  East  Calas,  Vermont,  who  was  born  April  i,  1850,  and  their 
daughter  Bessie  Rebecca  Button  was  born  October  17,  1880. 


The  following  is  taken  from  the  Town  Record  of  Dedham, 
Massachusetts,  published  by  Don  Gleason  Hill,  the  Town  Clerk, 
in  1886  which  shows  the  early  settlement  of  the  Boyds  in  the 
above  township  and  also  records  of  this  family  as  furnished  by 
Francis  Boyd  of  Boston,  Massachusetts  (now  deceased) . 

The  first  of  this  family  we  have  any  record  of  is  Robert  Boyd 
who  inust  have  come  here  when  a  young  man,  and  married  here 
Abigail  Colburn,  February  7,  1778.  His  wife  was  the  daughter 
of  Ephram  and  Abigail  Colburn  and  was  bom  in  Dedham,  April, 
1758.  By  this  union  they  had  a  son  named  David,  who  was 
born  here,  March  5,  1780.  He  married  Miss  Polly  French  and 
their  engagement  was  announced  and  filed  December  12,  1803, 
and  the  marriage  ceremony  was  performed  by  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Thacher  at  Dedham,  February  i,  1804.  David  had  children, 
how  many  I  am  unable  to  say.  Among  them  was  Moses  who 
was  bom,  October  29,  181 5.  He  married  Miss  Olive  Guild  whose 
engagement  was  announced,  November  29,  1840  and  the  ceremony 
was  performed  by  the  Rev.  John  White,  December  23,  1840.  His 
wife  was  bom  April  30,  1822.  Their  child  was  named  Moses  and 
was  born  January  5,  1842  and  married  Hannah  Tracy  Wilcox, 
April  30,  1855,  and  had  one  child,  Gardener  Boyd,  bom  August 
3,   1888. 

Town  Records  gives  the  name  of  Mariah  L.  Boyd  who  was 
born,  November  24,  1843,  who  without  doubt  was  a  daughter  of 
David.  She  may  never  have  been  married  or  have  died  young. 
Hannah,  another  daughter  of  David,  was  born  April  5,  1804  and 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Joshua  H.  Spears  by  the  Rev.  John 
White,  November  1840.  She  must  have  died  soon  after  her 
marriage  for  the  records  show  that  the  gentleman  married  Mary 
Boyd  (probably  her  sister),  October  29,  1841.     No  more  record. 


160  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

There  are  two  other  records  of  Boyds  to  be  found  in  the 
Town  Marriage  Records  of  Dedh am.  First  is  Augustus  Boyd,  of 
Douglas,  toMiss  Lucy  Turner,  whose  engagement  was  announced 
October  28,  1827  and  was  united  in  marriage  at  Dedhambythe 
Rev.  John  White,  December  12,  1827  and  Robert  Boyd  and  Mary 
Dalton  whose  marriage  ceremony  took  place,  April  12,  1829. 


The  following  is  a  couple  of  letters  from  the  venerable  Wil- 
liam Boyd  of  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  who  has  always  taken  a 
deep  interest  in  the  lineage  of  his  branch  of  Boyd  family.  Many 
interesting  letters  I  have  received  frorn  him  in  the  past.  His 
name  will  be  found  among  the  descendants  of  the  Boyds  of  Boston 
chapter  which  he  says:  "In  regard  to  Peers,  the  Royal  family  and 
the  now  Archbishop  (of  York  and  Canterbury)  come  in  distinc- 
tion or  descending  order  of  Dukes.  Marquises,  Earls,  Viscounts, 
Bishops  and  Barons  and  all  of  them  from  Dukes  t\o  Barons  may  be 
called  Lords.  Thus  we  may  say  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  on  page 
65  of  your  History  of  the  Boyds  of  1884,  you  mentioned  that  the 
Earl  is  the  direct  descendant  in  the  male  line  of  the  ennoble  Boyd 
Family.  Scottish  peers  and  also  English  peers  set  in  the  House  of 
Lords.     The  Errol  sat  there  as  one  of  the  Barons  of  Kilmarnock. 

Sixteen  Scottish  peers  who  are  not  also  English  peers  are 
elected  at  each  new  Parliament  to  sit  in  the  House  of  Lords. 
They  are  elected  by  the  Scottish  peers.  The  twenty-eight 
representative  Irish  peers  are  elected  by  the  Irish  peers  for  life. 
The  Lord  "of  Errol  is  named  William  Harry  Hays.  His  oldest 
son  (heir)  bears  one  of  his  father's  titles"  Lord  Kilmarnock.  One 
of  the  vice  chancellors  of  Oxford  University  is  Henry  Boyd,  D.  D. 
Among  the  professors  in  the  four  universities  at  Glasgow,  Aberdeen, 
Edinburgh  and  London,  there  is  no  one  called  Boyd.  The  Hon. 
Boyd  D.  Morehead  is  the  name  of  one  of  the  Board  of  Directors 
of  the  Queenland  National  Bank.  It  is  strange  how  so  many 
persons  have  Boyd  before  their  names. 

The  above  was  written  to  me  by  Mr.  Boyd  May  15,  1886, 
and  ten  days  later  I  received  my  second  epistle,  giving  still  further 
information  on  the  above  subject. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  161 

It  is  as  I  said  by  card,  the  Kilmarnock  History  was  duly 
received  and  also  your  letter  accompaning  the  same.  I  have  read 
the  Kilmarnock  History  from  end  to  end.  I  am  from  a  town  named 
Ayrs — that  is  only  twenty  miles  from  Kilmarnock.  I  came  to 
America  when  I  w^as  only  eleven  and  a  half  years  old.  Therefore 
the  History  of  Kilmarnock  is  to  me  very  interesting.  Being  per- 
sonally acquainted  with  the  history  of  Ayers,  lam  very  glad 
you  have  given  me  an  opportunity  to  read  the  Kilmarnock  Book 
you  sent  me.  I  of  course  notice  where  in  this  book  you  have 
borrowed  items  for  your  own  book  I  am  delighted  for  your  own 
sake  at  least  that  you  fell  in  with  the  History  of  Kilmarnock. 

In  regard  to  page  42  of  the  above  history,  what  I  say  is  that 
the  name  of  Boyd  as  a  Peer  the  name  is  now  extinct.  Earl  of 
Errol  who  is  the  descendant  in  the  male  line  of  the  ennoble  Boyd 
family  of  Kilmarnock  is  named  Hays,  as  you  will  ere  now  have 
seen  in  the  Peerage  list  in  Whithers  Almanac  in  the  Peerage  of 
Scotland's  past.  The  Kilmarnock  Book  is  of  course  most  interest- 
ing and  important  to  you  and  me  as  containing  the  history  and 
description  of  the  place  where  the  ennoble  Boyd  Family  lived  for 
hundreds  of  years  and  where  their  residential  Castle  was  the  home 
of  the  bold  and  resolute  men  and  women. 

I  am  sorry  you  did  not  receive  greater  encouragement  for 
your  trouble  in  the  sale  of  the  Book  and  the  great  trouble  and 
labor  you  had  in  preparing  same.  I  have  no  copy  of  Burks 
Peerage  but  I  hope  you  have.  If  so,  please  look  in  Burks  and  see 
how  it  is  that  the  Earl  of  Errol  is  called  Hays.  The  oldest  son 
of  the  fourth  Earl  of  Errol,  whose  name  of  course  was  Boyd. 
Find  out  how  and  when  the  Boyd  name  died  out  and  became  re- 
placed by  another  name.  Trace  back  the  name  of  Hays  and  see 
how  it  grew  out  of  the  demise  of  the  name  of  Boyd.  Perhaps  the 
first  (and  perhaps  the  only)  Boyd,  Earl  of  Errol  had  no  son  or 
sons,  but  may  have  had  a  daughter  and  the  name  of  Boyd  died 
out  in  that  way,  and  there  was  no  sons  of  the  fourth  Earl  of  Kil- 
marnock also  called  the  Earl  of  Kilmarnock  instead  of  being 
called  by  a  name  that  gave  his  father  the  title  of  Earl.  Find  out 
all  this  in  your  books  and  oblige  me, 

William  Boyd. 


162         HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

The  following  sketch  of  the  Boyds  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.  was 
sent  me  September  27,  1899  by  John  S.  McNiell  of  that  city,  a 
descendant  of  the  same. 

Peter  Knox  was  born  1681  and  died  February  2,  1770. 
Naturalized  by  New  Jersey  Provincial  Legislature,  August  14, 
1733.  He  gave  thirty-eight  and  three-quarter  acres  in  New 
Jersey  to  the  famous  Tennert  Church  in  1758.  He  was  probably 
a  Hugenot  from  France  by  the  way  of  Holland.  His  children, 
by  his  wife  Catherine  Knox,  were  Saul  who  died  January  16,  18 10; 
Rebecca  who  married  Remembrance  Lippincott;  Rachael  who 
married  Peter  Van  Dike ;  Mercy  who  married  Conrad  Hendrick- 
son;  Catherine  who  married  Jamics  Wilson  and  David  who  mar- 
ried Isabella  Little.  David  was  a  trustee  of  Tennert  Church  in 
1763  and  member  observation,  May  27,  1775.  His  wife,  Isabella 
was  bom  August  11,  1737,  and  died  in  Philadelphia  about  1813. 
Their  children  were  Peter  who  married  Lydia  Hendrickson ;  Mary 
who  married  Holmes ;  Lydia  who  married  Huffman ;  Elizabeth  who 
married  Christopher,  and  David,  John,  Joseph,  Sarah  and  George 
Boyd.  This  George  Boyd  and  Sarah  Knox  (by  the  Knox  records) 
were  married  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  New  York  City, 
August  12,  1789.  No  trace  has  been  fond  of  this  George  Boyd  in 
1899. 

The  following  was  taken  from  one  of  the  Fox  River  Valley 
papers  sent  me  by  Mr.  H.  B.  Tanner,  M.  D.,  of  Kankauna, 
Wisconsin,  a  son-in-law  of  this  noted  man,  December  17,  1896, 
which  read  as  follows: 

"Died  at  the  residence  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  H.  B.  Tanner 
of  the  South  Side,  Tuesday,  February  23,  1897,  James  M.  Boyd 
aged  eighty-one  years,  ten  months  and  ten  days. 

"The  death  of  Lieutenant  James  Madson  Boyd,  the  Fox 
River  Valley  loses  another  of  the  few  remaining  old  settlers,  who 
figured  so  conspiciously  in  the  early  history  of  the  state,  and  whose 
recollections  are  always  valuable  material  for  his^torical  produc- 
tions. The  residence  of  the  deceased  in  this  part  of  Wisconsin 
dates  from  the  fourth  year  of  his  life,  at  a  time  when  Milwaukee 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  163 

was  but  a  village,  and  the  whole  of  Fox  River  Valley  was  in  a 
primeval  state.  Mr.  Boyd  had  therefore,  seen  and  keenly  ob- 
served much  of  Pioneer  life  and  the  habits  of  the  aborigines,  and 
was  a  regular  encyclopedia  of  information  regarding  the  details 
of  the  early  forest  trade,  the  iTiovements  of  Indian  tribes,  the 
characteristics  of  old  settlers  and  incidents  of  early  times,  but 
unless  the  subjects  were  well  drawn  out,  he  never  discussed  them 
much  not  being  of  an  over-talkative  disposition." 

"Lieutenant  James  Madson  Boyd  was  bom  in  Washington, 
D.  C,  January  13,  1816,  being  the  fourth  son  of  Colonel  George 
and  Harriett  Johnson  Boyd.  When  four  years  of  age  he  came 
to  the  Island  of  Mackinaw  with  his  parents,  his  father  having 
been  appointed  Indian  agent  at  that  place  in  the  year  of  1818. 
Colonel  George  Boyd  his  father,  was  in  the  Government  employ 
all  of  his  life  acting  as  special  agent  for  the  government,  carrying 
dispatches  to  the  peace  commissioners  at  Ghent,  during  the  war  of 
181 2,  and  afterwards  purchased  arms  and  material  in  Europe  to 
build  the  capitol  buildings  and  White  House  that  had  been 
burnt  by  the  British  during  the  war.  Colonel  Boyd  married  a 
Miss  Johnson  who  was  a  sister  of  Mrs.  John  Quincy  Adams. 
The  Boyds  on  both  his  mother's  and  father's  side  were  of  Scotch 
ancestry.  Mr.  Boyd  tracing  his  descent  on  his  father's  side  from 
the  younger  son  of  the  third  Earl  of  Kilmarnock. 

The  deceased  attended  school  at  Mackinaw  during  his  youth, 
and  at  one  time  had  the  Rev.  W.  M.  Ferry  as  a  teacher,  the 
father  of  Senator  Ferry  of  Michigan,  in  1832.  Colonel  George 
Boyd  was  transferred  to  Green  Bay  and  removed  there  with  his 
family  in  June  of  that  year.  This  was  just  before  the  Black  Hawk 
war,  and  soon  after  coming  to  the  bay,  James  Boyd  who  was  then 
just  entering  manhood,  enlisted  for  service  in  this  war,  and  served 
during  the  compaign,  attaining  the  rank  of  Lieutenant.  He 
probably  was  the  last  survivor  of  the  two  comipanies  that  went 
from  Green  Bay.  The  next  year  after  his  return  from  the  Black 
Hawk  war  he  came  to  Kankauna  and  purchased  four  hundred 
acres  of  land  along  the  south  side  of  the  river,  most  of  which  at 
this  tim^e  is  known  as  the  "Beaulieu  addition."  Shortly  after 
locating  here,  in  company  with  Paul  H.  Beaulieu,  another  one  of 


164        HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

the  old  settlers  who  long  since  crossed  the  Dark  river,  built  a  saw- 
mill on  the  south  side,  on  a  part  of  the  rapids  that  run  along  their 
lands,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  below  the  present  site  of  the 
Badger  Mill.  This  mill  was  operated  for  a  number  of  years  and 
considerable  of  the  adjacent  timber  was  cut  up  into  building  tim- 
ber and  material.  Not  long  after  this,  however,  the  Strock- 
bridge  Indians  who  were  then  located  here  began  to  move  to  Cal- 
umet County,  and  as  the  market  gave  out  Mr.  Boyd  disposed  of 
his  interest  in  the  mill  and  removed  to  a  farm  he  had  acquired  in 
the  meantime,  about  half  way  between  Green  Bay  and  DePere. 
Many  of  the  citizens  of  Kankauna  who  have  resided  here  since 
the  seventy's  will  undoubtedly  remember  seeing  part  of  the  old 
saw-mill  referred  to,  for  a  part  of  the  ruin  stood  on  the  south 
channel  until  along  in  1880  when  the  south  side  began  to  build  up. 
"The  deceased  was  married  on  the  14th  of  November,  1839 
to  Maria  M.  Lawe,  daughter  of  Judge  John  Lawe  of  Green  Bay, 
and  a  sister  of  Hon.  George  W.  Lawe,  father  of  Kankauna,  who 
departed  this  life  at  the  close  of  the  year  of  1895.  After  marriage 
Mr.  Boyd  continued  to  reside  upon  his  farm  until  1872,  when  he 
sold  out,  locating  at  DePere  where  he  erected  a  brick  block  and 
opened  a  furniture  store.  He  continued  in  this  and  other 
business  until  1879,  when  owing  to  the  death  of  his  wife  he  gave 
up  all  business,  and  in  1881  returned  to  Kankauna,  since  which 
time  he  has  resided  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  H.  B.  Tanner.  Mr. 
Boyd  raised  a  large  family.  Two  of  his  sons  enlisted  in  the  war 
of  the  rebellion.  One  had  both  feet  amputated  and  died  at  Davis 
Island,  N.  Y.,  the  other  contracted  consumption  and  died  soon 
after  his  return.  All  of  the  other  children  have  passed  away 
except  his  daughter,  Mrs.  H.  B.  Tanner,  and  one  son,  N.  C.  Boyd 
of  Stevens  Point.  By  virtue  of  having  acted  as  administrator 
for  the  estate  of  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Boyd  accumulated  a  very 
large  collection  of  letters  and  documents  relating  to  the  early 
history  of  Wisconsin,  the  greater  part  which  were  presented  to  the 
Wisconsin  Historical  Society  at  Madison,  and  from  what  are 
called  the  Lawe-Boyd-Porlier  papers,  comprising  118  bound  vol- 
umes. This  is  the  most  valuable  collection  of  old  papers  relating 
to  the  early  times  in  this  state  that  the  Society  ever  received. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         165 

Mr.  Boyd  was  a  man  of  strict  integrity,  and  one  who  believed 
in  doing  every  thing  well.  He  practiced  in  his  life  the  maxim 
"if  a  thing  was  worth  doing  at  all,  it  was  worth  doing  well." 
His  early  relation  with  the  Indians  gave  him  a  good  command 
of  their  language,  and  as  he  spoke  several,  he  was  employed  for 
years  as  government  interpreter. 

Funeral  services  were  held  at  Dr.  Tanner's  residence  at  10:30 
Thvirsday  morning,  and  the  remains  taken  to  Green  Bay  for 
interment  in  the  family  lot  in  Woodlawn  Cemetery. 


A  sketch  of  the  following  distinguished  Boyds  were  taken 
from  Historical  works  such  as  encyclopaedia  and  other  works  of 
that  nature.     They  are  as  follows: 

First:  Mark  Alexander  Boyd  was  a  Scottish  scholar  and 
soldier.  He  was  born  in  Galloway,  Scotland,  January  13,  1562, 
and  died  at  Pinkhill,  April  10,  1601.  He  was  a  man  of  headstrong 
temper  that  made  him  quarrel  with  his  relatives  and  instructors. 
Before  he  had  finished  his  academic  course,  he  sought  his  fortune 
in  life  by  challenges  in  court,  where  he  fought  one  duel,  and  by  a 
number  of  broils,  soon  made  himself  notorious,  and  to  escape  his 
enemjies,  he  went  to  France  and  studied  civil  law.  Here,  to  avoid 
the  plague  at  that  time,  he  emigrated  to  Italy.  In  1587  when  the 
war  of  the  Ceyin  commenced,  he  joined  the  catholic  party  as  a 
volunteer,  though  himself  a  protestant,  and  at  the  close  of  the 
campaign  in  1584,  again  resumed  his  legal  study  at  Toulon,  where 
he  was  imprisoned  for  his  religious  opinions,  but  was  permitted 
to  escape  to  Bordeaux,  where  for  some  years  he  spent  his  life 
alternately  between  religion  and  study.  On  the  death  of  his  elder 
brother,  he  was  induced  to  return  to  Scotland,  where  he  had  pre- 
viously endeavered  to  win  the  favor  of  James  VI  by  dedicating  to 
him  a  volume  of  poems  printed  at  Antwerp  in  1592.  Some  of 
his  Latin  poems  are  to  be  found  in  Delicive  Poetarum  Scotormn. 
But  his  ambition  failed  and  Lord  Hailus  pronounced  his  style 
to  be  incorrect,  and  his  ideas  frequently  impure. 

Second:  Hugh  Boyd  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1746  and  died, 
1 791.     He  was  educated  in  Trinity  College. 


166         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Third:  Robert  Boyd  was  bom  in  Scotland  in  1578,  and  died 
in  1627.  He  in  life  was  a  Scottish  Divine,  and  a  descendant  of 
Robert  Boyd  Errol  of  Arran.  He  was  educated  at  the  University 
of  Edinburg,  Scotland,  and  became  professor  of  Philosophy  at 
Montuban.  In  France,  professor  of  Saumar  in  1608,  and  professor 
of  Divinity  in  the  University  of  Glasgow  in  161 5. 

Fourth:  William  Boyd  was  a  Presbyterian  minister  of 
eminence  in  New  Jersey  and  was  bom  in  1758.  He  graduated  at 
Princeton  College  in  1778,  and  died  at  Lummington,  New  Jersey 
in  181 5.     No  more  record. 

Fifth:  John  Parker  Boyd  was  a  Brigade  General  in  the  army 
of  the  United  States.  He  was  bom  at  Newport,  Massachusetts  in 
1768,  and  died  at  Boston,  October  4,  1S30.  In  life  he  passed 
through  a  peculiar  military  career.  In  Hindostan  he  raised  an 
army  of  three  battalions, each  of  about  five  hundred  men  equipped 
with  cannons,  elephants  and  a  few  English  officers,  and  men  he 
hired  by  the  month.  This  equipment  was  his  sole  property,  and 
he  hired  out  their  service  to  any  of  the  Indian  Princes  who  would 
give  him  the  best  pay.  He  was  in  the  service  and  pay  of  Holkar 
in  the  Peistwa  Service,  and  afterwards  in  the  Nizam -Ali-Khan. 
Finding  the  trade  in  war  growing  dull,  he  sold  out  his  stock  of 
arms,  elephants  and  equipments  to  Colonel  Felose,  a  Neopolitan. 
He  was  in  Paris  in  1808,  and  having  found  his  way  back  to  America 
was  put  at  the  head  of  an  attachment  of  fifteen  thousand  men  in 
General  Williamson's  army  in  the  expedition  to  Upper  Canada, 
and  was  commander  at  the  Battle  of  Williamsburgh  which  was 
fought  November  11,  18 13.  He  proved  to  have  been  a  good  officer, 
and  after  the  war  was  appointed  Naval  Officer  of  the  Port  of 
Boston.  He  afterward  published  some  documents  pertaining  to 
military  offices  during  the  war  of  181 2-14  in  the  year  of  1816. 

(P.  S.)  John  Parker  Boyd  belonged  as  near  as  I  can  say,  to 
the  Portland,  Maine  Branch  and  is  spoken  of  in  a  communication 
of  Mr.  C.  H.  Boyd  of  Portland,  Maine,  written  from  Peters- 
burgh,  Va.,  in  April  2c,  1892. 


The  following  is  a  sketch  of  a  branch  of  the  Pennsylvania  Boyds 
taken  from  Cleveland's  History  of  Yates  Co. .  New  York  as  follows : 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         167 

Robert  M.  Boyd  was  a  native  of  Lancaster  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. He  was  born  here  in  1772,  and  at  a  young  age  learned 
the  blacksmith  trade.  He  emigrated  from  here  to  Bath,  New 
York  in  1799,  taking  the  route  by  the  way  of  the  Susquehanna, 
Chemung  and  Cohocton  River  on  what  was  known  as  the  old 
General  Sullivan  route  of  1779,  bringing  with  him  his  kit  of  tools. 
From  here  he  went  to  Geneva,  where  he  worked  for  a  year,  then 
went  to  Hopetown,  Yates  county.  New  York.  In  1804  he  united 
his  destinies  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rebecca  Woodhull,  a  daughter 
of  Tompkins  Woodhull,  then  an  early  settler  of  Benton,  same 
county,  who  was  born  in  1783,  and  died  in  1854.  They  at  first 
took  up  their  residence  in  Hopetown  until  1824,  when  they  moved 
to  Jerusalem,  New  York.  While  living  at  the  former  place,  he 
continued  to  work  at  his  trade,  except  two  years  in  Newark, 
New  York,  w^here  he  sharpened  tools  for  workmen  on  the  Erie 
Canal.  He  died  in  Jerusalem  in  1839.  ^Y  l^is  union  to  Miss 
Woodhull  their  family  consisted  of  six  children,  namely: 

First:  Alexander  W.,  who  was  bom  in  1807.  He  married 
Rachael  Fitzwater,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Fitzwater  of  Jerusalem, 
New  York  in  1836.  After  their  marriage  they  resided  in  Penn 
Yan  until  1850  when  they  moved  to  Michigan.  They  had  two 
children,  Margaret  and  Stewart. 

Second:  Thompkins  W.  Boyd,  the  second  son  was  bom  in 
1809  and  married  Rebecca  Van  Scoy,  daughter  of  Timothy  Van 
Scoy,  in  1835.  At  first  they  resided  in  Penn  Yan  and  in  1839 
moved  to  Hamionyville,  Pulteney  county,  New  York,  where  he 
kept  a  Public  House  for  some  twenty  years.  His  wife  died  in 
1866,  and  their  children  were  Elizabeth,  Robert  (who  married 
Kitty  Booth,  daughter  of  Spencer  Booth  of  Spencerport,  New 
York  and  then  went  to  Saginaw,  Michigan),  Elmira,  Theodore  P., 
Timothy  T.,  George  P.,  and  Harrison  P. 

Third:  Margaret,  who  was  born  in  1809  and  died  in 
1832. 

Fourth:  Robert  McDowell  Boyd,  who  was  born  in  18 14 
and  married  Mary  H.  Luther  in  1840,  who  was  a  daughter  of 
Elisha  Luther.  His  home  after  his  marriage  was  on  the  Friends 
Track,  number  44  in  Jerusalem,  New  York,  on  lands  owned  by 


168         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

his  father-in-law.  By  occupation  he  was  a  farmer.  His  wife 
was  born  in  1821,  and  their  children  were  Sidney,  Bennet  A., 
Martha,  Tompkins,  Charles,  Abbott,  Ellen  M.,  and  Frederick. 
Sidney  married  John  Waterhouse,  Jr.  of  Pultney,  and  died  in  that 
township  in  1866.  Bennett  married  Jane  Briggs,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Briggs  of  Potter,  New  York  and  always  resided  in  that 
town.  The  rest  of  the  children  in  1884  were  single  and  resided 
with  their  father. 

-  Fifth:  Martha  R.  Boyd  who  was  born  in  181 6.  She  was 
married  in  1834  and  became  the  second  wife  of  Louis  V.  Durand, 
a  native  of  France.  He  was  a  noted  Physician  of  Rochester, 
New  York,  and  died  in  1857.  In  1884  she  still  resided  in  Rochester 
and  their  children  were,  Adolphus,  George  and  Robert.  The 
fonner  died  in  the  anny  in  1861,  and  George  married  and  lived  in 
Buffalo. 

Sixth:  Arabella  R.  M.  Boyd  was  born  in  1819,  and  married 
Thomas  B.  O.  Durand,  a  son  of  Louis  V.  Durand,  by  the  wife  of 
his  first  marriage  in  1839.  He  also  was  a  Physician  and  lived  at 
Fairport,  New  York.  Their  children  were,  Ann,  Louis  and 
Rebecca. 

Seventh:  Mary  EHzabeth  Boyd  was  born  in  1825.  She 
married  Levi  Dildine  of  Ptdtney  and  moved  to  Wayland,  New 
York,  where  she  died  in  1854,  leaving  three  children  by  her  first 
husband.  Her  second  husband  was  Simpson  Dildine,  brother  of 
the  first,  who  died  in  1864,  leaving  one  child,  Frederick. 


While  engaged  in  preparing  my  former  history  of  the  Boyd 
family  in  18S4,  I  obtained  the  following  memento  from  Mr. 
Henry  Holmes,  Librarian  of  the  General  Library,  and  Stephen  B. 
Griswold,  Librarian  of  the  Law  Library  of  the  state  at  Albany, 
New  York,  of  the  records  and  names  of  Boyds  found  on  the  files 
of  their  respective  offices.  These  records  were  sent  me,  May  27, 
1882  as  follows: 

In  a  manuscript  account  book  found  in  the  State  Library 
of  Charles  Clinton  from  the  year  of  1729  to  1756  just  bought  for 
the  Library  gives  the  following : 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  169 

February  the  20,  1754,  received  from  Charles  Chnton, 
twenty-four  shilHngs  in  full  for  Smith  work  and  all  accounts  to 
the   date   hereof.  Robert  Boyd. 

Mr  Hough's  American  Biographical  Notes,  Albany,  1875. 
Royal  8  vo.  There  are  six  notes  of  Boyds,  each  of  about  three 
lines  each. 

American  Popular  Life  Insurance  Company,  published 
number  one,  a  list  of  long  lives  Americans  in  America,  but  failed 
to  mention  any  Boyds  in  the  list. 

T.  Bailey,  record  of  Longevity,  London,  1859,  pages  399, 
i2mo.  This  volume  enumerates  in  alphabetical  order  the  names 
of  centenarians,  their  homes  and  other  facts.  Under  the  letter  B 
there  are  several  hundred  mentioned.  Only  one  was  a  Boyd, 
whose  name  was  Flora,  who  died  in  Edinburgh,  181 5,  aged  104 
years. 

William  J.  Thomas,  Hrmian  Longevity  facts  and  fiction, 
published  at  London  in  1873,  PP-  32O)  i2mo.  This  volume  dis- 
cusses cases  of  longevity  in  England  and  America  by  name,  but 
does  not  mention  a  Boyd. 

The  Massachusetts  Historical  Society  collections.  Series 
number  2,  vol.  10,  contains  a  list  of  centenarians  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, but  no  Boyds. 

Joel  Munsell's  Collections  for  the  History  of  Albany,  New 
York.  Albany  1865  to  1871,  four  volumes.  Each  volume  has 
copious  indexes  of  names  of  persons,  and  there  are  thirty-six 
references  of  the  different  persons  named  Boyd. 

Joel  Munsell's  Annual  of  Albany,  1849  to  1855,  ten  volumes, 
have  thirty-eight  references  to  incidents  in  the  lives  of  a  number 
of  Boyd  families  of  Albany. 

In  these  notes  I  have  not  referred  to  the  Standard  Biography 
Dictionaries.  Yet  in  winding  up  I  will  mention  the  name  of 
General  John  Parker  Boyd,  born  in  1764 — died,  1830,  whose  life 
is  in  Drake's  American  Biographical  Dictionary  of  Boston  1872. 

Henry  Homes,  Librarian  of  General  Library. 
Stephen  B.  Griswold,  Librarian  of  Law  Library. 


170         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

The  following  was  taken  from  the  Rockland,  Illinois  paper 
of  January  26,  1892,  and  furnished  by  Frederick  Boyd  of  Quincy, 
Illinois,  April  g,  1892. 

"Mr.  John  Boyd  at  his  home  in  this  city,  this  morning  at 
five-thirty,  died  of  general  debility  after  a  prolonged  illness  of 
several  years.  He  was  born  in  Chatham,  New  York,  September 
16,  1828,  and  was  therefore  in  his  sixty-fourth  year  of  age.  He 
miarried  Miss  Lizzie  A.  Moore  at  Fredonia,  New  York,  October 
3,  1851,  who  survives  him.  He  leaves  also  a  son,  John  M.  Boyd, 
who  is  employed  as  a  salesman  for  the  Rockford  Watch  Company. 
Mrs.  John  A.  Davis  of  Kenwood,  near  Chicago,  and  Colonel 
Wesley  Boyd  of  Kokomo,  Colorado,  are  a  sister  and  brother  of 
the  deceased  man." 

The  paper  has  an  account  of  the  family  of  Mrs.  John  A.  (Boyd) 
Davis  thus: 

"Mrs.  John  A.  Davis  (sister  of  the  late  John  Boyd  of  Rock- 
ford)  of  Kentwood  inherits  an  Irish  estate.  She  is  a  recent  heir  to 
a  million  dollar  estate  in  Montana. 

Mrs.  John  A.  (Boyd)  Davis  of  Kenwood,  Illinois,  has  just 
fallen  heir  to  a  big  estate  in  Ireland  and  succeeded  to  a  title.  Mrs. 
Davis  is  the  only  surviving  heir.  She  is  a  grand-daughter  of 
Lady  Elenor  Stanhow.  She  succeeds  to  the  title  of  Lady  Stanhow 
and  to  Carson  House  the  Clavtalien  estate.  Mrs.  Davis  is  a 
niece  of  the  late  John  Russell  of  England.  The  fortunate  lady 
is  a  sister  of  the  late  John  Boyd  of  Rockford,  who  died  January 
26,  and  it  is  understood  he  stood  first  in  succession  to  the  estate. 
She  is  an  aunt  of  John  Boyd,  Jr.,  who  traveled  for  the  Rockford 
Watch  Company.  Mrs.  Davis  attended  the  funeral  of  her  brother 
and  only  returned  to  her  home  last  week.  Fortune  seems  to 
smile  upon  her  family,  for  it  was  only  a  short  time  since  her 
husband  was  declared  by  the  Court  of  Montana  to  be  heir  to  an 
estate  valued  at  more  than  four  millions  that  was  left  by  his 
brother  in  Butte.  Mrs.  Davis'  friends  in  Rockford,  Illinois  will 
rejoice  to  hear  of  her  good  fortune.  The  property  which  she 
inherits  from  her  grandmother  has  been  tied  up  for  some  years, 
and  it  is  only  recently  that  proofs  of  title  to  it  have  been 
received. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  171 

The  following  is  found  upon  the  old  muster  roll  of  soldiers 
from  the  Province  or  State  of  New  York  in  the  Archives, 
Albany.  They  took  active  part  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  the 
regiments  they  were  members  of. 

Ebenezer  Boyd,  captain  in  the  3d  Regiment;  George  Boyd, 
private  in  the  ist,  2d,  5th  and  6th  Regiments;  Isaac  Boyd,  private 
in  7th  Regiment;  James  Boyd,  2d  Ulster  county  Regiment  and 
also  artillery;  John  Boyd,  sergeant  in  General  Putnam  Scoharie 
county  Regiment;  John  Boyd,  captain  in  the  5th  Regiment; 
John  Boyd,  Charlotte  county  Militia,  also  the  6th  Regiment  and 
7th  Albany  Militia;  Jonah  Boyd,  private  of  6th  Regiment; 
Jonathan  Boyd,  Fonday's  Party;  Jonathan  Boyd,  the  ist  Regi- 
ment; Nathaniel  Boyd,  2d  and  Levies  Regiments;  Peley  Boyd, in 
the  Levies  Regiment;  Robert  Boyd,  in  the  2d,  4th,  5th  and  6th 
Regiments  and  Charlotte  Militia;  Robert  Boyd,  Jr., in  the  2d  Regi- 
ment; Samuel  Boyd  in  the  2d,  5th  and  6th  Regiments;  Thomas 
Boyd  in  the  Charlotte  county  Militia;  William  Boyd  in  the  Char- 
lotte county  Militia;  Samuel  Boyd  in  the  5th  and  6th  Regiments. 


The  following  sensational  drama  was  introduced  in  New  York 
a  few  years  ago  of  which  a  program  was  sent  me.  In  the  same, 
one  of  the  characters  were  Captain  Ebenezer  Boyd  of  Kent,  New 
York,  the  progenitor  of  the  family  of  Boyds  of  that  place  as 
given  in  this  work.     The  play  bill  read  as  follows: 

"MAJOR  ANDRE."  * 

New  Clyde  Fitch  play,  well  staged  and  acted  at  Savoy  Theatre, 

New  York. 

Is  an  Interesting  Drama. 

Has  Strong  Situations,  Bright  Lines,  and  Charming  Pictures  of 

Old  New  York. 

Savoy  Theatre — Major  Andre,  an  Original  Play  of    the  Revolu- 
tion in  Four  Acts,  by  Clyde  Fitch. 

Major  John  Andre  of  His  Majesty's  Anny Arthur  Byron 

Michael,   his   Servant Arnold    Daily 


172         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Captain  Basil  Trehem Frederick  Lane 

Lieutenant  Gregory  Whithers Ernest  Lawford 

Colonel  Beverly  Robinson Dodson  L.  Mitchell 

Nathan   Goodrich Guy   Bates    Port 

John  Pauldney . Wallace   Eddinger 

David  WiUiams George  S.  Probert 

Isaac  Van  Wort Thomas  Meighan 

Josiah  Allen  Esy  Tory Frank  J.  McLityre 

Joshua    Hett    Smith   Tory Edward   Lea 

Captain    Ebenezer    Boyd Adam    Fox 

Casar. James  Rallis 

Miss    Barbara    Allen Chrystal    Heme 

Miss    Nancy   Winslow   of    New.  York Angela    Keir 

Miss  Polly  Van  Kort  of  New  York Marian   Gardiner 

Mrs.  Van  Kort  of  New  York Mrs.  Sol.  Smith 

Miss  Kip  of  New  York Mrs.  Johannas  Whiffen 


The  following  sketch  of  the  Boyd  family  of  the  town  of 
Antrim,  New  Hampshire  and  descendants,  is  taken  from  the 
early  history  of  that  town  by  the  Rev.  Warren  R.  Cochrane  in 
1880  which  gives  the  same  as  follows: 

The  first  of  this  family  in  this  country  of  which  we  have  any 
record  of  was  Captain  William  Boyd  of  Ireland,  who  came  over 
the  deep  blue  waters  of  the  ocean  fourteen  times,  bringing  Scotch 
emigrants  from  that  country  to  America.  He  was  a  man  of  noble 
courage  and  force  and  came  to  Londonderry,  New  Hampshire 
among  the  early  settlers  of  that  town  not  far  from  the  year  17 19. 
Eight  of  his  given  names  appear  on  the  memorial  sent  over  to 
Governor  Shute,  March  26,  17 18,  asking  encouragement  to  obtain 
lands  in  "that  very  excellent  and  renowned  plantation"  called 
New  England.  In  his  matured  years  he  signed  the  "Association 
Test"  of  April  1776.  He  married  here,  Alice  Hunter  and  settled 
permanently  in  the  western  part  of  Londonderry  in  1 7  5 1 .  He  died 
here  November  24,  1789,  aged  seventy.  His  wife  also  died  here, 
November  26,1 790,  aged  sixty.     They  had  six  children  as  follows : 

The  first  was  Deacon  Joseph  who  came  to  Antrim,  New 
Hampshire  in  1774,  and  settled  upon  a  farm  owned  in  18 So  by 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  173 

D.  H.  Goodall.  Here  he  married  Miss  Mary  McKeen  who  in  after 
years  was  better  known  as  "Molly  Boyd"  as  she  was  called. 
History  says  she  had  the  reputation  of  being  "particularly  kind, 
tender-hearted  and  generous."  Joseph  was  a  very  devoted 
elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  from  1800  until  his  death.  It 
is  claimed  that  nobody  ever  knew  him  to  do  an  unfair  thing,  and 
was  eminently  sincere  and  honorable,  and  he  was  also  a  man 
patiently  laborous  and  industrious.  His  death  which  took  place 
December  20,  18 16,  was  caused  by  being  thrown  from  a  car- 
riage just  below  the  old  church  he  had  attended  and  was  returning 
from  service  at  the  age  of  sixty-four.  His  wife  was  a  woman  of 
great  bravery  and  courage.  She  died  May  3,  1828  at  the  age  of 
seventy-three.  Tradition  says  at  one  time  when  her  husband  was 
absent  from  Londonderry,  she  had  been  left  alone  with  two  or 
three  small  children  in  their  log  house  in  the  woods,  a  large  bear 
came  and  attacked  her  pigs,  which  constituted  one  of  their  early 
possessions  at  that  tim.e.  The  bear  had  broken  into  the  enclosure 
and  the  first  notice  of  it  was  the  squealing  of  the  pigs.  One  of 
them  had  escaped  and  ran  by  her  door  in  its  fright,  while  the  other 
kept  up  the  squealing.  She  went  down  near  the  log  bam  and  found 
Bniin  hugging  it  nearly  to  death.  Quick  as  a  flash  she  grabbed  a 
stick  of  wood  from  the  fire  as  it  was  burning, struck  the  bear  such  a 
fearful  blow  that  he  dropped  the  pig,  ran  off  a  short  distance,  sat 
upon  his  haunches  and  looked  at  her  as  if  deliberating  what  to  do. 
In  after  years  she  used  to  say  he  looked  to  her  more  like  the  devil 
than  anything  else  she  ever  saw.  She  got  between  him  and  the 
pig  and  drove  the  bleeding  thing  back  into  the  pen  and  shut  it  in. 
Then  she  ran  for  one  of  the  nearest  neighbors  to  come  and 
shoot  the  bear,  but  when  she  and  the  neighbor  got  back  her  hus- 
band had  come,  and  the  bear  had  gone.  They  made  a  trap  that 
night  and  baited  it  with  part  of  the  pig,  and  before  morning  they 
caught  old  bruin  who  weighed  over  three  hundred  pounds. 

The  family  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Boyd  was  of  nine  children. 
Five  of  them  died  young  and  the  others  were  as  follows: 

First:  Robert  Bo^^d  who  was  bom  November  7,  177S.  He 
married  Betsey  Paige  in  1800  and  was  found  dead  in  the  woods  in 
September  of  1837.     He  left  a  family  of  eight  children  thus: 


174         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

William,  who  was  born  September  24,  1801  and  died  in  child- 
hood. Betsey  was  bom  November  2,  1803,  and  married  James  W. 
Wilder  and  lived  in  after  years  at  Providence,  Pennsylvania. 
Joseph  who  was  bom  August  11,  1S07,  and  married  Mary  G. 
Bemis  of  Boston,  and  was  for  a  long  time  in  the  provision  business 
in  that  city,  where  he  accumulated  great  wealth,  and  in  1880  was 
living  in  Summerville,  Massachusetts.  They  had  one  living  child 
named  Frances  A.,  unmarried.  William  who  died  in  infancy. 
Mary  who  died  in  March  181 2.  David  who  was  born  April  g, 
1 8 13.  He  married  Abbie  S.  Butler  of  Bolton,  Massachusetts  and 
in  1880  was  living  at  Plymouth,  Vermont,  and  Mary  who  was 
born  June  30,  181 5.  In  1880  was  living  with  her  brother  Joseph. 
Joseph's  wife,  the  mother  of  the  above  children  died  at  Providence, 
Pennsylvania,  May  5,  1869.  David's  wife  died  in  1878,  leaving 
two  children,  William  David  and  Mary  Allen  Boyd. 

Second:  Alice  Boyd,  the  oldest  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary 
Boyd,  was  bom  June  24,  1780.  She  married  Mark  Woodbury. 
She  was  a  woman  of  rare  kindness,  attractive  and  of  unusual 
ability  and  force.  She  died  April  15,  1858.  She  was  the  mother 
of  ten  children  whose  names  were  Luke,  Sabrina,  Mary,  Betsey, 
Betsey  B.,  Mark  B.,  Tanny,  Nancy,  Levi,  John  B.,  whose  history 
are  as  follows:  Luke  was  born  December  25,  1800,  graduated  at 
Darmouth  College  in  1820  and  was  for  many  years  Probate  Judge 
for  Hillsborough  county  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the 
Democratic  Candidate  for  Governor  of  New  Hampshire.  He 
married  Mary  E.  Wallace  of  Antrim,  June  10,  1834  and  died 
August  27,  1850.  They  had  no  children.  Sabrina  the  oldest 
daughter  was  born  February  4,  1804.  She  married  George  W.  Hill, 
May  20,  1828  and  died,  May  8,  1856,  of  whom  three  children 
survive  her.  Alice  R.,  Susie  vS.  who  married  Morris  Christian, 
M.  D.,  July  22,  1863,  and  has  one  child  George  born  August  5 
1868,  and  John  R.  a  citizen  of  Johnston,  Vermont.  Mary  was 
bom  December  8,  1805.  She  married  Joshua  C.  Dodge,  October 
23,  1828  and  died  May  3,  1836.  Betsey,  born  May  8,  1808  and 
died  in  infancy,  Betsey  B.  born  May  8,  1809  and  married  Benja 
min  B.  Muzzey,  October  6,  1834  and  died  March  20,  1849.  Mark 
B.  born  May  9,  1811,  married  Emily  Wilson  of  Stoddard  in  1837 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         175 

and  died  October  24,  1874,  and  his  wife,  June  20,  1872,  aged  fifty- 
seven.  They  had  one  child  named  Frank  B.,  born  January  28, 
1849.  B'anny  was  born  November  14,  18 13  and  died  October 
4,  1858.  Nancy  was  born  October  28,  1817,  married  for  her  first 
husband  A.  N.  Moore  in  1837,  who  died  in  1844,  and  for  her  sec- 
ond husband  George  C.  Trumble  October  21,  1855.  Levi  was 
born  February  18,  1820  and  died  August  10,  1865,  married  Anna 
M.  Baldwin  May  21,  1850.  They  had  no  children.  John  B. 
was  bom  October  13,  1823,  married  for  his  first  wife  Mary  F. 
Pattee,  who  died  October  15,  1858,  leaving  three  children,  John 
H.  P.  bom  October  31,  1850,  who  married  Ellen  L.  Car  of  Antrim, 
February  12,  1873,  and  had  one  child  Nannie  Bland,  born  June 
19,  1S77.  Levi  who  was  born  January  14,  1854,  married  Ida  M. 
Whittle  of  Hillsborough  Bridge,  August  26,  1873.  Mary  Alice 
was  born  October  8,  1858  and  married  William  A.  Parker  August 
23,  1876.  John  B.  Woodbury  married  for  his  second  wife  Mary  C. 
Whittemore  of  Antrim,  May  28,  1861.  By  this  union  they  had 
four  children,  Helen  C.  bom  August  7,  1863;  George  C.,  born 
September  18,  1865;  Arthur  W.,  born  February  14,  1868  and 
died  April  12,  1869,  and  Ralph  B.,  born  March  4,  1879. 

Third,  David  Boyd  the  second  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Boyd 
was  bom  November  17,  1782,  died  September  2,  1859,  was  never 
married. 

Fourth,  John  C.  Boyd  the  third  son  was  never  married.  He 
went  in  the  War  of  1S12  and  died  in  service  at  Portsmouth, 
March  18,  18 13,  aged  twenty-seven. 

William  Bo\'d  the  second  son  of  Captain  William  Boyd  and 
Alice  Hunter,  married  for  his  first  wife  Annie  Orr,  a  daughter  of 
William  Orr  of  Derry,  N.  H.  He  died  October  10,  1825  at  the 
age  of  69.  For  his  second  wife,  Martha  Dickey  of  Londonderry. 
The  first  wife  Alice  Hunter  died  in  18 13.  Her  children  were 
William  Boyd,  Jr.,  who  married  Margaret  Holmes  and  died  in 
Derry  in  1841,  aged  fifty-nine.  Second,  Letitia,  who  married 
Samuel  March  and  died  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  1845  and  her  hus- 
band October  4,  1825,  aged  forty-five.  James  died  December 
9,  1809,  aged  eighteen.  Robert  married  Elizabeth  Choat  and 
died  May  19,  18 16  at  the    age    of    twenty-seven.     Mary    died 


176        HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Aug.  28,  1804,  aged  three.  The  second  wife's  (Martha  Dickey) 
children  were,  Col.  Colvin  Boyd,  who  was  bom  March  5,  18 18 
and  married  Charlotte  W.  Shepard,  and  in  1884  was  living  in  the 
old  homestead  at  Londonderry,  N.  H.  He  commanded  a  regi- 
ment of  New  Hampshire  Militia  and  was  a  fine  officer.  Maria 
was  born  August  19,  1819  and  married  Horace  P.  Willis  of  Man- 
chester, N.  H.,  and  Mason  who  was  born  August  28,  1821,  mar- 
ried Mary  H.  Dodge  and  lived  at  Londonderry,  in  his  native  state. 

Isaac  Boyd  the  second  son  of  Joseph  and  Alice  Boyd,  was 
drowned  April  28,  iSoo  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine.  He  lost  his 
life  while  driving  some  cattle  across  the  Merrimac  River.  He 
married  Mary  Thompson,  who  died  February  2,  181 7,  aged  forty- 
seven  years.  Their  children  were:  First,  Robert,  who  married 
Susan  Riddle  of  Bedford  and  second,  Martha  B.  Dickey  of  War- 
ren, 0.  He  died  in  Ohio  April  12,  1871,  aged  seventy-three  years. 
Second,  Alice,  who  died  unmarried  at  Londonderry,  January  g, 
1852,  aged  fifty-five.  Third,  Isaac,  who  died  in  1844,  aged  forty- 
four  years,  and  for  his  wife,  married  Sarah  C.  Hill  of  West  New- 
bury, N.  H.  He  was  a  noted  physician  of  the  latter  place,  where 
he  lived. 

John  Boyd  the  third  son  of  Joseph  and  Alice  Hunter  Boyd, 
married  Naomi,  a  daughter  of  John  Duncan  of  Antrim,  N.  H. 
He  lived  in  the  homestead  of  his  father,  and  died  there  in  early 
manhood  greatly  lamented,  July  12,  1795,  aged  twenty-nine  years. 

Alice  Boyd  the  oldest  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Alice  Boyd, 
married  James  Steel  and  lived  and  died  in  Antrim,  N.  Y. 

James  Boyd  the  fifth  son  of  Joseph  and  Alice  Boyd,  was 
bom  April  3,  1768.  He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Antrim, 
N.  H.,  settling  there  about  the  year  1789.  He  married  Fanny 
Baldwin  of  Amherst,  N.  H.  in  1795.  She  came  here  as  a  teacher 
in  her  younger  days  and  taught  in  several  places  in  the  town. 
She  taught  a  while  in  a  dwelling  house  on  top  of  what  was  called 
Pattee's  Hill,  which  was  upon  a  road  that  led  to  her  father-in- 
law's  house.  There  she  became  acquainted  with  James  Boyd 
who  choosed  her  on  account  of  her  good  qualities  as  his  wife. 
She  died  December  25,  1828  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  and  he  died 
September  6,  1835,  aged  sixty-seven.     They  had  seven  children 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         177 

as  follows:  First,  Fanny  Boyd,  who  was  bom  September  17, 
1798,  married  Josiah  Christian  March  16,  1824  and  died  in  child- 
birth near  the  close  of  the  same  year,  leaving  twin  infants,  whose 
names  are  Frankhn,  who  died  in  1828  and  Francis,  who  moved 
to  Boston  in  1845.  Second,  Harriet,  who  was  born  September 
17,  1798  and  married  Simeon  B.  Little  of  Roscawan,  September 
16,  1824  and  died  there  October  3,  1850,  leaving  four  children: 
George,  Sherman,  Arthur  a  distinguished  Congregational  clergy- 
man of  Chicago  and  Evelyn.  Third,  Lucy,  who  was  bom  Octo- 
ber 6,  1802,  married  Kimball  of  Hancock,  N.  Y.,  October  20, 
1831  and  died  February  10,  1879.  He  died  September,  1864, 
aged  sixty-three  years.  They  had  four  children:  James  B.  died 
in  childhood,  Joseph  M.  died  in  1862,  aged  twenty-eight,  Mary 
F.  and  Helen.  Fourth,  James  Boyd,  who  was  bom  May  26, 
1804,  married  Evelyn  Hall  in  1832,  a  daughter  of  Gilbert  and 
Phebe  (Perry)  Hall  of  Warren,  Me.  Her  father  being  an  old  sea 
captain  with  a  life  of  romantic  successes  and  reverses,  died 
at  sea,  1825.  James  resided  upon  the  old  homestead  of  his 
father  and  was  a  carpenter  by  trade;  was  a  hard  worker  and  an 
able  and  careful  manager.  Was  for  a  long  time  a  Deacon  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  died  April  18,  1880  after  a  long  lin- 
gering suffering.  He  survived  all  his  children,  consisting  of  two 
sons  and  a  daughter  namely:  Isaac,  who  was  born  April  28,  1806 
and  married  Mary  Hadly  of  Goffwin.  He  was  a  roving,  stirring, 
wide-awake  man  and  carried  on  the  bobbin  business  for  several 
years  at  the  Branch,  then  moved  to  Waldoborough,  Me.,  where 
he  died  April  28,  1828  leaving  three  children,  Mary  T.  who  mar- 
ried Samuel  N.  Morse  of  Nashau,  N.  H. ;  James  P.  who  lived  un- 
married at  Waldoborough,  Me.  and  Sarah  M.  who  was  for  a  time 
a  teacher  in  Boston,  and  in  years  afterward  a  traveller  in  South 
America  and  Europe;  also  a  teacher  in  Brazil,  South  America. 


Among  those  of  the  Boyd  descendants  whose  life  has  been 
filled  with  many  daring  adventures  and  cunning  bravery  connected 
with  the  dark  hours  of  the  Southern  Rebellion  of  1861,  is  that  of 
a  young  lady  of  Virginia,  better  known  in  the  present  day  as  the 


178         HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Rebel  Spy,  Bell  Boyd.  From  the  first  breaking  out  of  the  war 
her  whole  sympathy  was  for  the  southern  people  there  in  the  Re- 
bel camp,  and  she  spent  most  of  her  time  in  getting  information 
in  the  Union  lines  and  carrying  the  same  to  the  Rebel 
Leaders. 

Her  parental  home  was  at  Martinsburg  in  the  north-eastern 
part  of  West  Virginia,  where  the  Union  Generals,  Banks,  Fremont 
and  Shield  in  1862  were  trying  to  crush  the  Rebel  General  John- 
ston from  marching  on  toward  Washington,  and  were  surprised  to 
find  that  their  movements  were  betrayed  to  the  Rebel  oflEicers  by 
some  unknown  spy.  But  it  was  not  long  before  it  was  discovered 
that  the  same  was  being  carried  by  a  bold,  young  female  named 
Bell  Boyd,  who  was  at  this  time  a  permanent  visitor  in  the  Union 
lines.  She  was  at  once  arrested,  sent  to  Washington  and  after- 
wards conducted  to  Baltimore,  Md.,  but  General  Dicks,  for 
lack  of  certain  evidence  against  her,  sent  her  home. 

In  May  of  that  year  she  started  from  her  home  to  visit  Rich- 
mond, Va.  While  at  Westchester,  as  she  passed  through  the 
Union  lines,  she  heard  some  plans  of  the  Union  General  Shield, 
and  she  at  once  hastened  to  the  Rebel  General  Ashley  and  con- 
veyed to  him  the  information,  which  assisted  the  Rebel  Stonewall 
Jackson  to  plan  his  brilliant  charge  upon  the  Union  lines  at  Fort 
Royal. 

On  May  21,  1862,  while  trying  to  get  more  information  in 
the  Union  lines,  she  was  captured  again  and  a  search  showed  upon 
her  person  that  she  had  been  trusted  with  a  letter  for  the  Con- 
federate anny  and  made  a  prisoner.  On  the  first  of  August,  by 
the  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  she  was  taken  to  Washington 
and  confined  in  the  Old  Capitol  Prison,  but  was  soon  afterward 
released  and  sent  south  and  ordered  never  to  be  seen  again  in  the 
Union  lines.  After  the  war  she  married  a  southern  gentelman 
and  resided  for  a  time  at  Fairmount,  West  Virginia,  but  now  her 
residence  is  unknown  to  us. 


The  following  is  the  history  of  John  Boyd  and  family  of 
Dundee,  Scotland  of  1754,  who  settled  at  St.  John,  New  Bruns- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  179 

wick  about  1790,  as  furnished  to  us  by  Mr.  Henry  A.  Boyd  of 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  a  descendant  of  the  same. 

John  Boyd,  first,  was  bom  in  Dundee,  Scotland,  1754,  and 
died  in  St.  John,  New  Brunswick,  Canada,  1818.  His  father 
was  William  Boyd,  a  Major  in  the  British  Army,  part  of  whose 
Military  service  was  in  Pennsylvania  prior  to  the  War  of  Inde- 
pendence. I  know  nothing  further  with  regard  to  William  Boyd, 
except  that  he  had  sonie  silver  plate  with  the  Kilmarnock  arms. 
These,  I  saw  when  a  boy,  but  they  were  all  destroyed  by  fire  in 
1877.  Among  these  was  a  large  silver  salver  bearing  the  Kil- 
marnock arms  and  a  wine  cooler,  the  feet  of  which  were  squirrels 
standing  upright. 

John  Boyd,  first,  belonged  to  the  Royal  Medical  Staff  and 
served  for  forty-one  years  in  various  parts  of  the  World.  In 
1785-86  he  was  with  the  Royal  Army,  which  occupied  New  York 
and  was  sent  with  the  troops  accompanying  the  Loyalists,  who 
went  from  New  York  to  Shelbume,  Nova  Scotia.  In  1787  he 
was  Medical  Officer  of  the  Garrison  at  Fort  Edward,  N.  S.,  and 
afterward  resided  in  St.  John,  N.  B.,  where  he  died.  He  was  an 
accomplished  violinist,  notable  for  his  scientific  attainments  and 
zeal  in  his  profession.  His  hospitality  and  kindness  to  his  Brother 
Officers  are  referred  to  in  letters  from  General  Sir  Howard 
Douglas.  He  married  in  September,  1786,  Jane  Barclay,  daughter 
of  Andrew  Barclay,  a  prominent  Loyalist,  son  of  Andrew  Bar- 
clay and  Helena  Roosevelt  (and  grandson  of  the  Rev.  Thos. 
Barclay,  first  Rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Albany,  N.  Y.).  Their 
children  were: 

Anna  Maria,  who  married  the  Hon.  Edward  J.  Jarvis,  Chief 
Justice  of  Prince  Edward  Island;  descendants  living. 

John,  who  married  Albinia  Wright,  daughter  of  Col.  Henry 
Wright  and  Elizabeth  Dumaresq,  (from  whom  the  writer  is 
descended)  was  bom  in  Windsor,  Nova  Scotia,  July  i,  1792. 
After  graduating  at  Kings  College,  N.  S.,  he  studied  medicine 
and  surgery  in  London  under  the  celebrated  surgeons,  Alexander 
Marcet  and  Sir  Ashley  Cooper,  took  his  degree  at  Edingsburg,  was 
appointed  surgeon  extraordinary  to  the  Duke  of  Kent,  afterward 
returned  to  St.  John,  New  Brunswick,  where  he  filled  many  pub- 


180  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

lie  ofifices;  was  for  many  years  surgeon  of  the  Marine  Hospital 
at  St.  John,  N.  B.;  President  of  the  St.  Andrew's  Scottish  Society, 
and  Director  of  the  Bank  of  New  Brunswick.  He  accumulated 
a  considerable  fortune,  and  was  highly  esteemed  because  of  his 
ability  and  many  virtues. 

Edward,  married  Jane  Crondan,  was  a  godson  of  Prince 
Edward,  the  Duke  of  Kent,  froin  whom  he  received  his  com- 
mission in  the  Royal  Army.  His  first  service  was  in  the  Penin- 
sula War,  where  he  led  a  storming  party  at  Badajos,  in  that  ac- 
tion he  was  severely  wounded;  afterward  served  with  the  29th 
Regiment;  in  1840  was  a  Captain  in  the  Royal  Staff  Corps,  and 
was  Surveyor  General  for  Van  Diemens'  Land.  In  1S42  was  in 
Afghanistan  in  charge  of  the  Commissary  Department.  After 
the  massacre  in  the  Khyber  Pass,  was  among  the  hostages,  who 
were  taken  into  Persia.  His  bravery  and  good  judgment  are 
mentioned  in  several  accounts  of  this  disastrous  affair.  Retired 
as  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  Royal  Staff  Corps,  and  died  in  1875, 
leaving  no  descendants,  his  children  having  been  murdered  by 
the  natives  in  India. 

Mary  Caroline  married  William  Jarvis,  of  St.  John,  New 
Brunswick.  Their  only  son,  William  Munson  Jarvis,  Esq.,  is 
living  in  St.  John,  New  Brunswick,  and  has  several  children. 

Cornelia  Jane  married  Alexander  Boyle,  a  distinguished 
Medical  Officer  in  the  Royal  Army.     This  line  is  extinct. 

Amelia  Henrietta  married  Captain  John  Emslie  of  the  Royal 
Army,  and  some  years  after  his  death  married  the  Hon.  Thomas 
Haviland,  Colonial  Secretary  for  Prince  Edward  Island.  She 
left  one  daughter,  Helen,  whose  descendants  are  living  in  Prince 
Edward  Island. 

James  William  married  Emma  Carleton  Peters,  daughter  of 
the  Hon.  Charles  J.  Peters,  Attorney  General  for  the  Province 
of  New  Brunswick;  was  an  Attorney  of  considerable  ability;  also 
an  accomplished  musician;  took  a  very  active  part  in  public 
affairs,  and  was  Captain  in  the  New  Brunswick  Regiment  of 
Artillery,  He  left  two  sons,  Robert  Murray  (unmarried)  and 
Boyle  Carleton  Barclay,   the  latter  married  Sarah  H.   Adams. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  181 

Sarah  Florence,  their  only  daughter,  married  William  Jervis 
Starr,  and  is  living  near  St.  John,  New  Brunswick. 

Mary  Rowe  and  Isabella  Jane,  the  youngest  daughters,  died 
unmarried. 

John,  the  eldest  surviving  son  of  the  above  John  Boyd,  mar- 
ried Albinia  Wright,  daughter  of  Col.  Henry  Wright,  who  was  for 
many  years  Collector  of  Imperial  Custom.s  at  St.  John,  N.  B. 
There  children  are: 

John  Edward,  born  St.  John,  N.  B.,  May  14,  1834.  He  mar- 
ried, first,  Alice,  daughter  of  Douglas  Stewar't,  Esq.,  some  years 
after  her  death,  married  Mary  Millicent,  daughter  of  H.  E. 
Steele,  Esq.;  was  a  Civil  Engineer  by  profession  and  a  member 
of  the  Institute  of  Civil  Engineers.  He  served  under  several 
English  Engineers  and  then  returned  to  St.  John,  N.  B.,  where 
he  was  appointed  Engineer  in  charge  of  construction  on  the 
Railway,  running  north  from  St.  John;  now  part  of  the  Inter- 
colonial Railway;  after  completion  of  that  work,  was  appointed 
Superintendent,  and  later  took  charge  of  the  construction  of  the 
Railways  on  Prince  Edward  Island.  From  that  time  until  his 
death  he  was  in  the  service  of  the  Canadian  Government,  having 
general  supervision  of  all  important  Engineering  Works  through- 
out the  Dominion.  "His  reputation  as  an  eminent  Engineer  was 
not  merely  local,  but  Canadian,  from  Halifax  to  Vancouver. 
His  name  was  synonomous  with  great  professional  abilit}^  and 
conscientious  discharge  of  duty,  and  in  him  the  public  service  of 
the  Dominion  loses  an  officer,  whom  it  will  be  found  exceedingly 
difficult  to  replace."  He  left  three  children,  Hilda  Mary,  who 
married  Gilbert  H.  Stevens  and  Miriam,  who  married  Harold 
Rodhan,  and  John  Errol,  who  married  Octavia  M.  Terry. 

Henry  Errol  was  born  in  St.  John,  N.  B.,  July  i,  1838.  After 
graduating  at  Windsor,  Nova  Scotia,  he  was  associated  with  his 
brother  Edward,  and  began  his  profession  of  Mechanical  En- 
gineering, under  the  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Boston  and  Maine 
R.  R.  He  was  a  Mechanical  Engineer  of  remarkable  ability, 
and  stood  high  in  his  profession  as  a  designer  and  inventor.  Was 
one  of  the  founders  of  St.  Stephen's  Church,  MeKeesport,  Pa. 
For  many  years  he  was  Treasurer,  and  was  Senior  Warden  for 


182         HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

fourteen  years  preceding  his  death.  "Was  a  man  of  most  beauti- 
ful character  and  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him:  His  counsel 
was  wise  and  conservative,  and  his  opinions  firm  and  well  ground- 
ed." He  married  Susan  Henrietta  de  Burgh,  and  had  a  son  and 
daughter.  Henry  Augustus,  mechanical  Engineer  and  expert, 
residing  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  niarried  first,  Phoebe  Elizabeth  Saun- 
ders, some  years  after  her  death  he  m.arried  Mabel  Ross  Wal- 
ford;  has  four  daughters:  Albinia  Henrietta,  Mabel  Walford, 
Edith  de  Burgh,  Elizabeth  Irene.  Albinia  Helen  married  George 
D.  Russell  and  has  one  daughter,  Anna  Boyd. 

Chipman,  bom  March  6,  1 841,  in  St.  John,  N.  B.    Unmarried. 

Stanley,  bom  November  22,  1842.  in  St.  John,  N.  B.  Gradu- 
ated at  Kings  College,  Windsor,  Nova  Scotia;  practiced  law  for 
several  years,  and  then  studied  Divinity;  was  Curate  at  Windsor, 
N.  S.,  afterward  Rector  at  St.  Andrews,  N.  B.,  and  in  1S78  re- 
moved to  Bath,  England.  He  married  Elizabeth  Turberville 
Lewellin,  but  left  no  children. 

Laura,  born  September  i,  1844,  married  first,  William  H. 
Scovil,  Esq.,  and  some  years  after  his  death,  Lieutenant  Col. 
James  Wall,  of  the  Royal  Artillery.  She  has  one  daughter,  Dora 
Cecil  Scovil,  who  married  Edward  Sylvester  Williams,  Esq.,  of 
Penarth,  Wales. 

Herbert,  born  May  22,  1S47.  Graduated  at  Kings  College, 
Windsor,  Nova  Scotia;  afterward  at  the  Harvard  Medical  School, 
Cambridge,  Mass.;  studied  in  the  Hospitals  at  Paris  and  Lon- 
don; was  appointed  Surgeon  in  the  Bengal  Army,  India.  In 
i86q  was  with  the  14th  Sikhs  in  several  of  the  Frontier  Wars  in 
India  and  Affghanistan;  was  at  the  taking  of  Ali  Musjed  and  the 
subsequent  actions  through  the  Khyber  Pass;  afterward  in  the 
Hazara  Campaign.  Retired  as  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  resides  in 
London,  England;  married  Annie  Cecelia  Daly, daughter  of  Francis 
Dermott  Daly,  Esq.,  and  has  one  son,  John  Errol  Moritz,  who  was 
born  May  6,  1881,  now  Captain  in  the  British  Army  in  India. 

Albinia  Dora,  born  November  27,  1850;  married  the  Rev. 
Sidney  Herbert  Nobbs  Rawdon,  and  has  four  children,  Dora 
Christian,  Lilian  Mary,  George  Herbert  Stanley,  Rona  Albinia. 
They  reside  in  the  island  of  Jersey. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  183 

All  of  the  family  papers  and  letters  were  destroyed  by  fire  in 
1877,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  Bible,  which  belonged  to  John 
Boyd,  first;  also  a  small  Bible,  which  belonged  to  James  William 
Boyd.  These  contain  the  record  of  their  families.  Beside  these 
there  are  a  number  of  letters  and  old  newspapers.  All  the  above 
are  in  the  hands  of  B.  C.  Barclay  Boyd,  Esq.,  St.  John,  New 
Brunswick. 

William  M.  Jarvis,  Esq.,  St.  John,  New  Brunswick,  has  an 
embroidered  sampler,  worked  by  Jane  Barclay,  ''made  in  the 
ninth  year  of  her  age.  New  York,  October,  1777." 

Henry  A.  Boyd,  Esq.,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  has  the  dress  sword 
which  belonged  to  John  Boyd,  first,  and  a  memorial  ring  of  Alex- 
ander Boyd,  1626,  which  was  given  to  "John  Boyd  by  his  cousin, 
when  leaving  Aberdeen." 

Robert  Murray  Boyd,  Esq.,  St.  John,  N.  B.,  has  the  seal 
which  belonged  to  John  Boyd,  first,  being  the  Boyd  coat  of  arms. 

Mrs.  Vernon  Longworth,  Charlottetown,  Prince  Edward 
Island,  has  the  wedding  ring  of  Jane  Barclay  and  a  large  portrait 
of  Col.  Edward  Boyd. 


The  Boyds  of  Coshocton  County,  Ohio 

Our  history  of  the  Boyds  family  of  Coshocton  County  of 
Ohio  as  given  to  us  by  Mr.  Robert  R.  Boyd  of  Manokin,  N.  D., 
came  originally  from  the  Province  of  Ulster,  Ireland  and  the 
County  of  Tyrone,  while  some  of  them  from  the  County  of  Done- 
gal, and  were  known  as  the  Presbyterian  and  Methodist  Boyds^ 

Robert  Boyd  the  ancestor,  was  a  son  of  William  Boyd  of 
Tyrone,  Ireland.  He  came  to  Coshocton  County  about  the  year 
of  191 2.  His  descendants  are  now  scattered  and  but  few  living 
at  the  above  place  to-day.  One  of  his  noted  descendants  was 
William  M.  Boyd,  known  and  called  "Border  Billy,"  who  died 
about  1889.  This  man  was  of  sterling  character  as  loved  by  all 
that  knew  him.  The  descendant  of  William  Boyd,  a  brother  of 
Robert  were  the  most  numerous.  They  began  to  emigrate  to  Cos- 
hocton County  about  1820  and  continued  to  settle  there  through 
the  preceding  year,  until  the  whole  family  arrived,  most  of  them 


184         HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

making  their  way  through  Canada.  Mr.  Robert  R.  Boyd's 
grandfather,  Robert  Boyd,  who  was  a  grandson  of  WilHam  Boyd 
of  Tyrone,  Ireland,  was  born  in  Cook's  Town  of  that  County  in 
1795.  He  landed  in  Baltimore  late  in  the  fall  of  18 19  or  early  in 
1820.  He  was  one  of  the  eighteen  children  that  came  to  Ohio 
settling  here  in  1826.  Mr.  Boyd's  father  came  by  the  way  of 
Baltimore  from  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  where  he  was  born  April 
29,  1820  and  arrived  at  Coshocton,  0.,  in  1826  and  died  in  1880. 
To-day  his  children  are  scattered  to  all  parts  of  the  Unites  States. 
The  descendants  of  this  William  of  Tyrone  were  Presbyterians 
of  the  conservative  type.  The  Methodist  Boyds  of  Coshocton 
were  of  a  large  family.  Robert  Boyd,  the  ancestor  was  born 
in  Ireland  in  1765  and  left  that  country  in  1820  and  came  to 
Ohio  by  the  way  of  St.  John,  New  Brunswick  and  from  there  to 
Coshocton  in  182 1  or  22.  His  wife  was  Jane  Ramsey,  and  their 
family  consisted  of  seven  children,  several  of  them  had  a 
large  number  of  descendants.  Among  their  one  son  to  dis- 
tinction was  Daniel,  William,  Robert  and  John.  Daniel  settled 
in  Athens  County,  O.,  and  his  family  was  known  as  the  Coshocton 
County  Boyds.  As  with  the  Athens  County  Boyds,  the  descen- 
dants of  William,  Robert  and  John  are  still  largely  residents  of 
Coshocton  County.  At  this  time  there  was  a  Hamilton  Boyd, 
whose  wife  was  a  daughter  of  the  weaver  Robert  Boyd.  Not 
much  is  known  about  his  family.  They  went  prior  to  i860 
to  McLean  County,  111.  Also  a  Richard  Boyd  who  married 
a  sister  of  Daniel,  William,  Robert  and  John  Boyd.  Not  much 
is  known  of  his  people,  but  it  is  claimed  this  branch  belongs  to 
the  "Morey  Cain  Boyd  family  of  Ireland."  At  this  time  there 
was  another  Boyd  family  and  among  them  was  Francis,  Daniel 
and  several  sisters  who  came  from  a  Boyd  family  of  Pennsylvania. 
John  Boyd  whose  father  Robert,  that  came  to  Ohio  in  182 1,  via 
New  Brunswick,  married  a  sister  of  Francis  and  Daniel.  Daniel 
always  remained  single.  Francis  had  a  family,  most  of  whom 
are  still  in  Coshocton,  O.  These  Boyds,  except  Hamilton  were 
known  and  called  the  Methodist  Boyds.  All  came  originally 
from  Scotland  to  Ireland  during  the  troublesome  times  or  time 
of  the  persecution  in  their  native  land.     William  Boyd  of  Tyrone, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  185 

Ireland,  is  said  to  have  been  a  descendant  of  Robert  Boyd  of 
Trochny,  Scotland,  who  aided  the  Earl  of  Murry  in  establishing 
the  school  system  of  Scotland.  Thus  we  close  the  history  of  one 
of  the  largest  history  of  Boyds  in  America. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  Post  Ofhces  in  existence  July  i,  1911, 
bearing  the  name  of  Boyd  in  the  United  States,  taken  from  the 
United  States  Official  Postal  Guide  of  the  above  date  as  follows: 

Boyd,  Taylor  Coimty,  Fla.  Boyds,  Montgomery  County, 
Boyd,  Perry  County,  Md.  Md. 

Boyd,  Barton  County,  Kans.  Boyds,  Ferry  County,  Wash. 

Boyd,  Harrison  County,  Ky.  Boyds  Creek,  Sevier  County, 
Boyd,     Lac-qui-parle    County,         Tenn. 

Minn.  Boyds  Mills,  Wayne  County, 
Boyd,  Carbon  County,  Mont.         Pa. 

Boyd,  Lewis  County,  N.  Y.  Boyden,  Sioux  County,  Iowa 

Boyd,  Beaver  County,  Okla.  Boydston,  Gray  County,  Texas 

Boyd,  Wesco  County,  Oregon  Boydsville,  Clay  County,  Ark. 

Boyd,  Wise  County,  Texas  Boydsville,  Graves  County,  Ky. 

Boyd,  Buchanan  County,  Va.  Boyd's  Tavern,  Albemarle  Co., 
Boyd,  Roane  County,  W.  Va.  Va. 

Boyd,  Chippewa  County,  Wis.  Boydtown,  Mecklenburg  Co., 
Boyd,  Weston  County,  Wyo.  Va. 

Post  Offices  discontinued  on  account  of  Rural  Delivery  from 
July  I,  1907  to  July  I,  1911: 
Boyds,  Clayton  County,  Ala. 
Boydsville,  Fulton  County,Mo. 

The  following  were  once  Post  Offices  by  the  name  of  Boyd, 
but  is  to-day  not  known  as  such: 

Boyds,  Screven  County,  Ga.  Boydtown,  Crawford  County, 
Boyds,  Chickasaw  County,  lo.  Wis. 

Boyds,  Lawrence  County, Miss.  Boyds,  Knox  County,  Tenn. 

Boyds  Tank,  Chambers  County,  Boyds  Landing,  Knox  County, 

Ala.  Tenn. 

Boyd  Lake,  Piscataquis  County,  Boyds,  Adams  County,  Pa. 

Me.  Boyds,  Barbour  County,  Ala. 


186         HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Counties  in  the  United  States  by  the  name  of  Boyd: 

Boyd  County,  Ky. 
Boyd  County,  Neb. 

Menoken,  N.  D.,  April  20,  191 2. 
W.  P.  Boyd,  Esq.: 

Dear  Sir: — In  my  sketch  of  Coshocton  County  "Boyds" 
please  add  the  following: 

"Dr.  D.  R.  Boyd  of  New  York  City,  recently  elected  to  the 
Presidency  of  the  University  of  New  Mexico,  is  a  Coshocton 
County  "Boyd"  and  a  grandson  of  "Weaver  Robert  Boyd." 

Very  respectfully, 

Robert  R.  Boyd. 


PART     TWO 


CHAPTER    I 

BoYDS  or   Kent,  Putnam  County,  New  York 

In  giving  this  chapter  of  the  above  family  of  Boyds  in  America 
whose  ancestors  as  far  back  as  his  descendants  can  trace  him,  found 
him  first  located  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary  War 
in  the  lower  part  of  Westchester  Cotmty,  N.  Y.,  and  after  the  war 
moved  his  family  and  settled  in  what  is  now  known  as  the  town- 
ship of  Kent,  Putnam  County,  of  the  same  state.  This  old  vet- 
eran is  well  known  to-day  in  history  as  Captain  Ebenezer  Boyd 
of  the  Revolutionary  War  fame,  and  his  descendants  now  fonn 
one  of  the  largest  branches  of  the  Boyd  family  of  America. 

This  family  like  many  of  the  other  branches,  are  unfortunate 
in  not  being  able  to  trace  their  lineal  lines  back  to  the  old  country. 
The  first  tradition  of  the  family  that  has  been  carried  down  by 
here-say  and  given,  is  that  of  one  John  Boyd  who  is  said  to  have 
been  born  in  Scotland  about  the  \^ear  of  1700,  and  was  united  in 
marriage  to  a  lady  named  Darcus  Bennett.  Yet  through  the  source 
of  our  information  it  does  not  state  that  they  ever  emigrated  to 
America.  Yet  it  is  found  by  record  that  there  have  been  several 
early  Boyds  by  the  name  of  John,  who  had  settled  in  the  New 
England  States,  while  among  the  early  settlers  there  were  also  the 
Bennett  family,  then  quite  numerous,  and  their  name  has  been 
given,  as  a  given  name  to  a  large  number  of  descendants  of  this 
branch,  showing  there  must  have  been  a  lineal  line  somewhere. 

In  1881,  while  I  was  preparing  the  first  edition  of  the  Boyd 
family,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  corresponding  with  Mr.  Wm.  L. 

Blake  of  Carmel,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y.,  who  was  author  of  the 

[189] 


190         HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

History  of  Putnam  County  in  1849,  and  knowing  him  as  being 
one  of  the  best  posted  men  on  the  early  history  of  that  region,  I 
asked  him  to  give  me  all  the  information  he  could  in  regard  to 
our  ancestor  Ebenezer  Boyd,  who  had  settled  at  a  place  called 
after  him,  as  Boyd's  Corners,  in  that  County.  His  reply  to  my 
enquiry  was  as  follows: 

' '  Bennett  Boyd,  grandson  of  Ebenezer  Boyd  and  late  Judge 
of  the  Old  Common  Plea  Court  of  that  County,  informed  me  that 
his  ancestors  came  to  this  country  in  the  following  manner:" 

"In  1745,  at  the  time  of  the  Stewart  Dynastic  was  taking 
place  in  Scotland,  there  was  then  three  brothers  that  came  from 
Scotland  to  the  city  of  New  York.  One  of  these  brothers  went  from 
here  to  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  another  brother  went  to  Albany 
and  was  known  as  Gen.  Boyd,  and  lived  to  be  one  hundred  and 
fourteen  years  of  age,  of  which  no  doubt  that  Judge  Boyd  may 
have  seen  (which  we  are  unable  to  learn  anything  concerning 
him).  The  other  brother  soon  went  into  Westchester  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  was  ancestor  of  that  famih^,  but  he  failed  to  give  me 
their  respective  names.  If  John  was  one  of  these  brothers  above 
mentioned  or  if  it  was  his  son,  it  no  doubt  will  never  be  known. 
Ebenezer  at  this  time  could  not  have  exceeded  the  age  of  ten,  and 
if  it  was  him  it  must  have  been  of  still  a  later  date." 

The  ancestors  of  this  family  of  Boyd  in  Scotland  must  have 
come  from  a  younger  son  of  the  family  of  Kilmarnock  Boyds,  as 
the  countenance  of  their  descendants  and  those  of  our  own 
family  resemble  each  other  closely.  If  our  ancestors  belong  to 
this  family,  they  may  have  committed  some  ofifense  against  the 
Government  at  the  time  of  the  Stewart  dynastic  and  came  here 
as  fugitives,  and  their  friends  in  Scotland  keeping  their  hiding 
place  a  secret,  and  they  the  same  here,  buried  with  them  all 
knowledge  of  their  place  of  concealment.  This  country  at  this  time 
being  under  the  British  power,  these  refugees  kept  all  circum- 
stances hidden  that  might  lend  to  betray  them  to  their  accusers 
and  send  them  back  to  their  native  land  for  trial,  which  meant 
to  them  death. 

As  our  tradition  gives  it,  John  Boyd's  family  is  supposed  to 
have  had  two  children  (if  not  more) ,  whose  names  were  John  and 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  191 

Ebenezer.  Ebenezer's  brother  John  is  supposed  to  have  been 
the  brother,  histead  of  it  being  his  uncle  who  went  into  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  from  there  to  Northumberland  County,  Pa., 
of  whom  we  have  given  a  description  in  their  respective  chapter. 

We  have  in  our  possession  the  following  letters  from  a  ven- 
erable descendant  of  the  Kent  family,  who  in  life  took  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  history  of  his  ancestors,  and  a  few  years  before  his 
death,  made  a  desperate  effort  to  unravel  the  history  of  this  branch 
which  was  at  one  time  so  prominent  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
State.  In  the  same  he  found  many  dark  shadows  that  he  was 
unable  to  make  bright.  We  hope  some  day,  there  lives  may  be 
given  to  our  readers  more  fully  than  we  are  now  able  to  give. 
The  writer  of  these  letters,  Mr.  Charles  B.  Curtis,  for  several 
years  before  his  death,  resided  in  Rye,  N.  Y.,  the  late  home  of 
Ebenezer  Boyd,  and  had  a  valuable  collection  of  the  early  his- 
tories of  this  branch. 

Rye,  N.  Y.,  September  7,  1888. 
Mr.  William  P.  Boyd, 

Dear  Sir: — Having  lately  been  looking  over  your  History 
(1884)  of  the  Boyd  family  with  great  interest,  but  sorry  to  say 
with  great  disappointment.  I  supposed  they  would  trace  the 
Boyd  family  back  to  their  original  cities,  counties  and  towns, 
but  I  find  you  have  not  succeeded  in  the  same  entirely.  I  am 
not  surprised,  as  I  investigated,  to  find  the  difficulties  greater 
than  I  had  supposed.  I  will  send  you  some  notes  I  have  dis- 
covered in  my  investigations  that  may  interest  you  and  in  hope 
you  may  be  able  to  give  me  some  light  upon  the  same. 

First.  The  marriage  license  of  Ebenezer  Boyd  and  Sarah 
Merritt  was  issued  July  20,  1764  (see  sketch  of  Ebenezer  Boyd). 
Second.  The  Boyds  of  Boston  and  Portland,  (Maine)  are  given 
with  their  pedigree,  a  descendant  from  Kilmarnock  Boyds  in 
Chas.  H.  Brownings  history  of  Americans  of  Royal  descent. 
Among  same  is  the  name  of  Judge  Stillman  Boyd  of  Natches  and 
two  other  Stillmans,  also  Robert  and  Ebenezer,  three  names  es- 
pecially are  very  significant.  Can  you  give  to  me  how  the  names 
of  Stillman  came  into  our  family?  I  hereby  add  that  the  first  of 
the  Boston  named  families  was  born  in  Kilmarnock  in  1732  and 


192         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

came  to  America  in  1754.     Third.     Joseph  Merritt  of  the  County 
of  Winchestei'    (Putnam  was  then  part  of  Winchester  Co.),  bought 
lands  on  record  in  Winchester  County  for  consideration  of  £1200 
which  conveyed  by  quick  claim,  200  acres  in  rye  adjoining  the 
village  of  Portchester,  dated  February  10,  1781.     Consideration 
of  £220  conveys  204  acres  on  Dutchess  County,  also  the  commis- 
sion of  perfection  of  the  estates  of  persons  who  had  adhered  to 
the  enemies  of  this  state  to  Ebenezer  Boyd  February  10,  1785. 
£232-16  conveys  land  finally  the  property  of  Joseph  Merritt  in 
Frederickstown,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  379  acres.     Fourth. 
I  find  that  Ebenezer  Boyd  purchased  from  the  commissioners  of 
forfeiture  between  1781  and  1785,  2,1973/2  acres  of  land  including 
that  of  the  Merritt's  which  was  situatedinPhillipsis  and  Frederick- 
town,  now  the  town  of  Kent,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y.     Ebenezer 
Boyd  where  he  resided  in  Fredericktown,  Dutchess  County  and 
recorded  June  12,  1792,  gave    letters  of   testimentery  issued  to 
his  wife  Sarah  Boyd,  July  16,  1792,  found  on  record  in  Dutchess 
County  Library,  A  325,  gives  the  names  of  all  of  his    children. 
Now  to  me  comes  the  puzzle.     Your  edition  of  the  Boyd 
family,  of  1884  says  Ebenezer  Boyd  was  a  son  of  John  and  Darcus 
Boyd,  was  perhaps  of  Bedford, N.  Y.,  and  that  she,  his  wife  was 
Sarah,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Polly  Theal  Merritt,  who  was 
born  in  1 740.     I  have  formed  an  opinion  that  all  of  these  persons 
might  be  from  Rye,  N.  Y.     The  names  are  all  familiar  here,  in  at 
least  are  found  so,  although  only  one  of  them  (Merritt's)  now  re- 
main.    Fifth.   John  Boyd  was  one  of  the  families  of  Rye.     Be- 
tween 1678  and  1735  he  appeared  as  purchaser  of  no  less  than 
fifteen  parcels  of  land  in  this  town.     He  had  a  son  John  Boyd, 
but  there  is  no  records  of  the  name  of  their  wives  or  any  of  their 
children.     Possibly  they  may  have  gone  elsewhere  after  1735,  if 
they  were  alive  after  that  date.     The  name  of  Ebenezer  Boyd 
appears  on  record  once.       It  was  when  he  was  appointed  to  col- 
lect debts  due  from  him  and  others  to  the  township,  perhaps  for 
unpaid  taxes  on  the  land  rent,  etc.     Sixth.   The  Theals  were  a 
prominent  family  here  in  the  early  days.     The  last  of  them  moved 
to  Mount  Vernon  in  1884  or  1885,  yet  I  cannot  learn  of  any  Polly 
among  them.     The  Merritts  are  still  numerous  here.     Within  a 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         193 

circle  or  a  radius  of  one  mile  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town  are 
still  to  be  seen  four  cemeteries,  all  originally  given  by  and  used 
for  members  of  that  family.  Joseph  Merritt  was  a  common 
name.  There  must  have  been  five  or  six  of  them  living  there  in 
1750.  I  have  thought  it  possible  that  Sarah  Merritt  may  have 
descended  from  Joseph  third,  son  of  Joseph  second,  died  in 
1754.  Joseph  second,  son  of  John  living  1707-40.  John  first  set- 
tled 1678-1715.  Knowing  of  no  records  to  support  these  claims 
positively,  I  am  led  to  believe  that  the  Boyds  and  Merritts  were 
from  this  town  by  the  frequent  mingling  together  of  their  names. 
The  fact  is  plainly  shown  that  John  Boyd  and  John  Merritt  were 
very  intimate  and  closely  associated  in  business.  No  less  than 
five  or  six  tracts  of  land  were  purchased  by  them  jointly.  The 
fact  is,  Joseph  Merritt  owned  200  acres  of  land — as  I  have  sta- 
ted— has  annoyed  me  to  locate  them  here,  and  the  absence  of 
the  original  documents,  and  your  work  of  18 84  fails  to  clear  them 
up,  and  I  would  be  glad  to  know  if  you  have  any  information 
on  these  points  in  addition  to  what  is  contained  in  your  book. 
You  think  Ebenezer  may  have  been  born  in  Greensberry,  perhaps 
you  are  mislead  by  the  facts  that  Phillipsburg  in  Westchester 
County  is  now  Greensberry,  where  as  Phillipstown,  Dutchess 
County  is  now  Kent. 

Is  there  any  one  with  whom  you  have  had  correspondence  in 
Dutchess  County  or  elsewhere,  who  could  give  you  any  informa- 
tion on  the  same.  There  were  recently  some  Merritts  in  Kent; 
have  you  ever  applied  to  them ;  could  any  of  the  Stillman  Boyd 
family  be  of  any  service  and  are  they  still  living,  or  could  you 
suggest  anyone  whom  I  might  write  to  on  the  subject,  which  I 
would  gladly  undertake  to  clear  up  the  same,  if  possible? 

I  remain,  yours  truly, 

C.  B.  Curtis. 

Fifteen  years  rolled  away.  Mr.  Curtis  still  longs  to  dissolve 
the  history  of  his  ancestors.  In  that  time  he  gathered  up  many 
broken  threads  and  stored  them  away  for  the  incoming  descend- 
ants. After  receiving  some  more  letters,  the  preceding  one  was 
received  by  me  from  him. 


194         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Rye,  June  3.  1903. 
Mr.  William  P.  Boyd, 

Dear  Sir: — I  h^ve  not  been  able  to  trace  any  relationship 
between  the  Boyds  of  Kilmarnock  and  our  family  in  America; 
nor  am  I  certain  that  we  are  of  direct  Scotch  descent.  We  do 
know  there  were  Boyds  here  of  Irish  lineage,  among  soine  of  the 
Orange  County  stock. 

G.  H.  Browning  in  his  first  edition  of  Americans  of  Royal 
descent,  published  at  Philadelphia  in  1883,  gives  the  life  of  James 
(eighth  Baron)  Boyd  whose  grandson  James,  son  of  Robert,  was 
born  at  Kilmarnock,  May  3,  1732,  came  to  America  in  1766  and 
inarried  Susannah  Coffins  and  settled  at  Newberryport,  Mass. 
His  family  consisted  of  the  following  children:  Robert,  John, 
Ebenezer,  etc.,  which  names  are  found  in  our  family.  He  had 
also  a  grandson  Stillman,  who  I  am  informed  by  one  of  the  family 
derived  his  name  from  Dr.  Stillman,  an  eminent  Baptist  Minister 
in  Boston.  Can  you  give  ixie  a  history  of  where  our  vStillmans 
derive  their  names,  as  it  may  be  an  important  clew? 

John  Boyd  of  Rye,  N.  Y.,  born  before  March  4,  1709,  as  I 
have  written  you  before,was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  town, 
and  bought  land  here  in  1678.  He  afterward  bought  several 
other  pieces  of  land,  some  of  them  jointly  with  John  Merritt  and 
also  Thomas  Merritt,  which  may  suggest  the  facts  that  possibly 
he  may  have  married  a  Merritt.  This  seems  to  show  that  it  was 
a  fact.  He  had  a  son,  John  Boyd  (second)  who  was  bom  before 
1689,  and  diedin  1735.  Hemarried  before  1714  Lydia,  a  daughter 
of  Peter  Disbrow.  And  March  4,  1708  or  1709,  a  son  of  John 
Boyd  transferred  land  to  one  John  Blosman.  He  was  level 
headed,  as  in  1735  when  he  conveyed  to  Lewis  Traveler  one-half 
the  right,  he  says  of  my  honored  father,  John  Boyd,  deceased, 
certain  lands  in  Rye.  It  may  be  his  first  wife  being  dead,  he  mar- 
ried for  his  second,  Darcus  Bennett. 

Ebenezer  Boyd  inay  have  been  a  son  of  the  second  John 
Boyd  by  his  second  wife.  Records  show  he  was  married  Septem- 
ber 28,  1764,  to  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Merritt  of  Rye.  The  m,ar- 
riage  was  performed  by  a  minister  of  the  Refonii  Dutch  Church 
of  Amsterdam,  N.  Y.     The  marriage  license  gives  him  as  a  tavern 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  195 

keeper  of  Westchester  County  and  is  signed  by  Joseph  Bull  as 
surety.  In  1760  he  purchased  land  in  Rye  about  one  mile  east 
of  White  Plains.  In  1763  William  Haskins  Smith,  conveyed  to 
Ebenezer  Boyd  of  White  Plain  Tavern,  land  in  North  Castle, 
Westchester  County,  N.  Y.  Before  the  revolution,  Ebenezer 
Boyd  and  Wm.  Hill  purchased  from  Robert  Morris  six  hundred 
acres  in  section  five,  Fredericktown  (now  Kent).  In  1781  to 
1784,  he  purchased  from  the  commissioners  of  forfeiture  2,601 
acres  in  all  for  £1891  5s  3d.  These  lands  belonging  to  Rogers 
Morris,  Joseph  Merritt  and  other  adherents  of  the  British 
Crown.  In  17S1  Joseph  Merritt  with  his  father-in-law  or  his 
brother-in-law  (probably  the  latter)  sold  to  Ebenezer  Boyd 
through  an  attorney,  January  10,  for  £1200,  conveyed  200  acres 
in  Rye.  The  other,  another  date,  March  15,  for  a  consideration 
of  £200,  conveyed  204  acres  in  Dutchess  County,  (now  Putnam). 
A  part  of  this  land  is  now  still  in  possession  of  descendants  of 
Joseph  Merritt,  although  no  conveyance  from  Ebenezer  Boyd 
appears  on  record,  the  presumption  being  that  both  of  their  deeds 
were  made  to  protect  the  property  from  forfeiture.  Ebenezer 
Boyd's  will  dated  June  12,  and  proved  July  16,1792,  named  his 
wife  and  all  of  his  children.  "He  gives  to  my  son  Robert  Boyd 
twice  as  much  as  I  give  to  my  daughters,  also  £40  exclusive  of 
other  legacies  described,  for  his  extraordinary  service."  Robert 
was  then  only  twelve  years  of  age. 

Robert  Boyd  with  his  wife  and  two  daughters  moved  from 
Fredericktown,  now  Kent,  to  Benton,  N.  Y.  Here  he  purchased 
July  24,  1811  from  Horace  Crane,  42  acres  of  land  for  $471.80, 
and  erected  a  dwelling  house  on  the  same.  This  house  later  be- 
longed to  T.  J.  Lewis.  He  increased  this  farm  to  281  acres, 
of  which  one-half  is  now  owned  by  myself. 

There  is  no  further  evidence  on  record  that  Ebenezer  Boyd 
was  a  son  of  John  Boyd,  but  it  seems  probable  that  your  account 
is  correct,  by  the  two  deeds  I  have  referred  to  in  this  letter.  It 
is  plainly  shown  he  lived  in  Rye,  N.  Y.,  for  a  time  at  least  and 
this  was  his  place  of  residence  at  the  time  of  his  marriage  with 
Sarah  Merritt,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Merritt  and  his  wife  (Polly 
Theal  Merritt),  a  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Theal,    after   whom   he 


196        HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

apparently  was  named,  and  in  whose  will  both  Joseph  and  vSarah 
mentioned  in  part.  Theal  was  one  of  the  largest  land  owners  in 
Rye. 

You  tell  me — which  I  can  easily  see — that  you  have  much 
valuable  matter  in  manuscript,  relating  to  the  Boyd  family. 
This  should  be  preserved  in  some  safe  place  for  the  use  of  those 
who  may  be  in  the  future  interested  in  it.  I  venture  to  suggest 
that  you  might  in  your  life  time  make  provisions  for  its  safety 
and  future  custody.  Would  you  not  be  willing  to  so  furnish  that 
when  you  may  have  no  future  use  for  it  all  this  material,  letters, 
etc.,  that  you  have  accumulated  in  a  safe  place,  where  they  may 
be  obtainable  to  those  that  may  come  after  you?  I  know  that 
the  New  York  Genealogical  Society,  No.  156  West  58  St.,  New 
York  City,  would  be  glad  to  receive  care  for  and  preserve  them 
and  I  hope  that  you  might  be  willing  to  give  them  to  that  Insti- 
tute at  a  proper  time. 

I  am  very  yours, 

C.  B.  Curtis. 

Another  letter  from  the  venerable  Wm.  J.  Blake,  the  author 
of  the  History  of  Putnam  County,  whom  I  have  spoken  of  in  the 
forepart  of  this  chapter.  I  feel  it  to  my  interest  to  give  same 
here  as  the  author  was  a  man  who  had  lived  for  many  years  in 
this  county  and  had  access  to  more  or  less  of  its  early  history  in 
which  our  family  was  connected.    The  letter  to  me  ran  as  follows: 

Carmel,  N.  Y.,  April  30,  1881. 
Dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  the  12th  inst.  has  been  duly  received.  I  have  but 
one  copy  of  the  History  of  Putnam  County.  It  is  my  private 
library  copy.  The  back  is  broken  and  the  leaves  are  nearly  all 
loose.  Some  twelve  years  ago  I  advertised  for  a  fair  unmutilated 
copy,  and  offered  to  give  $2.00  for  it,  but  no  one  having  a  copy 
responded  to  my  offer.  I  do  not  know"  where  you  could  get  a 
copy. 

The  following  is  all  I  was  able  to  gather  about  the  Boyd 
family.     The  Boyds  are  of  Scottish  descent.     The  great,  great 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS         197 

grandfather  of  this  family  came  from  Scotland  to  New  York  City, 
and  then  from  there  to  Westchester  County,  N.  Y.  Ebenezer 
Boyd,  the  grandfather  of  Bennett  and  Stillman  Boyd  came  from 
Westchester  County  and  settled  where  Stillman  Boyd  now  lives, 
about  1 7  So.  The  history  of  this  Boyd  family  was  that  there  was 
three  brothers  who  emigrated  from  Scotland  to  this  country  during 
the  Rebellion  of  the  partisans  of  the  Stewart  Dynastic  in  1745. 
One  of  them  settled  at  Albany  and  was  known  as  General  Boyd, 
and  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  114  years.  Another  settled  in 
the  lower  part  of  Westchester  County,  and  was  great  grandfather 
of  the  family  in  this  Town  (Kent).  The  other  brother  settled  at 
New  Windsor  in  Orange  County,  and  are  the  ancestors  of  the 
Boyd  family  in  that  county. 

Yours  truly, 

W.  J.  Blake. 

Records  have  failed  to  reveal  or  give  any  light  on  this  early 
subject,  we  m.ust  content  ourselves  by  placing  Capt.  Eben- 
ezer Boyd  of  Revolutionary  fame  as  the  progenitor  of  this 
family  in  this  country.  If  Mr.  Blake's  theory  is  correct  as  to 
the  time  of  the  family  coming  here  as  that  of  the  Stewart  Dynastic 
of  1745,  would  make  the  latter  too  young  according  to  his  mar- 
riage of  1764,  and  must  be  John  Boyd,  who  had  married  Darcus 
Bennett  instead  of  Ebenezer  himself,  the  first  early  settler  here. 
Time  may  reveal  to  us  whom  this  John  Boyd  is  and  who  his 
family  were,  as  we  find  several  John  Boyds  settled  here  about 
that  time.  Ebenezer  Boyd,  whom  the  thread  of  lineal  descent 
is  broken,  is  supposed  to  have  been  bom  near  New  Bedford,  West- 
chester County,  N.  Y.,  (if  not  in  Scotland)  between  the  year  of 
1735  and  1740;  as  to  his  age,  he  had  maintained  a  secret  never 
revealing  it  to  his  best  friends  for  reasons  which  he  kept  to  him- 
self, and  buried  all  secrets  with  him.  The  earliest  account  of 
this  remarkable  man  is  taken  froin  his  marriage  bond,  which  is 
now  found  on  record  on  page  264  of  volume  of  marriage  bonds  in 
custody  of  the  Regents  of  the  University  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  in  the  State  Library  at  Albany,  which  reads  as 
follows  : 


198         HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

(Marriage  bond  of  Ebenezer  Boyd  and  Sarah  Merritt.) 

Know,  all  men  by  these  Presents,  that  we,  Ebenezer  Boyd 
of  Westchester  County,  Tanner  and  Joseph  Bull  of  the  City  of 
New  York,  shop-keeper,  am  held  finnly  bound  unto  our  Sovereign 
Lord,  George  the  III,  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  Great  Britain, 
France  and  Ireland.  King,  defender  of  the  Faith,  etc.,  in  the 
sum  of  Five  Hundred  Pounds,  currency,  money  of  the  Provi- 
dence of  New  York,  to  be  paid  to  his  said  Majesty  or  his  heirs 
and  successors;  for  the  which  payment,  well  and  truly  to  be  made 
and  done,  we  do  bind  ourselves,  and  each  of  us,  our  and  each  of 
our  Heirs,  Executors  and  Administrators,  and  every  one  of  them 
firmly  by  these  presents.  Sealed  with  our  seal.  Dated  the  20th 
day  of  July,  in  the  fourth  year  of  his  Majesty's  Reign.  Anno-que 
Domini.     One  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-four. 

The  condition  of  this  obligation  is  such.  That  whereas  the 
above  bounden  Ebenezer  Boyd  hath  obtained  a  License  of  mar- 
riage for  himself  of  the  one  part,  and  Sarah  Merritt  of  West- 
chester County,  spinster  of  the  other  party.  Now,  if  it  shall  not 
appear  hereafter,  that  they  or  either  of  them,  the  said  Ebenezer 
Boyd  and  Sarah  Merritt  have  any  lawful  let  or  impediment  of 
fore-contract,  affinity  or  consanguinity  to  render,  they  being 
joined  in  the  holy  bonds  of  Matrimony,  and  after  their  living 
together  as  man  and  wife,  then  this  obligation  to  be  void  and  of 
none-effect  or  else  to  stand,  remain,  abide  and  be  in  full  force  and 
virtue. 

,  [Ebenezer  Boyd, 
Signed    J  -o 

IJosEPH  Bull. 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  presence  of 

Edward  Smith. 

The  first  official  record  of  Ebenezer  was  his  connection  with 
the  Revolutionary  War.  We  find  his  name  upon  the  muster  roll 
of  the  country,  showing  that  he  was  mustered  in  the  Continental 
service  June  25,  1778  as  Captain  of  Company  B,  in  the  3d  Regi- 
ment of  New  York  Militia.  He  was  under  the  command  of 
Brigadier  General  Lewis  Morris;  his  Colonel  was  Samuel  Drake; 
Lieut.  Colonel,  John  Hyatt;  first  Major.  Isaac  Pointer;    second 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS         199 

Major.  Robert  Lang.  The  old  muster  roll  of  Ebenezer,  giving 
these  facts  was  at  one  time  in  the  possession  of  my  father,  Hiram 
Boyd,  now  deceased.  It  was  borrowed  by  one  of  his  neighbors 
several  years  ago  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  one  of  the  old  Revo- 
lutionary soldiers  belonging  to  his  Company  to  obtain  a  pension, 
and  being  sent  to  Washington  for  that  purpose,  was  kept  by  the 
Government  officials  and  never  returned  to  him  again.  The 
breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary  War  found  Ebenezer  and  family 
consisting  of  six  children,  residing  near  the  center  of  Westchester 
County,  N.  Y.,  upon  what  was  then  called  the  ' '  Neutral  Grounds." 
These  grounds  lay  between  the  American  and  British  Army  and 
was  several  miles  in  extent.  All  British  subjects  who  were  found 
within  a  certain  distance  of  the  American  lines,  if  caught  by  that 
Army,  were  considered  the  same  as  spys  and  executed  and  like- 
wise the  sam.e  toward  all  Americans.  Between  these  two  lines, 
a  distance  of  ten  or  twelve  miles,  lay  this  "Neutral  Grounds" 
and  all  persons  belonging  to  either  Army  if  caught  within  these 
grounds  were  considered  as  prisoners  of  war. 

This  territor}'  at  this  time  being  overrun  by  ' '  Cow  Boys ' ' 
(British  Toreys)  and  "Skinners"  as  they  were  called,  who  com- 
mitted all  sort  of  crimes;  it  became  unsafe  for  his  family  to  reside 
here  any  longer,  and  being  a  captain  in  the  American  Army,  made 
it  more  so,  they  abandoned  their  home,  and  he  moved  his  wife  and 
children  within  the  American  line  for  safety.  Here  she  became  chief 
cook  at  Washington's  Headquarters,  and  it  is  said  her  duties  were 
to  cook  an  ox  a  day. 

While  in  the  service  to  his  country,  an  event  transpired, 
which  has  placed  his  name  on  record  that  will  never  die.  This 
little  event  is  an  honor  to  him  for  the  part  he  took  in  the  capture 
of  Major  John  Andre,  which  has  become  so  familiar  to  every 
school  boy.  The  sketch  of  this  event  I  have  taken  from  Bol- 
ton's History  of  Westchester  County,  N.  Y.,  Vol.  i.  Page  207, 
Published  in  1 849  as  follows : 

'  'At  the  time  when  General  Arnold  was  engaged  in  his  treach- 
erous plot  to  give  up  West  Point  to  the  British,  it  became  neces- 
sary for  the  latter  to  send  an  officer  to  arrange  with  Arnold  for 
the  delivery   of   the   same.     So    Major   Andre,    a   daring  young 


200       HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

British  officer  was  selected  and  sent  at  once  upon  board  of  the 
Vulture  up  the  Hudson,  to  Verplanck's  Point.  This  move  being 
understood  to  Arnold,  he  had  dispatched  a  man  named  Smith  to 
meet  him  at  this  landing,  with  proper  passports  to  enable  him  to 
reach  his  headquarters  in  safety.  Here  all  night,  Arnold  and 
Andre  prepared  the  business  of  delivering  tip  West  Point  to  the 
British  and  before  they  could  finish  the  business,  the  dawn  of 
mom  appeared,  and  Andre  was  compelled  to  set  out  on  horse- 
back down  the  River,  on  account  of  the  "Vulture"  being  dis- 
covered in  the  morning  and  obliged  to  change  position.  So  ac- 
cordingly in  the  morning  he  and  Smith  proceeded  to  King's 
Ferry.  On  the  way,  Smith  endeavored  to  draw  his  companion 
in  conversation,  but  without  success,  for  he  was  reserved  and 
thoughtful,  while  on  the  contrary  Smith  accosted  several  of  his 
acquaintances  on  the  road  and  even  stopped  at  a  settler's  tent 
and  joined  in  discussion  over  a  bowl  of  punch,  while  Andre  walked 
his  horse  slowly  along  to  the  Ferry  alone,  and  then  waited  for 
Smith's  arrival.  "As  they  passed  through  the  works  at  Ver- 
planck's Point  in  the  town  of  Cortland  (Westchester  County, 
N.  Y.),  Smith  rode  to  Colonel  Livingston's  tent,  while  Andre 
and  the  servant  who  attended  him  (a  negro)  rode  on.  To  the 
Colonel's  inquiries.  Smith  said  that  he  was  going  up  the  country 
and  took  charge  of  a  letter  for  General  Arnold  and  George  Clin- 
ton. He  excused  himself  for  stopping  by  saying,  "a  Gentleman 
waited  for  him,  whose  business  was  urgent."  He  then  soon  over- 
took his  charge  and  they  proceeded  along  until  eight  or  nine 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  when  they  were  halted  by  a  sentinel  of  a 
scouting  or  patroling  party.  This  was  near  Crompond  about 
eight  miles  from  Verplanck's  Point.  The  duty  of  this  party  being 
as  termed  '  out  on  scout '  or  looking  for  Cow  Boys  or  Torey  Refu- 
gees. ' ' 

The  sentinel  ordered  them  to  stop,  and  Smith  dismounted 
and  gave  his  horse  to  his  servant,  and  walked  forward  and  inquired 
who  commanded  the  party.  He  was  answered,  Captain  Boyd, 
who  overheard  the  conversation  and  came  forward.  The  Captain 
was  unusually  inquisitive  and  sternly  demanded  who  he  was, 
where  he  belonged  and  what  was  his  business.     Smith  answered 


HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY   AND   ITS  DESCENDANTS        201 

these  questions  promptly  and  adding,  he  had  a  pass  from  General 
Arnold  and  desired  not  to  be  detained.  Captain  Boyd  being  a 
man  of  stern  habits  was  not  satisfied  but  inquired  how  far  he  in- 
tended to  go  that  night,  to  which  Smith  made  the  reply.  "As 
far  as  Major  Strong's  or  Colonel  Drake's  (two  officers  of  Ebenezer's 
regiment).  But  this  only  increased  the  embarrassment,  for 
•Captain  Boyd  soon  informed  him  that  Major  Strong  was  not  at 
home,  and  Colonel  Drake  had  moved  to  another  part  of  the 
country.  Then  Captain  Boyd  said,  "I  must  see  your  passport," 
and  it  being  dark  they  went  to  a  house  at  a  short  distance  to  pro- 
cure a  light.  Andre  at  this  time  began  to  be  a  little  alarmed  and 
•advanced  with  reluctance  toward  the  house,  till  he  was  encouraged 
by  Smith,  who  assured  him  that  the  pass  of  Arnold  would  pro- 
tect him,  and  so  it  did,  for  the  pass  was  expressed  in  positive 
teniis  and  in  Arnold's  own  hand  writing,  of  which  Captain  Boyd 
was  so  familiar  with.  There  was  no  reason  to  doubt  its  genuine- 
ness. Captain  Boyd  was  more  bland  in  his  manner,  but  the 
ardor  of  his  curiosity  was  not  diminished.  He  took  Smith  aside 
and  begged  to  be  infomied  of  the  important  business  which  had 
brought  him  down  so  near  to  the  British  lines,  and  induced  him 
and  his  companion  to  travel  so  dangerous  a  road  in  the  night  time, 
and  as  an  apology  for  making  so  vigorous  an  inquiry  on  trying  to 
discover  their  business,  he  manifested  a  good  deal  of  concern 
for  their  safety,  telling  them  the  Cow  Boys  had  recently  been  out, 
and  were  believed  to  be  far  up  in  the  country,  and  he  advised 
them  by  all  means  not  to  proceed  until  morning.  Smith  pro- 
varicated  as  well  as  he  could,  saying  to  Captain  Boyd  that  he  and 
his  fellow  traveler  whom  he  called  Mr.  Anderson,  were  employed 
by  General  Arnold  to  procure  intelligence,  and  they  expected  to 
meet  a  person  near  White  Plains  for  that  purpose,  and  it  was 
necessary  for  them  to  go  forward  as  expeditiously  as  possible. 
Under  these  statements,  Captain  Boyd  seemed  more  anxious  than 
ever,  magnifying  the  perils  to  which  they  should  be  exposed  by 
traveling  by  night,  and  recommended  anew  that  they  should 
return  back  at  once  to  Andrew  Miller,  who  lived  but  a  little  ways 
ofl[  and  where  they  might  lodge.  Smith's  courage  was  somewhat 
dampened  by  the  representations,  ai:d  he  went  and  told  the  tale 


202        HISTORY  OF   THE    BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

to  Andre  and  counciled  with  him  of  the  steps  they  ought  to  take. 
It  is  possible  he  had  fears  of  exciting  the  suspicions  of  Captain 
Boyd,  whom  he  well  knew  was  watching  them  with  a  weasil's 
eye,  and  one  li'ttle  word  or  move,  the  Captain  would  pounce  upon 
them,  like  a  lion  upon  its  prey,  if  he  resisted  the  Captain's  wishes 
expressed  so  earnestly  in  their  behalf.  "At  this  time,  Andre  as 
it  may  be  well  assumed  was  not  resting  very  easy  in  his  present 
situation,  and  was  anxious  for  going  on  at  all  events.  Smith  soon 
saw  that  Andre  unheeded  his  fears  and  his  eloquence  unprevailing, 
he  called  for  the  aid  of  Captain  Boyd  and  inquired  of  him  which 
was  the  safest  road  to  White  Plains.  Captain  Boyd  said  he  con- 
sidered both  roads  perilous,  but  believed  the  one  through  North 
Castle  the  least  so,  for  the  lower  party  of  Cow  Boys  infested  the 
territory  around  Tarrytown  and  had  lately  done  much  mischief 
in  that  quarter.  He  then  used  various  arguments  to  persuade 
them  from  going  farther  that  night,  to  which  Smith  listened  with 
open  ears,  and  he  resolved  against  the  will  of  Andre  to  trespass  on 
the  hospitality  of  Andreas  Miller. 

They  met  with  a  welcome  reception,  but  coming  so  late  at 
night  to  a  humble  dwelling,  their  accommodations  were  narrow, 
and  the  two  travelers  were  obliged  to  sleep  in  the  same  bed. 
According  to  Smith's  statement,  it  was  a  weary  and  restless  night, 
for  Andre.  The  burden  on  his  iTiind  was  not  of  a  kind  to  lull  them 
to  repose,  and  the  place  of  his  retreat,  was  so  near  the  watchful 
eye  of  Captain  Boyd,  whose  voice  he  expected  to  hear  pronounce 
him  his  prisoner,  and  a  spy,  caused  him  to  shudder  with  fear,  as 
well  as  for  the  fear  of  the  Captain's  command,  which  was  scat- 
tered all  through  the  neighborhood.  The  mom  of  September  24, 
1780  found  Andre  up  at  dawn  of  day,  ordered  his  servants  to 
bring  his  horse,  and  mounted  same,  and  rode  away  on  the  road 
toward  Pine's  Bridge,  which  ran  near  New  Castle.  About  9 
o'clock  A.  M.,  when  he  was  riding  along,  and  near  his  journey's 
end  and  feeling  joyfully  to  think  he  had  reached  out  of  danger, 
when  he  fell  in  with  his  captors,  John  Paulding,  David  Williams 
and  Isaac  Van  Wart,  who  took  him  prisoner  and  conducted  him 
to  the  headquarters  of  General  Washington,  where  he  met  his 
fatal  doom. 


HISTORY  OP  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        203 

At  the  time  of  Ebenezer's  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  Merritt, 
he  was  without  doubt  a  tanner  by  occupation,  as  we  find  in  his 
marriage  bond  the  same  is  given  as  his  occupation,  but  at  what 
place  he  was  hving  at  that  time  is  not  given.  His  home  at  this 
time  was  in  Westchester  County,  and  being  at  the  time  of  the 
Revolutionary  War  in  the  Neutral  Grounds,  then  overrun  by  Cow 
Boys  and  Torries,  made  the  same  unsafe  for  his  family,  they  flew 
to  Washington 's  army  for  safety.  History  gives  it  that  this  section 
of  the  country  was  vacated  by  its  settlers,  and  when  the  war 
closed,  that  the  very  main  roads  running  through  this  section 
had  grown  up  with  tall  grass  and  weeds  on  the  account  of  the 
inhabitants  fleeing  to  the  protection  of  Washington's  Army. 
This  is  without  doubt  the  fact  that  has  bothered  us  in  tracing 
back  our  ancestors  in  Westchester  County. 

As  soon  as  the  war  closed  in  1780,  in  that  fall  or  in  the  spring 
of  1 781,  Ebenezer  moved  his  family  to  Kent,  Putnam  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  settled  at  a  place  (which  afterwards  bore  his  name, 
Boyd's  Comers) ,  where  he  built  a  tavern  which  he  kept,  connecting 
the  same  (which  was  custom  in  those  days  with  a  farm  carrying 
both  along  at  the  same  time).  The  old  house  which  he  built  is 
now  torn  down  and  a  new  one  built  in  the  place.  A  part  of  his 
farm,  the  large  meadow  part,  and  also  a  large  part  of  the  farm 
adjoining  it  on  the  north,  is  now^  covered  by  the  damned  up  waters 
of  the  Grdton  Reservoir  of  New  York  City.  After  his  death, 
his  property  fell  into  the  hands  of  his  oldest  son,  Ebenezer  Boyd, 
who  transferred  at  the  timxc  of  the  latter 's  death  to  two  of  his  sons, 
Ebenezer  and  Stillman  Boyd,  and  the  latter  soon  afterwards  sold 
it  in  1853  and  moved  to  Jefferson  Valley,  N.  Y.  This  place  that 
Ebenezer  has  the  honor  of  founding,  never  grew  to  any  size. 
I  am  indebted  to  William  J.  Blake,  author  of  the  History  of  Put- 
nam County,  N.  Y.,  who  several  years  ago  in  a  letter  to  me  dated 
May  30,  1 88 1,  described  the  same  as  follows: 

"Boyd's  Comers  is  not  a  village  or  hamlet.  There  are  four 
or  five  roads  that  intersect  here.  A  small  store  has  been  kept 
here  at  different  times,  and  some  years  ago  a  post  office  was  es- 
tablished. Between  the  former  residence  of  Bennett  and  Still- 
man  Boyd   (grandsons),  a  quarter  mile  from  the  comer  road. 


204        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

there  was  formerly  a  Union  Church,  which  was  owned  by  the 
Baptists  and  Methodists.  A  small  Episcopal  Congregation  now 
worship  near  the  Comers  and  that  is  all  that  can  be  said  of  Boyd's 
Corners." 

As  I  have  already  stated,  the  low  meadow  part  of  Ebenezer's 
farm  is  now  covered  with  the  waters  of  the  Croton  Reservoir. 
Upon  this  sight  rested  the  ' '  Old  Cemetery  of  Kent. ' '  And  when 
the  Water  Company  took  possession  of  these  lands,  they  pre- 
tended to  remove  all  bodies  buried  there  to  the  new  cemetery, 
which  took  place  in  1835.  In  this  cemetery  were  buried  the 
remains  of  Ebenezer  and  his  faithful  wife,  they  having  rested 
here  over  forty  years,  no  doubt  had  become  so  decayed  as  to 
have  been  almost  impossible  to  gather  them  for  removal  and 
now  rest  with  several  feet  of  water  above  their  graves. 

The  wife  of  Ebenezer  Boyd  was  Sarah  Merritt,  a  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Polly  (Theal)  Merritt.  She  was  born  near  New 
Bedford  (as  it  is  supposed),  October  29,  1740.  Her  occupation 
at  the  time  of  her  marriage  was  as  a  spinner,  who  in  those  days 
went  from  house  to  house  spinning  flax  and  wool,  to  be  made  into 
garments  for  the  family.  She  went  with  her  husband  to  Kent, 
Putnam  County,  N.  Y.  after  the  war.  Here  she  lived  and  died 
June  29,  1819,  having  survived  her  husband  some  twenty-seven 
years.  In  regard  to  the  definite  age  of  Ebenezer,  it  was  never 
known  to  his  children,  as  the  date  of  his  birth  as  if  to  cover  some 
mystery  of  the  past,  he  would  never  tell.  Their  family  consisted 
of  ten  children,  six  boys  and  four  girls  as  follows: 

Generation  Second 

Ebenezer  Boyd,  the  oldest  was  born  near  New  Bedford,  West- 
chester County,  N.  Y.,  July  i,  1765.  He  married  Louisa  Bailey 
of  Kent,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1785  or  1786,  and  died  there 
March  27,  1848.  There  seems  to  be  somewhat  of  a  dispute  in 
the  date  of  his  birth.  The  above  record  is  taken  from  three  old 
records  kept  by  his  brothers  and  sisters,  taken  from  their  father's 
Bible  some  sixty  or  seventy  years  ago,  and  are  without  doubt 
correct.  The  other  one  was  taken  for  me  by  Miss  Jennie  E.  Boyd 
of  Jefferson  Valley,  N.  Y.,  a  grand-daughter,  in   1884  from  his 


HISTORY  or   THE    BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        205 

tombstone  in  the  cemetery  at  Kent,  which  read:  "Died  March 
27.  1843,  aged  eighty-two  years,  eight  months  and  twenty-six 
days/'  making  his  birth  four  years  before  the  marriage  of  his 
larcnts. 

Ebenezer  resided  with  his  parents,  through  his  boyhood  days, 
and  went  with  his  father's  family  to  Washington's  Army  for 
safet}^  and  could  not  have  exceeded  the  age  of  twelve  years, 
then  went  to  Kent  with  them  in  1780.  After  his  marriage  here, 
he  resided  with  his  parents,  and  after  his  father's  death,  carried 
on  the  occupation  of  his  father's  as  hotel  keeper  in  the  old  Boyd 
mansion  at  Boyd's  Comers.  Here  he  resided  until  he  became 
aged  and  decrepit,  when  his  youngest  son  (Stillman  Boyd) 
persuaded  him  to  give  up  the  hotel  business  and  return  to  private 
life.  His  last  days  were  filled  with  misery  from  a  cancer  upon  his 
nose,  which  destroyed  the  same  and  then  eat  down  the  poor  man's 
throat,  so  he  could  not  swallow,  causing  him  to  suffer  untold  agony 
until  he  died.  Ebenezer  was  of  very  fine  appearance,  kind  and 
loved  by  all  that  knew  him.  Miss  Jennie  Boyd,  his  grand- 
daughter, in  one  of  her  letters  to  me  says.  '  'Her  mother  always 
claimed  that  he  was  as  fine  a  man  as  she  ever  knew.  So  kind, 
gentle  and  good;  for  after  her  marriage,  she  and  her  husband  lived 
in  the  same  door-yard  with  him  and  she  never  knew  him  to  speak 
an  unkind  word  to  her. 

Lovisa  (Bailey)  Boyd,  (Ebenezer's  wife)  died  may  12,  1841, 
at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years,  six  months  and  three  days,  a  true 
and  devoted  woman  whose  life  has  been  filled  with  many  noble 
deeds  among  the  early  settlers  of  Kent,  many  of  which  we  would 
like  to  describe  if  space  would  permit.  Their  family  consisted 
of  four  children,  William  D.,  Bennett,  Sarah  and  Stillman,  whom 
we  will  speak  more  of  in  the  third  Generation  record. 

Susannah  Boyd  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  Ebenezer  and 
Sarah  Boyd,  and  was  born  near  New  Bedford,  Westchester  County, 
N.  Y.,  October  11,  1769,  and  married  James  Smalley  at  Kent,  Put- 
nam County,  N.  Y.  (the  date  we  have  not),  and  died  at  the  same 
place  February  6,  1845.  Of  her  past  life  little  is  known  to  her  des- 
cendants, and  what  I  have  gathered  was  from  the  descendants  of 
her  brother's  families,  which  are  very  limited.  She  and  her  husband 


206        HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

always  resided  at  Kent,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of 
wagon  making.  In  life  she  was  singular  and  had  a  great  liking  for 
pets.  One  time  on  a  return  visit  from  her  brothers  and  sisters  in 
Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  she  had  an  occasion  to  pass  through  Albany, 
where  she  saw  a  pet  monkey,  which  attracted  her  attention  so  much 
that  she  bought  him  and  took  him  home  as  a  domestic  pet.  A 
short  time  afterwards  she  had  a  company  of  her  friends  from  the 
country  to  visit  her  and  desiring  to  show  them  the  hospitality  of 
her  household,  she  prepared  a  pan  of  nice  biscuits  and  placed 
them  in  an  old-fashioned  bake  pan  and  set  them  up  before  the  lire 
place  to  bake.  The  monkey  watched  her  with  an  untiring  eye, 
and  when  she  stepped  from  the  room,  he  slyly  slipped  up  between 
the  fire  and  pan  and  took  out  one  of  the  biscuits  and  glided  into  one 
of  the  corners  of  the  room  and  eat  it.  Then  he  slipped  up  and  took 
out  another  and  when  she  came  into  the  room,  before  he  had  time 
to  devour  the  same,  he  carefully  placed  the  biscuit  under  him 
to  hide  it  from  view.  She  at  last  happened  to  glance  at  her  bake- 
pan  and  saw  that  there  had  been  a  thief  in  her  household.  She 
drove  him  from  the  comer  and  found  the  remains  of  the  third 
biscuit  under  him.  Another  day  she  had  placed  a  large  churning 
of  milk  in  the  chum  in  her  kitchen,  she  was  called  to  another  part 
of  the  house  and  when  she  returned  she  found  the  monkey  stand- 
ing by  the  churn  grinning  and  busily  churning.  She  drove 
him  away  and  raised  the  cover  and  to  her  dismay  found  that  the 
monkey  had  placed  the  cat  in  the  churn  and  nearly  drowned  it. 
Although  the  monkey  caused  her  much  trouble,  she  kept  him  as 
a  member  of  her  household  for  inany  years  afterwards.  They 
had  one  child  named  Sarah  Mariah. 

Philip  Boyd  the  second  son  was  born  near  New  Bedford, 
N.  Y.,  May  24,  1771,  married  Elizabeth  Barrett  at  Kent,  Putnam 
County,  N.  Y.,  February  7,  1793,  died  at  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  May 
31.  1823. 

Philip  was  about  eight  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  parents 
going  into  the  army  of  Washington  for  safety  and  was  always  a 
good  member  of  his  father's  household  until  his  marriage.  In 
the  year  of  1800  he  removed  his  family  to  Newburgh,  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.     While  here  in  March  of  1806,  he  purchased  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS  DESCENDANTS       207 

sloop,  called  "Eliza,"  and  ran  upon  the  Hudson  River  between 
Ncwburgh  "Then  called  Cow-Bay,"  then  to  the  present  city  of 
New  York.  He  sold  this  sloop  August  7,  1807,  as  is  noted  in  his 
account  book  now  in  my  possession,  also  another  book  in  my 
possession,  are  the  court  records  of  the  different  .cases  tried  by  him 
as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  several  years  between  1807  and  18 15. 

When  the  War  of  1812-14  broke  out,  he  was  placed  in  com- 
mand of  a  company  of  that  place  and  was  commissioned  a  captain 
by  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  then  Governor  of  the  State  of  New 
York.  The  commission  is  now  in  possession  of  my  brother  Ben- 
nett R.  Boyd  of  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  and  reads  as  follows: 

The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  by  Grace  of  God,  free 
and  independent  to  (Philip  Boyd)  greeting.  We  repose  special 
trust  and  confidence  as  well  as  your  Patriotism,  Conduct  and 
Loyalty,  as  in  valor  and  readiness  to  do  us  good  and  faithful 
service,  have  appointed  and  constituted  you  the  said  (Philip 
Boyd,  Captain)  of  a  company  in  the  (14th)  Regiment  of  (Infan- 
try) of  our  said  State  of  where  the  said  (Isaac  Belknap),  Esq., 
is  Lieutenant  Colonel  commanding  you  therefore  to  take  the  said 
company  into  your  charge  and  care  as  their  (Captain)  thereof, 
and  duly  to  exercise  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  that  company  in 
arms,  who  are  here  commanded  to  obey  you  as  their  (Captain), 
and  you  are  also  to  observe  and  follow  such  orders  and  directions 
as  you  shall  from  time  to  time  receive  from  our  General  and  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  Military  of  our  said  State  or  any  other 
superior  officers  according  to  the  rules  and  discipline  of  War  in 
pursuance  of  the  Trust  reposed  in  you  and  for  so  doing  this  shall 
be  your  commissiom  for  and  during  our  good  pleasure  to  be  signi- 
fied by  our  Council  of  Appointment. 

In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  caused  our 

• ' \      Seal   for   Military   Commission   to   be  hereunto 

bEAL  fixed.       Witness,    our  trust v   and   well  beloved 


^  [     Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  Esq.,  Governor  of  our  said 

I  '  J     State,  General  Commandering-in-Chief  of  all  the 

~"  Militias  and  Admirals  of  the  Navy  of  the  same, 

by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  our  said  Council  of  Ap- 
pointments, at  our  City  of  Albany,  the  (second)  day  of  (March 


208        HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  four- 
teen), and  in  the  thirty  (eight)  year  of  our  Independence. 

(Daniel  D.  Tompkins.) 
Passed  the  Secretary's  Oflfice 
the  (i2th)  day  of  (April  18x4).] 

(I.  RuTSCH  Van  Rensselaer),  Secretary. 

Upon  the  back  of  the  commission  is  the  following  inscribed 
Oath: 

(I  do  hereby  certify  that  the  within  named  Philip  Boyd  has 
this  day  taken  and  subscribed  the  Oath  required  by  Law.  Orange 
County  Clerk's  Ofhce,  25th  day  of  May  1814.) 

Thomas  W.  Gale,  Dept.  Clerk. 

N.  B. — The  Commission  was  a  printed  blank  and  filled  out 
in  writing  which  to  distinguish  from  printed  matter,  we  have 
enclosed  the  same  in  brackets. 

Upon  receiving  his  Commission,  he  was  placed  in  command 
of  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  upon  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  River.  His 
command  was  made  up  of  men  called  ' '  Minute  Men"  or  in  other 
words,  those  detailed  to  stay  at  home  and  hold  themselves  in 
readiness  to  march  to  the  field  of  action  at  a  moment's  notice. 
The  officers  of  this  regiment  were  obliged  to  report  to  Fort  Put- 
nam, a  short  distance  below  Newburgh,  once  every  day,  to  learn 
the  news  brought  by  messengers  from  below  in  regard  to  the 
movement  of  the  enemy,  who  at  this  time  were  blockading  New 
York. 

At  this  time  as  well  as  at  all  other  times  during  the  war,  Philip 
had  many  applications  from  persons  to  be  excused  from  active 
service.  One  day  while  he  was  setting  in  his  office  at  home  look- 
ing out  of  the  window,  he  saw  a  well  looking  man  coming  up  the 
path  toward  the  house  upon  a  couple  of  crutches,  limping  along, 
with  one  foot  wrapped  up  in  rags.  Knocking  at  the  door,  Philip 
bid  him  to  enter,  at  the  same  time  placing  a  chair  at  his  disposal. 
He  accepted  the  same,  and  in  setting  down  he  took  great  care  not 
to  disturb  his  foot,  lest  it  would  create  a  pain.  After  a  proper 
salutation  being  made,  he  made  known  his  errand;  while  at  the 
same  time  made  known  to  Philip  that  he  had  a  very  bad  foot. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS         209 

and  wished  to  be  released  from  doing  military  service.  His  ac- 
tions caused  Philip  to  mistrust  that  all  was  not  right  and  began 
to  question  him  in  the  following  language.  '  'What  is  the  matter 
with  your  foot, ' '  said  Philip.  The  middle-aged  man  bent  over 
and  made  a  few  passes  with  his  hands  over  the  same  and  exclaimed. 
' '  I  have  had  a  very  bad  sore  upon  my  foot ;  I  cannot  tell  you  what 
it  is,  and  it  pains  me  terribly"  at  the  same  time  giving  a  doleful 
moan  and  still  rubbing  his  foot  carefully. 

' '  Let  me  see  your  foot ' '  asked  Philip. 

"Oh  I  could  not  undo  it,  for  when  the  air  strikes  it,  it  causes 
me  so  much  pain,  that  I  cannot  bear  it, "  he  replied. 

' '  Oh  well  then, ' '  said  Philip  sarcastically,  ' '  I  will  not  trouble 
you  to.  I  will  have  to  send  you  to  the  surgeon  of  the  regirrient 
and  if  he  will  give  you  a  certificate,  I  will  sign  it. " 

The  conclusion  of  Philip's  remarks  did  not  strike  the  young 
man  tenderly  and  caused  him  to  become  angry.  Springing  from 
his  chair,  he  kicked  the  rags  from  his  foot,  giving  at  the  same  time 
a  terrible  oath,  bolted  out  of  the  door  to  the  merriment  of  all  who 
saw  him. 

Being  no  telegraph  or  telephones  to  give  warning  in  those 
days,  the  news  was  carried  by  post  riders  on  horses.  Two  regi- 
ments had  been  sent  from  Albany  down  toward  New  York  to  assist 
in  keeping  the  enemy  from  advancing  up  the  Hudson  to  attack 
Fort  Putnam,  a  strong  post  in  the  hands  of  the  Americans,  which 
was  expected  every  day  to  be  one  of  the  British  intentions.  When 
these  regiments  had  reached  the  fort,  news  came  that  the  British 
had  abandoned  their  blockade  of  the  Hudson  and  sailed  away, 
and  the  war  had  virtually  closed.  The  troops  stopping  here  de- 
cided to  celebrate  the  event  by  holding  a  'Sham  Fight'  before 
returning  to  their  native  city.  In  the  midst  of  the  fight,  the  roar 
of  the  cannons  shocked  Newburgh,  some  six  miles  distant  up  the 
river  to  its  very  foundations.  The  inhabitants  of  that  place  not 
knowing  that  the  British  had  left  New  York,  but  imagining  they 
had  got  by  the  forts  at  the  latter  place,  had  sailed  up  the  river  and 
were  bombarding  "Old  Fort  Put, "as  it  was  then  called.  This 
caused  one  of  the  greatest  excitement  at  Newburgh  that  its  in- 
habitants had  ever  seen.     Women  and  children  ran  from  house 


210        HISTORY    OF    THE    BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS  DESCENDANTS 

to  house  in  deep  lamentations.  Men  dropped  their  daily  toils 
and  with  heavy  and  exciting  hearts  seized  their  trusty  weapons 
and  made  for  the  scene  of  action.  Philip  with  his  comrades  bid 
farewell  to  their  families  for  there  was  no  telling  whom  of  the 
little  bands  what  would  bid  farewell  to  this  world  and  those  around 
them  in  the  defense  of  their  country.  Under  these  circumstances, 
they  all  set'  out  down  the  river,  and  when  they  had  reached  about 
half  way,  they  met  a  messenger  on  horseback  bearing  the  news 
that  the  war  was  over.  With  a  glad  heart  they  returned  to  their 
native  village  and  the  rest  of  the  day  was  held  as  a  joyful  holiday. 
In  1806,  through  the  month  of  August,  September  and  Octo- 
ber, the  village  of  Newburgh  was  visited  by  a  plague  called  ' '  Cold 
Fever",  which  raged  mostly  among  children  and  swept  many  to 
their  graves.  This  disease  had  a  very  sudden  nature,  which  in 
appearance  resembled  the  Asiatic  Cholera.  Physicians  were 
baffled,  nurses  could  not  be  had,  for  in  most  every  family  they 
had  sick  ones  of  their  own.  Before  a  physician  could  be  procured, 
many  died  for  want  of  care.  In  the  meantime  a  young  man  of 
the  place  was  suddenly  taken  sick  and  no  physician  could  be 
had,  wreathing  in  a  terrible  agony,  his  friends  knew  that  if 
he  did  not  have  immediate  relief,  he  would  soon  be  taken  from 
them.  There  was  but  one  hope  left  for  them  to  do  and  that  was 
to  call  an  old  doctor  (properly  called  at  the  present  day  a  ' '  Quack 
Doctor")  residing  in  the  village,  who  before  now  nobody  would 
employ.  He  came  and  was  conducted  into  the  room  where  the 
young  man  lay.  He  looked  at  his  patient  for  a  moment  and  sud- 
denly left  the  place,  but  returned  again  bearing  under  his  ann  a 
large  bundle  of  wormwood,  which  he  placed  in  a  kettle  of  vinegar 
and  placed  it  over  a  fire  to  boil.  Soon  after  the  ingredient  had 
thoroughly  mixed,  he  took  some  of  the  same  and  put  it  on  a  red 
woolen  cloth  and  ]:)laced  the  same  across  the  young  man's  bowels. 
Scarcely  an  hour  had  passed  away  before  the  young  man  was  re- 
lieved of  all  pain  and  in  a  few  days  was  about  the  village  again. 
This  event  spread  like  wild  fire  through  the  village,  and  for  some 
time  afterwards,  this  old  man  and  his  old  gray  horse,  with  wagon 
filled  with  wormwood,  could  be  seen  going  from  door  to  door, 
doing  good  and  from  that  time  on  he  never  lost  a  case.     At  the 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS        211 

time  of  this  frightful  disease,  it  entered  Philip's  family  and  swept 
four  of  his  loved  ones  in  as  many  days  to  an  early  grave. 

On  November  15,  1S15,  he  and  his  family  bid  farewell  to 
their  old  home  in  Newburgh  and  set  out  by  wagon  for  a  future 
home  in  Yates  County,  N.  Y.  Their  route  from  Newburgh  was 
first  through  what  was  then  called  the  "Beech  Woods,"  then 
down  on  the  east  side  of  Seneca  Lake  to  Geneva,  and  from  there 
to  Benton,  N.  Y.  Here  in  December  of  the  same  year,  being 
dissatisfied  they  moved  to  Aurelia,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y. 
Remaining  here  until  the  sixth  day  of  April,  1821,  when  they 
left  their  home  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  and  set  out  for 
Conesus,  N.  Y.,  where  they  arrived  on  Sunday  the  fifteenth, 
through  a  heavy  snow  storm,  which  impeded  their  progress  very 
much  after  leaving  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.  On  his  arrival  here  he 
purchased  a  farm  (now  owned  by  the  writer  and  his  brother, 
B.  R.  Boyd)  of  one  Captain  0.  Moore,  where  he  resided  for  onh' 
two  years  or  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  The  last  six  weeks  of 
his  life  he  became  deranged  and  his  death  was  causedby  a  general 
derangement  of  the  whole  system  of  debility,  which  he  was  trou- 
bled with  for  several  years  before  he  died.  His  widow  was  the 
daughter  of  Justice  and  Mary  Barrett,  (being  cousins  before  mar- 
riage), and  was  bom  at  New  Bedford,  Westchester  County,  N.  Y.-, 
April  6,  1773,  and  died  at  Conesus,  N.  Y.  with  heart  disease. 
August  30,  1836.  Their  last  resting  place  to-day  may  be  seen  in 
the  little  cemetery  now  surrounded  by  the  lands  of  his  grandson, 
B.  R.  Boyd  in  Conesus,  N.  Y.  Their  were  nine  children  nainely: 
Lewis,  Justus,  Bennett,  Ebenezer,  Susannah,  Norah,  Matilda, 
Hiram  and  Elmer. 

Bennett  Boyd  was  the  third  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Sarah 
Boyd,  bom  near  New  Bedford,  N.  Y.,  March  13,  1773,  was  killed 
at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  April  6,  1789,  while  playing  with  a  pistol  which 
was  loaded  unknown  to  him,  and  accidentally  discharged,  he 
receiving  the  contents  of  the  same  through  his  body,  dying  in  a 
few  hours  afterwards. 

Bartholamew  was  the  fourth  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Sarah  Boyd. 
Born  at  the  old  homestead  in  Westchester,  N.  Y.,  June  20,  1775 
and  died  there  July  7,  1777  with  some  child  disease. 


212        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Hannah  Boyd  was  the  second  daughter  of  Ebenezer  and 
Sarah  Boyd,  was  also  bom  at  New  Bedford,  N.  Y.,  September 
19,  1777.  She  married  Joseph  C.  Lewis  at  Kent,  Putnam  County, 
N.  Y.,  February  9,  1796,  dying  at  Starkey,  Yates  County,  N.  Y., 
May  22,  1846.  While  young  she  moved  with  her  parents  from 
Washington  County  to  the  town  of  Kent,  N.  Y.  in  1780,  and  re- 
sided with  her  parents  until  her  marriage.  In  the  year  of  1804, 
in  company  with  her  husband,  she  moved  to  Bloomsburg,  Sullivan 
County,  N.  Y.,  where  they  remained  until  the  year  of  18 10, 
then  they  went  to  Genoa,  Cayuga  County,  and  in  the  year  of 
181 2  or  13  to  Starkey,  the  place  of  her  death.  Her  husband  was 
born  in  Kent,  N.  Y.,  March  9,  1774  and  died  at  Starkey,  N.  Y., 
April  18,  1848.  The  life  of  her  husband  was  that  of  a  farmer 
and  blacksmith.  His  younger  days  were  spent  in  learning  his 
trade  as  an  apprentice  to  a  man  named  Carpenter,  of  whom  in 
after  years  was  called  by  nick  name  ' '  Carpenter  Lewis. ' '  He 
owned  a  large  farm  in  Starkey,  and  upon  the  same  was  his  black- 
smith shop,  in  which  he  worked,  carrying  on  at  the  same  time 
both  branches  of  business.  Their  family  consisted  of  ten 
children:  Addison  B.,  Harry  P.,  Sally,  Merritt  C,  Susan  M., 
James  M.,  and  Thomas  J.  (twins),  Hiram  M.,  Marinda  and 
Hannah. 

Robert  Boyd  was  the  fifth  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Sarah  (Mer- 
ritt) Boyd.  He  was  also  bom  at  the  old  homestead  near  New 
Bedford,  Westchester  County,  N.  Y.,  September  12,  1779.  His 
first  wife  was  Anna  Randall  of  Kent,  N.  Y.;  second  wife  Daborah 
Hazen  of  Benton,  Yates  County  and  the  last  wife,  Lemira  Peck 
of  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.  He  died  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  April  15,  1853. 
The  dates  of  his  respective  marriage  I  have  been  unable  to  obtain, 
as  no  records  giving  same  could  be  found  among  his  brother's  or 
sister's  descendants.  I  paid  his  old  home  near  Penn  Yan,  a  visit 
in  1 88 1  in  hope  of  recovering  these  lost  threads.  He  resided  here 
on  a  fann  purchased  by  him  about  one-half  mile  cast  of  the  vil- 
lage. Upon  his  arrival  in  Benton  from  Kent,  his  circumstances 
were  such  from  his  unlimited  means,  he  and  his  wife  were  obliged 
to  live  for  some  time  by  eating  their  scanty  meal — for  want  of  a 
tabic — from  an  old  chest,  and  for  a  bedstead  they   made  it  of 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        213 

poles  with  bark  strung  over  them,  until  they  could  earn  enough 
iTioney  to  buy  a  new  one  with. 

His  first  wife  was  taken  from  him  by  consuinption  February 
12,  1828,  aged  forty-six  years,  eleven  months  and  ten  days.  The 
second  died  of  general  debility  of  system  August  4,  1834,  aged 
fifty-three  years,  two  months  and  seventeen  days,  and  the  last 
one  of  consumption  April  16,  1846,  aged  forty-seven  years,  two 
months  and  twenty-seven  days.  Robert  in  statue  was  a  short, 
thick  set  man  of  fine  appearance,  with  good  habits  and  moral 
persuasion  and  became  a  man  of  wealth.  He  was  kind  to  the 
poor  and  loved  by  all  that  knew  him.  His  grave  can  be  seen  in 
the  little  cemetery  about  a  mile  north  of  his  residence  by  the  side 
of  those  of  his  wives.  His  family  was,  by  his  first  wife,  Anna 
Randal  and  consisted  of  three  children,  Celina,  Amelia  and 
Merritt. 

The  third  daughter  of  Ebenezer  and  Sarah  Boyd  was  named 
after  her  mother,  Sarah.  She  was  born  in  Kent,  Putnam  County, 
N.  Y.,  October  20,  17 81.  She  married  here  Sylvanus  Frost, 
February  27,  1800,  and  breathed  her  last  at  Reading,  Schuyler 
County,  N.  Y.,  March  17,  1847.  She  resided  with  her  parents 
until  her  marriage  and  then  commenced  house-keeping  near 
there,  and  soon  afterwards  moved  to  Mulberry,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  from  there  to  Vernon,  Sussex  County,  New  Jersey, 
then  to  vStanton,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.  In  1830  they  took  up  their 
residence  at  Eddytown  saiTie  County,  and  from  there  to  Reading, 
the  place  of  her  death.  Her  husband  by  occupation  was  a  car- 
penter and  was  born  August  7,  1778,  and  was  killed  October  17, 
1849.  To  his  friends  the  manner  of  his  death  was  never  known, 
and  was  supposed  to  have  been  thrown  from  a  wagon  one  dark 
night  while  on  his  way  home  from  the  village,  as  the  next  morn- 
ing he  was  found  by  the  road  side  with  a  broken  neck.  Their 
family  consisted  of  nine  children:  AH,  Alanson,  Alzada,  Hyatt, 
Mesinda,  Teressa,  Harvey,  Almeda  and  Charles  M. 

Lewis  Boyd  was  the  youngest  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Sarah 
Boyd.  He  was  bom  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  October  3,  1783,  and  mar- 
ried Sophia  Cushman  at  the  same  place  in  1807  or  1808  and  died 
at  Lima,  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.,  December  i,  184S. 


214         HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Lewis  lived  with  his  parents  until  he  was  old  enough  to  be- 
come an  apprentice  carpenter  boy,  when  he  went  and  served  his 
term  with  Sylvenus  Frost,  at  Vernon,  in  Sussex  County,  N.  J. 
In  a  few  years  aftenvard  he  returned  to  his  native  place  and  mar- 
ried the  above  lady,  who  was  the  daughter  of  Consider  Cushman. 
She  was  bom  October  6,  1786.     After  their  marriage  they  moved 
to  what  was  called  "ButtenA^orth  Comers,"  one  mile  from  New- 
burgh,  N.  Y.     Here  he  followed  the  occupation  of  a  carpenter, 
wagon  and  fanning  mill  maker.     At  this  place  he  resided  through 
the  War  of  181 2-14,  of  which  his  son,  Harvey  Boyd  wrote  me  a 
few  years  before  his  death  and  said:     ' '  I  can  remember  well,  my 
father  having  his  uniform  on  and  being  called  out  into  service, 
locking  up  his  little  shop  before  going  to  join  his  company  in 
Captain  Butterworth's  Artillery  in  response  to  a  call  to  go  and 
defend  New  York  City  from  the  enemy.     But  procuring  a  sub- 
stitute he  was  relieved  from  duty."     Soon  after  the  above  occur- 
rence, he  began  to  prepare  to  move  his  family  to  what  was  called 
then  the  ' '  Western  World ' '  now  known  as  Western  New  York 
This  was  in  the  fall  of  18 14,  and  the  journey  was  performed  by 
horses  and  wagons,  taking  for  his  route,  first  going  over  the  moun- 
tains along  the  Hudson  River,  then  to  the  great  bend  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna, then  from  there  to  Ithaca,  Thompkins  County,  N.Y., 
then  to  the  foot  of  Seneca  Lake  where  Geneva  now  stands,  then 
south  to  Benton,  in  Ontario  County,  now  Yates  County,  N.  Y. 
Here  on  his  arrival  he  purchased  a  farm  of  ico  acres  of  one  Willis 
Pierce,  and  in  the  spring  of  181 5  m.ovcd  upon  the  same  and  at  the 
same  time  still  worked  at  his  trade,  carrying  on  both  branches 
of  business.     He  was  a  successful  farmer,  and  in  a  few  years  he 
added  forty-seven  acres  more,  making  his  fann    one    hvmdrcd 
and  forty -seven  acres.     In  bringing  up   his   children  he   taught 
them  to  be  useful  and  to  earn  their  bread  by  the  sweat  of  their 
brow.     He  resided  here  until  the  fall  of  1834;  when  he  went  to 
Michigan  (see  sketch  of  Harvey  Boyd,  his  son)  to  buy  land,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1835  returned,  sold  out  his  fann  here  and  then 
moved  his  family  there.     Lewis  was  considered  in  his  day  a  very 
fine  horseman,  and  many  times  gave  races  with  the  high  bloods  of 
the  country,   but  seldon  was  beaten.     In  statue,  he  was  a  man 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        215 

nearly  six  feet  high  and  of  fine  proportion.  His  useful  days  were 
drawn  to  a  close  by  taking  a  severe  cold,  causing  inflammation 
of  the  lungs,  of  which  he  soon  died.  His  wife  died  July  2,  1855 
from  a  lingering  illness  caused  by  a  felon.  Their  children  were 
Harvey  C,  Emeline,  Phoebe  A.,  Mial,  George  W.,  Sarah,  Robert, 
Mina,  Ebenezer,  Almiria  and  Adaline. 

Phoebe  Boyd  was  the  youngest  of  her  father's  family,  and  was 
born  in  Kent,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y.,  January  2,  1786.  Her 
first  husband  was  Archibald  Crawford,  whom  she  married  at 
Philipse,  same  County,  November  9,  1803.  Her  second  husband 
was  Nathaniel  Huson  whom  she  married  at  Star  key,  Yates  County, 
N.  Y.,  July  17,  1836.  She  died  at  Dundee,  same  County,  April 
27,  1873.  She  was  the  last  of  her  father's  family  on  earth.  A 
few  years  before  she  died — I  remember  well — a  pleasant  visit 
I  made  her  at  her  home  in  Dundee,  N.  Y.  I  was  at  that  time 
but  a  mere  strappling  boy.  I  found  her  a  woman  of  a  tall  and 
slim  nature  and  very  sprightly  in  her  movements,  although  four 
score  years  of  age,  and  in  a  cheerful  mode  we  passed  a  few  pleasant 
hours  away.  One  of  her  daughters,  Mrs.  Hyatt  wTOte  me  in 
1 88 1  that  her  mother  when  living  nearly  one-half  mile  away, 
would  frequently  come  to  her  house  on  foot,  and  continued  to  do 
so  until  within  a  few  weeks  of  her  death.  Her  grandson,  (Edgar 
Hyatt)  also  wrote  me  that  she  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years  made 
a  fine  shirt  by  hand  and  took  it  to  the  County  Fair  at  her  place 
and  earned  the  laurels  by  first  premium.  Beside  this  she  did 
her  own  household  duties  until  w^ithin  two  months  of  her  death. 
She  remained  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage  to  her  first 
husband,  when  they  moved  to  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  where  they 
resided  until  the  year  of  1S09-10,  and  then  moved  to  Vernon, 
Sussex  County,  N.  Y.,  and  in  the  year  of  iSig  to  Benton,  N.  Y., 
traveling  the  same  route  taken  by  her  brothers  and  sisters  a  few 
years  before.  Here  remaining  until  1826,  when  they  took  up 
their  residence  at  Milo,  same  County,  and  resided  until  her  first 
husband's  death,  which  took  place  September  19,  1835,  while  he 
was  on  a  visit  or  journey  to  the  Western  Counties  of  the  State. 
Mr.  Crawford  was  a  native  of  Carmel,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y., 
where  he  was  bom  November  10,  1778.     B3'  the  untimely  death 


216        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

of  this  husband,  she  was  left  in  needy  circumstances,  with  ten 
small  children  upon  her  hands  to  support.  While  laboring  under 
these  difficulties,  she  moved  to  what  was  then  called  Harpending 
Corners,  now  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  and  to  support  herself  and  little 
family  commenced  keeping  boarders  that  she  might  properly  care 
and  educate  her  children.  While  here  she  became  acquainted 
with  her  second  husband,  Nathaniel  Huson,  and  at  once  became 
his  happy  wife.  This  husband  was  born  July  22,  1767,  and  died 
at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  October  19,  1847,  again  leaving  her  a  lonely 
widow.  After  his  death  she  bought  a  small  house  and  lot  in  the 
above  village,  where  she  resided  until  her  death.  Her  last  rest- 
ing place  can  be  seen  in  the  little  cemetery  on  the  hillside  above 
w^here  she  lived,  in  a  burial  lot  selected  by  her  a  short  time  before 
she  died,  which  she  would  often  visit  while  living.  Her  child- 
ren were  by  her  first  husband  and  consisted  of  five  boys  and 
five  girls,  whose  names  were  Emeline,  Mariah,  Charles  C.,Eben- 
ezer,  Susannah,  Lewis  P.,  Nathaniel  B.,  Hannah,  Sarah  and 
George. 

Generation  Third 

Having  closed  our  sketch  of  Generation  Second,  which  con- 
sisted of  the  lives  of  ten  persons  who  were  the  source  of  our  branch, 
we  will  now  bring  to  the  reader  those  of  the  Third  Generation, 
which  has  a  total  record  in  ntmiber  of  fifty  persons  in  the  regular 
line  of  descendants  as  follows : 

The  first  upon  this  line  is  William  D.,  the  oldest  son  of  Eben- 
ezer  and  Louisa  (Bailey)  Boyd  who  was  bom  in  Kent,  Putnam 

County,  N.  Y., ,   178S.     Here  he  married  Harriett  Parent 

at  Somers,  Westchester  County,  N.  Y.,  ,  1807  and  died  at 

Cold  Springs  near  the  same  place  September  11,  1842.  A  full 
record  and  history  I  was  unable  to  obtain.  He  was  a  noted 
physician  by  occupation,  residing  first  at  Somers,  until 
about  the  year  of  1810-11,  when  they  moved  to  Fishkill, 
and  then  went  to  Cold  Springs,  N.  Y.,  the  place  where  he  died. 
At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  at 
Kent,  but  when  the  new  reservoir  of  the  New  York  City  Water 
Works  was  built,  his  body  was  again  removed  to  Cold  Springs. 


STILLMAN  BOYD 
Taken  January  27,   1886 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS  219 

where  his  grave  can  be  seen  to-day.  WilHam  was  a  man  of  good 
disposition,  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him  and  stood  high 
in  society.  His  wife  was  born  in  Somers,  N.  Y.,  in  1779  and  died 
at  Cold  Springs,  N.  Y.,  September  13.  1856.  The  children  of 
this  family  consisted  of  six:  Ebenezer  W.,  William,  Ebcnezer  F., 
Cyrus  B.,  Louisa  and  Charles. 

The  second  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Louisa  (Bailey)  Boyd  was 

Bennett,  who  was  born  in  Kent,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y.,  

1792.     He  married  Phoebe  Kelley  at  Carmel,  same  County  in 

the  fall  of  1 811  and  breathed  his  last  at  his  birth  place 1853. 

Bennett  was  a  very  prominent  man  in  his  days,  and  at 
the  age  of  twenty-two  enlisted  in  the  War  of  181 2-14,  be- 
ginning at  the  commencement,  serving  through  the  same  until 
it  closed,  although  it  is  not  known  to  his  descendants  of  being 
drawn  into  any  particular  battle.  He  bore  the  title  of 
Captain  and  held  the  same  with  honor.  Beside  his  war  ser- 
vice, he  was  elected  the  first  Judge  of  the  "Old  Common  Plea 
Court"  of  the  County  where  he  lived,  for  a  temi  of  eight  suc- 
cessive years.  In  183 1  he  was  sent  to  the  Legislature  of  the 
State  of  New  York  for  one  year  which  he  served  with  distinction. 
In  the  spring  after  his  marriage,  he  bought  a  farm  in  Kent,  and 
after  retiring  from  public  life  devoted  the  remainder  of  his  days 
to  farm  labor.  His  wife's  record  we  have  not.  She  was  bom 
and  died  in  the  same  county  where  they  lived.  Children  were 
Sarah,  Amanda,  Polly,  Garrett,  Eliza  and  Robert  B. 

The  oldest  daughter  of  Ebenezer  and  Louisa  Boyd  was 
named  Sarah;  have  no  record  only  that  she  was  born  and  died 
in  Kent,  N.  Y.  Stillman  Boyd  her  brother,  wrote  me  a  few  years 
ago,  saying:  "vShe  may  have  been  the  oldest,  second  or  third 
of  my  father's  family  I  could  not  say,  as  she  died  before  I  was 
bom. ' '  She  met  her  death  by  being  scalded,  and  was  not  buried 
with  the  rest  of  the  family,  and  no  doubt  her  grave  was  lost. 
She  was  about  three  years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death. 

Stillman  Boyd  was  the  youngest  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Louisa 
Boyd.  He  was  born  in  Kent,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y.,  January 
27,  1802,  married  at  Carmel,  N.  Y.,  November  15,  1829,  Mary 
E.  Smith,  and  died  at    Jefferson  Valley,  N.  Y.,  April  7,   1890. 


220        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY    AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

The  wife  of  Stillman  was  born  in  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  January 
4,  1804.  Soon  after  their  marriage,  they  commenced  keeping 
house  in  the  same  door-yard  by  the  side  of  his  father  at  Kent, 
N.  Y.  This  transpired  at  the  time  his  father  occupied  the  "Old 
Grand-father  Boyd  Hotel ' '  at  that  place.  After  a  time  he  took 
the  same  in  his  charge  for  the  purpose  of  releasing  his  father  from 
the  cares  that  were  fast  drawing  him  to  his  grave.  On  carrying 
on  the  hotel  business  for  a  few  years,  he  gave  up  the  same  and  went 
upon  a  fami  nearby  that  he  owned  before  going  into  the  hotel, 
carrying  it  on  at  the  same  time.  The  fall  of  1853  he  sold  the 
same  and  moved  his  family  to  Jefferson  Valley,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
died.  Miss  Jennie  Boyd  speaking  of  her  father  to  me  in  a  letter 
a  few  years  ago  said:  "Father,  the  few  last  years  of  his  life  lived 
a  lazy  life,  not  doing  much  of  anything,  his  reason  was  that  he 
had  done  enough  in  his  younger  days;  not  to  work  when  he  was 
getting  old.  In  health  he  had  always  been  well  and  strong.  He 
had  scarcely  had  a  pain  or  even  a  toothache,  and  his  teeth  were 
good  until  a  few  years  before  he  died,  when  they  became  loose 
and  dropped  out."  Their  family  consisted  of  six  children,  Mary 
A.,  Emma  L.,  Sarah  A.,  William  H.,  Merritt  and  Jennie  E. 

Sarah  Maria  Smalley,  the  only  child  of  James  and  Susannah 
(Boyd)  Smalley  was  born  in  Kent,  N.  Y.,  April  25,  1806,  married 
Orval  Frost  at  New  York  City,  spring  of  1837.  She  died  at  the 
place  of  her  birth  June  22,  1S47.  She  went  by  the  name  of  Sally 
Frost  and  was  a  large,  portly  woman.  Her  husband  was  born 
in  Kent,  where  they  first  commenced  house-keeping.  His  occu- 
pation was  that  of  a  farmer  and  hotel-keeper.  Upon  her  death, 
from  dropsy,  he  and  her  children  moved  to  Yates  County, 
N.  Y.  In  1 88 1  I  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  him  at  his  daugh- 
ter's, Mrs.  Fulton  at  Stanley,  N.  Y.  and  found  him  a  very  social 
man,  but  on  account  of  his  age  was  somewhat  lost  in  memory; 
yet  in  appearance  was  bright  and  active.  Their  children  were 
Susan  E.  (Infant)  and  Sarah  M. 

Tere  and  Lewis  Boyd  were  the  oldest  sons  of  Philip  and 
Elizabeth  (Barrett)  Boyd,  both  of  whom  were  bom  at  Kent,  N.  Y. 
The  former  December  29,  1793  and  died  February  22,  1794  of 
Child  Disease,  and  the  latter  April  11,  1795  and  was  killed  at  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        221 

same  place  November  22,  1796,  his  death  being  very  singular. 
One  day  a  friend  of  the  family  called  to  see  the  baby,  took  up  the 
little  one  in  her  arms  and  began  to  toss  him  up  and  down  to  see 
him  play.  Unthoughtful  to  his  attendant,  the  little  fellow  in  a 
playful  mode  sprang  from  her  arms,  falling  upon  the  floor,  injuring 
him  so  that  he  died  a  short  time  afterward. 

Justus  Boyd  the  third  son  of  Philip  and  Elizabeth  Boyd,  was 
bom  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  September  19,  1796  and  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Almira  Nut  at  Aurelius,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y., 
September  3,  18 18  and  met  an  untimely  death  at  Silver  Creek, 
N.  Y.,  June  16,  1838.  Justus  moved  with  his  father's  family 
first  toNewburgh,  N.  Y.,  thento  Yates  County,  then  to  Aurelius, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  was  residing  at  the  time  of  his  marriage,  and  in 
March  of  1821  to  Conesus,  N.  Y.  and  settled  in  the  western  part 
of  the  town  on  what  is  called  '  'Turkey  Hill ' '  and  remained  there 
until  the  spring  of  1823,  when  he  moved  his  family  three  iniles 
south  of  Mt.  Morris,  upon  what  was  called  the  river  road,  where 
he  resided  until  the  spring  of  1835,  then  going  from  here  to  How- 
ell, Livingston  County,  I^vlich.  His  widow  was  a  very  fine  and 
active  lady  and  was  bom  September  19,  1799.  In  June  of  1838, 
three  years  after  going  to  Michigan,  on  account  of  his  private 
affairs  not  being  settled  at  Mt.  Morris,  required  his  personal  at- 
tention to  come  to  the  latter  place  to  adjust  thein.  It  was  on 
the  14th  of  that  monith  when  he  left  his  beautiful  home  in  Mich- 
igan by  stage  for  Detroit;  first  bidding  his  family  good-bye  as  they 
supposed  for  a  short  vacation.  On  the  15th  he  left  Detroit  on 
board  of  the  Steamboat  "George  Washington"  for  Buffalo,  N.Y. 
On  the  morning  of  the  i6th,  when  opposite  Silver  Creek,  N.  Y., 
all  hands  were  startled  by  the  cry  of  fire,  "The  boat  is  on  fire," 
as  it  had  been  discovered  that  the  boiler  room  was  on  fire,  caused 
by  oil  dripping  down  on  the  same,  and  was  beyond  the  control 
of  those  on  board.  Now  all  was  confusion  on  the  boat;  some 
wept,  some  prayed,  others  rushed  madly  through  the  throng 
while  the  boat  was  turned  toward  the  shore.  All  eyes  were  turned 
in  that  direction,  as  it  seemed  to  them  an  age  in  trying  to  land  her 
cargo  of  human  freight  in  safety.  Two  miles  more  and  all  would 
be  well.     Hush!  the  proud  boat  stops,  the  fire  had  done  its  work 


222         HISTORY   OF  THE  BOYD   FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

All  must  now  save  themselves;  husbands  and  wives  locked  them- 
selves in  each  other's  embrace,  and  in  one  moment  stood  in  sus- 
pended air,  the  next  moment  disappearing  beneath  the  dark  waves 
to  rise  no  more.  Thus  nearly  two  hundred  persons  found  a  wa- 
tery grave. 

Among  these  awful  scenes,  poor  Justus  was  not  idle.  A 
short  distance  stood  a  group  of  some  twenty  children  or  more, 
w^ho  had  been  abandoned  by  their  awe-stricken  parents  and  left 
to  their  fate.  The  cries  and  pleadings  of  the  little  ones  touched 
the  heart  of  Justus  and  a  couple  of  other  by-standers,  whose 
names  ought  to  be  written  in  gold,  they  resolved  to  save  them. 
They  set  themselves  at  work,  as  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost,  and 
tore  doors  from  the  cabins  and  lashed  them  together  in  the  form 
of  a  raft  and  placed  them  upon  it  with  cheering  words,  telling 
them  to  keep  up  good  courage,  as  they  would  soon  be  rescued. 
They  cast  them  from  the  burning  boat  and  they  were  saved. 
The  fate  of  Justus  was  far  different  than  those  of  his  companions, 
for  instead  of  meeting  a  death  in  the  fiery  furnace  or  by  drown- 
ing, it  seemed  his  exit  from  this  world  was  designed  by  the  Ruler 
of  all  things  to  take  place  in  a  far  different  manner.  By  the  time 
he  had  succeeded  in  securing  the  friendless  children  a  place  of 
safety,  the  fire  had  now  encrouched  upon  the  last  chance  left  for 
him  on  the  burning  boat.  Being  a  very  fine  swimmer,  he  now 
plunged  into  the  dark  blue  waters  of  the  lake  and  set  out  for  shore, 
some  two  miles  distant.  After  swimming  nearly  a  mile,  he  was 
picked  up  by  a  boat  sent  to  their  rescue  and  taken  to  shore,  where 
he  was  suddenly  thrown  into  a  fit  of  apoplexy  and  survived  only 
four  hours.  His  death  was  in  the  land  of  strangers,  but  not  with- 
out friends  who  kindly  cared  for  him,  and  after  his  death  laid  his 
body  at  rest  beside  the  other  ill-fated  victims  in  the  little  Ceme- 
tery at  Silver  Creek,  N.  Y.,  while  at  the  same  time  sent  the  sad 
news  to  his  friends  and  his  bereaved  family.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  nine  children,  Lewis  B.,  John  N.,  Hannah,  Nonnan, 
William  H.,  Elizabeth,  Henry  P.,  Angeline  and  William  H. 

The  next  five  children  of  Philip  and  Elizabeth  Boyd  died 
young,  and  their  records  are  as  follows:  Bennett  Boyd  was  bom 
in  Kent,  N.  Y.,  April  22,  1798,  died. at  Newburgh  with  cold  fever 


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HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        225 

September  20,  1S06;  the  next  was  Ebenezer,  bom  at  Kent,  Sep- 
tember 5,  1799,  died  with  the  same  disease  at  Newburgh,  August 
30,  1806.  The  third,  a  daughter  named  Susannah,  was  bom  at 
Newburgh,  November  20,  1801  and  died  of  cold  fever  at  the  same 
place  August  29,  1806.  The  fourth,  a  son  named  Norah,  was  born 
at  Newburgh,  December  9,  1803,  died  at  the  same  place  May  3, 
1S04  from  some  child  disease.  The  fifth,  a  daughter  named  Ma- 
tilda, was  bom  at  Newburgh,  September  4,  1806,  and  died  of 
cold  fever,  Sepx.  4,  1806. 

Hiram  Boyd  was  the  seventh  son  of  Philip  and  Elizabeth 
Boyd,  and  was  bom  in  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  December  18,  1806. 
He  married  Jane  McNinch  at  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  November  6,  1836 
and  died  at  the  latter  place  April  11,  1892.  My  father  moved 
with  his  father's  family  from  Newburgh,  the  place  of  his  birth,  to 
Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  in  the  very  last  days  of  September  or  the 
first  days  of  October,  18 15,  and  before  leaving  for  the  Western 
New  York,  they  secured  their  corn  and  products  there.  Here 
they  remained  until  December  of  the  saine  year,  they  again  took 
their  departure  for  Aurelius,  Cayuga  Courity,  N.  Y.  They  re- 
mained here  upon  a  farm  his  father  had  purchased,  until  the 
spring  of  1821,  when  they  left  their  new  home  t-here  at  10  o'clock 
in  the  forenoon  of  April  12  and  started  for  Conesus,  N.  Y.  In 
this  journey  my  father  walked  and  helped  drive  a  drove  of  cattle, 
while  his  father  drove  the  team  and  wagon  conveying  their  house- 
hold goods.  On  reaching  Geneva,  they  encountered  a  heavy  snow 
storm  and  were  obliged  to  stop  for  the  night.  The  next  morning 
his  father  with  the  family  set  out  ahead,  reaching  Conesus  on 
Saturday  night.  While  my  father  did  not  reach  his  destination 
until  the  next  morning,  and  on  their  arrival,  having  no  wood  at 
the  door,  they  were  obliged  to  go  to  the  woods  a  short  distance 
from  the  house  and  cut  and  draw  a  load  to  keep  them  over  Sunday. 
Here  they  resided  for  two  years,  when  his  father  was  taken  sick 
and  died  leaving  him  and  a  younger  brother  with  his  mother  to 
care  for  themselves.  His  mother  remained  with  him  and  kept 
house  for  him  until  her  death  which  transpired  in  1836. 

At  the  time  of  his  father's  death,  the  lands  were  new  here, 
and  most  of  the  fine  farm  he  owned  at  the  time  of  his  death  was 


226        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

covered  with  heavy  timber,  which  has  since  disappeared  by  the 
blows  of  his  strong  arm  and  axe.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he 
carried  upon  his  person  many  scars  from  wounds  he  had  received 
while  engaged  in  its  cultivation  in  his  younger  days.  At  the 
death  of  his  mother,  he  bought  of  his  brothers  their  share  in  his 
father's  e^ate  and  commenced  improving  the  land,  and  by  great 
exertion  he  laid  up  a  certain  sum  of  money,  by  which  he  con- 
structed his  large  mansion  in  1852.  About  this  time  came  the 
excitement  in  regard  to  the  building  of  the  Coming  and  Buffalo 
Railroad,  now  owned  by  the  Erie  Railroad  Company.  The  sur- 
veyors had  tried  to  locate  a  route,  since  taken  by  the  Delaware, 
Lackawanna  and  Western  Railroad  Company  through  Living- 
ston County  to  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  Capital  in  those  days  was  not  so 
plenty  as  in  the  present,  and  the  route  was  through  a  hilly  and 
very  rough  country,  which  at  that  time  was  considered  as  almost 
impossible  to  accomplish,  which  discouraged  the  company  to  know 
where  to  locate  the  route.  My  father  learning  the  difficulty  that 
had  befallen  the  enterprise,  seated  himself,  and  wrote  to  the  com- 
pany, describing  a  route  from  Wayland  through  the  town  of 
Springwater,  Conesus,  Livonia  to  Avon,  which  he  illustrated  to 
them  so  finely,  that  in  a  few  days  the  surveyors  caine  along,  and 
by  his  aid  the  route  was  established.  Now  there  was  another 
drawback.  Money  must  be  had  to  build  the  road,  and  to  help 
■out  the  enterprise,  my  father  took  several  thousand  dollars  of 
stock,  which  in  a  few  years  afterwards  proved  to  be  worthless 
and  he  lost  all  he  had  invested.  The  road  was  built  and 
passed  through  the  center  of  his  fanxi,  cutting  it  in  two  parts, 
which  since  then  has  proved  to  be  more  of  a  nuisance  to  him 
in  after  years,  than  the  pleasure  of  building  it,  as  he  had 
anticipated. 

Twice  in  his  life  he  held  the  office  of  the  Justice  of  the  Peace 
of  his  native  town,  and  when  serving  in  capacity  of  that  office,  he 
was  called  upon  to  unite  two  couples  in  marriage  and  sending 
them  on  the  road  of  life  rejoicing.  In  the  fall  of  1879,  he  was 
chosen  to  represent  his  town  as  one  of  the  Vice-Presidents  at  the 
Centennial  Celebration  of  Sullivan  campaign  against  the  Seneca 
Indians  in  September  of  1779.     This  event  took  place  at  Geneseo, 


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LATE  RESIDEN'CE  OF  HIRAM   BOYD.   DECEASED 
Built  in   1852 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS        229 

Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  and  was  largely  attended  by  persons 
from  all  parts  of  the  state. 

My  mother  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  James  and  Jane 
(Allen)  McNinch,  two  old  pioneers  of  Livingston  County.  She 
was  born  in  Richmond,  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  August  25,  1808 
and  died  at  Conesus,  N.  Y.  with  pneumonia  April  17,  1883.  She 
being  a  frail  woman  weighing  only  ninety  pounds,  took  a  heavy 
cold  on  Tuesday  and  just  one  week  from  the  hour  she  was  taken, 
she  died.  Her  father  was  a  miller  by  occupation  and  he  and  his 
family  resided  where  ever  his  occupation  called  him.  The  health  of 
my  father  was  always  good,  although  the  last  few  years  of  his  life 
was  one  of  lameness,  caused  by  falling  on  the  ice  while  he  was 
passing  under  a  railroad  bridge  over  the  farm  lane  of  his  place. 
Other  than  this  injury,  he  never  was  under  a  physician's  care. 
Their  last  resting  place  is  in  a  little  cemetery  by  the  side  of  his 
father  and  mother  in  the  northern  part  of  Conesus.  Their  family 
consisted  of  three  children,  whose  names  were  Elizabeth  Sarah, 
Bennett  R.,  and  William  P. 

The  youngest  son  of  Philip  and  Elizabeth  Boyd  was  named 
Aimer.  He  was  bom  in  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  October  17,  1808,  and 
died  at  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  June  21,  1837, from  general  derangement 
of  the  system.  He  suffered  great  agony  in  the  last  days  of  his 
life.  He  was  a  young  man  of  very  mild  disposition,  kind,  gen- 
erous hearted  and  loved  by  all  that  knew  him.  A  few  years  be- 
fore his  death  he  became  restless  and  roamed  about  as  if  his  mind 
would  not  let  him  rest.  While  examining  an  old  account  book  of 
his  which  I  have  in  my  possession,  I  found  the  following  piece  of 
poetry  and  under  the  same  this  date,  September  17,  1826,  which 
plainly  showed  his  state  of  mind.     The  poetry  was  thus:- — 

I  am  a  raking  and  rambling  boy, 

I  seek  my  lodging  ' '  too  and  fro. ' ' 

A  rambling  boy,  I  soon  shall  be, 

I  forsake  my  lands  and  go  to  sea. 
He  is  buried  beside  his  parents  in  Conesus,  N.  Y. 

Addison  B.  Lewis  was  the  oldest  son  of  Joseph  E.  and  Hannah 
(Boyd)  Lewis.  He  was  born  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  September  8,  1798. 
He  married  for  his  first  wife  Harriett  Rich  at  Eddytown,  Yates 


230         HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

County,  N.  Y.  in  1822,  and  for  his  second  wife  Mary  Coywell  at 

Barrington,  same  County, ,  18 — ,  and  died  at  the  latter  place 

October  20,  1875,  and  his  wife  at  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  March 
27,  1887,  aged  sixty-four  years.  Addison  in  his  younger  days 
resided  with  his  parents  and  came  with  them  from  Kent  to  Yates 
County,  and  soon  after  his  marriage  commenced  life  upon  a 
farm  in  the  town  of  Reading,  Schuyler  County,  N.  Y.  Here  he 
remained  for  fifteen  years,  and  after  he  succeeded  in  paying  for 
his  farm,  sold  same  and  purchased  one  at  Trumansburg,  Tomp- 
kins County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  moved  soon  afterwards.  Before 
coming  here  to  the  latter  place,  they  embraced  the  faith  of  re- 
ligion and  became  united  as  members  of  the  Christian  Church  of 
Star  key,  which  was  in  the  year  of  183 1  or  32.  After  residing  here 
a  short  time,  his  first  wife  (who  was  the  daughter  of  the  late  Alfred 
Rich  of  Reading,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born  at  Fort  Ann,  Washington 
County,  N.  Y.,  February  14,  1805)  was  taken  suddenly,  sick  with 
the  inflammation  of  the  bowels  and  on  the  14th  day  of  May,  1843 
was  taken  away,  leaving  him  to  mourn  her  loss.  At  the  same 
time  he  had  a  mortgage  upon  his  farm,  and  the  country  being  in 
a  financial  derangement,  on  account  of  the  closing  of  many  rotten 
banks,  which  caused  a  depression  in  the  produce  market,  he  could 
not  meet  proinptly  next  payments  on  his  farm ;  it  soon  fell  under 
the  hammer,  and  he  was  stripped  of  all  the  fruits  of  his  former 
years  and  turned  out  with  six  small  children  to  find  a  home  for 
them  in  a  cold  and  unfeeling  world.  While  laboring  under  these 
misfortunes  and  brooding  over  the  same  with  a  sad  heart,  soon 
brought  on  a  disease  and  for  many  months  was  unable  to  labor, 
yet  he  grouped  his  faith  of  hope,  and  held  fast  the  anchor  of  life 
which  brought  him  safely  through  the  stomi.  As  soon  as  he  was 
able,  he  came  back  to  his  native  place  (Reading,  N.  Y.)  and  united 
his  fortune  with  his  second  wife  Mary  Coywell,  with  whom  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  days. 

After  his  second  niarriage,  he  commenced  life  new  again, 
and  with  his  worthy  companion  who  by  industry  and  economy 
succeeded  in  securing  a  small  farm  upon  which  they  resided  at 
the  time  of  his  death.  His  hopes  were.that  of  a  christian  and  the 
closing  scenes  of  his  life  were  marked  by  the  abiding  evidence  of 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        231 

his  faith  and  his  hopes  in  Hiin  who  gave  his  Hfe  as  a  ransom  for 
all,  sooner  or  later.  His  last  sickness  was  caused  by  consumption, 
leaving  to  mourn  his  loss,  nine  children  whose  names  were  Sarah 
A.,  Adaline,  Leva,  Mary,  David  and  Joseph  by  his  first  wife,  and 
Morris  B.,  Emma  and  Frank  W.  b}^  his  second  wife. 

Harry  Lewis  the  second  son  of  Joseph  C.  and  Hannah  (Boyd) 
Lewis  was  bom  in  Kent,  N.  Y.,  June  6,  1802.  He  married  Eliza 
Winfield  at  Star  key,  N.  Y.,  March  18,  1826.  He  came  with  his 
parents  when  a  small  lad  from  his  birth  place  to  Yates  County, 
N.  Y.  Here  after  his  marriage  he  commenced  house-keeping, 
then  afterwards  moved  into  Ontario  Coimty  where  he  resided  a 
short  time,  and  then  went  to  Jerusalein,  N.  Y.,  and  in  185 1  to 
Trumbull  County,  Ohio,  and  in  i860  to  Grass  Lake,  Jackson, 
Mich.  His  occupation  was  that  of  a  blacksmith  and  at  the  same 
tiine  owned  a  fann  carrying  on  both  branches  together.  His 
wife  was  bom  in  Montague,  Sussex  County,  N.  J.,  Septeinber  18,, 
1806.  The  last  letter  I  received  from  them  was  January  10,  1882^ 
which  too  well  showed  that  the  strong  arm  that  wielded  the  ham- 
mer on  the  growing  red  iron  from  the  fiery  furnace,  was  fast  be- 
coming palsied  with  age.  Since  then  they  both  have  passed  away. 
Their  family  consisted  of  seven  children:  Maria,  William,  John,, 
Emeline,  Hannah,  Sarah  and  James. 

The  next  child  of  Joseph  C.  and  Hannah  Lewis  was  called 
Sally  Lewis.  She  was  bom  at  Frederick,  Sullivan  County,  N.Y., 
June  I,  1804.  She  became  acquainted  with  and  married  Joel 
Coykendall  at  Starkey,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  September  23, 
182 1  and  breathed  her  last  at  Canadice,  Ontario  County,  N.  Y., 
May  7,  1878.  Soon  after  her  marriage,  she  and  her  husband, 
who  was  bom  February  26,1778,  moved  to  Canadice  Comers,. 
N.  Y.  Here  they  commenced  their  union  by  keeping  a  hotel  in 
connection  with  a  fanii  of  nearly  200  acres,  which  they  bought 
and  carried  on  at  the  same  tiine,  which  they  followed  up  to  the 
time  of  her  death.  "Aunt  Sally"  as  she  was  properly  called, 
was  known  far  and  near  as  a  very  kind  and  generous  woman,  and 
her  tables  were  always  laden  with  the  richest  of  foods.  She  was 
kind  and  generous  to  the  poor  and  always  befriending  them,  if 
they  had  means  to  pay  or  not.     Her  husband  though  very  tall 


232        HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

and  slim  in  statue,  was  in  his  younger  day  a  very  strong  man. 
It  is  said  he  often  went  forth  to  the  woodlands  and  cut  his  four 
or  five  cords  of  four-foot  wood  per  day.  He  cleared  the  most  of 
his  lands  here  of  forest  when  the  county  was  one  vast  wilderness, 
while  his  wife  conducted  the  duties  of  their  hotel.  He  was  very 
slow  in  anger,  but  when  once  aroused  he  was  like  a  Sampson,  and 
those  bullies  of  those  days  gave  him  a  wide  birth.  The  last  few 
years  Aunt  Sally  who  was  a  fleshy  woman,  was  troubled  with  a 
couple  of  "Wens"  upon  her  neck,  which  caused  her  much  pain 
and  without  doubt  was  the  cause  of  her  death.  Their  last  resting 
place  is  in  the  cemetery  one  mile  east,  by  the  side  of  a  little  church, 
where  her  womanly  form  was  so  often  seen  at  Sunday  service. 
Their  children  were  Levi,  Leah,  Hannah,  Tilla  R.,  Harvey,  Mary 
Ann,  Hiram  J.,  Celina  L 

The  fourth  son  of  Joseph  C.  and  Hannah  (Boyd)  Lewis  was 
named  Merritt  C.  Lewis,  and  was  bom  at  Bloomingsburg,  Sulli- 
van County,  N.  Y.,  June  23,  1806.  He  married  Sarah  Coyken- 
dall  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  December  29,  1832.  I  never  knew  much 
of  Merritt 's  past  life,  only  that  he  came  to  Starkey  when  a  small 
lad  and  resided  there  ever  since.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation 
and  his  wife  was  bom  there  July  8,  1808.  His  death  record  I 
have  not.  They  had  five  children:  Harlem,  Joel,  Mary  J.,  Mark 
and  Dennis. 

Susan  Melinda  Lewis  was  the  second  daughter  of  Joseph  C. 
and  Hannah  Lewis  and  was  bom  at  Bloomsburgh,  N.  Y.,  March 
23,  1809.  She  married  James  Shannon  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  Feb- 
ruary 18,  1830,  and  died  at  Barrington,  N.  Y.,  February  12,  1846. 
Her  death  was  caused  by  child-birth  and  she  lived  only  two  hours 
after  the  death  of  her  child.  The  child  lived  two  days.  It 
is  said  she  was  one  of  the  finest  women  that  ever  lived;  so  kind, 
so  good  and  affectionate.  Her  husband  was  bom  in  Yates  County, 
N.  Y.,  September  15,  1808,  and  died  at  Barrington,  same  county, 
March  25,  1878.  Her  children  were  Marinda,  Lewis,  Henry  N., 
Minerva,  Martha,  John  E.,  Myron  T.  and  Harvey. 

The  next  two  children  of  Joseph  C.  and  Hannah  Lewis  were 
twins,  both  being  born  at  Genoa,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.  James 
Madison  Lewis's  birth  was  April  27,  181 1.     He  married  for  his 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD    FAMILY  AND   ITS    DESCENDANTS        233 

partner  in  life  Miss  Belinda  Semans  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  October 
23,  1833.  Both  are  now  dead  of  which  I  have  no  record.  He 
came  to  Starkey  when  he  was  young  and  remained  there  until 
after  their  marriage,  when  they  moved  to  Benton,  same  county, 
and  resided  there  until  May  of  1845,  when  they  set  out  overland 
journey  to  Illinois;  accomplishing  this  journey  by  team  and 
emigrant  wagon.  Most  of  the  way  being  through  a  vast  wilder- 
ness. They  took  with  them  their  provisions,  and  when  night 
would  overtake  theni  they  would  stop  by  some  running  water, 
build  a  fire,  cook  their  scanty  meal,  roll  up  in  their  blankets  in 
their  wagon  until  daylight  and  then  resume  their  journey  again. 
Five  years  rolled  away,  they  started  out  again,  back  the  same 
way  and  settled  at  Milo,  N.  Y.,  upon  the  east  side  of  Keuka  Lake, 
about  two  miles  from  the  present  village  of  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y. 
They  purchased  a  farm  upon  which  they  resided  until  their  death. 
His  wife  was  a  kind-hearted  woman  and  was  bom  in  Kent  County 
Maryland,  August  28,  181 2.  Their  family  consisted  of  three 
children,  Clayton,  John  E.  and  Robert  B. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Lewis  the  twin  brother  of  the  above,  was 
bom  April  27,  181 1 ,  as  given  in  his  brother  James  Madison  Lewis's 
record.  He  married  Sarah  Ann  Ayers,  a  daughter  of  William 
Ayers  of  Starkey,  March  — ,  1824  and  died  at  Benton,  N.  Y., 
May  28,  1882.  He  came  with  his  parents  from  the  place  of  his 
birth  to  Starkey,  Yates  County  in  the  year  of  181 2,  and  in  the 
year  of  1835  to  Tyrone,  N.  Y.  and  in  the  fall  of  1835  back  to  Star- 
key  again,  remaining  here  until  1840;  moved  upon  a  farm  one- 
half  mile  east  of  Penn  Yan  village  in  the  town  of  Benton,  N.  Y., 
where  they  resided  at  the  time  of  their  death.  He  was  always  a 
successful  famier  and  held  several  important  offices  in  his  county. 
His  wife  was  a  large,  fleshy  woman  of  fine  appearance,  a 
good  and  kind  disposition  died  here  October  17,  18 go.  His 
daughter  Agnes,  wrote  m.e  a  short  account  of  his  sickness  and 
death  dated  January  18,  1883  as  follows:  "Father  was  taken 
with  a  hard  chill  April  20.  His  disease  seemed  to  be  in  his  throat 
and  on  his  lungs  and  could  not  take  but  little  medicine,  nor  much 
food.  He  lingered  for  a  few  weeks  in  a  restless  manner,  most  of 
the  time  requesting  to  be  turned  over  and  have  his  mouth  wet, 


234         HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 


for  he  had  such  a  fever.  He  became  a  mere  skeleton,  yet  was 
conscious  until  the  last.  He  arranged  his  business  and  talked 
about  leaving  us.  He  made  his  request  about  the  minister  he 
desired  to  have  preach  his  funeral  sermon;  the  style  of  casket  he 
wished  to  be  buried  in,  and  all  other  arrangements  pertaining  to 
his  funeral."  Their  children  were  Charles  G.,  Agnes  A.,  Wilson 
A.,  Eli  and  Frank  E. 

Hiram  Lewis  was  the  sixth  son  of  Joseph  and  Hannah  (Boyd) 
Lewis,  was  bom  in  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  November  lo,  1815,  and  mar- 
ried Charlotte  J.  Merritt  at  Barrington,  same  county,  December 
28,  1840,  and  died  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  June  2,  1877.  After  their 
marriage  they  purchased  a  farm  a  short  distance  from  Penn  Yan, 
where  they  always  lived  and  spent  their  days.  His  last  sickness 
was  that  of  Typhoid  Fever,  being  sick  about  six  months  before 
he  died.  After  his  death,  his  widow  moved  into  this  village  and 
after  a  long  protracted  illness  of  consumption,  she  quietly  passed 
to  her  Maker  June  i,  1881.  Their  children  were  Eugene  and 
Delzora. 

Malinda  Lewis  the  third  daughter  of  Joseph  C.  and  Hannah 
(Boyd)  Lewis,  was  born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  July  16,  181 8.  Here  she 
married  Harrison  Shannon  December  27,  1838  and  breathed  her 
last  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  March  4,  1867.  After  their  marriage  they 
commenced  keeping  house  at  Tyrone,  Steuben  County,  N.  Y. 
and  in  1863  moved  to  Dundee,  N.  Y.  While  living  in  Tyrone 
her  husband  followed  farming  as  an  occupation,  but  on  their  re- 
moval to  Dundee  became  a  grain  speculator,  owning  a  large  ele- 
vator at  that  place.  He  was  bom  at  Starkey,  November  28, 
1816.  Malinda  like  her  sisters  was  of  a  mild,  kind,  social  woman, 
and  at  her  death  was  sadly  missed  by  the  poor,  whom  she  never 
would  turn  from  her  doors.  Her  last  days  were  ended  by  a  tumor. 
She  had  two  children,  Emmitt  and  Mary. 

The  youngest  daughter  of  Joseph  C.  and  Hannah  (Boyd) 
Lewis  was  named  after  her  mother  and  called  Hannah.  She  also 
was  bom  in  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  May  13,  1823  and  married  at  the 
same  place  to  Joshua  Rapalee  October  i,  1843.  After  her  mar- 
riage, she  and  her  husband  commenced  keeping  house  in  Yates 
County  until  the  fifth  of  May,  1855,  when  they  moved  to  Ovid, 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS        235 

Clinton  Count}',  Mich.  On  their  arrival  there  they  found  the 
country  one  vast  wilderness,  filled  with  wild  animals  of  all  kinds: 
bears,  wolves,  deer,  etc.  Her  husband  was  the  son  of  Ezra  and 
Margaret  Rapalee,  two  old  pioneers  of  Yates  County,  N.  Y.  He 
was  born  at  Milo,  N.  Y.,  July  12,  1822,  and  his  parental  home  used 
to  be  near  the  western  shores  of  the  beautiful  Seneca  Lake.  Their 
children  were  Emmitt,  Lewis,  Viola  M.,  Malinda  and  Ezra. 

The  next  descendant  was  Celina  Boyd,  daughter  of  Robert 
and  Anna  (Randall)  Boyd,  who  was  bom  in  Kent,  N.  Y.,  June 
6,  1803  and  died  at  Benton,  Ydtes  County,  N.  Y.,  July  24,  1828. 
Celina  is  said  to  have  been  a  young  lady  of  fine  appearance  and 
kind  disposition,  and  her  death  was  caused  by  consumption  of 
long  standing.  She  was  buried  beside  her  father  and  mother  at 
Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.  The  second  daughter  was  Amelia  Boyd,  who 
was  bom  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  November  4,  1804.  She  married  Sam- 
uel Fosdick  Curtis  at  Penn  Yan,  Yates  County,  N.  Y., 

and  died  at  the  same  place  May  13,  1829.  After  her  marriage  she 
and  her  husband  coinmenced  their  married  life  upon  a  farm  near 
her  native  place.  Her  husband  was  born  at  Weathersfield,  Conn., 
September  19,  1799.  Her  death  was  caused  by  consumption. 
She  left  one  child,  Charles  B.  The  youngest  son  of  Robert  and 
Anna  was  named  Merritt  and  was  bom  at  Benton,  Yates  County, 
July  16,  18 1 5  and  died  there  November  7,  1839.  He  was  a 
young  man  much  loved  by  all  that  knew  him.  His  death  was  also 
caused  by  consumption,  and  he  is  buried  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y. 

AH  and  Alanson  Frost  were  the  sons  of  Sylvanus  and  Sarah 
(Boyd)  Frost.  The  former  was  bom  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  July  14, 
1801  and  died  with  consumption  at  Vernon,  Sussex  County,  N.J., 
July  12,  1823.  The  latter  Alanson  was  bom  at  Newburgh,  N.Y., 
May  30,  1803  and  like  his  brother  died  with  consumption  there 
October  20,  1S03.  Alzada  Frost,  their  oldest  daughter  was  born 
in  Kent,  N.  Y.,  February  11,  1805  and  married  Hugh  Weaver  at 
Starkey,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  February  18,  1838  and  died  with 
a  paralytic  shock  which  was  so  severe,  she  only  survived  it  for 
two  or  three  days  at  Reading  Center,  N.  Y.,  July  14,  1842.  The 
occupation  of  her  husband  was  that  of  a  carpenter,  and  soon  re- 
married again  after  her  death.     Alzada  had  two  children,  Almeda 


236        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

and  Alzada.  Hyatt  Frost  the  third  son  of  Sylvanus  and  Sarah 
(Boyd)  Frost  was  born  at  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  November  26,  1806. 
He  also  had  a  paralytic  shock  and  died  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  De- 
cember 22,  1837.  The  next  daughter  of  Sidvanus  and  Sarah  Frost 
was  named  Mesenda  Frost  and  was  bom  at  Vernon,  Sussex  County, 
N.  J.,  August  29,  1808,  and  married  William  Willover  at  Starkey, 
N.  Y.,  January  15,  1835.  After  their  m.arriage  they  coninienced 
house-keeping  at  Tyrone,  N.  Y.,  where  she  has  since  died.  Her 
hufeband  was  a  fanner  and  died  on  the  sixth  or  seventh  of  No- 
vember, 1 87 1.  She  was  an  active  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  her  place,  and  her  death,  like  that  of  her  older  brothers 
was  consumption,  leaving  four  sons,  whose  names  were  John 
A.,  Eli  M.,  Harvey  F.  and  Myron  R.  The  next  daughter  of 
Sylvanus  and  Sarah  Frost  was  named  Teressa,  and  was  born  at 
Vernon,  N.  J.,  July  25,  1810,  married  William  Ross  at  Starkey, 
N.  Y.,  June  13,  1836.  After  their  marriage  she  and  her  husband 
commenced  life  at  Horsehead,  N.  Y  ,  where  they  remained  until 
1842,  when  they  purchased  a  farm  and  moved  to  Reading,  N.  Y., 
where  they  always  rissided  afterwards.  In  1832  she  became  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Starkey  and  after- 
wards moved  by  letter  to  Reading  Center,  N.  Y.  Their  children 
were  Augustus  and  Edward,  twins,  Hyatt  D.,  LoUisa  and  Sarah. 
Harvey  Frost  was  the  fourth  son  of  Sylvanus  and  Sarah  Frost. 
He  was  born  at  Vernon,  N.  J.,  May  21,  181 5,  died  with  heart 
disease  at  the  same  place  March  6,  1825.  Almeda  Frost  was  the 
fourth  and  youngest  daughter  of  Sylvanus  and  Sarah  Frost;  bom 
in  Vernon,  Sussex  County,  N.  J.,  April  9,  1818,  married  David 
Diven  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  February  28,  1838,  died  at  Reading, 
N.  Y.,  July  21,  1838.  Almeda  and  her  husband  lived  first  at 
Reading,  N.  Y.,  but  was  of  short  duration.  Four  months  had 
hardly  rolled  away  when  she  was  suddenly  attacked  with  inflam- 
mation of  the  brain  and  only  survived  three  days.  Her  husband 
was  a  farmer  and  after  her  death  was  married  to  a  daughter  of 
Phoebe  (Boyd)  Huston  of  whom  we  will  speak  more  of  in  the  fu- 
ture. The  last  or  youngest  of  Sylvanus  and  Sarah  (Boyd)  Frost's 
family  were  Charles  Merritt  Frost,  who  was  born  at  Vernon,  N.J., 
May  II,  1822  and  died  at  the  same  place  October  5,  1823. 


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History  of  the  Boyd  Family  and  its  Descendants    239 

Harvey  C.  Bo^^d  was  the  oldest  son  of  Lewis  and  Sophia 
(Cushman)  Boyd.  He  was  bom  in  Bloomsburg,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  March  5,  1S09  and  married  Mercy  Peck  at  Benton,  N.  Y., 
October  26,  1836,  died  November  13,  1889  at  Sylvan,  Washtenaw 
County,  Mich.  Harvey,  when  he  was  small  came  with  his  par- 
ents from  Bloomsburg  to  what  was  then  called  Smith  and  Butter- 
worth  Corners,  and  from  there  to  Benton,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was 
living  at  the  date  of  his  marriage.  In  the  fall  of  1881,  he  and  his 
wife  m.ade  us  a  visit  and  while  at  our  home  in  Conesus,  he 
wrote  and  gave  me  a  sketch  of  his  past  life,  which  is  so  interest- 
ing, I  feel  justified  in  giving  the  same  to  our  readers  as  he  wrote  it. 
It  reads  as  thus: — 

' '  The  first  remarkable  event  of  my  early  days  was  when  I 
had  reached  my  eighteenth  year  of  age.  I  was  then  enrolled  in 
the  New  York  State  Militia,  as  it  was  at  that  time  required. 
Not  being  satisfied  with  my  position,  I  soon  enlisted  in  the  Penn 
Yan  (N.  Y.)  light-horse  cavalry  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Geo.  Sherman,  in  which  I  served  some  eight  or  ten  years.  While 
in  the  service  I  rose  to  the  office  of  Sergeant  for  good  conduct, 
and  also  breveted  as  Color-Bearer,  which  was  a  short  time  before 
I  left  the  state. 

"In  the  fall  of  1834,  my  father,  brother  and  myself  resolved 
upon  a  journey  to  what  was  called  the  far  west,  then  a  territory, 
now  the  State  of  Michigan.  We  left  our  beautiful  home  in  Ben- 
ton and  took  the  stage  from  the  little  village  of  Geneva,  N.  Y., 
in  the  m.onth  of  October.  The  day  was  quite  stormy  and  con- 
tinued to  be  so  until  we  reached  the  City  of  Buffalo,  when  the 
weather  became  cold  and  pleasant.  We  eat  our  supper  at  what 
was  called  the  Farmer's  Hotel,  and  then  went  out  to  ascertain 
when  the  first  boat  would  leave  for  Detroit.  We  learned  it  was 
the  William  Mercy  and  the  hour  of  departure  was  to  be  9  o'clock 
P.  M.  We  soon  took  our  baggage  and  was  soon  on  board,  but 
found  the  lake  very  rough  and  plenty  of  sea-sickness  among  the 
passengers.  At  the  proper  tim.e  the  boat  cast  off  her  hawser,  and 
we  set  sail  for  Detroit.  When  off  Erie,  Pa.,  one  of  the  boat  wheels 
became  partially  disabled  and  we  were  obliged  to  run  back  to 
Port   Ebinew  for  repairs — fourteen   miles  from   Buffalo   on   the 


240        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Canadian  side.  Here  we  cast  anchor  and  kept  up  steam  and 
passed  a  quiet  Saturday  night,  with  a  strong  wind  blowing  from 
the  southwest  down  the  lake.  Sunday  morning  came  and  the 
wind  had  changed  to  the  northwest  and  became  still. 

The  Captain  finding  his  fuel  short,  went  ashore  and  bought 
some  five  hundred  fence  rails  and  ordered  them  on  board.  Mon- 
day morning  came  at  last,  and  found  many  of  the  passengers 
uneasy,  when  the  Captain  gave  orders  to  start  again,  but  out  a 
short  distance  was  obliged  to  return  again.  The  passengers  re- 
mained quiet  for  another  night  and  on  Tuesday  morning  set 
sail  again  and  arrived  at  Erie  in  the  afternoon. 

Upon  our  arrival  here  the  Captain  found  our  provisions  were 
short,  he  ordered  the  steward  to  go  on  shore  and  purchase  more, 
which  he  did,  from  the  other  steamers  and  boats  in  the  harbor. 
At  this  time  the  wind  rose  like  a  hurricane  and  we  were  obliged 
to  go  into  the  harbor  for  safety.  We  soon  made  tack  and  sailed 
in  and  came  to  with  our  bow  off  the  pier  and  there  made  fast. 
Here  we  laid  for  thirty-six  hours  before  the  storm  ceased,  and  by 
some  other  hindrance,  we  again  started  and  reached  Detroit, 
lacking  one  hour  less  than  a  week  after  leaving  Buffalo,  and  in 
the  meantime  only  suffered  the  loss  of  one  meal  and  that  was 
caused  by  the  dishes  not  being  able  to  be  kept  upon  the  table 
long  enough  to  partake  of  the  same. 

We  did  not  stay  long  in  Detroit,  but  immediately  set  out  for 
Washtenaw  County  in  Michigan,  the  place  of  our  destination. 
We  were  nine  days  in  reaching  Lima  (in  that  county),  and  then 
we  soon  left  there  for  the  southwest  corner  of  Livingston  and 
northeast  comer  of  Ingham  Counties,  where  we  knew  of  a  large 
tract  of  Government  lands  that  had  not  been  taken  up.  When 
we  reached  there,  we  were  not  prepared  to  buy,  but  soon  fell  in 
under  the  hospitality  of  Mr.  Rogers,  an  old  acquaintance  of 
ours  and  stayed  all  night.  The  next  morning  I  was  up  early 
before  day-break,  ready  to  go  deer  hunting,  having  brought  my 
trusty  rifle  all  the  way  from  York  State  for  that  purpose.  Plac- 
ing the  same  upon  my  shoulder  I  set  out  with  the  other  hunters. 
I  had  not  gone  more  than  one-fourth  of  a  mile,  when  low  I  saw  a 
deer  in  sight.     I  soon  placed  myself  in  position  and  as  the  deer 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        241 

came  in  short  range,  I  raised  my  rifle  and  fired.  The  deer  made 
one  or  two  bounds,  stopped  short,  looked  back  as  I  reloaded 
my  rifle,  and  grasping  my  hunting  knife  as  the  noble  animal 
staggered  and  fell.  I  then  rushed  up  and  applied  the  knife  to  his 
throat,  and  with  the  aid  of  the  other  hunters  drew  him  to  the 
trail,  and  returned  in  time  for  breakfast,  which  to  me  was  a  boun- 
tiful meal.  The  news  soon  spread  around  the  household,  and  the 
family  came  with  smiling  faces  at  the  thought  of  a  fine  piece  of 
venison,  for  the  noon  day  meal.  As  soon  as  our  breakfast  was 
over,  we  yoked  up  the  steers  and  hitched  them  to  a  sled  and 
brought  the  deer  to  the  house,  where  we  properly  dressed  it  for 
the  family  use.  After  accomplishing  this,  the  hunters  and  I 
started  out  again  in  search  of  more  game.  We  had  not  gone  far 
before  I  saw  four  ducks  coming  near,  and  they  lighted  in  the  bend 
of  a  crooked  brook,  on  the  banks  of  which  we  were  standing,  and 
as  they  came  around  the  bend,  the  four  were  in  a  straight  line 
toward  me.  I  quickly  grasped  my  rifle,  took  aim  and  fired,  killing 
two,  wounding  the  third,  thus  making  meat  plenty  for  the  present. 
I  spent  the  rest  of  the  day  in  land-viewing. 

The  next  day  we  returned  to  Lima  and  resolved  to  buy 
improve  lands.  My  father  bargained  for  one  hundred  acrec  at 
that  place,  and  eighty  acres  more  about  two  miles  north  of  the 
same,  and  then  returned  our  foot-steps  toward  York  State  with 
the  intention  of  selling  there  (which  was  down  in  Benton,  N.  Y.) 
and  returned  back  to  Michigan  and  fulfill  our  contract  there. 

As  soon  as  we  had  completed  our  arrangement  at  Benton, 
I  started  for  Michigan  again;  I  took  the  stage  for  Buffalo  and 
the  steamboat  for  Erie  and  from  there  by  stage  to  Sandusky,  after 
having  sent  my  trunk  by  the  stage  and  emigrant  route,  which 
ran  alternate  with  full  conveyance  for  fourteen  miles.  From 
Perrysburgh  I  went  by  steamboat  to  Detroit,  where  I  arrived  on 
the  second  day  of  December,  and  reached  Lima  again  on  the  fourth 
of  the  same  month,  having  been  fourteen  days  on  the  road.  After 
my  arrival,  I  soon  filled  the  contract  and  settled  down  for  winter ^ 
as  my  father's  payments  came  part  due  the  next  spring,  and  the 
balance  in  the  fall  of  1835,  which  we  met  successfully.  During 
the  winter  of  1835  was  one  of  the  most  exciting  times  in  Michigan 


242        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

I  ever  saw.  A  difficulty  had  arose  between  the  Territorial  Gov- 
ernment of  Michigan  and  the  State  of  Ohio  in  regard  to  the 
boundary  line  between  the  two  ' '  Provinces, ' '  known  as  the  To- 
ledo War.  Gov.  Porter  having  died  July  6,  1834,  he  was  succeed- 
ed by  Stepehen  J.  Mason,  who  was  secretary  under  Porter  and 
Governor  in  his  place.  No  sooner  than  this  disturbance  com- 
menced, than  Mason  made  a  call  to  sustain  our  rights.  The  In- 
dependent Company  was  soon  mustered  into  service  and  sent  on 
their  way  to  Toledo,  while  a  draft  was  ordered  on  the  militia 
in  which  I  drew  a  blank.  The  contest  soon  ended  and  with  it 
many  incidents  that  transpired  to  the  early  settlers  in  what 
was  called  the  Toledo  War. 

In  the  fall  of  1835,  after  all  of  my  father's  family  had  become 
settled  in  Michigan,  I  resolved  upon  a  tour  of  inspection  of  the 
south-west,  through  Hillsdale  into  Branch  County,  four  miles 
west  of  Coldwater  in  search  of  Government  lands.  Here  I  found 
some  lands  that  suited  me  and  I  located  four  lots  in  the  Kala- 
mazoo Land  Office  and  returned  home  again.  In  a  few  weeks 
I  went  back  and  located  three  more  lots,  making  seven  in  all  and 
in  1839  my  father  sold  the  whole  for  $3.75  per  acre.  Soon  after 
this  sale,  my  father,  myself  and  three  other  persons  started  for 
Clinton  County,  where  we  located  eight  more  lots  of  Government 
lands  for  "Our  Boyd  Family, "in  Township  range  No.  5  north, 
and  two  west  in  the  Iowa  Land  Office.  As  soon  as  we  had  ac- 
complished our  undertaking,  we  returned  home  through  the 
Counties  of  Shiawassee  and  Livingston.  On  the  fifth  day  of  Oc- 
tober, 1836,  I  started  for  "York  State"  on  a  visit  which  termi- 
nated in  my  marriage  to  Miss  Mercy  Peck,  the  fifth  daughter  of 
Abel  Peck  of  Benton,  N.  Y.  She  was  born  in  Kent,  Putnam 
County,  November  25,  18 10  and  at  the  time  of  our  marriage  was 
residing  with  her  parents  at  the  above  place.  Five  days  after 
our  marriage  on  October  31,  1836,  she  bid  farewell  to  her  parents 
and  we  started  for  our  future  home  in  Michigan.  We  went  by 
canal,  steamboat  and  land  conveyances,  arriving  at  our  destina- 
tion on  the  sixth  day  after  our  starting,  and  commenced  our  first 
housekeeping  on  Section  twenty,  in  the  township  of  Lima,  Wash- 
tenaw County.      Before    this  I  had  located  four  lots  in  Clinton 


MERRITT  BOYD  MERCY   ^PECK)   BOYD 

On   100  Years  Birthday 


HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        245 

County,  where  we  intended  to  go,  but  my  health  failed  me  and 
we  changed  our  mind.  I  soon  changed  my  Clinton  and  Monroe 
County  lands  by  trading  the  Monroe  County  lands  for  lumber 
and  lumber  for  labor  to  build  us  a  bam,  which  proved  to 
be  a  valuable  investment  for  us  the  six  years  we  remained 
there. 

' '  One  of  the  most  noted  events  of  my  life  was  the  coming 
of  use  of  what  was  called  the  'Wild  Cat  Money,'  which  was 
worse  than  no  money  at  all.  At  this  time  there  came  in  circu- 
lation what  was  called  the  '  Red  Dog  Bills  of  Saint  Joe '  and  other 
ones  completely  flooding  the  county  with  these  worthless  bills 
that  caused  silver  to  become  scarce;  it  was  almost  impossible  to 
get  a  silver  quarter  of  a  dollar  to  prepay  the  postage  upon  a  letter 
at  the  Post-Ofifice. 

"In  1845  I  leased  my  fami  in  Michigan  and  moved  to  the 
State  of  New  York.  My  time  here  I  spent  in  farming  and  thresh- 
ing; seven  years  of  this  time  we  spent  upon  a  farm,  one  mile 
south  of  Bellona,  Yates  County.  Having  a  good  price  offered 
for  same,  we  sold  it  and  moved  back  to  Michigan.  Again  we 
took  up  our  abode  near  Sylvan,  Washtenaw  County  of  that  State 
and  in  1855  or  56  I  purchased  the  fann  we  now  live  upon  near 
Sylvan  Center.  In  the  spring  of  1857  I  was  elected  to  the  office 
of  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  have  held  several  similar  offices  since. 
I  have  lived  at  Sylvan  for  the  past  twenty-seven  years;  the  past 
fifteen  years  I  have  taken  no  responsibility  upon  myself,  as  my 
farm  has  been  properly  cared  for  by  my  sons  and  the  last  five 
years  by  my  younger  son,  Homer  Boyd. 

On  the  first  of  September,  1881,  Harvey  and  his  wife  made 
us  their  last  visit.  The  wife  of  Harvey  C.  Boyd  died  at  Chelsea, 
February  ig.  191 2,  at  the  good  old  age  of  one  hundred  and  two 
years.  In  her  hundredth  birthday,  she  was  as  sprightly  as  those 
of  her  younger  days,  and  had  around  her  children,  Merritt,  Dar- 
win and  Homer  and  her  grandchildren  to  cheer  her  on  in  the 
roads  of  this  world.  They  were  two  very  kind-hearted  and 
pleasant  people  to  associate  with.  In  statue  they  were  tall  and 
slim  and  took  the  world  easy  in  their  old  age.  Their  children 
M'cre  William  D.,  Orlando  A.,  Merritt  and  Homier  H. 


246        HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Emeline  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Sophia  Boyd, 
and  was  born  at  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  April  14,  1811,  and  died  at 
Chelsea,  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.,  January  25,  1867.  She 
always  remained  single  and  moved  with  her  parents  to  Michigan. 
At  the  time  of  her  death  she  was  following  the  occupation  of 
dressmaking  at  Chelsea.  Her  death  was  caused  by  jaundice. 
She  did  not  survive  the  disease  long  and  was  buried  at  Lima,  in 
the  same  county. 

Phoebe  Boyd,  the  next  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Sophia  Boyd, 
was  bom  in  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  March  26,  1813.  and  married 
Abel  Ketchman  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  April  13,  1846.  She  left  New- 
burgh when  she  was  a  babe  for  Benton,  and  in  1834  or  35  went 
to  Lima,  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.  In  the  fall  of  1835  she  came 
back  to  Benton  and  remained  there  until  the  spring  of  1S36  with 
her  uncle  Robert  Boyd,  and  her  brother  Harvey,  who  was  then 
living  with  Robert  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.  Soon  afterwards  her 
brother  went  to  Benton  to  reside,  she  went  and  resided  with 
him  until  her  marriage.  After  her  marriage  she  and  her  husband 
moved  to  Penn  Yan.  Here  they  resided  for  six  years,  and  then 
went  to  Torry  the  same  county,  and  resided  for  several  years 
longer  and  then  returned  to  Benton  and  took  up  their  residence 
on  a  fann.  He  had  been  a  prosperous  merchant  in  Penn  Yan. 
He  died  March  1 7 ,  1865.  In  the  year  of  1833  or  34  became  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church  of  Bellona,  N.  Y.,  belonging 
to  them  until  she  died.  They  had  six  children  namely:  Henry 
W.,  Sophia,  Frank,  Smith  L.,  Emma  C.  and  Edwin. 

Mial  M.  Boyd  was  the  second  son  of  Lewis  and  Sophia  Boyd 
and  was  born  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  January  26,  181 5.  He  married 
for  his  first  wife  Juha  Wood,  July  4,  1838,  who  died  with  kidney 
disease  at  Lima,  Washtenaw  County,  Mich,  in  1862.  For  his 
second  wife  Fidellia  Sturdrant  at  the  above  place  (who  was  born 
at  Augusta,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  August  10,  1830),  May  15, 
1863.  Mial  always  resided  at  Lima,  Michigan  after  going 
there  with  his  parents. 

George  W.  Boyd  the  third  son  of  Lewis  and  Sophia  Boyd, 
was  born  in  Benton,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  January  8,  1S17  and 
married  Eunice  Freeman  at  Freedom,  Mich.,  October  26,   1843 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        247 

and  died  at  Lima,  Mich.,  November  22,  1893,  and  he  at  the  same 
place  July  26,  1886.  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  George  went  from 
Benton,  N.  Y.  to  Michigan  with  his  parents.  Through  hfe  he 
was  a  noted  farmer  and  stock  raiser  at  Lima  of  that  state.  In 
1852  he  made  a  visit  to  CaHfomia  with  his  brother  Mina.  They 
went  by  the  way  of  New  York  City,  and  then  took  passage  upon 
one  of  Commodore  Vanderbilt's  famous  steamer  called  Prome- 
thias,  of  which  we  will  speak  more  of  in  the  sketch  of  his  brother. 
This  proved  to  have  been  a  successful  trip  for  him,  for  it  increased 
his  wealth.  Instead  of  coming  back,  like  many  others  before 
him  had  done — poorer  than  they  went.  His  home  was  at  Lima, 
Michigan.     They  had  one  daughter  whom  they  called  Lula. 

Sarah  Boyd  was  the  third  daughter  of  Lewis  and  vSophia 
Boyd.  She  was  also  born  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  November  13,  1818. 
She  was  married  at  Lima,  Washtenaw  County,  Mich,  to  Smith 
Hurd,  December  13,  1837,  and  died  at  Jackson  City  same  state, 
July  21,  1875.  Sally  Hurd  as  she  was  properly  called,  emigrated 
with  her  parents  to  Lima,  Mich,  in  1835.  Her  husband  was  born 
in  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  July  2,  181 5.  In  his  younger  days  he 
left  his  birthplace  here  and  went  to  his  father's  at  Lima,  Mich., 
who  had  gone  before  him,  who  kept  a  hotel  and  carried  on  a  farm 
at  the  latter  place.  Here  he  resided  until  his  marriage.  Soon 
after  this  or  1841,  Sally  Hurd  and  her  husband  went  to  Jackson, 
Mich,  and  kept  what  was  then  called  the  Old  Grand  River  Hotel. 
After  this  they  went  to  Stockbridge,  Ingham  County,  same  state 
where  they  purchased  a  farm,  but  did  not  stay  long  before  they 
returned  to  Jackson,  and  in  1865  they  bought  a  farm  of  five  hun- 
dred acres  two  miles  west  of  that  place,  which  they  moved  upon 
in  1874,  and  resided  there  at  the  time  of  her  death.  Her  husband 
dealt  largely  in  live  stock  and  real  estate  speculation,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  August  7,  1880  was  said  to  have  accumulated 
more  than  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.  In 
the  political  field  he  has  been  elected  to  the  ofhce  of  Supervisor 
of  one  of  the  principal  wards  of  Jackson  City  for  several  terms,. 
and  also  one  tenn  to  the  Legislature  of  his  state.  While  residing 
upon  their  farm,  the  Old  Tremont  Hotel  of  Jackson  City,  which 
he  had  just  sold  to  his  son  L.  C.  Hurd  and  a  son-in-law  named 


248      HISTORY  or  the  boyd  family  and  its  descendants 

Frank  Smith,  caught  fire  and  was  destroyed  with  a  total  loss  to 
them.  These  two  young  men  with  his  aid,  rebuilt  a  fine  hotel 
structure  upon  the  same  sight  what  is  called  the  "Hurd  House," 
one  of  the  finest  hotels  in  the  state,  costing  more  than  forty  thou- 
sand dollars.  When  the  same  was  completed,  he  moved  in  with 
the  two  young  men  and  resided  there  until  his  death,  which  was 
caused  from  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  leaving  a  second  wife  and 
an  adopted  child.  By  Sarah  Boyd,  his  first  wife  there  were 
four  children,  William  R.,  Mary  A.,  Sarah  J.  and  L..  C.  Hurd. 

Robert  Boyd  was  the  fourth  son  of  Lewis  and  Sophia  Boyd, 
was  also  bom  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  December  21,  1820.  Here  he 
married  for  his  first  wife  Eliza  Harris,  of  which  I  have  no  date. 
His  second  wife  was  Mary  Lefarge,  whom  he  married  at  Lima, 
Mich.,  November  18,  1853.  He  resided  with  his  parents  until 
his  marriage,  going  back  there  to  Michigan  in  1835.  After  his 
first  marriage  he  settled  upon  a  farm,  but  sold  the  same  some  time 
afterwards.  Fortune  seemed  to  have  been  fated  against  him, 
for  whatever  he  undertook,  proved  to  be  unsuccessful.  His  first 
wife  died  with  consumption  January  10,  1850.  She  was  an  in- 
valid for  two  years  before  she  died.  By  her,  he  was  the  father  of 
-one  child,  Edward  H. 

Mina  Boyd  was  the  fifth  son  of  Lewis  and  Sophia  Boyd  and 
liis  birthplace  was  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  born  March  29,  1823.  He 
married  Rhoda  Betts  at  Palmyra,  Lenawee  County,  Mich.,  July 
5,  1854.  Mina  was  twelve  years  of  age  when  his  father  moved 
his  family  to  Michigan  in  1835,  and  is  the  one  who  with  his 
brother  George — I  have  already  stated, — in  the  year  of  1852 
went  to  California.  A  sketch  of  this  remarkable  journey  is  as 
follows :  ' '  George  and  Mina  left  their  native  state  by  going  first 
to  New  York  City,  here  they  took  passage  as  I  have  stated,  upon 
one  Commodore  Van derbilt's  famous  steamers  of  that  time,  called 
' '  Promethias. ' '  When  he  arrived  there  he  wrote  back  an  ac- 
count of  this  trip  to  a  friend;  which  I  will  copy  in  Mina's  own 
words  thus:  "We  had  a  rough  sea  upon  our  journey.  After 
leaving  New  York  we  went  by  the  Central  American  or  Nicar- 
aguaian  Route,  and  from  there  by  steamer  to  San  Francisco, 
Cal.,  making  the  journey  in  thirty-one  days  and  a  few  hours.     In 


HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         249 

a  letter  to  me  in  1884  he  says:  "What  time  we  had  in  Cahfornia 
was  at  the  mines  at  a  place  called  Mokelumne  Hill  in  Calvarious 
County.  This  place  at  this  time  had  a  population  of  about  two 
thousand  souls,  but  at  the  present  time  (1884)  I  am  informed, 
does  not  exceed  two  hundred.  After  remaining  here  a  little  over 
a  year,  I  returned  to  my  native  home  (over  same  route),  accom- 
plishing the  journey  in  a  little  less  than  twenty-one  days,  which 
took  place  in  1853."  Mina's  wife  was  born  at  Palmyra,  N.  Y., 
October  25,  1825.  After  his  inarriage  they  resided  upon  the 
"Old  Homestead"  until  1861,  when  he  sold  the  same  and  in 
April  of  1863  moved  to  St.  John,  Clinton  County,  Mich.,  where 
he  died.  In  life  he  was  one  of  the  highest  Free  Masons  of  the 
state,  and  his  family  consisted  of  three  children:  Willie  A.,  Harri- 
ett I.  and  Maggie  E. 

Ebenezer  Boyd  the  sixth  son  of  Lewis  and  Sophia  Boyd,  was 
bom  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  December  28,  1826,  died  at  Lima,  Mich., 
March  4,  1844.  His  death  was  caused  by  Saint  Vitus  dance,  and 
the  manner  of  contracting  the  same  is  somewhat  remarkable.  A 
short  time  before  he  was  taken,  he  was  engaged  in  sawing  wood 
in  the  woods  with  a  cross-cut  saw.  While  engaged  at  this  work, 
he  knelt  down  on  the  damp  ground  and  by  so  doing,  took  a  severe 
cold,  which  settled  all  over  him  and  threw  him  into  this  disease. 
After  contracting  the  same — except  in  the  presence  of  music — his 
form  was  in  a  violent  motion,  but  when  in  presence  of  music  it  so 
completely  charmed  him  that  he  would  become  calm  and  quiet. 

Almira  Boyd  the  fourth  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Sophia  Boyd, 
was  born  at  the  old  homestead  in  Benton,  May  22,  1828.  She 
married  Alva  Litchfield  at  Lima,  Washtenaw,  Mich.,  March  i, 
1854.  Her  husband  was  also  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  and  their 
residence  was  in  Webster  Township  of  above  county.  He  was 
bom  at  Brooklyn,  Windham  County,  Conn.,  October  i,  1834, 
and  his  parents'  names  were  Edward  and  Amanda  (Preston) 
Litchfield,  two  old  pioneer  settlers  of  Michigan.  Almira  is  a 
faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  of  her  native  place  in 
Michigan.     They  had  one  son  named  Lewis  A. 

Adaline  Boyd  the  youngest  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Sophia 
Boyd,  was  bom  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  December  16,  1830,  died  at 


250        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

Jackson,  Mich.,  October  12,  1864.  During  her  last  sickness, 
which  was  caused  by  consumption,  she  was  residing  with  her 
sister  at  Lima,  Mich.,  and  was  buried  at  that  place. 

Emeline  Crawford  the  oldest  daughter  of  Archibald  and 
Phoebe  (Boyd)  Crawford,  was  bom  at  Phillips,  Putnam  County, 
N.  Y.,  November  4,  1804.  She  married  Cephias  Brown  of  Ben- 
ton, Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  November  4,  1823  and  died  at  Cold- 
water,  Mich.,  February  15,  1880.  She  and  her  husband  lived 
first  in  Yates  County,  N.  Y.  and  went  to  Coldwater,  Mich,  in 
1835  and  took  up  Government  lands  and  resided  there  until  their 
death.  Her  husband  was  bom  in  1800,  and  was  killed  August 
10,  1 86 5  by  falling  from  the  roof  of  a  barn  that  he  was  working  on. 
Her  last  days  were  ended  by  congestion  of  the  lungs.  They  had 
the  following  children:  Mary  A.,  Coleman  C,  Sarah  L.  and  S. 
Alma. 

Mariah  Crawford  the  second  daughter  of  Archibald  and 
Phoebe  (Boyd)  Crawford,  was  also  bom  at  Phillips,  N.  Y.,  No- 
vember 6,  1806.  She  married  John  Rogers  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
October  18,  1842  and  died  at  Napherville,  Du  Page  County,  111., 
November  21,  1848.  The  history  of  her  past  life  we  know  but  a 
little  of.  A  short  time  before  her  marriage,  she  went  to  Buffalo 
and  froiTL  there  to  Napherville,  111.  Her  husband  was  a  farmer, 
and  was  bom  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  1800,  and  died  at  Kidder,  Cald- 
well County,  Mo.,  June  11,  1870.  Their  fainily  consisted  of  one 
child,  Julia  R. 

Charles  Coleman  Crawford  the  oldest  son  of  Archibald  and 
Phoebe  Crawford,  was  bom  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  January  26, 
1809.  He  married  for  his  first  wife  Julia  Frost  at  Penn  Yan, 
N.  Y.,  May  28,  1832,  and  for  his  second  Lucretia  Spencer,  which 
we  have  no  date.  He  died  at  Newton,  Trumball  County,  Ohio, 
April  3,  1844.  The  marriage  of  Charles  by  his  first  wife  proved 
to  have  been  an  unhappy  one,  both  being  young,  domestic  diffi- 
culties soon  rose  between  them,  which  proved  their  days  were  not 
destined  to  be  partners  through  life,  and  they  soon  separated, 
each  going  his  or  her  own  way.  Sometime  after  this  separation,  she 
married  a  man  by  the  name  of  Hastings  and  lived  at  Chicago,  111., 
and  in  1884  was  living  near  that  city.     Charles  soon  afterward 


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HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        253 

married  his  second  wife,  who  after  his  death  married  his  brother 
Nathaniel,  who  will  be  spoken  of  in  his  historical  sketch.  This 
union  proved  to  be  a  happy  one,  but  of  short  duration,  for  he  was 
soon  called  to  his  Heavenly  home  from  Ohio.  It  is  not  known  to 
his  friends  that  he  had  any  children  by  the  first  wife,  but  by  the 
second,  one  child,  George  B. 

Ebenezer  Crawford  the  second  son  of  Archibald  and  Phoebe 
Boyd,  was  bom  at  Vernon,  Sussex  County,  N.  J.,  April  30,  1811, 
died  at  the  same  place  July  22,  1S13. 

Susannah  Crawford  the  third  daughter  of  Archibald  and 
Phoebe  (Boyd)  Crawford,  was  born  at  Vernon,  N.  J.,  July  22, 
1 813,  married  vSamuel  Mathew  Cole  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  De- 
cember 24,  1834,  died  at  Cresco,  Iowa,  February  23,  1883. 

After  their  marriage  they  went  to  Warren,  Pa.,  and  then  re- 
turned back  to  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  and  then  to  Napherville,  111., 
then  emigrated  to  New  Oregon,  Iowa,  where  they  arrived  July 
7,  1854  and  soon  afterwards  purchased  a  farm  near  Cresco  in  the 
same  county,  where  she  died.  The  deceased  was  one  of  the  very 
first  settlers  of  that  county,  and  was  closely  connected  with  its 
early  history.  She  lived  a  true  Christian  life  and  was  loved  by 
all  that  knew  her.  Her  funeral  services  were  held  February  27, 
at  the  M.  E.  Church  of  which  she  was  a  member,  and  her  last 
resting  place  is  now  in  the  New  Oregon  cemetery.  Her  family 
consisted  of  eight  children :  Harriett  M.,  Ezra  M.,  Mary  E.,  Julia 
P.,  Charles  M.,  Susan  M.,  Linnie  H.  and  Lewis  M. 

Lewis  B.  Crawford  the  third  son  of  Archibald  and  Phoebe 
Boyd,  was  born  at  Vernon,  N.  J.,  May  16,  18 16,  married  Mary 
Barney  at  Wheeler's,  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  September  14, 
1843,  S'^d  died  at  the  same  place  March  25,  1856.  He  came  to 
Yates  County  with  his  parents  and  after  their  marriage  moved  to 
Wheeler,  N.  Y.,  where  they  were  residing  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
They  had  no  children. 

Nathaniel  B.  Crawford  the  fourth  son  of  Archibald  and 
Phoebe  Boyd,  was  also  born  at  Vernon,  N.  J.,  February  3,  1819, 
married  for  his  first  wife  Lucretia  (Spencer)  Crawford  at  Newton, 
Trumball  County,  Ohio,  February  3,  1845.  For  his  second  wife, 
Clarissa  Dennison  at  Dowagiac,  Cass  County,  Mich.,  August 


254         HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

iS66.  He  moved  from  Yates  County,  N.  Y.  in  1843,  and  took  up 
a  residence  at  a  place  called  Price's  Mills,  Ohio,  where  he  followed 
the  occupation  of  cabinet  maker.  In  1850  he  went  to  Newton 
Falls  (same  state)  and  entered  in  co-partnership  with  a  firm  by 
the  name  of  Crawford,  Green  and  Shakespear,  Cabinet  Makers, 
Builders  and  Contractors.  This  firni  was  dissolved  in  1854, 
when  he  went  into  business  of  Groceries,  Forwarding  and  Commis- 
sion Agent  at  the  same  place,  which  he  followed  until  he  left  the 
state.  In  1855  he  moved  to  Dowagiac,  Cass  County,  Mich., 
where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  worked  at  his  trade.  In  the  spring 
of  1 86 1  he  took  up  his  residence  in  the  village.  In  1866  he  again 
moved  upon  a  fann  near  that  place  where  he  resided  in  1884,  and 
his  Post-Ofhce  address  in  1884  was  Glenwood,  Mich.  While  at 
Price's  Mills,  Ohio,  he  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for 
one  year.  In  1884  he  held  the  office  of  Past  Grand  Master  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  his  state,  an  order  which 
he  had  joined  in  1858.  His  first  wife  was  the  widow  of  his  brother 
Charles.  She  died  September  7,  1865  after  a  short  sickness  of  two 
weeks  from  dysentery,  which  was  raging  fearfully  in  Dowagiac 
at  that  time.  Nathaniel  and  Jay  his  son,  had  it  at  the  same  time, 
but  soon  recovered.  His  second  wife  was  the  widow  of  the  late 
John  Griffin  of  the  above  place.  By  his  first  wife,  he  was 
the  father  of  four  children:  Charles  C,  Alma,  Jay  B.  and 
Phoebe  M.  By  the  second  wife  three:  Lewis  R.,  Myrtle  D.  and 
Lillian    M. 

Hannah  Crawford  the  fourth  daughter  of  Archibald  and 
Phoebe  Crawford,  was  bom  in  Benton,  Yates  County,  N.  Y., 
December  21,  1821,  married  David  Diven  at  Starkey,  N.  Y., 
June  9,  1842,  died  with  consumption  at  Wat  kins,  N.  Y.,  February 
18,  1878.  At  the  time  of  her  marriage,  she  was  residing  with  her 
mother's  family.  She  and  her  husband  then  went  to  Reading, 
N.  Y.,  and  in  1872  inoved  to  Watkins,  where  she  died.  Her 
husband  was  bom  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  November  28,  1817,  where 
he  died  after  a  short  illness  from  typhoid  fever  May  15,  1S58. 
Their  occupation  was  farming,  and  owned  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  at  that  place.  They  had  two  children,  William  N.  and 
Mary  E. 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS         255 

Sarah  Crawford  was  the  youngest  daughter  of  Archibald  and 
Phoebe  Boyd,  and  was  bom  in  Benton,  N.  Y.,  September  i8, 
1824.  She  married  Uriah  Hyatt  at  Starkey,  August  29,  1845. 
She  and  her  husband  Hved  with  her  uncle  John  Staffin.  Soon 
afterwards  they  moved  to  Benton,  N.  Y.,  where. they  resided  for 
twelve  years.  They  then  went  to  Reading,  N.  Y.  and  remained 
two  years,  and  then  to  Dundee,  same  county,  where  they  were 
residing  at  the  time  of  his  death,  May  28,  1878,  of  kidney  disease, 
which  he  had  been  troubled  with  for  nearly  a  year,  not  being  con- 
fined to  his  bed  until  about  two  weeks  before  his  death.  He  was 
born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  January  i,  1823.  She' was  living  in  1884 
at  Dundee,  N.  Y.  and  her  family  consisted  of  five  children:  Char- 
lotte A.,  Eugene,  Bellnette,  Freddie  and  Edgar  H. 

George  Crawford  the  youngest  son  of  Archibald  and  Phoebe 
Crawford,  was  bom  at  Milo,  N.  Y.,  April  21,  182 1,  married  Eliza 
Hyslop  at  Vienna,  Grundy  County,  111.,  December  24,  1857. 

The  only  history  I  could  get  of  George's  past  life,  was  ob- 
tained from  his  wife  in  1881 — then  Mrs.  Eliza  Dix  of  Mazon,  111.— 
and  she  gave  it  as  follows:  After  our  marriage,  we  resided  first 
at  Morris,  111.  for  one  year  and  then  moved  to  Michigan.  In  1861 
we  went  back  to  Morris  again.  Here  my  husband  and  I  were 
obliged  to  separate  on  account  of  his  intemperance,  and  in  April 
of  1872,  I  moved  to  Mazon,  ten  miles  south  of  Morris,  where  I 
supported  myself  and  children  by  keeping  house  for  a  gentleman 
who  had  lost  his  wife.  In  1875  I  obtained  a  divorce  from  Mr. 
Crawford  and  married  this  gentleman — whose  name  was  William 
Dix — and  in  him  found  a  devoted  husband  and  a  good  home  for 
myself  and  children,  and  through  whose  aid  I  have  given  them  a 
good  education. 

I  was  unable  in  1884  to  learn  anything  about  Geroge  through 
his  relations,  then  I  wrote  to  this  lady  and  through  her  kindness 
and  in  one  of  her  letters,  she  says  when  he  left  Morris,  he  told  his 
friends  that  he  was  going  to  Michigan.  Some  two  years  ago 
(1880)  it  was  reported  here  that  he  was  dead,  but  since  then  it 
has  been  contradicted.  It  was  not  known  to  his  friends  at  that 
time  where  he  was,  for  some  of  them  have  written  to  me  since, 
asking  me  if  I  could  tell  them  where  he  was  or  what  became  of 


256        HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

him.  By  the  letters  I  have  received  from  Mrs.  Dix,  denotes  she 
has  found  a  good  home  for  herself  and  children.  By  this  union 
they  had  two  children,  Inez  M.  and  Louis  H. 


Generation    Fourth 

The  fourth  generation  of  this  family  consisted  of  forty-nine 
persons.  Many  of  these  records  are  taken  froin  the  records  given 
me  in  1884,  and  are  not  complete.  Some  have  married  since,  and 
others  have  died.     I  will  give  them  as  I  have  their  history  at  hand. 

The  first  in  rotation  is  Ebenezer  W.  Boyd  the  oldest  son  of 
William  and  Harriett  (Parent)  Boyd,  who  was  born  at  Somers, 
Westchester  County,  N.  Y.,  1808  and  died  May  15,  181 1.  It  was 
claimed  the  place  of  his  death  was  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  which  I  am 
convinced  is  wrong.  My  father  came  to  Conesus  in  1821,  and 
never  knew  of  such  a  child  being  buried  here.  The  first  death 
in  the  town  was.  in  18 10,  when  the  country  was  one  vast  wilder- 
ness. Taking  the  record  of  his  brother  William,  who  was  born 
in  Westchester  County  only  seven  months  before  his  death,  and 
Ebenezer  F.,  who  was  bom  fourteen  months  afterwards,  his  death 
shows  too  plainly  that  this  must  be  a  mistake. 

William  Boyd  the  second  son  of  William  and  Harriett  Boyd, 
was  born  at  the  same  place  September  11,  18 10.  Married  Harriett 
Weed  at  Binghamton,  N.  Y.  (no  record),  and  died  at  New  Orleans, 
Louisiana.     They  had  no  children. 

Ebenezer  F.  was  the  third  son  of  William  and  Harriett  Boyd. 
He  was  born  at  Fishkill,  N.  Y.,  July  6,  181 2.  He  married  Caro- 
line Colwell  and  died  at  Cold  Springs,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y., 
December  21,  1839.  By  profession  he  was  a  physician  and  a 
prominent  man  at  Cold  Springs,  where  he  lived.  He  died  young 
and  left  one  son  Charles  Boyd,  who  was  born  in  1836  and  was 
supposed  to  be  living  in  some  part  of  Western  New  York. 

The  next  son  of  William  and  Harriett  Boyd  was  Cyrus  B. 
Boyd,  who  also  was  born  at  Fishkill,  N.  Y.,  September  14,  1814. 
He  married  Ann  Phillips  at  the  same  place  September  i,  1836, 
and  died  at  Cold  Springs,  N.  Y.,  January  29,  1879.  A  very  little 
information  I  have  of  Cyrus.     They  had  five  children  (all  dead) 


HISTORY   OF   THE    BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS       257 

as  follows:  First,  Sarah  the  oldest  daughter,  born  June  27,  1837 
and  died  at  New  York  City  Sept.  25,  1861.  Second,  Harriett, 
born  March  i,  1840,  died  at  the  same  place  September  18,  1859. 
Third,  Lizzie,  born  March,    1843,  married  William  Winters  at 

New  York  City,  September  ,  1867,  died  at  the  same  place 

May  21,  1871.  Fourth,  Henrietta  bom  September  24,  1844, 
died  at  New  York  City,  October  4,  1861.  Fifth,  Emma,  born 
March  25,  1846  and  died  at  New  York  City  June  27,  1867.  All 
these  children's  birth  place  was  at  Fishkill,  N.  Y. 

Louise  Boyd  was  the  only  daughter  of  William  and  Harriett 
Boyd,  and  was  bom  at  Fishkill,  N.  Y.,  May  29,  181 7,  married 
Frederick  Rumph  at  Cold  Springs,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y.,  July 
3,  1844.  She  always  resided  at  Cold  Springs,  N.  Y.,  and  the 
native  place  of  her  husband  was  in  Switzerland.  They  had  four 
children  as  follows:  First,  Margaret,  born  April  3,  1845.  Sec- 
ond, Wilham,  bom  May  7,  1850.  Third,  Charles,  bom  October 
II,  1852  and  died  June  20,  1854,  and  fourth,  Harriett  Louise,  born 
June  6,  1857  and  died  at  her  birthplace  March  22,  1858.  Their 
children  were  all  bom  at  Cold  Springs,  N.  Y. 

Charles  Boyd  the  youngest  son  of  William  and  Harriett  Boyd, 
was  also  bom  at  Fishkill,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  May  18,  1820. 
He  married  Isabella  Smith  at  New  York  City  April  20,  1850  and 
died  at  Cold  Springs,  N.  Y.,  October  11,  1880.  His  wife  was  bom 
at  Hamilton,  Scotland,  February  9,  1822,  and  their  home  after 
their  marriage  was  at  Cold  Springs,  N.  Y.,  and  their  family  con- 
sisted of  four  children,  bom  at  that  place  as  follows:  First,  Will- 
iam, bom  December  25,  1855  and  died  December  i,  1856.  Sec- 
ond, James  S.,  born  March  4,  1857,  married  Minnie  A.  Lloyd  at 
Cold  Springs,  June  i,  1881.  Third,  Charles  S.,  bom  September 
18,  1861  and  Thomas  S.,  bom  October  26,  1864. 

Sarah  Boyd  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  Bennett  and  Phoebe 
(Kelley)  Boyd.  She  was  born  at  Kent,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y., 
January  14,  1847  and  married  Richard  Hopper  at  Putnam  Valley 

same  county, ,  1858,  died  at  Phillipstown,  N.  Y., 1862. 

Their  occupation  was  that  of  a  farmer  and  hotel  keeper  in  Kent, 
where  they  died.  In  statue  they  were  very  fleshy  persons  and 
their  united  weight  is  said  to  have  been  494M  potmds,  varying 


258        HISTORY  OF   THE    BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

only  34  pound  between  them.  The  date  of  her  husband's  birth 
or  death  I  have  not.  She  died  of  dropsy  and  without  doubt  he 
died  of  the  same  disease,  of  which  such  fleshy  persons  are  more  or 
less  subjected  to.     They  had  no  children  to  mourn  their  loss. 

Ainanda  Boyd  was  the  second  daughter  of  Bennett  and 
Phoebe  Boyd,  and  was  born  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  July  4,  1813,  and  was 
inarried  to  Seth  W.  Barrett  at  the  same  place  in  the  fall  of  1831. 
Soon  after  their  marriage,  her  husband  and  her  took  up  their 
residence  at  Carmel,  N.  Y.,  where  they  remained  until  the  year 
of  1833,  when  they  moved  to  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.  and  pur- 
chased and  kept  a  hotel  about  one  mile  from  the  present  village 
of  Hammondsport,  until  the  year  of  1852,  when  they  moved  into 
that  village,  where  she  was  residing  in  1884.  Her  husband  was 
bom  in  Putnam  County,  N.  Y.,  September,  — ,  1808  and  died  at 
Hammondsport  on  Saturday  morning,  September  6,  1880,  and  is 
buried  in  the  cemetery  at  North  Urbana,  N.  Y.  Their  family 
consisted  of  two  children,  Emily  who  was  boni  at  Carmel,  N.  Y., 
October  10,  1836  and  married  A.  H.  Eggleston  at  Hammonds- 
port, N.  Y.,  February  3,  1858.  In  February  of  1874  he  took  a 
severe  cold  and  breathed  his  last  on  the  fourth  day  of  March.  In 
1884  she  resided  still  at  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.  Her  children 
were  Nellie,  bom  January  22,  i860,  John,  born  October  20,  1862 
and  died  April  20,  1866  and  Bell,  born  July  17,  1869,  and  Bell 
Eggleston,  born  July  17,  1869.  The  second  daughter  of  Seth  and 
Amanda  Barrett  was  called  Louisa.  She  also  was  bom  at  Ham- 
mondsport, N.  Y.,  March  4,  1838  and  was  married  to  W.  M. 
Powers,  a  well  known  physician  of  that  place,  October  15,  1856. 
Died  of  consumption  at  the  same  place  September  17,  1868.  They 
had  one  child  whom  they  named  Frederick,  born  October  20,  i860. 

Mary  the  third  daughter  of  Bennett  and  Phoebe  Boyd,  was 
bom  in  Kent,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y.,  March  8,  181 5,  married 
Joseph  Haight  at  the  same  place  April  9,  1839.  To  this  lady 
(who  was  called  Polly  by  her  friends)  is  entitled  to  many  thanks 
for  her  kindness  in  answering  the  many  letters  I  wrote  her  in  1884 
for  information  in  regard  to  her  father's  family  and  others.  She 
and  her  husband  commenced  housekeeping  at  Kent,  where  they 
resided  until  1870,  when  they  moved  to  Carmel,  N.  Y.,  and  were 


HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS        259 

still  residing  there  in  1884.  Her  husband  was  bom  at  Stanford- 
ville,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  September  5,  181 1  and  took  up 
his  residence  in  Kent  in  April  of  1833,  where  he  followed  farm- 
ing for  an  occupation.  Their  family  consisted  of  five  children, 
all  born  in  Kent  as  follows:  First,  Frank  D.  the  oldest,  born 
January  14,  1841.  Second,  Garrett  B.,  bom  July  23,  1843  and 
the  last  (I  knew  of  him,  he  held  the  position  of  cashier  for  the  firm 
of  D.  H.  Alpine  &  Co.,  New  York  City).  Third,  Bennett  R., 
born  July  5,  1846.  Fourth,  Sarah  A.,  bom  July  8,  1849;  and  fifth, 
Carrie  B.,  born  January  8,  1855  and  married  Eugene  Hopkin   of 

the  same  place, ,1877.     Her  husband  was  born  in  Kent,  N.  Y., 

January  8,  1845  and  moved  to  Carmel,  N.  Y.  in  1869.  They  in 
1884  had  one  child  Louis,  bom  at  Carmel,  January  31,  1881. 

Garrett  Boyd  was  the  oldest  son  of  Bennett  and  Phoebe 
Boyd,  was  bom  in  Kent,  N.  Y.,  October  13,  181 7  and  married 
at  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  Carrie  Felter  in  1844,  died  at  New  York  City 
February  i,  1S65.  His  occupation  was  that  of  a  merchant.  He 
first  resided  at  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  then  moved  to  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  and  then  back  to  New  York  City.  His  wife  was  bom 
December  21,  1821,  and  resided  in  1884  at  No.  33  East  21st  St., 
New  York  City.  Their  children  were:  Theron  B.  Boyd,  born 
at  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  May  10,  1845  ^^^  Mary  K.  Boyd,  born 
at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  September  23,  1856.  Both  of  these  children 
in  1884  were  residing  in  New  York  City. 

Eliza  Boyd  the  fourth  daughter  of  Bennett  and  Phoebe  Boyd, 
was  bom  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  September  6,  1819.  She  married  Chas. 
Kelsey  at  the  same  place  in  1843.  The  husband  of  Eliza  was  a 
minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  faith.  He  was  bom  at 
Alford,  Mass.,  March  25,  and  died  on  September  21,  1886  at 
Mount  Vernon,  N.  Y.,  after  a  short  sickness.  In  his  early  days 
he  was  reared  in  the  Presbyterian  faith,  but  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
two  he  united  with  the  New  York  Methodist  Episcopal  Confer- 
ence, and  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  received  a  local  minister's  li- 
cense and  was  admitted  to  that  conference  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
six  years,  or  in  1843.  He  graduated  to  full  membership  and  full 
order  in  the  ministry  in  the  regular  course  of  time.  At  the  di- 
vision of  the  Conference  in  1848,  was  assigned  to  membership  in 


260         HISTORY   OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

the  New  York,  East  Conference,  where  he  labored  without  in- 
terruption for  a  period  of  thirty-four  years,  until  his  sickness  com- 
pelled him  to  relinquish  the  same  in  1874.  In  life  he  was  a  faith- 
ful, kind  and  syinpathizing  pastor,  a  safe  counselor,  and  was 
missed  by  all  that  knew  him.  In  1884  his  wife  was  still  residing 
at  Mount  Vernon,  N.  Y.  They  had  three  children  as  follow^s: 
First,  Sarah  E.,  born  at  Durham,  Green  County,  N.  Y.  in  1845, 
and  died  at  the  same  place  in  1847.  Second,  Sarah  Eliza,  bom 
at  Stafford,  Fulton  County,  N.  Y.,  June  10,  184S,  died  of  con- 
sumption at  Mount  Vernon,  N.  Y.,  December  24,  1877.  Third, 
Charles  B.,  born  at  Famiington,  Hartford  County,  Conn.,  No- 
vember, 1850,  married  Carrie  Terrie  of  Rochester  in  1876.  In 
1884  found  him  a  noted  physician  and  resided  at  No.  48  East 
30th  St.,  New  York  City. 

Robert  B.  Boyd  the  youngest  son  of  Bennett  and  Phoebe 
Boyd,  was  bom  in  Kent,  N.  Y.,  in  1830,  married  to  Elizabeth 
(James)  Whitehead  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.  in  April  of  1866,  and  for 
his  second  wife  Jennie  A.  Mead  at  the  same  place  in  March  of 
187 1.  Robert  in  1857  went  west  and  took  up  his  residence  at 
Milwaukee,  Wis.  After  a  short  time  here,  he  married  his  first 
wife,  whose  miaiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Janes,  who  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  married  her  first  husband,  Mr.  Whitehead,  and  went 
with  him  froin  Toronto,  Canada,  the  place  of  her  birth  to  Mil- 
waukee, soon  after  their  marriage,  and  was  residing  there  at  the 
time  of  her  husband's  death.  After  her  marriage  to  Robert, 
they  still  resided  there  until  1870,  when  she  was  suddenly  taken 
from  him  by  death,  turning  a  happy  life  into  woe.  Soon  after 
the  death  of  Robert's  first  wife,  he  married  his  second  and  in  1S84 
was  following  the  occupation  of  insurance  agent  for  the  Con- 
cordia Fire  Insurance  Company,  with  offices  at  No.  296  Water 
St.,  of  that  city.  By  his  second  wife  he  had  one  child  in  1884, 
named  Gay  lord  R.  Boyd,  born  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  February, 
1874. 

Mary  Boyd  the  oldest  daughter  of  Stillman  and  Mary  E. 
(Smith)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Kent,  Putnam  County,  N.  Y.,  August 
15,  1830,  married  Silas  C.  Whitney  at  Jefferson  Valley,  West- 
chester County,  N.  Y.,  May  29,  1872;  died  at  Yorktown,  N.  Y., 


EMMA  L.   (BOYD)  TRAVIS 
Taken  in   1886 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY   AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS         263 

September  lo,  1894.  Her  husband's  occupation  was  that  of  a 
farmer,  and  at  the  time  of  their  marriage  was  a  widower  with 
four  children  and  Hved  at  Yorktown,  N.  Y. 

Emma  the  second  daughter  of  Stilhnan  and  Mary  E.  Boyd, 
was  boni  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  March  27,  1832.  She.  married  for  her 
first  husband,  Benjamin  Travis  at  Jefferson  Valley,  N.  Y.,  No- 
vember 28.  1854,  and  for  her  second  husband,  Joseph  Travis 
at  the  same  place  May  29,  1872.  Emma's  husbands  were  bro- 
thers and  both  by  occupation  were  farmers  and  resided  at  Jeffer- 
son Valley,  N.  Y.  The  first  husband  died  of  consumption,  of 
which  we  have  no  date,  and  the  second  died  at  3  o'clock,  P.  M., 
August  12,  1880.  By  her  first  husband  she  had  two  children, 
namely:  Frankie  S.  Travis,  bom  at  Jefferson  Valley,  N.  Y., 
November  25,  1856,  and  married  Henry  Miller  at  Carmel,  N.  Y., 
June  28,  1880,  who  was  a  physician.  They  had  one  child  in  1880, 
who  died  at  Jefferson  Valley,  N.  Y.,  August  12,  1881,  and  the 
second  child  was  Charles  P.  Travis,  born  at  the  same  place  Octo- 
ber 10,  1858. 

Sarah  A.  Boyd  the  third  daughter  of  Stillman  and  Mary  E. 
Boyd,  was  born  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  February  29,  1S35.  She  married 
Harrison  Travis  at  Jefferson  Valley,  N.  Y.,  October  6,  1856.  He 
was  also  a  farmer,  and  lived  one  mile  west  of  Carmel,  N.  Y.  Their 
child  was  named  Stillman  H.  Travis,  who  was  born  at  Camiel, 
N.  Y.,  September  28,  1867. 

William  H.  and  Merritt  Boyd  were  the  only  sons  of  Stillman 
and  Mary  E.  Boyd,  and  both  were  born  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  the  former 
September  25,  1837  and  the  latter  March  21,  1S40.  Both  died 
of  membraneous  croup,  William  October  20  and  Merritt  October 
26,  1843. 

Jennie  E.  Boyd  the  youngest  daughter  of  Stillman  and  Mary 
E.  Boyd,  was  also  born  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  December  3,  1842.  In 
1884,  while  we  were  preparing  our  first  edition  of  the  Boyd  Family, 
she  took  a  deep  interest  and  helped  us  greatly  in  gathering  records 
and  so  forth  in  Westchester  and  Putnam  Counties  of  New  York 
State.  She  at  that  time  was  single,  living  with  her  parents.  A 
few  years  afterwards  she  visited  us  at  our  home  in  Conesus,  and 
we  found  her  a  very  pleasant  and  sociable  woman. 


264        HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Susan  E.  Frost  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  Orville  and  Sarah 
M.  (Smalley)  Frost.  She  was  born  at  Kent,  Putnam  County, 
N.  Y.,  November  22,  1840.  Her  first  husband  was  Geo.  W. 
Bigelow,  whom  she  married  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,   December   26, 

1858.  The  second  husband  was  George  F.  Losey,  who  she  mar- 
ried at  Altay,  Schuyler  County,  N.  Y.,  January  3,  1,872.  Her 
first  husband  was  a  farmer  and  for  three  years  they  resided  at 
Barrington,  N.  Y.,  and  then  sold  their  farm  on  account  of  his 
poor  health,  and  bought  a  hotel  at  Altay,  N.  Y.,  residing  there 
(except  one  year  at  Weston,  same  county)  until  he  died  of  con- 
sumption October  5,  1870.  Her  second  husband  was  an  engineer 
in  a  mill  at  Altay  at  the  time  of  their  marriage,  they  then  moved 
to  Michigan  where  they  remained  for  four  years  and  then  moved 
back  to  Tyrone,  N.  Y.,  where  they  resided  in  1884.  By  her  first 
husband  she  had  three  children.  First,  Orville,  born  at  Barring- 
ton,  N.  Y.,  June  i,    1859,    died  at   the   same   place  January    29, 

1859.  Second  and  third  children  were  twins,  Claude  and  Clyde, 
bom  at  Altay,  N.  Y.,  September  11,  1866.  Claude  died  here  of 
consumption  December  29,  1879.  The  second  husband's  children 
were  Minnie  Altha  Losey,  bom  at  Evergreen,  Ontario  County, 
N.  Y.,  November  25,  1877.  The  next  child  of  Orville  and  Sarah 
M.  Frost,  was  born  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  about  the  year  of  1844  or  45, 
died  at  the  same  place  soon  after  its  birth. 

Sarah  M.  Boyd  the  youngest  daughter  of  Orville  and  Sarah 
M.  Boyd,  was  born  at  Kent,  N.  Y.,  June  9,  1847,  married  James 
Fulton  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  May  27,  1874  at  the  time  of  her 
mother's  death,  Sarah  was  about  six  weeks  old.  vShe  was  taken 
to  Penn  Yan,  where  she  had  resided  up  to  the  time  of  her  mar- 
riage. She  became  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  at  Altay 
in  1865  or  66,  and  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Seneca , 
N.  Y.,  1874.  Her  husband  was  an  old  soldier  in  the  Southern 
Rebellion.  He  enlisted  in  August  of  1862,  and  was  in  the  battle 
of  Harper's  Ferry,  Antietam,  Gettysburg,  Martin's  Ford,  Bris- 
tow  Station,  Auburn  and  Wilderness.  At  the  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg, he  was  wounded  in  the  foot,  and  at  Wilderness  in  the  leg, 
and  taken  prisoner  and  sent  to  Gordonville  and  to  Libby  Prison 
for  six  months.     They  resided  in  1884  at  Stanley,  N.  Y.,  where 


"^. 


BENNETT  ROBERT  BOYD 


ELIZABETH   (JEROME)   BOYD 
Died   1902 


MATILDA   (CAMPBELL)   BOYD 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        267 

he  held  a  position  as  mail  route  agent  upon  the  Northern  Central 
Railroad  between  Canadaigua  and  Elmira,  N.  Y.  Their  family- 
then  consisted  of  one  child,  Anna  M.,  born  at  Stanley,  N.  Y., 
November  25,  1877. 

Lewis  Bennett  Boyd  the  oldest  son  of  Justus  and  Almira 
(Nut)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Springport,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y., 
April  8,  1820  and  married  Charity  Cook  at  Cohoctoh,  Livingston 
County^  Mich.,  September  7,  1842.  Lewis  after  his  birth,  went 
with  his  parents  to  Mount  Morris,  N.  Y.,  then  to  Michigan  in 
1835,  and  located  upon  a  farm  after  his  marriage  near  Fowler- 
ville  in  that  state.  In  January  of  1881  his  wife,  who  was  born 
February  19,  1824,  was  taken  suddenly  ill  with  putrid  ery- 
sipelas on  Thursday  and  died  on  Saturday  following,  leaving  her 
husband  and  the  following  children  to  mourn  her  loss.  First, 
Justus  F.,  who  was  born  at  Cohoctah,  Mich.,  August  4,  1843. 
He  married  Janet  M.  Bates,  a  daughter  of  the  late  Governor 
Bates  of  Michigan,  May  5,  1868,  at  Travis  City,  where  he  was  re- 
siding and  in  the  employ  of  his  father-in-law  in  a  land  office  at 
the  time  of  his  marriage.  In  18S1  he  had  two  children,  Morgan 
T.,  born  at  Travis  City,  Mich.,  November  — ,  1874,  and  died  at  the 
same  place  in  1875.  The  second  son  of  Lewis  and  Charity  (Cook) 
Boyd,  was  named  Jered  Boyd.  He  also  was  born  at  Cohoctah, 
Mich.,  February  9,  1848,  and  married  Harriett  Newman  at  By- 
ron, Shiawasse  County,  Mich.,  September  24,  1873.  In  1884 
was  living  with  his  father  upon  a  fann  near  Fowlerville,  same 
state,  and  had  two  children.  First,  Lewis  B.,  bom  at  Cohoctah, 
Mich.,  June  3,  187 1.  Second,  son  Justus  F.,  born  at  the  same 
place  June  19,  1873.  John  N.  Boyd  was  the  name  of  the  second 
son  of  Justus  and  Almira  Boyd.  He  was  born  in  Conesus,  N.  Y., 
March  5,  1822,  and  married  Lucinda  Holloway  at  Cohoctah, 
Michigan  in  1858.  He  went  to  Michigan  in  1835,  and  in  1884 
was  living  upon  a  farm  of  his  own  near  Fowlerville,  in  that  state. 
His  wife  was  born  in  New  York  State  July  i,  1827.  Before  going 
west  she  lived  for  a  time  with  her  parents  in  Livonia,  N.  Y.  They 
h^d  no  children. 

V  J    Hannah  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  Justus  and  Almira  Boyd, 
atid  was  born  at  Mount  Morris,  N.  Y.,  November  19,  1823,  died 


268        HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS    DESCENDANTS 

at  Howell,  Livingston  County,  Mich.,  March  9,  1872.  She  was 
always  single  and  her  days  were  ended  by  consumption. 

The  third  son  of  Justus  and  Almira  Boyd  was  named  Norman 
Boyd.  He  was  born  at  Mount  Morris,  N.  Y.,  October  21,  1825, 
and  married  Rhoda  E.  Scofield  at  Cohoctah,  Mich.,  December  8, 
1847,  and  she  died  at  the  same  place  July  3,  1889.  He  emigrated 
to  Michigan  in  1835,  and  owned  a  fariTi  at  that  place.  His  wife 
was  born  September  6,  1824.     They  had  no  children. 

The  next  son  of  Justus  and  Almira  Boyd  was  William  H. 
Boyd,  who  was  also  born  at  Mount  Morris,  N.  Y.,  July  4,  1828. 
He  miarried  Matilda  Curtis  at  Handy,  Livingston  County.  Mich., 
December  27,  1864.  He  also  was  a  farmer  and  his  wife  was  bom 
July  3,  1839.  Their  children  are  Bertram  K.,  born  at  Cohoctah, 
Mich.,  December  28,  1867,  and  Kate  Bell  Boyd,  born  at  the  same 
place  August  14,  1874. 

Elizabeth  Boyd  was  the  second  daughter  of  Justus  and  Al- 
mira Boyd.  She  was  born  at  Mount  Morris,  N.  Y.,  March  6, 
1830,  and  married  Lyman  H.  Dean,  a  Methodist  Episcopal  min- 
ister of  the  Detroit  Conference  of  the  State  of  Michigan  at  Co- 
hoctah, Livingston  County,  Mich.,  August  25,  1857.  They  had 
no  children. 

Henry  P.  Boyd  was  the  next  son  of  Justus  and  Almira  Boyd. 
His  birth  place  was  at  Mount  Morris,  N.  Y.,  March  16,  1832. 
His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Briggs,  who  he  married  at  Cohoctah, 
Mich.,  October  19,  1862.  She  was  born  in  1843.  They  had  no 
children,  and  in  1884  resided  at  Cohoctah,  Mich. 

Angeline  the  youngest  daughter  of  Justus  and  Almira  Boyd, 
was  born  at  Mount  Morris,  May  23,  1834.  She  was  always 
single,  and  in  1884  resided  at  Howell,  Mich. 

William  Henry  Boyd  was  the  youngest  son  of  Justus  and 
Almira  Boyd,  and  was  bom  at  Howell,  Livingston  County,  Mich., 
September  26,  1836,  died  at  the  same  place  of  dysentery,  August 
17,  1839. 

Elizabeth  Sarah  Boyd  the  only  daughter  of  Hiram  and 
Jane  ( McNinch)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Conesus,  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y., 
October  3,  1837,  and  died  at  the  same  place  February  12,  1840. 
The  death  of  my  sister  was  caused  by  brain  fever.     At  first  she 


MARY  JAXE  (BOYD)   STEVENS 
Died  1895 


PAUL  BOYD  STEVENS 


HISTORY   OF   THE    BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        271 

was  taken  with  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  and  for  six  days  before 
she  died,  she  became  unconscious  and  did  not  know  those  who 
was  taking  care  of  her.  There  was  one  remarkable  incident  con- 
nected with  her  death,  which  always  dwelt  in  my  father's  and 
mother's  memory.  One  evening,  a  few  days  before  she  died, 
the}^  were  sitting  along  beside  her  cradle  in  which  she  laid  asleep, 
when  there  caine  from  beneath  the  cradle  three  distinct  raps,  in 
quick  succession,  as  if  some  person  had  struck  the  floor  with  a 
heavy  hammer,  and  then  all  was  still.  These  raps  were  so  loud 
that  they  could  be  distinctly  heard  all  over  the  house,  yet  the  noise 
disturbed  her  not.  From  that  hour,  my  mother  gave  up  all  hope 
of  her  recovery.  Just  three  weeks  from  that  night  she  passed 
away  to  her  Heavenly  home,  and  her  grave  to-day  can  be  seen 
in  the  little  cemetery  that  was  surrounded  by  the  lands  of  her 
father. 

Bennett  Robert  Boyd  was  the  oldest  son  of  Hiram  and  Jane 
Boyd.  He  was  born  at  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  February  24,  1841.  He 
married  for  his  first  wife  Elizabeth  Jerome,  at  the  same  place, 
July  I,  1866.  For  a  second  wife  Matilda  Campbell  at  Conesus, 
June  17,  1908.  The  past  occupation  of  my  brother  has  been  that  of 
a  farmer,  and  for  a  time  engaged  in  selling  agricultural  imple- 
ments, and  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  well  known  Boyd  & 
Kuder  Steam  Cider  Mill  Co.,  situated  in  the  northern  part  of 
his  native  town.  In  the  War  of  the  Southern  Rebellion,  he  was 
one  of  the  twenty-six  drafted  men,  but  by  good  fortune,  the  town 
raised  her  number  by  substitutes  and  none  had  to  go.  His  first 
wife  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Bridges)  Jerome.  She 
vf'^s  bom  near  Lakeville,  N.  Y.,  Novem.ber  30,  1846,  and  died  at 
Coriesus  of  diphtheria  after  a  short  illness,  July  19,  1902.  His 
second  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Jonah  and  Mary  (Bretenburg) 
Campbell  of  Conesus,  and  was  born  at  the  same  place  September 
13,  1868.  Bennett's  family  by  his  first  wife  consisted  of  one  child, 
nam.ed  Mary  Jane,  who  was  bom  in  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  August  24,, 
1870.  Married  Jessie  Stevens  at  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  December  28, 
1892,  died  at  the  same  place  of  consuinption  August  3,  1895, 
leaving  one  son  Paul'B.  Stevens,  who  was  born  at  Conesus,  N.  Y., 
January  28,  1894;  now  resides  with  his  grandfather  B.  R.  Boyd. 


272        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

William  Philip  Boyd  the  youngest  son  of  Hiram  and  Jane 
(McNinch)  Boyd,  and  the  author  of  this  work,  was  bom  at  the 
■'Old  Boyd  Homestead"  in  Conesus,  March  26,  1849.  Here  he 
married  Mary  Roach  Allen,  the  second  daughter  of  Mathew  and 
Mary  Ann  (Thorpe)  Allen,  two  old  pioneerfe  of  Conesus,  Septem- 
ber 28,  1870.  To  the  readers  of  this  book,  giving  the  history  of 
the  differentBoyd  families  of  the  Old  and  New  World,  many  may 
look  for  a  lengthy  biographical  sketch  of  his  past  life,  as  well 
as  the  writer  of  this  book.  He  hopes  you  will  not  be  disappointed 
when  you  know  the  same  is  prepared  and  published  not  by  a  col- 
lege educated  m.an,  but  by  one  who  has  seen  only  a  common 
school  education  found  in  the  Rural  Districts  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  and  who  has  spent  his  younger  days  as  a  farmer  boy  upon 
a  farm.  In  1884,  he  published  from  his  own  amateur  presses,  his 
first  edition  of  his  History  of  the  Boyd  Family  and  descendants 
of  that  date,  consisting  of  only  one  hundred  and  sixty  copies,  which 
has  since  becom.e  so  scarce  as  to  command  a  big  price  in  the  book 
market.  The  great  demand  for  the  same  has  encouraged  him  to 
produce  this,  his  second  edition.  In  1886  he  issued  from  the 
same  press,  a  history  of  his  native  town,  also  a  book  of  merit  to 
those  whose  former  homes  were  in  the  town  of  Conesus,  N.  Y. 
His  first  printing  adventurefe  were  in  January  of  1875,  when  he 
opened  the  first  Job  Printing  office  in  Conesus,  his  native  home, 
and  in  the  spring  of  that  year  printed  the  first  town  meeting 
ticket  that  was  ever  printed  in  the  town,  and  served  his  town 
people  in  this  capacity  for  several  years.  His  printing  presses 
of  a  roatry  power  and  were  of  his  own  make.  But  since  1890, 
he  retired  from  the  printing  business. 

After  his  marriage,  his  wife  and  he  took  up  their  residence  upon 
the  old  farm  of  his  father's  until  the  thirteenth  day  of  May,  1907, 
when  they  accepted  positions  from  the  State  as  officers  in  the  New 
York  State  Agricultural  and  Industrial  School  at  Industry,  twelve 
miles  from  Rochester,  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.  Here  they  re- 
nained  until  the  fall  of  1909,  when  the  health  of  his  wife  failed,  and 
she  was  obliged  to  resign  her  position,  and  in  the  spring  of  19 10 
returned  to  her  old  homestead  in  Conesus,  where  she  now  resides, 
and  he  still  remiains  as  one  of  the  head  carpenters  of  that  institution. 


FAMILY  GROUP 
WILLIAM   P.  AND  MARY  R.   (ALLEN)   BOYDV/ 
VICTOR  H.  AND  EMILY   (LEACH)   BOYD 
BEATRICE  BOYD 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        275 

Mary  R.  Boyd,  his  wife,  was  born  in  Conesus,  June  22,  1850. 
ier  younger  days  were  spent  upon  a  farm  along  the  shores  of  the 
beautiful  Conesus  Lake,  and  going  to  a  district  school  at  the  head 
of  the  lake.  A  few  years  before  her  marriage,  she  spent  teaching 
at  the  district  school  of  her  native  town  with  good  success,  and 
to-day  has  many  cherished  friends  that  surround  her. 

The  family  of  William  and  Mary  Boyd  consisted  only  of  one 
son  Victor  Hiram  Boyd,  who  was  bom  at  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  March 
21,  1878,  married  Mrs.  Emily  (Leach)  Porter  of  Honeoye  Flats, 
N.  Y.,  December  24,  1903,  who  was  the  daughter  of  Mark  S.  and 
Ellen  (Crooks)  Leach  of  West  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  and  was  born 
there  July  11,  1874,  and  a  widow  at  the  time  of  her  last  marriage. 
Victor's  boyhood  days  were  spent  going  to  school  near  his  home, 
and  then  to  the  Livonia  High  School,  where  he  graduated  June, 
1895.  He  taught  his  first  school  at  Sonyea,  N.  Y.,in  1895  ^-^^  '9^; 
then  at  Lima,  N.  Y.,  in  1896  and  '97;  then  he  entered  the  Nonnal 
School  at  Geneseo,  N.  Y.,  and  graduated  from  the  same  Febru- 
ary 6,  1900.  Then  he  taught  at  Fowlerville,  N.  Y.,  1900-01; 
Conesus  1902-03;  Honeoye  Flats,  N.  Y.,  1903-1906;  Wyoming 
Academy  at  Wyoming  1906  and  '07,  and  then  moved  to  Roches- 
ter, N.  Y.,and  entered  Rochester  University  and  graduated  from 
there  in  June,  19 10,  and  in  the  spring  of  1911  accepted  the  Prin- 
cipalship  of  Akron  High  School,  where  he  now  resides.  His 
family  consists  of  one  daughter,  a  kind-hearted  child  named 
Beatrice,  bom  to  them  December  27,  1904. 

Sarah  Ann  Lewis  the  oldest  daughter  of  Addison  and  Harriett 
(Rich)  Lewis,  was  bom  at  Starkey,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  Novem- 
ber 9,  1823.  She  was  united  in  marriage  to  George  Demund  at 
Ulysses,  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  March  4,  1841,  died  at 
Reading,  Schuyler  County,  N.Y.,  July  9,  1851,  of  scrofula  con- 
sumption. 

Her  husband's  occupation  was  that  of  a  farmer  and  their 
family  consisted  of  four  children.  First,  Francis  M.,  who  was 
bom  at  Hector,  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  July  18,  1842.  He 
married  Jennie  Hatfield  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  September  17,  1866. 
Francis,  like  many  others  of  our  devoted  heroes,  spent  one  year 
in  the  Southern  Rebellion,  and  was  under  Gen.  Sherman  in  his 


276        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

famous  march  to  the  sea.  After  his  discharge,  he  came  home  and 
took  up  his  residence  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  where  they  were  residing 
in  1884.  They  had  two  children,  Sarah  E.,  born  at  Reading,  N.Y., 
December  13,  1868,  and  Edward  M.,  born  at  the  same  place 
February  15,  1874.  Second,  Harriett  Demund  the  oldest  daugh- 
ter of  George  and  Sarah  Demund,  was  born  in  Michigan,  July 
14,  1845,  married  J.  B.  Huntley  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  January  16, 
1861  and  died  at  Dix,  same  county,  January  25,  1875.  Her  hus- 
band was  a  farmer  at  Dix,  N.  Y.,  and  after  her  death,  he  moved 
their  family  to  Reading,  N.  Y.  They  had  two  children,  Lewis 
C.  and  Minnie.  The  former  was  bom  at  Dix,  N.  Y.,  May  30, 
1863  and  the  latter  at  the  same  place  June  21,  1865.  Third  child 
was  Eliza  A.  Demund,  bom  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  March  16,  1848 
and  married  Alpha  Miller  at  the  same  place  February  14,  1869. 
Her  husband  was  taken  sick  and  died  the  2 2d  of  March,  1881, 
leaving  her  a  widow  without  any  family.  In  1884  was  living  at 
Elmira,  N.  Y.  The  fourth  child  of  George  Demund  was  nanied 
lenry  L.  Demund,  and  was  bom  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  May  26,  185 1. 
In  the.  same  county  at  Watkins,  he  married  Emma  House,  Sep- 
tember 23,  1875. 

Adaline  Lewis  was  the  second  daughter  of  Addison  and 
Harriett  Lewis,  and  was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  December  28, 
1864.  She  married  Edward  Eddy  at  Dix,  N.  Y.,  December  19, 
1 86 1.  She  and  her  husband's  life  we  know  but  a  little  of.  They 
had  two  children,  Mary  L.,  who  was  born  at  Dix,  N.  Y.,  Septem- 
ber 15,  1865,  and  Seymour,  bom  at  the  same  place  July  2,  1873. 

Liva  Lewis  the  third  daughter  of  Addison  B.  and  Harriett 
Lewis,  was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  July  7,  1828,  married  Jere- 
miah Raplee  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  November  14,  1875.  They  had 
no  children,  and  their  home  was  near  Himrods,  N.  Y.,  in  1884. 

Mary  Lewis  the  fourth  daughter  of  Addison  and  Harriett 
Lewis,  was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  September  i,  1830.  She  mar- 
ried January  i,  1853  Azariah  Finch  at  the  same  place,  and  in  1884 
were  farmers  living  in  Yates  County,  N.  Y.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  two  children,  Levera,  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  June  3, 
1853  and  married  Frederick  Humiston,  whose  occupation  was 
that  of  a  broom  maker  at  Watkins,  N.  Y.     Died  February  15, 


VICTOR   HIRAM   BOYD 


HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        279 

1879;  had  two  children,  Herbert  A.,  born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  June 
19,  1879  and  Finch  L.  Humiston,  born  at  Ehnira,  N.  Y.,  March 
25,  1 88 1,  and  Charles,  who  was  born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  March 
5,1865. 

David  Lewis  the  oldest  son  of  Addison  and  Harriett  Lewis, 
whom  we  know  but  little  of,  was  born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  July  i, 
1838,  and  married  Mary  Spink,  and  their  children  were  Eliza- 
beth, Carrie,  Frederick,  Minnie  and  Addie,  of  whom  we  have  no 
record. 

Joseph  M.  Lewis  the  second  son  of  Addison  and  Harriett 
Lewis,  was  born  at  Ulysses,  Tompkins  County,  N.  Y.,  January 
17,  1841,  married  for  his  first  wife  Mary  J.  Ganung  at  Canadice, 

N.  Y., ,  and  for  his  second,  Mrs.  Mary  (Lansing)  Baker, 

who  was  born  at  Cazenovia,  N.  Y.,  November  15,  1847  and  they 
were  married  at  Livonia,  June  20,  1888.  He  died  at  Livonia, 
N.  Y.,  October  31,  1908.  Joseph  soon  after  his  first  marriage, 
moved  to  Livonia  Station,  N.  Y.,  and  opened  a  livery  stable  and 
carried  on  a  prosperous  business.  The  summer  months  he  was 
principally  engaged  in  carrying  passengers  to  and  from  the  Cone- 
sus  Lake  and  Hemlock  Lake.  A  few  years  afterward,  he  bought 
a  farm  in  Livonia  and  resided  upon  the  same,  but  on  account  of 
poor  health,  he  soon  moved  into  the  village,  where  he  was  residing 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  first  wife's  residence  was  at  Cana- 
dice at  the  time  of  their  miarriage,  and  was  born  there  September 

2,  1842  and  died  at  Livonia, ,  18 — .     His  second  wife  was  a 

widow,  whose  husband  died  a  few  years  before  their  marriage  at 
Livonia,  N.  Y.     They  had  no  children. 

Morris  Lewis  the  oldest  son  of  Addison  by  his  second  wife 
Mary  (Cogwell)  Lewis,  was  born  at  Hurd's  Corners,  Schuyler 
County,  N.  Y.,  November  8,  1846,  died  at  Barrington,  Yates 
County,  N.  Y.,  of  congestion  of  the  brain,  June  18,  1854. 

Emma  Lewis  the  second  daughter  of  Addison  and  Mary 
Lewis,  was  bom  at  Hurd's  Comer,  N.  Y.,  April  i,  1848,  married 
Charles  A.  Smith  at  Barrington,  N.  Y.,  December  28,  1868. 
Emma  at  the  age  of  two  years  moved  with  her  parents  from  the 
place  of  her  birth  to  Barrington,  N.  Y.,  where  she  resided  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage.     In  1 869  they  moved  to  what  was  then  called 


280         HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

Mount  Washington,  Schuyler  County,  N.  Y.,  where  they  pur- 
chased a  farm  and  resided  on  the  same  until  in  April  of  1880,  when 
they  took  up  their  residence  in  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  and  be- 
came engaged  in  the  grape  culture.  Her  husband  died  at  this 
place  after  an  illness  of  two  years,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 
She  now  resides  with  her  children  and  grandchildren  at  Ham- 
mondsport and  Waverly,  N.  Y.  Their  family  consisted  of  two 
sons  and  one  adopted  daughter  a  follows:  First,  the  oldest  son 
is  named  Edwin  C.  Smith,  bom  at  Barrington,  N.  Y.,  December 
15,  1870,  married  Miss  Bertha  J.  Ferrow  at  Addison,  N.  Y., 
August  I,  1900.  By  occupation  he  is  an  attorney  at  Addison, 
N.  Y.  He  is  now  district-attorney  of  Steuben  County,  N.  Y., 
by  being  first  appointed  to  fill  the  place  for  one  year,  then  being 
elected  to  succeed  himself  for  three  years  longer.  The  second 
son's  name  is  Frank  A.  Smith,  bom  at  Mount  Washington,  N.Y., 
September  9,  1873,  married  Miss  Alice  Mantle  at  Addison,  N.  Y., 
December  21,  19 10;  now  resides  at  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.  The 
adopted  daughter  was  named  Jennie  M.  Smith,  and  is  now  the 
wife  of  F.  W.  Keeler  of  Waverly,  N.  Y.,  where  she  was  married 
April  17,  1909. 

Frank  Lewis  the  youngest  son  of  Addison  and  Mary  Lewis, 
was  bom  at  Barrington,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  April  26,  1850. 
Married  Josephine  Heminway  at  Starkey,  the  same  county,  Au- 
gust 27,  1 8  7 1 .  After  their  marriage ,  they  resided  at  Dundee ,  N .  Y. ; 
where  his  wife  died  of  consiimption  in  1880,  and  he  soon  after- 
wards moved  to  Homellsville,  N.  Y.  and  took  up  the  occupa- 
tion of  a  fireman  upon  the  Erie  Railroad,  between  that  place 
and  Susquehanna,  Pa.  They  had  two  children  in  1884,  named 
Emma  Gertrude,  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  August  9,  1872,  and  an 
infant  son  bom  and  died  at  the  same  place,  that  we  have  no 
record  of. 

Mariah  Lewis  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  Harry  and  Eliza 
(Windfield)  Lewis,  and  was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  October  3, 
1825,  and  married  Elisha  D.  Cole  at  Jerusalem,  same  county, 
April  15,  1846.  She  and  her  husband  went  from  the  place  of 
their  marriage  to  Ohio  and  then  to  Clinton,  Iowa,  where  they 
first  followed  farming  and  then  railroading.     He  was  bom  at 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        281 

Rochester,  N.  Y.,  September  19,  1819,  and  died  at  Clinton,  Iowa, 
June  2,  1877,  leaving  one  child  William  R.  Cole,  who  was  born 
at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  July  i,  1852.  His  occupation  in  1884  was 
railroading. 

William  W.  Lewis  the  oldest  son  of  Harry  and  Eliza  Lewis, 
was  born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  January  15,  1828,  married  Margaret 
Willett  at  Jerusalem,  N.  Y.,  in  January  of  1849,  died  at  Weaver- 
ville,  California,  June  30,  i860.  William  had  the  misfortune  of 
losing  his  wife  soon  after  their  marriage,  which  transpired  at 
Jerusalem,  N.  Y.,  February  19,  1850.  Soon  after  her  death  he 
went  to  Ohio  for  a  short  time,  and  then  he  took  a  drove  of  cattle 
by  overland  route  to  California.  From  here  soon  went  to  the 
mines,  where  he  remained  until  about  two  months  before  his 
death.  His  disease  was  inflammatory  rheumatism;  not  feeling 
well  when  he  was  taken,  he  concluded  to  go  to  Weaverville,  in 
the  same  state  until  he  shoiild  become  better.  Here  the  disease 
went  to  his  heart  and  in  a  few  days  died,  leaving  one  child  Ettie 
Lewis,  who  was  bom  at  Jerusalem,  N.  Y.,  February  15,  1850,  and 
who  larried  George  M.  Curtis  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  September  4, 
1872.  She  went  from  the  place  of  her  birth  to  the  far  west  in  her 
younger  days,  where  she  became  acquainted  with  her  husband, 
who  was  bom  at  Oxford,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y.,  April  i,  1844, 
and  went  west  in  his  youth.  In  1884  he  was  one  of  the  partners 
of  the  firm  known  as  Curtis  Brothers  &  Co.,  manufacturers  of 
sash,  doors,  blinds,  mouldings,  etc.,  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  where  he 
had  followed  the  business  for  the  past  fifteen  years.  They  had 
two  children,  Lewis  W.,  who  was  bom  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  August 
23,  1878  and  an  infant,  born  at  the  same  place  April  5,  1880,  and 
died  of  whooping-cough  at  Sparty,  Wis.,  August  7,  of  the  same 
year. 

John  Lewis  the  second  son  of  Harry  and  Eliza  Lewis,  was 
bomx  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  September  19,  1829.  For  his  wife  he 
married  Sarah  Crouthers  at  Jerusalem,  same  county,  February 
II,  1 85 1.  Most  of  John's  lifetime  was  spent  at  Penn  Yan,  N.Y., 
wherein  1880  he  purchased  large  real  estate  of  Robert  Bonnar, 
proprietor  of  the  New  York  Ledger,  who  held  a  mortgage  upon 
the  same,  given  to  him  by  Leon  Lewis,  a  noted  writer  for  that 


282        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

paper  for  the  amount  of  $21,000,  which  he  purchased  for  a  little 
over  $7,000,  consisting  of  very  fine  buildings,  and  of  the  finest 
sites  in  that  village.  They  had  two  children,  Mary,  who  was 
born  at  Benton,  October  23,  1856,  who  married  R.  F.  Scofield,  a 
cigar  manufacturer  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  in  September,  1878,  and 
Ida  B.  Lewis,  who  was  born  at  the  same  place  July  22,  1865. 

Emeline  Lewis  the  second  daughter  of  Harry  and  Eliza  Lewis, 
was  born  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  February  27,  1833,  married  Simeon 
Haynes  at  Camden,  Larien  County,  Ohio,  April  2,  1854.  In  1884 
she  was  living  at  St.  John,  Michigan  and  had  four  children, 
First,  Martin  R.,  born  at  Camden,  Ohio,  August,  1857.  Second, 
Mary  E.,  born  at  the  same  place  August,  of  1859.  Third,  Frank, 
who  was  born  at  Grass  Lake,  Michigan,  July  17,  1861.  Fourth, 
Harriett  Haynes,  born  at  Camden,  Ohio,  July,  1865. 

Hannah  J.  Lewis  the  third  daughter  of  Harry  and  Eliza 
Lewis,  was  born  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  February  25,  1839,  married 
Frank  Campbell  at  Napoleon,  Jackson  County,  Mich.,  December 
13,  1853.  Hannah  and  her  husband  commenced  their  married 
life  at  Camden,  Ohio,  where  they  resided  for  eighteen  years,  and 
then  moved  to  Clarksville,  same  state  for  four  years  more,  and 
in  1880  purchased  a  farm  near  Rochester,  Ohio,  where  in  1884 
was  still  living.  Their  family  consisted  of  seven  children  as  fol- 
lows: First,  Clara  A.  Campbell,  born  at  Camden,  December 
29,  1859,  married  T.  T.  Holcomb  at  the  same  place  February 
22,  1877,  and  after  their  marriage  went  to  Iowa  to  live  and  had 
two  children,  Marion  born  October  29,  1879,  and  Frank  born 
October  25,  1880  in  Iowa.  Second,  Eliza  J.,  born  at  the  same 
place  January  18,  1861  and  died  August  26,  1861.  Third,  Henry 
A.,  born  at  Camden,  Ohio,  November  18,  1863.  Fourth,  Sarah 
the  third  daughter,  born  at  Camden,  Ohio,  February,  1865. 
Fifth,  Hannah  J.,  born  at  Camden,  Ohio,  May  21,  1870.  Sixth, 
Inez  J.,  born  at  Camden,  Ohio,  September  27,  1875.  Seventh, 
Francis  M.,  bom  at  Clarksville,  Huron  County,  Ohio,  March  4, 
1879. 

Sarah  A.  Lewis  the  fourth  daughter  of  Harry  and  Eliza 
Lewis,  was  born  at  Jerusalem,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  October  23, 
1843,  and  was  united  in  marriage  to  A.  E.  Flickinger  at  Grass 


HISTORY  or   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        283 

Lake,  Jackson  County,  Mich.,  April  5,  1865.  When  at  the  age 
of  seventeen  she  took  up  the  duties  of  school  teaching  until  her 
marriage,  when  she  and  her  husband  went  to  Ohio  and  resided 
there  for  four  years,  and  then  went  to  St.  John,  Mich,  until  1873, 
when  they  came  back  to  Ohio  and  lived  at  a  place  called  Chicago 
Junction,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  carpenter.  Their 
children  were  Issie  L.,  who  was  born  at  New  London,  Ohio, 
February  7,  1867;  Ettie  E.,  the  second  daughter  born  at  St.  John, 
Clinton  County,  Mich.,  May  15,  1871,  and  Edwin  Eli,  who  was 
born  at  Chicago,  Ohio,  June  19,  1879. 

James  Lewis  was  the  youngest  son  of  Harry  and  Eliza  Lewis's 
family.  He  was  also  bom  at  Jerusalem,  N.  Y.,  September  2, 
1845.  He  married  Sarah  Salesburgh  at  Grass  Lake,  Mich.,  in 
June  of  1862.  In  1884  they  resided  at  Jackson,  Mich,  and  his 
wife  was  an  English  lady,  born  in  England.  Their  children  were 
John  B.,  bom  at  Albion,  Mich,  in  March  of  1867,  and  the  second 
son  Edward  M.,  bom  at  Battle  Creek,  Mich.,  September  3,  1875. 
Their  youngest  child  Claude  F.,  was  also  born  at  Battle  Creek, 
the  samx  state  in  September  of  1878. 

Levi  Coykendall  the  oldest  son  of  Joel  and  Sally  (Lewis)  Coy- 
kendall,  was  bom  at   Starkey,   N.   Y.,  July    14,    1823,  married 

Francine  Hoppough  at  Canadice,  Ontario  County,  N.  Y., 

17,  1842.  Levi's  younger  days  were  spent  with  his  parents  at 
Canadice,  N.  Y.  After  their  marriage  they  resided  here  a  few 
years,  then  moved  to  Hemlock  Lake,  a  few  miles  distant,  and 
resided  upon  her  father's  place  and  then  purchased  a  farm  upon 
what  is  called  Bald  Hill,  where  she  died  May  7,  1903.  They  had 
three  children,  Elizabeth  H.,  who  was  born  at  Canadice,  Novem- 
ber 5,  1862,  and  married  Hiram  Swan  at  the  same  place  (no  date). 
Soon  after  their  marriage,  the  oil  excitement  broke  out  in  Penn- 
sylvania; Elizabeth  and  her  husband  sold  out  their  property  in 
Canadice  and  went  there  to  live,  but  fortune  failed  to  favor  them, 
and  they  were  obliged  to  return  to  the  home  of  their  birth  again. 
After  a  few  years  here,  they  moved  to  Mumford,  N.  Y.,  and  now 
are  at  Caledonia,  N.  Y.  They  had  two  children,  Fannie,  born  at 
Canadice,  N.  Y.,  August  17,  1869,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Pulleybank   of   that  place.     The   other   child   of   Elizabeth   was 


284        HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

•named  Charles,  and  was  born  at  Canadice,  September  i8,  1875, 
and  died  there  April  2,  1877.  The  second  child  of  Levi  was  Fora 
Fayette,  who  was  bom  at  Canadice,  October  20,  1849,  and  mar- 
ried for  his  first  wife  Eliza  McCrossen  at  the  same  place  (we  have 
no  date).  For  his  second  wife  Bertha  Sharpsteen,  and  died  upon 
Bald  Hill,  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  October  4,  1896.  He  was  a  farmer 
and  thresherman,  and  had  two  children,  Carrie,  who  was  bom  at 
Canadice,  N.  Y.,  August  i,  1875,  and  married  Piatt  Blank  (no 
date),  and  Harry,  who  was  bom  at  the  same  place  April  20,  1878 
and  married  a  Miss  Trescott  at  Livonia,  N.  Y. 

Ella  Coykendall  the  youngest  daughter,  was  born  in  Cana- 
dice, June  30,  1 85 1.  She  married  Evelyn  Huff  at  the  above  place, 
December  22,  1872.  Died  in  Canadice.  The  home  of  Ella  and 
her  husband  was  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  Canadice  Township, 
where  was  born  two  children,  whose  names  were  Ola,  bom  March 
24,  1874,  and  married  Earl  Adams  of  Honeoye  Falls,  N.  Y.,  and 
Fayette,  who  was  bom  July  30,  1877. 

Leah  Coykendall  the  oldest  daughter  of  Joel  and  Sally  Coy- 
kendall, was  born  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  February  10,  1825,  mar- 
ried for  her  husband  Frederick  D.  Hoppough  at  the  same  place, 

17,  1842,  and  died  at  the  place  of  her  birth  August  30,  1896. 

Their  occupation  was  farmers,  living  most  of  their  lives  a  half 
mile  south  of  Canadice  Corners.  The  last  few  years  of  his  life 
were  one  of  misery,  from  inflammatory  rheumatism,  which  ended 
his  useful  days  October  29,  1876,  aged  fifty-two  years.  They  had 
a  family  of  eight  children  all  born  in  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  as  follows: 
First,  John  P.,  born  November  26,  1843,  married  Phila  A.  Coy- 
kendall at  Geneseo,  N.  Y.,  Februay  22,  1865,  who  had  three 
children  (in  1S84)  named  Ida  B.,  born  at  Canadice,  February  11, 
1868;  Carrie  May,  born  at  the  same  place  April  20,  1877  and  died 
here  December  25,  1880,  and  Murry  Hill  Hoppough,  bom  in  Can- 
adice, November  2,  1870,  Second,  Margery,  the  oldest  daughter 
of  Frederick  and  Leah  Hoppough,  was  bom  December  29,  1845 
and  died  at  the  same  place  June  26,  1846.  Third,  Emery  W.,  born 
June  18,  1847,  married  Sarah  Bailey  at  Springwater,  N.  Y.,  July 
5,  1869.  They  had  in  (1884)  three  children,  Alta  E.,  bom  in 
Springwater,  N.  Y.,  April  19,  1870;  Minnie  E.,  born  at  Canadice, 


HISTORY  or   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        285 

N.  Y.,  April  19,  1870,  and  Estella  Dell,  bom  at  East  Bloomfield, 
N.  Y.,  July  22,  1874.  Fourth,  Mary  Ellen  Hoppough,  born 
August  12,  185 1,  married  Heland  Hicks  of  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  Oc- 
tober 20,  1872.  They  resided  in  Canadice  for  a  time  and  then 
moved  to   Honeoye  Flats.     They  were  farmers.     Here  he  died 

,  and  their  children  were    J.  Levina   Hicks,  born  at 

Canadice,  July  29,  1874,  and  died  at  Canadice,  N.  Y., 


and  Ruth  Hicks,  bom  at  the  same  place  May  12,  1876,   and  miar- 

ried  ,  and  lived  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.     Fifth,    Sarah 

Marinda  Hoppough,  the  third  daughter,  was  born  July  22, 
1855,  and  died  at  the  same  place  with  croup  October  20,  1856. 
Sixth  and  seventh  daughters  were  twins  and  named  Adalaide  and 
Adaline  Hoppough  and  were  bom  December  24,  1858.  Adalaide 
died  of  diphtheria  at  the  same  place  January  4,  1859.     The  former 

married —  Shoe  at  Wayland,  N.  Y., ,  and  died  there 

.     Eighth  was  Lewis  Hoppough,  who  was  bom  in  March 

of  1859  and  married  at  Canadice,  Delia  Ingham  in  March,  1883. 
They  resided  the  few  years  upon  the  shores  of  Canadice  Lake. 
Hannah  M.  Coykendall  the  second  daughter  of  Joel  and  Sally 
Coykendall,  was  bom  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  June  22,  1827,  married 
John  Windfield  at  the  same  place  December  16,  1847.  They 
commenced  their  married  life  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  where  they 
resided  until  January  of  i860,  when  they  went  and  bought  a  farm 
near  Leoni,  Mich.  Her  husband  was  born  in  Starkey,  N.  Y., 
February  7,  1826  and  came  to  Ontario  County  a  short  time  before 
their  marriage.  In  1884  they  had  seven  children,  all  bom  at 
Canadice,  except  the  last  one  as  follows:  Sarah  M.,  bom  March 
22,  1849,  died  at  the  above  place  of  whooping-cough  March  24, 
1852.  Second,  Harrison  J.,  bom  March  12,  1852,  died  also  at 
Canadice  of  whooping-cough  March  18,  1852.  Third,  Mary  J., 
the  second  daughter,  bom  May  29,  1853,  married  B.  S.  Towle  at 
Leoni,  Jackson  County,  Mich.,  July  5,  1876.  Mary  and  her 
husband  went  soon  after  their  marriage  to  Beloit,  Wis.,  where  he 
in  1884  was  a  prosperous  merchant  and  had  two  children,  Essie 
M.  and  Willis  P.  The  former  was  born  at  Leoni,  Mich.,  Sep- 
tember 5,  1877,  and  the  latter  at  Beloit,  Wis.,  January  22,  1881. 
Fourth,  John  M.,  born  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  November  30,  1855, 


286      HISTORY  or  the  boyd  family  and  its  descendants 

married  at  Parma,  Jackson  County,  Mich.,  December  13,  1877, 
Lavina  Crittenden,  and  was  residing  in  1884  at  Leoni,  Mich. 
Their  family  consisted  of  one  child  named  Ida  May  Windfield, 
bom  at  Leoni,  Mich.,  August  24,  1S78.  Fifth,  Herbert  E. 
Windfield  was  bom  January  2,  1858,  and  married  Mary  J.  Price 
at  Napoleon,  Mich.,  November  7,  1878.  We  had  no  further 
record  of  Herbert  in  1884,  only  they  resided  at  Jamestown,  Da- 
kota. Sixth,  Wilber  J.  Windfield  the  fourth  son  of  John  N.  and 
Hannah  Windfield,  was  bom  March  6,  1859,  and  was  killed  at 
Leoni,  Mich,  in  February,  1878.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  he 
was  assisting  in  cutting  down  a  large  tree,  and  as  it  fell,  a  limb 
flew  back  striking  him  on  the  head,  that  injured  him  so,  that  he 
only  lived  two  hours  after  the  accident.  Seventh,  the  youngest 
son  was  named  Asa  L.  Windfield.  He  was  bom  at  Leoni,  Mich., 
July  28,  1861. 

Zilla  R.  Coykendall  the  third  daughter  of  Joel  and  Sally 
Coykendall,  was  bom  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  August  22,  1829,  mar- 
ried Asa  Hartson  at  Scottsville,  N.  Y.,  March  4,  1849.  She  and 
her  husband  commenced  their  married  life  upon  a  farm  at  Li- 
vonia, N.  Y.  Soon  afterwards  bought  another  farm  and  moved 
upon  the  same,  one  mile  south  of  Canadice  Comers,  where  she 
died.  Her  husband  also  died  here.  She  had  three  children 
namely:  Alice  B.,  bom  at  Livonia,  August  23,  1852  and  married 
John  M.  Hicks  at  Springwater,  N.  Y.,  March  28,  1875,  and  died 
of  consumption  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  June  30,  1875.  The  second 
child  was  Emma  J.,  who  was  bom  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  September 
13,  1854,  married  Frank  Doolittle  at  Honeoye  Falls,  N.  Y.,  July 
4,  1872.  They  are  farmers,  and  reside  in  Canadice,  N.  Y.  In 
1884  their  family  consisted  of  two  children,  Arthur  H.  and  Jennie. 
The  former  was  bom  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  May  12,  1873,  and  the 
latter  at  the  same  place  May  8,  1877.  The  third  daughter, 
Annetta,  was    born   at   Canadice,   December  13,    1862,   married 

Frank  Ingham  at  Springwater,  N.  Y., ,  and  died  at  the 

latter  place  - — ■ ,  1903. 

Harvey  Coykendall  the  second  son  of  Joel  and  Sally  Coyken- 
dall, was  bom  in  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  July  10,  1833,  married  Phoebe 
Windfield  at  Jackson  City,  Mich.,  June  18,  1867.      He  was  re- 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS         287 

siding  with  his  parents  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  at  the  breaking  out 
of  the  Southern  Rebellion,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  104th  New 
York  State  Volunteers,  and  was  assigned  to  the  Ambulance  Corps, 
to  which  that  regiment  belonged;  and  served  honorably  through 
the  war.  He  soon  afterwards  went  to  Michigan  and  purchased 
a  farm  near  Jackson  City,  where  he  was  residing  in  1884.  They 
had  there  two  children,  Jane  and  Frank.  The  former  was  bom 
at  Jackson,  Mich.,  July  5,  1868,  and  the  latter  at  the  same  place 
February  18,  1874. 

Mary  Ann  Coykendall  the  fourth  daughter  of  Joel  and  Sally 
Coykendall,  was  born  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  November  9,  1836, 
married  Bradford  Hoppough  at  Honeoye,  N.  Y.,  September  26, 
1859.  They  coinmenced  their  first  housekeeping  upon  a  farm 
owned  by  her  husband  in  Canadice,  and  from  here  they  went  near 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  then  to  Henrietta,  N.  Y.,  where  they  now 
reside.  Their  family  consisted  of  two  children,  Florence  and  Roy. 
The  former  was  born  at  Canadice,  N.  Y..  February  5,  i860, 
and  married  John  Shennan  at  Henrietta,  N.  Y.,  November  29, 
1882  and  now  resides  in  Rochester.  The  latter  was  bom  at 
Henrietta,  N.  Y.,  September  10,  1880,  and  now  lives  at  Henri- 
etta, N.  Y. 

Hiram  Joseph  Coykendall  the  youngest  son  of  Joel  and  Sally 
Coykendall,  was  born  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  October  26,  1840,  died 
at  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  March  6,  1862.  When  Hiram  was  a 
young  man  he  went  west,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Southern 
Rebellion,  enlisted  in  Company  K.,  7th  Illinois  Cavalry,  under 
the  command  of  Captain  H.  C.  Nelson.  Soon  after  his  enlist- 
ment, his  regiment  was  ordered  to  Camp  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo., 
where  he  was  soon  taken  with  black  measles  and  died  and  was 
buried  at  that  place.  There  was  a  singular  incident  connected 
with  his  death  that  was  related  to  me  by  his  mother  a  short  time 
before  her  death.  When  he  left  home  going  west,  he  left  behind 
him  a  large  dog  which  he  thought  a  great  deal  of.  This  dog  was 
accustomed  to  sleep  beside  his  bed  at  night.  The  night  Hiram 
died,  the  dog  walked  the  floor  of  the  chamber  all  night  long,  they 
did  all  they  could  to  pacify  him  and  when  the  family  would  scold 
him,  he  would  look  pitiful  up  to  them  as  if  he  wished  to  speak  to 


288        HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

them,  and  then  would  resume  his  walking  again.  When  morn- 
ing came,  he  came  down  stairs,  and  placing  his  feet  upon  one  of 
the  window  sills,  looked  out,  gave  a  low,  pitiful  howl  and  went  to 
the  other  side  of  the  room  and  laid  down  and  remained  there 
through  the  day,  refusing  to  be  comforted.  His  mother  knew  too 
well  the  meaning  of  this  omen,  and  in  a  few  days  there  came  by 
mail  a  letter  from  his  captain,  bearing  the  message  of  his  death. 

Celina  Jane  Coykendall  the  youngest  daughter  of  Joel  and 
Sally  Coykendall,  was  born  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  October  15,  1S48, 
died  of  consumption  at  that  place  December  26,  1866.  She  was 
a  very  tall,  slender  girl  of  a  good  and  kind  disposition. 

Harlem  Lewis  was  the  oldest  son  of  Merritt  and  Sarah  (Coy- 
kendall) Lewis,  and  was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  October  15, 
1833,  and  married  Mary  Jane  Rapalee  at  Milo,  N.  Y.,  October 
II,  1857.  We  knew  but  a  little  of  his  family,  only  that  he  was  a 
farmer  and  had  two  children,  Edward  and  Edwin.     The  former 

was  bom  at  Jerusalem,  N.  Y.,  ,  1859,  and  the  latter  at 

Starkey,  same  county.  May  16,  i86q. 

Joel  Lewis  the  second  son  of  Merritt  and  Sarah  Lewis,  was 
bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  December  24,  1835,  married  MeHsa  Van 
Gordon  at  Barrington,  same  county,  February  11,  1859.  After 
living  upon  a  farm  at  Barrington  a  few  years,  they  moved  to 
Wayne,  N.  Y.,  where  his  brother  was  keeping  a  hotel  in  1884. 
His  family  consisted  of  two  children,  George  who  was  born  at 
Jerusalem,  N.  Y.,  December  27,  1862,  and  Ida  bom  at  Jerusa- 
lem, February  14,  1865. 

Mary  Jane  Lewis  the  only  daughter  of  Merritt  and  Sarah 
Lewis,  was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  August  11,  1837.  She  mar- 
ried at  the  same  place  Nelson  Hall,  February  2,  1859.  They 
were  farmers  and  always  resided  in  the  Town  of  Starkey,  near 
the  present  village  of  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  in  1884,  She  was  very  kind 
in  assisting  in  sending  me  records  of  the  descendants  of  her 
father's  family.  Her  family  consisted  of  four  children  namely: 
Fremont  A.,  born  at  Jerusalem,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  September 
28,  i860.  Ida  A.,  bom  at  the  same  place  January  8,  1863,  and 
married  Horace  W.  Beyea  at  Milo  Center,  N.  Y.,  December  11, 
1 88 1.     Sarah  the  second  daughter,  was  bom  at  the  same  place 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS         289 

December  23,  1S65,  and  Mary  Agnes,  was  born  at  Starkey,  N.Y., 
November  16,  1870. 

Mark  Lewis  the  third  son  of  Merritt  and  Sarah  Lewis,  was 
born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  September  6,  1839,  died  at  the  same 
place  February  20,  1844. 

Dennis  the  youngest  son  of  Merritt  and  Sarah  Lewis,  was 
born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  February  11,  1841,  and  was  inarried  to 
Millie  Coykendall  at  the  same  place  in  1865.  In  1884  they  re- 
sided at  Wayne,  N.  Y.,  and  was  a  partner  with  his  brother  in  a 
hotel  at  that  place. 

Marinda  Shannon  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  James  and 
Susan  M.  (Lewis)  Shannon,  and  was  born  at  Starkey,  December 
16,  i860.  She  married  January  6,  1848,  James  Losser  at  Penn 
Yan,  N.  Y.  Several  years  ago,  they  emigrated  to  Michigan  and 
settled  near  Ovid  of  that  state,  where  they  were  living  in  1884. 
They  had  then  one  child  named  Sillias  L.  Losser,  who  was  born 
at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  May  26,  1850. 

Lewis  Shannon  the  oldest  son  of  James  and  Sarah  M.  Lewis,, 
was  also  born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  July  14,  1832.  He  married 
Caroline  Windfield  at  Homellsville,  N.  Y.,  November  23,  1854.. 
Lewis  at  the  age  of  twenty  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  and  after 
their  marriage  moved  to  Jackson,  Mich.,  and  in  1884  he  owned 
and  carried  on  the  Corget  Butchery  establishment  at  that  place. 
They  had  then  four  children  namely:  First,  Susan  L.,  bom  at 
Homellsville,  N.  Y.,  January  4,  1857.  Second,  Mary  E.,  born 
at  the  same  place  May  30,  1859.  Third,  Huldah  T.,  born  at  Dun- 
dee, N.  Y.,  January  9,  1861,  and  fourth,  D.  L.  Shannon,  bom  at 
Michigan  Center,  Mich.,  September  25,  1869. 

Henry  N.  Shannon  the  second  son  of  James  and  Susan  M. 
Shannon,  was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  November  27,,  1834.  He 
married  Matilda  W.  Kelsey  at  Central  City,  Colo.,  Marcli  19, 
1862.  The  life  of  Henry  Shannon  I  have  taken  from  a  letter 
written  me  dated  July  22,  1882.  I  will  give  the  same  in  his  own 
words,  he  says:  "I  am  a  native  of  New  York  State,  was  raised 
upon  a  farm  and  received  a  common  school  education.  At  the 
age  of  twenty  I  went  to  Wisconsin,  and  for  five  years  engaged  in 
various  pursuits.     In  1859  I  went  to  Kansas  for  one  year,  then  to 


290        HISTORY    or   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Colorado  and  located  at  Central  City,  where  I  engaged  in  mining 
with  success,  for  five  years  more,  then  moved  into  the  valley  and 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising;  spent  the  year  of  1870  at 
the  mines,  moved  in  1878  to  Denver  City,  where  I  am  engaged 
in  real  estate  business."  The  wife  of  Henry  N.,  was  born  in 
Cumberland  Comity,  N.  J.,  September  i,  1840.  They  had  no 
children  there,  except  an  adopted  child,  whom  they  called  Chas. 
B.  Redus  Shannon,  born  at  Denver,  Colo.,  December  27,  1879. 

Minerva  Shannon  the  second  daughter  of  James  and  Susan 
M.  Shannon,  was  bom  at  Tyrone,  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  Octo- 
ber 23,  1836,  married  Michael  Meisner  at  Himrods,  N.  Y.,  April 
17,  1853.  On  April,  1882,  I  received  the  following  letter,  which 
interested  me  so  much,  I  published  the  same  in  my  fonner  edition 
of  the  Boyd  Family  and  Descendants  of  1884.  It  is  a  well  written 
sketch  of  her  past  life,  and  trials  and  tribulations  of  a  person's 
life  in  this  world.  For  the  benefit  of  my  readers,  I  will  reproduce 
the  same  here. 

Dear  Cousin: — Yours  of  March  28  has  been  received  and 
the  contents  noted,  of  which  I  hasten  to  reply.  The  information 
it  gave  me,  afforded  to  me  as  much  pleasure  as  it  would  to  have 
received  a  small  fortune.  I  did  not  have  any  reason  of  knowing 
that  a  family  by  the  name  of  Boyd,  relatives  of  mine,  existed. 
When  I  was  quite  young,  I  heard  of  the  death  of  Uncle  Robert 
Boyd,  and  a  faint  recollection  of  something  being  mentioned  of 
an  old  house-keeper,  in  his  will,  btit  never  knew  he  had  any  de- 
scendants. I  have  often  wished  that  I  could  know  something  of 
the  genealogy  of  my  family.  My  inother  died  when  her  children 
were  quite  young.  My  father  remarried  a  lady,  whom  the  rela- 
tives were  not  friendly  with,  and  consequently,  we  had  but  little 
opportunity  to  learn  anything  concerning  my  grandfather  or  my 
father,  or  my  mother's  father,  or  my  mother's  antecedents. 

As  I  have  no  talent  in  writing  history — in  fact,  I  dislike  the 
pen — but  will  give  you  some  outline  and  you  may  shape  it  as 
you  wish,  and  as  I  say,  I  do  not  like  the  pen,  but  I  love  the  skies, 
fields,  gardens,  meadows,  flocks  and  herds,  and  like  the  child, 
whose  "fostered  parents  are  God  and  nature."  'Tis  said"  that 
birth   place  is  secondary  parentage ' '   and  transmits  character. 


-MINERVA  (SHANNON;  MEISNER 
Taken  Dec.  25,  1877 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        293 

New  York  State  is  a  grand  old  state,  and  I  love  to  think  of  my 
advent  into  the  world  so  high  upon  one  of  its  hills — "God's 
Mountains"  in  Tyrone,  N.  Y.,  October  23,  1836.  My  parents 
moved  from  there  to  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1838,  where  my 
inother  died  February  12,  1846,  leaving  a  family  of  seven  children. 
I  was  the  fourth  child,  and  nine  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her 
death.  My  father  soon  married  a  lady,  who  to  us  was  not  very 
prepossessing  in  her  ways.  She  soon  informed  us  "that  children 
were  more  expensive  than  profit. ' '  'Twas  then  our  happy  child- 
hood days  ended  of  what  should  have  been  the  greatest  and  fresh- 
est spot  in  life  memory,  was  then  blighted.  Had  I  been  less 
sensitive  and  more  independent,  and  spent  my  time  in  healthful 
thoughts  and  study,  instead  of  murmuring  and  repenting  over 
my  misfortune,  I  should  have  had  a  better  education,  and  capable 
of  doing  more  good  in  this  world.  But  life  is  inade  up  of  failures 
and  mistakes,  the  very  greatest  failure  that  has  caused  me  much 
sorrow,  is  my  education. 

After  our  marriage,  or  in  October  of  1854,  we  moved  to  El- 
mira,  N.  Y.,  and  in  November  we  emigrated  to  what  was  then 
called  the  "far  off  west,"  and  settled  in  the  little  village  of  Co- 
lumbus, Wis.  Here  in  i860  I  became  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  and  remained  here  for  twenty-three  years. 

In  August  of  1 86 1,  my  husband,  who  was  born  in  Warren 
County,  N.  J.,  August  8,  1828,  enlisted  in  the  War  of  the  Southern 
Rebellion  and  was  commissioned  second  Lieutenant  in  the  7th 
Wisconsin  Infantry,  and  with  his  regiment  sent  to  Washington, 
D.  C,  where  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1862.  On  the  12th  day 
of  April  of  that  year,  I  received  the  news  that  my  husband  was 
dangerously  ill  at  Washington.  x\s  soon  as  I  received  the  news,  I 
immediately  started  for  that  place.  Yet  I  carried  a  great  burden 
of  anxiety  upon  my  inind,  on  the  account  of  the  war,  and  the 
sadness  of  our  little  girl  (Carrie,  who  died  April  10,  1S62)  and 
with  the  care  of  my  baby,  only  three  inonths  old,  I  was  prostrated 
with  weakness,  and  was  obliged  to  stop  at  my  father-in-law's, 
on  my  way  through  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  where  I  remained  for 
two  weeks,  and  then  proceeded  to  Washington  and  found  my 
husband  convalescent,  who  at  once  resigned  his  commission  and 


294        HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

with  me  we  returned  to  Columbus  again  in  October  of  that  year. 
As  soon  as  my  husband  recovered  his  health,  he  was  offered  a 
captain's  commission,  which  he  accepted  and  raised  a  company 
of  cavalry,  and  joined  the  4th  regiment  of  Wisconsin  cavalry, 
then  stationed  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.  In  the  summer  of  1885,  his 
health  again  failed  him,  and  he  returned  home  on  a  furlough,  and 
in  the  fall  he  was  mustered  out  of  service  with  a  broken  constitu- 
tion, never  to  enjoy  good  health  again. 

In  the  spring  of  1866  my  husband  purchased  a  livery  stable  at 
Columbus,  which  soon  became  distasteful  to  us,  and  a  ruinous 
place  for  boys.  So  in  the  fall  of  1879  we  sold  the  same,  andin  Sep- 
tember of  that  year,  my  husband,  myself  and  family,  started  upon 
a  journey  by  overland  route  for  Nebraska  and  settled  upon  a 
prairie  farm  in  Salem  of  that  state.  Upon  our  farm  there  were 
no  improvements,  not  even  a  stone,  stick  or  shrub,  that  would 
shelter  a  chick.  We  found  shelter  for  the  winter  and  as  spring 
opened,  we  built  a  farm  house  and  moved  into  it.  We  then  built 
us  a  bam  and  set  out  a  timber  lot,  and  now  have  several  hundred 
fruit  trees  and  ornamental  trees  growing,  and  to  look  out  upon 
the  groves  and  orchards,  as  they  are  putting  out  their  green  foli- 
age, I  almost  imagine  it  to  resemble  the  Garden  of  Eden.  It 
has  been  an  Eden  to  us  for  the  last  four  years;  has  been  the  happi- 
est years  of  my  life,  as  I  have  spent  them  here  on  this  farm,  where 
I  have  loved  to  watch  everything  that  grows.  There  is  something 
beautiful,  grand  and  inspiring  about  "Pioneer  Life,"  if  we  have 
only  planted  the  trees  and  broken  the  sod,  we  have  done  some 
good  in  this  world.  Although  I  have  loved  my  old  home,  the 
land  of  my  birth,  yet  I  love  the  far  west  better.  The  people  of 
the  State  of  New  York  are  measured  by  the  abundance  of  things 
they  possessed.  The  western  people  measure  persons  by  their 
moral  words.     *     *     *     * 

From  3''our  affectionate  cousin, 

Mrs.   Minerva  Meisner. 
Crete,  Neb.,  April  5,  1882. 


On  Dec.  20,  1906,   she  was   strickened   with   paralysis  and 
has   been    confined  in   hospital    at   Crete.      Five   months    after 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        295 

taken,  her  husband  was  also  stricken  with  ?ame  disease  and  in 
six  months  breathed  his  last. 

In  1884  they  had  an  adopted  daughter,  whom  they  had 
named  Delia  Meisner,  who  was  bom  February  12,  1864,  and  was 
six  years  old  at  the  time  she  went  to  live  with  them ;  beside  three 
children  bom  to  them  as  follows:  Carrie  S.,  born  at  Columbus, 
Wis.,  February  26,  1856,  died  at  the  same  place  of  scarlet  fever 
April  10, 1 86 2.  Second,  Elsworth,  bom  at  the  same  place  January 
26,  1862,  and  Frank  M.,  also  born  at  Columbus,  December  10, 
1863. 

Martha  Shannon  the  third  daughter  of  James  and  Susan 
M.  Shannon,  was  born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  Januar}^  24,  1839,  and 

was  united  to  George  Smith  in  marriage  at  Dundee,  N.  Y., 

1858,  died  at  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  November  16,  1859.  Her 
death  was  a  sad  one,  for  soon  after  their  marriage  her  and  her 
husband  went  to  San  Francisco  to  live.  On  the  night  of  Novem- 
ber 16,  1859  was  the  eventful  night  of  the  great  fire  of  that  city. 
At  this  time  they  were  living  on  one  of  the  fated  streets,  and  as 
soon  as  th^  fire  reached  them  they  were  compelled  to  flee  from 
place  to  place  for  a  spot  of  safety.  While  in  the  midst  of  this 
great  tumioil  and  excitement  and  exposure,  while  in  the  street, 
she  was  taken  violently  sick,  and  for  want  of  care  and  comforts  of 
life  she  lived  but  a  few  hours  and  died  amidst  these  fearful  scenes, 
with  no  one  except  her  husband  to  comfort  and  care  for  her. 

John  E.  Shannon  the  third  son  of  James  and  Susan  M.  Shan- 
non, was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  August  31,  1841,  m.arried  Addie 
McGuire  at  Oakdale,  Neb.,  1866.  John  Emory  Shannon  resided 
in  Yates  County  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  War  of  1861,  when 
he  enlisted  in  the  service  of  his  country  at  Elmira  in  July  of  that 
year  and  served  for  four  years.  While  in  the  service,  he  was 
taken  prisoner  by  the  Rebels,  and  was  confined  nine  months  in 
Libbey  Prison.  Here  he  suffered  all  the  cruelties,  hardships  and 
horrors  of  prison  life,  and  at  the  time  of  his  release  he  had  almost 
become  an  idiot.  His  form  was  a  mere  skeleton;  so  weak,  that 
he  was  almost  unable  to  move.  Soon  after  his  release,  he  went 
to  Oakdale,  Neb.,  where  in  1884  he  was  a  herdman  and  farmer. 
They  had  two  children,  whose  record  or  names  we  have  not. 


296        HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Myron  T.  Shannon  the  fourth  son  of  James  and  Susan  M. 
(Lewis)  Shannon,  was  born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  July  17,  1843,  died 
at  Denver  City,  Colo.,  of  which  we  have  no  date.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  enlisted  in  the  army  in  which  he  served  for  four  years. 
In  one  of  the  battles  he  was  wounded  by  the  concussion  of  a  can- 
non-ball, and  died  after  suffering  from  the  same  for  five  years. 
At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  residing  with  his  brother  Henry 
at  Denver  City,  Colo. 

Harry  Shannon  the  youngest  son  of  James  and  Susan  M. 
Shannon,  was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  February  10,  1846,  and 
died  at  the  same  place  Februar}^  12,  1846,  just  two  hours  before 
the  death  of  his  mother  took  place. 

Clayton  Lewis  the  oldest  son  of  James  M.  and  Bolinda  (Se- 
mans)  Lewis,  was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  October  21,  1834.  At 
this  place  he  married  Nancy  A.  Taylor  in  March,  1863.  After 
their  marriage  they  first  commenced  keeping  house  at  Torrey, 
N.  Y.  in  what  was  known  as  the  ' '  Old  Jemina  Wilkenson  House ' ' 
once  the  home  of  the  noted  society  called  '  'The  Friends. ' '  They 
resided  here  for  one  year  and  then  purchased  a  fann  near  this 
place  and  stayed  on  the  same  for  five  years.  In  187 1  they  emi- 
grated to  Shepardsville,  Mich.,  where  his  wife  was  suddenly 
taken  sick  and  died  at  Ovid,  the  same  state,  September  10,  1882. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Philip  Taylor  of  Dresden,  N.  Y.,  and  was 
born  at  that  place  July  i,  1834.  After  her  death,  her  remains 
were  brought  back  to  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.     They  had  no  children. 

John  E.  Lewis  the  second  son  of  James  M.  and  Bolinda  Lewis, 
was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  February  14,  1836.  In  1884  John 
was  still  single.  In  1865  he  held  the  appointment  in  the  3d  Audi- 
tor's Ofhce  in  the  United  States  Treasury  Department  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  where  he  remained  for  eleven  years.  In  1876  he 
returned  home  again  and  bought  the  interest  of  his  brothers  in 
his  father's  old  farm  near  Keuka  Lake,  and  was  still  residing  there 
at  the  time  of  his  father's  death. 

Robert  B.  Lewis*  the  youngest  son  of  James  M.  and  Bolinda 
Lewis,  was  bom  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  October  11,  1844,  married  at 
Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  November  3,  1868,  Mary  J.  Hayes  of  that  place. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Southern  Rebellion  he  enlisted  on  Dc- 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        297 

cember  20,  1863  in  Conipaii}'  L.,  14th  Regiment  New  York  Heavy 
Artillery  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war.  He  was  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Chas.  H.  Houghton,  and  was  engaged  with 
his  regiment  in  the  memorial  battle  of  Petersburgh  and  other 
engagements  through  the  war.  For  gallantry  at  the  battle  of 
Petersburgh,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Corporal  and  was 
mustered  out  of  service  at  Washington,  D.  C,  August  26,  1865. 
After  returning  home,  and  his  marriage  to  the  above  lady,  he 
moved  upon  a  farm  at  Bluff  Point  on  Keuka  Lake,  where  they 
resided  for  three  years  and  then  moved  into  the  village  of  Penn 
Yan,  N.  Y.,  where  they  were  residing  in  1884.  They  then  had 
two  children,  Maud,  who  was  bom  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  February 

2,   187 1   and  an  infant,  ,  born  at  the  same  place  August 

— ,  1881. 

Charles  G.  Lewis  the  oldest  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Sarah  Ann 
Lewis,  was  born  at  Tyrone,  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  October  5, 
1835,  inarried  Emma  J.  Morgan  at  Canadice,  N.  Y.,  December 
4,  1866,  died  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Southern  Rebellion  in  1S61,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  23d 
Regiment,  New  York  Infantry,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Huffman  and  Captain  Dingelday.  He  remained  with  his  regi- 
ment until  1863,  when  he  was  taken  with  typhoid  fever  and 
sent  home  and  discharged.  In  the  summer  of  1863,  he  rein- 
listed  in  33d  New  York  Battery  and  served  honorably  through 
the  war.  On  returning  home,  he  went  to  Canadice,  N.  Y.  to  re- 
side. Here  he  formed  acquaintance  with  Miss  Morgan,  a  daughter 
of  John  Morgan  of  that  place,  whom  he  married  and  remained  here 
a  short  time  and  then  bought  a  place  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  where 
his  wife  died  February  11,  1877.  He  died  in  Penn  Yan,  1911. 
They  had  two  children,  Hattie  A.  and  George  W.  The  foniier 
was  born  at  Canadice,  December  31,  1867,  and  the  latter  at 
Benton,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  December  31,  1867. 

Agnes  A.  Lewis  the  only  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Sarah 
Ann  Lewis,  was  born  at  Tyrone,  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  March 
9,  1837.  Agnes  has  always  remained  single  and  resided  with  her 
parents  until  their  death,  upon  a  farm  at  Benton,  N.  Y.  Died  in 
the  village  of  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  in  191 1. 


298        HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Wilson  A.  Lewis  the  second  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Sarah  Ann 
Lewis,  was  born  at  Tyrone,  N.  Y.,  June  15,  died  at  the  camp  of 
the  Union  Army  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November  29,  1863.  Wil- 
son when  he  became  of  age,  went  to  Manchester,  Mich.,  where 
in  August  of  .1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B.,  20th  Regiment  of 
Infantry  of  that  state,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Allen  of 
that  place.  His  regiment  went  first  to  Petersburg!!,  Va.,  where 
he  came  near  losing  his  life  by  the  bursting  of  a  shell  in  that  en- 
gagement, which  came  so  close  that  it  singed  his  hair,  but  he  kept 
on  with  his  regiment  and  helped  to  take  the  place.  From  here 
he  was  sent  with  his  regiment  to  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  and  was  en- 
gaged for  several  days  in  hard-fought  battles.  After  this  they 
were  employed  in  building  entrenchments,  and  as  they  were  at 
work,  the  Rebels  came  upon  them  from  the  opposite  side,  which 
compelled  him  with  his  companions  to  rush  on  to  battle.  His 
captain  soon  saw  by  his  countenance  that  he  was  unfit  for  duty 
and  ordered  him  on  the  sick  list  and  sent  him  back.  This  was  the 
last  seen  of  him  alive,  and  when  some  of  his  comrades  went  to  his 
tent,  they  found  him  dead  in  his  blanket.  His  death  was  caused 
by  over  exertion  and  exposure,  dying  without  a  single  hand  to 
smooth  his  dying  head,  and  his  last  resting  place  is  by  the 
side  of  his  comrades,  who  had  gone  before  him  at  Knoxville, 
Tenn. 

Eli  Lewis  the  third  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Sarah  Ann  Lewis, 
was  bom  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  October  7,  1840,  married  Sarah  C. 
Washburn  at  Gorham,  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  December  31, 
1873.  He  remained  at  home  until  the  War  of  1861,  and  at  that 
time,  being  an  orderly  Sergeant  in  the  New  York  State  Militia,  in 
which  his  company  was  ordered  to  Elmira,  N.  Y.  for  one  hundred 
days  to  guard  Rebel  prisoners,  also  at  the  same  time  in  the  duty 
of  his  office,  sent  south,  as  guard  of  "Bounty  Jumpers. ' '  While 
upon,  one  of  these  trips,  he  was  oftered  $500  by  one  of  these  men 
if  he  would  turn  his  back  long  enough  to  allow  him  a  chance  to 
escape.  But,  being  loyal  to  his  country,  he  refused  the  offer  with 
scorn  and  landed  his  charge  safely  in  Washington,  D.  C.  After 
his  marriage  he  bought  a  farm  in  Benton,  where  he  was  residing 
in  1884.     They  had  no  children. 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        299 

Frank  E.  Lewis  the  youngest  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Sarah 
Ann  Lewis,  was  born  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  November  8,  1848,  mar- 
ried Mary  H.  Washburn  at  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  September  19, 
1866;  died  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  August  22,  1874.  Frank  and  his 
wife  soon  after  their  marriage,  went  and  Hved  and  worked  his 
father-in-law's  farm  at  Reed's  Comers,  N.  Y.,  but  soon  after 
returned  to  Benton  and  lived  with  his  own  father's  family,  where 
he  was  residing  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  was  caused  by 
spinal  fever.  He  was  taken  on  the  19th  of  the  month,  and  the 
disease  was  so  rapid,  that  on  the  2 2d  he  breathed  his  last.  Since 
his  death  his  widow  has  remarried,  and  I  am  told  now  lives  at 
Trurnansburg,  N.  Y.     They  had  no  children. 

Eugene  Lewis  the  only  son  of  Hiram  M.  and  Charlotte  J. 
(Merritt)  Lewis,  was  born  at  Milo,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  No- 
vember 29,  1 85 1.  He  married  at  this  place,  September  6,  1874, 
Georgiana  Owens.  His  occupation  in  1881  was  a  successful 
farmer,  living  in  the  town  of  Milo,  N.  Y. 

Delzora  Lewis  the  only  daughter  of  Hiram  M.  and  Charlotte 
Lewis,  was  also  bom  in  Starkey,  May  10,  1854,  died  at  the  same 
place  of  diphtheria.  June  19,  1S64. 

Emmet  Shannon  the  only  son  of  Harrison  and  Marinda 
(Lewis)  Shannon,  was  born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  June  24,  1845,  and 
died  at  Tyrone,  N.  Y.,  December  6,  1845. 

Mary  Shannon  the  only  daughter  of  Harrison  and  Marinda 
Shannon,  was  bom  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  December  19,  1856.  She 
married  Spencer  R.  Harpending  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  October  21, 
1870.  Mary  and  her  husband  resides  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  was  born  November  7,  1846.  In  1881  he  was  following  the 
occupation  of  merchant.  They  have  had  two  children,  an  infant,  a 
son  who  was  born  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  May  14,  1876  and  died  there 
May  1 6  of  the  same  year,  and  Harry  S.,  born  at  the  same  place  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1878  and  died  of  congestion  of  the  lungs,  March  13,  1880. 

Emmet  and  Lewis  Rapalee  were  children  of  Joshua  and 
Hannah  Rapalee,  both  bom  at  Milo,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.  The 
former  was  born  August  29,  1845,  and  died  February  25,  1854, 
and  the  latter  October  28,  1848,  and  died  February  24,  1854. 
Their  death  was  caused  by  scarlet  fever. 


300         HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

Viola  M.  Rapalee  was  the  oldest  daughter  of  Joshua  and 
Hannah  Rapalee,  and  was  born  at  Milo,  N.  Y.,  May  6,  185 1, 
married  Emmet  Burgess  at  St.  John's,  Clinton  County,  Mich., 
February  20,  1867.  In  1884  they  resided  at  Milo,  Mich.,  where 
her  husband  was  head  sawyer  in  a  mill  at  that  place.  They  then 
had  four  children,  Emma  May  Burgess,  born  at  Ovid,  Mich.,  Au- 
gust 3,  1870,  Ezra  R.,  born  at  the  same  place,  August  29, 
1872  and  died  March  14,  1884.  The  second  son  an  infant,  was 
born  February  5,  1877  and  died  April,  1877,  and  Lula,  born  No- 
vember 16,  1880.  Marinda  Rapalee  the  second  daughter  of 
Joshua  and  Hannah  Rapalee,  was  bom  at  Milo,  N.  Y.,  May  26, 
1S53.  She  married  for  her  husband  J.  V.  Fulkerson  at  Ovid, 
Mich.,  December  8,  1870.  Marinda's  husband  in  1884  was 
a  lumber  dealer  at  Ovid,  Mich.  They  then  had  six  children 
named  Lillie,  Ruth,  Jessie,  and  Infant  (twins)  and  also  two  other 
who  were  twins,  whose  records  I  have  not,  and  failed  to  obtain 
at  the  publication  of  my  fonner  History  of  the  Boyd  Family. 

Ezra  Rapalee  the  third  son  of  Joshua  and  Hannah  Lewis 
Rapalee,  was  bom  at  Ovid,  Mich.,  August  29,  1S58  died  at  the 
same  place  of  lung  disease  June  4,  1861. 

Chas.  B.  Curtis  was  the  only  son  of  Samuel  F.  and  Amelia 
Boyd  Curtis.  He  was  born  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  September  24, 
1827.  married  for  his  first  wife  Hannah  Augusta  Adams  at  North- 
field,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y.,  October  26,  1865.  For  his  second 
wife  Isabell  Douglass  at  New  York  City,  August  26,  1876,  died 
at  Rye,  N.  Y.,  the  date  wc  have  not.  The  younger  days  of 
Charles  were  spent  in  school  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.  until  he  was  old 
enough  to  enter  Hamilton  College  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
where  he  graduated,  and  on  leaving  the  same  was  honored  by 
having  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  arts.  He  then  returned 
to  his  old  home  at  Penn  Yan  and  began  the  study  of  law  and 
finished  the  same  at  Chicago,  111.,  where  he  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1850.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  War  of  1861,  he  entered 
the  army  and  served  as  Captain  in  the  57th  Regiment,  New  York- 
Volunteers,  but  resigned  his  commission  and  returned  home  in 
1863  and  took  up  the  occupation  of  commission  merchant  at 
New  York  City.     His  first   wife  was  the  daughter  of  Darious 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        301 

Adams  of  Northville,  N.  Y.  She  died  at  that,  place  of  child 
birth  February  14,  1867.  His  second  wife,  a  daughter  of  Andrew 
E.  Douglass  of  New  York  City.  In  the  last  days  of  Charles 
life,  he  took  a  deep  interest  in  trying  to  trace  back  his  ancestors 
in  this  country.  We  have  given  you  his  investigations  and  let- 
ters to  me,  the  beginning  of  this  chapter.  He  was  the  father  of 
one  child  by  his  first  wife,  an  infant  bom  at  Northfield,  N.  Y.  in 
February,  1867,  and  died  at  its  birth;  and  three  children  by  the 
second,  whose  names  are  Elliott  Douglass  Curtis,  bom  at  Rye, 
N.Y.,  September  7,  1877.  Charles  Boyd  Curtis,  bom  at  New  York 
City,  December  6,  1878,  and  a  daughter  named  I sabelle  Wood- 
bridge  Curtis,  bom  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  August  4,  1880. 

Almeda  Weaver  the  oldest  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Alzada 
(Frost)  Weaver,  was  born  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  July  14,  1S42,  mar- 
ried L.  B.  Knox  at  Havana,  same  county,  February  16,  1862. 
Almeda's  husband's  occupation  is  that  of  a  miller,  and  they  in 
1884  resided  at  Havana,  N.  Y. 

Alzada  Weaver  the  second  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Alzada 
Frost,  was  born  at  Havana,  N.  Y.,  of  which  we  have  no  date. 
She  was  single  in  1884  and  resided  with  her  sister  at  Havana, 
N.  Y.,  following  dress-making  for  an  occupation. 

John  Willover  the  oldest  son  of  William  and  Mesenda  (Frost) 
Willover,  was  born  at  Tyrone,  Schuyler  County,  N.  Y.,  Sep- 
tember 26,  1835,  married  Ida  Norton  at  Hinsdale,  N.  Y.  (no  date). 
In  1884  was  a  lumber  dealer  at  Salamanca,  N.  Y.  They  had 
no  children. 

Eli  M.  Willover  the  second  son  of  William  and  Mesenda 
Willover,  was  bom  at  Tyrone,  N.  Y.,  January  26,  1837;  married 
at  Altay,  N.  Y.,  Emma  Lettell,  October  30,  1866.  They  were 
living  upon  a  farm  in  1884,  near  Altay,  N.  Y.  They  had  two 
children  at  that  time,  whose  names  were  Mary  E.  and  Blanche 
Willover,  both  bom  at  Altay,  N.  Y.;  the  former  October  24,  186S 
and  the  latter  September  i,  1872. 

Harvey  F.  Willover  the  third  son  of  William  and  Mesenda 
Willover,  was  born  at  Tyrone,  N.  Y.,  November  5,  1839,  married 
Sarah  Jane  Dusinbes.sie  at  South  Bradford,  N.  Y.,  February  22, 
1863.     After  their  marriage  they  first  settled  at  Altay,    N.    Y., 


302        HISTORY   OF  THE   BOYD   FAMILY  ANQ  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

then  to  Montesee,  N.  Y.,  where  in  1884  was  engaged  m  farmmg. 
In  1864  he  enHsted  at  Bath,  N.  Y.  in  Company  H.,  i8th  Regiment 
of  New  York  State  Volunteers  for  one  year,  and  was  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  at  Ehnira,  N.  Y.,  September  14, 
1864  and  assigned  to  the  2d  Brigade  and  5th  Aniiy  Corps,  and 
was  mustered  out  of  service  near  Washington,  D.  C,  May  30, 
1865,  and  while  in  service  he  participated  in  the  battle  of  Hatch's 
Run,  Boydtown,  Plank  Road,  Gravelly  Run  and  Five  Forks,  and 
served  in  them  all  with  honor.  They  had  one  child,  wh<)m  they 
called  Louie  F.  Willover,  who  was  bom  at  Senora,  Steuben  County, 
N.  Y.,  February  15,  1864. 

Myron  Willover  the  fourth  son  of  William  and  Mesenda 
Willover,  was  born  at  Tyrone,  N.  Y.,  June  13,  1842,  married 
Eliza  Mclntire  at  the  same  place  April  8,  1872;  died  of  consump- 
tion at  Wayne,  N.  Y.,  May  9,  1872.     No  children. 

Edward  S.  and  Augustus  Ross  were  twins,  sons  of  William 
and  Terressa  (Frost)  Ross  and  were  born  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  Octo- 
ber 3,  1836,  where  the  latter  died  in  infancy.  Edward's  home  is 
near  Reading.  N.  Y. 

Hyatt  C.  Ross  the  third  son  of  William  and  Terressa  Ross, 
was  born  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.,  July  16,  1840,  married  Ellen  Archer 
at  the  same  place  February  3,  1869.  Soon  after  their  marriage, 
they  went  west  for  one  summer  and  then  returned  back  to  their 
native  place,  where  they  were  residing  in  1884. 

Louise  Ross  the  oldest  daughter  of  William  and  Terressa 
Ross,  was  born  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  April  9,  1846.  She  was  single 
and  living  at  the  above  place  in  1881. 

Sarah  Ross  the  youngest  daughter  of  William  and  Terressa 
Ross,  was  born  at  Reading  Center,  N.  Y.,  August  22,  1847,  and 
married  C.  M.  Sawyer  at  the  same  place  November  30,  1864. 
She  died  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  November  13,  1873.  After  their 
marriage  they  resided  with  her  parents  at  Starkey,  N.  Y.  But 
domestic  difificulties  soon  afterwards  arose  between  them  and 
they  separated,  and  to  support  herself  she  followed  the  occupa- 
tion of  dress-making  until  she  died.  Her  death  was  quite  sud- 
denly. She  was  taken  suddenly  on  Saturday  at  noon  with  spinal 
maengetus,  and   died  the  following  Wednesday  morning,  ending 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        303 

her  days  once  filled  with  sunshine  and  loved  by  all  that 
knew   her. 

William  D.  Boyd  the  oldest  son  of  Harvey  C.  and  Mercy 
(Peck)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Lima,  Washtenaw  County,  Mich., 
August  8, 1838.  Married  Sarah  A.  Warner  at  the  same  place  June 
27,  1866.  After  their  marriage,  commenced  their  married  life 
upon  a  farm  near  Sylvan  Center;  soon  afterwards  sold  the  same 
and  purchased  a  saw  mill  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town,  and 
after  owning  this  property  for  a  short  time,  exchanged  it  for 
property  at  Carson  City,  Mich.  He  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
town  treasurer,  once  or  twice,  and  also  a  prominent  member  in 
the  Masonic  Order.  His  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Jerved 
Warner,  a  Methodist  clergyman,  by  whom  in  1884  he  had  two 
children,  Charles  J.  and  Elba  H.  The  former  was  bom  at  Sylvan, 
Mich.,  October  10,  1S68,  and  the  latter  at  the  same  place  No- 
vember I,  1870. 

Orlando  A.  Boyd  the  second  son  of  Harvey  C.  and  Mercy 
Boyd,  was  bom  at  Lima,  Mich.,  October  2,  1841.  He  always 
remained  single  and  died  at  Chelsea,  Mich.,  December  18,  1900. 

Merritt  Boyd  the  third  son  of  Harvey  C.  and  Mercy  Boyd, 
was  bom  at  Lima,  Mich.,  October  19,  1844,  married  Mary  L. 
Glover  at  the  same  place  February  27,  1873,  died  at  Chelsea, 
May  6,  iSio.  His  early  days  were  spent  at  home  until  1861, 
when  he  and  his  brother  Orlando,  purchased  a  hotel  at  Sylvan 
Center,  and  shortly  afterwards  a  grist  mill  at  the  same  place, 
while  they  carried  on  both  branches  at  the  same  time.  A  short 
time  afterwards,  they  took  their  younger  brother  Homer,  in  with 
them  and  added  the  mercantile  business  to  their  fimi,  and  at  the 
same  time  carried  on  their  father's  farm.  This  partnership  ex- 
isted for  about  seven  years,  when  they  dissolved  the  firm,  and 
Merritt  went  to  Francisco  (same  state),  and  bought  grain  for 
two  years  longer,  and  then  moved  to  Grass  Lake,  Mich,  and  be- 
came one  of  the  finii  of  Boyd,  Branch  &  Newfany  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  for  three  years  longer,  and  then  dissolved  part- 
nership and  entered  into  the  mill  business  one  mile  north  of  that 
place.  His  wife  was  a  widow  lady  before  their  marriage,  and  a 
daughter  of  Lorren  Grover.     In  1884  they  were  the  parents  of 


304        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

three  children.  First,  Lewis  G.,  born  at  vS}dvan,  Mich.,  March 
22,  1874  and  died  at  Grass  Lake,  Mich,  of  diphtheria  January 
25,  1879.  vSecond,  Edith  May  Boyd,  bom  at  Grass  Lake,  Mich., 
March  16,  1880,  inarried  Joseph  A.  Cavanaugh  May  14.  1907. 
They  have  one  child,  Dorotha  Marie  Cavanaugh,  born  August 
16,  1908.  Third,  Warren  Cushman  Boyd,  who  was  born  at  Lake 
Mills,  Jackson  County,  Mich.,  November  19,  18S1,  married  Enid 
Marie  Phelps  at  Battle  Creek,  Mich.,  October  19,  191 1.  Fourth, 
John  Howard  Boyd  (no  record). 

Homer  C.  Boyd  the  youngest  son  of  Harvey  C.  and  Mercy 
Boyd,  was  born  at  Benton,  Yates  Count}",  N.  Y.,  Sptember  i, 
1849,  married  Loretta  Russel  at  Sylvan,  Mich.,  June  27,  1877. 
Homer  soon  after  dissolving  partnership  with  his  brothers,  moved 
home  and  lived  with  his  parents.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of 
a  widow  lady  of  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
first  acquaintance  with  her  was  on  a  visit  to  Michigan,  In  1SS4 
they  had  no  children. 

Henry  Walter  Ketcham  the  oldest  son  of  Abel  and  Phoebe- 
Ann  Boyd  Ketcham,  was  born  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  April  11, 
1847,  niarried  Rhoda  Stewart  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  January  i,  1874. 
In  1884  they  were  living  upon  a  farm  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  and  had 
one  child  named  Walter  A.,  born  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  April  6,    1875. 

Sophia  Ketcham  the  oldest  daughter  of  Abel  and  Phoebe 
Ann  Ketcham,  was  bom  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  April  16,  1848. 
She  died  at  the  same  place  July,  191 1.  She  was  also  single  and 
lived  with  her  mother  in  1884  at  Benton,  N.  Y. 

Frank  Ketcham  the  second  son  of  Abel  and  Phoebe  Ann 
Ketcham,  was  bom  at  Penn  Yan,  N.Y.,  February  4, 1850.  He  also 
in  1884  was  still  single  and  lived  with  his  mother  at  Benton,  N.  Y. 

Smith  Lewis  Ketcham  the  third  son  of  Abel  and  Phoebe  Ann 
Ketcham  was  bom  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  July  8,  1S51,  died  at  Ben- 
ton, N.  Y.,  May  4,  1852. 

Emma  Celina  and  Edwin  Ketcham  were  the  youngest  son  and 
daughter  of  Abel  and  Phoebe  Ann  Ketcham.  The  former  was 
bom  February  10,  1853,  and  the  latter  April  11,  1856  at  Torry, 
N.  Y.,  and  in  1884  was  single  and  living  with  their  mother  at 
Benton,  N.  Y. 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        305 

Lula  Bo3'd  the  only  child  of  Geo.  W.  and  Eunice  (Freenian) 
Boyd,  was  born  at  Lima,  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.,  May  21, 
1857,  married  Forrest  Buchanan  at  the  same  place  October  15, 
1879.  Her  husband  and  her  reside  upon  the  fami  of  her  father's, 
where  he  died  September  22,  1880.  She  is  a  great  favorite  among 
her  friends.  Her  family  consisted  of  three  children.  First, 
Mabel  S.,  bom  at  Lima,  Washtenaw  County,  Mich.,  September 
1 9,  1880,  married  Horace  Lambert  at  Bilhngs,  Montana,  Novem- 
ber 26,  1902,  and  died  here  November  17,  1905,  having  no  chil- 
dren. Her  husband  owned  a  ranch  sixty  miles  east  of  National 
Park  on  Rosebud  River.  Her  body  was  sent  to  Chelsea,  Mich, 
for  burial.  Second,  Anna  P.  Buchanan,  born  at  Lima,  Washte- 
naw County,  Mich,  (we  have  no  date);  married  Thomas  Taylor 
of  New  York,  October  3,  1903,  a  traveling  salesman  for  James 
Elliott  &  Co.,  New  York,  for  twelve  years,  now  a  resident  of  Lon- 
don, England.  Third,  Luella  L  Buchanan  (no  date  of  birth), 
married  Jacob  J.  Lamb  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  June  7,  1905.  They 
lived  at  Pontiac,  Mich.,  where  her  husband  is  connected  with  the 
Pontiac  Garment  Co.  They  have  one  child  named  Eunice  Mar- 
cellaLamb,  born  March  6,  1908.  Lula  Boyd  Buchanan  remained 
a  widow  until  her  children  grew  up,  and  in  1905  married  for  her 
second  husband  Robert  Glinn,  of  Chelsea,  Mich.,  and  now  lives 
in  Bradentown,  Florida. 

William  B.  Hurd  the  oldest  son  of  John  S.  and  Sarah  (Boyd) 
Hurd,  was  born  at  Lima  Center,  Mich.,  November  21,  1830.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Weston  at  Blackman,  Mich., 
February  11,  1873.  William  when  young  attended  the  union 
school  at  Jackson  and  obtained  a  fine  education.  When  the  War 
of  1861  broke  out,  he  enlisted  in  the  ist  Michigan  Infantry  for 
three  months,  and  when  his  time  expired,  became  a  member  of 
the  17th  United  States  Infantry  under  the  title  of  Sergeant. 
Soon  after  this,  for  gallant  service  on  the  field,  he  was  promoted 
to  2d  Lieutenant,  then  soon  aftenvards  rose  to  the  ist,  and  from 
that  to  Captain  of  his  Company  (H)  of  the  same  regiment.  While 
in  service  he  was  taken  prisoner  at  Petersburgh,  Va.,  and  then 
sent  to  Libbey  Prison  at  Richmond,  Va.  Here  after  suffering  all 
the  depredations  and  cruel  treatment  of  a  barberous  enemy,  was 


306        HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

at  last  released  and  once  more  returned  home.  In  1884  he  held 
the  position  of  one  of  the  Vice-Presidents  of  the  Reform  Club 
and  a  high  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  his  native  place. 
At  the  above  date  he  resided  with  his  wife — who  was  born  in 
Wisconsin,  February  2,  1853 — upon  a  500-acre  fami  two  miles 
west  of  Jackson,  Mich.  Their  family  consisted  then  of  five  child- 
ren namely:  Sherman  Smith  Hurd,  born  at  Blackman,  Mich., 
Noveinber  17,  1874.  Second,  Frank,  born  at  the  above  place 
August  I,  1876.  Third,  Edna,  born  here  August  17,  1878. 
Fourth,  Mamie,  born  at  the  above  place  November  9,  1879  and 
died  at  the  place  of  her  birth  of  diphtheria,  April  19,  1881,  and  the 
fifth,  Sarah  Louisa  Hurd,  bom  at  Blackman,  Mich.,  April  3,  1881. 
Mary  Adaline  Hurd  the  oldest  daughter  of  John  S.  and 
Sarah  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Lima,  Mich.,  July  16,  1841,  and  mar- 
ried Frank  L.  Smith  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  August  14,  1862.  Mary's 
husband  in  1884  was  a  partner  with  her  brother  (L.  C.  Hurd),  as 
proprietors  of  what  was  then  called  the  Hurd  House  in  Jackson, 
Mich.  They  were  also  living  in  the  old  hotel  called  the  "Old 
Tremont"  house  of  that  place,  when  it  burned.  To  them  it  was 
a  great  loss.  When  the  War  of  i86i  broke  out,  he  enlisted  and 
served  as  quarter-master  of  one  of  the  Michigan  Regiments,  but 
was  not  called  into  active  service.  Afterwards  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Legislature  of  his  native  state.  His  wife  in  1881  was  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Jackson,  where  they 
lived.  Their  family  consisted  of  three  daughters,  who  were  all 
born  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  and  their  names  were  Florence,  born 
February  7,  1866;  Irene  Hurd  Smith,  born  April  18,  1868;  and 
Georgiana,  bom  November  12,  1870. 

Sarah  J.  Hurd  the  second  daughter  of  John  S.  and  Sarah 
Hurd,  was  born  at  Liina,  Mich.,  October  12,  1843,  ^^^^  married 
Robert  E.  Emmons  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  June  3,  186S.  Her  hus- 
band, who  in  1884  was  a  merchant  and  contractor  at  Jackson, 
Mich.,  was  born  at  Kalamazoo,  of  the  same  state  December  20, 
1 841,  and  at  the  later  date  was  residing  at  Jackson,  Mich.  Their 
family  consisted  of  J.  S.  Emmons,  born  at  Marshall  Mills,  Mich., 
April  5,  1869;  Walter  P.,  bom  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  May  31,  1871; 
and  Robert  O.,  born  at  the  same  place  July  i,  1874. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        307 

L.  C.  Hurd  the  youngest  son  of  John  S.  and  Sarah  Hurd,  was 
born  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  April  i8,  1845.  In  1884  he  was  still  single 
and  was  one  of  the  proprietois  of  the  Hurd  House  of  that  place. 

Edward  H.  Boyd  the  only  son  of  Robert  and  Eliza  (Harris) 
Boyd,  was  bom  at  Lima,  Mich.,  April  10,  .1848.  He  married 
Agnes  Young  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  November  9,  1881,  and  at  that 
time  was  following  the  occupation  of  a  barber  at  Chelsea,  Mich. 

Willie  Allen  Boyd  the  oldest  son  of  Mina  and  Rhoda  (Betts) 
Boyd,  was  born  at  Lima,  Mich.,  April  28,  1858;  died  at  the  same 
place  May  4,  1858. 

Harriett  Irene  Boyd  the  youngest  daughter  of  Mina  and 
Rhoda  Boyd,  was  born  at  Lima,  Mich.,  July  15,  i860.  In  1884 
she  was  residing  with  her  parents  at  St.  John's,  Mich. 

Maggie  Eliza  Boyd  the  youngest  daughter  of  Mina  and 
Rhoda  Boyd,  was  born  at  St.  John's,  Mich.,  January  27,  1864, 
died  at  the  same  place  November  9,  1870. 

Lewis  Albert  Litchfield  the  only  son  of  Alva  P.  and  Almira 
(Boyd)  Litchfield,  was  bom  at  Webster,  Mich..,  November  27, 
1854.  He  was  residing  in  1884  with  his  parents  at  the  place  of 
his  birth. 

Mary  A.  Brown  the  oldest  daughter  of  Cephias  and  Emelinc 
(Crawford)  Brown,  and  was  bom  at  Benton,  N.  Y.  in  1824  or  25. 
Married  Harry  K.  Booth  at  Dundee,  same  coimty,  September 
1843  or  44;  died  at  Hainesville,  Lake  County,  111.,  January  19, 
185 1.  We  have  but  a  little  history  of  Mary's  past  life.  Her 
death  was  caused  by  consumption.  They  had  three  children. 
Flora  Booth,  who  was  born  at  Eddytown,  N.  Y.  in  1S45  ^^^  mar- 
ried Frank  Gage;  Mary  Booth,  who  was  born  at  Hainesville,  111. 
and  married  L.  R.  Daniels  at  Coldwater,  Mich.,  and  died  at  the 
same  place,  of  which  we  have  no  date.  Her  husband  was  a  phy- 
sician and  they  had  three  children  namely:  Gertrude,  Freddie 
and  Zoula,  all  born  at  Coldwater,  Mich.,  of  which  we  have  no 
dates.  Freddie  died  at  the  same  place  in  1870  and  his  sister 
Zoula,  September  4,  1873. 

Sarah  A.  Booth  the  youngest  daughter  of  Harry  and  Mary 
Booth,  was  born  at  Hainesville,  111.,  February  2,  1851,  married 
M.  F.  Daniels  at  Coldwater,  Mich.,  no  date.     Her  husband  was 


308        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

an  attorney-at-law,  residence  unknown  to  us  in  1884;  had  two 
children,  Bertie  and  Grace,  who  were  born  at  Coldwater,  Mich., 
and  died  at  that  place. 

Coleman  C.  Brown  the  only  son  of  Cephias  and  Emily  Brown, 
was  born  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  June  20,  1856,  married  Sarah  Calkins 
at  Coldwater,  Mich.,  September  5,  1855.  In  1884  he  assisted  us 
greatly  in  complying  our  former  history  of  the  Boyd  Families,  by 
furnishing  us  records  of  his  mother's  family.  At  that  time  he 
was  living  at  Coldwater,  Mich.,  and  had  four  children  whose 
names  were  Louie  E.  Brown,  born  at  Coldwater,  Mich.,  July  22, 
1856  and  married  Ira  Harris  of  that  place  October  12,  1879.  Jessie 
M.  Brown,  born  at  Italy  Hill,  Yates  Co.,  N.  Y.,  1875.  Allie 
0.  Brown  was  born  at  the  same  place  March  15,  185S  and  died 
there  January  30,  1873,  and  Nettie  E.  Brown,  who  was  born  at 
Coldwater,  Mich.,  June  19,  1872  and  died  there  July  24,  1874. 

Sarah  L.  Brown  the  second  daughter  of  Cephias  and  Emelia 
Brown,  was  bom  in  Benton,  Yates  County,  N.  Y.,  March  29, 
1828,  married  Herman  M.  Loomis  at  Jerusalem,  N.Y.,  April  11, 
1847  and  died  at  Coldwater,  Mich.,  July  21,  1854.  Her  death  was 
caused  by  consumption,  and  her  past  history  we  know  but  a  little  of. 
They  had  one  child  named  Frank,  born  at  Italy  Hill,  N.Y.,  in  1848. 

S.  Alma  Brown  the  youngest  daughter  of  Cephias  and  Emily 
Brown,  was  born  at  Benton,  N.  Y.,  April  22,  1830,  married  Carlos 
Dunham  at  Coldwater,  Mich.,  February  27,  1857  and  died  at  the 
same  place  June  21,  1869.  We  have  no  further  history  of  her, 
except  she  had  a  son  whom  they  called  Eddie,  who  was  born  at 
Coldwater,  Mich.,  September  10,  1857  and  died  at  that  place 
March  25,  1858. 

Julia  R.  Rodgers  the  only  child  of  John  and  Maria  (Craw- 
ford) Rodgers,  was  bom  at  Napherville,  111.,  July  13,  1844,  married 
Jewett  Benedict  at  Freemont,  same  state,  November  13,  1865. 
Her  husband  by  occupation  was  in  1884  a  farmer,  and  was  born 
at  Sugar  Hill,  N.  Y.,  June  10,  1843.  At  that  time  they  were  the 
parents  of  three  children  as  follows:  L.  Horace  Benedict,  born 
at  Kidder,  Mo.,  September  16,  1867;  MilHe  May  Benedict,  born 
at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  January  9,  187 1 ;  and  Fernwood  Benedict,  born 
at  the  same  place  November  15,  1876. 


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HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        311 

George  B.  Crawford  the  only  son  of  Charles  C.  and  Lucretia 
(Spencer)  Crawford,  was  born  at  Price's  Mills,  Trumball  County, 
OhiO;  September  ig,  1842.  He  married  Elizabeth  Shingledecker 
at  Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  January  28,  1868.  George  emigrated  from 
the  place  of  his  birth  to  Dowagiac,  Mich,  in  1865.  On  the  8th  of 
August  of  1862,  he  bid  farewell  to  his  friends  and  became  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  A,  19th  Michigan  Infantry,  and  with  the  same 
marched  to  the  field  of  battle  in  behalf  of  his  country's  freedom. 
He  was  one  of  the  heroes  in  Sherman's  grand  march  to  the  sea, 
and  while  on  the  way  was  wounded,  while  at  Thompson  Station, 
Tenn.,  March  5,  1863  and  again  March  16,  1865  at  Averysbor- 
ough,  N.  C,  and  mustered  out  of  service  at  the  close  of  the  war 
and  followed  farming  for  an  occupation  near  Dowagiac,  Mich., 
where  he  was  residing  in  1 884.  He  was  elected  three  times  to  office 
and  appointed  once  to  the  treasureship  of  La  Grange  Township, 
Mich.,  and  in  1884  was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  which  he  had  joined  October  i,  1866,  and  then  held  the 
position  of  Past  Grand  Master.  George  assisted  me  much  in  records; 
of  his  father's  family  in  1884.  At  that  time  they  had  two  children,, 
Ward  Edgar  Crawford,  bom  March  28,  1869;  and  William  Henry 
Crawford,  bom  March  17,  1873,  at  La  Grange,  Cass  County,  Mich. 

Harriett  Maria  Cole  the  oldest  daughter  of  Samuel  M.  and 
Susannah  (Crawford)  Cole,  who  was  bom  at  Warren,  Pa.,  Octo- 
ber 7,  1836,  married  Joseph  Charles  Kellow  at  Cresco,  Iowa,. 
August  29,  1877.  In  1884  Harriett  and  her  husband  resided  at 
Jamestown,  Iowa  where  he  owned  a  farm  and  followed  the  same 
for  an  occupation.  In  1865  or  66  I  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting 
her  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.  I  must  say  I  found  her  a  very  social  and 
kind  lady.  Soon  afterwards  she  returned  home  to  Iowa  and 
commenced  teaching  school  on  what  was  called  the  ' '  Norwegian 
settlement"  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state.  The  tiine  must 
have  been  very  dull  and  lonesome  to  her  while  living  there. 
She  wrote  me  soon  afterwards  that  for  many  weeks  she  did  not 
see  a  single  person  who  could  speak  the  English  language,  and  at 
one  .time  it  was  nearly  two  months  before  she  saw  one  of  her  kin- 
dred friends,  and  that  was  another  lady  who  happened  to  be 
teaching  near  by  in  1884.     They  had  no  children. 


312        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD    FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Ezra  Munson  Cole  the  oldest  son  of  Samuel  M.  and  Susannah 
(Crawford)  Cole,  was  born  at  Napersville,  Du  Page  County,  la., 
April  II,  1839;  married  Margaret  Louisa  Duff  at  New  Oregon,  la., 
December  13,  1865.  Ezra  was  in  the  Civil  War  of  1861  for  four 
years,  and  in  now  a  farmer  at  Cresco,  la.  Their  family  consisted 
of  six  children  namely:  First,  Helen  Fanny,  born  at  New  Oregon, 
la.,  March  22,  1867,  m.arried  William  Hurd  at  Ord,  Neb.,  Decem- 
ber 14,  1885.  They  have  one  son  Lloyd  Cole,  born  March  7, 
igo2.  Second,  Standly  Duff  Cole,  bom  at  New  Oregon,  la., 
February  i,  1869,  died  at  the  same  place  August  5,  1869.  Third, 
Bertha  Louise  Cole,  born  at  Vernon  Springs,  la.,  February  9, 
1870,  married  Herbert  Mason  at  Ord,  Neb.,  December  20,  1904. 
They  had  two  children,  Edward  Ezra,  bom  February  10,  1906 
and  Margaret  Elizabeth,  born  February  3,  191 1.  Fourth,  Eliza- 
beth Cole,  born  at  Cresco,  la.,  November  8,  1872.  Fifth,  Ed- 
ward Lewis  Cole,  born  at  New  Oregon,  la.,  November  13,  1875. 
Sixth,  Fanny  Mariah  Cole,  bom  at  New  Oregon,  la.,  Decem.ber 
15,  1877,  married  Electus  Pritchard  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  De- 
cember 13,  1902.  .Her  husband  is  an  engineer  by  occupation  at 
the  above  place.  They  have  two  children,  Ezra  Charles,  born 
Decemiber  21,  1903  and  Grace  Margaret,  bom  January  16,  1906. 

Mary  Elizabeth  the  second  daughter  of  Samuel  M.  and 
Susannah  Cole,  was  born  at  Naperville,  la.,"  January  30,  1841, 
died  at  the  same  place  March  i,  1841. 

Julia  Phoebe  Cole  the  third  daughter  of  Samuel  M.  and  Su- 
sannah (Crawford)  Cole,  was  born  at  Naperville,  111.,  April  27, 
1842,  inarried  Henry  Clay  Rand  at  Prairie-du-Chien,  Wis.,  Octo- 
ber 16,  1872.  Her  husband  was  an  artist  and  mechaiiic,  and  hers 
that  of  a  cloak  and  dress  maker,  and  a  favorite  in  her  household. 
They  have  one  daughter  named  Mildred  (Cole)  Rand,  who  was 
bom  at  Waverly,  la.,  February  16,  1881 ;  who  graduated  from  the 
Cresco  High  School  in  1899.  She  is  still  single  and  follows  the 
occupation  of  a  milliner  and  resides  at  home. 

Charles  Milton  Cole  the  second  son  of  Samuel  AL  and  Su- 
sannah Crawford  Cole,  was  bom  at  Naperville,  Du  Page  County, 
111.,  January  10,  1846,  married  Augusta  Matilda  Hilke  at  Cresco, 
Howard  County,  la.,  March  14,  1880;  died  at  New  Oregon,  la.. 


HEXRY  CLAY   RAXD 

JULIA  PHOEBE   (COLE)   RAND 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        315 

April  12,  1905.     Charles  by  trade  was  a  painter.     They  had  three 
children,  Alma,  Milfrid  and  Fred.  E. 

Susan  Maria  Cole  the  fourth  daughter  of  Samuel  M.  and 
Susannah  Cole,  was  bom  at  Naperville,  111.,  December  12, 
1849.  In  1884  she  was  still  single  and  dress-maker  at 
Waverly,    la. 

Linnie  Hannah  David  Cole  the  fifth  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
M.  Susannah  (Crawford)  Cole,  was  bom  at  Naperville,  Du  Page 
County,  111.,  February  3,  1853,  died  at  New  Oregon,  la.,  July  22, 
1 90 1.  When  she  was  about  one  year  old,  she  was  taken  from  the- 
place  of  her  birth  be  her  parents  to  Howard  County,  la.  In  life 
she  was  a  successful  teacher  in  the  schools  of  the  above  state  for 
nearly  .six  years.  Early  in  April  of  the  year  she  was  taken  sick 
and  breathed  her  last  on  her  mother's  birth  day  of  that  year. 
She  belonged  to  the  Congregational  Church  of  that  place  for  more 
than  twenty-five  years,  and  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  by  the  side 
of  her  mother  at  New  Oregon,  la. 

Lewis  M.  Cole  the  youngest  son  of  Samuel  M.  and  Susannah 
(Crawford)  Cole,  was  bom  at  New  Oregon,  la.,  November  17, 
1855,  married  and  has  one  child  Alta  bom  at  Cresco,  la.,  August 
19,  1S98. 

Charles  Coleman  Crawford  the  oldest  son  of  Nathaniel  B. 
and  Lucretia  (Spencer)  Crawford,  was  bom  at  Price's  Tavern, 
Trumball  County,  Ohio,  January  16,  1846,  was  killed  at  Yellow 
Tavern,  Va.,  May  11,  1846.  The  history  of  Charles's  death  was 
given  us  by  his  brother  George  B.  Crawford  in  a  letter  dated 
February  6,  1882  as  follows:  "My  brother  Charles  C.  Craw- 
ford was  a  member  of  Company  M.,  ist  Michigan  Cavalry.  He 
enlisted  at  the  time  when  he  was  but  a  few  days  over  eighteen 
years  of  age,  and  went  at  once  with  his  regiment  to  the  front. 
The  time  of  his  enlistment  was  in  February  of  1864,  and  at  the 
time  when  the  old  members  of  that  regiment  were  reinlisting  as 
veterans,  after  they  had  served  their  term  of  three  years.  At  the 
time  of  his  death,  he  was  with  his  regiment  at  a  place  called 
"Yellow  Tavern,"  a  few  miles  from  Richmond,  Va.  His  com- 
pany in  advancing  toward  the  enem}",  came  to  the  top  of  a  hill, 
when  a  bullet  from  one  of  the  Rebel  guns  hit  him  directlv  in  the 


316        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

mouth,  killing  him  instantly.  His  body  was  buried  upon  the 
battle  field  and  afterwards  removed  to  the  National  Cemetery, 
where  it  now  lies  and  will  be  taken  care  of  by  the  Govern- 
ment. 

Alma  F.  Crawford  the  oldest  daughter  of  Nathaniel  B.  and 
Lucretia  (Spencer)   Crawford,  was  bom  at  Price's  Mills,  Ohio, 
April  I,  1848.     She  married  George  F.  Barker  at  Dowaigac,  Cass 
County,  Mich.,  August  19,  1866.     Alma  and  her  husband  soon 
after  their  marriage  moved   from    Dowagiac    to   Pleasantown, 
Mich.     On  their  arrival  here  they  found  the  country  a  vast  wil- 
derness, with  but  a  few  pioneers  to  keep  company  with  them. 
Here  deprived  of  all  the  privileges  of  a  cultivated-  country  and  in 
a  rude  log  cabin  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  the  sturdy  oaks  of 
the  forest,  surrounded  by  the  panthers  and  wolves  to  keep  them 
awake  at  night,  they  commenced  the  first  days  of  their  married 
life  never  by  them  to  be  forgotten.     Here  in  these  early  days,  her 
husband  took  an  active  part  in  the  organization  of  the  township 
and  building  of  school  roads.     After  residing  here  until  187 1 ,  they 
moved  into  an  adjoining  town  of  Springdale  and  stayed  there 
until   1877  ^^d  then  went  back  to  Pleasantown,  and  remained 
until  1879,  when  they  moved  to  Benzonia,  same  state,  where  they 
were  residing  in  18S4.     Their  children  were  Erie  Grant  Barker, 
bom  at  Pleasantown,  Mich.,  November  10,  1868,  and  died  at  the 
same  place  August  16,  1870.     Orlean  Earl  Barker  was  born  at 
the  same  place  July  13,  187 1.     Jake  Boyd  Barker  who  was  born 
at  Springdale,   Mich.,  November   16,   1875,  and  Israel  Putnain 
Barker,  born  at  Benzonia,  Mich.,  July  28,  1881. 

Jay  Boyd  Crawford  the  second  son  of  Nathaniel  B.  and  Lu- 
cretia (Spencer)  Crawford,  was  born  at  Price's  Mill,  Trumball 
County,  Ohio,  February  i,  1850,  married  Eva  J.  Hunter  at  Balti- 
more, Md.,  November  4,  1880.  He  went  with  his  father's  family 
to  Michigan  in  1855,  ^^^  there  attended  school  and  then  entered 
the  high  school  at  Dowaigac,  the  same  state,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  1866  and  entered  a  store  at  the  same  place  as  a  clerk, 
where  he  worked  a  large  portion  of  his  time  until  April  of  1874, 
when  he  went  to  Boston,  Mass.  and  studied  law  and  was  admitted 
to  the  l^ar  at  this  place  July  6,  1875,  and  continued  to  practice 


HISTORY  OF   THE    BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        317 

until  the  spring  of  1881,  when  he  was  taken  with  a  severe  attack 
of  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs  and  was  obliged  to  leave  the  city  and 
return  to  his  native  land,  Michigan.  While  at  Boston  he  held 
the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  five  years.  In  1857  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  in 
1884  held  the  entitled  honor  of  Grand  Master.  He  also  was  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  held  at  the  above 
date  Past-Chancellor,  and  has  held  the  office  of  the  Post  of  Grand 
Preceptor  of  Massachusetts.  In  the  fall  of  1880  he  wrote  a  his- 
torical work  entitled  "The  Credit  Moblier  of  America,"  which 
at  that  time  was  causing  an  extended  excitement  among  the 
American  people  and  made  a  large  sale  of  his  books,  which  were 
highly  appreciated  by  the  people  of  this  country.  In  1884  he  was 
engaged  upon  another  historical  work  of  a  much  larger  sphere, 
the  subject  being  unknown  to  us.  They  had  one  child.  Jay  Wil- 
son Crawford,  bom  at  Baltim.ore,  Md.,  September  8,  1881. 

Phoebe  Maria  Crawford  the  second  daughter  of  Nathaniel 
B.  and  Lucretia  Crawford,  was  bom  at  Newton  Falls,  Ohio, 
August  16,  1852,  married  for  her  first  husband  Frank  M.  St  ruble 
at  La  Grange,  Mich.,  July  21,  1872,  and  for  her  second  husband 
Hugh  P.  Garrett  at  the  same  place  in  October  of  1876.  Phoebe 
in  1855  went  with  her  parents  from  the  place  of  her  birth  to  Cass 
County,  Mich.,  where  she  resided  until  1866  and  then  went  to 
reside  with  her  grandmother  Phoebe  Huston,  at  Dundee,  N.  Y. 
and  remained  for  two  years  and  went  back  to  her  former  home  in 
Michigan.  After  remaining  here  for  a  few  years  with  her  father, 
she  went  to  live  with  an  aunt  (Emelia  Brown)  where  she  was 
living  at  the  time  of  her  first  marriage.  This  marriage  proved 
to  have  been  an  unhappy  one,  for  some  domestic  difficulties  arose 
between  them  and  they  separated.  In  1876  she  obtained  a  di- 
vorce and  married  Mr.  Garrett,  who  was  born  at  Miami  Town- 
ship, Montgomery  County,  Ohio,  October  26,  1830.  A  short  time 
after  her  marriage  to  her  second  husband,  they  moved  within  two 
miles  of  Geneva,  Neb.,  in  Madison  Township,  Sec.  19,  south-west 
quarter  and  six  miles  from  Fremont  Station  upon  the  B.M.R.R., 
which  was  their  nearest  station  where  they  followed  fanning  for 
an  occupation.     By  her  first  husband  she  had  one  child  called 


318        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  TAMILY  AND    ITS   DESCENDANTS 

Florence  Violet  Struble,  born  at  Volina,  Mich.,  November  i8, 
1873,  and  by  the  second  husband  two  children,  whose  names 
were  Charles  Winfield  Garrett,  bom  January  12,  1877  and  Ralph 
Finley  Garrett,  born  September  24,  1889  at  La  Grange,  Cass 
County,  Mich. 

Lewis  Rollin  Crawford  the  oldest  son  of  Nathaniel  B.  and 
Clarissa  (Griffin)  Crawford,  was  born  at  Wayne,  Mich.,  January 
30,  1868. 

Myrtle  Dell  and  Lillian  May  Crawford,  the  two  daughters 
of  Nathaniel  B.  and  Clarissa  Crawford,  were  bom  at  Wayne, 
Mich.,  the  former  December  2,  187 1  and  the  latter  April  19,  1875. 

William  N.  Diven  the  oldest  son  of  David  C.  and  Hannah 
(Crawford)  Diven,  was  bom  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  July  14,  1845. 
She  married  Frank  Bennett  at  the  same  place  December  16,  1868. 
After  their  marriage  they  went  to  Wellsburgh,  N.  Y.  and  kept  a 
hotel  for  a  short  time  and  then  returned  to  Reading,  following 
the  same  occupation  until  1876  or  77,  when  they  went  to  Elmira, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  in  1882  was  engaged  as  street  car  conductor. 

Mary  Diven  the  on]y  daughter  of  David  C.  and  Hannah 
Diven,  was  born  at  Reading,  N.  Y.,  August  4,  1849,  died  of  con- 
sumption at  Watkins,  N.  Y.,  June  11,  1873. 

Charlotte  A.  Hyatt  the  oldest  daughter  of  Uriah  and  Sarah 
(Crawford)  Hyatt,  was  bom  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  June  24,  1846, 
and  in  1882  was  still  living  with  her  mother  at  the  above 
place. 

Eugene  Hyatt  the  oldest  son  of  Uriah  and  Sarah  Hyatt,  was 
born  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  October  28,  1850.  In  1882  he  was  also 
residing  at  the  place  of  his  birth. 

Bellnetta  Hyatt  the  second  daughter  of  Uriah  and  Sarah 
Hyatt,  was  born  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  March  14,  1856,  died  at  the 
same  place  of  diphtheria  May  23,  1863. 

Freddie  Hyatt  the  second  son  of  Uriah  and  Sarah  Hyatt,  was 
born  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  July  24,  1862  and  also  died  of  diphtheria 
at  the  same  place  April  27,  1863. 

Edgar  H.  Hyatt  the  youngest  son  of  Uriah  and  Sarah  Hyatt, 
was  born  at  Dundee,  N.  Y.,  September  24,  1864.  He  is  now 
married  and  has  children.     We  have  no  records. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS    DESCENDANTS        319 

Inez  M.  Crawford  the  only  daughter  of  George  A.  and  Eliza 
(Hyslop)  Crawford,  was  born  at  Batavia  Township,  Branch 
County,  Mich.,  March  i,  1861.  In  1882  she  was  living  with  her 
mother  and  step-father  at  Mazon,  111.  In  1879  she  became  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  until  her  health  failed  her  and  she 
Avas  obliged  to  resign  her  position  and  take  up  music  for  a  living. 

Louis  H.  Crawford  the  only  son  of  George  A.  and  Eliza 
Crawford,  was  born  at  Morris,  Grundy  County,  111.,  Septeinber 
22,  1862,  died  at  Mazon,  111.,  September  4,  1881.  Louis  stood 
very  high  in  character  and  his  death  was  commented  upon  quite 
largely  in  the  papers  of  his  native  place,  of  which  copies  of  the  same 
were  sent  to  me  at  that  time. 

In  drawing  to  a  close  our  chapter,  we  will  say  that  we  have 
given  a  history  of  every  descendant  of  the  Kent  Branch  of  the 
Boyd  Families  from  Ebenezer  Boyd  the  progenator,  of  the  same 
down  to  1 884 J  numbering  457  persons.  Many  of  them  were, 
single  then,  and  since  then  have  families,  and  some  have  died 
which  will  not  be  found  in  this  book.  What  we  have  given  is 
from  the  records  of  our  former  histories  of  this  family;  and  for 
the  time  and  expense  of  compiling  for  the  last  twenty-six  years, 
we  have  cut  out  as  our  work  is  a  Historical  Book  instead  of  a 
Genealogical  work  like  the  other  work  of  1884.  While  we  do  this 
we  try  to  make  the  same  more  interesting  to  them  who  are  not 
represented  and  not  members  of  our  respected  families,  by  adding 
a  large  amount  of  historical  matter  pertaining  to  them.  We  have 
received  since  then,  matter  that  is  not  found  in  our  former  edition. 
To  gather  in  the  records  for  the  past  twenty-six  years  would  be 
a  tedious  task,  as  many  of  these  descendants  we  neither  know 
their  address,  or  w^here  they  are  living  at  the  present  day,  and 
would  require  a  vast  amount  of  correspondence  to  obtain  them. 


CHAPTER     II 

History  of  the  Boyds  of  Salem,  N.  Y. 

Salem,  in  Washington  County,  New  York,  like  the  other 
towns  along  the  Hudson  River,  was  at  an  early  day  the  home  of 
several  families  of  the  Boyds,  when  they  emigrated  here  from 
the  old  Ireland  and  Scotland  homes  of  their  ancestors  of  that 
country.  Among  the  early  settlers  was  the  family  of  Robert 
Boyd,  whose  descendants  form  this  Chapter  of  the  book  as 
furnished  us  b}^  the  Hon.  Robert  K.  Boyd,  ex-councilman  of 
Eau  Claire,  Wis.,  as  follows: 

Robert  Boyd  their  ancestor,  was  born  in  the  northern  part 
of  Ireland  in  1745.  He  emigrated  to  America  with  his  wife  and 
family  at  about  the  close  of  the  War  of  the  Revolution.  At  this 
time  there  were  a  large  company  of  Scotch-Irish  emigrants  under 
the  leadership  of  a  Presbyterian  minister,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Clark 
(the  first  minister  of  the  town  of  Salem,  N.  Y.),  set  sail  for  this 
country,  and  along  with  them  came  Robert  and  his  family,  and 
took  up  their  first  home  in  America  here.  The  records  show  he 
was  killed  by  an  accident,  December  7,  1783,  leaving  his  wife 
with  four  children  whose  names  were  Robert,  Joseph,  John  and 
William.  Robert's  wife  is  said  to  have  survived  him  many  years 
and  died  aged  in  the  forepart  of  the  nineteenth  century.  This 
lady  is  claimed  by  her  descendants  to  be  one  of  great  bravery,  so 
prominent  among  the  Boyds  families.  One  instant  of  this  kind 
is  given  of  her,  that  on  one  evening  as  she  was  sitting  in  her  hum- 
ble home  (probably  a  log  house),  she  was  startled  with  horror  to 

see  a  panther  come  to  her  door  and  enter  her  docile,  with  flash- 

[321] 


322        HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

ing  eyes  and  voracious  look  he  advanced  toward  her.  Quick  as 
thought  would  let  her,  she  seized  a  burning  brand  from  the  log 
fire-place  and  waved  it  in  front  of  the  desperate  animal,  which  so 
quickly  frightened  the  beast  that  he  rushed  from  her  household 
and  she  was  saved. 

Robert  the  oldest  son  of  Robert,  was  born  in  Salem,  N.  Y., 
April  7,  1780.  While  a  young  man  he  went  and  lived  in  Otsego 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  finally  settled  in  Byron,  Genesee  County, 
N.  Y.  in  1822,  and  died  here  March  18,  1828.  leaving  one  son 
(James)  and  three  daughters.  Two  of  these  daughters  died  in 
1840.  One  of  them  married  a  man  named  Morse,  died  leaving  four 
children,  and  the  other  died  unmarried.  Their  widow  was  living 
in  1882  with  R.  W.  Boyd  a  nephew  at  Attica,  N.  Y.  James  the 
son,  was  bom  in  Salem,  N.  Y.,  February  16,  1809  and  came  to 
the  Genesee  county,  same  state  with  his  father  in  1822.  He 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  days  here  and  died  at  his  home  in  Pem- 
broke, March  4,  1872,  leaving  two  sons,  Robert  W.,  bom  June 
2,  1837  and  James  P.,  bom  March,  1841,  both  being  born  in  Byron 
of  that  county.  Robert  resided  here  in  Genesee  county  until 
1880,  when  he  moved  to  Attica,  N.  Y.,  following  the  profession  of 
a  m.ail  route  agent  on  the  Erie  Railroad  until  his  death  September 
21,  1895.     His  children  were: 

Ella  M.  Boyd  was  bom  June  20,  1867  at  Medina,  N.  Y.,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Peter  M.  Bower  and  resides  in  Attica.  Their 
daughter  Rachel,  who  was  bom  April  22,  1896,  is  now  in  high 
school. 

James  P.,  the  other  son  of  James,  was  in  1882  a  resident  of 
Michigan,  where  he  went  in  1870  and  was  a  traveling  agent  for 
the  large  dry  goods  house  of  Charles  Root  &  Co.,  of  Detroit.  In 
1882  he  had  a  daughter  then  fifteen  years  of  age. 

Joseph  Boyd  the  second  son  of  Robert  Boyd  (we  have  but 
a  little  record  of  him)  was  born  in  Salem,  N.  Y.,  and  in  after  years 
resided  in  Steuben  County,  N,  Y.,  where  he  died,  leaving  four 
sons:  John  R.,  Isaac  D.,  David  and  Joseph.  John  R.  the  oldest 
son,  left  a  son  named  Randolph,  and  Isaac  D.,  a  son  named  Wil- 
lard.  They  are  supposed  both  to  be  living  some  where  in  the  far 
west,  where  they  went  in  early  life. 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        323 

John  Boyd  the  third  son  of  Robert  Boyd,  was  born  in  Ire- 
land in  1778  or  1782.  His  record  we  know  nothing  of;  may  have 
died  unmarried. 

Wilham  Boyd  the  youngest  son  of  Robert,  and  the  only  one 
bom  in  America,  was  born  in  Salem,  Washington  County,  N.  Y. 
in  1784,  soon  after  the  death  of  his  father.  In  the  War  of  1812, 
he  served  his  country  in  what  was  called  the  McFarland's  Com- 
pany, New  York  State  Militia.     For  his  first  wife  he  married 

a  lady  w^hose  name  was Younglove,  and  for  his  second 

wife,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  (Eaton)  Hartwell,  at  or  near  Hammonds- 
port,  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.  WilHam  when  young,  was  very 
prosperous  financially,  but  lost  all  of  his  wealth  in  later  years 
by  becoming  a  bondsman  to  a  dishonest,  defaulting  tax  collector. 
He  was  a  man  of  strong  character  and  sterling  principles,  but 
was  never  a  successful  money  maker.  He  was  always  unsus- 
picious of  others,  believing  all  men  to  be  honest  and  upright,  and 
he  was  ready  to  aid  others  with  his  earthly  savings,  when  many 
times  he  was  imposed  upon  by  pretendent  friends  who  had  no 
more  respect  for  him  but  to  bunco  him  in  their  dealings.  In  1852 
he  went  from  Addison,  N.  Y.,  to  Illinois  in  McHenry  County 
and  in  1856  he  emigrated  from  Ihinois  to  St.  Charles,  Minn., 
where  he  hvcd  until  his  death  in  the  year  1864.  By  his 
first  wife  he  was  the  father  of  four  sons,  whose  names 
are  John,  William  A.,  Thomas  and  Mathew  S.  By  the 
second  wife  his  children  were  Emily  H.,  James,  Isaac  D.  and 
Robert   K. 

John  the  eldest  son  of  William  Boyd,  was  born  at  Salem,  N.  Y. , 
September  6,  1809,  was  married  to  Clarissa  B.  Smith,  a  talented 
young  woman  of  Purtian  descent  on  February  20,  1841.  Their 
children  were:  First,  FrankHn,  bom  in  Illinois,  December  26, 
1841  and  died  in  the  U.  S.  Army  near  Memphis,  Tenn.,  June  22, 
1863.  Second,  Emily  Louisa,  bom  in  Illinois,  August  26,  1844 
and  died  at  St.  Charles,  Minn.,  Febmary  22,  1866.  Third, 
William  Henry,  born  in  Illinois,  Febmary  4,  1846,  now  a  resident 
of  St.  Charles,  Minn.  Fourth,  Harriet  Augusta,  bom  in  Illinois, 
May  9,  1848  and  died  at  St.  Charles,  Minn.,  February  28,  1870. 
Fifth,  Adaline  M.,  born  May  6,  1851,  died  November  27,  1851. 


324       HISTORY  OF    THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Sixth,  Charles  Albert,  born  in  lUinois,  May  6,  1853,  now  a  phy- 
sician living  in  Scott's  Bluff,  Neb. 

William  H.,  son  of  John  Boyd,  was  married  to  Ella  Maynard 
at  Saratoga,  Minn.,  November  2q,  1877.  They  have  one  daughter 
Hattie  May.  bom  at  Saratoga,  Minn.,. November  4,  1884;  now  a 
teacher  in  the  high  school  at  St.  Charles,  Minn. 

William  H.  Boyd  was  a  successful  and  influential  farmer, 
but  is  now"  retired  and  living  in  St.  Charles.  Harriet  A.,  daughter 
of  John  Boyd,  was  married  to  Wesley  C.  Randall  in  1865  and 
died  at  St.  Charles  in  February,  1870,  leaving  a  daughter  Eva, 
born  in  September,  1867,  and  a  son  Kathern  K.,  who  took  the 
name  of  his  foster-father  Brainard,  and  now  resides  in  Durand 
Wis.,  being  engaged  in  banking.  He  was  married  to  Mary  E. 
Kohr  October  23,  1892,  and  his  family  consists  of  George  Vaughn, 
born  March  30,  1894;  Carroll  Keith,  born  March  28,  1897;  Do- 
cela  Maria,  born  May  16,  1899;  and  Katherine  M.,  born  No- 
vember 16,  1909. 

Dr.   Charles  A.   Boyd,  son  of  John  Boyd,  was  married  to 

Hettie   Putnam  of  Stockton,   Minn. — They   have  two 

sons,  Frank,  a  physician,  practicing  in  Omaha,  Neb.,  and  Ralph, 
a  hardware  merchant  of  the  same  place.  Dr.  Charles  A.  Boyd  is 
a  graduate  of  Rush  Medical  College;  has  had  a  large  practice  and 
is  an  influential  man  in  his  profession. 

The  descendants  of  William  Boyd  are  nearly  all  above  the 
medium  height  of  good,  physique,  healthy  and  long  lived  and 
proverbially  exempt  from  chronic  ailments   or  physical  defects. 

William  A.  Boyd  the  second  son  of  William  Boyd  by  his  first 
wife,  was  born  in  Salem,  Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  September 
18,  1818.  While  a  young  man  he  lived  in  Steuben  County,  N.Y., 
later  he  moved  to  Michigan  and  from  there  to  Du  Page  County, 
111.  Where  he  was  a  prominent  settler  of  that  state,  and  a 
prosperous  and  influential  farmer.  He  was  married  twice,  but 
had  no  children  and  died  at  Aurora,  111. 

Thomas  Boyd  the  third  son  of  William  by  his  first  wife,  was 
born  at  Salem,  Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  May  i,  1821.  He 
was  married  to  Louisa  Kenyon  at  Naperville,  111.,  June  26,  1S67. 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS        325 

His  death  was  caused  by  an  accident  at  the  latter  place  August 
27,  1880.  He  also  like  his  brother  William,  was  a  pioneer  settler 
of  Illinois,  coming  there  when  all  around  Chicago  was  a  wilder- 
ness and  the  city  was  scarcely  more  than  a  village.  His  family 
consisted  of  one  child  named  Mabel,  who  was  bom  at  Naper- 
ville.  111.,  October  3,  1869,  and  was  married  to  G.  W.  Ferry  at  the 
same  place,  where  she  resides,  having  a  family  of  four  children: 
Irvin  B.,  boni  May  — ,  1S96;  Lillis,  bom  October  — ,  1899;  Elmer, 
bom  in  August,  1905;  and  Lorin,  bom  December  — ,  190Q. 

Mathew  S.  Boyd  the  fourth  or  youngest  son  of  William  Boyd, 
by  his  first  wife,  was  bom  at  Salem,  Washington  County,  N.  Y., 
May  25,  1824;  was  married  to  Amanda  J.  Minium  in  Illinois  on 
April  26,  1852.  In  1864  with  his  wife  and  three  children  he  moved 
to  Minnesota  where  his  wife  died  in  the  Town  of  Saratoga.  For 
his  second  wife  he  married  a  widow  named  Esther  Stowell,  De- 
cember 18,  1875.  She  survives  him  and  is  now  living  in  vSt.  Charles 
Minn.  He  died  in  St.  Charles  on  July  2,  1909.  His  children 
by  his  first  wife  were  as  follows : 

First,  Arvilla,  bom  in  Illinois,  October  28,  1853  and  married 
at  Dover,  Minn,  to  Samuel  Edwards.  They  reside  at  Groton, 
S.  D.  with  their  four  children,  Arthur  S.,  Clarence  V.,  Pearl  M., 
a  teacher  and  elocutionist  and  Roy  S.  Second,  George,  born  in 
Illinois,  December  17,  1855  now  a  farmer  and  dealer  in  live  stock 
in  Revillo,  S.  D.  He  was  married  to  Adelia  Mehin  and  had  two 
children,  John  and  Robert.  Third,  May  E.,  born  in  Illinois, 
April  3,  1862  and  married  to  Almon  Adams,  by  whom  she  had  a 
son,  Casca  O.,  bom  at  St.  Charles,  September  3,  1889,  and  residing 
at  Roosevelt,  Minn.  Her  second  husband's  name  is  Allen  H. 
Minium,  with  whom  she  resides  in  Roosevelt,  Minn. 

Emily  H.,  daughter  of  William  Boyd  by  his  second  marriage, 
was  bom  in  Hammondsport,  N.  Y.,  September  14,  1837;  was 
married  to  Frederick  V.  Whiton,  July  3,  1858,  who  died  in  the 
year  1903.  Mrs.  Whiton  resides  in  Bradford,  Penn.  Her  chil- 
dren were  Camilla  E.,  bom  July  27,  1859  and  died  December  23, 
1899;  Mary  S.,  born  January  30,  1865,  married  to  L.  L.  Ball 
February  16,  1886,  and  now  resides  in  Bradford,  Penn.  Mrs. 
Ball's  children  are  Avery  E.,  bom  May  5,  1896,  died  February 


326        HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

27,  1901.  Harlon  W.,  born  December  2,  1898  and  Wendell  L., 
born  June  25,  1904. 

James  Boyd,  eldest  son  of  William  Boyd  by  his  second 
marriage,  was  born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y.,  June  24,  1839  and 
died  unmarried  October  6,  1881. 

Isaac  D.,  son  of  William  Boyd,  was  born  in  Steuben  County, 
N.  Y.,  November  27,  1843,  moved  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in 
1853,  and  to  Minnesota  in  1856.  While  only  a  boy,  he  developed 
unusual  discretion  and  judgment  in  business,  and  it  was  largely 
due  to  his  untiring  industry  and  ability  that  his  parents  in  their 
later  years  were  able  to  enjoy  the  home  which  through  adversity 
had  been  denied  them  in  their  native  state  and  which  they  had 
sought  for  in  what  was  then  the  far  west.  He  has  been  successful 
and  is  now  retired,  living  with  his  family  at  ^.  Charles,  Minn. 
He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  War;  was  married  to  Ida  Rus- 
sell in  the  year  1874,  who  is  still  living.  Their  children  are  as 
follows:  George  H.,  born  March  19,  1875,  drowned  at  Chatfield, 
Minn.,  July  4,  1894.  Emily  A.,  bom  May  24,  1877,  graduate  of 
the  Winona  State  Normal  School,  now  a  teacher  in  Montana. 
Robert  R.,  born  August  4,  1879,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of 
Minnesota,  now  a  mining  engineer  in  Globe,  Ariz.  Clinton,  born 
January  20,  1883,  now  engaged  in  fanning  at  Midvale,  Idaho. 
Ida  May,  born  March  19,  18S7,  now  living  with  her  parents  at 
St.  Charles. 

Robert  K.  Boyd,  youngest  son  of  William  Boyd,  was  born 
at  Addison,  N.  Y.,  April  24,  1845.  In  May,  1S73  he  was 
married  at  Chippewa  Falls,  Wis.,  to  Bertha  Dettloff,  who  died 
in  1880.  By  this  marriage  two  sons  died  in  infancy  and  one 
(Donald)  survived.  Donald  Boyd  was  bom  in  Eau  Claire,  Wis., 
November  20,  1876,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Spanish  War.  He  is 
now  a  dealer  in  land,  a  surveyor,  an  expert  in  land  titles,  and  a 
skilled  accountant,  and  now  resides  with  his  family  in  Eau  Claire, 
Wis.  He  was  married  to  Grace  E.  Crandall  in  June,  1905;  has 
an  adopted  son  Harold,  bom  in  1902,  and  a  daughter  Bertha  M., 
bom  April  i,  1907.  Robert  K.  Boyd's  second  marriage  was  to 
Miss  May  Smith  in  November,  1882.  By  this  marriage  he  has 
one  son  Percy,  born  October  14,  1886 — a  graduate  of  the  Uni- 


fo 


ROBERT  K.  BOYD 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        329 

versity  of  California  in  the  course  of  mining  engineering,  and  at 
the  time  of  the  earthquake  and  fire  was  a  patrolman  in  San  Fran- 
cisco. Percy  Boyd  has  had  some  experience  in  his  profession  in 
the  copper  mines  of  Arizona,  but  is  now  connected  with  a  land 
and  irrigating  company  in  the  State  of  Washington.  In  phy- 
sique and  in  .taste  for  adventure  he  inherits  many  of  the  char- 
acteristics of  his  father. 


ROBERT  K.  BOYD 

From  a  picture  taken  in  January,   1863. 

Recovering  from  wounds  received  in  battle  with  Indians  at  Birch  CooHe,  Minn. 

Age  between   17  and   18 

Robert  K.  Boyd  has  a  natural  pride  in  having  led  an  active 
life  mixed  with  hardship  and  adventure.  The  following  notes 
are  compiled  from  a  copy  of  his  autobiography,  the  original 
being  in  file  in  the  archives  of  the  Grand  Army  post  of  which  he 
is  a  member  as  follows: 

"He  is  the  youngest  son  of  William  Boyd  of  Salem,  N.Y.,  who 
himself  was  the  youngest  son  of  Robert  Boyd,  who  came  from 
Ireland.  He  was  bom  at  Addison,  N.  Y.,  April  24,  1845.  At 
the  age  of  eight  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  McHenry  County, 
111.,  and  at  eleven  in  1856  moved  to  Minnesota,  being  four  weeks 
on  the  road  with  ox  teams.  His  father  settled  near  St.  Charles 
and  being  advanced  in  years,  the  three  sons,  James,  Isaac  and 
Robert,  experienced  more  than  their  share  of  the  hardships  of 
frontier  life.  Robert's  school  life  varied  from  nothing  at  all  to 
a  few  weeks  each  winter  up  to  the  age  of  seventeen.  It  was  easy 
for  him  to  learn  arithmetic,  but  he  had  no  taste  for  other  studies, 
and  often  after  studying  hard,  his  mind  would  be  a  blank  when  in 


330        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

the   class.     He  could  however  in  a  slow  way  of  his  own  study 
things  out,  and  what  he  once  learned  he  never  forgot. 

He  had  a  streak  of  the  original  savage  in  his  nature,  for  he 
liked  to  be  alone  in  the  woods  and  had  no  desire  for  the  graces  of 
a  higher  life. "  He  liked  poetry  however,  expecially  of  the  romantic 
or  sentimental  kind,  or  relating  to  the  adventures  of  half  wild 
people.  His  dream  of  the  future  was  to  live  in  a  shanty  in  the 
wild  country,  hunt,  fish  and  trap  for  a  living  and  be  an  uncouth, 
hero.  In  1861,  when  others  feared  a  long  war,  he  was  afraid  it 
would  be  over  before  he  could  see  his  share  of  it,  and  this  feeling 
grew  stronger  that  summer  when  a  young  man  came  home  from 
the  battle  of  Bull  Run  wounded  in  the  arm.  To  his  mind  there 
was  no  jewel  so  bright  as  an  honorable  scar,  yet  at  that  time  he 
little  dreamed  that  during  the  next  year  he  would  wear  a  surplus 
of  that  kind  of  jewelry.  In  1862  he  thought  of  battles  all  day 
and  dreamed  of  them  at  night,  and  one  day  in  June,  after  a 
barn  raising,  his  parents  and  friends  looked  for  him  in  vain,  for 
like  many  others  of  that  time,  he  had  run  away  to  join  the  army. 
He  left  home  without  a  cent  and  walked  all  night,  mostly  through 
a  wild  country,  with  only  the  stars  to  guide  him.  He  went  down 
into  the  rocky  gorge  of  the  Whitewater  River  in  almost  total 
darkness,  forded  the  roaring  stream  and  climbed  to  the  higher 
ground  at  least  300  feet  above,  and  kept  on  his  course,  arriving  in 
Wabashaw  the  next  afternoon,  having  walked  fifty  miles  without 
food.  From  this  place  he  stole  a  ride  by  steamboat  to  Lake 
City  and  walked  to  Red  Wing,  where  he  enlisted  in  Company 
"  F  "  of  the  6th  Minnesota  Infantry.  After  a  few  days  he  went 
with  three  other  }^oung  men  who  had  just  enlisted,  to  St.  Paul, 
their  fare  to  this  point  being  paid  by  their  captain  and  they  were 
expected  to  walk  to  Fort  Snelling,  five  miles  farther  on,  but  they 
learned  that  at  the  Fort  it  would  cost  them  ten  cents  each  to 
cross  the  ferry,  while  if  they  went  by  river  the  steamboat  fare 
was  no  more.  Out  of  seventy-five  cents  earned  at  Red  Wing,  he 
had  thirty  cents  left,  and  his  companions  were  each  thirty  cents 
poorer  than  himself.  He  gave  away  his  money  to  the  others  who 
needed  it  more,  for  he  was  willing  to  take  chances  on  adventures. 
At  the  worst,  he  could  jump  overboard  and  swim  ashore,  and  this 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        331 

was  exactly  what  he  did  do  when  the  boatman  in  forcible  terms 
demanded  his  fare  and  chased  him  from  the  gang  plank  to  the 
upper  deck,  while  the  boat  was  at  the  Fort  Snelling  landing. 

He  was  at  Fort  Snelling  with  other  recruits  during  July  and 
part  of  August,  learning  what  he  was  compelled  to  do,  of  the 
duties  of  a  soldier,  drilling  with  the  worthless  Belgian  musket, 
l^art  of  Fremont's  unwise  purchase  of  European  arms. 

On  August  19th,  a  half-breed  courier  rode  his  foaming  horse 
through  the  streets  of  St.  Paul  to  the  residence  of  Governor  Ram- 
sey, bringing  a  despatch  from  Major  Galbraith,  the  Indian  agent, 
that  all  the  Sioux  Indians  of  Minnesota  were  on  the  war  path, 
murdering  the  white  people  of  the  frontier.  Robert  and  his  com- 
rades were  u])  all  night,  drawing  clothing  and  handling  goods  and 
supplies,  and  in  the  morning  went  on  board  a  small  steamboat 
thickly  crowded,  and  making  its  way  to  the  west,  toward  the  seat 
of  trouble.  At  Belle  Plaine  they  disembarked  and  marched  to 
St.  Peter,  where  they  first  tried  their  guns  which  had  been  issued 
to  them  on  the  way.  These  guns,  known  as  the  Austrian  rifle, 
were  found  to  be  worthless.  The  officers  refused  to  take  their 
men  into  danger  with  such  weapons,  and  this  caused  several  days 
of  delay  waiting  for  better  arms. 

After  obtaining  the  Springfield  rifle — a  serviceable  gun  of 
American  make — they  marched  to  Fort  Ridgley,  burying  several 
bodies  of  murdered  settlers,  and  passing  the  sites  of  many  burned 
buildings.  They  relieved  Fort  Ridgley  where  the  small  garrison 
had  been  in  a  state  of  siege  for  ten  days,  and  had  defended  them- 
selves and  many  refugees  in  two  hard  battles.  The  roofs  of  the 
buildings  were  covered  with  earth  as  a  protection  from  the  fire 
arrows  of  the  Indians. 

For  several  days  they  stayed  here  and  he  admired  the  horse- 
manship of  the  half-breed  scouts.  To  get  better  acquainted  with 
the  wild  people,  he  stole  sugar  and  crackers  from  the  mess  tent 
to  make  friends  with  the  half-breed  boys,  and  learn  what  he  could 
of  their  language. 

On  August  31st,  he  was  detailed  to  go  into  the  enemy's  coun- 
try with  a  force  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  to  bury  the 
dead  and  gain  information,  all  but  one  of  the  party  being  strangers 


332         HISTORY   OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

to  him.  They  buried  twenty-three  soldiers  at  the  battle-ground 
of  Redwood  Ferry,  besides  many  settlers,  he  being  one  of  the 
burial  party  of  twenty  men. 

As  the  bodies  had  lain  two  weeks,  the  work  was  hard  and 
repulsive,  and  some  good  men  gave  out  and  quit,  but  Robert, 
priding  himself  on  having  no  nerves  and  no  emotions,  and  to  give 
the  impression  that  he  never  became  tired,  took  the  hardest  and 
most  disagreeable  part  of  the  work. 

That  evening  in  camp  the  commander,  Captain  Grant  beck- 
oned to  him  and  told  him  he  had  been  watching  him  that  day  and 
would  speak  to  his  captain  about  him.  He  was  slow  to  under- 
stand and  thought  he  was  to  be  reprimanded  and  the  blood  came 
hot  to  his  face,  but  when  the  officer  told  him  he  had  shown  great 
fortitude  in  a  hard  place  and  that  he  wished  he  had  more  such  men, 
it  reached  a  tender  spot  in  his  nature,  for  he  felt  it  to  be  the  first 
real  compliment  that  he  had  ever  received.  Little  did  either  of 
them  dream  of  what  was  in  store  for  them  at  the  next  camp- 
ground, that  he  would  be  disabled  for  hfe  and  his  whole  future 
changed  by  the  events  of  a  single  day,  or  that  his  commander 
would  go  down  in  history  with  a  cloud  upon  his  name  as  being  to 
blame  for  a  great  disaster.  This  was  Captain  H.  P.  Grant,  who 
was  in  command  of  the  expedition,  but  as  an  adviser  he  was  ac- 
companied by  Major  Joseph  R.  Brown,  a  fonner  Indian  agent 
and  trader,  who  proved  to  be  utterly  ignorant  of  what  the  Indians 
would  do  in  time  of  war. 

On  the  evening  of  the  second  day,  and  after  burying  more 
than  eighty  bodies,  they  camped  on  the  prairie  near  a  valley 
known  as  Birch  Coolie,  and  there  Major  Brown's  advice  made 
no  i)reparation  for  a  possible  attack. 

At  day-break  on  vSeptember  2,  the  battle  coinmenced,  and 
Robert  was  desperately  wounded  in  the  first  part  of  the  fight. 
For  more  than  thirty  hours  the  battle  continued.  The  small  force 
being  surroimded  by  many  times  their  number  of  Indians,  with 
no  protection  except  such  earthworks  as  could  be  made  during 
the  battle.  During  all  this  time  he  lay  bleeding  in  five  places, 
with  only  one  swallow  of  water  and  a  small  piece  of  raw  cabbage, 
this  being  his  share  of  all  there  was  to  divide.     He  lay  in  a  tent 


HISTORY   Oi'   THE    BOYD  PAMILY   AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        333 

in  which  there  were  more  than  one  hundred  bullet  holes,  and  durinj^ 
the  battle  saw  the  bodies  of  men  pushed  onto  the  low  earthworks 
to  stop  bullets.  Up  to  this  time  the  battle  of  Birch  Coolie  was 
the  hardest  ever  fought  with  Indians,  being  before  the  Custer 
massacre  and  before  the  battle  of  General  Forsythe  with  the  Chey- 
ennes  under  the  Chief  Roman  Nose.  During  the  battle  the  sm-- 
geon  removed  a  bullet  from  the  back  part  of  his  shoulder,  which 
had  come  through  from  the  front,  broken  the  collar  bone,  passed 
through  the  shoulder  blade  and  lodged  in  a  mass  of  broken  bones. 
When  he  was  a  boy  at  home  it  had  been  his  pride  that  he  would 
not  flinch  from  pain,  and  in  school  he  had  let  the  others  push  a  pin 
or  the  point  of  a  knife  into  his  arin  and  pretend  that  it  did  not 
hurt.  He  thought  of  this  now,  for  the  time  had  come  which  would 
show  how  much  of  this  was  real  fortitude  and  how  much  had  been 
only  boyish  vanity.  This  was  after  having  suffered  many  hours 
from  the  loss  of  blood  and  froin  hunger  and  thirst,  but  he  lay  on 
the  ground,  every  nerve  and  muscle  relaxed,  not  even  taking  a 
deeper  breath  and  let  the  surgeon  cut  into  the  flesh  and  pull  the 
bullet  out  from  among  the  splintered  bones,  a  part  of  his  shoulder 
blade.  When  the  surgeon  asked  him  if  it  did  not  hurt,  he  ans- 
wered carelessly,  "yes,  a  little."  A  volley  of  bullets  cracking 
through  the  tent  stopped  the  discussion  and  compelled  all  parties 
to  lie  flat  to  the  ground,  to  escape  them.  Many  times  after  the 
battle,  while  this  wound  was  being  dressed  and  pieces  of  bone  were 
pulled  out  of  the  flesh,  which  was  torn  and  bleeding,  although 
sometimes  he  had  everything  turn  dark  before  his  eyes,  he  never 
allowed  himself  to  flinch  from  the  pain.  He  has  held  to  this  all 
his  life  and  never  allowed  himself  to  give  way  to  pain  or  discom- 
fort of  an\^  kind. 

In  the  night  time,  one  of  the  half-breed  scouts  volunteered  to 
ride  through  the  lines  of  the  Indians  and  go  to  Fort  Ridgley  for 
help,  but  before  he  could  start,  another  volley  of  bullets  killed  the 
last  good  horse.  Before  the  battle  closed,  out  of  their  little  band, 
thirteen  lay  dead,  ten  mortally  wounded  and  more  than  fifty 
others  totall}^  disabled. 

It  was  nearly  noon  on  the  second  day  that  an  Indian  came  in 
sight  and  announced  to  his  comrades  that  they  must  all  go  west, 


334        HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS 

that  a  great  inany  white  men  were  coming.  Before  it  was  in- 
terpreted by  the  half-breeds,  Robert  understood  its  meaning,  for 
the  last  words  were  wah  see  choo  (white  man)  otah  do  (a  great 
many),  for  like  many  others  he  had  learned  a  few  words  of  the 
language.  When  the  troops  came  up,  he  staggered  to  his  feet 
just  able  to  stand.  His  cheek  was  torn  open  by  a  large  bullet,  so 
that  one's  thumb  could  easily  be  laid  in  the  wound;  a  bullet  was 
lodged  in  his  thigh,  the  bones  of  his  shoulder  crushed,  and  his 
right  hand  and  arm  hanging  useless,  black  and  gorged  with  blood. 

As  he  walked  in  front  of  his  comrades,  no  one  knew  him  until 
he  asked  it  they  had  ever  seen  him  before,  when  one  of  his  chums 
exclaimed:  "It  is  Bob  Boyd."  They  all  thought  he  could  not 
live,  and  when  they  asked  him  what  he  did  in  the  battle,  he 
shocked  them  by  saying  ' '  that  he  stopped  a  few  bullets  from  doing 
any  further  damage. ' '  He  was  not  suffering  much  pain  at  the 
time,  and  his -vitality  was  such  that  he  was  inclined  to  make  light 
of  his  wounds.  He  was  taken  to  the  hospital  at  Fort  Ridgley 
and  later  to  Fort  Snelling,  and  was  honorably  discharged  on  ac- 
count of  his  wounds,  in  March,  1863. 

In  August,  1864  he  again  enlisted  in  Company  H.  of  the  nth 
Minnesota,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  At  the  time  of 
enlistment,  his  shoulder  was  still  lame  and  the  wound  was  not 
healed,  but  he  got  past  the  examining  surgeon  by  a  scheme  which 
was  well  planned,  but  perhaps  not  exactly  honest.  He  cut  the 
button  off  from  the  collar  of  his  flannel  shirt  and  sewed  it  up  with 
strong  thread.  The  surgeon  was  in  a  great  hurry,  and  as  the 
applicant  for  military  honors  unbuttoned  his  wristbands  and  the 
lower  buttons  in  front,  and  to  his  apparent  surprise,  found  that 
the  garment  would  not  come  open  at  the  neck,  the  surgeon  said, 
' '  never  mind ' '  and  examined  hiin  with  his  shirt  on.  Afterward  he 
marched  many  a  weary  mile  with  the  weight  of  his  knapsack,  gun 
and  all  his  accoutrements  entirely  on  his  left  shoulder,  for  to  ease 
what  little  conscience  he  was  possessed  of,  he  had  pledged  himself 
to  never  give  up  or  fail  in  his  duties  on  account  of  his  lame  shoulder. 

During  his  second  term  of  service,  he  guarded  trains  from 
Nashville  to  Chattanooga,  and  was  afterwards  stationed  at  north- 
ern Tennessee,  guarding  the  railroad  against  guerillas,  but  was 


HISTORY   or   THE  BOYD  FAMILY   AND   ITS  DESCENDANTS        335 

greatly  disappointed  in  not  being  with  Sherman  on  the  great 
inarch.  Early  in  1865  he  was  within  hearing  of  the  battle  of 
Nashville,  but  was  compelled  to  stay  at  his  post,  and  so  missed 
a  chance  to  be  in  a  great  battle  against  the  South. 

During  the  winter  after  the  war,  he  spent  what  little  money 
he  had  saved  in  going  to  a  commercial  school,  but  afterwards 
failed  to  get  employment  in  any  kind  of  business.  It  was  hard 
for  him  to  get  acquainted  with  men  of  influence,  being  ignorant 
of  the  manners  and  customs  of  business  men,  and  he  saw  nothing 
ahead  of  him  but  a  life  of  hard,  manual  labor.  He  worked  on  a 
farm,  but  even  the  jar  of  riding  or  walking  on  rough  ground  would 
affect  his  wounded  shoulder  and  arm  so  that  he  could  not  work. 
At  times  he  hoed  corn  with  his  left  hand  with  a  strap  around  his 
arm  at  the  elbow  to  help  in  holding  the  hoe,  and  felt  well  paid 
when  he  earned  half  a  man's  wages.  His  pension  was  only  six 
dollars  a  month,  and  this  did  not  go  far  when  prices  were  high  on 
everything,  except  the  farmer's  work  and  what  he  had  to  sell. 
In  the  fall  of  1867  by  studying  nights,  he  was  able  to  teach  school, 
and  felt  like  a  Wall  Street  broker  when  he  earned  twenty-five 
dollars  a  month  during  the  next  winter. 

In  1868  he  went  to  Wisconsin  and  worked  at  a  saw  mill  for 
three  seasons,  teaching  school  two  winters,  but  this  was  not  to 
his  taste  and  he  thought  it  was  not  his  right  work.  In  187 1  he 
worked  about  a  month  in  the  office  of  the  County  Treasurer  at 
Chippewa  Falls,  Wis.,  but  was  so  slow  in  learning  the  duties  of 
his  position  that  his  employer  was  not  satisfied.  He  then  went 
to  Eau  Claire  and  worked  for  a  man  who  was  writing  a  set  of  ab- 
stract books,  making  up  the  titles  of  land.  He  had  only  to  write 
what  was  dictated,  and  in  this  way  suited  the  employer  who  did 
not  want  a  man  who  could  learn  about  the  business  itself.  After 
this  he  worked  for  three  years  in  a  real  estate  office  at  a  fair  sal- 
ary. In  1875  he  made  a  set  of  indexes  of  the  land  records  of  the 
county,  and  afterward  engaged  in  looking  over  wild  timber  land 
and  dealing  in  real  estate.  This  has  been  his  occupation  up  to  the 
year  19 10,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Councilman  of  the 
City  of  Eau  Claire,  under  the  commission  form  of  government, 
his  first  public  office.     In  business  he  had  been  fairly  successful, 


33(^        HISTORY   OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

giving  his  two  sons  a  much  better  start  in  life  than  he  had  for 
himself,  and  laying  up  all  he  thinks  he  willneed  for  the  future. 

Although  he  has  always  suffered  from  his  wounds,  he  has  never 
regretted  his  experience  in  the  Indian  War,  and  would  be  glad  if 
he  had  more  hardships,  dangers  and  adventures  to  look  back  to. 

He  is  now  (iqii)  sixty -six  years  of  age,  and  has  never  been 
sick,  although  he  has  never  tried  to  avoid  exposure.  He  ha^ 
always  enjoyed  hunting,  fishing  and  camping  in  a  wild  country, 
can  still  walk  all  day,  carry  a  heavy  pack  and  camp  alone  in  the 
woods  in  any  weather,  except  the  very  coldest.  Although  he 
never  tries  to  keep  dry  in  the  woods,  he  has  never  taken  cold  from 
being  wet,  nor  suffered  from  rheumatism,  lameness  or  disability 
of  any  kind  except  from  his  wounds.  He  is  somewhat  above  the 
medium  size,  fairly  strong  and  of  wonderful  -endurance,  and  at 
this  time  if  it  were  necessary,  would  not  hesitate  to  swim  a  river 
of  ice  cold  water. 

He  believes  that  his  great  endurance  and  freedom  from  sick- 
ness is  largely  due  to  the  fact  that  he  has  always  lived  as  near  to 
nature  as  possible,  cultivated  every  element  of  strength  and  en- 
durance, and  has  never  weakened  his  powers  or  perverted  his 
faculties  by  the  use  of  drugs,  tobacco  or  stimulants  of  any  kind. 
He  has  enjoyed  the  work  of  surveying  and  examining  land  in  a 
wild  country,  and  his  best  recreation  is  in  camping,  hunting  or 
fishing,  entirely  away  from  all  signs  of  civilization.  Although 
he  has  friends  among  all  classes  of  people,  lie  has  never  cared  for 
society,  as  the  term  is  usually  understood.  His  dealings  have 
been  mostl}^  with  the  poorer  people  of  the  frontier,  and  he  sees 
the  world  largely  from  their  standpoint.  When  he  meets  them, 
they  are  at  once  his  friends  and  he  would  quit  the  company  of  a 
college  professor  to  talk  with  a  backwood's  hunter  or  land  looker, 
an  Indian  or  a  half-breed. 

The  author  feels  justified  in  publishing  the  foregoing  sketch 
of  the  life  of  Robert  K.  Boyd  from  the  fact  that  his  advice  and 
assistance  have  been  of  great  benefit  in  the  preparation  of  this 
work.  It  is  hoped  that  his  name  will  be  honored  not  only  by  his 
own  kindred,  but  by  the  descendants  of  every  branch  of  the  Boyd 
Family  as  one  who  is  well  worthv  of  the  name  he  bears. 


CHAPTER    III 

History  or  the  Boyds  of  Middletown,  N.  Y. 

(i) — Robert  Boyd,  whose  birthplace  is  unlcnowri.  is  supposed 
to  have  been  bom  in  Scotland  or  Ireland.  It  is  known  that  he 
came  from  the  north  of  Ireland  to  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  before  the 
Revolutionary  War.  From  there  he  went  to  Washington  County, 
N.  Y.,  and  at  the  latter  place  lost  his  wife  and  all  his  children, 
except  one  daughter  (who  married  Aaron  McNeal).  In  1776  or 
1777  he  removed  to  Little  Britain,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  married  Sarah  Hunter,  widow  of  Robert  Hunter,  who  was  a 
Miss  L\^ons  before  her  first  marriage.  He  died  in  1786,  leaving 
two 

CHILDREN 

(2) — John.     (3) — Alexander. 

Generation  Second 

(2) — John  Boyd  the  eldest  son  of  Robert  and  Sarah  (Himter) 
Boyd,  was  born  at  New  Windsor,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  in  1779; 
died  in  New  York  City  in  iSi4or  1815,  leaving  a  widow  and  four 
children,  whose  names  were  Alexander,  George  W.,  Clara  and 
Eliza  Jane.  Alexander  was  a  barber  and  George  a  physician. 
Both  died  unmarried.  Clara  married  a  Doors  (Dawes).  She 
left  two  children.  Her  family  were  noted  for  personal  beauty. 
Nothing  has  been  learned  of  the  children,  and  it  is  presumed  this 
family  has  become  extinct.     No  record  of  Eliza  Jane. 

(3) — Alexander  Boyd  the  second  son  of  Robert  and  Sarah 

(Hunter)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Little  Britain,  Orange  County,  N.  Y., 

(337] 


338        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

May  lo,  1782;  married  Mary  Seybolt  at  Mount  Hope,  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.  in  1806;  died  at  Hamptonburgh,  Orange  Count}'', 
N.  Y.,  December  29,  1869. 

Alexander's  birthplace  was  about  six  miles  from  the  village 
of  New  Windsor.  His  mother  married  for  her  third  husband 
Thomas  Marshall  of  the  town  of  Minisink,  Orange  County,  N.  Y., 
and  Alexander  accompanied  his  mother  to  that  place.  His  step- 
father had  purchased  a  farm  of  Judge  Wickham  in  1796  for  twenty 
shillings  an  acre.  After  staying  there  a  short  time,  Alexander 
returned  to  Little  Britain  and  lived  with  David  McCutcheon, 
later  he  went  to  Salem,  Washington  County,  N.  Y.,  and  made 
his  home  with  Aaron  McNeal,  who  had  married  his  half-sister, 
and  commenced  to  learn  the  wheel-wright  trade.  About  this 
time  he  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  Dr.  Alexander  Proudfit  preach, 
for  whom  he  cherished  a  high  regard  ever  afterward.  From  Salem 
he  went  to  a  place  then  called  Nine  Pardners.  Dutchess  County, 
N.  Y.,  to  complete  his  trade.  He  did  not  stay  here  long,  going 
to  Deerpark,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  finished  learning 
his  trade  with  Abraham  Taylor.  At  the  end  of  three  years  he 
took  up  his  residence  with  John  Seybert  (evidently  John  Sey- 
bolt) ,  a  year  later  went  to  New  York,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade 
for  six  iTionths,  came  back  and  made  his  home  with  Frederick 
Seybolt  for  three  years,  turning  and  making  wheels.  Here  in 
the  summer  of  1806  he  married  Mary,  a  daughter  of  the  above 
gentleman,  and  in  April,  1807,  moved  to  Minisink,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  buying  a  farm  of  sixty-one  acres  from  Benjamin  Youngs, 
paying  at  the  rate  of  fifteen  dollars  per  acre.  He  had  at  this  time 
about  $500.  He  paid  $300  at  the  signing  of  the  contract,  and 
agreed  to  pay  $200  a  year  tnitil  all  should  be  paid.  He  then 
added  forty  acres  purchased  of  his  step-father,  and  twelve  acres 
bought  of  George  Cook,  and  a  wood-lot  from  Gen.  Wickhami. 
In  1823  he  sold  the  whole  tract  to  Erie  Coleman,  for  less  than 
$4,000,  and  the  same  year  bought  a  farm  in  Hamptonburgh, 
Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  at  the  rate  of  $37.50  per  acre.  Here  he 
resided  until  his  death  in  1869. 

Alexander  was  awakened  to  the  importance  of  religion  by 
seeing   Daniel  Still  die.       For  weeks  he  was   greatly  excited. 


HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD   FAMILY   AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS        339 

"Though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,"  etc.,  rang  continually  in  his 
mind  and  would  not  let  him  rest  until  he  had  settled  the  question 
of  a  personal  profession  of  religion.  He  joined  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Westtown,  some  miles  distant  from  his  home  in  1809, 
and  was  soon  elected  and  ordained  an  elder.  Later  he  transferred 
his  membership  to  the  church  at  Ridgebury,  because  it  was  nearer. 
Upon  his  removal  to  Hamptonburgh,  he  was  made  an  elder 
there,  and  to  the  close  of  his  life  forty-six  years  later,  was  a  ruling 
elder  and  an  active  and  influential  Christian.  He  was  buried  at 
Neelytown  in  the  vicinity.  His  funeral  services  were  conducted 
by  his  pastor.  Rev.  S.  C.  Hepburn,  who  took  for  his  text  Job  v., 
26 :  "  Thou  shalt  come  to  they  grave  in  a  full  age,  like  a  shock  of 
com  comcth  in  its  season." 

CHILDREN 

(4)— Keturah  A.  (5)— Sarah  J.  (6)— Frederick  S.  (7)— 
John  N.  (8)  —  Abigal  E.  (9)  —  David  R.  (10)  —  Mary  M. 
(11) — Charlotte  A.     (12) — Alexander  P.     (13) — George  H. 

Generation  Third 

(4) — Keturah  Ann  Boyd  the  oldest  daughter  of  Alexander 
and  Mary  (Seybolt)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Minisink,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  May,  1807;  married  Gabriel  Horton  at  the  same  place 
March  8,  1S28;  died  at  Middletown,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  in 
1 87 1,  leaving  one  son,  Charles  H.     She  was  a  widow  man}'  years. 

children 
(14) — Charles  H.  Horton. 

(5) — Sarah  Jane  Boyd  the  second  daughter  of  Alexander  and 
Mary  (Seybolt)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Minisink,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y..  August  13,  1809;  married  Ahial  Decker,  January  4,  1832; 
died  February  19,  1895.     ^^r.  Decker  died  November  10,  1889. 

For  twenty-five  years  of  their  married  life,  they  fanned  it 
near  Monticello,  Sullivan  County,  N.  Y.,  then  came  to  Hamp- 
tonburgh, and  the  last  years  of  their  lives  owned  a  farm  and  occu- 
pied it  near  Walden,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  within  sight  of  the 
Post  Office  known  as  Allard's  Comers,  N.  Y.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  nine  children. 


340        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

CHILDREN 

(15)— Marietta.  (16)— B.  Franklin.  (17)— Gabriel  H.  (18) 
— Alexander  B.  (19) — James  A.  (20) — David  H.  (21) — Ahial. 
(22) — Sarah  A.     (23) — A.  Amelia. 

(6) — Frederick  Seybolt  Boyd  the  oldest  son  of  Alexander 
and  Mary  (Seybolt)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Minisink,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  November  30,  181 1 ;  married  Joanna  Jackson  at  New  York 
City,  January  8,  1835;  died  March  3,  1896. 

Frederick's  married  life  was  spent  in  New  York.  He  was  a 
man  of  fine  appearance  and  commanding  presence.  He  earned 
the  title  of  Colonel  for  activity  as  a  volunteer  during  the  riots. 
Two  children,  Mary  Anna  and  Louise  Frederickaj  survived  their 
parents. 

CHILDREN 

(24) — George  Frederick.  (25) — Mary  Anna.  (26) — Ellen 
Bartolettc.  (27)  —  Louise  Fredericka.  (28)  —  Josephine. 
(29) — Charles  Horton. 

(7) — John  Newton  Boyd,  second  son  of  Alexander  and  Mary 
(Seybolt)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Minisink,  Orange  County,  N.  Y., 
July  19,  1814;  married  Mary  Jane  Millspaugh  at  Scotchtown, 
same  county,  November  18,  1840;  died  at  Circleville,  same  county, 
April  14,  1874. 

John  Newton  Boyd  early  entertained  earnest  religious  con- 
victions, and  determined  to  study  for  the  ministry.  He  prepared 
for  college  at  Montgomery  Academy,  entered  the  Junior  Class 
at  Union  College,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  in  1835;  graduated  two 
years  later  with  honor,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa 
Society;  was  graduated  from  the  Theological  Seminary,  in  1840, 
and  soon  thereafter  ordained  to  the  ministry  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Hudson.  He  was  married  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  and  accepted 
a  call  to  Hempstead,  Rockland  County,  N.  Y.  While  residing 
there  the  Asiatic  cholera  raged  with  great  fatality  in  New  York 
City  and  Hempstead,  thirty  miles  distant,  did  not  escape  its 
ravages.  The  epidemic  attacked  a  family  across  the  street  from 
the  parsonage,  and  almost  every  case  proved  fatal.  Notwith- 
standing the  risk,  and  the  fright  of  the  community,  Mr.  Boyd 


HISTORY  or   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        341 

fearlessly  attended  the  stricken  family  alone.  He  came  through 
the  ordeal  unharmed.  After  eleven  years  of  successful  labor  in 
this  field  he  resigned  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Middletown. 
About  this  time  there  was  a  movement  inaugurated  to  found  a 
Presbyterian  Church  of  the  Old  School  faith,  the  church  then  of 
that  denomination  belonging  to  the  New  School  branch.  To 
this  new  society  Rev.  Mr.  Boyd  preached;  the  services  being  held 
in  Gothic  Hall.  From  this  new  organization  has  sprung  the 
Westminster  Presbyertian  Church  of  Middletown,  a  strong  and 
prosperous  society.  In  June,  1852,  he  accepted  a  call  to  Liberty, 
N.  Y.,  in  1858  accepted  a  call  to  the  church  at  White  Deer,  Ly- 
coming County,  Pa.,  and  in  November,  1867,  accepted  a  call  to 
Circlevillc,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  to  be  near  his  relatives  and 
those  of  his  wife.  Two  years  later  heart  disease  developed,  but 
he  struggled  hard  to  maintain  his  place  in  the  pulpit  until  he 
should  complete  thirty  years  in  the  ministry,  which  he  did  in  1870 
when  he  resigned.  He  built  him  a  house  at  Circleville,  died  there, 
and  there  he  was  buried. 

John  Newton  Boyd  was  a  remarkable  man.  Like  all  others 
of  his  family  he  was  of  a  cheerful  nature,  enjoyed  a  joke,  laughed 
with  appropriate  jesture,  and  enjoyed  the  companionship  of 
friends.  Gifted  with  fine  social  qualities  he  was  always  popular 
with  the  people,  whether  they  attended  his  church  or  not.  He 
was  a  financier,  settling  the  estate  of  his  brother-in-law,  Gabriel 
Horton,  of  which  he  was  executor,  with  remarkable  ability.  His 
salary  was  always  moderate,  yet  he  accumulated  a  moderate 
competence  with  which  to  educate  his  children,  and  always  left 
a  congregation  better  off  financially  than  when  he  assumed  the 
pastorate.  He  was  earnest  and  practical  in  his  chosen  calling, 
as  shown  by  the  large  number  of  conversions  which  everywhere 
attended  his  ministry. 

His  widow  survived  him  many  years.  Mary  Jane  Mills- 
paugh  was  born  January  10,  18 16.  Her  whole  life  was  one  of 
unselfishness  and  devotion  to  others.  Of  devout  religious  par- 
ents she  continually  lived  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  as  free  from  sin 
as  any  human  life  could  be.  Her  influence  was  manifested  in 
her  children  and  grand-children,  and  by  them  she  was  idolized. 


342         HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

In  her  nineties  she  occupied  a  dentist's  chair  for  the  pre- 
servation of  her  teeth.  Her  faculties  were  unimpaired  to  the 
last  and  up  to  her  final  illness  she  read  evenings.  Notwithstand- 
ing her  many  earlier  sicknesses,  the  closing  years  of  her  life  were 
marked  by  physical  and  mental  vigor.  On  January  14,  1908, 
the  blessed  soul  was  called  to  its  reward.  Ninety-two  years  and 
four  days  were  her  appointed  time  on  earth,  and  although  her  whole 
life  was  a  testimony  to  God,  evidenced  a  fear  to  meet  her  Maker. 
In  these  later  days  of  modern  ideas  and  new  beliefs  regarding 
salvation,  we. may  leani  the  lesson  of  a  just  God  from  her  long 
life  and  following  her  example  can  press  forward  without  a  doubt 
towards  a  full  and  free  redemption  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 
Her  earthly  body  lies  beside  that  of  her  companion  in  the  Circle- 
ville  Presbyterian  cemetery  near  the  church  they  both  loves  so 
well. 

CHILDREN 

(30) — Samuel  M.     (31) — Mary  S. 

(8) — Abigail  Eliza  Boyd,  third  daughter  of  Alexander  and 
Mary  (Seybolt)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Minisink,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  September  19,  1816;  married  Nelson  Crist  at  Hampton- 
burgh,  same  county,  March  29,  1843;  died  September,  1858. 

CHILDREN 

(32) — Theodore. 

(9) — David  Robinson  Boyd,  third  son  of  Alexander  and  Mary 
(Seybolt)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Minisink,  Orange  County,  N.  Y., 
June,  1819;  married  Frances  Amelia  Jackson  at  Middletown, 
same  county,  October  8,  1844;  died  at  same  place  May  4,  1881. 

The  following  clipping  is  from  the  Middletown  Daily  Press, 
published  by  his  son  and  his  partner,  John  W.  Slauson: 

' '  The  subject  of  this  sketch  died  at  the  residence  of  his 
brother-in-law,  Wm.  Stewart,  in  this  place,  Wednesday  evening, 
of  heart  disease,  aged  sixty-one  years.  The  deceased,  who  has 
resided  in  New  York  for  a  number  of  years,  came  to  this  village 
about  three  weeks  ago,  suffering  from  an  affection  of  the  heart, 
but  was  not  considered  dangerously  ill.     He  died  ver}^  suddenly. 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        343 

"Mr.  Boyd  was  born  in  the  town  of  Minisink,  in  the  year 
1 819,  and  removed  with  his  family  to  the  town  of  Hamptonburgh 
shortly  after  his  birth,  in  which  town  he  spent  his  early  da\'s. 
His  vocation  was  that  of  a  druggist,  a  business  he  followed  through- 
out life  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  spent  in  mining  opera- 
tions in  California.  Of  late  years  he  has  been  a  drug  broker  in 
New  York.  He  was  a  man  of  very  genial  disposition,  quiet  and 
unobtrusive,  but  always  cheerful  and  companionable."  His  wife 
died  in  1895. 

CHILDREN 

(33)— Charles  J. 

(10) — Mary  Matilda  Boyd,  fourth  daughter  of  Alexander 
and  Mary  (Seybolt)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Minisink,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  February  22,  1821.  To  the  sorrow  of  her  family  she  be- 
came insane  in  1847,  and  was  committed  to  the  Insane  Asylum 
at  Brattleboro,  Vermont,  where  she  died  at  an  advanced  age. 

(11) — Charlotte  Amanda  Boyd,  fifth  daughter  of  Alexander 
and  Mary  (Seybolt)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Minisink,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  July  9,  1823;  married  John  J.  Green  at  Hamptonburgh, 
same  county,  September  15,  1847;  died  August  25,  1910.  Her 
married  life  was  spent  on  a  farm  at  Hempsteacf,  Rockland  Comity, 
N.  Y. 

CHILDREN 

(34) — Charles  H.     (35) — George  B. 

(12) — Alexander  Proudfit  Boyd,  fourth  son  of  Alexander  and 
Mary  (Seybolt)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Minisink,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  September  30,  1825;  married  Mattie  Chapman  in  Cali- 
fornia, March  28,  1876;  died  at  Hollister,  Cal.,  April  5,  1896. 

CHILDREN 

(36) — Grace  Nelson. 

(13) — George  Horton  Boyd,  youngest  son  of  Alexander  and 
Mary  (Seybolt)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Minisink,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  June  29,  1829;  married  Augusta  A.  Gurnee  at  Hampton- 
burgh, same  county,  October  21,  1S58.  Living  on  a  fann  in  the 
same  town,  near  the  Post  Ofifice  named  Crystal  Run,  with  his 
good  wife,  the  neighborhood  being  known  as  Mount  Joy.     This 


344        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

hill  must  have  been  named  in  anticipation  of  ' '  Uncle  George ' ' 
locating  here,  as  he  is  so  full  of  humor  and  happiness  as  to  create 
sunshine  in  the  darkest  hour.  Optimistic  to  the  highest  degree 
a  wealthy  resident  of  Middletown  was  heard  to  remark  that  he 
would  give  all  his  wealth  to  possess  such  a  nature.  He  is  a  fa- 
miliar figure  on  the  streets  of  Middletown.  He  is  the  last  of  his 
generation. 

CHILDREN 

(37)— Hattie  G. 

Generation  Fourth 

(14) — Charles  H.  Horton,  only  child  of  Gabriel  and  Keturah 
Ann  (Boyd)  Horton,  was  born  at  Minisink,  Orange  County,  N.Y., 
April  4,  1832;  married  Hannah  Wheeler  in  Middletown,  same 
county,  February  20,  1858;  died  in  London,  England.  March 
28,  1908. 

children 

(38)— Gabriel  W. 

(15) — Marietta  Decker,  oldest  daughter  of  Ahial  and  Sarah 
Jane  (Boyd)  Decker,  was  born  at  Monticello,  Sullivan  County, 
N.  Y.,  November  4,  1832;  died  at  the  same  place  October  21,  1846. 

(16) — B.  Franklin  Decker,  oldest  son  of  Ahial  and  Sarah 
Jane  (Boyd)  Decker,  was  bom  at  Monticello,  vSullivan  County, 
N.  Y.,  August  29,  1834;  married  Mary  King  at  Chester,  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.,  February  24,  1870;  died  at  Campbell  Hall,  same 
county,  where  he  was  following  the  mercantile  business.  May  10, 
1 88 1.  Franklin  was  a  gallant  volunteer  in  the  Civil  War  of  1861. 
His  death  was  the  result  of  pneumonia. 

children 

(39) — Howard  L.     (40) — Emma  J.     (41) — Frances  A. 

(17) — Gabriel  Horton  Decker,  second  son  of  Ahial  and  Sarah 
Jane  (Boyd)  Decker,  was  born  at  Monticello,  vSullivan  County, 
N.  Y.,  June  23,  1836;  died  at  same  place  from  heart  disease  May 
IS.  1853. 

(18) — Alexander  Boyd  Decker,  third  son  of  Ahial  and  Sarah 
Jane  (Boyd)  Decker,  was  born  at  Monticello,  Sullivan  County, 


HISTORY   OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS        345 

N.  Y.,  May  i,  1838;  married  Emma  K.  Fisher  at  Atchison,  Kan., 
February  2,  1871;  died  August  27,  1910.     Left  no  children. 

(ig) — James  Adams  Decker,  fourth  son  of  Ahial  and  Sarah 
Jane  (Boyd)  Decker,  was  born  at  Monticello,  Sullivan  County, 
N.  Y.,  March  29,  1840;  married  Fannie  M.  Howell  at  Florida, 
Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  October  22,  1879. 

He  was  an  honorable  soldier  in  the  Civil  War.  Is  now  a 
prosperous  banker  at  Menomonie,  Wis. 

CHILDREN 

(42) — Max   Howell.      (43) — Delia.      (44) — Fannie   Masters. 

(20) — David  H.  Decker,  fifth  son  of  Ahial  and  Sarah  Jane 
(Boyd)  Decker,  was  boni  at  Monticello,  Sullivan  County,  N.  Y., 
January  23,  1842;  married  Martha  E.  McLean  at  Nichols,  Tioga 
County,  N.  Y.,  October  20,  1875.     They  have  no  children. 

He  resides  at  Waupaca,  Wis.,  and  is  a  physician,  also  editor 
of  one  of  the  newspapers  of  that  place. 

(21) — Ahial  Decker,  sixth  son  of  Ahial  and  Sarah  Jane  (Boyd) 
Decker,  was  bom  at  Monticello,  Sullivan  County,  N.  Y.,  April 
23,  1844;  unmarried.  • 

(22) — Sarah  Amanda  Decker,  second  daughter  of  Ahial  and 
Sarah  Jane  (Boyd)  Decker,  was  born  at  Monticello,  Sullivan 
County,  N.  Y.,  February  12,  1847;  died  at  Campbell  Hall,  Orange 
County,  October  30,  1863. 

(23) — Anna  Amelia  Decker,  youngest  daughter  of  Ahial  and 
Sarah  Jane  (Boyd)  Decker,  was  bom  at  Monticello,  Sullivan 
County,  N.  Y.,  September  16,  1849;  married  William  V.  Vail  at 
Montomery,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  October  19,  1895.  Resides 
at  Montgomery.     They  have  no  children. 

(24) — George   Frederick   Boyd,   eldest   son   of   Frederick  S. 

and  Joanna  (Jackson)  Boyd,  was  bom  in  New  York  City 

;  died  in  infancy. 

(25) — Mary  Anna   Boyd,   eldest   daughter  of   Frederick   S. 

and  Joanna  (Jackson)  Boyd,  was  bom  in  New  York  City 

:  married  James  Barber,  of  Englewood,  N.  J.,  August   10, 

1863.     After  the  death  of  her  husband  she  removed  to  New  York. 

(26) — Ellen  Bartolette  Boyd,  second  daughter  of  Frederick 


346        HISTORY   OF   THE  BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

S.  and  Joanna  (Jackson)  Boyd,  was  bom  in  New  York  City  — 
;  died  in  infancy. 

(27) — Louise  Fredericka  Boyd,  third  daughter  of  Frederick 
S.  and  Joanna  (Jackson)  Boyd,  was  bom  in  New  York  City  — 

;   married   Samuel    Millspaugh   Boyd,   April    15,    1890. 

She  alternates  her  residence  between  Middletown  and  New  York 
City.  She  has  no  children  of  her  own,  but  has  been  very  gracious 
to  her  step-children. 

(28) — Josephine  Boyd,  youngest   daughter  of  Frederick  S. 

and  Joanna  (Jackson)  Boyd,  was  bom  in  New    York    City 

;  died  in  infancy. 

(29) — Charles  Horton  Boyd,  younger  son  of  Frederick  S.  and 

Joanna  (Jackson)  Boyd,  was  born  in  New  York  City ; 

died  in  infancy. 

(30) — Samuel  Millspaugh  Boyd,  only  son  of  Rev.  John  N. 
and  Mary  Jane  (Millspaugh)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Hempstead, 
Rockland  County,  N.  Y.,  November  16,  1841;  married  Mary 
O.  Irwin  at  Middletown,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  December  18, 
1 86 7;  second  Louise  Fredericka  Boyd  April  15,  1890;  died  July 
13,  1902,  suddenly  of  rheumatism  of  the  heart.  Buried  at  Wood- 
lawn  Cemetery,  N.  Y.,  Plot  No.  2143,  grave  9. 

Samuel,  at  the  age  of  ten,  was  sent  to  the  Rockland  Institute 
at  Nyack,  N.  Y.,  there  being  no  school  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home. 
Eight  months  later  he  contracted  scarlet  fever  and  was  obhged 
to  return  home,  his  sister  and  many  of  the  neighbors  also  taking 
the  disease.  In  the  Providence  of  God  none  died.  Accompanying 
his  parents  to  Liberty,  he  attended  for  several  years  the  Nonnal 
Institute  at  that  place;  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  was  clerking  in  the 
general  store  of  Clement  &  Messiter.  Going  with  his  parents  to 
Deer  Valley,  Pa.,  and  here  commenced  the  study  of  Latin  and 
Greek  under  the  teachings  of  Rev.  W.  W.  Howard,  principal  of 
the  Academy  at  Jersey  vShore,  Pa.  In  August,  i860,  he  entered 
the  Freshman  Class  in  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  located  at 
Princeton.  He  joined  the  "American  Whig  Society."  At  the 
end  of  his  Junior  year  he  was  chosen  Junior  Orator  for  the  Annual 
Commiencement.  He  graduated  with  honor  in  1864.  Leaving 
college  he  accepted  an  invitation  to  make  his  hom.e  with  a  cousin 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY   AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        347 

residing  in  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  where  he  began  the  study  of  law 
with  the  late  Charles  C.  McQuoid,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1866,  and  began  the  practice  of  law  at  that  place. 

Samuel  M.  Boyd,  having  an  aptitude  and  taste  for  editorial 
work,  his  father-in-law,  a  man  of  means,  purchased  a  half  interest 
in  the  Middletown  Mercury,  a  weekly  newspaper  of  excellent 
standing  upholding  the  doctrines  of  the  Democratic  party,  and 
Samuel  became  the  editor,  giving  up  the  law.  In  the  spring  of 
1868,  the  other  half -interest  was  bought.  Samuel  was  happy 
and  contented  in  this  vocation  and  built  the  paper  up  to  one 
of  great  influence.  Unfortunately,  in  the  spring  of  1871,  his 
father-in-law  became  financially  embarrassed  and  to  help  him 
Samuel  sold  the  paper  and  gave  his  father-in-law  half  the 
proceeds. 

Samuel  had  invented  in  1870  a  system  by  which  he  supplied 
other  newspapers  with  ready -set  reading  matter  from  stereotype 
plates.  These  met  with  great  favor.  This  was  the  beginning  of 
the  business  which  has  now  grown  to  such  large  outputs  by  the 
American  Press  Association  and  other  large  houses.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  has  the  honor  of  being  the  founder  of  this 
enterprise. 

In  March,  i8go,  he  was  elected  Mayor  of  Middletown,  being 
the  first  Mayor  to  be  elected  by  the  people  after  the  village  be- 
came a  city.  The  city  was  supposed  to  be  good  for  500  majority 
in  those  days  for  the  Republicans.  His  majortiy  was  over  200. 
His  record  as  Mayor  was  creditable,  and  being  a  forceful  and  con- 
\-incing  speaker,  he  was  frequently  called  upon  to  address  public 
and  political  meetings. 

As  Master  of  Hoffman  Lodge,  No.  412,  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  his  proficiency  and  courtesy  was  best  acknowledged  by 
repeated  re-elections.  To  this  day  the  Masons  of  Middletown 
refer  to  his  administrations  with  pride  and  admiration.  His 
well-worn  Ritual  and  Past-Master's  jewel,  as  well  as  an  elegant 
chair  presented  to  him  by  the  Lodge,  are  cherished  possessions  of 
his  family.  He  possessed  the  Boyd  humor  and  his  company  was 
always  welcome. 


348         HISTORY  OF   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

CHILDREN 

(49) — Alice  Anna.  (50) — John  Trwin.  (51) — Irwin  H. 
(52) — Frederick  N. 

(31) — Mary  Seybolt  Boyd,  only  daughter  of  Rev.  John  N. 
and  Mary  Jane  (Millspaugh)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Hempstead, 
Rockland  County,  N.  Y.,  July  15,  1850;  married  Dwight  Wayne 
Berry  March  16,  1882;  his  death  occurred  November  14,  1897; 
married  William  Wirt  Bailey  November  21,  igo8. 

Mr.  Berry  was  elected  Mayor  of  Middletown  in  March, 
1896,  and  died  in  office.  Mr.  Bailey  was  a  friend  of  her  girlhood 
days.  They  reside  in  Middletown,  N.  Y.  There  were  no  chil- 
dren bora  by  either  marriage.  She  reflects  the  goodness  of  her 
noble  parents. 

Mary  Ann  Boyd,  oldest  daughter  of  Frederick  S.  and  Joanna 
(Jackson)  Boyd,  was  born  in  New  York  City;  married  James 
Barber  at  Englewood,  N.  J.,  Aug.  10,  1863;  after  the  death  of 
her  husband  she  removed  to  New  York  City. 

CHILDREN 

(45) — Lillian.  (46) — Frederick.  (47) — Josephine.  (48) — 
William. 

(32) — Theodore  Jackson  Crist,  only  child  of  Nelson  and 
Abigal  Eliza  (Boyd),  was  bom  at  Hamptonburgh,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  April  22,  1844;  married  Cecelia  J.  Mapes  February  4,  1869, 
He  resides  at  Goshen,  N.  Y. 

CHILDREN 

(53)— Mary  B.  (54)— Grant.  (55)— Clara  L.  (56)— George 
W.    (57)— Abigail  B.    (58)— Sarah  M.    (59)— Raymond  H. 

(33) — Charles  Jackson  Boyd,  only  child  of  David  R.  and 
Frances  A.  (Jackson)  Boyd,  was  born  in  the  City  of  New  York 
February  19,  1847;  married  Mary  E.  Conkling  June  11,  1873. 

Charles  J.  at  the  age  of  fifteen  entered  the  office  of  the  Whig 
Press  at  Middletown,  Orange  County,  and  served  an  apprentice- 
ship of  four  years;  afterward  he  graduated  from  Wallkill  Academy, 
and  then  from  Eastman's  Business  College  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 
He  then  clerked  it  in  an  insurance  office  in  Newburgh,  N.  Y. 
Returning  to  Middletown  he  became  a  partner  in  the  insurance 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY    AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        349 

fimi  of  Selah  R.  Corwin  &  Co.  In  the  month  of  December,  1880, 
he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Middletown  Daily  and  Semi- 
Weekly  Press,  and  put  in  twenty-five  years  in  editorial  pursuits. 
He  sold  his  newspaper  interest  in  February,  1906,  and  is  now  en- 
gaged again  in  the  insurance  business. 

He  has  long  been  one  of  Middletown's  leading  citizens.  As 
editor  his  forceful  pen  often  shaped  the  policies  of  his  party  and 
city.  Republican  in  politics,  he  served  the  village  of  Middle- 
town  as  Village  Clerk  for  seven  years,  and  later  represented  his 
ward  in  the  Orange  County  Board  of  Supervisors  for  seventeen 
years,  being  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  1892,  1894  and  1895.  He 
was  named  without  his  knowledge  by  Gov.  Morton  to  a  place  on 
the  newly  consitituted  State  Commission  of  Prisons,  serving  six 
years.  He  was  an  intimiate  friend  of  Hon.  Thorn. as  C.  Piatt  for 
many  years. 

His  long  service  in  Civic  affairs  has  made  him  an  encyclopedia 
on  County  and  Municipal  government.  His  appointment  as  a 
Republican  by  a  Democratic  Mayor  to  the  Board  of  Water  Com- 
missioners of  his  city  in  19 10,  best  shows  his  worth  as  regards 
Civic  Affairs. 

CHILDREN 

(60)— Ada  S.     (61)— Helen  A. 

(34) — Charles  H.  Green,  elder  son  of  John  J.  and  Charlotte 
Amanda  (Boyd)  Green,  was  bom  at  Pomona,  N.  Y.,  September 
19,  1849;  married  Ella  Jones  January  7,  1S74;  died  June  23.  1907. 

CHILDREN 

(62) — Charles.     (63) — Emma  E. 

(35) — George  Boyd  Green,  younger  son  of  John  J.  and  Char- 
lotte Amanda  (Boyd)  Green,  was  born  at  Pomona,  N.  Y.,  June 
30,  1865;  married  Nellie  Gesner  August  16,  1898.  Now  resides 
at  Pomona,  N.  Y. 

CHILDREN 

(64)— Charlotte  A. 

(36) — Grace  Nelson  Boyd,  only  child  of  Alexander  P.  and 
Mattie  (Chapman)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Hollister,  California,  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1877. 


350       HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

(37) — Hattie  Gurnee  Boyd,  only  child  of  George  H.  and  Au- 
gusta A.  (Gurnee)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Middletown,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  June  2, 1864;  married  Homer  Maxwell  Green,  March  9, 1898. 

CHILDREN 

(65)— Harriet  A.     (66)— Helen  G. 

Generation  Fifth 

(38) — Gabriel  Wheeler  Horton,  only  child  of  Charles  H.  and 
Hannah  (Wheeler)  Horton,  was  bom  at  Middletown,  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.,  March  26,  1859;  married  Marion  B.  G.  Clark 
December  2,  1888.     Resides  in  London,  Eng. 

children 

(67)— Hannah  W. 

(39) — Howard  Lincoln  Decker,  only  son  of  B.  Franklin  and 
Mary  L.  (King) Decker,  was  born  at  Campbell  Hall,  Orange  Coun- 
ty, N.  Y.,  June  21,  1864;  died  January  — ,  1908. 

(40) — Emma  Jane  Decker,  oldest  daughter  of  B.  Franklin 
and  Mary  L.  (King)  Decker,  was  born  at  Campbell  Hall,  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.,  July  10,  1874;  married  Melvin  R.  Wilkin  April 
7,  1897;  died  June  24,  1903.     No  children. 

(41) — Frances  Amelia  Decker,  youngest  daughter  of  B. 
Franklin  and  Mary  L.  (King)  Decker,  was  born  at  Chester, 
Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  August  17,  1881;  married  Alfred  Roe 
April  3,  1902. 

children 

(68) — Alfred  Russel.     (69) — Francis  Jesse. 

(42) — Max  Howell  Decker,  only  son  of  James  Adams  and 
Fannie  M.  (Howell)  Decker,  was  born  at  Nenomonie,  Wis.,  Janu- 
ary 2,  1883.     Resides  at  Chicago,  111.,  unmarried. 

(43) — Delia  Decker,  elder  daughter  of  James  Adams  and 
Fannie  M.  (Howell)  Decker,  was  born  at  Menomonie,  Wis.,  June 
28,  1888.     Teaching  at  Hudson,  Wis.,  unmarried, 

(44) — Fannie  Masters  Decker,  younger  daughter  of  James 
Adams  and  Fannie  M.  (Howell)  Decker,  was  born  at  Menomonie, 
Wis.,  April  I,  1895. 


HISTORY  OF   THE    BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        351 

(45) — Lillian   Barber,   elder  daughter  of  James  and   Mary 

Anna  (Boyd)  Barber,  was  born  at  New  York,  ,   i8 — ; 

married  William  Taylor  June  6,  1893.     No  children. 

(46) — Frederick  Barber,  elder  son  of  James  and  Mary  Anna 

(Boyd)   Barber,  was  bom  at  New  York  ,    18 — ;  died 

December  12,  1905. 

(47) — Josephine   Barber,    younger   daughter   of   James   and 

Mary  Anna  (Boyd)  Barber,  was  born  at  New  York ; 

married  Nonnan  Hall  November  26,  1907;  one  child  named 
Norman  Barber  Hall,  boni  at  Williamsport,  Pa.,  March  15,  191 2. 

(48) — William  Barber,  younger  son  of  James  and  Mary  Anna 

(Boyd)  Barber,  was  born  at  New  York ;  married  Star- 

ella  Starit  December  29,  1896;  one  child. 

(70) — Dorothy. 

(49) — Alice  Anna  Boyd,  only  daughter  of  Samuel  M.  and 
Mary  O.  (Irwin)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Middletown,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  August  8,  1S68;  died  September  3,  1868. 

(50) — John  Irwin  Boyd,  oldest  son  of  Samuel  M.  and  Mary 
O.  (Irwin)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Middletown,  Orange  County,  N.Y., 
August  8,  1868;  died  August  23,  186S. 

CHILDREN 

(51) — Irwin  Horton  Boyd,  second  son  of  Samuel  M.  and 
Mary  O.  (Irwin)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Middletown,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  March  26,  1870;  married  S.  Elizabeth  Smith  at  Goshen, 
N.  Y.,  June  21,  1898.     No  children. 

Irwin  is  medical  Examiner  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
and  resides  at  Oil  City,  Pa.  His  religious  ancestry  is  manifested 
by  his  prominence  in  church  and  Y.  M.  C.  A.  work. 

(52) — Frederick  Newton  Boyd,  third  son  of  Samuel  M.  and 
Mary  O.  (Irwin)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Middletown,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  April  3,  1S72;  married  Grace  C.  Adams  at  Middletown, 
N.  Y.,  Septemiber  5,  1895. 

Frederick  is  connected  with  the  Middletown  Savings  Bank. 
For  many  years  he  held  a  confidential  position  with  the  late 
E.  H.  Harriman,  railroad  magnate,  having  charge  of  the  Union 
Pacific  interests. 


352       HISTORY  or  the  boyd  family  and  its  descendants 

CHILDREN 

(71) — George  A. 

(53) — Mary  Belle  Crist,  eldest  daughter  of  Theodore  and 
Ceceha  (Mapes)  Crist,  was  born  November  18,  1869;  married 
Frank  M.  Cox,  of  Middletown,  April  26,  1893;  died  July  10,  1898. 

CHILDREN 

(72) — Marion.     (73) — Herbert. 

(54) — Grant  Crist,  eldest  son  of  Theodore  and  Ceceha 
(Mapes)  Crist,  was  born  April  6,  187 1;  died  December  21,  1875. 

(55) — Clara  Louise  Crist,  second  daughter  of  Theodore  and 
Cecelia  (Mapes)  Crist,  was  born  March  11,  1873;  married  William 
L.  Dickerson  June  30,  1908.     Resides  in  Middletown,  N.  Y. 

CHILDREN 

(74) — Louise. 

(56) — George  Washington  Crist,  second  son  of  Theodore  and 
Cecelia  (Mapes)  Crist,  w^as  born  February  22,  1875;  married 
Sarah  A.  Hewitt  June  23,  1909. 

CHILDREN 

(75)— Edith. 

(57) — Abigail  Boyd  Crist,  youngest  daughter  of  Theodore 
and  Cecelia  (Mapes)  Crist,  was  born  April  23,  1877;  not 
married. 

(58) — Frank  Mapes  Crist,  third  son  of  Theodore  J.  and  Ce- 
ceha (Mapes)  Crist,  was  bom  July  21,  1879;  married  Emihe  B. 
Mortimer  September  27,  1905. 

CHILDREN 

(76)— Clifford  Crist.     (77)— Beatrice  C. 

(59) — Raymond  Horton  Crist,  youngest  son  of  Theodore  J. 
and  Ceceha  (Mapes)  Crist,  was  born  May  21,  1884;  not  married. 

(60) — Ada  Stewart  Boyd,  elder  daughter  of  Charles  J.  and 
Mary  E.  (Conkhng)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Middletown,  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.,  January  21,  1880:  married  Charles  A.  Lyman  at 
same  place  November  7,  ioc6. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS        353 

CHILDREN 

(78)— Ruth  Isabelle. 

(61) — Helen  Ames  Boyd,  younger  daughter  of  Charles  J.  and 
Mary  E.  (Conkling)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Middletown,  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.,  December  9,  1891. 

(62) — Charles  Green,  only  son  of  Charles  H.  and  Ella  (Jones) 
Green,  was  bom  July  5,  1876;  died  July  31,  1899. 

(63) — Emma  E.  Green,  elder  daughter  of  Charles  H.  and 
Ella  (Jones)  Green,  was  bom  October  18,  1874;  died  January  29, 
1876. 

(64)- — Charlotte  A.  Green,  only  child  of  George  and  Nellie 
(Gesner)  Green,  was  bom  July  8,  1899;  died  August  8,  1899. 

(65) — Harriet  Augusta  Boyd  Green,  elder  daughter  of  Homer 
Maxwell  and  Hattie  Gurnee  (Boyd)  Green,  was  born  March  31, 
1902. 

(66) — Helen  Gurnee  Green,  younger  daughter  of  Homer 
Maxwell  and  Hattie  Gurnee  (Boyd)  Green,  was  bom  November 
20,  1904. 

Generation  Sixth 

(67) — Hannah  Wheeler  Horton,  only  child  of  Gabriel  Wheeler 
and  Marion  B.  G.  (Clark)  Horton,  was  bom  December  29,  i88g. 

(68) — Alfred  Russel  Roe,  eldest  son  of  Alfred  Roe  and 
Frances  (Decker)  Roe,  was  bom  January  31,  1905. 

■    (69) — Francis  Jesse  Roe,  youngest  son  of  Alfred  and  Frances 
(Decker)  Roe,  was  bom  October  23,  1909. 

(70) — Dorothy    Barber,    daughter    of   William    and 

Starella  (Strait)  Barber,  was  bom  July  16,  1899. 

(71) — George  Adams  Boyd,  only  child  of  Frederick  N.  and 
Grace  C.  (Adams)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Middletown,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  October  4,  1898. 

George  is  the  last  male  child  in  direct  descent,  and  upon  him 
rests  the  responsibility  of  the  perpetuation  of  this  branch  of  the 
Boyd  Family. 

(72) — Marion  Cox,  only  daughter  of  Frank  M.  and  Mary 
Belle  (Crist)  Cox,  was  born  ar  Middletown,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  January  25,  1894;  died  July  3,  1898. 


354        HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS 

(73) — Herbert  Cox,  only  son  of  Frank  M.  and  Mary  Belle 
(Crist)  Cox,  was  bom  at  Middletown,  Orange  County,  N.  Y., 
August  28,  1895;  died  July  7,  1898. 

(74) — Louise  Dickerson,  only  child  of  William  L.  and  Clara 
Louise  (Crist)  Dickerson,  was  bom  at  Montgomery,  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.,  July  i,  1909. 

(75) — Edith  Crist,  only  child  of  George  W.  and  Sarah  A. 
(Hewitt)  Crist,  was  bom  at ,  May  10,  1910. 

(76) — Clifford  Crist,  only  son  of  Frank  M.  and  Emilie  B. 
(Mortimer)  Crist,  was  bom  at ,  August  5,  1906. 

(77) — Beatrice  Cecelia  Crist,  only  daughter  of  Frank  M.  and 

Emilie  B.   (Mortimer)   Crist,  was  born  at ,  December 

26,  1909. 

(78) — Ruth  Isabelle  Lyman, daughter  of  Charles  A. 

and  Ada  S.  (Boyd)  Lym.an,  was  bom  at  Middletown,  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.,  October  16,  1908. 


CHAPTER    IV 

BoYDS  OF  New  Windsor,  New  York 

While  I  was  engaged  in  1881  compiling  a  Genealogical 
History  of  my  branch  of  the  Boyd  family  from  the  records  I  had 
in  my  possession,  I  became  confused,  perplexed  and  disappointed 
in  tracing  the  early  history  of  my  ancestors  and  their  emigration 
to  the  United  States  and  more  so  of  the  two  brothers  of  Ebenezer 
(which  tradition  had  given)  of  settling  in  Albany  and  Orange 
County,  New  York,  the  history  of  whom  I  was  unable  to  obtain. 
I  wrote  to  Mr.  Stillman  Boyd  of  Jefferson  Valley,  being  then  one 
of  the  oldest  members  of  our  branch  and  always  having  resided 
near  the  former  home  of  our  ancestor  (Ebenezer  Boyd  of  Kent, 
New  York),  if  he  cotild  not  enlighten  us  upon  this  subject.  He 
being  unable  to  do  so,  made  me  a  reply  by  sending  me  the  following 
letter  he  had  received  a  few  years  previous  from  a  descendant  of 
the  above  family  as  follows : 
Stillman  Boyd,  Esq.: 

Dear  Sir: — A  History  of  Putnam  County,  by  William  J. 
Blake,  Esq.,  has  accidentally  fallen  into  my  hands,  in  which  it 
is  stated  that  your  family  emigrated  from  Scotland,  during  the 
rebellion  of  the  partizans  of  the  "Stewart  Dynastic"  of  1745,  and 
that  there  were  three  brothers,  one  of  them  settled  at  Albany  and 
was  known  as  General  Boyd.  Another  settled  in  the  lower  part 
of  Westchester  County  and  was  grandfather  of  the  Boyds  of 
Kent,  New  York.  The  third  settled  at  New  Windsor,  Orange 
County,  New  York,  and  was  ancestor  of  the  Boyd  family  in  that 
county. 

[3SS] 


356         HISTORY   OF   THE  BOYD   FAMILY   AND   ITS  DESCENDANTS 

This  statement  interested  me  by  reason  of  its  connection 
with  my  own  family  history,  which  I  have  by  tradition  as 
follows : 

Samuel  Boyd  emigrated  from  Comity  Down,  northern  part 
of  Ireland,  to  the  city  of  New  York,  early  in  the  last  century, 
where  he  lived  and  died  an  old  bachelor,  leaving  a  large  estate. 
About  1750,  his  three  brothers,  Robert,  James  and  Nathaniel, 
came  over  and  settled  in  Little  Britain,  in  the  township  of  New 
Windsor,  New  York.  Robert  had  a  son  Robert,  who  owned  the 
old  iron  works  near  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  between  Newburg 
and  New  Windsor  Landing.  He  was  a  Major  in  the  Revolution, 
and  afterwards  removed  to  the  city  of  New  York,  and  inherited 
the  estate  of  Samuel  and  left  six  sons:  vSamuel,  Robert, 
John,  Elias,  Nathaniel  and  George.  James,  the  third  brother, 
was  my  great-grandfather.  His  family  Bible,  brought  into 
Belfast,  August  9,  1757,  gives  a  record  of  his  children.  The  sons 
were  Samuel  and  Robert  by  his  first  wife,  and  James,  David  and 
Nathaniel  by  the  second.  Most  of  them  remained  in  New 
Windsor  and  vicinity.  He  died  in  1801,  and  was  buried  in  Little 
Britain  church  yard.  His  only  son,  James,  removed  to  this  place, 
about  1794,  died  here  in  1849,  aged  seventy-eight,  leaving  John 
(myself),  Samuel  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  Louis  of  this 
place. 

The  fourth  brother — Nathaniel,  had  sixteen  children  whose 
descendants  are  many  in  America  and  Poughkeepsie,  New  York. 
I  have  taken  some  pains  in  investigating  the  genealogy  of  our 
family,  and  have  been  perplexed  with  finding  names  of  Boyds  on 
gravestones  at  Little  Britain  and  Newburg  and  in  the  Surrogate 
records,  which  I  could  not  trace  to  any  stock  of  which  I  had 
any  knowledge.  The  statement  referred  to  in  the  history  of 
Putnam  County,  explains  in  some  measure  what  I  could  not 
before  understand.  I  now  write  you  "Sir"  as  one  of  the  persons 
named,  now  living  in  the  County  of  Kent,  to  inquire  whether 
you  or  any  of  your  connection  can  give  me  a  more  detailed  out- 
line of  your  family  and  particulars  of  the  Orange  County  branch, 
and  was  there  any  relationship,  known  to  exist,  between  the  two^ 
families,  for  yours  are  stated  to  have  come  directly  from  Scotland. 


HISTORY  or   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        357 

Ours  came  from  the  North  of  Ireland,  but  were  of  Scotch  lineage, 
and  had  retained  their  connection  with  Scotland  by  their  marriage 
there. 

If  any  of  your  connection  is  posted  upon  the  matter  of  your 
genealogy,  I  would  be  glad  to  hear  from  them  about  it. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

John  Boyd, 
Secretary  of  State  of  Connecticut. 

Upon  the  receipt  of  the  above  letter  from  our  cousin,  I  became 
anxious  to  learn  whom  the  writer  was  and  more  in  regard  to  his 
family  that  seemed  to  be  so  near  connected  to  my  own.  After 
writing  several  letters  and  nearly  nine  months  of  time  rolled  away, 
and  about  to  give  up  all  hopes  of  hearing  from  him,  I  received 
a  letter  from  his  daughter.  Miss  Ellen  W.  Boyd  of  Albany,  New 
York,  stating  her  father  had  been  called  to  his  eternal  home  on  the 
first  day  of  December,  1881,  three  days  before  my  last  letter  had 
reached  them.  From  this  time  on  Miss  Boyd  kindly  aided  me 
in  giving  what  information  she  was  able  to  give,  and  our  associa- 
tions between  the  two  families  living  so  near  each  other  have 
given  the  impression  that  they  were  closely  connected.  Tradition 
says  the  Kent  branch  (my  own)  came  over  in  the  year  of  1745, 
theirs  in  1750.  Yet  each  may  vary  a  few  years  and  they  may  all 
have  come  together. 


Historical  Part 


The  history  of  this  family  in  the  "Old  World"  to  our  knowl- 
edge is  very  limited.  Through  the  kindness  of  Miss  Ellen  W. 
Boyd  and  to  Mr.  Francis  Boyd  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  who 
allowed  me  the  perusal  of  correspondence  between  him  and  Mr. 
John  Boyd  through  the  year  of  1856  and  1857  while  writing  my 
first  edition  of  the  Bo/d  family  in  1884,  and  to  Mrs.  Julia  B. 
Ward,  Pleasant  Valley,  New  York,  and  to  Mr.  N.  T.  Boyd,  Warp- 
pinger  Falls,  New  York,  the  latter  having  taken  a  deep  interest  in 
compiling  records  and  sending  them  to  me  in  the  Fall  of  1908, 


358         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

of  his  grandfather  Nathaniel  Boyd's  descendants,  shows  that  the 
knowledge  of  the  early  history  of  their  family  of  Boyds  is  very 
perplexing. 

This  family  went  from  Scotland  to  the  northern  part  of 
Ireland  in  the  latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  or  the  fore  part  of 
the  eighteenth  century  and  settled  in  the  County  of  Down.  The 
name  of  the  ancestor  who  left  his  native  land  and  went  hither  is 
not  known  to  the  present  generation.  But,  to  the  present  genera- 
tions of  descendants  of  the  family,  it  is  known  to  consist  of  four 
brothers  and  one  sister,  whose  names  were  Samuel,  Robert,  James, 
Nathaniel  and  Mary.  Samuel  the  oldest,  came  over  to  New  York 
city  early  in  the  eighteenth  century,  and  finding  this  country  a 
free  place  of  rest  from  the  hardships  and  religious  wars  of  the  Old 
World,  aided  and  induced  his  brothers  and  sister  to  come  here  and 
settle.  They  all  reinained  in  New  York  city  for  a  short  time, 
then  went  up  the  Hudson  River,  and  made  a  permanent  home  at 
New  Windsor,  Orange  County,  New  York.  They  were  all  married, 
except  Samuel,  and  had  large  families,  which  showed  thein  to 
have  been  advanced  in  years  of  life.  Among  these,  the  descend- 
ants of  Robert  seemed  to  have  been  the  most  singular.  For  says 
one  correspondent  to  me,  that  a  few  years  ago,  he  tried  to  trace 
out  the  history  of  Robert  and  his  descendants.  But  as  soon  as 
some  of  them  found  out  that  their  grandfather  was  a  blacksmith, 
it  seemed  to  scandalize  them  to  such  extent  that  they  refused  to 
give  any  more  information  on  the  subject. 

The  following  is  a  very  good  descriptive  letter  of  the  family  by 
Mrs.  JuHa  B.  Ward,  a  descendant  of  Nathaniel  Boyd  to  Mr.  John 
Boyd,  a  descendant  of  Robert  Boyd,  then  living  at  Winsted, 
Connecticut,  thus: 

Pleasant  Valley,  1852. 
Mr.  John  Boyd, 

Dear  Sir: — It  is  now  one  year  since  the  death  of  my  father 
David  Boyd,  who  died  May  10,  1851.  He  was  the  youngest  of 
his  father's  family.  I  have  heard  him  relate  in  his  last  years 
much  of  his  family  history.  My  brothers  and  sisters  have  desig- 
nated and  requested  me  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  359 

of  the  19th  inst.,  and  to  write  and  give  you  what  Uttlc  information 
we  possessed  in  answer  to  your  inquiries.  We  much  regret  you 
never  have  visited  our  father  and  learned  from  him  facts  which 
he  had  obtained  from  other  relatives  to  his  pedigree,  but  like 
yourself,  was  unable  to  trace  them  to  the  period,  of  the  arrival  of 
his  ancestors  in  America. 

I  think  he  never  knew  the  cause  of  their  leaving  their  native 
land,  nor  the  names  of  the  parents  of  the  five,  who  came  from 
Ireland,  or  the  name  of  the  town  or  city  in  which  they  lived.  The 
family  was  originally  Scottish,  and  resided  in  the  Southern  part 
of  Scotland  (perhaps  Ayeshire)  but  on  account  of  religious  per- 
secutions, they  left  their  homes  and  found  an  asylum  in  County 
Down,  Ireland,  and  embarked  at  Belfast  for  America. 

I  never  heard  my  father  speak  of  Samuel  or  Mary.  Prob- 
ably they  did  not  live  long  after  the  arrival  of  the  fanfily  in  this 
country.  Robert,  James  and  Nathaniel,  I  have  heard  him  often 
mention, as  froin  whom  the  family  bearing  our  name  had  descended. 
Among  Robert's  descendants  (beside  those  you  mentioned)  was  a 
physician  in  New  York  city,  and  Geo.  Boyd  an  Episcopal  minister 
of  Philadelphia,  and  among  James'  descendants,  I  have  heard  him 
class  yourself  and  others,  whoin  I  do  not  remember. 

Nathaniel  was  married  in  Ireland  (as  my  grandfather  John, 
who  was  born  March  24,  1746,  was  only  eight  years  of  age  when 
he  arrived  in  America).  By  his  first  wife  he  had  Jane,  known 
afterwards  as  Jane  Butler,  who  was  born  in  1744,  and  Avliose  de- 
scendants are  now  living  in  Ohio. 

John,  my  grandfather  lived  for  sometime  in  Orange  County, 
New  York.  He  afterwards  removed  to  Amenia,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
died.  Samuel,  James  and  Mary  (who  married  William  Bradner) , 
Nathaniel  and  Martha.  By  his  second  wife  Martha  Monsel  (or 
Monel)  he  had  Martha  (married  a  Holman),  Jane,  Elizabeth, 
Nathaniel,  Mary  (married  Tompson  and  settled  in  Esopus,  New 
York,  and  her  children  still  reside  there).  Charles,  Hannah 
(married  Alexander),  James,  Robert  W.,  Alexander,  Nathaniel 
married  for  his  third  wife  Jane  Johnson,  and  died  at  my  grand- 
father's in  Little  Britain,  at  an  advanced  age.  John  my  grand- 
father had  a  daughter  Mary,  who  married  Barnum.     Nathaniel 


360         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

a  Conrad,  Samuel,  Margaret  who  married  a  Winegar;  John,  James, 
EHzabeth  (married  WilHam  Reeder),  Robert,  Gilbert  and  David, 
all  of  whom  are  now  dead,  except  my  uncle  Samuel  upon  whom 
you  have  mentioned  of  having  called.  Mr.  William  Reeder  who 
married  Aunt  Elizabeth,  is  still  living  at  or  near  Little  Britain. 

My  father  never  knew  as  far  as  I  know  of  any  means  of  trac- 
ing back  his  pedigree  to  the  first  of  their  arrival  htre. 

The  family  ancestors  adhered  to  the  articles  of  faith  adopted 
by  the  Presbyterian  church,  which  is  a  direct  proof  of  their 
Scottish  origin.  It  would  be  gratifying  to  us  to  trace  our  ances- 
tory  back  to  Kilmarnock  line,  if  that  is  our  origin  and  if  our  rela- 
tionship to  that  branch  of  the  family  residing  in  Maine  could  be 
shown  satisfactory.  We  may  yet  obtain  from  them  the  means 
of  tracing  it.  I  am  sorry  it  is  not  m  my  power  to  give  you  more 
information  upon  the  subject.  But,  if  in  your  researches,  you 
should  learn  anything  of  interest  to  us,  would  confer  a  great  favor 
by  communicating  it.  Your  letter  has  aroused  in  us  an  interest 
we  should  perhaps  have  never  felt  and  will  lead  us  to  collect  what 
information  we  can  respecting  it.  My  mother  (now  the  second 
wife)  Clarissa  Lewis,  is  still  living  in  Poughkeepsie,  together  with 
my  brother  John  G.  Boyd,  and  my  sister  Mary  E.  Willsie.  I  am 
now  residing  with  my  husband  Alson  Ward  in  Pleasant  Valley, 
New  York. 

I  am  very  respectfully  yours, 

Julia  P.  Ward. 

Genealogical  Part 

The  ancestors  of  this  branch  in  the  Old  Countr}^  we  have  but 
little  knowledge  of.  There  is  no  doubt  that  they  went  from  Scot- 
land to  Ireland  about  the  year  of  1700,  and  settled  in  the  Northern 
part  of  that  country  and  was  called  Scotch-Seceders.  Coming 
from  the  church  of  Scotland  and  went  there  to  avoid  the  persecu- 
tions of  their  religious  views  at  home.  The  record  of  the  family 
shows  that  there  were  five  children,  named  Samuel,  Robert, 
James,  Nathaniel  and  Mary,  who  came  to  America,  and  from 
them  I  shall  have  to  give  the  following  descendants  down : 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         361 

Samuel  Boyd,  the  oldest  of  the  above  brothers  was  born  (as 
we  have  stated  before)  in  the  Old  Country,  and  is  supposed  to 
have  come  to  New  York  city  about  the  year  of  1740.  While  here 
he  sent  means  back  to  his  brothers  and  sister,  with  words  of  en- 
couragement and  aided  them  to  come  over  a  few  years  afterwards. 
With  good  success  he  accumulated  a  large  fortune  while  in  New 
York  city,  and  at  the  tim.e  of  his  death  (having  never  niarried) 
he  willed  his  property  to  one  of  his  nephews,  the  only  son  of  his 
Brother  Robert  Boyd. 

Robert  Boyd,  the  second  Brother  was  born  in  the  county  of 
Down,  Ireland.  He  came  to  New  York  city  about  1755-6.  From 
there  he  went  to  New  Windsor,  Orange  County,  New  York,  and 
settled  near  the  mouth  of  Ouassatch  Creek,  which  empties  into 
the  Hudson  River,  about  a  miile  below  Newburgh,  New  York. 
There  is  little  known  of  Robert  except  he  had  two  children — Rob- 
ert and  Mary  and  without  doubt,  died  near  New  Windsor,  New 
York,  and  was  buried  there.  His  son  Robert  was  born  in  the 
County  of  Down,  Ireland  in  the  year  1734.  He  married  a  Miss 
Smith  at  New  Windsor,  of  which  we  have  no  date,  and  died  October 
29,  1804,  age  seventy,  as  appears  on  his  monument  in  Little 
Britain  church  yard.  He  erected  the  iron  and  scythe  works 
situated  upon  the  creek,  one  mile  below  Newburgh.  He  is  the 
one  who  inherited  the  estate  of  his  uncle  Sainuel  and  inoved  to 
New  York  city  in  1800,  where  he  held  the  office  of  sheriff.  The 
family  of  Robert  consisted  of  six  children  namiely: 

First,  Samuel  who  was  born  in  New  Windsor,  Orange  County, 
New  York  (no  date  of  birth),  m.arried  first,  Eliza  Pearson  of  New 
Jersey,  February  16,  1703-  Second,  Anna  Maria  Bayard,  Sep- 
temiber  24,  1S12.  He  resided  in  New  York  city  and  was  an 
Attorney-at-Law.  His  family  consisted  of  Mary,  Agustus,  Robert, 
James,  Kent.  John,  Eleanor,  Samuel  (a  physician  in  Brooklyn)  and 
Edward,  by  his  first  wife.  And  by  the  second  wife  Elizabeth 
Bayard,  Anna  Maria,  and  Isabella  Graham. 

Second,  John  the  second  son  of  Robert,  we  have  no  date  of 
his  birth,  m.arriage,  etc.  He  married  a  lady  named  Orr,  at  Ogdens- 
burgh.  New  York.     His  family  consisted  of  Robert  R.  Brooklyn, 


362      HISTORY  or  the  boyd  family  and  its  descendants 

Hannah  wife  of Atwater.     Eleanor  (single)  and  George, 

who  resides  at  Ogdensburgh,  New  York. 

Third,  Jenet,  the  wife  of  Rev.  James  Schoinegeozir,  Agnes 
Boyd,  wife  of  Dr.  Baltus  Van  Kleck.  Elias  Boyd  (died  a  bachelor) , 
George  Boyd  an  Episcopal  minister  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania; 
the  other  children  of  Robert  we  have  no  record  of. 

Mary  Boyd,  only  daughter  of  Robert  of  the  first  generation 
in  America  was  born  in  the  County  of  Down,  Ireland,  about  1740. 

She  married  a  gentleman  named Harris  at  New  Windsor, 

Orange  County,  New  York.     We  have  no  further  record. 

James  Boyd  the  third  brother  who  came  to  New  York,  and 
is  ancestor  of  that  branch,  was  born  in  the  County  of  Down,  Ire- 
land, about  the  year  of  1705.     His  first  wife  was  Sarah ^ 

whom  he  married  about  1732,  second  wife  Mary  ? 

about  the  year  of  1753  or  54.  Died  at  New  Windsor,  New  York 
of  which  we  have  no  date.  James'  first  wife  must  have  died  in 
Ireland  about  1750,  for  soon  after  his  marriage  to  his  second 
wife,  he  left  for  America,  for  records  show  that  he  set  sail  from 
Belfast,  Ireland,  August  9,  1753.  While  upon  the  journey  over 
the  dark  blue  waters  of  the  ocean,  they  had  a  daughter  born,  who 
was  afterwards  christened  "Sea  Born  Agnes."  Soon  after  land- 
ing in  New  York,  he  went  to  New  Windsor,  the  home  of  his  other 
brother  and  made  this  his  future  home.  It  has  been  found  by 
the  discovery  of  his  family  Bible  in  Western  New  York ,  that  he  was 
the  father  of  eleven  children,  five  by  his  first  wife  and  six  by  the 
second  nainely,  which  is  taken  from  my  history  of  this  family  in 
1884. 

First.  The  oldest  son  Samuel  was  born  at  the  old  homestead 
m  Ireland  in  1 73 1 .  His  first  wife  was  Elizabeth  McDoel  whom  he 
married  at  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.,  about  1767.  For  his  second  wife 
Mary  Lyons  of  the  same  place;  we  have  no  date.  He  died  at 
Little  Britain,  same  county.  May  27,  1801.  On  comparing  re- 
cords it  seems  that  Samuel  visited  America,  some  four  years 
earlier  than  his  father,  or  about  the  year  of  1752.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Ireland,  came  back  with  his  father  in  1754,  took  up  his 
residence  in  Little  Britain,  where  he  lived  and  died.  He  served 
with  distinction  through  the  French  war,  but  hired  a  substitute  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         363 

the  Revolution.  His  first  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Mathcw  Mc 
Doel  and  was  born  in  the  County  of  Down,  Ireland  in  1747.  She 
died  at  Little  Britain,  N.  Y.,  August  25,  1775.  The  second  wife 
died  at  same  place  in  181 2.  His  children  were  EUzabeth,  James, 
Mathew  and  John,  all  by  his  first  wife  as  follows:  Elizabeth  was 
born  at  Little  Britain,  N.  Y.,  in  1769.  Married  Benjamin  Jen- 
kins September  10,  1791.  He  was  born  at  Scituate  Plymouth, 
Mass.  October  15,  1765  and  died  June  18,  1853.  He  learned 
the  scythe  maker  trade  of  Col.  Robert  Orr,  at  Bridgewater,  Mass. 
From  this  place  he  came  to  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.,  as  foreman  of 
the  scythe  works  erected  by  Col.  Robert  Orr,  then  from  here  to 
Torrington,  and  in  1792  to  Winsted,  Conn.  In  company  with 
Mr.  James  Boyd  in  1795  he  erected  a  double  house  and  lived  in 
the  same  until  1796  when  he  erected  for  his  own  use  the  Winsted 
Hotel.  In  181 2  he  erected  a  scythe  shop  and  carried  on  business 
until  1816.  In  1818  he  moved  his  family  to  Wayne  County,  Pa., 
and  began  a  new  country  life  in  an  unbroken  forest  upon  the 
Lackawanna  River,  four  miles  from  Honesdale.  Here  he  made  a 
new  home,  built  a  scythe  shop  and  saw  mill,  before  the  first  project- 
ions of  the  Hudson  and  Delaware  Canal  and  Railroad  visited  this 
region  and  before  Honesdale  was  thought  of.  This  railroad  was 
located  through  the  lands  he  cleared  and  the  pleasant  village  of 
Prompton  grew  up  around  him.  Here  he  lived  to  a  good  old  age, 
the  pioneer  of  a  region  he  had  entered  at  the  age  of  52.  His 
family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  all  born  at  Winsted,  Conn., 
except  the  oldest  who  was  bom  at  Torrington,  Conn.,  as  follows: 
First,  Elizabeth  bom  October  5,  1792,  married  Horace  Kent 
at  Boston,  Mass.,  and  died  October  24,  1820.  Second,  Susan 
B.  born  April  25,  1794,  married  at  Winsted,  Conn,  in  18 13. 
Died  here  in  18 14.  Had  one  son  James  Dwight,  supposed  to  be 
living  in  1884.  Third,  Benjamin,  the  oldest  son  was  born  De- 
cember 6,  1796.  Married  Mary  Kent  October  4,  1820.  Fourth, 
Samuel  B.  born  December  4,  1798.  First  wife  was  Elizabeth 
Buck,  and  second  wife  Mary  Jane  Buckland.  Fifth,  Lional  B. 
born  1799,  died  samic  place  in  1807.  Sixth,  Louisa  B.  born  1801. 
Married  first,  Arah  Bartlet,  second,  Jacob  Davis.  Seventh, 
Edward,     born     1804.       (Batchelor).        Died     1S54.       Eighth, 


364         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Mariah,  bom  1806,  married  Ralph  Case.  Ninth,  John  B.,  born 
1808,  married  Jane  Greely.  Tenth,  Henrietta,  bom  1810, 
married  Luman  Hubbell  at  Winsted,  Conn.,  October  7,  1837,  who 
had  married  for  his  first  wife  Jane  Munro  Boyd,  the  daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  Boyd.  Henrietta  had  one  son,  Luman  Still- 
man  Hubbell,  born  at  Winsted,  May  24,  1844.  In  1884  resided 
near  Mankate,  Minn.,  married.  Eleventh,  Maretta  B.,  born  1812, 
married  Benjamin  Jenkins,  died  in  1842. 

James  Boyd,  the  second  son  of  Samuel  and  Ehzabeth  Boyd, 
was  born  at  Little  Britain,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  November  15, 
1770.  Married  first  Mary  Munro  at  Torringford,  Conn. ,  December 
23,  1795.  Second,  Jane  Munro  half  sister  of  his  first  wife,  at 
Bridgewater,  Mass.,  June  8,  1822.  Died  at  Winsted,  Conn., 
February  i,  1849.  James  went  to  Winsted,  Conn.,  from  New 
Windsor,  N.  Y.,  with  his  brother-in-law  and  partner  (Mr.  Jen- 
kins), in  1792,  having  previously  learned  from  him  the  scythe 
maker's  trade  at  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.  He  hved  at  first  in  a 
small  house  that  stood  on  the  west  side  of  North  Main  Street, 
which  was  built  by  him  and  Mr.  Jenkins  in  1795,  and  occupied  by 
both  of  them  until  1802,  then  he  built  and  moved  in  a  house  on 
the  east  side  of  Main  Street,  in  the  west  village  opposite  Main 
Street.  In  1803  he  dissolved  partnership  with  Mr.  Jenkins,  taking 
for  his  share  the  joint  property  of  the  fimi  in  west  Winsted  vil- 
lage. In  1808  he  built  a  forage  and  saw  mill  on  the  stream  oppo- 
site the  Clark  house  now  owned  by  the  New  England  Pen  Com- 
pany. In  1822  he  erected  a  drafting  and  forging  shop  in  the  rear 
of  the  Beardsley  house,  and  in  1828  rebuilt  the  upper  forge  on  the 
Lake  stream  above  Hurbbert's  present  Iron  Works,  and  in 
1 81 6  the  Old  Iron  Store  on  Main  Street. 

James  was  a  man  of  indomitable  energy.  Few  men  ever  did 
more  hard  work  and  thoroughly  managed  a  large  business  than 
he  did,  until  he  passed  the  prime  of  his  life.  Frugal  and  temperate 
in  all  of  his  habits,  with  a  spirit  of  kind  disposition  and  benevo- 
lence. No  wandering  out-cast,  however  degraded  he  may  have 
been,  was  ever  turned  away  from  his  door  without  food  and  lodg- 
ing when  needed.  Wifh  a  good  common  education  he  possessed 
a  strong  discriminating  mind  and  studious  habits.     Trained  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         365 

the  faith  of  the  Scotch  Seceders,  he  made  the  Bible  his  constant 
study  and  committed  the  same  to  memory. 

His  first  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Alexander  and — (Mcintosh) 
Munro  from  Inverness,  Scotland.   She  was  born  in  Boston  Mass. 
March  lo,  1771,  and  died  at  Winsted,  Conn.,  September  2,  1S21. 
His  second  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Alexander    (Hutchinson) 
Munro  and  was  born  at  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  June  8,  17S8,  and  died 
at    Winsted,    Conn.,   December  9,   1852.     His  family  consisted 
of  nine  children  by  his  first  wife  and  four  by  his  second,  namely: 
First,  Nancy  was  born   at   Winsted,  Conn.,  May  27,  1797.     She 
married  at  this  place  Lucius  Clark,  January  —  1819.     Her  hus- 
band was  bom  at  Wately,  Mass.,  August  22,  1790,  and  died  at 
Winsted,    Conn.,    December   28,   1863.     He  came  from   Massa- 
chusetts to  Winsted   with  his  father  in  1807  and  was  engaged  in 
Mercantile     business   until    1818,    when   he   moved   to    Monroe 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  went  into  business  at  Carthage,  a  place  situ- 
ated at  the  foot  of  Genesee  Falls.     In  1824  he  returned  to  Win- 
sted   and    then  in  company  with  Samuel  Boyd  opened  a  store 
and  remained  there  until  he  went  to  Massachusetts  in  1834.     In 
1 84 1  he    returned  to  Winsted  and  purchased  a  clock  factory  in 
the  east  village  until  1845,  when  he  purchased  largely  in  real  es- 
tate on  the  flats  between  east  and  west  village.     He  was  an  up- 
right  and   correct   man   of   business    qualifications.     They   had 
eight   children  namely:     First,   Caroline   Clark,   born  in   Roch- 
ester, N.  Y.,  May  4,  1822,  died  at  same  place  in  1822.    vSecond, 
Frederick  Boyd  Clark  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  December  11, 
1823,  died  same  place  in  1825.     Third,  Lucius  Hubbard  Clark 
born  at  Winsted,   Conn.,  September  25,  1825,  died  here  in  1S50. 
Fourth,  Mary  Munro  Clark  born  at  Winsted,    Conn.,  May  24, 
1827,  married  H.  B.  Alvoid,  (no  more  record).     Fifth,  Thomas 
Montague  Clark,  born  at  Winsted,    Januray  4,    1830,  married 
first  Julia  Catiline  Freeman  at  Collinsville,  Conn.,  May  6,  1839. 
second,  married  Julia  Van  Sickle  at  Ovid,  N.  Y.,  December  — 
1878.     His  first  wife  died  November  —  1877,  by  whom  he  had 
ten  children:  Carrie,  LucUis,  Munro,  Thomas,  (died  in  infancy), 
Harry  C,  Caroline  F.  Boyd,  Fanny,  Jessie  and  Nancy,  all  born 
in  Collinsville,  Conn.      Sixth,  Edward  Clarl:  born    at  Winsted, 


366         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Conn.,  April  15,  1832,  married  Susan  Holmes  same  place  De- 
cember 10,  1854  (no  more  record).  Seventh,  Martha  Clark  bom 
at  Springfield,  Mass.,  in  1834  (now  dead).  Eighth,  Susan  Clark 
born  at  Freeding  Hills,  Mass.,  July  10,  1838,  married  Rev.  Mal- 
com  McGregor  Dana  at  Norwich,  Conn. — a  minister  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church.  They  moved  to  St.  Paul,  Minn,  in  1878. 
John  Boyd  who  was  twin  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Munro) 
Boyd,  was  born  at  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.,  March  17,  1779,  married 
first,  Emily  Webster  Beers  at  Winsted,  Conn.,  May  17,  1831; 
second  wife,  Jerusha  (Rockwell)  Hinsdale  at  same  place  Decem- 
ber 15,  1843,  died  at  this  place  December  i,  1881  Mr.  Boyd  is 
the  person  whom  I  have  referred  to  in  this  Chapter  as  writer  of 
the  letter  and  of  whom  I  labored  so  long  in  1881  to  discover  the 
author  of,  as  my  last  letter  reached  his  family  a  few  days  after 
his  death.  His  first  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Elias  and  Jerusha 
(Fitch)  Beers,  and  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  March,  1809,  and 
died  at  Winsted,  Conn.,  November  25,  1842.  Second  wife  was 
the  daughter  of  Solomon  and  Sarah  (McEwen)  Rockwell  and  the 
widow  of  Theodore  Hinsdale  and  was  born  March  28,  1803.  His 
younger  days  were  spent  at  home  until  he  was  old  enough  to  be 
sent  to  a  grammar  school  at  Hartford,  Conn.  Here  in  the  year 
of  181 7  or  18,  while  boarding  in  the  family  of  the  Rev.  Flint  of 
the  Scotch  Church,  he  commemorated  his  name  to  the  American 
people.  Coming  in  one  day  from  school  he  noticed  upon  the  work- 
stand  of  Mrs.  Bissell,  mother-in-law  of  Mr.  Flint,  a  dingy  piece 
of  parchment  covered  on  one  side  with  black  letters.  In  answer 
to  inquiries  of  Mr.  Boyd,  she  said  having  an  occasion  to  use  some 
paste-board,  I  sent  to  Mrs.  Wyleys — our  neighbor — and  she 
sent  me  this.  Mr.  Boyd  proposed  to  procure  her  a  piece  of  paste- 
board in  exchange  for  the  parchment,  which  was  accepted.  Six 
or  eight  years  rolled  away  before  Mr.  Boyd  thoroughly  examined 
the  parchment  with  care,  and  soon  learned  its  contents.  It  proved 
to  be  a  portion  of  the  duplicate  Charter  which  Capt.  Joseph 
Wadsworth  had  secured  from  the  hands  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros, 
on  the  eventful  night,  October  31,  1687,  when  the  light  was 
suddenly  extinguished  in  the  old  Hartford  meeting-house,  where 
the  Assembly  had  met,  and  hid  in  the  "Old  Charter  Oak."    The 


HON.  JOHN  BOYD 
Born    1799-      Died    1881 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  369 

original  Charter  now  hanging  in  the  Secretary 's  oflfice  is  engrossed 
upon  three  skins  or  parchment.  The  duphcate  was  upon  two, 
(not  having  so  much  ornamentation)  and,  what  was  rescued  by  Mr. 
Boyd  was  a  part,  about  three-fourths  of  the  second  skin,  and  this 
is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  "Connecticut  Historical  Society," 
where  he  placed  it  some  years  ago. 

Mr.  Boyd  graduated  from  Yale  College  in  182 1, and  in  the 
summer  of  1881  was  with  his  class  in  its  Sixtieth  Anniversary, 
nine  members  being  present.  After  his  graduation  he  studied 
law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1825.  He  was  elected  to  the 
general  assembly  from  Winchester,  Conn.,  in  1820  and  1832  and 
a  Senator  from  the  fifteenth  district  of  Connecticut  in  1853. 
County  Commissioner  of  Litchfield  County  in  1848.  In  1849 
and  1850  Town  Clerk  of  Winchester.  For  twenty-six  years  was 
Judge  of  Probate,  and  from  the  same  district  for  fifteen  years,  until 
disqualified  with  age  in  1869.  Was  Secretary  of  State  for  1859-60 
and  61.  He  was  identified  with  the  Anti-Slavery  in  the  early 
days  of  the  Anti-Slavery  Agitation,  and  was  several  times  a  can- 
didate for  Governor  on  the  ticket  of  that  party.  In  1827  he 
commenced  business  with  his  father  as  an  Iron  Manufacturer 
in  Winsted  under  the  firm  of  James  Boyd  &  Son,  taking  the  place 
of  his  twin  brother  who  died  in  1826,  and  continued  in  business 
with  his  father  until  he  died  in  1850,  then  resumed  the  whole 
business  till  1853,  when  he  retired,  as  his  official  duties  occupied 
most  of  his  time.  His  life  was  a  life  of  sterling  integrity,  good 
sense,  and  sturdy  adherance  to  the  cause  of  doing  right  to  those 
who  knew  him.  Much  better  illustration  is  found  of  him  in  our 
former  edition  of  the  Boyd  family  in  1881,  which  for  want  of  space 
had  been  left  out.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children  by  his 
first  wife.  First.  Ellen  Wright  Boyd  who  was  bom  at  Winstead, 
Conn.,  September  8,  1833.  I^i  1884  she  was  still  single  and  then 
held  the  Preceptress  of  St.  Agnes  School,  Albany,  N.  Y.  To  her 
we  are  indebted  for  much  of  valuable  history  in  our  former  edition 
of  1884.  Second,  James  Alexander  Boyd,  bom  in  Winstead, 
Conn.,  November  12,  1835,  died  at  the  same  place  October  5, 
1837.  Third,  Emily  Beers  Boyd  born  at  Winstead,  Conn.,  June 
23,  1842,  died  at  same  place  October  16,  1858. 


370         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Third,  James  Munro  Boyd,  twin  son  of  James  and  Mary 
(Munro)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.,  March  17, 
1799.  Through  his  younger  days  he  was  associated  with  his 
father  in  the  manufacturing  and  trade  in  the  Iron  Industry.  He 
was  a  great  reader,  social  and  warm-hearted  young  man  and  died 
im -married  at  Winsted,  Conn.,  August  28,  1826. 

Fourth,  EHza  Boyd,  second  daughter  of  Jaines  and  Mary, 
{Munro)  Boyd,  bom  at  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.,  March  18,  1801 
■(died  same  place)  April  i,  1801. 

Fifth,  Sainuel  Boyd,  third  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Munro) 
l'oyd,,was  bom  in  Winsted,  Conn.,  June  24,  1804,  married 
Sylvia  Coe  at  same  place  September  20,  1825.  The  wife  of 
Samuel  was  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Charlotte  (Spencer) 
Coe  and  was  bom  August  12,  1S06.  In  1832  he  erected  the 
Clifton  Mill  Works,  now  owned  by  the  Winsted  Hoe  Company, 
manufacturing  shovels,  hoes  and  carpenter  tools  for  two  or  three 
years,  and  then  sold  out  to  the  Clifton  Mill  Company.  In  1833 
was  appointed  Custom-house  appraiser  at  New  Orleans,  La.  In 
1850  he  became  a  commission  merchant  in  hardware  in  New 
York  City,  and  in  i860  was  appointed  Custom-house  appraiser 
at  the  latter  place.  In  1881  resides  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  His 
family  consisted  of  five  children,  namely:  First,  James  Munro 
Boyd,  bom  at  Winsted,  Conn.,  September  28,  1826,  drowned  at 
the  same  place  June  10,  1829.  Second,  Marianne  Boyd,  bom  in 
Winsted,  Conn.  July  31,  1828,  married  Henry  Bascom  Keen, 
(son  of  Robert  and  Pheobe  (Page)  Keen,  who  was  born  at  Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.,  July  18,  1825)  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  August  28, 1850, 
he  died  at  New  York,  December,  — .  1868  Her  family  consisted 
of  five  children.  First,  Robert  Lewis  Keen,  bom  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  August  23,  1 85 1.  Second,  Henry,  born  at  same  place 
January  9,  1854.  Third,  James  Munro,  same  place  July  16, 
1856.  Fourth,  Herbert  Foss  and  Nellie  Keen,  which  we  have 
no  record  of. 

Third,  Sarah  Jane  Boyd,  bom  in  Winsted,  Conn.,  June 
10,  1 83 1,  married  Thomas  Howe  Bird  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Sep- 
tember 30,  1853.  His  birth  place  Boston.  Fourth,  Robert 
Munro  Boyd,  born  in  Winsted,  Conn.,   August  12,   1832,  married 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  371 

Kate  Baldwin  Grain  at  Bloomfield,  N.  J.,  November  lo,  1859 
a  daughter  of  Mathew  and  Susan  (Baldwin)  Grain.  In  188 1 
resided  at  Mount  Glair,  N.  J.,  and  had  three  children:  Susan, 
Robert  and  Bertha,  who  were  born  in  New  Jersey.  Fifth,  Alice 
Isabel  Boyd  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  June  26,  1845,  mar- 
ried Rev.  Nelson  Willard  at  Mount  Glair,  N.  J.,  May  11,  1869. 
He  was  for  many  years  the  Pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.  They  have  one  child,  Earnest  Boyd 
Willard,  who  was  born  December  11,  1870.  Sixth,  Eliza,  daughter 
of  James  and  Mary  (Munro)  Boyd,  born  in  Winsted,  Gonn., 
June  25,  1804,  died  at  same  place  September  10,  1821.  Seventh, 
Mary  Boyd,  fourth  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Munro)  Boyd, 
born  at  Winsted,  Gonn.,  August  11,  1807,  died  at  same  place 
August  30,  182 1.  Eighth,  Jane  (Munro)  Boyd,  fifth  daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  (Munro)  Boyd  married  at  Winsted,  Gonn., 
June  22,  1831  Luman  Hubbell  and  died  there  January  8,  1836. 
Her  husband  after  her  death  married  her  cousin,  Henrietta  Jen- 
kins, of  whom  I  have  given  a  history  of.  Her  family  consisted  of 
two  children:  first,  Andrew  Lyman  Hubbell  was  born  at  Winsted, 
Conn.,  March  5,  1834,  married  Martha  Woodworth  at  Great 
Barrington,  Mass.,  September  10,  1857.  She  was  bom  April 
15,  1836.  Second,  James  Boyd  Hubbell  was  born  in  Winsted, 
Conn.,  March  18,  1836,  married  Kate  Amelia  Tew,  September 
9,  1858.  She  was  born  December  17,  1836.  They  had  five 
children,  first,  Louis  Boyd  Hubbell,  born  July  5,  1859.  Second, 
Grace  Hubbell  born  July  11,  1861.  Third,  Henrietta  May 
Hubbell  born  May  11,  1862.  Fourth,  James  Boyd  Hubbell  bom 
December  22,  1866.  Fifth,  Andrew  Lyman  Hubbell  bom  Octo- 
ber 8,  1870. 

Ninth,  Susan  Boyd,  youngest  daughter  of  James  and  Mary 
(Munro)  Boyd  was  born  at  Winsted,  Conn.,  March  9,  181 5, 
married  Elijah  Phelps  Grant  at  the  same  place  September  7, 
1836.  Her  husband  was  a  son  of  Elijah  and  Elizabeth  Grant. 
He  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1830  and  then  after  their  mar- 
riage went  to  Canton,  O.,  where  he  was  a  banker  and  lawyer 
until  he  died.  She  had  seven  children,  which  were  all  born  at 
Canton,    O.     In    1881    she   resided   in   Omaha,    Neb.     Children 


372  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

were:  First,  Elizabeth  Grant,  born  May  21,  1841,  married  Thomas 
J.  Harford,  Omaha,  Neb.,  May  18,  1858.  Second,  Susan  Grant, 
bom  January  8,  1841,  died  at  Canton,  O.,  July  ig,  1841.  Third, 
Mary  Grant,  bom  September  12,  1842,  (married  no  record). 
Fourth,  Chas.  Fourier  Grant,  born  August  12,  1844,  died  at  Can- 
ton, O.,  May  25,  1845.  Fifth,  Jane  Grant,  bom  November  27, 
1846.  Sixth,  Martha  Grant,  born  April  30,  1849,  died  at  Canton, 
O.,  June  27,  1859.     Seventh,  James  Boyd  Grant,  born  November 

10,  1853- 

Children  of  James  and  Jane  (Munro)  Boyd,  his  second  wife, 
were  as  follows :  First,  Alexander  Munro  Boyd,  born  in  Winsted, 
Conn.,  July  2,  1823,  died  at  same  place  June  12,  1824.  Second, 
Janet  Boyd,  bom  at  same  place  May  16,  1825,  died  there  April 
12,  18 — .  Third,  Elizabeth  Boyd,  born  at  Winsted,  Conn., 
October  23,  1827,  married  Stephen  H.  Hubbard  at  same  place 
June  I,  1859.  Her  husband  was  the  managing  editor  of  the 
Hartford  Covnant  for  several  years.  Fourth,  Lewis  Boyd,  born 
at  Winsted,  Conn.,  August  15,  1831,  married  Helen  A.  Peck  in 
Fairfield  County,  Conn.,  November  6,  1862,  died  at  New  Bruns- 
wick, N.  J.,  the  date  of  which  we  have  not.  His  occupation  was 
that  of  a  manufacturer.  His  first  business  was  the  manufacture 
of  planters'  hoes  at  Winsted  from  1852  to  i860.  Then 
to  New  York  and  to  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  and  here 
entered  into  the  manufacturing  of  Mason  Fruit  Jars  until 
he  died.  His  wife  was  an  adopted  child  and  went  by  the  name 
of  Helen  Annetta  Wooster,  while  her  parental  parents  were 
Edward  and  Mary  Ann  Peck  and  was  bom  in  Winstead,  Conn., 
April  18,  1840.  They  had  five  children,  (record  of  1884)  namely: 
First,  Anna  born  in  New  York,  June  30,  1864,  died  at  same  place 
July  2,  1864.  vSecond,  still  born  son  in  Brooklyn,  July  6,  1865. 
Third,  Ralph  Booth,  born  in  Brooklyn,  June  4,  1866.  Fourth, 
Louis  Roland,  born  December  10,  1867,  died  August  17,  1870. 
Fifth,  James  Hubbell,  bom  Brooldyn,  November  13,  1869, 
died  August  17,  1870.  Mathew  and  John  Boyd  two  young- 
est sons  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (McDoel)  Boyd  we  have 
no  record,  only  that  they  died  young  at  New  Wind- 
sor,  N.  Y. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  373 

Sarah  Boyd  the  oldest  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  Boyd, 
was  born  in  the  County  of  Down,  Ireland,  August  13,  1738.  Her 
history  we  have  not;  no  doubt  she  remained  in  the  Old  World 
and  may  have  died  young. 

Robert  Boyd,  second  son  of  James  and  Sarah  Boyd,  was  bom 
in  County  of  Down,  Ireland,  January  10,  1740.  Came  to  this 
country  with  his  parents  and  married  Jane  Smith  at  New  Wind- 
sor, N,  Y.  His  history  we  have  not,  only  he  had  ten  children  as 
follows:  First,  Sarah.  Second,  Thomas,  who  married  Hulda 
Mills  at  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.,  January  i,  1794,  and  lived  at  Little 
Britain,  same  County.  Third,  Robert,  who  lived  at  Mont- 
gom^ery,  N.  Y.  Fourth,  Francis.  Fifth,  James.  Sixth,  Hannah. 
Seventh,  John,  who  resided  in  1881  at  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.  Eighth, 
Mary,  the  wife  of  James  Waugh  of  Newburgh,  N.  Y.  Ninth. 
Samuel.     Tenth,  Charles. 

Mary  Boyd,  second  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  Boyd,  born 
in  the  County  of  Down,  Ireland,  March  28,  1742.  She  afterwards 
married  and  settled  in  Scotland  and  her  history  is  not  known  to 
descendants  on  this  side  of  the  Ocean. 

Jean  Boyd,  the  third  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  Boyd, 
was  born  in  County  of  Down,  Ireland,  January  20,  1749,  came  to 
America  and  married  Mr.  Soper  at  Esopus,  Ulster  County,  N.  Y. 
No  more  record. 

Sea  Born  Agnes  Boyd,  the  oldest  daughter  of  James,  by 
second  wife  Mary  Boyd,  was  born  upon  the  Ocean  September 
23,  1756.  After  coming  to  America  she  married  Richard  Hudson 
at  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  we  have  no  further  record. 

James  Boyd,  the  oldest  son  of  James  and  Mary  Boyd,  we 
have  no  date  of  his  birth,  as  it  was  torn  from  the  old  Bible  of  his 
father  of  1756.  When  he  became  of  age,  he  moved  to  Phelps, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  died  in  1830. 

Elizabeth  Boyd,  the  second  daughter  of  James  and  Mary 
Boyd,  was  bom  in  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.,  February  (the  balance 
torn  out  of  the  Bible),  married  Isaac  Belknap  of  Newburgh,  N.Y.. 
who  was  an  officer  in  the  Revolution. 

David  Boyd,  the  second  son  of  James  and  Mary  Boyd,  was 
born  at  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.  (balance  torn  out  of  Bible),  married 


374  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  IIS  DESCENDANTS 

Sarah  Humphrey  at  Phelps,  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.,  died  at  same 
place  in  1802.  We  have  no  history  of  him  except  that  he  moved 
from  the  place  of  his  birth  in  1780  or  1781  and  had  a  family  of 
six  children  as  follows:  First,  James,  born  in  Phelps,  N.  Y.  in 
1790,  married  first  Urena  Rodgers  and  for  his  second  wife,  Eliza- 
beth Pullen,  both  at  this  place,  which  we  have  no  date.  He  had 
two  children  by  his  first  wife  namely:  John,  who  lives  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Harwood  who  died  June  9,  1858.  Second,  David 
Boyd,  who  was  also  born  at  Phelps,  N.  Y.  (no  date),  married  Ann 
Ringer  and  their  family  consisted  of  Jane,  John,  Isabella  R., 
Robert  C,  Sarah  and  Chas.  David.  Third,  Eliza  Jane,  born  at 
Phelps,  N.  Y.,  in  1792,  married  Harwood  Bannister  (no  more 
record).  Fourth,  Mariah  Boyd,  bom  at  Phelps,  N.Y.,  in  1800, 
(no  record).  Fifth,  Hugh  Boyd,  born  at  Phelps,  N.  Y.,  in  1796. 
His  first  wife  was  Elvira  Swift,  and  the  second  Sarah  Pullen  (no 
records).  His  family  consisted  of  one  child  named  Henry,  by 
his  first  wife  who  was  born  in  1S34  and  Mary  E.  born  in  1837, 
James  P.  1839,  Caroline  M.  1841  and  Cordelia  in  1843.  Sixth, 
Oliver  Boyd,  born  in  Phelps,  N.  Y.,in  1802,  married  first  Anna 
Hurd,  and  then  Elizabeth  Manley  for  his  second.  His  family 
consisted  of  two  children,  Eliza  and  Henry  by  his  first  wife. 

Nathaniel  Boyd 

The  fourth  brother  that  came  to  America  with  his  other 
brothers  that  we  have  mentioned,  was  also  bom  in  the  County  of 
Down,  Ireland,  in  the  fore  part  of  the  eighteenth  century.  He 
married  for  his  first  wife  Margaret  Beck,  for  his  second,  Martha 
Monsel  and  for  the  third,  Jane  Johnson,  of  whom  the  latter  is  not 
known  to  descendants.  The  descendants  of  Nathaniel  are  nu- 
merous, as  he  was  the  respected  father  of  seven  children  by  his 
first  wife,  and  nine  by  his  second,  namely:  John,  Samuel,  James, 
Mary,  Jane,  Nathaniel  and  Martha.  By  his  second  wife,  Jane, 
Elizabeth,  Nathaniel,  Mary,  Charles,  Hannah,  Jane,  Robert  and 
Nathaniel.  For  want  of  space  in  this  history  of  the  family  we 
will  have  to  confirm  ourselves  to  a  Historical  History  instead  of 
a  Genelogical  one  of  the  family.  Therefore,  will  give  the  following 
copy  of  a  letter  we  received  of  Mr.  N.  T.  Boyd  of  Warppingers 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  375 

Falls,  N.  Y.,  to  us  October  27,  igoS,  who  has  taken  a  very  deep 
interest  in  the  representation  of  his  branch  to  us  at  our  request 
as  follows : 

Warppingers  Falls,  N.Y.,  Oct.  27,  1908. 
Mr.  Wm.  P.  Boyd: 

The  early  historical  sketch  as  you  have  it  outlined  and  re- 
corded in  your  history  of  the  Boyd  Family  and  Descendants,  of 
1884,  and  such  infonnation  as  furnished  by  the  late  John  Boyd 
and  his  daughter  Miss  Ellen  W.  Boyd,  are  the  most  complete  and 
authentic  that  I  know  of  or  am  possessed,  in  regard  to  Robert 
and  his  brother  James,  Nathaniel  and  their  sister  Mary,  who 
settled  at  New  Windsor,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.  and  Little  Bri- 
tain, near  the  mouth  of  Quassatch  Creek,  which  empties  into  the 
Hudson  River  about  a  mile  below  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  in  1738. 
This  is  the  first  starting  point  of  our  branch  of  the  family  in  this 
country  from  the  County,  of  Down,  Ireland.  In  a  history  of 
Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  published  in  1891,  there  is  a  map  of  the  Winter 
Cantonment  of  the  American  army  and  its  vicinity  for  17S3, 
showing  the  Boyd  residence  and  referring  to  Robert  Boyd  the 
Revolutionary  gun  maker  whose  factory  stood  on  the  above 
creek.  While  in  one  of  the  Colonial  Histories  of  State  of  New 
York,  the  correspondencies  between  the  Boyd  and  the  Military 
and  State  officials  of  the  period  are  given,  showing  the  integ- 
rity and  business-like  bearing  of  those  gentlemen.  Some  years 
ago  there  was  on  exhibition  at  Washington's  Headquarters  at 
Newburgh,  a  partition  for  a  road  or  highway  imiprovement 
with  the  signatures  of  Robert,  Nathaniel  and  some  other  mem- 
bers of  our  families.  Nathaniel  was  married  in  Ireland,  doubt- 
less in  the  County  of  Down,  as  he  embarked  at  Belfast  for 
America  with  his  family.  His  first  wife  was  known  as  Margaret 
Beck  and  the  second  as  Margaret  Monsel.  But  as  to  the  last 
m.arriage  whether  it  took  place  in  Ireland  or  America  is  not 
known,  but  doubtless  in  America,  and  his  third  wife  was  Jane 
Johnson.  He  lived  and  died  at  Little  Britain  at  an  old  age^ 
leaving  a  large  family  like  his  brother  James. 

John  Boyd,  the  third  child  and  oldest  son  of  Nathaniel  by 
his  first  wife  was  born  in  the  County  of  Down,  Ireland,  March 


376  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

24,  1746,  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents  at  the  age  of  eight 
years  (1754).  In  later  years  he  returned  to  Amenia  Union  and 
owned  a  large  track  of  land  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
took  place  August  17,  1S17.  There  is  no  doubt  that  he  received 
a  proportion  of  his  father-in-law's  estate.  His  wife  died  October 
5,  1820.  His  name  appears  with  300  other  persons  on  the  Roll 
of  Honor  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  In  the  records  of  the 
New  York  State  he  was  known  as  a  Lieutenant  in  Capt.  Colby 
Chamberlain's  Company  in  the  sixth  Dutchess  County  Regi- 
ment, March  20,  1778,  and  later  as  Captain  in  the  fifth  Dutchess 
County  Regiment  under  Col.  Wm.  Humphrey.  In  faith  he  was 
a  Presbyterian  and  was  connected  with  the  Church  at  Amenia, 
N.  Y.  Aniong  his  fellow  men  he  was  a  man  highly  esteemed 
and  trusted.  Frequently  he  acted  as  m.essenger  and  financially 
at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.  His  family  consisted  of  eleven  children, 
many  of  them  died  in  early  life.  His  youngest  son  David  was 
born  in  Amenia,  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  May  21,  17QS.  He 
remained  at  his  native  place  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years 
which  he  passed  in  Little  Britain  until  he  was  17,  attending  the 
best  schools  of  the  day,  and  then  he  went  to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  to 
learn  the  tanners'  trade  with  his  brother  James,  who  was  already 
located.  Later  he  removed  to  Poughkeepsie  and  entered  the 
yards  and  employment  of  Mr.  John  Gary,  remaining  with  him 
for  several  years  perfecting  his  knowledge  of  the  trade.  After 
remaining  with  Mr.  Gary  for  a  time,  that  gentleman  removed  his 
business  to  Troy,  N.  Y.  It  was  then  that  Mr.  Boyd  met  his  wife 
whose  maiden  name  was  Rhoda  Bettis,  a  sister-in-law  of  Mr. 
Gary  and  married  her  April  27,  18 17.  She  was  born  at  Foster, 
R.  I.,  June  10,  1792,  and  died  at  Poughkeepsie,  February  12,  1836. 
Soon  after  this  he  returned  to  Poughkeepsie  and  commenced  busi- 
ness for  himself  at  the  old  yard.  He  opened  a  leather  and  finding 
store  on  Main  Street.  Some  years  afterwards  he  erected  for 
himself  a  larger  and  more  extensive  tannery  in  another  location 
of  the  city.  His  worth  and  integrity  as  a  citizen  can  not  be  over- 
estimated, for  he  was  connected  with  the  bank  of  Poughkeepsie 
as  director  for  sixteen  years.  In  religious  views  he  was  a  Scotch 
Presbvterian  and  served  manv  vears  as  a  trustee  of  that  church. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  377 

In  masonry  he  was  connected  with  Solomon  Lodge,  No.  6  as 
secretary  and  treasurer.  He  was  a  member  of  Fire  Engine  Com- 
pany Protection,  No.  i  in  1821.  On  the  tenth  day  of  May,  185 1, 
he  breathed  his  last,  leaving  three  children  by  his  first  wife  as 
follows:  First,  Mary  Eliza,  who  was  the  wife  of  Abraham  Wilt- 
see.  Second,  John  Gary.  Third,  Julia,  who  was  the  wife  of 
Alson  Ward.  His  second  wife  died  April  11,  1856,  leaving  no 
children.  After  his  death  his  business  fell  into  the  hands  of  his 
son  and  son-in-law,  under  the  finn  of  Boyd  and  Wiltsee. 

John  Boyd,  the  only  son  of  David  Bo^^d  was  born  in  Pough- 
keepsie,  February  12,  1825.  Fortunatel}^  he  had  good  advantages 
in  his  youth  by  being  given  a  fine,  business  education.  He  be- 
came engaged  with  his  father  in  business  life,  beginning  as  an 
apprentice  and  succeeding  his  father  in  his  twenty-sixth  year. 
September  9,  1852,  he  united  his  destiny  by  marrying  Miss 
Pheobe  E.  Trowbridge,  a  daughter  of  Stephen  B.  and  Eliza  (Con- 
klin)  Trowbridge,  both  branches  tracing  their  lineage  back  to 
English  descendants.  This  firm  of  Boyd  and  Wiltsee  continued 
in  business  at  the  same  place  for  over  twenty-five  years.  Mr. 
Boyd  was  a  gentleman  of  gentle  disposition,  always  making 
friends  and  retaining  them  through  life.  The  year  of  1847  found 
him  a  member  of  the  Howard  Hose  Company,  No.  2,  and  for 
thirty  years  he  was  an  active  and  interested  trustee  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  of  his  native  place.  Was  connected  with  the 
Poughkeepsie  National  Bank  as  director  for  twenty-two  years, 
and  in  that  time  was  its  President  and  Vice-President;  was  also 
a  member  of  the  Water  Board  of  that  city,  having  the  honor  con- 
ferred upon  him  as  President  for  years,  as  well  as  tfrustee  of  the 
Poughkeepsie  Rural  Cemetery.  His  death  occurred  April  6,  1886, 
being  the  father  of  three  children,  thus :  First,  Nathan  T.  Second, 
Henry  vS.,  who  died  in  infancy  and  Frederick. 

Nathan  T.  Boyd,  the  oldest  son  of  the  above  John,  was  born 
in  Poughkeepsie,  April  17,  1856.  In  his  younger  days  he  attended 
one  of  the  best  schools  in  that  city  until  he  entered  as  book-keeper 
in  the  First  National  Bank  in  1875.  Three  years  later  he  ac- 
cepted a  like  position  in  the  store  of  his  uncle,  known  as  the 
Messrs.  Trowbridge  &  Co.,  and  a  short  time  spent  in  the  service 


378  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Co.  of  Illinois.  On  February  i^ 
1888,  this  firm  dissolved  and  he  entered  as  one  of  the  successors 
under  the  name  of  Kirby  DeBois  &  Boyd.  In  1896  he  retired 
fyom  active  life  and  removed  to  Yonkers,  N.  Y.,  and  managed 
his  interest  in  New  York  City.  On  the  death  of  his  mother-in- 
law,  he  removed  to  Warppingers  Falls,  N.  Y.,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  Here  he  retained  his  membership  in  the  Amrita  Club, 
and  in  the  Phoenix  Hose  Company,  No.  i  (acting  as  treasurer) 
for  full  temi  of  five  years.  Also  now  a  veteran  of  the  Veteran 
Firemen  Association  of  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  and  a  member  of 
the  Dutchess  County  Society  of  New  York.  His  wife  was  Alice 
M.  White,  daughter  of  Charles  D.  and  Mary  (Haynes)  White, 
whose  ancestors  are  traced  back  to  the  Mayflower,  whom  he  mar- 
ried October  24,  1889.  His  brother  Frederick  J.  Boyd,  the 
youngest  son  of  his  father's  household,  was  born  in  Poughkeepsie,. 
March  18,  1868.  He  was  educated  at  Bisbee's  School  and  East- 
man Business  College.  In  1888  he  entered  the  office  of  Adriance 
Piatt  &  Company  after  three  years  clerkship  he  entered  the  office 
of  a  smelting  and  refining  company  in  New  York  and  shortly 
afterwards  was  sent  as  their  agent  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  to  have 
charge  of  the  affairs  of  this  company  at  that  place.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  National  Guards  and  received  an  honorable  dis- 
charge from  the  State  of  New  York,  November  3,  1894.  While 
in  St.  Louis  he  was  connected  with  a  Battery  Company  during 
the  Spanish  War  and  in  1898  was  sent  to  Porto  Rico  and  was  at 
Ponce  when  peace  was  declared.  On  his  return  he  entered  the 
employ  of  a  large  mining  company  and  made  his  headquarters 
at  San  Lois  Postose,  Durango,  Agnascalients  and  Sombrerete. 
Later  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Waters-Pierce  Oil  Company  in 
the  City  of  Mexico,  Mexico,  as  manager  and  auditor.  Now  he 
is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  at  Guadalajara,  Jalisco  Mexico, 
the  firm  being  known  as  Boyd  &  Smith.  He  married  here  a  Bartda 
Solane  at  El  Paso,  Texas,  May  10,  1906.  She  was  bom  August 
24,  1877  at  Muleros,  State  of  Durango,  Mexico  and  was  the 
datighter  of  Juan  and  Refugio  (Rodriguez)  Solans.  Their  family 
consisted  of  two  sons:  First,  David,  bom  May  21,  1906  at  the 
City  of  Mexico  and  second,  Stephen  T.  Boyd,  bom  November 


JOHN   AND   MARY   (TOOKER)   BOYD 
Died   1868  and    1869 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  381 

28,  igog  at  Guadalajara,  Jalisco,  Mexico.  Mary  who  came  with 
her  brothers  to  America  (we  know  nothing  about  her,  except 
that  she  was  born  in  the  County  of  Down,  Ireland,  and  settled 
at  New  Windsor,  N.  Y.  Here  she  married  a  man  named  Waugh, 
but  who  her  descendants  are  to-day  is  not  known,  if  she  had 
any,  or  when  she  died. 

Samuel  Bo yd 

Samuel  Boyd  the  second  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Margaret 
(Beck)  Boyd  was  born  in  the  County  of  Down,  Ireland,  June  7, 
1754  according  to  an  old  Bible  record  now  in  the  possession  of 
some  of  his  descendants  bearing  the  date  of  1789.  He  married 
Mahetable  Tuthill  at  Goshen,  Orange  County  where  he  afterward 
lived  about  the  year  1783  or  1784.  She  was  born  August  i,  1757 
and  died  October  23,  1851.  He  died  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope 
August  12,  1 83 1.  After  a  time  he  resided  at  Mount  Hope  where 
he  built  a  house  in  the  wilderness.  By  this  union  they  had  seven 
children  whose  names  were:  Joshua,  Mary,  John,  Mahetable. 
Margaret,  Keturah  and  Freigift,  whose  records  are  as  follows: 

Generation  Second 

Joshua  the  oldest  son  of  Samuel  and  Mahetable  Boyd  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Goshen,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  March  10, 
1785,  married  Dorcas  Sarah  Dickinson,  and  (no  record), 
died  at  Newburgh,  November  3,  1875.  His  wife  was  born 
July — 179c,  and  died  at  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  December  15,  1881. 
The  occupation  of  Joshua  was  that  of  a  minister  of  the  Dutch 
Refonn  Denomination.  His  first  pastorship  was  at  Roxbury  and 
Middletown,  N.  Y.,  in  1826-7.  Herkimer,  N.  Y.  and  Fallsburgh, 
N.  Y.  1827.  Rotterdam  first  time  in  1828-1836  and  second 
time  1836-1840.  Middleburgh  in  1840-1842.  Germantown, 
N.  Y.,  1842-49.  Also  at  Hudson  and  Newburgh,  N.  Y.  at  a 
later  date.     They  had  no  children. 

Mary  the  oldest  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mahetable  Boyd, 
was  bom  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope,  M.  Y.,  May  17,  1787,  married 
Daniel  Fullerton  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope,  and  for  her  second 


382      HISTORY  or  the  boyd  family  and  its  descendants 

husband  Isaac  Miller  Prince  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope.  By 
her  first  husband  she  had  one  child  named  Malinda. 

John  Boyd  the  second  son  of  Samuel  and  Mahetable  Boyd, 
was  bom  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope,  Orange  County,  N.  Y., 

March  17,  1789.     He  married  Mary  Tooker  at and  died 

in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope,  November  3,  1868.  His  wife  died 
in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope,  March  2,  1869.  In  life  John  was  an 
industrious  pioneer,  having  cleared  a  large  farm  from  the  original 
forest,  and  lived  to  see  the  same  conducted  on  modern  lines  with 
fami  machinery.  In  order  to  increase  his  income  he  hauled  lumber 
during  the  winter  and  drove  a  market  wagon  once  or  twice  weekly 
during  the  summer  months,  carrying  farm  produce  to  Newburgh, 
N.  Y.,  a  distance  of  thirty  miles,  which  was  his  nearest  point  of 
shipment  until  the  Erie  Railroad  was  constructed  about  the  year 
of  1846-7.  While  on  his  return  trip  he  would  bring  merchandise 
to  the  different  stores  along  his  route.  He  also  was  identified 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Mount  Hope,  holding  the  po- 
sition as  one  of  its  officers  and  elders.  His  famih'  consisted  of 
ten  children,  whose  names  were  John  Harry,  Daniel  Tooker, 
Martha  Ann,  Nathaniel  Tuthill,  Mary,  Samuel,  Elsie  Dorcas, 
Harriet,  David  and  Sylvester  Swezy.  Mahetable  Boyd  the  se- 
cond daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mahetable  Boyd  was  bom  in  the 
town  of  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  August  8,  1790,  married  Salem  Gold- 
smith and  died  at  Otisville,  N.  Y.,  June  12,  1875.     Her  husband 

was  bom   at  ■ ■  and   died  at  .     They  had  no 

children.  Margaret  Boyd  the  third  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Ma- 
hetable Boyd  v/as  born  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope,  May  9,  1793, 
and  died  unmarried  at  Otisville,  N.  Y.,  March  12,  1870. 

Keturah  Boyd  the  fourth  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mahetable 
Boyd  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope, N.Y., February  26,1 796, 
and  married  John  Ayres  in  the  town  of  Mallhill,  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.,  December  18,  181 7  and  died  in  same  place  October  28, 

1840.     Her  husband  was  born  at October  18,  1796  and 

died  in  the  town  of  Mallhill,  March  2,  1864.  By  occupation  they 
were  farmers  and  their  family  consisted  of  nine  children  namely: 
Martha  Jane,  David,  Mahetable,  Ann,  Samuel,  Charles,  Harriet, 
Jesse,  Dorcas  Sarah  and  Fanny  E.     Freigift  Tuthill  Boyd  the 


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HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         385 

third  son  of  Samuel  and  Mahetable  Boyd  was  bom  in  the  town 
of  Mount  Hope,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  August  12,  1797,  married 

Lucretia  Tompkins  at  probably  about  1845,  and  died 

at   Franklin   Forks,    Pa., 1880.     The   history   of    his 

family  and  descendants  to  us  is  quite  meager.  He  resided  at 
Franklin  Forks,  Pa.  They  had  five  children  whose  names  were: 
Joshua,  Carolina,  John  Tuthill,  Mary  Elizabeth  and  Francis  M. 

Generation  Third 

Malinda  FuUerton  the  only  daughter  of  Daniel  Fullerton 
and  Mary   (Boyd)   Fullerton  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Mount 
Hope,  N.  Y.,  September  22,  1810,  married  Daniel  P.  Quackinbush 
in  the  same  town  September  26,  1829.     Her  husband  was  bom  at 
New  York  City,  January  16,  1805,  and  died  at  Otisville,  N.  Y., 
January  25,   1883.     Her  death  took  place  at  Otisville,  N.  Y., 
March    29,    1883.     They   had  eleven   children.     Lorenzo,   Mary 
Jane,  Isaac  L.,  Hannah    Ann,   Daniel  W.,  Malinda    Elizabeth, 
Margaret  Eliza,  Avery  Gilbert,  Emily  Carolina,  Esther  Angelica 
and  Mary  Rice.     John  Harvey  Boyd  the  oldest  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Tooker)  Boyd  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope, 
Octob'er  19,  181 5,  and  married  Cyntha  Penny  for  his  first  wife  at 
Mount  Hope,  December   1837,  who  was  bom  in  the  town  of 
Mount  Hope  and  died  in  the  same  town  April  24,  1850.     For  his 
second  wife,  Sarah  Ann  Tooker  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  about 
1853.     His  early  life  was  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  in 
the  occupation  of  a  fanner  and  mechanic.     During  the  year  of 
1863  he  moved  with  his  family  to  the  State  of  Wisconsin  where 
he  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  in  Company  H,  36th  Wisconsin  Vol- 
unteers.    A  short  time  after  entering  the  service  of  his  country 
including  several  battles  he  was  taken  sick  and  died  at  Campbell 's 
Hospital  at  Washington,  March  30,  1865.     By  his  first  wife  he 
was  the  father  of  five  children:  Frances  Jeannette,  Myra,  Horace 
Tooker,  Martha  Adelia  and  Orange  John,  and  by  the  seond  wife 
four:  Barton  Emmet,  Matilla  Li  Hi  an,  Wm.  Harvey  and  ValneyB. 

Daniel  Tooker  Boyd,  second  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Tooker) 
Boyd  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  March  28, 
1817,  marn'ed  Esther  Dicks  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  April 


386       HISTORY  or  the  boyd  family  and  its  descendants 

4,  1844,  and  died  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  July  30,  1892.  His 
occupation  in  life  was  that  of  a  farmer,  owning  a  large  farm  near 
Mount  Hope  which  he  sold  prior  to  his  moving  to  Middletown. 
Daniel  possessed  a  very  genial  temperament  which  to  him  made 
many  warm  friendships  when  the  village  of 'Mount  Hope  was  a 
prospering  village  of  Orange  County.  There  was  a  large  church 
society  here,  and  in  this  he  was  one  of  the  leading  spirits,  giving 
much  of  his  time  and  help  to  the  church.  His  wife  was  a  most 
estimable  woman  also,  and  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Nancy 
Dicks  of  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  who  was  born  at  the  latter 
place  November  21,  1822  and  died  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  March 
14,  1886.  Their  family  consisted  of  four  children:  Samuel 
Jerome,  George  Lewis,  Robert  Terry  and  Mary  Alida. 

Martha  Ann  Boyd  the  oldest  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(Tooker)  Boyd  was  born  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y..  March  11,  1819, 

married  John  Kortright  Penney,  M.  D.,  at  Newburgh,  N.  Y., 

,  and  died  at  East  Saginaw,  Mich.,  January  2,  1857.     For 


a  time  she  and  her  husband  lived  at  Hudson,  N.  Y.,  where  her 
husband  followed  his  profession  while  conducting  a  drug  store 
and  in  1856  moved  to  East  Saginaw,  Mich.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  three  children:  Theodore  A.,  Carolina  and  Sarah 
Dorcas. 

Mary-  Boyd  the  second  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Tooker) 
Boyd  was  bom  near  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  April  8,  1823,  and  became 
the  second  wife  of  her  brother-in-law  John  Kortright  Penney, 
whom  she  married  near  Mount  Hope,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  — 

— ; ,  and  died  at  East  Saginaw,  Mich.,  July  3,  1862,  having 

no  children. 

Nathaniel  Tuthill  Boyd  the  third  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Tooker)  Boyd  was  born  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  December  29, 
1820,  died  at  same  place  November  19,  1824. 

Samuel  Boyd  the  fourth  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Tooker) 
Boyd  was  born  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  February  10,  1825  and  died 
at  the  same  place  October  16,  1846. 

Elsie  Dorcas  Boyd  the  third  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(Tooker)  Boyd  was  bom  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  December  15, 
1826  and  died  at  the  same  place  January  4,  1850. 


SAMUEL  J.  AND  ROBERT  TERRY  BOYD 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         389 

Harriet  Boyd  the  fourth  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Tooker) 
Boyd  was  born  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  October  29,  1S28  died  at 
the  same  place  September  11,  1829. 

David  Boyd  the  fifth  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Tooker)  Boyd 
was  born  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  July  11,  1830,  and  died  at  the 
same  place  September  16,  1830. 

Sylvester  Swezy  Boyd  the  youngest  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Tooker)  Boyd  was  born  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  February  16, 
1832,  died  at  same  place  December  7,  1833. 

Martha  Jane  Ayres  the  oldest  daughter  of  John  and  Keturah 

(Boyd)  Ayres  was  born  at  January  23,  18 19,  married 

John  J.  Schennerhom  at  Schenectady,  N.  Y., and  died 

at  same  place  March  13,  1888.  We  have  no  further  record  ex- 
cept that  she  had  three  children,  Sarah  Elizabeth,  John  Jacob 
and  Angelica  Keturah. 

David  Ayres  the  oldest  son  of  John  and  Keturah  (Boyd) 
Ayres  was  bom  near  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  August  27,  1820,  mar- 
ried at  Middletown,  N.  Y.  Ellen  Savers,  where  he  lived  in  early 
life  and  then  they  moved  to  Footville,  Wis.,  where  she  died  July 
14,  1895.  They  had  two  children  named  Charles  and  George, 
both  of  whom  are  dead,  we  have  no  further  record. 

Mehetible  Ann  Ayres  the  second  daughter  of  John  and  Ke- 
turah (Boyd)  Ayres  was  bom  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  June  23, 
1822,  married  John  Kirby  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  February  20, 
1847.  Her  husband's  occupation  was  that  of  a  carpenter.  She 
died  at  Slate  Hill,  N.  Y.,  March  24,  1906.  They  had  five  children 
Keturah  Ann,  Martha  Jane,  Jesse  Winfield,  Fannie  EHzabeth 
and  Sarah  Wisner. 

Samuel  Ayers  the  second  son  of  John  and  Keturah  (Boyd) 
Ayres  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wall  kill,  N.  Y.,  September  26, 
1824,  married  Mary  Hulse  in  the  same  town  September  18,  1850, 
who  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  December  15,  1826  and  died 
in  the  same  town  January  10,  1896.  Samuel  died  in  Middletown, 
N.  Y.,  February  4,  1903.  In  life  he  was  a  prominent  groceryman, 
in  which  business  he  was  very  successful,  starting  in  his  younger 
days  as  a  clerk  and  then  on  his  own  account  until  he  sold  the  same 
to  his  oldest  son  a  short  time  before  he  died.     His  family  consisted 


390  HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

of  four  children:     Rensellaer  Hulse,  Frank  Boyd,  Mary  Louise 
and  Henry  Martin. 

Charles  Ayres  the  third  son  of  John  and  Keturah  (Boyd) 
Ay  res  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  December  7,  1826, 
married  Fanny  Antoinette  Davis  of  the  same  town  February  7, 
1867  and  died  near  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  March  11,  1892.  His 
wife  was  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Salley  C.  (Hulse)  Davds  and  was 

born  at  October  23,   1843.     By  occupation  he  was  a 

shoemaker  and  by  this  union  had  four  children:  Frederick,  Mary 
Antoinette,  John  and  Clarence. 

Harriet  the  third  daughter  of  John  and  Keturah  (Boyd) 
Ayres  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  July  15,  1829  and 
died  at  the  same  place  July  28,  1829. 

Jesse  Ayres  the  fourth  son  of  John  and  Keturah  (Boyd) 
Ayres  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  March  16,  1831, 

married  Adaline  Gordon  at ,  and  died  at  Middletown, 

N.  Y.,  December  25,  1896,  where  he  had  been  employed  as  a 
railroad  machinist  for  a  number  of  years.  Their  children  were 
George,  Arabell  and  Nellie. 

Dorcas  Sarah  Ayres  the  fourth  daughter  of  John  and  Keturah 
(Boyd)  Ayres  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  August  i, 
1833,  married  Enos  Mapes  Smith  near  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  FebrL^- 
ary  19,  1858  and  died  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  July  26,  191 1.  Her 
husband  was  born  March  16,  1833  and  died  June  10  1901.  They 
resided  near  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  and  had  seven  children:  Alice  E., 
J.  Edward,  Emma  J.,  Mary  F.,  Henry  C,  Minnie  L.  and  Ida  J. 

Fannie  E.  Ayres  the  youngest  daughter  of  John  and  Keturah 
(Boyd)  Ayres  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  July  i, 
1835  and  died  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  January  30,  1888. 

Joshua  Boyd  the  oldest  son  of  Freigift  Tuthill  and  Lu- 
cretia  (Tompkins)  Boyd  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope, 

N.  Y.,  ,  married  Sarah  Kirby  at  Middletown,  N.  Y., 

and  died  at  Montiour,  Pa.,  November  21,  19 10.     His 

early  life  was  spent  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  and  later  moved  to 
Franklin  Forks,  Susquehanna  County.  Pa.,  where  he  conducted 
a  general  country  store.  His  family  consisted  of  two  children, 
Annie  Bell  and  Augusta. 


AVERY  G.  QUACKENBUSH 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  393 

Carolina  Boyd  the  oldest  daughter  of  Freigift  Tuthill  and 
Lucretia  (Tompkms)  Boyd  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope, 
N.  Y.,  married  William  Burrows  and  has  no  children. 

John  Tuthill  Boyd  the  second  son  of  Freigift  Tuthill  and 
Lucretia  (Tompkins)  Boyd  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope, 
N.  Y.,  married  Francis  A.  Parker  who  died  at  Rutherford,  N.  J., 

1903-     His  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm  and  afterwards 

became  a  travelling  merchant  in  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  and  later 
had  a  store  at  Harlem  and  Brooklyn,  New  York.  They  had  no 
children 

Mary  Elizabeth  Boyd  the  second  daughter  of  Freigift  Tut- 
hill and  Lucretia  (Tompkins)  Boyd  was  bom  at  

married  Lyman  Smith.     They  have  one  son,  Lewis. 

Francis  M.  Boyd  the  youngest  daughter  of  Freigift  Tuthill 
(Tompkins)  Boyd  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y. 
She  resided  a  number  of  years  with  her  uncle,  Rev.  Joshua  Boyd 
at  Newburgh,  N.  Y.     Now  resides  at  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

Generation  Fourtpi 

Lorenzo  Quackenbush  the  oldest  son  of  Daniel  P.  and  Ma- 
linda  (Fullerton)  Quackenbush  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Mount 
Hope,  N.  Y.,  November  8,  1830  and  died  at  the  same  place 
September  27,  1833 

Mary  Jane  Quackenbush  the  oldest  daughter  of  Daniel  P. 
and  Malinda  (Fullerton)  Quackenbush  was  bom  in  the  town  of 
Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  Orange  County,  July  27,  1833  and  died  at 
the  same  place  September  7,  1834. 

Isaac  L.  Quackenbush  the  second  son  of  David  P.  and  Ma- 
linda (Fullerton)  Quackenbush  was  born  at  Finchville,  in  the  town 
of  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  February  26,  1835,  and  married  Emeline 
Decker  at  Port  Jervis,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.  By  occupation 
he  was  a  harness  maker.  They  had  two  children,  Lillian  who 
married  Willis  Whitner  of  Saffemes,  N.  Y.,  and  Harry  A.  who 
married  Lillian  Hendershott  of  Germantown,  N.  Y.  They  have 
one  child,  Willis. 

Hannah  Ann  Quackenbush  the  second  daughter  of  Daniel 
P.  and  Malinda  (Fullerton)  Quackenbush  and  bom  in  the  town  of 


894  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  September  30,  1837,  married  James  Albei't 
Lancaster  of  Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  April  23,  1858  and  died  at  Otis- 
ville;  N  Y.,  April  14,  1S64.  She  had  three  children:  George 
Albert,  Charles  P.  and  Ella  Mary. 

Daniel  W.  Quackenbush  the  third  son  of  Daniel  P.  and  Ma- 
linda  (Fullerton)  Quackenbush  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mount 
Hope,  N.  Y.,  June  20,  1840,  died  at  the  same  place  July  14,  1S40. 

Malinda  Elizabeth  Quackenbush  the  third  daughter  of  Daniel 
P.  and  Malinda  (Fullerton)  Quackenbush,  was  born  at  the  town  of 
Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  September  i,  1842,  inarricd  W  B.  Jacobus 
of  Mount  Clare,  N.  Y.,  June  16,  1874.  Have  two  sons,  Herbert 
Hall  and  Clarence  Willard. 

Margaret  Eliza  Quackenbush  the  fourth  daughter  of  Daniel 
P.  and  Malinda  (Fullerton)  Quackenbush,  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  Juiy  17,  1S44,  married  George  Stratton  of 
Thompsonville,  Sullivan  County,  N.  Y.,  December  28,  1870  and 
died  at  Chester,  N.  Y.,  July  3,  191 1.  They  had  one  daughter, 
Lena  Irene. 

Avery  Gilbert  Quackenbush  the  fourth  son  of  Daniel  P.  and 
Malinda  (Fullerton)  Quackenbush,  was  born  at  Finchville,  town 
of  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  February  2,  1847.  Avery  for  over  forty 
years  has  been  connected  with  the  Erie  Railroad  Coinpany,  being 
one  of  its  most  faithful  and  reliable  employees.  He  now  resides 
at  Otis vi lie  with  his  two  sisters. 

Erilly  Caroline  Quackenbush  the  fifth  daughter  of  Daniel 
P.  and  Malinda  (Fullerton)  Quackenbush,  was  born  at  Otisville, 
N,  Y.,  (where  she  now  resides)  October  12,  184Q. 

Esther  Angleica  Quackenbush  the  Sixth  daughter  of  Daniel 
P.  and  Malinda  (Fullerton)  Quackenbush,  was  born  at  Otisville, 
N.  Y.,  (where  she  now  resides)  July  7,  1852. 

Mary  Rice  Quackenbush  the  seventh  daughter  of  Daniel 
P.  and  Malinda  (Fullerton)  Quackenbush ,  was  born  at  Otisville, 
N.  Y.,  June  12,  1855,  niarried  Samuel  Shorter  of  Middletown, 
N.  Y.,  October  3,  1883.  They  had  four  children  namely:  Nellie 
M.,  Ida  Mae,  Bert  and  Harry. 

Francis  Janetta  Boyd  the  oldest  daughter  of  John  H.  and 
Cynthia   (Penney)   Boyd  was  boni  near  Mount   Hope,   N.   Y., 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         397 

October  13,  1838,  married  Sidney  Van  Auken  of  Montrose,  Pa., 
October  27,  1859  and  died  at  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  September  5,  1877. 
Her  husband  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  War  of  1S61,  was  a  member 
of  Company  in  151st,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  regim.ent  of  In- 
fantry. They  had  four  children  whose  names  were:  Olive  T., 
Minnie  A.,  Lucy  E.  and  Maud  L. 

Myra  Boyd  the  second  daughter  of  John  Harvey  and  Cyn- 
thia (Penney)  Boyd  was  bom  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y., 

married  Walter  Jenners  of  Forest  Lake,  Pa.,  July 1858. 

They  lived  for  several  years  at  Brackneyville,  Pa.  and  now  re- 
side at  Bingham  ton,  N.  Y.  They  had  three  children,  Ella  L., 
Charles  H.  and  Orphee  A. 

Horace  Tooker  Boyd,  the  oldest  son  of  John  Harvey  and 
Cynthia  (Penney)  Boyd,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope, 
N.  Y.,  December  i,  1844,  married  Fanny  Harding  of  Middle- 
town,  N.  Y.^ ,  died  at  the  above  place  May  i,  1872. 

He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1861.  Their  family  consisted  of 
several  children,  who  with  the  wife  are  all  dead  and  the  family 
has  become  extinct. 

Martha  Adelia  Boyd  the  third  daughter  of  John  Harvey  and 

Cynthia  (Penney)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y., 

1849,  married  Charles  Blanchard  Goodnough  of  Binghamton, 
N.  Y.,  November  26,  1866,  and  died  at  the  latter  place  February 
22,  1882.  Her  husband  at  the  time  of  their  marriage  was  one  "of 
the  faculty  in  Lowell's  Commercial  College  at  that  place.  They 
had  no  children. 

Orange  John  Boyd  the  youngest  son  of  John  Harvey  and 
Cynthia  (Penney)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.  He 
spent  his  early  life  at  the  place  of  his  birth,  and  in  1S63  moved 
with  his  parents  to  the  State  of  Wisconsin  and  later  to  New 
Buffalo,  North  Dakota,  where  he  now  lives. 

Barton  Emimit  Boyd  the  oldest  son  of  John  Harvey  and 
Sarah  Ann  (Tooker)  Boyd  was  born  at  Brooklyn  Center,  Pa., 
January  6,  1855,  niarried  Tabitha  Louise  Fox  at  Smithland, 
Iowa,  July  14,  1879.  During  the  year  of  1863  with  his  parents 
he  went  to  Wisconsin,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  obtained  em- 
ployment in  a  dry  goods  store  at  Sioux  City,  Iowa.     For  the 


398         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

next  twenty-five  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Smithland  and  Mobile,  Iowa.  While  at  the  latter  place, 
he  held  the  office  of  Postmaster  for  twelve  years.  In  July  of 
1903  he  moved  with  his  family  from  Morilli,  Iowa,  to  Willow- 
nook  Farm  near  Wetaskiwin,  Alberta,  Canada,  where  he  is  now 
extensively  engaged  in  stock  raising.  In  religious  life  his  family 
are  identified  with  the  Congregational  Church.  They  have  six 
children:  Ethelyn  Rita,  Mary  LilHan,  Beatrice  Evelyn,  Wm. 
Emmet,  Zerma  Grace  and  Barton  Lewis  Raymond. 

Matilla  Lillian  Boyd  the  oldest  daughter  of  John  Harvey 
and  Sarah  Ann  (Tooker)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Forest  Lake,  Pa., 
November  8,  1857,  married  Herbert  H.  Cilley  at  Westfield, 
Iowa,  April  25,  1885.  Her  husband  is  a  prominent  physician 
and  surgeon  at  Akron,  Iowa.  They  have  four  children  whose 
names  are,  George,  Emmet  Orin,  Chester  Carlton  and  Herbert 
Arthur. 

William  Harvey  Boyd  the  second  son  of  John  Harvey  and 
Sarah  Ann  (Tooker)  Boyd,  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Pa., 
October  5,  1S60,  married  Laura  M.  Shull  at  Rutland,  La  Salle 
County,  111.,  August  12,  1886.  He  has  been  employed  as  well 
as  having  an  interest  in  the  Plymouth  Milling  Company  for 
nearly  twenty-five  years  at  Lee  Mars,  Iowa.  They  have  become 
the  parents  of  four  children:  Harvey  Austin,  Gerdena  Louise, 
Harold  Romain  Martin  and  Mary  Eda. 

Volney  Beckner  Boyd  the  third  son  of  John  Harvey  and 

Sarah   Ann    (Tooker)    Boyd,    was   born   at   ,    Wisconsin, 

August  2.  1863,  married  Lucy  M.  Gibson  at  Westfield,  Iowa, 
February  2,  1889.  His  occupation  is  that  of  a  farmer  and  their 
family  consists  of  seven  children:  Roy  Barton,  Herbert  William, 
Esther  Ann,  Lester  Austin,  Robin  Volney,  Cecil  Clair  and  Frank 
H. 

Samuel  Jerome  Boyd  the  oldest  son  of  Daniel  Tooker  and 
Esther  (Dicks)  Boyd,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Mount  Hope, 
N.  Y.,  January  5,  1847,  married  Hannah  Eugenia  Knight,  a 
daughter  of  James  M.  and  Lydia  (Thorn)  Knight  in  the  town  of 
Wallkill,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  December  7,  1870.  His  wife 
was  born  near  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  June  23,  1848.     Samuel  by 


SAMUEL  JEROME  BOYD 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  401 

occupation  is  a  farmer,  except  for  a  few  years  when  he  was  in 
the  hardware  trade  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  and  for  a  time  em- 
ployed by  the  board  of  water  commissioners  in  the  same  city. 
In  the  winter  of  1910-11,  Mr.  Boyd  paid  me  a  visit  at  my  home 
in  Conesus.  Meeting  as  strangers  I  found  in  him  a  genial  and  a 
social  person  to  visit  with.  To  him  is  due  great  praise  in  assist- 
ing me  in  compiling  the  records  of  his  branch  and  securing  twenty- 
two  names  to  help  us  out  in  publishing  the  same.  His  family 
consisted  of  three  children,  whose  names  are:  Charles  Luther, 
Grace  Alena  and  Florence  Ruth. 

George  Lewis  Boyd  the  second  son  of  Daniel  Tooker  and 
Esther  (Dicks)  Boyd,  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Warragonda, 
Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  March  9,  1850.  He  was  a  graduate  of 
Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.  School  and  attended  Lowell's  Commercial 
College  at  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  and  died  March  17,  1870,  soon 
after  returning  from  school,  and  was  missed  by  all  that  knew 
him. 

Robert  Terry  Boyd  the  third  son  of  Daniel  Tooker  and 
Esther  (Dicks)  Boyd,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Warragonda,  N.Y., 
February  21,  1852,  married  Augusta  Belle  Robertson  at  the 
above  place  November  12,  1873.  Robert's  occupation  until  1870, 
was  that  of  a  farmer.  He  then  went  to  Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  and 
engaged  in  the  milk  and  cream  business  and  followed  the  same 
for  nearly  forty  years.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  year  igoq, 
his  health  failed  him  and  he  retired  form  business.  His  family 
consisted  of  two  sons,  William  and  Frank  Robertson  Boyd. 

Mary  Alida  Boyd  only  daughter  of  Daniel  Tooker  and  Es- 
ther (Dicks)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Mount  Hope,  April  8,  1856, 
married  Elting  DuBoice  France  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  De- 
cember 26,  1883.  Their  family  consisted  of  two  daughters,  Ethel 
Mary  and  Alice  McNish. 

Theodore  A.  Penney  the  oldest  son  of  John  Kortright  and 
Martha  Ann  (Boyd)  Penney.  He  was  engaged  for  a  time  as 
druggist  in  his  father's  store  at  Hudson,  N.  Y.,  and  later  from 
the  State  of  Michigan  joined  a  regiment  and  served  in  the  War 
of  1 86 1.  Was  taken  prisoner  and  for  a  time  was  confined  in 
Libbey  Prison  at  Richmond,  Va.     He  came  home  and  married 


402  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 


They  have  one  child  named  John.     Our  record  is 


limited.     He  died  previous  to  1S70. 

Caroline  Penney  the  oldest  daughter  of  John  Kortright  and 

Martha   Ann    (Boyd)    Penney   was   bom   at  ,   married 

Lorenzo  William  Frain  at  Hartwellville,  Mich.,  (no  record). 
They  reside  at  Button,  Oklahoma.  They  have  four  children: 
Charles  Seymour,  M.  Theodora,  Florence  Nightingale  and  Octa- 
rious  Lorenzo. 

Sarah  Dorcas  Penney  the  second  daughter  of  John  Kort- 
right and  Martha  Ann  (Boyd)  Penney,  was  born  (no  record), 
married  Arthur  D.  Hughes  at  Grand  Lodge,  Mich.,  (no  record). 
Mr.  Hughes  was  at  one  time  State  Senator.  They  had  two 
children:  Mabel  Low,  who  married  Frederick  V.  Henderick, 
M.  D.,  at  Boston,  Mass.,  September  — ,  191 1,  and  Harold  Arthur. 

Keturah  Ann  Kirby  the  oldest  daughter  of  John  and  Ma- 
hitable  (Ayres)  Kirby  was  born  near  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  Octo- 
ber 8,  1848,  died  at  State  Hill,  N.  Y.,  August  25,  1865. 

Martha  Jane  Kirby  the  second  daughter  of  John  and  Ma- 
hitable  (Ayres)  Kirby  was  bom  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  Septem- 
ber 25,  185 1,  married  Sidney  B.  Kirby  of Iowa,  August 

— ,  1887.     The  occupation  of  her  husband  was  that  of  an  expert 
machinist  and  died  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  December  27,  1902 
No  children. 

Jesse  Winfield  Kirby  the  oldest  son  of  John  and  Mahitable 
(Ayres)  Kirby,  was  born  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  April  19,  1855, 
died  at  Slate  Hill,  N.  Y.,  May  7,  1879.     Single. 

Fannie  Elizabeth  Kirb}^  the  third  daughter  of  John  and 
Mahitable  (Ayres)  Kirby,  was  born  at  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y., 
March  15.  1S60,  married  John  G.  Taylor  of  Slate  Hill,  N.  Y., 
January  25,  1882.  Their  residence  was  at  Newton,  N.J.,  but 
returned  to  Slate  Hill,  N.  Y.,  where  they  now  reside.  They  had 
two  children:  Mattee  Kirby  and  Lena  Boyd. 

Sarah  Wisner  Kirby  the  fourth  daughter  of  John  and  Ma- 
hitable   (Ayres)  Kirby,  was  born  at  Slate  Hill,  N.  Y.,  August 

14,  1862,  married  William  W.  Bacon  of  Chester,  N.  Y., •. 

Her  husband  has  been  for  nearly  thirty  years  in  the  employ  of 
the  Erie  Railroad  Company  and  now  is  a  prominent  citizen  at 


ROBERT  T.  BOYD 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  405 

Harriman,  N.  Y.,  Orange  County.  Their  family  consists  of  one 
son:  William  Kirby  Bacon. 

Rensellaer  H.  Ay  res  the  oldest  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
(Hulse)   Ayres,  was  born  at  Middletwon,  N.  Y.,  February   17, 

1852,  married  for  his  first  wife  Caroline  E.  Miller  at  , 

February  13,  1882,  who  died  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  January  21, 

1886.     For  his  second  wife  he  married  Mary  Ida  Miller  at 

January-  31,  1888.  By  occupation  he  was  a  groceryman.  They 
had  no  children. 

Frank  Boyd  Ayres  the  second  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary(Hulse) 
Ayres,  was  born  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  May  24,  185S,  married 
Dolly  Smith  Jackson  near  Goshen,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  June 
18,  1884.  His  wife  was  born  at  the  same  place  November  17, 
i860.  She  died  at  Middletown,  June,  22,  1898.  His  occupa- 
tion for  more  than  twenty-five  years  was  that  of  a  Hardware 
inerchant  at  his  native  place.  Their  family  consisted  of  three 
children:  Roberta  Jackson,  Marguerite  Wilson  and  Gladys 
Doritha. 

Mary  Louise  Ayres  the  only  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mar}' 
(Hulse)  Ayres,  was  bom  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  June  28,  1863. 
She  still  resides  at  Middletown,  N.  Y. 

Henry  Martin  Ayres  the  third  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
(Hulse)  Ayres,  was  born  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  October  17,  i860, 
died  at  the  same  place  November  19,  188 1. 

Frederick  Ayres  the  oldest  son  of  Charles  and  Fanny  (Davis) 
Ayres  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  April  23,  1869, 
married  Nora  Sanford  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  September  19, 
1888.     Mr.  Ayres' occupation  is  that  of  a  plumber.     No  children. 

Mary  Antoinette  Ayres  the  oldest  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Fanny  Antoinette  (Davis)  Ayres  was  bom  at  Middletown,  N.  Y., 

July  17,  1 87 1,  married  Robert  Todd  at ,  November  17, 

1 89 1.  Her  husband  is  connected  with  Springfield  Gas  Light 
Company  of  Springfield,  Mass,  where  they  reside.  They  have 
one  child:  a  son  named  Charles  Davis  Todd. 

John  Ayres  the  second  son  of  Charles  and  Fanny  (Davis) 
Ayres,  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  November  27, 
1872,  married  Josephine  Gertrude  Horton  at  Middletown,  N.Y., 


406         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  PAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

October  lo,  1894.  Her  husband's  occupation  is  that  of  superin- 
tendent of  the  Orange  County  Telephone  Company  of  Middle- 
town,  N.  Y.,  where  they  reside.  They  have  two  children,  Jennie 
May  and  Josephine  Isabella. 

Clarence  Ayres  the  third  son  of  Charles  and  Fanny  (Davis) 
Ayres,  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  November  27, 

1875,  married  Anna  Colloton  at  ,  February  17,  i8q8. 

Mr.  Ayres  is  superintendent  of  the  Warwick  Valley  Telephone 
Company  of  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  and  resides  at  that  place. 
They  have  two  children.  Francis  May  and  Clara  B. 

Alice  E.  Smith  the  oldest  daughter  of  Enos  M  and  Dorcas 
S.  (Ayres)  Smith,  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  No- 
vember 21,  i860,  married  George  F.  OA^erton  at ,  January 

13,  1886.  Their  family  consisted  of  five  children:  Grace  May, 
Pearl  M.,  Edith  B.,  Frank  Roy  and  Clarence. 

J.  Edward  Smith  the  oldest  son  of  Enos  M.  and  Dorcus  S. 
(Ayres)  Smith,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N  Y.  April  3, 
1863,  married  Ida  K.  Lee  near  Middletown,  N.  Y..  June  12,  1S95. 
Edward  by  occupation  is  a  hardware  merchant  of  the  firm  of 
Ayres  &  Galloway  of  Middletown,  N.  Y.  They  have  two 
children:  whose  names  are  Ralph  Lee  and  Margaret  Elizabeth. 

Emma  J.  Smith  the  second  daughter  of  Enos  M.  and  Dorcus 
S.  (Ayres)  Smith,  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  May 
28,  1865. 

Mary  F.  Smith  the  third  daughter  of  Enos  M.  and  Dorcus 
S.  (Ayres)  Smith,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  Janu- 
ary 12,  1867,  married  David  Decker  at  ,  June   20,   1S98. 

They  have  two  children:    Charles  Edgar  and  Roy  Lester. 

Henry  E.  Smith  the  second  son  of  Enos  M.  and  Dorcus  S. 
(Ayres)  Smith,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  Septem- 
ber 20,  1870,  married  Ada  Miller  at  ,  March  10,   1S98. 

They  have  one  child  named  Leonard. 

Minnie  L.  Smith  the  fourth  daughter  of  Enos  M.  and  Dor- 
cus S.  (Ayres)  Smith,  was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y., 

November  20,  1873,  married  Judson  James  at  — — ,  June  15, 

1898.     Her  husband  is  a  missionary  in  India.     They  have  two 
sons:  William  and  Russell  Wiles. 


FRANK  BOYD  AYRES 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         409 

Ida  J.  Smith  the  fifth  daughter  of  Enos  M.  and  Dorcus  S. 
(Ayres)  Smith   was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  May  30, 

1875,  married  Ulysses  Winnie  at  ,  November  28,   1906. 

They  have  one  daughter  named  Gladys  Estella. 

Annie  Belle  Boyd  the  oldest  daughter  of  Joshua  and  Sarah 

(Kirby)    Boyd,    was   bom    at   Franklyn    Forks,    Pa.,   , 

married  William  Titsworth  of  Montrose.  Pa. — For  several  years 
her  husband  has  been  an  attorney  at  Montrose,  Pa.,  and  we  are 
informed  he  is  mayor  of  the  towni.  They  have  one  daughter, 
called  Dorothy. 

Augusta  Boyd   the  second  daughter  of  Joshua  and  Sarah 

(Kirby)    Boyd,   was   born   at   Franklyn   Forks,    Pa.,   , 

married    William   Wilson  of   Mount  Vernon,   N.   Y.,   

Her  husband  was  for  several  years  one  of  the  faculty  in  Wood's 
Commercial  College  at  New  York.  They  have  one  son  by  the 
name  of  Donald  Boyd  Wilson. 

Generations  Five  and  Six 

Lillian  Ouackenbush  the  only  daughter  of  Isaac  L.  and  Eme- 
lein   (Decker)   Quackenbush,  was  bom  at  Port  Jervis,  Orange 

County,  N.  Y., ,  married  Willis  Whitner   of   Suffernes, 

N.  Y.^ 

Harry  A.  Quackenbush  the  only  son  of  Isaac  L.  and  Emeline 
(Decker)  Quackenbush,  was  born  at  Port  Jervis,  N.  Y.,  September 
- — ,  1872,  married  Lillian  Hendershot  at  German  town,  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.  They  have  one  child  named  Willis,  who  was 
born  at  Germantown,  N.  Y. 

George  Albert  Lancaster  the  oldest  son  of  James  Albert  and 
Hannah  Ann  (Quackenbush)  Lancaster,  was  born  at  Jersey  City, 
N.  J.,  October  2,  i860,  married  May  Tillotson  at  West  Brook- 
ville,  N.  Y.  They  have  one  daughter  named  Myrtle  Caroline, 
who  was  born  at  Harriman,  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  September 
II    1891. 

Charles  P.  Lancaster  the  youngest  son  of  James  Albert  and 
Hannah  Ann  (Quackenbush)  Lancaster,  was  bom  at  Jersey  City, 

N.  J., ,  married  first  Margaret  Henderson  of  New  York, 

June  — ,  1890,  who  died  at  Port  Jervis,  N.  Y.,  July  3,  1892.    For 


410  HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

his  second  wife  Adelia  Yoman  of  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  They 
have  one  child  by  the  name  of  Kenneth  Avery,  who  was  born 
at  Middletown.  N.  Y. 

Ella  May  Lancaster  the  only  daughter  of  James  Albert  and 
Hannah  Ann  (Quackenbush)  Lancaster  was  bom  at  Jersey  City 
N.  J., ,  and  now  resides  at  Chester,  Orange  County,  N.Y. 

Herbert  Hall  Jacobus  the  oldest  son  of  W.  B.  and  Malinda 
Elizabeth  (Quackenbush)  Jacobus,  was  born  at  Mont  Clair^ 
N.  J.,  October  3,  1S75,  married  Anna  Spear  at  Newark.  N.  J., 
and  has  one  child  named  Dorothea  Elizabeth,  who  was  bom  at 
Mount  Clair,  N.  J. 

Clarence  Willard  Jacobus  the  youngest  son  of  W.  B.  and 
Malinda  Elizabeth  (Quackenbush)  Jacobus ,  was  bom  at  Mount 
Clair,  N.  J.,  January  3,  1868,  married  Ethel  Harrington  at  South- 
wick,   Mass.,  .     Have  one  child.  Freda  Ellen,   bom  at 

Springfield,  Mass. 

Lena  Stratton  the  only  daughter  of  George  and  Margaret 
Eliza  Quackenbush,  was  born  at  Thompson ville,  Sullivan  County, 
N.  Y.,  November  19,  1872  and  died  at  Otisville,  N.  Y.,  December 
6,  1893. 

Children  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Rice  (Quackenbush)  Shorter, 
were  all  bom  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  as  follows:  First,  Nellie 
M.  who  was  bom  July  18,  1884,  married  John  Gaynor  of  Nyack, 
N.  Y.,  January  30,  19 10.  They  have  one  daughter,  bom  at  the 
above  place  February  7,  191 1.  Second,  Ida  Mae  bom  July  8, 
1886.  Third,  Bert  bom  July  8,  1888.  Fourth,  Harry  bora 
November  — ,  1895. 

Children  of  Sidney  and  Francis  Janette  (Boyd)  Van  Huben, 
all  bom  at  Montrose,  Pa. ,  as  follows:  First,  Olive  E.  bom  Octo- 
ber  II,    1 86 1,  married  Dewing  at  Clayville,   N.   Y.,  . 

They  have  two  daughters,  no  more  record.     Second,  Minnie  A. 

born  July  27,   1864,  married  for  her  first  husband Allen 

and  had  one  daughter  named  Lula.  For  her  second  husband, 
Fred  K.  Braga.  They  have  one  daughter  named  Ruth,  born  at 
Middletown,  N.  Y.  Third,  Lucy  E.  bom  June  27,  1873  and  died 
May  26,  1875.  Fourth,  Maud  L.  born  January  2,  1867,  now  Hyes 
at  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y. 


CHARLES  LUTHER  BOYD 


-.'•?  ^  Uj 


i,   PUBLIC 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         413 

Children  of  Walter  and  Myra  (Boyd)  Jenners,  all  born  at 

Forest  Lake,  Pa.     First,  Ella  L.  born  ,   1859.     Second, 

Charles   H.   born   November   7,    1861.     Third,   Orphee  A.   bom 
March  24,  1866. 

Children  of  Horace  Tooker  and  Fanny  (Harding)  Boyd,  of 
which  there  were  several  we  have  no  record  of.  All  of  them  are 
now  dead. 

Children  of  Barton  Emmit  and  Tabitha  Louise  (Fox)  Boyd, 
as  follows:  First,  Ethelyn  Reta  Boyd  born  at  Smithland,  Iowa, 
October  16,  1880,  married  John  E.  Robt.  Meredith  of  New  York 
City,  February  5,  1907.  Her  husband  lost  his  life  at  sea  in  the 
above  year.  Ethelyn  is  a  graduate  from  Moville,  Iowa,  High 
School  and  later  from  the  State  Normal  School  at  Cedar  Falls, 
Iowa,  and  also  from  the  University  of  South  Dakota,  at  Ver- 
million of  that  State.  They  had  one  son  named  Chas.  Wm*.  Robt. 
Boyd  Meredith  born  at  Spokane,  Wash.,  March  24,  1908.  Their 
home  is  now  at  Wetaskwin,  Alberta,  Canada.  Second,  Mary 
Lillian  Boyd  bom  at  Smithland,  Iowa,  June  22,  1882,  died  at  the 
same  place  August  8,  1882.  Third,  Beatrice,  Evelyn  Boyd  born 
at  Moville,  Iowa,  September  24,  1883,  married  Henry  A.  Lee  at 
Wetaskwin,  Alberta,  Canada,  September  2,  1908.  She  was  a 
graduate  from  Moville,  Iowa,  High  School  and  later  attended 
Whitman  College  at  Walla  Walla,  Washington  State.  Now  lives 
at  Alberta,  Cauda.  Fourth,  William  Emmit  Boyd  the  oldest  son 
was  born  at  Moville,  Iowa,  March  24,  18S5.  He  graduated  from 
the  high  school  at  Moville  and  later  learned  the  harness  maker's 
trade  and  now  resides  at  Killam,  Alberta,  Canada.  Fifth,  Zer- 
mah  Grace  Boyd  the  fourth  daughter,  was  born  at  Moville,  Iowa, 
September  21,  1888,  married  Oscar  E.  Lee  of  Ohiton,  Alberta, 
Canada  May  24,  1908.  She  attended  school  at  first  at  Moville, 
Iowa  and  later  at  Brunate  Hall,  Sopkane,  Wash.  At  the  time  of 
their  marriage,  her  husband  was  a  merchant  at  the  above  place, 
but  since  they  have  removed  to  Vancouver,    B.  C.      They  have 

one  daughter  Julia  Louise,  born  at ,  July  22,  1909.    Sixth, 

Barton  Lewis  Raymond  Boyd  the  second  son  was  born  at 
Moville,  Iowa,  June  21,  1899  and  died  at  same  place  June  29, 
1899. 


414  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Children  of  Herbert  H.  and  Matilla  Lillian  (Boyd)  Cilley, 
are  as  follows:  First,  George  the  oldest  son  was  born  at  West- 
field,  Iowa,  February  i8,  1886,  married  Irene  M.  Mace  of  Medical 
Lake,  Washington,  August  26.  190S.  They  have  two  children, 
one  bom  at  Akron  Iowa,  whose  name  is  Margaret  Lillian,  born 
July  14,  1909  and  a  babe  bom  May  7,  191 1  at  Blanchard,  Idaho, 
whose  name  we  have  not.  Second,  Emmet  Or'n  Boyd  born  at 
Westfield,  Iowa,  October  29.  1888.  Third,  Chester  Carleton 
Boyd  born  at  Akron,  Iowa,  February  14,  1896.  Fourth,  Herbert 
Arthur  Boyd  bom  at  Akron,  Iowa,  January  7,  1898. 

Children  of  WilHam  Harvey  and  Laura  M.  (Shull)  Boyd,  all 
born  at  Lee  Mars,  Iowa,  are  as  follows:  First,  Harvey  Aust'n 
Boyd  bom  May  23,  1887.  Now  a  mail  clerk  in  the  City  of  Lee 
Mars,  Iowa.  Second,  Gerdina  Louise  Boyd  born  May  29,  1889, 
died  at  same  place  July  — ,  1889.  Third,  Harold  Romain  Boyd 
born  March  21,  1892.  Fourth,  Mary  Eda  Boyd  bom  May  29, 
1898. 

Children  of  Volney  Beckner  and  Lucy  M.  (Gibson)  Boyd,  all 
born  at  Akron,  Iowa,  except  the  oldest.  Roy  Barton  whose  birth- 
place was  Westfield,  same  rtate.  First,  Roy  Barton  Boyd  born 
at  Westfield,  Iowa,  November  3,  1889,  married  Florence  Thorpe 
of  Miller,  South  Dakota,  October  29.  1910  Second,  Herbert 
William  Boyd  born  April  20,  1891,  died  in  1891,  age  nine  months. 
Third  and  fourth,  Esther  Ann  and  Lester  Austin  Boyd  twitis, 
were  bom  September  15,  1893.  Fifth,  Robert  Volney  Boyd  born 
March  12,  1898.  Sixth,  Cecil  Clare  Boyd  born  January  7,  1901. 
Seventh,  Frank  H.  Bo\^d  born  November  21,  1907,  died  January 
1908.     . 

Children  of  Samuel  Jerome  and  Hannah  Eugenia  (Knight) 
Boyd  are  namely:  First,  Charles  Luther  Boyd  the  oldest  son 
bom  near  Mount  Hope,  N.  Y.,  November  2,  187 1,  married  M. 
Elizabeth  the  oldest  daughter  of  Wilkin  and  Amelia  (Mapes) 
Carpenter  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  April  25,  1899.  Charles'  early 
life  was  spent  upon  a  farm  with  his  father.  For  a  time  he  at- 
tended the  Middletown  High  School  and  soon  after  became  en- 
gaged in  the  stationary  business.  In  January  of  1897  he  accepted 
a  position  as  clerk  in  the  Merchant's  National  Bank  at  the  latter 


FRANK  ROBERTSON   BOYD.   M.  D. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  417 

place,  later  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  cashier.  His 
family  consists  of  one  daughter  named  Florence  Hazel  born  at 
Middletown,  N.  Y.,  January  7,  1904.  Second,  Grace  Alma  Boyd 
the  oldest  daughter  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  June 
22,  1877.  Third,  Florence  Ruth  Boyd  the  youngest  daughter 
was  bom  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  N.  Y.,  September  13,  1890. 
She  was  a  graduate  from  the  Middletown  N.  Y.,  High  School  in 
class  of   1908,  and  is  now  following  the  vocation  of  teaching. 

Children  of  Robert  Terry  and  Augusta  Bell  (Robertson) 
Boyd.  First,  William  born  at  Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  January  13, 
1875,  died  at  same  place  March  21,  1875.  Second,  Frank  Ro- 
bertson Boyd  bom  at  Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  September  it,  1877.  He 
graduated  from  the  High  School  in  Jersey  City  in  1896;  the  New 
York  University  in  1902.  He  graduated  and  received  an  appoint- 
ment on  the  staff  in  Bellevue  Hospital  for  two  years  and  then 
commenced  practice  as  a  Physician  at  359  Lenox  Ave.,  New  York 
City  where  he  has  an  extensive  practice. 

Children  of  Elting  DuBoice  and  Mary  Alida  (Boyd)  France. 
First,  Ethel  Mary  France  born  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  January 
13,  1886.  Second,  Alice  McNish  France  born  at  Middletown, 
N.  Y.,  September  20,  1893,  died  at  the  same  place  June  11,  1896. 

John,  the  only  son  of  Theodore  and (no  more  record) 

Penney,  children  of  Lorenzo  William  and  Caroline  (Penney) 
Frain.  The  record  of  place  and  birth  we  have  not.  Their  names 
are  as  follows:  First,  Charles  Seymour,  married  Estella  Munroe 
at  Largusbugh,  Mich,  (no  record)  They  now  live  in  New 
York  City  and  have  one  child  named  Madaline.  Second,  M. 
Theodora  lives  in  New  York  City.  Third,  Florence  Nightingale 
married  Hector  J.  Hayes  of  Muir.  Mich.,  and  now  lives  in  Detroit. 
They  have  one  daughter  named  Esther.  Fourth,  Octavious 
Lorenzo  married  Carribal  Cook  of  Lansing,  Mich.  They  have 
one  daughter  named  Eulalia.  They  now  reside  in  Button, 
Oklahoma. 

Children  of  Arthur  D,  and  Sarah  Dorcas  (Penney)  Hughes. 
First,  Mabel  Low  who  lives  in  Boston  and  is  assistant  to  the 
Pastor  of  the  Pilgrim  Church  in  Dorchester,  Mass.  Second, 
Harold  Arthur,  who  resides  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 


418         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Mattie  Kirby  Taylor  the  oldest  daughter  of  John  E.  and 
Fanny  Elizabeth  (Kirby)  Taylor  was  bom  at  Newtown,  N.  J., 
December  15,   1883  and  died  at  the  same  place  November  14, 

1894.  She  was  a  very  bright  young  lady  of  inusical  talent.  Her 
sister  Lena  Boyd  Taylor  was  born  at  State  Hill,  N.  Y.,  April  12, 
1885.  vShe  graduated  from  the  Normal  School  at  South  Lan- 
caster, Mass.  in  June  of  1908  and  now  follows  the  occupation  of 
teaching. 

William  Kirby  Bacon  only  son  of  William  W.  and  Sarah 
Wisner  (Kirby)  Bacon  was  born  at  Chester.  N.  Y.,  May  13,  1894. 
He  expects  to  graduate  soon  from  South  Lancaster,  Mass.  High 
School. 

Children  of  Frank  Boyd  and  Dolly  Smith  (Jackson)  Ayres. 
First,  Roberta  Jackson  Ayres  was  bom  at  Middletown,  N.  Y., 
July  5,  1886,  married  Frank  Webster,  M.  D.,  of  the  above  place 
April  — ,  191 1.  They  now  reside  at  Pine  Bush,  Orange  Count}^ 
N.  Y.  Second,  Margaret  Wilson  Ayres  was  bom  at  Middletown, 
N.  Y.,  August  15,  1889.  She  is  a  graduate  of  the  Middletown 
High  School  of  1908  and  a  singer  of  note.  Third,  Gladys  Dorothy 
Ayres  the  youngest  was  also  born  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  June 
I,  1898. 

Charles  Davis  Todd  the  son  of  Robert  and  Mary  Antoinette 
(Ayres)  Todd  was  bom  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  November  3,  1892. 

Children  of  John  and  Josephine  Gertrude  (Horton)  Ayres. 
First,  Jennie  May  Ayres  was  bom  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  May  14, 

1895.  Second,  Josephine  Isabella  Ayres  was  born  at  same  place 
February  22,  1902. 

Children  of  Clarence  and  Anna  (Colloton)  Ayres.  First, 
Frank  Francis  May  Ayres  was  born  at  Middletown,  N.  Y.,  De- 
cember 28,  1898.  Second,  Clara  B.  Ayres  was  born  at  Newburgh, 
N.  Y.,  July  9,  1903,  died  August  i,  1904. 

Grace  May,  Pearl  M.,  Edith  B.,  Frank  Roy  and  Clarence 
Smith  are  children  of  George  and  Alice  (Smith)  Overton  of  which 
we  have  no  record. 

Ralph  Lee  and  Margaret  Elizabeth  are  children  of  J.  Edward 
and  Ida  K.  (Lee)  Smith.     We  have  no  record. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  419 

Charles  Edgar  and  Roy  Lester  are  children  of  Dewitt  and 
Mary  F.  (Smith)  Decker.     No  record. 

Leonard  the  only  son  of  Henry  E.  and  Ada  (Miller)  Smith. 
We  have  no  record. 

Wilber  and  Russel  Miles,  children  of  Judson  and  Minnie  L. 
(Smith)  James.     No  record. 

Gladys  Estella  the  daughter  of  Ulysses  and  Ida  L  (Smith) 
Winnie.     No  record. 


CHAPTER    V 

History  of  the  Boyds  of  Albany,  N.  Y. 

John  Boyd,  the  emigrant  ancestor  and  founder  of  one  of  the 
Albany,  New  York,  famihes  of  that  name,  was  born  in  the 
North  of  Ireland  in  1725  of  Scotch  parentage.  There  is  a  well- 
founded  belief  that  he  was  one  of  the  Kilmarnock  family 
of  Boyd,  descended  from  a  branch  that  settled  in  Antrim 
County,  Ireland.  Many  family  characteristics  and  traditions 
testify  to  this,  also  the  fact  that  he  used  as  his  seal  the  coat  of 
arms  of  the  Kilmarnock  Boyds,  his  descendants  continuing  the 
use  of  the  same  to  the  present  time.  Shortly  after  John  Boyd 
emigrated  from  Ireland,  another  family  of  Boyds  came  directly 
from  Scotland  to  Albany,  and  they  found  themselves  to  be  own 
cousins.  However,  the  distinction  remained  of  Scotch  Boyds 
and  Irish  Boyds. 

The  data  in  the  following  sketch  was  taken  from  family 
Bible  records,  old  letters,  newspaper  clippings  and  Munsell's 
Annals  of  Albany,  and  is  authentic: 

In  the  spring  of  1762,  John  Boyd,  with  his  wife  Ann  Logan 
and  three  children,  came  to  Albany,  New  York,  where  he  became 
a  prosperous  merchant.  He  resided  in  Albany  until  1793,  when, 
as  it  appears  on  the  Session  Records  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
church,  of  which  he  was  an  elder,  he  removed  to  the  country, 
meaning  Johnstown,  New  York.  There  he  established  a  saw 
mill  in  partnership  with  John  Rogers,  his  brother-in-law,  and 
there  he  died,  July  6,  1799,  age  seventy-four  years.     Ann  Logan 

his  wife  was  born  1739,  married  1757,  was  also  of  Scotch  descent. 

[421] 


422        HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

She  had  a  brother  James  Logan  who  settled  in  the  Champlain 
country  of  New  York  State,  who  died  1784,  and  a  sister  Agnes 
Logan, who  accompanied  the  emigration  to  America,  having  married 
John  Rogers  the  day  of  their  saiHng  in  the  spring  of  1762.  Ann 
Logan  Boyd,  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  returned  to  Albany, 
resided  with  her  daughter  Nancy  Boyd  McHench  until  her  death, 
February  q,  181 5.  She  was  buried  at  Johnstown  by  the  side  of 
her  husband.  Nine  (g)  children  were  born  to  John  and  Ann  Boyd; 
a  daughter  and  eight  sons.  The  only  daughter  Nancy  or  Agnes, 
was  born  February  26,  1760,  married  at  Albany,  May  11,  1786, 
Peter  McHench,  and  died  February,  1851 .  They  had  five  children — 
we  have  the  record  of  only  one — William  McHench,  who  mar- 
ried his  cousin  Margaret  Boyd,  daughter  of  David  and  Margaret 
(Maxwell)  Boyd,  and  had  seven  children,  of  these  only  one  married 
— David  Boyd  McHench,  whose  wife  was  Elizabeth  Dillon.  They 
had  one  daughter  Laura,  who  married  Franklin  Janes  and  had 
one  son,  David  McHench  Janes  who  died  September  17,  1899, 
aged  seventeen  years. 

John  Logan  Boyd,  or  John,  Jr.,  as  he  was  usually  called, 
the  eldest  son  was  born  October  8,  1758  in  Ireland.  He  grew  to 
manhood  in  Albany,  then  settled  in  Ballston  now  Charlton, 
Saratoga  County,  New  York,  where  he  was  a  millwright  and  far- 
mer. He  was  the  first  supervisor  of  Charlton  in  1791;  later 
a  justice  of  the  peace;  and  was  therefore  of  good  standing  and 
repute.  In  politics,  he  was  undoubtedly  a  moderate  Royalist 
or  "Tory,"  was  once  arrested  on  suspicion  by  the  Commis- 
sioner of  Conspiracies  of  Albany  County  and  his  father  was  one 
of  his  bondsmen  in  the  sum  of  £200.  He  was  driven  from  home 
however,  by  Burgoyne's  approach  and  with  his  neighbors  peti- 
tioned the  authorities  for  better  military  protection.  He  married 
Anna  Northrop^  March  25,  1779.  They  had  twelve  children,  ten 
of  whom  were  born  in  Charlton,  one  Mary  or  Polly  in  Stockbridge, 
Massachusetts,  in  1782,  and  the  youngest  child  born  in  Newark, 
near  Niagara,  Ontario,  Canada,  to  which  place  the  family  removed 
about  1799,  where  they  probably  died  and  were  buried.  Polly 
Boyd,  born  1782,  married  John  Laird,  a  farmer  and  carpenter  of 
Charlton,   New   York,   prior    to    1798,   when   they   removed   to 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS        423 

Onondaga  County.  New  York.  Their  first  child  was  born  1804. 
Hon.  John  L.  Boyd,  son  of  John  and  Anna  Northrop,  moved  to  Cin- 
cinnatus,  Cortland  County,  New  York,  in  181 1.  He  represented 
his  county  in  the  State  Legislature  in  1828.  Another  son  of  John 
and  Anna  was  well  known  in  Albany,  as  Thomas  Boyd,  the  hatter. 

James  Boyd  the  second  son  of  John  and  Ann,  was  born 
February  2,  1762,  in  Antrim,  Ireland,  and  was  an  infant  in 
arms  when  his  parents  arrived  in  Albany.  When  seventeen  years 
old,  he  became  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  serving  as 
private  under  Colonel  P.  P.  Schuyler,  in  the  3rd  Albany  Co. 
Militia,  from  October  28,  1779  to  November  4,  1781.  After  the 
Revolution,  he  settled  in  Schenectady  and  became  a  well  known 
public  man  and  prosperous  farmer.  He  was  for  fourteen  years 
in  succession,  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Schenectady,  held  various 
other  offices  of  trust,  was  twice  elected,  1811,  1812,  a  member  of 
the  state  Legislature,  in  which  he  voted  for  the  building  of  the  Erie 
Canal,  which  was  at  that  time  considered  a  wild  project,  never 
to  be  realized.  When  quite  advanced  in  years,  he  was  obliged 
to  part  with  his  fine  farm  at  Glenville  on  the  Mohawk,  because  he 
had  endorsed  notes  for  a  friend,  which  he  eventually  had  to  pay, 
and  with  his  family  moved  to  Warren  County,  N.  Y.  where  in  the 
Fourteenth  Township,  he  established  a  saw  mill.  He  afterwards 
removed  to  Albany,  and  held  the  position  of  weigh  master 
of  the  Erie  Canal.  He  died  February  2,  1839,  aged  seventy- seven 
years.  He  married  January  16,  1783,  Aljda  Conde,  born  June 
16,  1 763,  and  died  August  4, 1838,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Parthenia 
Ogden  Conde,  of  Charlton,  Saratoga  County.  Her  grandfather 
Adam  Conde  was  High  constable  of  Albany  in  1725  and  was 
killed  in  the  Buel-Kendall  Indian  Massacre  in  1 748,  at  Schenectady. 
His  wife  Catherine  De  Graaf,  born  November  30,  1736,  was 
daughter  of  Jesse  and  Altie  (Hennion)  Ackerman  of  New  York, 
and  granddaughter  of  Claas  Andries  De  Graaf,  who  was  born 
1628,  in  Holland,  and  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Schenectady, 
New  York.  James  and  Alida  Boyd  had  two  sons  and  seven 
daughters  and  many  hundred  descendants. 

John  Boyd,  the  eldest  son  of  James  and  Alida,  was  born  at 
Schenectady,  February    12,  1786,   and   died  at  Milroy,  Indiana, 


424        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS 

January  21,  1887,  nearly  one  hundred  and  one  years  old.     When 
twenty-one,  he  was  chosen  Captain  of  militia  in  the  war  of  181 2. 
His  company  with  the  Regiment  was  called  to  Sacketts  Harbor; 
while  enroute  he  was  chosen  Adjutant  General,  and  served  in  that 
capacity  during  the  war.      At  the  close,  he  returned  to  work  on 
the  farm,  at  the  earnest  desire  of  his  father,  giving  up  his  own 
ambition  to  serve  in  the  regular  army,  for  which  service  he  had 
special  ability  and  fitness.     He  went  with  his  family  to  Warren 
County,  where  he  held  the  agency  of  several  townships,  also  the 
agency  of  the  Thurman  and  Gilcrist  estates  and  again  exhibited 
all  the  qualities  of  a  leader.     In  1820,  he  moved  to  Indiana  and 
settled  in  Rush  County,   cleared  a  large  farm,  a  part  of  which  is 
now  included  in  the  city  of  Rushville.      After    Rushville    had 
encroached  upon  his  homestead,  he  moved  to  Milroy,  a  small 
town    seven   miles    south,    to    be    near    his    children.       To    the 
very  end  of  his  one  hundred  and  one  years,  he  retained  his  facul- 
ties in  a  wonderful  way  and  died  peacefully  sitting  in  his  chair 
talking  with  friends.     It  is  said  of  him,  that  he  never  was  sick  a 
day  in  his  life,  and  when  quite  advanced  in  life  rode  all  the  way 
from  Rushville  to  Schenectady  on  horseback,  returning  the  same 
way.     On  February  12,  1886,  the  people  of  Rush  County,  Indi- 
ana, celebrated  the  centennial  birthday  of  Captain  John  Boyd, 
with  a  grand  procession,  headed  by  a  band  of  music,  assembling 
at  the  largest  church,  where  appropriate   addresses  were  made 
and  ending  with  a  banquet.     The  people  flocked  in  numbers  to 
see  a  man  who  had  lived  one  hundred  years.     Captain  John  Boyd, 
married  at  vSchenectady,  Maria  Vedder  and  had  eight  children: 
first,  EveUza,  April,  1S16,  married  Mr.  Springer;  had  Jackson  and 
George  Springer  and  Maria,  who  married  Mr.  McCartey  and  had 
daughters  Nettie  and  Jennie  McCartey.   Second,  James,  February 
II,  1818.     Third,  Anna  Maria,  1821.     Fourth,  John,  1823,  died 
1843.     Fifth,  Alida,  February  14,  1826,  who  married  Mr.  Parsons 
and  had  John  and  Daniel  Parsons  and  Catherine,  who  married 
Mr.    Markwell.       Sixth,    Charles,    1828,    died     1832.      Eighth, 
Wilmot,    1833,  died    1855.     Seventh,   Jesse   Conde,  January  22, 
1830,  married  Lucinda  Inni-s,  March  4,  1852  and  had  nine  chil- 
dren as  follows:     First,  William  Marshall  Boyd,  November  11, 


ELCY   (NOBLE)   BOYD 
Died  1872 


JESSE  CONDE  BOYD 
Born   1803.     Died   1891 


MARY  J.  BOYD   EASTON         MARGARET  A.   BOYD  FERRIS 
CHARLES  LANSING  BOYD  ROBERT  BOYD 


ALIDA  BOYD   BURTOI 
JAMES  BOYD 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY  AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS         427 

1854,  who  by  wife  Amanda,  had  Chase  and  Horatio,  twin,  Ernest, 
Jessie  May,  and  Clare  Paul  Boyd.  Second,  Alexander  Henry 
Boyd,  August  15,  1855,  married  Sidney  C.  Stewart  and  had 
Harry  A.  1884  and  Nellie  Maud  Boyd,  1894.  Third,  Laura 
Ellen,  1858,  died  1882.  Fourth,  Emma  Irene  Boyd,  1862,  died 
1S90,  married  William  Gruell  and  had  Orien  and  Sarah  Gruell. 
Fifth,  James  Sidney  Boyd,  1864.  Sixth,  John  Franklin  Boyd, 
February  24,  i860,  who  by  wi^e  Laura,  had  Mazie  Agnes,  and 
Mary  Dean  Boyd.  Seventh,  Charles  Elbert  Boyd,  1866-1877. 
Eighth,  Frederick  B.  Boyd,  December  21, 1873,  who  married  Jessie 
Anna  Robinson  and  had  Charles  Frederick  Boyd,  born  May  27, 
1896.     Ninth,  Christina  Boyd,  September  8,  1869. 

Jesse  Conde  Boyd,  the  second  son  of  James  and  Alida  was 
born  at  Schenectady,  June  5,  1803,  and  there  spent  his  youth, 
When  a  young  man  he  went  to  Johnsburgh,  Warren  County,  and 
engaged  in  making  lumber  with  his  father.  In  183 1,  he  moved 
to  Albany,  where  he  was  Weigh  Master  on  the  Erie  Canal  and  for 
nine  years  a  lumber  dealer.  About  1850,  he  removed  to  Chicago, 
Illinois,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  place.  He  subsequently  resided 
on  a  farm  at  Dixon  and  later  at  Aurora,  Illinois.  Shortly  after 
the  death  of  his  wife  at  Aurora,  July  7,  1872,  he  returned  to 
Chicago,  to  live  with  his  sons,  Robert  and  Charles  L.  Boyd.  In 
1889,  he  exchanged  some  property  in  Chicago  for  a  place  at 
Montague,  Michigan,  and  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  became 
once  more  a  farmer,  to  him  the  "ideal  life."  He  died  June  6, 
1 89 1 ,  aged  eighty-eight  years,  was  buried  in  Graceland  Cemetery , at 
Chicago,  Illinois.  He  married  at  Johnsburgh,  New  York,  January 
15,  1824,  Elcy  Noble,  daughter  of  Edward  and  Mary  (Leach) 
Noble.  To  them  were  born  twelve  children,  of  these  six  lived  to 
marry  and  have  descendants,  namely:  First,  Alida  Boyd,  born 
January  25,  1826,  married  Hiram  Burton  of  Albany,  and  had 
Elcy  Noble  Burton,  who  married  Herman  H.  Mund,  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania;  Florence  and  Herbert  Burton  unmarried. 
Hiram  and  Alida  Burton  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Den- 
ver, Colorado  ,  in  i860.  Alida  Boyd  Burton,  is  now  living  (191 1) 
in  Denver,  in  her  eighty-sixth  year,  in  perfect  health,  with  a 
bright  active  mind;  she  was  able  to  witness  the  unveiling  of  a 


428        HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

monument  dedicated  to  the  Pioneersof  Colorado,  on  June  24,  1911. 
Second,  Mary  J .  Boyd,  second  child  of  Jesse  and  Elcy ,  bom  August 
9,  1827,  married  Charles  Patterson  Easton  of  Albany,  January 
26,  1847.  For  thirty-eight  years  Mr.  Easton  was  one  of  the  lead- 
ing lumber  merchants  of  the  city,  and  actively  engaged  in  promot- 
ing the  public  school  system.  Mary  Boyd  Easton  died  October 
30,  1903,  in  her  seventy-seventh  year.  Of  the  nine  children  born 
of  this  marriage,  five  are  living.  First,  William  Easton,  married 
Caroline  A.  Newton,  and  had  Helen  N.  and  Mary  Boyd  Easton. 
Second,  Edward  Easton,  who  married  Sarah  F.  Jones  and  had 
Charles  P.;  Edith;  Edward,  Jr.;  Mary  Boyd;  Roland  J.;  Elcy 
Noble;  Arthur  Boyd;  Robert  P.;  WilHam  2nd;  Lillian  Alice; 
Conde  Philip,  and  Adrian  Noble  Easton.  Third,  Alice  Easton, 
who  married  Arthur  W.  Pray  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  no  chil- 
dren. Fourth,  Frederick  Easton,  who  married  Mary  Young,  had 
one  daughter  Alice.  Fifth,  I.  B.  Easton,  lumber  dealer,  N.  Y.  City, 
married  Marion  B.  Ramsdell.  Third,  Margaret  A.  Boyd,  third, 
child  of  Jesse  and  Elcy,  born  December  22,  1828,  married  Thomas 
R.  Ferris  of  Albany,  a  manufacturer  of  furniture,  picture  frames  and 
mirrors;  they  had  David  Ferris,  now  residing  at  Syracuse,  New 
York,  who  married  Elizabeth  Ramsey,  no  children.  Jesse  B.; 
Thomas  R.,  Jr. ;  and  Charles  Ferris,  died  unmarried.  Edward  M., 
married  Julia  Pratt,  no  children.  Mary  Ferris  married  Edward 
Tice  of  Albany,  and  had  Fred;  Grace;  Alice;  Caroline  and  Elsie 
Tice.  Grace  Ferris  married  W.  B.  Moore,  of  Syracuse,  New 
York,  had  Elcy  and  Harriet  Moore.  Howard  Ferris  married 
Augusta  Kane,  has  Mary  and  Edward  Ferris  residing  in  Albany. 
Margaret  Boyd  Ferris  in  her  eighty-third  year,  now  residing  with 
her  daughter  at  Syracuse,  New  York. 

Fourth,  James  Boyd  the  eldest  son  of  Jesse  and  Elcy,  was 
born  at  Albany,  June  22,  1831,  died  at  Springfield,  Massachusetts, 
1905.  He  was  one  of  the  early  bankers  and  brokers  of  Chicago. 
Shortly  after  the  war,  he  went  to  New  York  city  where  he  was 
for  forty  years  a  member  of  the  Stock  Exchange.  It  has  been 
the  lot  of  few  to  have  passed  through  more  exciting  and  history 
making  epochs  than  James  Boyd.  That  he  did  so  with  unblem- 
ished character  and  a  high  record  for  upright  dealings,  all  know 


CATHERINB   (BOYD)   VIELE 
Born   1789.     Died    1867 


HISTORY  OF   THE   BOYD   FAMILY   AND   ITS   DESCENDANTS        431 

who  are  familiar  with  the  history  of  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange. 
He  was  an  enthusiastic  Sunday  School  worker  and  every  Sunday 
found  him  in  his  place  as  leader  of  a  Mission  School  attended  by 
several  hundred  pupils.  He  married  at  Chicago,  Sarah  Lock, 
and  had  six  children:  William  L.,  who  married  Kittie  Mills,  had 
one  son  Kenneth  Mills  Boyd.  Mary  Elcy,  Mell  Lois,  and  Jam^es 
who  died  young.  Jesse,  the  twin  of  James,  married  and  has  a  son 
James.  James  Van  Wagner,  M.  D.,  married  Mabel  Smith,  has 
Muriel  and  Bruce  Boyd,  now  living  at  Springfield,  Massachusetts. 
Fifth,  Robert  Boyd,  son  of  Jesse  and  Elcy,  born  at  Albany,  July 
13,  1 84 1,  since  his  early  youth  has  been  a  resident  of  Chicago, 
and  in  the  banking  business.  He  is  now  connected  with  the 
Illinois  Savings  and  Trust  Company  Bank,  in  the  safety  deposit 
department.  He  married  first,  Celia  Stow  at  Chicago  and  had 
Robert,  Jr.,  who  died  while  a  student  at  Cornell,  and  William  Stow 
Boyd.  He  married  second,  Helen  Pitcher  and  had  Alexander 
Boyd,  who  married  Louise  Barber.  All  reside  at  Hinsdale 
Illinois. 

Sixth,  Charles  Lansing  Boyd,  son  of  Jesse  and  Elcy,  born 
at  Albany,  May  ii,  1843,  spent  his  life  in  Chicago,  and  has  been 
actively  connected  with  the  business  enterprise  of  the  city.  He 
married  Mulvina  Lock,  had  one  son  and  four  daughters:  James 
Boyd,  married  and  now  living  at  New  Orleans,  Louisana;  Emma 
Lock  Boyd,  married  John  Mairs  Gilcrist,  has  two  children:  Elcy 
Noble  Boyd  married  James  Edward  Moore,  has  a  son  James  E. 
Moore.     Hannah  Lock  Boyd  died  1884  and  Marjory  Boyd. 

Catherine  Boyd,  the  eldest  of  the  seven  daughters  of  James 
and  Alida  Conde  Boyd  was  born  at  Schenectady,  November  17, 
1784,  married  Jacob  Viele  of  same  place,  who  was  bom  October 
18,  1775  and  died  at  Elmira,  March  4,  1850.  She  died  at  Troy, 
Pennsylvania,  December  8,  1867.  After  her  marriage  she  resided 
in  Schenectady,  New  York,  until  the  year  of  1833,  when  they 
moved  to  Bath,  New  York,  and  from  their  to  Elmira  in  1840,  and 
after  her  husband's  death  in  1851,  took  up  her  residence  at  Troy, 
Pennsylvania.  Their  family  consisted  of  fourteen  children  all 
born  in  Schenectady,  New  York,  as  follows:  First,  Philip  Viele, 
who  was  bom  September  2,  1804,  and  died  at  Salamanca,  New 


432       HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

York,  December  5,  1884;  second,  James  Boyd  Viele,  who  was 
bom  May  30,  18 10,  died  in  Boulder,  Colorado  in  1904;  third, 
Rachel  Viele,  who  died  at  the  age  of  20  years;  fourth,  John  Veile, 
fifth,  Clarissa  Ann  Viele,  bom  January  5,  181 2,  died  at  Bath, 
New  York,  November  10,  1880;  sixth,  Comelis  Viele,  bom  in 
1816,  and  died  at  Elmira,  New  York,  January,  1850;  seventh, 
Catherine  Viele,  bom  November  16,  1818,  died  at  Bath,  New 
York,  January   20,   1903   (she  was  Mrs.  Jas.   Hunter);  eighth, 

Maria  Viele;    ninth,  Alexander  Viele,  bom  in  July,  and 

died  at  Hannible,  Mo.;  tenth,  Jacob  J.  Viele,  born  April  22,  1825, 
died  at  Troy,  Pennsylvania,  December  8,  1870;  eleventh,  Deborah 
Viele  (Mrs.  Chas.  N.  Grohs)  was  bom  October  11,  1827,  died  at 
Troy,  Pennsylvania,  June  23,  1898.  She  has  a  daughter  Mrs. 
Frederic  H.  Hoffman  of  Troy,  Pennsylvania;  twelfth,  Giles  Fonda 
Viele,  bom  March  i,  1829,  died  at  Troy,  Pennsylvania;  thirteenth, 
Rachel  Viele  (Mrs.  Jacob  Anque)  bom  May  20,  1830,  died  at 
Troy,  Pennsylvania,  October  26,  1883;  fourteenth,  Jessie  Viele 
died  at  the  age  of  three  years.  Ann  Boyd,  the  second  daugther 
bom  in  Schenectady,  1792,  married  Charles  Vedder  also  of 
Schenectady  and  died  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  March  1830,  leaving 
a  son  James  and  a  daughter  Catherine  Vedder. 

Parthenia  Boyd,  the  third  daughter  bom  November  29, 
1794,  at  Schenectady,  married  February  18,  1813,  Christopher 
Whitaker,  bom  in  Dutchess  county.  New  York,  November  29, 
1793.  Their  entire  married  life  was  spent  in  Johnsburg,  Warren 
County  where  all  their  nine  children  were  bom,  namely:  First, 
Abram,  July  5,  1814,  married  Matilda  Hays,  1847,  and  had 
Parthenia  E.;  second,  James  born  February  9,  1816,  married 
Anna  Shefield  1842,  had  John  Boyd  1850,  Albert  Conde,  1852 
and  Harriet  A.,  1859;  third,  John  bom  1820,  died  1825;  fourth, 
Charles  Brown,  December  11,  182 1,  married  Abigail  Richards 
Graves  1835,  ^^  died  at  Elgin,  Illinois,  June  6,  1877,  their  children: 
Leslie  C,  Herbert  L.,  Clara;  Adele  married  Garrett  Dillenback, 
now  in  the  drug  business  at  Albany.  Edith  M.  and  Annie  B. 
Whitaker;  fifth,  David,  September  7,  1823,  married  Samantha 
Ferris,  had  PhiHp  A.  and  Fred  Whitaker;  Sixth,  Catherine,  1826  ; 
seventh,  Robert,  1828  ;    eighth,  Ahda,  1831  ;  all  died  unmarried; 


HISTORY  or   THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS   DESCENDANTS        433 

ninth,  Nancy  McHench  Whitaker,  1832,  who  married  Rev. 
I.  J.  Hoag,  and  died  November,  1902. 

Wilmot  Boyd,  the  fourth  daughter  bom  at  Schenectady, 
December  29,  1796,  died  at  Detroit,  Michigan,  March  20,  1S77 
in  her  eighty-first  year,  married  Charles  Taylor  Brown  of  Charlton, 
Saratoga  County.  They  had  five  children:  First,  Nathan 
HoUister,  born  May  10,  181 5,  married  Amanda  Hall,  March, 
1840  and  died  February  20,  1884.  Their  children  were  four: 
Catherine  Taylor,  1841;  Esther,  1843,  living  at  Detroit,  1910; 
Lydia  Barclay,  1845  and  Charles  Hall  Brown,  July  5,  1849,  who 
married  Georgiana  Newcomb,  December  4,  1867,  they  had  three 
sons:  First,  Charles  F.,  1868,  who  married  Caroline  King,  had 
daughter  Georgiana  Brown;  second,  George  Hollister,  1870, 
married  Mabel  L.  Pollock,  have  daughter  Madeline  Brown;  third, 
Herbert  Stanley  Brown,  1872. 

Second,  James  Alexander  born  October  13,  18 17,  died  May 
21,  1882,  married  Naomi  Loomis  Bancroft  in  1848,  had  Frank 
Wilmot,  1855,  died  1893,  married  Frances  Marjory  Bagley,  had 
Marjory  Wilmot  and  Dorothy  Frank  Brown.  Van  Vechten 
Brown,  son  of  James  and  Naomi,  born  1869,  died  1871.  Other 
children  of  Wilmot  Boyd  and  Charles  Taylor  Brown,  were  Anson, 
1816;  Esther,  1821;  and  Alida  Ann,  1824,  all  died  unmarried. 
A  few  years  after  the  death  of  their  father  in  1830,  the  family 
removed  from  Charlton,  New  York  to  Detroit,  Michigan,  where 
the  sons,  Nathan  Hollister  Brown  and  James  Alexander  Brown 
became  prominent  physicians. 

Margaret  Boyd,  the  fifth  daughter  of  James  and  Alida, 
bom  October  25,  1800,  at  Schenectady,  married,  1818,  Fredrick 
Nicholas  Clute,  son  of  Susan  Switz  and  Nicholas  Clute,  bom  1800, 
died  1879.  Margaret  his  wife  died  June  4,  1878  in  her  seventy- 
eighth  year.  Their  children:  First,  Susan,  1820  married  Jere- 
miah Spohn;  second,  Alida,  1822,  married  John  F.  Spohn  and  had 
Charles  Clute  Spohn,  bom  1857,  who  by  wife  Amelia  had  Fred- 
erick N.  and  Howard  E.  Spohn;  third,  Abraham  S.  1824-1829; 
fourth,  Wilmot  Boyd  Clute,  married  Levi  Fralick,  had  Margaret 
M.  Fralick,  1853;  fifth,  Anna  C.  Clute,  1830,  married  James 
Rikers;  sixth,  Nancy  L.,  1832-1859;  seventh,    Harriet    Amelia, 


434        HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

1835,  married  George  H.  Conde,  and  removed  to  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  and  eighth,  James  Boyd  Clute,  1840,  died  1862. 

Susan  Boyd,  the  sixth  daughter,  bom  at  Schenectady,  De- 
cember iS,  1801,  married,  July  20,  1823,  Nathaniel  Griffing  of 
Thurman,  Warren  County,  New  York.  She  went  as  a  bride  to 
the  Griffing  homestead,  lived  there  for  seventy-two  years  and 
there  died  August  11,  1895  in  the  ninety-fourth  year  of  her  age. 
Their  children  were:  first,  Stephen  Boyd,  bom  June  12,  1830, 
died  November  24,  1907,  married  Fannie  Brown  of  Chicago, 
June,  1859,  had  Helen  E.,  who  married  Louis  K.  Hildebrand  and 
had  Helen  May,  Clement  Alvin;  M'liss  Louise,  and  Edwin 
Francis  Hildebrand.  Residing  at  Hinsdale,  Illinois,  Clement 
Alvin  married  Helen  R.  Childs,  they  have  one  son,  Frank  Childs 
Hildebrand  and  reside  at  Riverton,  Nebraska.  George  Cameron, 
eldest  son  of  Stephen  B.  Griffing,  born  1861,  married  Adeline  G. 
McSpadden,  had  Emma  H.  and  Helen  Griffing.  He  married 
second  Nina  Brown,  lives  at  Clark,  South  Dakota;  Edward  Vin- 
cent, second  son  of  Stephen  B.  Griffing,  1864,  died  1889  at  Clark, 
South  Dakota.  Second,  James  Griffing  bom  1832,  died  1834; 
third,  Helen  Griffing,  bom  April  12,  1836,  died  June  25,  1891, 
married  April  26,  1856,  Frederick  R.  Osborne,  had  five  children: 
Frederick  Stodard,  1865;  Henr}^  Griffing,  1867,  and  Charles 
Boyd,  1869,  died  young.  Isabella  the  eldest  daughter,  married 
Orley  Hazleton,  had  Alice  Hazleton  who  married  Rev.  Augustus 
Haj^ward  Lane  of  Saratoga  Springs.  Susan  Boyd  Osborne,  the 
second  daughter  married  Rae  Sims  of  Glen  Falls,  New  York,  no 
children.  Fourth,  Elizabeth  Griffing,  bom  July  28,  1839,  married 
Andrew  J.  Taylor  of  Glen  Falls,  New  York.  Fifth,  Henry 
Griffing,  bom  July  28,  1839,  twin  of  Elizabeth.  He  is  umnarried, 
living  at  Warrensburgh,  New  York,  very  highly  regarded.  He 
is  a  leading  man  of  Warren  County  in  business  and  politics, 
very  active  and  prominent  in  the  Episcopal  church. 

Nancy  McHench  Boyd,  the  seventh  daughter  of  James  and 
Alida,  bom  at  Schenectady,  November  5,  1807,  died  at  Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin,  May  18,  1883,  age  seventy-six  years,  married 
Jessie  Martin  Van  Slyke  of  Schenectady,  had  two  children :  James 
Boyd,  who  died  young  and  Harriet  M.  Van  Slyke,  December  17, 


HENRY  GRIFFING 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         437 

1842,  married  at  Milwaukee,  September  6,  1864,  Alfred  Levi 
Gary,  (lawyer),  their  children:  Robert  John,  1868;  Walter,  187 1; 
Harriet  Sophia,  1873,  who  married  in  igoi,  Charles  L.  Jones; 
and  Irving  Boyd  Gary  1875. 

Alexander  Boyd,  third  son  of  John  and  Ann  Logan  Boyd, 
was  bom  at  Albany,  September  14,  1764,  arid  died  at  Middle- 
burgh,  Schoharie  Gounty,  New  York,  in  1854,  age  ninety  years. 
In  Middleburgh,  where  he  spent  his  life,  he  was  an  extensive 
farmer,  much  esteemed  and  respected  by  all  classes.  He  was 
noted  for  charitable  deeds,  especially  kind  to  his  slaves  of  whom 
he  owned  a  large  number.  In  18 13,  he  received  the  nomination 
for  Gongress  from  the  Whig  party  in  Schoharie  Gounty,  and 
although  the  county  was  strongly  Democratic,  he  was  elected 
by  an  overwhelming  majority.  He  was  a  deacon  in  the  Dutch 
Reformed  church  for  many  years  and  Sunday  always  found  him 
in  church  no  matter  what  the  weather.  It  is  said  of  him  that  he 
walked  the  whole  distance  from  Middleburgh  to  Albany  when  he 
was  eighty-four  years  old.  He  married  Elizabeth  Becker,  the 
daughter  of  Peter,  and  had  thirteen  children. 

First,  John,  bom  July  20,  1784,  married  Kate  Van  Epps, 
settled  at  Laurens,  Otsego  Gounty,  New  York,  no  children.  Sec- 
ond, Helen,  bom  December  10,  1785,  on  October  i,  1809  married 
James  Van  Gaasbeek,  M.  D.,  had  seven  children  as  follows:  Eliza 
G.  Van  Gaasbeek,  August  4,  18 11, married  in  1836,  Elijah  Parson; 
Deborah  Van  Gaasbeek,  September  14,  181 2,  died  unmarried. 
Margaret  Van  Gaasbeek,  August  4,  1814,  married  in  1840,  Israel 
Larkin.  Alexander  Boyd  Van  Gaasbeek,  bom  April  11,  18 16, 
died  January  15,  igii  in  his  ninety-fifth  year,  married  February 
20,  1 85 1,  Antoinette  H.  Keller  and  had  Amos  G.  Van  Gaasbeek, 
now  living  in  Orange,  New  Jersey,  who  married  Helen  W.  Gom- 
stock,  no  children;  and  Antoinette  Hoyt  Van  Gaasbeek  who 
married  John  Francis  Nash,  has  three  children,  Helen;  Alexander 
V.  G.,  and  Antoinette  Nash,  residing  in  Syracuse,  New  York. 
Mr.  A.  B.  Van  Gaasbeek,  until  eighty-five  years  of  age  was 
actively  engaged  in  the  carpet  business  in  Albany  and  was 
a  remarkable  example  of  the  longevity  and  activity  of  the 
Boyds. 


438         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

William  Van  Gaasbeek,  March  27,  18 18,  died  December  19, 
1903,  age  eighty-five  years,  married  September  22,  1840,  Phoebe 
Ford  and  had:  Helen  P.  Van  Gaasbeek,  who  married  John  Jay, 
of  London,  England,  their  children,  Phoebe;  Caroline  and  William 
P.  Jay.  Eliza  J.  Van.  Gaasbeek  who  married  Mr.  Baldwin  of 
Castleton,  Vermont,  and  had  Minnetta,  William  and  Edwin 
Baldwin.  John  Van  Gaasbeek  married  —  had  John  F.  Van 
Gaasbeek  and  William  Van  Gaasbeek,  residing  at  Albany,  New 
York.  John  Van  Gaasbeek,  bom  October  26,  1820,  married  June 
1843,  Mary  Groat,  no  children.  Edwin  Van  Gaasbeek,  born 
March  7,  1823,  died  1872. 

Third,  David  Boyd,  third  child  of  Alexander,  born  November 
3,  1788,  married,  1819,  Nancy  Vanderzee  of  Bethleham,  Albany 
County.  Lived  at  Middleburgh,  had  seven  children:  1819, 
(Elizabeth);  1823,  Alexander;  Susan;  Ann;  Margaret;  1823, 
Vanderzee;  1826,  Amah.  Ann  Boyd,  fourth  child  born  March  7, 
1 791,  married  George  Dial  of  DeKalb,  St.  Lawrence  County, 
New  York,  had  seven  or  eight  children.  Albert  Boyd,  fifth  child, 
bom  March  i,  1793,  married  Ann  Heron  of  Middleburgh,  lived 
in  St.  Lawrence  County,  had  seven  children.  Peter  Boyd,  sixth 
child,  August  25,  1795,  married  Helen  De  Voe  of  Oneida  County, 
lived  there  and  had  four  children.  James  Boyd,  seventh  child, 
December  6,  1797  mairied  Emily  Stimpson  of  Schoharie  County, 
lived  at  Livingstonville,  Schoharie  County,  had  two  children. 
Margaret  Boyd,  eighth  child,  bom  February  10,  1800,  married 
Jan.  26,  1826  John  C.  Van  Vechten,  lived  at  Sloansvillc, 
Schoharie  County  died  August  20,  1886,  had  ten  children:  First, 
Cornelia  B.  born  Nov.  24,  1827,  died  Feb.  23  1885,  married 
Peter  End ers,  Feb.  15  1848.  Second,  Maria,  1829-1831;  James, 
1 83 1 — 1900,  married  Sophia  Deitz,  1853;  Eliza,  1833,  married 
Peter  Warner;  Ann,  1835,  married  Charles  Baumes;  Helen, 
1837,  married  William  Avery;  Jane,  1839-185 7;  Delia,  1842, 
married  B.  F.  Gage;  Caroline,  1846-1848;  Margaret,  bom 
February  24,  1S44,  married  John  Wynkoop  Veeder,  had  Van 
Vechten,  James  Wynkoop,  and  Florence  R.  Veeder.  Van  Vechten 
Veeder  in  191 1  was  a  Judge  in  the  United  States  District  Court, 
New  York.     William  A.  Boyd,  ninth  child  of  Alexander,  born, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         439 

December  13,  1S02,  died  September  17,  1880,  age  seventy-eight 
years.  After  several  years  spent  successfully  in  farming  in 
Schoharie  County,  he  moved  to  Albany  in  1850,  entered  into 
partnership  with  his  son  Rodger  D.  Boyd  in  the  drygoods  business. 
In  1874,  the  firm  was  dissolved  and  Mr.  Boyd  retired  from  active 
business  life.  He  married  first  Margaret  Dougerty  who  died  in 
1830,  second,  Sarah  M.  Sternberg  of  Livingstonville,  had  seven 
children  as  follows:  First,  Rodger  D.  bom  June  22,  1828,  mar- 
ried Delia  Godfrey  and  had  six  children:  Wm.  A.,  Ida,  Henry, 
Cora,  Alice,  Harlow  Boyd.  Second,  William  A.,  Jr.,  June  10,  1S30, 
married  Laney  Williams  and  had  six  children.  Third,  Elizabeth, 
bom  July  11,  1839,  married  Seth  Wheeler,  April  3,  1861,  died 
Jan.  2,  igii.  Children,  Edgar  Wheeler,  who  married  Alice  Birch 
and  had  Archibald  Birch;  Thomas  Boyd,  and  Edgar  Thorn 
Wheeler.  Harriet  E.,  who  married  Howard  Martin  and  had 
Elizabeth  Martin.  William  A.  Wheeler,  who  married  Rubie  Holt 
Hyam;  Sarah  Boyd  Wheeler,  who  married  Joseph  House,  and  vSeth 
Wheeler,  Jr.,  who  married  Alice  E.  Fitch.  Fourth.  Henry  H.  Boyd, 
bom,  1841,  died  1844.  Fifth,  Edwin  Boyd,  born  1843,  died  1S43. 
Sixth,  Mary  and  Seventh,  Martha,  bom  July  22,  1844.  Martha 
Boyd  married  Rev.  Charles  F.  Hull  and  had  Myra,  Harriet,  and 
Firman  Hull. 

Nancy  Boyd,  tenth  child  of  Alexander,  bom  February  2, 
1805,  married  Daniel  Larkin  at  Williamsbridge,  Schoharie  County, 
and  had  four  children.  Alexander  Boyd,  bom  February  26,  1807, 
eleventh  child  of  Alexander,  located  in  the  West,  it  is  not  known 
where  nor  who  he  married.  Hugh  Boyd,  the  twelfth  child  born 
July  10,  1809,  died  young.  Delia  Boyd,  thirteenth  child,  born 
July  15,  181 2,  married  Jehial  Larkin.  They  lived  together  forty- 
seven  years,  had  no  children  and  died  within  twenty-four  hours 
of  each  other  September,   1883. 

Captain  Hugh  Boyd,  the  fourth  son  of  John  and  Ann  Logan, 
born  at  Albany,  January  25,  1767,  died  there  December  29,  1816, 
age  forty-nine  years,  married  Catherine  Staats  of  Albany,  January 
14,  1796.  Children,  Ann,  born  January  6,  1797,  (it  is  not  known 
who  she  married,)  and  probably  Hugh  Boyd,  bom  181 7,  died, 
June  27,  1842,  age  twenty-five,  his  wife  was  Mary  A.  D.  Boyd 


440         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

they  had  two  children,  Hugh  and  Mary  Catherine,  both  died 
in  infancy.  Captain  Hugh  Boyd  was  associated  with  his  brother 
Hamilton  Boyd  in  operating  a  line  of  passenger  and  freight 
sloops  on  the  Hudson  River.  It  is  a  tradition  in  the  family, 
that  Hugh  and  Hamilton  Boyd  were  the  pilots  on  the  steamboat 
"Fulton"  on  its  first  trip  from  New  York  to  Albany. 

David  Boyd,  the  fifth  son  of  John  and  Ann  Logan  was  born 
at  Albany,  December  4,  1770,  died  at  vSchenectady,  November  3, 
1834.  He  became  a  prominent  citizen  of  Schenectady,  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Mohawk  Bank,  one  of  the  first  banking 
institutions  in  the  vState,  and  was  for  nearly  fifty  years  its  cashier 
February  5,  1823,  he  was  elected  county  judge,  serving  until 
January  31,  1825.  In  1826,  he  was  elected  Mayor  of  Schenectady. 
In  181 2,  he  was  presidential  elector.  His  wife  Margaret  Maxwell, 
born  December  29,  1772,  married  March  7,  1793,  died  October 
14,  1856.  Their  children  were:  First,  Euphemia,  bom  1794, 
died  unmarried,  1851;  second,  Hugh  M.,  December  8,  1795,  died 
May  7,  1847,  married  Mary  Dow,  June  4,  1822,  and  had  Mary 
Boyd,  who  married  Newton  Thacher,  and  Mattie  Boyd, 
who  married  Mr.  Gray  and  had  three  daughters.  Third, 
Margaret,  bom  December  16,  1797,  died  October  18,  1852,  married 
William  McHench,  her  cousin  and  had,  Margaret,  Euphemia, 
Sarah,  all  unmarried.  David  Boyd  McHench,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Dillon;  Mary  and  Caroline  McHench  unmarried. 
Fourth,  David  Maxwell,  January  23, 1800,  died  1801.  Fifth,  Ann 
August  30,  1802,  died  unmarried.  Sixth,  John  Hamilton,  bom 
August  9,1805,  died  August  13,1869,  unmarried .  Seventh ,  Ursula , 
Jane,  1808,  died,  181 1.  Eighth,  Ursula  Jane,  bom  September  24, 
1811,  died,  1877,  married  George  H.  Thacher,  June  15,  1843,  and 
had  Margaret  Thacher,  bom  1845,  died,  1858.  John  Boyd 
Thacher,  bom  September  11,  1847,  married  Emma  Treadwell, 
1872,  died  Febmary  25,  1909,  at  Albany,  New  York,  no  chil- 
dren. He  was  graduated  from  William  College,  1869,  became 
actively  interested  with  his  father  in  the  Thacher  Car  Wheel 
Works,  one  of  the  leading  industries  of  Albany.  He  was  widely 
known  as  a  public  man,  traveller  and  author;  State  Senator  in 
1883  and  twice  Mayor  of  Albany.     Among  his  more  prominent 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         441 

literary  works  may  be  mentioned:  "Christopher  Columbus,  His 
Life,  His  Works,  His  Remains;"  "The  Continent  of  America,  its 
Discovery,  and  its  Baptism,"  "Charlecote,"  "Cabotian  Dis- 
coveries" and  "Little  Speeches."  George  H.  Thacher,  Jr.,  his 
brother,  bom  November  20,  1851,  married  Emma  L.  Bennett, 
January  i,  18S0,  and  had  George  H.,  Jr.;  John  Boyd,  2nd; 
Thomas  0.;  Emma  L.;  Roland  T.;  Kenelm  R.;  and  Edwin  T. 
Thacher. 

Ninth,  Dr.  David  Boyd  youngest  son  of  David  and  Margaret 
Maxwell,  bom  December  4,  1S13,  died  unmarried,  December  12, 
1S65.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Union  College.  Lived  at  Charlton, 
Saratoga  County,  New  York. 

Thomas  Boyd,  the  sixth  son  of  John  and  Ann  Logan  Boyd, 
was  born  at  Albany,  April  19,  1772,  and  died  in  New  York  city, 
March  18,  1856,  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  He  practiced 
medicine  for  over  sixty  years ;  fifty  of  them  in  New  York  city  and 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  the  oldest  physician  in  the  city.  He 
lived  a  remarkable  life  of  unceasing  activity  and  usefulness, 
enjoying  the  affectionate  respect  of  all  who  came  within  the 
sphere  of  his  influence  and  was  greatly  beloved.  He  was  dis- 
tinguished through  life  for  his  kindness  and  generosity,  especially 
toward  the  poor  and  unfortunate,  upon  whom  he  lavished  his 
care  without  the  hope  or  thought  of  reward.  He  married  October 
22,  1793,  Sarah  Graham  daughter  of  Rev.  Chauncy  and  Elizabeth 
Van  Wyck  Graham,  bom  January  11,  1770,  died  August  16,  1855. 
To  them  were  born  seven  children :  First,  Elizabeth  married  John 
H.  McCall,  died,  February  12,  1881;  second,  John  Thomas,  July 
4,  1797,  died  June  8,  1859.  He  was  for  many  years  the  leading 
auctioneer  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  in  1S41,  founded  "Boyd's 
City  Express."  He  married,  April  16,  1838,  Hannah  Agnes  Shea 
and  had :  John  Thomas  Boyd  bom  March  22,1 840,  married  Annette 
and  had  William  Augustus  second,  a  physician  in  the  Griscom 
Borough  of  Bronx,  New  York ;  Florence  Annette ;  John  ThoiTias,  Jr. ; 
Erastus  Graham;  Carlisle  T.,  and  Gertrude  Boyd. 

William  Augustus,  second  son  of  John  Thomas  and  Hannah 
Boyd,  bom  November  25,  1841,  married  Adeline  Todd  Speaight, 
April  16,  1873,  she  died  February  25,  1899.     He  was  graduated 


442  HISTORY  OF  THE  EOYC  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

from  Columbia  College,  New  York,  class  iS6i,  admitted  to  the 
Bar,  November  25,  1S62.  and  Corporation  Counsel  of  the  city  of 
New  York  from  1875  to  1889.  In  the  Civil  War  he  served  as 
First  Lieutenant  in  the  62nd  Regim.ent,  New  York  Volunteers. 
His  children:  Adeline  V.;  Beatrice  S.;  Beverly;  Lucille;  Addie 
Storm;  Natalie  G.;  Leontine  A.;  Constance  C. and  GansevoortM. 
Boyd.  Sarah  Matilda,  bom  July  9,  1844,  eldest  daughter  of 
John  Thomas  Boyd  and  wife  Hannah,  married  Thomas  Storm, 
who  died  May  i,  1890,  she  subsequently  married  Charles  E. 
Orvis.  Her  children:  Clarence;  Edna  G.;  and  Mabel  Louise 
Storm.  Theodore  Chauncy  and  Hamilton,  two  sons  of  John 
Thomas  and  Hannah  Boyd  died  young. 

Melville  Bo^^d,  youngest  son  of  John  T.  and  Hannah,  bom 
October  6,  1850,  died  March  3,  1894.  Married  Mary  H.  David- 
son, (nee  Walden),  who  died  October  7,  1896.  He  graduated 
from  the  Theological  Seminary,  Alexandria,  Virginia,  in  1873,  was 
ordained  a  clergyman  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in 
1874.  He  was  Rector  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  King  George 
County,  Virginia  and  subsequently  at  Ashland,  Virginia.  In 
1877,  he  became  Rector  of  All  Saints  Church,  Brooklyn,  New 
York.  During  a  pastorate  of  seventeen  years,  he  built  one  of 
the  finest  churches  in  Brooklyn;  died  March  3,  1894  in  his  forty- 
third  year.  He  was  P9ssessed  of  rare  intellectual  gifts  and  an 
attractive  personality,  he  spared  not  himself  in  the  cause  in  which 
he  enlisted  and  the  fruit  of  his  efforts  was  conspicuously  abundant. 
His  children:  Mary  Melville;  Melville,  Jr.;  Reginald  Price,  and 
Ruth  Boyd. 

Theodore  Chauncy,  born  September,  1799,  third  child  of 
Dr.  Thom.as  and  Sarah  Graham  Boyd,  niarried  Sarah  P.  Cum- 
mings  and  died  August  7,  1843. 

Fourth,  Margaret  A.  Boyd,  sister  of  the  above,  married 
Alexander  Chalmers  and  died  February  27,  1841. 

Fifth,  William  Hugh  Boyd,  son  of  Dr.  Thomas,  was  also  a 
physician  and  died  of  yellow  fever  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  Sep- 
tember 6,  1837.  Sixth,  Maria,  and  seventh,  Sarah  Matilda  Boyd; 
both  daughters  of  Dr.  Thomas,  died  unmarried,  1879  and  18 81 
respectively. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         443 

William  Boyd,  the  seventh  son  of  John  and  Ann  Logan, 
was  born  September  14,  1775,  at  Albany,  and  died  there  April 
24,  1 840.  He  was  the  Captain  of  a  passenger  sloop  plying  between 
Albany  and  New  York  for  a  number  of  years;  he  afterwards  en- 
gaged in  the  silversmith  and  jewelry  business  at  Albany,  con- 
tinuing until  his  death.  He  was  a  director  of  the  Mechanics  and 
Farmers  Bank  in  18 17  and  a  member  of  St.  Andrew's  Society. 
He  married  Hannah  Hook,  May  29,  1809,  who  was  bom  1783, 
died,  February,  1856.  They  had  eight  children:  Catherine 
Hook,  1810;  John,  1811;  Thomas  Hook,  1813;  Thomas  Hook  (2), 
1815;  William,  18 17;  Howard,  1819;  Catherine,  1821;  Anna 
Mary  Boyd,  1823.  The  only  son  to  marry,  was  Howard  Boyd, 
May,  1819,  died,  July  27,  1889,  married  in  1849,  Mary  A.  Morrow, 
and  had  Caroline  Henry  Boyd,  who  married  Henry  Sage  Dermott, 
had  Caroline  Henry  Dermott,  married  W.  T.  Corning,  1902, 
now  living  in  Hartford,  Connecticut;  have  one  daughter;  Stephen 
Cannon  Dermott,  and  Katherine  Schuyler  Dermott. 

William  Wendell  Boyd,  son  of  Howard  and  Mary,  married 
Mary  E.  Shafer,  no  children.  Catherine  Boyd,  September  7, 
1 82 1,  daughter  of  William  and  Hannah,  married  Stephen  Reuben 
Schuyler,  who  was  bom  December  5,  1850,  died  November,  1877, 
had  no  children. 

Hamilton  Boyd,  the  eighth  son  of  John  and  Ann  Logan,  was 
born  at  Albany,  February  17,  1778,  died  September  20,  1822, 
married  first,  Ann  Bradshaw,  second,  Eliza  Kirby,  who  died 
January  15,  1824.  Hamilton  and  his  brother  Hugh,  together 
operated  a  line  of  sloops  in  the  Hudson  River,  Troy  being  their 
headquarters.  The  children  of  Hamilton  and  Ann  Bradshaw 
were:  James  Hamilton,  died  young;  Mary  Ann  Boyd,  born  1804, 
died  March  3,  1878,  married  her  kinsman  James  Peter  Boyd, 
son  of  Peter  and  Margaret  McMurray  Boyd,  grandson  of  James 
and  Jane  Boyd,  natives  of  Scotland,  who  arrived  in  New  York, 
1774.  James  and  Jane  Boyd  had  ten  sons  born  and  educated  in 
the  city  of  Albany.  Several  of  them  became  identified  with  the 
mercantile  interests  of  the  city  and  were  extensively  known  for 
their  probity  and  honorable  dealing.  Mary  A.  and  James  Peter 
Boyd  had:  Charles,  born  July  25,  1834,  died  April  13,  1856  at 


444         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Princeton  College  on  the  eve  of  graduation.     Rev.  John  Campbell, 

born ,  died  1902,  was  a  prominent  Presbyterian  clergyman 

of  Fonda,  New  York;  married,  first,  Clarissa  G.  Schuyler,  second, 
Clara  Davis;  had  Grace  Rutherford  Boyd,  who  married  William 
H.  Metcalf  and  had  John  Trumbull,  Arthur  and  Anna  Metcalf; 
also  had  Donald;  Hamilton;  Rachel,  and  Margaret  Boyd.  Mary 
G.,  daughter  of  James  P.  and  Mary  A.  Boyd,  married  September 
5,  1865,  Charles  H.  Van  Benthuysen  and  had,  Charles  Fredrick 
Boyd,  and  Marion  Van  Benthuysen.  Another  daughter,  Mar- 
garet Boyd,  died  unmarried;  James  Peter  Boyd,  Jr.,  married 
Alice  Maud  Glassford,  no  children.  He  is  now  one  of  the  prom- 
inent physicians  of  Albany. 

Edward  Hugh  Boyd,  son  of  Hamilton  and  Eliza  Kirby,  born 
May,  1815,  died,  1884,  married  May  29,  1850,  Jane  Frances 
Bradford,  who  was  born  at  Auburn,  New  York,  December  i, 
1S26,  died  18S7.  Their  children  were  Edward,  who  died  in 
infancy;  George  Hamilton,  born,  1857,  at  Elyria,  Ohio,  married 
in  1889,  Ida  Hope  Wood  of  Montreal,  Canada,  and  had  Edward 
Hamilton  Boyd.  Geo.  Hamilton  Boyd  is  president  and  treasurer 
of  the  Thomas  D.  West  Foundry  Co.,  Sharpsville,  Pa.  Anna 
Bradford,  daughter  of  Edward  Hugh  and  Jane  F.  Boyd,  married, 
1882,  Dwight  P.  Briggs. 


CHAPTER    VI 

History  of  the  Boyds  of  Boston,  Mass. 

In  giving  a  genealogical  record  of  this  family,  it  may  be  well 
for  us  to  state  that  we  do  not  include  the  many  families  of  that 
name  in  Boston,  but  of  this  family  of  whom  Col.  Francis  Boyd 
(now  deceased)  was  a  descendant,  and  who  prepared  the  record 
for  our  edition  of  1884  and  took  a  deep  interest  at  that  time  in 
our  work  and  furnished  us  much  valuable  matter  pertaining  to 
the  Boyds  of  the  Old  World. 

This  family  of  Boyds  are  known  to  us  by  what  is  called 
"Scotch-Irish  Boyds. "  They  came  from  the  North  of  Ireland  to  this 
country  at  the  beginning  of  the  Seventeenth  Century  and  which 
no  doubt  are  descendants  of  the  Protestant  Scotch  families  who 
left  their  native  homes  in  Scotland  for  Ireland  at  the  beginning 
of  that  century.  This  family  is  one  of  the  only  families  of  the 
Boyds,  we  have  discovered,  that  are  able  to  connect  their  lineal 
descent  back  to  the  old  country.  Along  with  Colonel  Boyd,  was 
his  uncle  William  Boyd  of  the  same  place,  who  also  assisted 
in  furnishing  many  incidents  of  their  branch  of  the  home  in  Ire- 
land, before  coming  to  America;  we  would  be  glad  to  give  if  our 
space  would  admit.  Taken  from  letters  between  Colonel  Francis 
Boyd  and  his  uncle  William  Boyd  of  which  the  former  has  given 
me  permission  to  copy,  is  as  follows: 

Historical  Part 

In  giving  the  records  of  this  family,  it  may  be  interesting 
to  our  readers  to  give  a  description  of  their  native  place  in  Ireland, 

[4451 


446  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

from  whence  they  came  to  America.  The  old  Homestead  was 
situated  at  Moville,  which  in  the  language  of  that  country,  was 
called  "Ma-Hill"  or  ''Maugh-ill,"  which  interpreted  the  Mayh— 
meaning  a  plain.  This  place  was  situated  one  mile  from  New- 
townards,  and  old  town  settled  in  King  James  I.  time.  The  in- 
terpretation of  the  word  meaning  "an  eminence"  or  in  other  words 
a  "Newtown  on  an  Eminence"  which  layed  about  ten  miles  from 
Belfast.  The  whole  population  in  and  about  Newtown  were 
originally  from  Scotland.  Their  language,  attachments,  religious 
observances  of  set-times  and  holidays,  prejudices  and  antipathies, 
were  all  Scotch,  even  to  the  honest  belief  in  witches  and  a  good 
liking  to  bag-pipes. 

Donaghadee — situated  ten  miles  from  Newtownards  and 
twenty-two  miles  from  Belfast,  was  a  famous  shipping  port  of 
cattle  across  the  channel  to  Port  Patrick  in  Scotland.  These  droves 
were  mostly  raised  in  the  Northern  part  of  Ireland  and  generally 
driven  through  Newtownards  on  their  way  to  Donaghadee, 
in  charge  of  the  "Upper  Country  men"  (Irish  inhabitants).  William 
Boyd,  living  at  Mansfield,  Massachusetts  in  1884,  then  eighty- 
four  years  old,  says:  "That  among  my  boyhood  recollections, 
the  other  boys  and  I  of  the  place  would  be  attracted  toward  the 
cattle  to  see  their  size  and  immense  growth  of  horns.  Our  mothers 
would  call  us  in  by  saying:  "came  in  an'  stay  in  till  thein  folks 
hae  a  gane  awa,  for  they're  Eerish  oot  there  maunna  gang  neer 
them." 

Some  three  or  four  years  before  the  death  of  Daniel  Boyd  in 
1 84 1,  a  descendant  of  this  family  and  a  resident  of  Washington, 
D.  C,  v/ho  was  an  uncle  to  Francis  Boyd,  he  collected  a  genealogical 
history  of  his  family  ancestors  tracing  it  very  authoritively  to  the 
descent  of  his  grandfather  Hugh  Boyd,  who  died  in  1800,  to  a 
younger  branch  of  the  Kilmarnock  Boyds  of  Scotland,  who  was 
driven  to  the  Northern  part  of  Ireland  during  the  reign  of  King 
James  II,  by  reason  of  their  Presbyterian  religious  beHef. 
We  were  sorry  when  we  were  to  work  on  our  first  edition  of  the 
Boyds'  Family  in  1884,  to  be  informed  that  the  Documents 
which  would  have  been  of  deep  interest  to  us  now  as  well  as  then 
were  destroyed  by  fire. 


history  of  the  boyd  family  and  its  descendants       447 

Genealogical  Part 

The  history  of  the  Ancestors  of  this  family — as  far  back  as 
the  descendants  can  trace  them — is  to  Hugh  Boyd,  who  when 
Hving,  resided  at  Movilla,  in  the  Township  of  Newtownards, 
County  of  Down,  Ireland.  The  year  of-  the  coming  of  these 
Boyds  from  Scotland  to  this  place,  the  descendants  have  only 
traced  back  there  to  the  above  Hugh,  who  was  born  in  Movilla  in 
1742,  and  married  for  his  first  wife,  Jane  Craig  at  the  sam.e  place 
in  1766.  They  both  died  at  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth 
century,  at  the  advance  age  (as  supposed)  of  three  score  and  ten. 
Yet,  he  may  have  been  five  or  six  years  older  than  his  wife.  In 
life,  Hugh  was  a  farmer  and  was  buried  at  Movilla,  Ireland. 
His  famiily  as  far  as  known,  consisted  of  five  children  named, 
William,  Hugh,  Peggy,  Mary  and  John. 

Second  Generation 

William  the  oldest  son  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Craig)  Boyd  was 
born  at  Moviha,  Ireland  in  1767.  He  married  here  Jane  Gaw 
in  1794  and  died  at  this  place  in  1847;  William's  occupation  was 
that  of  a  farmer  and  always  resided  at  the  place  of  his  birth.  His 
wife  was  bom  here  in  1770  and  died  in  1852.  His  family  consisted 
of  twelve  children  of  whom  nine  of  them  grew  up  to  man  and 
womanhood.  They  were  all  born  at  his  native  place.  Hugh  the 
oldest  son  was  born  in  1797  and  died  here  in  1872,  but  was  never 
married.  The  second  son  was  called  William  and  was  born  in 
1800,  and  died  at  the  above  place,  1872.  He  was  married  and 
had  one  son  living  in  1884,  whose  name  was  not  known  to  our 
informant,  who  was  born  in  1830.  The  rest  at  that  time  were 
dead.  The  third  child  of  William  Boyd  and  Jane  Gaw,  was  a 
daughter  named  Jane,  who  was  bom  in  1802,  and  married  John 
Sloan  of  Belfast,  Ireland,  and  died  at  the  place  of  his  birth  in 
1847.  She  was  the  mother  of  five  children,  whose  names  were 
WilHam  I.,  Archie,  Isabel,  Margaret  and  Thomas.  In  1884, 
three  of  them  were  married  and  lived  at  Belfast,  Ireland.  Wil- 
liam's fourth  child  was  named  John  and  was  bom  in  1806;  married 
Margaret  Gamble  at  New  York  in  1834,  and  died  at  the  sam.e 
place.  October  28,  1869.     John  came  to  America  in  1830.     His 


448  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

wife  is  also  dead.  His  family  consisted  of  five  children,  namely: 
Jane,  bom  in  1837;  Margaret  in  1839.  I^  18S4,  they  were  both 
married  and  have  families  and  resided  at  Yonkers,  New  York. 
The  next  was  William  H.,  who  was  born  in  1841  and  married  a 
Miss  Brazil  at  Brooklyn,  New  York,  in  1865,  had  no  children  in 
1884,  and  resided  in  New  York  city,  where  he  kept  a  drug  store. 
The  next  was  Adam  G.,  who  was  bom  in  1843,  and  died  in  1876, 
and  John  who  was  born,  1847.  James  the  fourth  son  of  William 
and  Jane  Gaw,  was  born  in  180S,  married  a  sister  of  his  brother 
John's  wife,  named  Hannah  Gamble  at  New  York,  in  1841  and 
died  at  Allegheny  City,  Pennsylvania,  August  2,  1883.  He  was 
a  remarkable  man  among  his  friends,  as  he  was  upright  and  honest ; 
a  true  christian  and  a  loving  father,  who  was  proud  of  his  family 
and  always  bore  a  good  name.  His  inemory  was  wonderful  and 
he  loved  to  tell  his  children  of  his  connection  and  of  things  he  had 
seen  himself.  He  came  to  America  in  1839  and  first  settled  in 
New  York  city,  and  from  here  to  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania  in 
1849,  where  his  wife  died  in  1876.  His  family  consisted  of  four 
children,  namely:  First,  Hannah  G.,  who  was  born  in  1841,  and 
in  1884,  still  resided  in  Alleghany  City,  Pennsylvania.  To  her 
we  were  indebted  when  we  were  preparing  our  edition  of  the  Boyd 
family  in  1884,  for  records,  etc.  of  her  father's  family.  The  sec- 
ond, was  Thomas  H.,  who  was  bom  in  1845,  and  died  unmarried 
March  7,  1882.  In  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Knap's  Battery  and 
remained  with  them  until  discharged.  His  sister  Hannah,  writes 
me  and  says:  ''A  noble  young  man  worthy  of  his  aged  father,  as 
•  he  bowed  his  white  haired  head  over  the  cold  form  of  his  darling 
boy  and  exclaimed,  'he  never  disobeyed  me  or  gave  me  an  hour 
of  pain.'  "  The  third  child  of  James  was  Mary  A.,  who  was  bom 
in  1847,  S'lid  married  Jacob  G.  Royal  in  1871,  and  had  two  chil- 
dren, whose  names  were  M.  May  Royal,  bom  in  1872  and  George 
B.  Royal,  bom  in  1875.  The  youngest  son  of  James  was  William 
J.,  who  was  bom  in  1852,  and  now  resides  at  Allegheny  City, 
Pennsylvania.  Thomas,  the  fifth  son  of  William,  was  born  in 
1810,  and  married  a  lady  by  the  name  of  Armstrong  in  1856,  and 
breathed  his  last  at  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  February  12,  1867. 
Thomas  came  to  America  in  1834,  and  settled  first  at  New  York 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         449 

city  and  from  here  removed  his  family  to  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania 
in  1858.  His  wife  also  died.  He  had  three  children  that  grew 
up  to  manhood.  First,  was  William  G.,  who  was  bom  in  1847 
and  was  married  in  1873,  and  had  two  children,  whose  names 
are  Edward  G.  and  Lillie;  second,  was  Thomas,  who  was  bom  in 
1849.  He  went  to  Kansas  in  1877,  and  followed  the  occupation 
of  a  farmer.  Third  was  David,  the  youngest  son,  who  was  born 
in  1857.  He  and  his  oldest  brother  William  are  printers  and 
reside  at  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania. 

Margaret,  the  second  daughter  of  William  was  bom  in  18 10. 
She  married  the  Rev.  Henry  Seymour  in  1840,  and  died  in  1853, 
followed  by  her  husband's  death  in  1881.  Their  home  in  1884 
was  in  Canada  and  had  three  children  grow  up  to  adult  age,  whose 
names  were  Jane,  Margaret  who  died  in  1853,  and  Ellen. 

Eliza,  the  third  daughter  of  William  was  bom  in  18 18,  she 
was  never  married,  but  remained  at  home  until  the  death  of  her 
brother  Hughe,  when  she  went  to  live  with  her  sister  Mrs.  Mary 
Potter  at  Newtownards,  Ireland.  Mary,  the  youngest  daughter 
of  William  was  bom  in  1823,  and  married  John  Potter  at  New- 
townards, Ireland,  September,  i860,  he  died  there  December 
25,  1879.     In  1884,  she  was  still  living  at  that  place. 

Second  Hugh  Boyd,  the  second  Son  of  Hugh  and  Jane 
(Craig)  Boyd,  was  born  at  Newtownards,  Ireland  in  1870.  He 
married  at  this  place,  Mary  Patton  in  1792,  and  died  at  Boston, 
Massachusetts  in  1833.  Hugh  resided  at  the  place  of  his  birth 
until  18 18,  when  he  and  his  wife  emigrated  to  New  Brunswick, 
and  resided  there  for  four  or  six  years.  In  1824  they  went  to 
Boston  and  made  a  permanent  home  until  their  death,  where 
she  died  in  1836.  Before  leaving  his  native  country,  he  followed 
the  occupation  of  farming.  Their  family  consisted  of  twelve 
children,  namely:  James,  Jane,  William,  William,  Hugh,  Sarah 
Thomas,  Daniel,  Esther,  Henry,  Esther  and  Robert,  whom  we 
speak  of  in  our  generation  third. 

Peggy,  the  oldest  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Jane  Craig,  we  have 
no  record  of  her  birth.  She  is  said  to  have  died  in  1835  or  36, 
at  Newtownard,  Ireland,  where  she  always  resided  and  remained 
a  maiden  lady. 


450         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Mary  Boyd,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Hugh,  was  also  born 
at  Newtownard,  Ireland  in  1776,  and  died  at  the  same  place 
unmarried,  in   1867. 

John  Boyd,  the  youngest  son  of  Hugh  Boyd,  we  have  no 
record  of  his  birth,  marriage  or  death.  He  died  several  years 
ago  while  residing  at  Belfast,  Ireland.  His  family  consisted  of 
two  sons  and  daughters,  namely:  William,  who  is  dead  and  left 
two  daughters;  Mary  Jane  and  Susan.  The  latter  married  a 
young  man  by  the  name  of  Hugh  McClemont,  a  carpenter  by 
trade  at  Belfast,  Ireland.  Edward  went  to  New  York  City  and 
married  there  and  was  the  parental  father  of  one  child,  named 
Edward,  and  died  before  his  brother  William.     Jane  died  many 


years  ago. 


Third  Generation 


James  Boyd,  the  oldest  son  of  Hugh  and  Mary  (Patton) 
Boyd,  was  born  at  Newtownard,  Ireland,,  November  11,  1793. 
Married  Margaret  Curry  at  Caimey  Caw,  Ireland,  July  4,  18 15, 
died  at  Boston,  Massachusetts,  October  10,  1845.  His  wife  was 
born  in  Ireland,  February  15,  1794,  and  died  in  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts, July  26,  1874.  James  emigrated  to  America  in  181 7 
and  took  up  a  permanent  residence  at  Boston,  except  a  short 
time  at  Cannelton,  Maryland.  Here,  though  brought  up  in 
the  tenets  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  church  belief,  joined  the 
Unitarian  faith  of  Channing.  His  unsectarian  mind  commanded 
while  living  the  respect  of  his  Catholic  countrymen,  that  since 
his  death,  have  given  proof  that  the  contemporaries  of  his 
manhood  has  cherished  his  memory,  for  kind  deeds  in  the  past. 
It  would  be  useless  to  try  to  describe  his  patience  and  perseverance 
in  his  work  of  life.  For  many  years,  he  gave  sixteen  hours  to 
mechanical  labor  and  very  often  extra  midnight  hours  in  cor- 
respondence or  writing  for  the  press  on  local  subjects  connected 
with  Boston  and  the  State. 

In  starting  life  in  America,  he  had  but  a  small  sum  of  money, 
caring  not  for  the  accommodation  of  life,  but  to  maintain  and 
educate  a  large  family  of  children.  This  lesson  may  be  derived 
from  his  example,   "what  man  has  done,  others  may  do."     If 


JAMES  BOYD 
Born   1793.     Diei   1845 


\ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         453 

more  of  the  Irishmen  of  the  present  day,  would  follow  the  same 
course  with  fidelity,  both  Ireland  and  the  United  States  would 
be  the  better  off. 

It  would  encroach  too  much  upon  our  space,  to  enter  into  a 
general  record  of  James'  occupation  in  business;  his  connection 
in  politics  and  with  local  charitable  institutions  of  Boston,  and 
his  Western  hoine  or  to  refer  to  many  records  of  his  aptness  with 
the  pen  in  poetry  and  prose.  Shakespeare,  next  to  his  Bible,  'com- 
manded much  of  his  readings  in  the  illustrations  of  human  life. 
Moor's  was  his  favorite  in  Irish  songs.  But  Burns'  poetry 
touched  his  noble  Scotch  blood.  He  could  repeat  from  memory 
many  of  Burns'  best  verses.  Evidence  of  their  traits  would  be 
more  appropriate  in  a  private  memoir,  and  under  a  better  com- 
piler than  myself. 

A  general  history  of  James  can  be  found  in  a  woi  called 
"New  England  Manufacturers  and  Manufactories,"  v  1.  I, 
published  by  J.  D.  VanSickle  &  Co.,  Boston,  in  1879  to  which 
those  who  are  interested  in  his  life  can  refer. 

James'  wife's  father,  was  Francis  Curry  of  Cainey  Caw 
Parish,  Rahalp  County  Down,  Ireland.  He  was  a  farmer;  his 
wife  was  Margaret  Cavin,  his  mother  was  a  Dunbar,  hers,  a  Litton. 
Francis  Curry  was  a  man  of  exemplary  character  and  untiring 
industry.  He  died  in  1852,  in  his  one  hundred  and  second  year 
of  age.     His  wife,  at  the  age  of  seventy. 

James'  fainily  consisted  of  twelve  children  all  born  at  Bos- 
ton, except  the  oldest,  who  was  bom  at  Newtownard,  Ireland. 
There  names  were  as  follows : 

First,  Francis  Boyd,  who  was  born  May  2,  1816.  He  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Mary  Ripley  Everett  at  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts, August  22,  1839,  who  was  also  born  at  same  place, 
September  24,  181 6.  Francis  died  at  Boston.  When  living  he 
was  known  as  Colonel  Boyd,  and  prior  to  his  death  he  followed  the 
occupation  of  a  commission  merchant  and  a  former  ship  owner. 
His  residence  was  at  Hyde  Park,  near  Boston,  Mass.  Francis 
secured  his  title  as  Colonel,  by  being  connected  with  the  State 
Militia.  While  we  were  preparing  our  first  edition  of  the  Boyd 
History  of  18S4,  he  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  same  and  furnished 


454         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

US  much  valuable  matter  pertaining  to  the  Bo^'ds  of  Scotland, 
and  of  his  own  family,  and  many  interesting  letters  passed  between 
US  and  continued  afterwards  until  his  death.  His  family  consisted 
of  nine  children,  all  born  in  Boston,  except  the  last  one,  which  was 
bom  at  Hull,  the  same  state.  Their  names  were  as  follows: 
First,  Francis  Everett  Boyd,  who  was  born  June  6,  1840.  Second, 
Moses  Everett  Boyd,  born  April  5,  1S42.  Third,  Mary  Ripley 
Boyd,  born  May  16,  1845.  Fourth,  James  William  Boyd,  born 
April  10,  1848,  died  May  16,  1861.  Fifth,  EHza  Everett  Boyd, 
bom  June  3, 1850,  died  April  10,  1851.  Sixth,  Eliza  Grove  Everett 
Boyd,  born  November  25,  1S51.  Seventh,  Susan  Everett  Boyd, 
born  September  7,  1854.  Eighth,  Catherine  Everett  Boyd, 
born  June  17,  1857,  died  September  i,  1858.  Ninth,  Edward 
Wyman,  who  was  born  June  9,  1861. 

Second,  James  Patton  Boyd,  the  second  son  of  James,  w^as 
bom  May  16,  1818;  died  and  was  buried  at  sea,  May  30,  1843. 

Third,  John  Boyd,  the  third  son  of  James,  was  born  April 
22,  1820,  married  Catherine  G.  Smith,  which  we  have  no  date. 
Died,  May  12,  1 86 2.     In  1884,  none  of  his  children  were  living. 

Fourth,  William  Boyd,  fourth  son  of  Jam.es,  was  born  Decem- 
ber 14,  1S21,  died  January  19,  1822. 

Fifth,  William  Boyd  second,  the  fifth  son  of  James,  born 
December  3,  1822,  died  September  19,  1847. 

Sixth,  Frederick  Boyd,  the  sixth  s^  1  of  James,  was  born 
April  29,  1824,  married  Elizabeth  Dalzell  at  Davenport,  Iowa, 
September  16,  1850.  His  wife  was  bom  at  Pittsburgh,  Pennsyl- 
vania, December  16,  1825.  We  have  no  more  record  of  him  and 
his  family,  only  that  they  had  three  children,  whose  names  were 
John  Dalzell  Boyd,  who  was  bom  at  Cannclton,  Maryland,  July 
12,  1851.  Margaret  Curry  Boyd,  bom  near  Davenport,  Iowa, 
October  i,  1854,  and  married  George  Castle,  November  3,  1881, 
who  was  bom  in  England,  August  22,  1848,  and  Frederick,  bom 
at  Quincy,  Illinois,  March  27,  1864. 

Seventh,  Margaret  C.  Boyd,  the  oldest  daughter  of  James,  was 
bom  September  8,  1824,  married  Edward  Wyman  at  Cambridge, 
Massachusetts  (no  date),  died  march  22,  1854,  leaving  one  daughter 
who  was  living  in  1884,  who  was  called  Margaret  C.  Wyman. 


COL.  FRANCIS  BOYD 
Taken  Jan.  9,   1884 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENf)ANTS         457 

Eighth,  Jenet  Alexander  Boyd,  the  second  daughter  of  James, 
was  bom  May  8,  1828.     Died  September  2,  1829. 

Ninth,  Alexander  Boyd,  the  seventh  son  of  James,  was  born 
February  13,  1830.  Married  Miss  Harriet  Fay  Wheeler,  April 
28,  1857,  who  died  at  Lynfield,  Massachusetts,  August  26,  1872. 
In  1888,  Alexander  was  living  in  Boston,  Massachusetts  and  was 
senior  partner  of  the  firm  of  James  Boyd  &  Sons.  His  family 
consisted  of  five  children,  all  born  in  Boston,  except  the  oldest 
one  as  follows:  First,  James  Boyd,  bom  at  Roxbury,  Massa- 
chusetts, February  i,  1858.  He  married  Elizabeth  I.  Longstreth, 
at  Sharon  Hill,  Pennsylvania,  November  8,  1882.  Second,  Alex- 
ander, bom  October  5,  i860.  Third,  Harry  Wheeler  Boyd,  bom 
June  25,  1864.  Fourth,  Allen  Richard  Boyd,  bom  January  5, 
1864.     Fifth,  Harriet  Ann  Boyd,  bom  October  11,  187 1. 

Tenth,  infant  of  James  Boyd,  who  was  born  July  5,  1832, 
and  died  July  6,  1832.  This  child  was  the  first  interment  in  the 
famous  "Mount  Auburn  Cemetery"  near  Boston,  up  to  the  burial 
of  the  mother  in  1874.  There  has  in  the  period  of  forty-two  years, 
been  interred  in  this  cemetery  18,931  persons. 

Eleventh,  Jane  Louisa  Boyd,  the  third  daughter  of  James, 
was  born  September  i,  1833,  died  October  14,  1857. 

Twelfth,  Charles  Barnard  Boyd,  the  youngest  son  of  James 
and  Margaret  (Curry)  Boyd,  was  bom  March  10,  1835,  and  died 
April  7,  1865. 

Jane  Boyd,  the  oldest  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Craig) 
Boyd,  was  born  at  Newtownard,  Ireland,  and  was  married  to 
Hugh  Finley  at  St.  Andres,  Ireland.  She  died  at  Schoolcraft, 
Michigan,  of  which  we  have  no  more  record. 

William  Boyd,  third  son  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Craig)  Boyd,  was 
bom  at  Newtownard,  Ireland  and  died  in  infancy. 

William  Boyd  (second) ,  was  the  fourth  son  of  Hugh  and  Jane 
(Craig)  Boyd  he  also  was  bom  at  Newtownard,  Ireland,  January  i, 
1800,  married  at  Taunton,  Massachusetts,  Catherine  Francis,  April 
17,  1826.  In  the  year  of  1 8 1 8 ,  he  came  to  America  and  settled  first 
in  New  Brunswick,  then  to  Massachusetts  and  in  1884,  was  residing 
at  Mansfield,  same  State  where  he  died  a  few  years  afterwards. 
He  was  also  of  great  assistance  to  me  in  my  edition  of  1884,  and 


458         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

I  was  indebted  to  him  for  much  valuable  information  pertaining 
to  his  branch  of  the  Boyd  families,  as  well  as  to  the  general  history 
pertaining  to  his  native  place  in  Ireland.  His  family  consisted 
of  three  children,  namely:  First,  Catherine  Evelyn  Boyd,  bom 
at  Taunton,  Massachusetts,  June  5,  1830,  and  died  at  Garrets- 
ville,  Ohio,  May  12,  1837.  Second  William  Francis  Boyd,  born 
at  same  place,  April  29,  1832,  and  married  Jennie  White  at  Mans- 
field, Massachusetts.  No  more  record.  Third,  Catherine  Eliza 
Boyd,  who  was  bom  at  Garretsville,  Ohio,  April  2,  1838,  and 
married  Luther  P.  Harding  at  Mansfield,  Massachusetts.  No 
more  record.  Hugh  Boyd,  the  fourth  son  of  Hugh,  was  born 
and  died  in  infancy  at  Newtownard,  Ireland  (no  date). 

Sarah  Boyd,  the  second  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Craig) 
Boyd,  was  born  at  Newtownard,  Ireland,  March  17,  1803,  and 
married  William  McMaster  in  1 8 1 9  or  20.  He  died  several  years  ago 
and  his  widow  in  1 8  84 ,  was  living  at  Schoolcraft ,  Michigan .  Thomas 
Boyd,  the  fifth  son  of  Hugh,  was  born  at  Newtownard,  Ireland, 
August  10,  1808,  and  while  a  young  man,  emigrated  to  America 
and  at  Boston,  Massachusetts,  November  8,  1829,  married  Agnes 
Y.  Allen,  who  was  bom  December  11,  1809,  and  died  January  8, 
1839.  In  1884,  he  was  residing  at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts. 
Their  family  consisted  of  four  children,  namely  Charles  Hildreth, 
Bom  August  19,  1830  and  died  July  17,  1832.  Second,  Charles 
Howard  Boyd,  bom  July  13,  1832,  and  died  August  31,  1833. 
Third,  Agnes  Allen  Boyd,  born  August  16,  1834.  Fourth, 
Francis  Louise  Boyd,  bom  June  21,  1836. 

Daniel  Boyd,  the  sixth  son  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Craig)  Boyd, 
was  bom  at  Newtownward,  Ireland,  of  which  we  have  no  date 
and  died  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  June  10,  1844. 

Esther  Boyd,  the  third  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Craig)  Boyd 
was  born  at  Newtownard,  and  died  there  in  infancy. 

Henry  Boyd,  the  seventh  son  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Craig) 
Boyd,  was  born  in  Newtownard,  Ireland,  May  10,  1810.  He 
married  Hannah  Robhison,  October  20,  1833,  the  date  of  her 
birth  was  April  7,  18 13,  and  died  April  26,  1881.  In  1884,  he 
was  still  living  at  Cambrige,  Massachusetts.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  nine  children,  namely:     First,  Mary  Thomas  Boyd,  who 


WILLIAM  BOYD 
Taken  1884.     Born   1800 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         461 

was  born  at  Bridgewater,  Massachusetts,  March  1835,  and  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Ebenezer  Crocker  at  Wareham,  Massa- 
chusetts, August  16,  1854.  Second,  Henry  W.  Boyd,  born  at 
the  same  place,  November,  1836,  and  died  their.  May  27,  1839. 
Third,  Sarah  Perkins  Boyd,  also  born  at  Bridgewater,  Massa- 
chusetts, December  1839.  Fourth,  Henry  Withrell,  born  at 
Weymouth,  Massachusetts,  December,  1S41.  Fifth,  Maria  Louise 
Boyd,  was  born  at  same  place,  March  1S43,  died  at  Wareham, 
Massachusetts,  May  27,  1865.  Sixth,  James  Patten  Boyd,  born 
at  Weymouth,  Massachusetts,  September,  1845,  died  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, August  I,  1 87 1.  Seventh,  Deborah  Edson  Boyd,  born  at 
Wareham,  Massachusetts,  November,  1848,  and  married  Myron  B. 
Hoyt,  at  the  same  place,  July  14,  1869.  Eighth,  Hannah  Robin- 
son, born  at  Wareham,  Massachusetts,  January,  1850.  Ninth, 
Louise  Collyer  Boyd,  bom  at  Wareham,  Massachusetts,  May, 
1852.  Esther  Boyd  the  fourth  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Craig) 
Boyd,  was  bom  in  Newtownard,  Ireland,  November  15,  1815, 
and  in  1884,  was  still  living  in  Cambridge,  Massachusetts. 

Robert  Boyd,  youngest  son  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Craig)  Boyd, 
was  born  at  Newtownard,  Ireland,  June  5,  181 7,  married  Eliza  Jane 
Weston,  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  February  13,  1872.  In  1S84,  they 
were  residing  at  Owensborough,  Kentucky. 


CHAPTER    VII 

The  Boyds  of  Northumberland  County,  Pa. 

The  history  of  this  family  has  been  one  of  great  interest  to 
the  present  generation,  and  more  so  by  the  fate  of  Lieut.  Thomas 
Boyd,  who  was  captured  and  cruelly  massacred  at  the  ambuscade 
of  a  company  of  Gen.  Sullivan's  anny  in  1770,  which  is  given 
hereafter.  In  the  summer  of  1842  my  father  Hiram  Boyd,  of 
the  Kent  branch  of  Conesus,  N.  Y.,  while  upon  a  visit  to  friends 
in  Lycoming  County,  Pa.,  learned  that  Mary,  one  of  the  daughters 
were  living  near  Washingtonville  in  an  adjoining  county,  with 
her  daughter,  Mrs.  Wilson.  He  resolved  to  pay  her  a 
visit.  They  set  out  one  morning  overland  route  to  Mrs.  Boyd's 
residence.  Here  they  found  an  aged  couple  of  herself  and  hus- 
band passing  the  last  days  of  their  life  in  a  gentle  manner.  On 
making  known  who  they  were  and  their  errand,  were  kindly  re- 
ceived and  made  to  feel  at  home.  Here  they  revealed  the  an- 
cestry of  each  one  to  the  other,  and  parted  after  enjoying  the 
society  of  each  other  for  the  day,  fully  convinced  they  were  closely 
connected  together. 

According  to  their  genealogical  interpretation,  John  who  is 
supposed  to  be  the  ancestor  of  this  family  in  America,  after  part- 
ing with  his  brother  Ebenezer  in  New  York  City,  went  into  Orange 
County,  N.  Y.,  and  soon  afterwards  from  here  to  Washington- 
ville, Northumberland  Coiinty,  Pa.,  where  he  was  residing  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  Here  he  married  while  young  a  Miss  Hathorn, 
and  in  a  few  years  afterward  died  leaving  a  widowed  wife  and 

four  children.     The  birth  place  of  is  not  known,  whether  the 

[463 1 


464         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

same  was  in  Ireland  or  Scotland,  which  must  have  taken  place 
near  the  year  1720. 

The  parting  scenes  when  the  brothers  went  forth  in  the  morn- 
ing of  their  departure  from  the  roof  of  their  parental  homestead 
at  Washington ville,  never  to  return,  must  have  been  quite  solemn 
as  Mary  their  only  sister  described  it  to  my  father  at  the  time  of 
his  visit  to  her.  She  said  on  the  morning  of  their  departure,  they 
all  rose  early  as  little  sleep  had  been  had  through  the  night.  Her 
mother  prepared  a  scanty  breakfast,  while  at  the  same  time  wiped 
from  her  redden  eyes  tears  as  they  came  forth.  They  all  sat  down 
to  the  table  in  silence.  After  they  had  eaten  but  little  of  the  last 
meal  together,  the  boys  rose,  took  down  their  guns  and  strapped 
their  rifle  belts  around  them,  followed  each  other  out  of  the  Low 
Log  Cabin  without  saying  a  word.  The  mother  followed  them 
to  the  door  and  as  they  had  advanced  a  few  rods  away,  gathering 
up  courage  over  her  personal  emotion,  she  called  to  them  to  stop. 
They  did  so,  and  she  exclaimed  to  them  in  the  following  language: 
"Boys,  I  beseach  you  whatever  position  that  you  ma}"  be  placed 
in,  never  let  cowardice  cross  your  path, ' '  and  then  watched  them 
until  they  had  disappeared  down  the  path  from  her  sight.  The 
oldest  son  of  the  family  was  named  John,  who  after  leaving  home 
went  out  with  a  company  of  soldiers  he  belonged  to,  and  was 
taken  prisoner.  This  being  the  last  known  of  him  by  his  sister 
Mary.  It  was  supposed  he  was  killed  by  the  savages.  The  next 
son  was  WilHam,  who  joined  Washington's  army  and  fell  in  the 
Memorial  battle  of  Brandy  wine,  September  11,  1777.  The  third 
and  yoimgest  son  was  Thomas,  whose  fate  seemed  to  be  reserved 
for  Indian  torture,  was  bom  near  Washington  ville.  Pa.,  in  1.757. 
He  was  a  young  man  of  ordinary  height,  strong  built,  fine  looking, 
sociable  and  agreeable  in  all  of  his  manners,  which  gained  him 
many  friends  wherever  he  went.  In  his  youth  as  I  have  said,  his 
father  had  died,  leaving  him  in  care  of  a  widowed  mother,  who 
looked  upon  her  sons  with  the  pride  of  a  mother  love,  and  begged 
of  them  never  to  let  cowardice  cross  their  path. 

The  younger  days  of  Thomas  were  spent  at  home  helping 
his  faithful  mother  keep  the  wolf  from  their  door.  The  first  we 
have  any  account  of  him,  he  belonged  to  the  Pennsylvania  Rifle 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         465 

Company  under  the  command  of  Captain  Mathew  Smith.  This 
was  in  the  winter  of  1776-77.  It  was  at  the  time  of  Benedict 
Arnold's  famous  march  through  the  Pine  Forest  from  Maine  to 
Quebec.  It  was  in  September  of  1776,  when  Gen.  Arnold  set 
out  upon  this  expedition.  He  had  with  him  eleven  hundred  men. 
They  went  first  by  water  to  the  mouth  of  the  Kennebec  River. 
There  they  procured  two  hundred  batteaux.  They  were  long 
flat  boats  for  shallow  water.  The  current  of  the  river  was  rapid, 
the  bottom  rocky,  and  the  navigation  interrupted  by  falls;  some- 
times they  had  to  transport  the  baggage  by  land ;  and  other  times 
they  were  obliged  to  carry  on  their  shoulders  or  drag  them  up  the 
rapids  with  ropes.  They  had  steep  precipices  to  climb,  vast 
shady  forests  to  pass  under,  and  quagmires  to  pass  through.  They 
also  had  deep  valleys  to  travel  through,  where  the  pine  trees  were 
tossing  their  heads  in  the  stormy  winds,  and  where  the  river  was 
rushing  and  foaming  over  the  rocks,  with  a  noise  like  that  of  the 
ocean.  They  were  sometimes  a  whole  day  in  traveling  four  or 
five  miles  with  their  baggage  lashed  on  their  backs  and  axes  in 
hand  to  hew  a  road  through  the  wilderness.  Some  of  them  died 
at  last  from  mere  fatigue;  many  others  became  sick  and  perished, 
and  all  suffered  greatly  for  want  of  food.  By  the  time  they 
reached  the  source  of  the  Dead  River,  a  branch  of  the  Kennebec, 
their  provisions  were  almost  exhausted  and  what  remained  was 
damaged  as  well  as  their  ammunition,  by  water  which  had  got 
into  the  batteaux  during  their  passage.  The  soldiers  it  is  said, 
began  to  kill  and  eat  lean  dogs  they  had  with  them,  and  even  this 
food  was  esteemed  a  luxury.  They  arrived  at  last  on  the  moun- 
tains between  the  Kennebec  and  Chaudiere,  and  found  their  way 
down  the  latter  to  Point  Levy,  opposite  Quebec,  where  they  ar- 
rived November  gth.  The  people  here  were  as  much  amazed  at 
their  arrival  as  if  so  many  ghosts  had  come  among  them — which 
indeed  many  of  them  more  resembled  than  living  beings. 

Here  Thomas  took  active  part  in  the  assault  upon  the  works 
December  31,  1775,  and  w^as  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  but 
soon  afterwards  exchanged.  Upon  his  return  to  his  native  place 
he  joined  the  ist  Pennsylvania  Rifle  Corps  and  was  present  at 
the  battle  of  Stillwater,  October  7,  1777,  and  witnessed  the  sur- 


466         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

render  of  Burgoyne.  Then  he  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Mon- 
mouth, June  28,  1778. 

After  leaving  this  army  he  went  to  Schoharie  in  the  fall  of 
that  year  under  the  command  of  Major  Posey,  who  commanded 
three  companies  of  Morgan's  celebrated  rifle  corps  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Long,  Pear  and  Simpson  of  which  Thomas 
belonged  to  the  latter. 

Thomas  remained  here  for  nearly  a  year,  until  the  fall  of  1779. 
Through  the  summer  of  that  year  the  Seneca  Indians  in  the 
Western  part  of  New  York  had  commenced  murdering  the  early 
settlers  of  that  region.  Congress  resolved  to  send  an  army  into 
their  midst  to  bring  them  under  submission.  This  army  con- 
sisted of  about  four  thousand  and  five  hundred  men,  who  had 
been  raised  from  the  best  families  of  Pennsylvania.  Among  this 
number  were  Thomas,  who  had  joined  Captain  Michael  Simpson's 
Rifle  Company  in  Col.  Butler's  regiment.  While  Thomas  was 
residing  at  Schoharie,  he  paid  his  addresses  to  Miss  Cornelia,  a 
daughter  of  Bartholomew  Becker.  After  his  death  she  gave 
birth  to  a  daughter  of  which  he  was  the  reported  father.  When 
the  troops  under  Col.  Butler  were  preparing  to  leave  Schoharie, 
Miss  Becker  in  a  state  of  mind  bordering  on  madness,  approached 
her  lover,  caught  hold  of  his  arms  and  in  tears  besought  him  by 
the  most  tender  entreaties  to  marry  her  before  leaving  Scho- 
harie. He  endeavored  to  put  her  off  by  promises,  but  doubting 
his  intentions  she  told  him  if  he  went  off  without  marrying  ' '  she 
hoped  he  would  be  cut  in  pieces  by  the  Indians. ' '  In  the  midst 
of  this  unpleasant  scene,  Col.  Butler  rode  up  and  reprimanded 
Thomas  for  his  delay,  as  the  troops  were  ready  to  March,  and 
Thomas,  mortified  at  being  seen  by  his  commander,  thus  impor- 
tuned by  a  girl,  drew  his  sword  and  threatened  to  stab  her  if  she 
did  not  instantly  leave  him. 

We  have  no  more  account  of  Thomas  from  the  time  of  the 
setting  out  of  the  army  from  Easton,  Pa.,  Friday  morning  June 
18,  1 7 70,  until  the  12th  of  September  following.  Whatever  were 
the  scenes  of  the  little  army — including  the  battle  of  Newtown, 
near  the  present  sight  of  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  Thomas  must  have 
taken  an  active  part.     The  evening  of  the    12th   of  September 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         467 

found  them  encamped  near  the  present  site  of  Honeoye,  N.  Y. 
The  next  morning  when  they  arose,  they  found  that  a  heavy  rain 
Storm  had  set  in  and  the  anny  did  not  resume  their  march  until 
noon.  They  then  traveled  in  a  heavy  rain  and  through  a  dense 
forest  for  nearly  eleven  miles,  until  they  reached  a  low  piece  of 
ground,  a  little  west  of  the  present  site  of  Foot's  Comers  in  the 
town  of  Conesus,  Livingston  County,  N.  Y.,  where  they  encamped 
for  the  night,  after  reaching  same  a  little  after  dark.  About 
eleven  o'clock  at  night,  Gen.  Sullivan,  Thomas's  commander,  sent 
for  him  to  come  to.  his  tent,  as  he  had  important  business  for  him 
to  do.  Thomas  went  and  soon  received  orders  to  select  four  of 
his  most  trusty  comrades  for  a  scouting  party,  and  to  go  some 
fourteen  miles  in  advance  of  the  army  in  the  Indian  country  to 
discover  the  location  of  their  settlement,  and  to  report  the  same 
to  his  commander  before  daylight,  so  as  to  enable  him  to  form 
plans  for  the  future  guidance  of  his  army.  Thomas  (who  was  a 
lieutenant)  left  his  general's  tent,  but  to  disobey  his  commander's 
order,  for  instead  of  four  he  took  with  him  twenty-six  men  and 
two  Oneida  Indians  and  set  out  for  his  destination.  The  little 
band  winded  their  way  through  the  dense  forest  by  the  Indian 
trail  until  they  reached  the  little  village  of  Canaseragua,  which 
was  situated  in  the  town  of  Mount  Morris,  N.  Y.,  which  they 
found  deserted,  although  the  fires  were  still  alive  in  their  huts. 
The  night  was  far  advanced,  and  the  party  quite  weary,  encamped 
for  a  few  hours,  intending  to  ascertain  at  early  morning  the  loca- 
tion of  the  capitol,  which  was  the  object  of  their  mission. 

It  was  not  yet  break  of  day  on  Monday  morning,  the  four- 
teenth of  September — a  day  so  fatal  to  most  of  Thomas's  party. 
Thom^as  accompanied  by  Thomas  Murphy,  a  noted  Indian  fighter 
stole  away  from  their  companions  and  entered  the  Indian  village 
near  at  hand.  Here  they  discovered  two  Indians  coming  out  of 
a  tent,  one  of  whom  was  a  wounded  warrior  and  the  other  an 
uncle  to  the  Sachem  Soh-nah-so-wah.  A  ball  from  Murphy's 
rifle  quickly  sealed  the  fate  of  the  former  and  the  latter  fled. 
Murphy  as  was  his  custom  took  off  the  slain  Indian's  scalp,  his 
third  and  thirtieth  trophy.  The  flying  Indian,  Thomas  was  well 
aware,  would  at  once  make  known  his  visit  to  the  enemy  and  thus 


468         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

defeat  his  purpose.  He  therefore  resolved  to  join  the  army  with- 
out delay.  On  going  back  to  his  party,  he  dispatched  two  mes- 
sengers to  Gen.  Sullivan  with  a  report  of  his  operations.  They 
were  directed  to  inform  the  general  that  the  scouts  would  return 
immediately.  These  messengers  reached  the  camp  early  in  the 
morning.  The  scouting  party  prepared  to  retrace  their  steps 
also  Hanyerry  an  Oneida  Indian,  recommended  his  leader  to  follow 
a  different  trail.  But  Lieut.  Boyd  unwisely  disregarded  the  advice 
of  his  faithful  and  intelligent  guide.  The  most  careful  caution 
was  observed  on  the  return  march  with  Hanyerry  in  the  front 
and  Murphy  in  the  rear,  their  eagle  eyes  fixed  on  each  moving 
leaf  and  waving  bough.  They  marched  forward  slowly  and 
with  the  utmost  caution.  Five  weary  miles  had  they  thus  trav- 
eled the  dangerous  route  and  were  about  to  descend  a  hill  at 
whose  base  the  army  laid.  Less  than  two  miles  intervened  be- 
tween them  and  the  camp,  and  the  party  began  to  breathe  freely, 
when  they  were  surprised  by  five  hundred  Indians  under  Brant, 
and  five  hundred  Royalists  under  Butler.  The  enemy  was  se- 
creted in  a  ravine.  The  party  at  once  took  to  a  small  grove  of 
trees  when  the  fighting  began.  A  moment  was  thus  secured  for 
reflection.  Lieut.  Boyd  saw  at  once  that  the  only  chance  of  es- 
cape for  his  little  party  was  the  hazardous  one  of  gathering  all 
into  a  compact  force  and  breaking  through  the  enemy's  lines. 
After  a  few  encouraging  words,  he  led  forward  his  men  for  the 
attempt. 

In  the  first  onset,  not  one  of  Boyd's  men  fell  while  his  fire  told 
fearful  upon  the  enemy.  A  second  and  third  attempt  to  break 
the  enemy's  lines  was  made  and  seventeen  of  the  Americans 
had  fallen.  The  fire  was  so  close  before  the  brave  party  was  des- 
troyed, that  the  powder  from  the  enemy's  muskets  was  driven 
into  their  flesh.  Though  a  majority  lay  dead,  yet  at  the  third 
outset  of  the  Americans,  the  enemy's  lines  were  broken  through 
and  Murphy  tumbling  a  hugh  warrior  in  the  dust,  who  obstructed 
his  passage — even  to  the  merriment  of  his  dusky  companions — 
led  forth  the  little  band.  Thomas,  justly  supposing  if  anyone 
escaped  with  life  it  would  be  Murphy,  determined  to  follow  him. 
But  not  being  so  fast  a  runner  he  was  soon  taken  and  with  him 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         471 

one  of  his  men  named  Parker.  Gen.  Sullivan  says  that  Lieut. 
Boyd  was  shot  through  the  body  at  the  beginning  of  the  fight. 
If  so,  this  accounts  for  his  inability  to  make  his  escape  with 
Murphy. 

Thomas  and  Private  Parker  were  hurried  .forward  immediate- 
ly after  the  affair,  with  the  retiring  enemy  in  the  vicinity  of 
Beardstown.  On  finding  himself  a  prisoner,  Thomas  obtained 
an  interview  with  Brant,  who  as  well  as  himself  was  a  Free  Mason. 
After  they  had  exchanged  the  magic  sign  of  brotherhood.  Brant 
assured  him  that  he  should  not  be  injured.  But  soon  afterwards. 
Brant  was  called  off  on  some  enterprise,  the  prisoners  were  left 
in  charge  of  one  of  the  Butlers  (a  half  breed),  who  placing  the 
prisoners  on  their  knees  before  him,  a  warrior  on  each  side  firmly 
grasping  each  ann,  a  third  at  their  backs  with  a  raised  tomahawk, 
began  to  interrogate  them  about  the  purpose  of  Gen.  Sullivan, 
threatening  them  with  savage  tortures  if  true  and  ready  answers 
were  not  given.  Thomas  believing  the  assurance  of  Brant  ample 
for  his  safety,  and  too  high-minded  in  any  situation  to  betray 
his  country,  refused  as  did  also  Parker,  to  any  question  touching 
the  immediate  purpose  of  the  army. 

The  savage  Butler  was  true  to  his  threats,  and  when  the 
prisoners  preemptorily  refused  to  answer,  he  handed  them  over 
to  Little  Beard  and  his  warriors,  who  were  already  full  of  vin- 
dictiveness.  The  prisoners  were  seized,  stripped  and  bound  to 
trees;  they  commenced  a  series  of  horrid  cruelties,  directed  to- 
ward Thomas.  When  all  was  ready.  Little  Beard  lifted  his  hat- 
chet— stained  with  recent  blood — and  with  steady  aim  sent  it 
whistling  through  the  air,  and  in  an  instant  it  quivered  within  a 
hair's  thickness  of  Thomas's  devoted  head.  The  younger  Indians 
were  now  permitted  to  follow  the  Chief's  example,  and  from  front, 
right  and  left,  their  bright  tomahawks  cleared  the  air  and  trembled 
about  the  infiinching  person  of  the  victim,;  weary  at  the  length 
of  this  work,  a  single  blow  severed  Parker's  head  from  his  body 
and  mercifully  ended  his  misery.  Poor  Thomas  however,  was 
reserved  for  worse  fate.  An  incision  was  made  in  his  abdomen 
and  a  severed  intestine  was  fastened  to  a  tree.  He  was  then 
scourged  with  prickly  ash  boughs  and  compelled  to  move  around 


472      HISTORY  or  the  boyd  family  and  its  descendants 

until  the  pain  became  so  intense  that  he  could  go  no  farther. 
Then  his  mouth  was  enlarged  with  a  knife,  his  nails  dug  out,  his 
tongue  cut  away,  his  ears  severed  from  his  head,  his  nose  hewed 
off  and  thrust  into  his  mouth,  his  eyes  dug  out  and  the  flesh  cut 
from  his  shoulders,  and  then  sinking  in  death  after  these  enor- 
mities, he  was  decapitated  and  his  disfigured  head  raised  by  the 
frenzied  savages  upon  a  sharpened  pole. 

Just  at  night  as  the  army  was  preparing  to  encamp  here, 
Paul  Sanborn  afterwards  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Conesus, 
N.  Y.,  then  a  private  soldier,  on  the  extreme  right  of  Gen.  Clin- 
ton's brigade,  was  moving  with  his  detachment  and  as  it  wheeled 
quickly  around  in  the  direction  of  the  village,  discovered  the 
headless  corpse  of  Thomas.  The  blood  was  yet  oozing  from  it, 
so  recently  had  the  body  been  freed  from  its  tormentors.  Leaping 
over  this,  Sanborn  lighted  beside  that  of  Parker's,  as  it  lay  in 
the  long  grass.  At  once  making  known  his  discoveries,  the  re- 
mains were  placed  under  guard  of  Captain  Michael  Simpson's 
Rifle  Company,  and  at  evening  the  mutilated  bodies  and  dis- 
figured head  of  these  heroic  men  were  buried  with  military  honors 
under  a  wild  plum  tree,  which  grew  near  the  junction  of  two  small 
streams  formally  named  at  the  great  meeting  in  Cuylerville  in 
1 841,  as  Boyd  Creek  and  Parker's  Creek.  In  finding  of  these 
two  men  by  their  companions  they  were  recognized  by  their  heads 
of  which  Thomas's  features  were  so  familiar,  and  Parker  was 
identified  beyond  doubt  from  a  scar  on  his  face  and  his  broken 
front  teeth.  Among  those  that  took  part  in  his  burial  were 
Major  Parr,  who  commanded  the  rifle  battalion  to  which  Thomas's 
Company  belonged,  and  John  Salmon  late  of  Groveland,  N.  Y., 
who  also  was  a  member  of  the  same  company. 

In  the  year  of  1841  some  gentlemen  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.  and 
along  the  Genesee  Valley,  determined  to  pay  a  tribute  of  respect 
to  the  memory  of  Lieut.  Boyd,  and  his  companions  by  removing 
their  remains  to  Rochester,  and  re-interring  them  with  appro- 
priate solemnities  in  the  new  cemetery  at  Mt.  Hope.  The  ne- 
cessary preparations  were  made  by  disinterring  the  remains, 
depositing  them  in  a  capacious  urn,  and  raising  a  large  mound  of 
earth  over  the  grave  of  Thomas  for  a  memorial.       On  the  20th  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         473 

August  of  that  year,  a  large  entercourse  of  people  assembled  at  the 
village  of  Cuylerville,  among  whom  was  several  Revolutionary 
patriots,  and  in  particular  Major  Moses  Van  Campen  and  two 
other  fellows,  soldiers  who  were  with  Thomas  and  his  unfortunate 
companions  in  Sullivan's  Army.  When  the  uni  containing  the  re- 
mains was  removed  from  the  top  of  the  mound  under  convey  of 
military  escort,  which  composed  of  several  independent  companies 
and  a  band  of  music  from  Rochester,  to  the  grove  of  Colonel 
Cuyler's  near  the  village  of  Cuylerville,  where  a  pertinent  and  lucid 

historical  and  biographical  address  was  pronounced  by 

Treat,  Esq.,  after  which  the  remains  were  escorted  to  Rochester 
by  the  militia,  music,  citizens,  etc.  in  several  canal  boats. 

The  next  day  the  remains  were  removed  from  the  city  of 
Rochester  to  Mt.  Hope,  escorted  as  before  and  attended  by  Gov. 
Seward,  his  military  suite  and  an  immense  concourse  of  citizens. 
After  an  appropriate  discourse  by  Gov.  Seward  and  an  appeal  to 
the  Throne  of  Grace  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  E.  Tucker,  the  remains  were 
interred  by  the  militia  with  the  honor  of  war.  Their  last  resting 
place  is  now  marked  by  a  fine  monument  erected  by  the  citizens 
of  the  surrounding  country,  and  here  now  lies  all  that  is  left  of  that 
brave  soldier  whose  life  possessed  more  than  ordinary  material 
for  a  romance. 

Mary  Boyd,  the  only  sister  of  John,  William  and  Thomas, 
was  bom  near  Washingtonville,  Northumberland  County,  Pa., 
in  1763.  Here  she  married  for  her  first  husband  William  Temple- 
ton  in  1784  or  85.  After  his  death,  married  James  Strawbridge 
at  the  same  place  in  1800  and  died  here  September  13,  1857. 
She  is  the  person  that  my  father  visited  in  1841  or  42.  He  found 
them  living  with  her  only  daughter,  Mrs.  Margery  Wilson  in 
Northumberland  County,  Pa.,  both  of  them  were  aged,  yet  a 
sprightly  couple  of  their  advanced  age.  Her  first  husband  we 
have  but  a  little  information  of.  James  Strawbridge  the  second 
husband,  was  bom  in  Ireland  in  1771  and  died  here  September 
13,  1857.  She  was  the  mother  of  six  children,  five  by  her  first 
husband  and  one  by  her  second  as  follows: 

First,  William  Templeton  who  was  born  at  Washingtonville, 
February  28,  1786  and  died  young  in  1793.     Miss  Sarah  A.  Allen 


474         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

gave  me  a  history  of  his  death  in  18S4  as  follows,  which  was  quite 
remarkable:  "My  mother  used  to  speak  of  her  brother  Billy's 
(as  they  would  call  him)  death.  She  said  that  just  before  he  died 
he  looked  up  and  a  bright  smile  played  over  his  face  and  pointing 
his  finger  heavenward,  exclaimed:  ''Daddy  did  you  see  that," 
at  this  moment  his  aunt  Hannah  entered  the  room,  looking  into 
her  face  he  said:  ''Aunt  Hannah  there  will  two  go  from  your 
house."  His  aunt  bursted  into  tears,  turned  about  and  went 
home.  She  had  left  her  eldest  boy  crying  because  she  would  not 
let  him  go  and  see  his  uncle  Billy  as  he  called  him,  for  he  said  he 
would  never  see  him  again.  At  this  moment  she  commenced  to 
dress  him  to  go,  when  he  was  taken  violently  sick,  and  before  the 
setting  of  the  sun  on  the  second  day,  he  and  his  younger  brother 
were  dead.  William  only  went  to  school  three  weeks  before  he 
was  able  to  take  the  bible  and  read  a  whole  chapter  to  his  mother. 
One  day  his  teacher  called  his  uncle  in  and  told  him  that  she  did 
not  think  he  would  live  long,  for  said  she,  ' '  Things  seem  to  come 
to  him  so  quick,  which  was  a  bad  omen,  but  did  not  wish  for 
him  to  tell  William's  mother." 

Second  son  named  Robert  Templeton,  was  bom  at  the  old 
homestead  in  Washington ville,  November  — ,  1788.  As  no  fur- 
ther record  is  known  of  him,  is  supposed  to  have  died  young. 

Third,  Mary  Templeton,  the  oldest  daughter,  was  born  at 
Washingtonville,  Pa.,  April  — .  1791.  We  have  no  further  record 
in  regard  to  her  marriages,  only  her  first  husband's  name  was 
Robert  Allen,  by  whoin  she  had  four  children,  and  by  the  second 
husband  James  Strawbridge,  the  same  number  as  follows:  By 
the  first  husband  was  Mary  Ann  Allen,  who  was  single  in  1884 
and  at  that  time  about  sixty-six  years  of  age.  Second  and  third 
were  William  and  Allen  Allen,  who  died  young,  and  fourth  was 
Robert  Templeton  Allen,  who  was  bom  in  Washingtonville,  Pa., 
when  young  went  west  and  bought  a  farm  and  then  came  back 
and  took  his  mother  and  her  family  back  with  him  and  settled 
near  Monmouth,  111.  Here  he  married  Eliza  Allen  (no  relation) 
but  of  same  name.  By  this  union  they  had  two  children,  Mary 
Jane  and  Christina,  the  latter  died  in  infancy.  Soon  after  this, 
the  mother  was  stricken  with  apoplexy ;  her  death  was  very  sudden. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         475 

For  at  this  time  her  sister  Mary  Ann,  came  home  from  church, 
went  to  her  room,  and  found  her  past  speaking.  The  father  Hved 
until  Mary  Jane  became  ten  years  of  age,  when  he  died  with  con- 
sumption, leaving  to  the  care  of  his  sister  Mary  Jane,  with 
whom  in  1884,  Mary  A.  made  her  home.  His  daughter  married 
Newton  Reice  at  Abingdon,  111.  in  1 861,  who  was  once  Assistant 
Secretary  of  Illinois.  Their  children  Eddie  and  Roy  living  in 
1884,  and  Frank,  Earnest  and  Allen  dead. 

Mary  Templeton  by  her  second  husband  James  Strawbridge's 
children,  were  Margaret  Strawbridge,  who  in  1884  was  still  single 
and  lived  at  Abington,  111.  Henry  Strawbridge,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  thirty-five  years  had  remained  single  and  was  at  the  time  of 
his  death  living  on  his  niece's  (Mary  Jane)  farm.  Margaret 
Strawbridge  married  William  Wagoner  in  1884  and  was  supposed 
by  my  informant  to  be  dead.  Her  children  at  this  time  were 
somewhere  in  the  far  west.  William  Boyd  Strawbridge  the 
youngest,  died  of  heart  disease  at  the  age  of  twelve  years. 

Fourth,  Agnes  H.  Templeton  the  second  daughter  of  Mary 
Boyd  Templeton  was  bom  near  Washington ville.  Pa.,  September 
18,  1793.  She  married  Hugh  Allen  at  the  same  place  June  16, 
1813.  He  was  bom  at  Jerseytown,  Pa.,  April  i6,  1787.  He  was 
a  man  of  large  stature  and  great  strength.  He  breathed  his  last 
at  Buckhom,  Pa.,  December  22,  1833.  Their  daughter  Miss 
Sarah  Allen  in  1884  wrote  me  this:  "My  father  bought  a  farm 
at  a  cross  roads,  three  miles  from  Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  and  built 
upon  the  same  a  tavern.  As  no  Post  Office  was  near  by,  the  mail 
was  distributed  at  "our"  house  and  was  called  the  Buck-Hom 
Tavern.  This  place  having  taken  its  name  from  a  Buck-horn 
being  placed  in  the  forks  of  a  large  oak  tree,  which  stood  in  front 
of  our  house,  and  as  the  tree  grew  it  enclosed  the  horn  in  the 
wood,  from  which  it  derived  its  name.  I  have  now  one  of  the 
prongs  for  boring  eyelet  holes  in  cloth.  After  his  death,  Agnes 
went  west  and  died  at  South  Bend,  Ind.,  October  22,  1861.  She 
was  the  mother  of  fourteen  children  as  follows : 

First,  Mary  Allen,  born  at  Jerseytown,  Pa.,  February  7, 
1814;  died  at  the  same  place  April  3,  1814.  Second,  John  Allen 
bom  at  the  same  place  January  13,  181 5;  died  at  South  Bend, 


476         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Ind.,  March  ■ — ,  1835.  He  was  a  young  man  who  stood  high  in 
the  midst  of  all  that  knew  him  and  was  the  pride  of  his  mother's 
household.  His  father  was  away  from  home  a  large  portion  of 
the  time  and  upon  him  rested  matters  at  home.  His  useful  days 
were  cut  short  by  consumption.  The  day  he  died  he'  took  a 
pleasure  walk  over  the  farm  and  came  in  to  his  mother's  house 
greatly  exhausted.  His  mother  helped  him  off  with  his  coat  and 
hung  it  across  the  back  of  a  chair.  This  did  not  seem  to  suit  him 
and  he  requested  to  hang  it  as  she  had  after  seeing  him  do  it, 
which  was  to  place  a  sleeve  upon  each  post.  vShe  did  so,  turning 
about  she  saw  him  as  if  so  very  tired,  and  raised  his  drooping 
head  to  give  him  a  drink  of  water,  and  he  sank  back  into  her 
arms  dead.  Third,  Robert  F.  Allen,  the  second  son  of  Agnes 
was  born  at  Jerseytown,  Pa.,  May  20,  181 7;  married  Rachael 
Roberts  at  Muchlenburgh,  Pa.,  about  the  year  of  1855,  and  died 
at  Shickshinny,  Pa.,  October  16,  1872  or  73.  He  was  the  father 
of  five  children,  Agnes  E.  Allen,  no  record;  Sarah  Alverda  Allen 
now  dead,  no  record;  Mary  Francis  Allen,  married  Byron  Sleepy, 
a  conductor  on  the  Bloomsburg  and  Lackawanna  Railroad,  and 
in  1884  resided  at  Burwick,  Pa.  They  had  one  child  named  Rob- 
ert Samuel  Sleepy.  Luella  Allen  died  with  quick  consumption 
at  the  age  of  sixteen.  James  Leroy  Allen,  no  record.  Fourth, 
Nelson  McAlister  Allen,  Agnes'  third  son,  was  born  at  Jersey- 
town,  Pa.,  April  21,  18 19.  Supposed  to  have  died  at  Salt  Lake 
City.  Nelson  was  by  occupation  a  carpenter,  leaving  his  home  in 
Pennsylvania,  he  went  to  Springfield,  111.  and  continued  to  work 
at  his  trade.  At  this  place  a  company  was  formed  to  go  to  Cali- 
fornia. He  equipped  himself  with  a  horse,  saddle  and  bridle 
and  with  a  gold  watch  joined  the  same  and  left  in  fine  style.  When 
he  arrived  at  Fort  Laramie,  he  wrote  his  mother  that  he  had  yet 
to  go  five  hundred  miles,  and  when  he  had  reached  Salt  Lake  City 
he  would  write  her  again.  In  this  letter  he  said  that  he  had  been 
offered  $500  for  his  horse  and  he  would  not  take  it.  This  was  the 
last  his  mother  ever  heard  from  him.  Nine  long  months  rolled 
away,  and  the  promised  letter  came  not.  They  then  wrote  to  his 
friends  in  Illinois  and  sent  Henry  James  Strawbridge  to  the  place 
where  he  was  last  heard  from.     Here  he  was  informed  by  friends, 


riSTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  477 

that  upon  Nelson's  arrival  at  Salt  Lake  City  he  went  into  a  wann 
spring  to  bathe,  and  was  taken  sick  and  inside  of  three  days 
breathed  his  last.  It  was  also  claimed  that  he  had  changed  his 
route  and  had  joined  a  company  in  taking  horses  to  California. 
His  friends  have  always  cherished  the  thought  and  believed  that 
he  was  murdered  by  mormons  or  his  friends  who  accompanied 
him.  Fifth,  Mary  Jane  Allen,  the  second  daughter  of  Agnes, 
was  boni  near  Washington ville,  Pa.,  January  12,  1821;  married 
John  Clark  Robison  near  the  same  place,  the  date  we  have  not. 
She  died  at  Danville,  Pa.,  September  1855.  Soon  after  Mary's 
marriage,  she  and  her  husband  went  to  reside  upon  his  father's 
farm,  which  afterwards  became  their  own.  Here  he  died  with 
consumption  leaving  one  child  about  two  years  old.  After  his 
death,  she  went  to  live  with  her  mother,  and  was  taken  with 
typhoid  fever  and  died  in  the  third  sinking  spell.  She  had  com- 
plained about  two  weeks,  but  her  child  being  sick  with  the  same 
disease,  and  her  motherly  care  for  the  little  one,  she  had  neglected 
herself.  Her  fate  was  sad,  for  the  night  she  died,  the  physician 
camie  to  see  the  child  about  eleven  o'clock.  He  found  her  lying 
upon  the  same  bed,  and  when  he  entered  the  room  she  looked  up 
and  exclaimed:  "Doctor  if  you  do  not  give  me  something  to 
help  me,  you  will  come  in  and  find  me  missing."  He  replied, 
"Mrs.  Robison  I  think  you  are  better."  She  replied,  "I  don't 
know. ' '  This  evening  a  couple  of  the  neighboring  ladies  came 
in  to  take  care  of  the  sick  and  let  her  mother  go  to  bed  to  rest. 
She  reluctantly  left  her  charge  and  retired  to  her  room.  About 
half  past  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  they  saw  a  change  and 
called  her.  When  she  came  to  the  bedside,  she  found  Mary's 
eyes  filled  with  great  drops  of  sweat,  and  her  pulse  gone 
and  past  speaking.  When  the  physician  came  and  was 
informed  that  she  was  dying,  he  exclaimed,  "My  God,  can 
it  be  possible?"  The  child  was  named  after  its  mother,  and 
was  taken  by  its  grandmother  and  aunt,  Miss  Sarah  Allen  for 
future  care.  She  was  taken  west  and  when  she  became  of 
age  married  Harry  Wm.  Russell,  who  in  18S4  was  a  bookkeeper 
for  the  Singer  Sewing  Machine  Co.  vShe  is  a  noted  singer  at 
her    home    and    takes    part    in    most    of     the    home  entertain- 


478  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

ments.  They  had  one  child  who  was  called  Grace  Agnes 
Russell. 

Sixth,  James  Strawbridge  Allen,  the  fourth  son  of  Agnes 
Allen,  was  bom  near  Washingtonville,  Pa.,  January  24,  1823; 
married  Catherine  Case  at  Ross  Township,  Luzerne  County,  Pa., 
of  which  we  have  no  date.  At  the  age  of  twenty -five  he  went 
west  with  his  mother's  family  where  he  followed  the  occupation 
of  a  carpenter,  having  learned  the  same  of  Samuel  Butler  of  Jer- 
seytown,  Pa.  He  was  employed  for  a  time  in  the  Singer  Sewing 
Machine  Company  at  South  Bend,  Ind.,  and  in  1884  held  the 
position  of  City  Sexton  of  that  city.  In  1884  their  family  con- 
sisted of  .six  children  namely:  Robert  Nelson  Allen,  employed  at 
the  Singer  Works  at  South  Bend,  Ind.;  Alverda  Jane,  Kate  Mary, 
James  Lervy  (now  dead),  WilHam  and  Maud  Allen.  Their 
children  all  lived  at  South  Bend,  Ind.  We  have  no  more  record 
of  them. 

Seventh,  David  Stevenson  Allen,  the  fifth  son  of  Agnes,  was 
bom  near  Washingtonville,  Pa.,  January  4,  1825  and  died  at 
Carson  City,  Nev.  in  March,  1861.  He  was  a  man  of  large  stat- 
ure and  great  strength.  In  1848  or  49  in  company  with  friends 
of  his  native  place,  he  set  out  upon  a  journey  to  Pike's  Peak. 
Before  reaching  there,  he  changed  his  mind  and  went  to  Carson 
City  to  work  in  a  silver  mine.  Carson  City  at  this  time  had  the 
prospect  of  becoming  a  large  city.  Here  he  bought  several  lots, 
and  upon  one  of  them  commenced  to  build  a  saw  mill,  and  then 
wrote  home  that  when  he  got  his  mill  in  good  running  order,  he 
would  then  be  well  off,  and  sell  his  property  then  and  come  home. 
After  sending  this  message  home,  he  started  for  Calif omia  to 
purchase  castings  for  the  mill,  and  while  on  the  way  back  ruptured 
a  blood  vessel  and  died  within  a  half  hour.  His  property  fell  into 
the  hands  of  a  lawyer,  who  soon  left  for  parts  unknown  and  his 
friends  failed  to  receive  a  cent. 

Eighth,  William  Boyd  Allen,  the  sixth  son  of^Agnes  Allen, 
was  bom  near  Washingtonville,  Pa.,  November  19,  1826,  and 
died  at  Buckhorn,  Pa.,  January  27,  1827. 

Ninth,  Hugh  Alford  Allen,  the  seventh  son  of  Agnes  (Tem- 
pleton)   Allen,  was  bom  near  Washingtonville,   November   19, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         479 

1 8 28.  He  married  Harriet  Hulder  Roberts  near  Shickshinny, 
Pa.,  of  which  we  have  no  date.  His  occupation  being  that  of  a 
farmer,  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1861.  His  family  consisted  of 
Sarah  Agnes  Allen,  who  married  Floyd  Culvert  Kline,  a  merchant 
who  was  killed,  by  whom  she  had  two  children,  and  for  her  se- 
cond husband  Nathan  Hartman,  and  in  1884  was  living  near 
Shickshinny,  Pa.  The  other  children  were  Elisha  Robert,  James 
Clarence,  Jennie  Adalade,  Charles  Barclay  and  Melville  Allen. 

Tenth  and  Eleventh  were  two  twin  sons  of  Agnes,  who  died 
in  infancy. 

Twelfth,  Sarah  Ann  Allen,  the  third  daughter,  was  born  at 
Buckhom  Tavern,  three  miles  from  Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  February 
8,  1831.  In  1884  I  had  an  extensive  correspondence  with  Miss 
Allen  in  regard  to  the  histor}'  of  her  branch  of  the  Boyd  Family, 
and  most  of  the  information  I  have  given,  was  from  her  valuable 
resources.  At  that  time  she  was  a  tailoress  by  occupation.  Her 
health  at  this  time  was  poor,  caused  from  over  work.  She  then 
made  her  home  with  her  brother  James,  and  niece  Mrs.  Russell 
at  South  Bend,  Ind.  Her  letters  to  me  in  regard  to  her  ancestr\' 
on  her  father's  side  was  very  interesting  to  me  as  it  connected 
my  own  on  my  mother's  side  back  to  hers. 

Thirteenth,  Clarissa  Ellen  Allen,  the  fourth  daughter  of 
Agnes,  was  bom  at  Buckhom  Tavern,  Pa.,  November  27,  1833; 
died  at  the  same  place  October  17,  1835. 

Fourteenth,  John  Paris  Hudson  Allen,  the  youngest  son  of 
Agnes  (Templeton)  Allen,  was  born  at  Buckhom  Tavern,  three 
miles  from  Bloomsburg,  Columbia  County,  Pa.,  September  20, 
1 83 5)  When  he  grew  up  he  became  a  very  large  fleshy  man,  and 
in  1884  resided  at  Shickshinny,  Pa.,  where  he  there  carried  the 
mail  between  the  Post  Ofhce  and  depot,  and  also  painted  at  odd 
spells.  When  the  War  of  1861  broke  out,  he  enlisted  in  the  army 
but  was  unable  to  carry  arms  as  he  had  two  fingers  amputated 
when  a  small  boy,  by  having  the  cords  cut  with  a  scythe.  He  at 
first  went  as  a  drummer,  but  not  liking  the  position  took  up  arms 
and  was  in  McClellan's  seven  days'  fight  at  Bull  Run,  where  he 
was  taken  prisoner,  and  his  friends  mourned  for  him  as  if  lost. 
After  a  while  he  was  exchanged  and  sent  to  Davis  Island    near 


480         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

New  York,  more  like  a  dead  man  than  a  living  being,  with  clothes 
scarcely  enough  to  hide  his  nakedness.  As  soon  as  he  was  able, 
he  went  back  into  the  army  again,  but  his  health  being  so  impaired 
for  active  service,  he  was  placed  in  the  hospital  to  care  for  the 
sick  and  wounded,  where  he  remained  until  the  war  closed. 

Fifth,  Sarah  Templeton,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Mary 
Boyd  Templeton  by  her  first  husband,  was  bom  near  Washington- 
ville,  Pa.,  May  5,  1797.  She  married  here  Jessie  Funston,  July 
6,  181 5,  and  breathed  her  last  at  South  Bend,  Ind.,  June  g,  1864. 
She  and  her  husband  resided  in  Pennsylvania  until  the  year  of 
1839,  when  they  moved  to  South  Bend,  Ind.  and  bought  a  fann 
upon  which  they  resided  at  the  time  of  their  death.  Her  husband 
was  also  born  in  Pennsylvania,  January  13,  1787,  and  died  April 
18,  1868  by  taking  a  severe  cold  and  settling  on  his  lungs  in  the 
form  of  pneumonia,  while  hers  was  that  of  consumption.  Their 
family  consisted  of  twelve  children  namely: 

First,  Mary  Ann  Funston,  the  oldest  daughter  of  Sarah 
Templeton,  was  bom  in  Pennsylvania  (of  which  we  have  no  date). 
She  married  James  Harris  at  South  Bend,  Ind.,  February  10, 
1840  and  died  at  the  same  place  November  30,  1S63.  Her  hus- 
band at  the  time  of  their  marriage  was  a  widower  with  two  child- 
ren. After  their  marriage  he  took  her  to  his  home  near  her  fa- 
ther's on  what  was  called  the  "Harris  Prairie. ' '  They  soon  sold 
their  Prairie  farm  and  moved  within  three  miles  of  South  Bend. 
Here  after  a  few  years,  she  was  stricken  down  with  typhoid  fever 
and  died.  Her  death  was  a  severe  shock  to  her  husband,  and 
within  three  weeks  afterwards  he  was  taken  down  with  the  same 
disease,  and  followed  her  to  a  Heavenly  home.  This  disease 
passed  through  the  whole  family.  Yet  all  recovered,  except  one, 
whose  name  was  Aggie.  Mary  Ann  was  the  mother  of  twelve 
children  thus:  Erastus  A.,  the  oldest  son  who  married  Maggie 
Staly,  a  daughter  of  the  proprietor  of  "Staly  Woolen  Mihs"  of 
South  Bend,  Ind.  From  here  they  moved  to  Three  Oaks,  Iowa, 
where  she  has  since  died,  leaving  two  children,  whose  names  are 
unknown  to  us.  The  next  son  Edwin  Irwin  Harris,  he  went  into 
the  army  and  died  there  with  camp  colic.  The  oldest  daughter 
of  Mary  Ann,  whose  name  was    Hannah    Catherine,  married  a 


HISTORY  or  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         481 

young  lawyer  by  the  name  of  Cooper  and  lives  at  Three  Oaks, 
Iowa.  Mary  Emma  Harris  was  married  in  Iowa  and  went  fur- 
ther west.  They  had  one  son  three  years  of  age,  who  was  drowned. 
William  James  Harris,  the  third  son  of  Mary  Ann  in  1SS4  lived 
in  one  of  the  Western  States.  Henrietta  Harris,  the  third  daugh- 
ter, married  Samuel  Lontz  at  South  Bend,  Ind.  Soon  after  her 
marriage  she  was  taken  with  smallpox,  and  died  leaving  a  son, 
who  was  brought  up  by  her  parents  until  he  was  six  years  old, 
when  he  was  stricken  with  a  paralytic  stroke,  becoming  an  idiot 
and  a  nursing  charge  until  he  became  eleven  years  of  age  when 
he  died.  Agnes  died  young  as  we  have  stated  above,  with  ty- 
phoid fever.  Albert  Madison  Harris,  the  fourth  son,  married 
Eva  Lontz  and  have  one  child,  Alfred  Addison  (whom  he  married, 
we  can  not  say).  Alice  Harris  died  in  1862  at  the  age  of  five  years. 
Martin  Harris,  the  youngest  son  in  1884  was  somewhere  in  the 
far  west,  and  Sarah  Jessie  Harris,  the  youngest  daughter  was 
still  at  home. 

Second,  John  Funston,  the  oldest  son  of  Sarah  Templeton, 
was  bom  in  Pennsylvania  (no  date).  He  married  Louisa  Lowery 
at  Mishawaka,  St.  Joseph  County,  Ind.,  March  3,  1850.  While 
in  his  younger  days,  John  went  to  California  where  he  resided  for 
several  years,  and  then  returned  to  South  Bend.  Soon  after  his 
marriage,  he  moved  his  family  to  Oskaloosa,  Iowa.  In  1884  had 
one  child  which  died  in  infancy. 

Third,  Louisa  Funston,  the  second  daughter  of  Sarah  Tem- 
pleton, was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  In  1884  she  was  still  single 
and  was  living  at  South  Bend,  Ind. 

Fourth,  Margaret  Funston,  the  third  daughter  of  Jessie  and 
Sarah  Templeton,  was  born  at  Washington ville,  Northumberland 
County,  Pa.  in  1824;  married  David  Youngs  at  South  Bend,  Ind., 
April  13,  1854.  They  after  their  marriage  went  to  Leighton, 
Iowa,  where  her  husband  was  a  prosperous  merchant.  By  this 
union  they  had  two  children,  Minnie  and  Kittie.  The  former  was 
born  at  Casopolis,  Mich,  and  was  married  to  Charles  L.  Roller, 
whose  birthplace  was  at  Shoemakerville,  Pa.  His  occupation  is 
that  of  a  wholesale  grocer  at  Altoona,  Pa.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  three  children  namely:     First,  Daisy  May  Roller,  who 


482  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

was  born  at  Leighton,  Iowa.  She  married  Clarence  S.  Mclntyre 
at  Altoona,  Pa.,  June  30,  1904,  who  was  bom  at  Altoona,  Pa., 
August  22,  1879.  Daisy  at  the  age  of  eight  or  ten  years, 
moved  with  her  parents  to  Oklahoma  City,  Okla.,  and  in  the  year 
of  1896  to  Altoona,  Pa.  They  have  one  daughter,  whose  name  is 
Fern  Margaret,  who  was  born  at  Altoona,  December  12,  1905. 
and  two  sons,  whose  names  are  D.  Earnest,  born  at  Leighton, 
Iowa,  and  Charles  Lester,  born  at  Arkansas  City.  Both  are  now 
single  and  live  at  Altoona,  Pa.  Kitty,  the  second  daughter  of 
Jessie  and  Sarah  Funston,  was  bom  at  Casopohs,  Mich.  She 
married  for  her  first  husband  D.  A.  Gray  at  Leighton,  Iowa,  and 
for  her  second  husband  Wm.  Krapp  at  Casopolis,  Mich.  Her 
first  husband  was  a  telegraph  operator.  She  is  the  mother  of 
four  children.  First,  Wilber,  who  married  Edna  Funk  at  Elk- 
hart. Second,  Frederick,  who  married  (I  am  unable  to  say). 
Third,  Maud,  and  fourth,  Agnes,  single  and  lives  at  Elkhart,  Ind. 

Fifth,  Sarah  Elizabeth  Funston,  the  fourth  daughter  of 
Sarah  Templeton  Funston,  was  also  bom  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
married  George  Wilkie  at  South  Bend,  Ind.,  January  15,  1846, 
and  died  here  June  2,  1873.  Soon  after  her  marriage,  they  went 
west,  where  he  soon  died,  leaving  her  with  four  small  children. 
Soon  after  his  death,  she  returned  to  her  father's  home  at  South 
Bend.  When  the  children  became  large  enough,  she  took  them 
and  went  house-keeping  at  that  place.  Their  names  were  Eugene 
Ethan  Allen  Wilkie,  Theodore  Augustus  Franklin.  In  1884  was 
in  Kansas  editing  a  paper.  George  Norman  Eddie  and  Samuel 
Jessie  Boyd  Wilkie,  in  the  far  west  as  a  farmer. 

Sixth,  Agnes  Hathom  Funston,  the  fifth  daughter  of  Sarah 
(Templeton)  Funston,  was  bom  in  Pennsylvania  (of  which  we 
have  no  date).  In  1884  she  was  still  single  and  lived  with  her 
youngest  sister  at  Edwardsburgh,  Mich.  The  records  we  received 
at  that  time  of  her  mother's  family  were  furnished  by  her. 

Seventh,  Robert  Templeton  Funston,  the  second  son  of 
Sarah  (Templeton)  Funston,  was  also  bom  in  Pennsylvania. 
He  married  Melissa  M.  Hoover  at  Leighton,  Iowa,  Febmary  25, 
1872,  and  died  at  the  same  place  November  2,  1875.  In  his  early 
days  he  went  to  California  with  his  brother  John,  from  here  to 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  483 

South  Bend,  Ind.  and  then  to  Iowa,  where  soon  after  his  marriage 
he  bought  a  fann  near  Oskaloosa  and  settle  down  for  Hfe,  and  in  a 
short  time  afterwards  bought  forty  acres  more.  The  evening 
after  his  last  purchase,  he  spent  in  the  midst  of  his  family,  telling 
them  his  future  intentions.  After  he  had  fiiiished  telling  them 
his  future  course,  he  said,  ' '  I  must  go  to  bed  as  I  must  be  up  early 
in  the  morning."  He  then  retired  and  laid  down  on  his  bed, 
placed  his  arms  across  him  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  he  had 
gone  to  his  Maker.  In  1884  his  wife  still  lived  on  the  old  farm. 
They  had  no  children. 

Eighth,  Lucre tia  Murny  Funston,  the  sixth  daughter  of 
Sarah  (Templeton)  Funston,  was  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania 
(whose  birth  we  have  no  record  of).  She  married  James  Boddy 
at  South  Bend,  Ind.,  August  5,  1868.  In  1884  she  and  her  hus- 
band were  living  in  Kansas,  where  they  took  up  their  residence 
soon  after  their  marriage.  Her  husband  was  a  blacksmith  and 
wagon-maker.     They  had  two  children,  whose  names  we  have  not. 

Ninth,  Jessie  Franklin  Funston,  the  third  son  ot  Sarah  (Tem- 
pleton) Funston,  was  bom  in  Pennsylvania  and  married  Sarah 
Schaefer  at  South  Bend,  Ind.,  March  26,  1866.  They  also  after 
their  marriage  went  west  and  settled  in  Iowa.  In  1884  they  had 
two  children,  whose  names  were  Harry  and  Gertrude. 

Tenth,  James  Nelson  Funston,  the  fourth  son  of  Sarah  (Tem- 
pleton) Funston,  was  bom  in  Pennsylvania  and  died  in  infancy. 

Eleventh,  Almira  Jane  Funston,  the  seventh  daughter  of 
Sarah  (Templeton)  Funston,  was  born  at  the  old  homestead  in 
Pennsylvania.  She  married  for  her  first  husband  Perry  W.  Erwin 
at  South  Bend,  Ind.,  February  12,  1861,  and  for  her  second  hus- 
band Thomas  P.  Wooderson  at  Niles,  Mich.,  October  10,  1862. 
Her  life  was  filled  with  many  misfortunes  of  which  we  do  not  feel 
at  liberty  to  mention.  But  by  this  union  they  had  four  children. 
Three  of  them  were  taken  from  them  by  death.  Two  by  a  na- 
tural death,  while  the  third,  a  bright  little  boy  was  kicked  by  a 
horse,  that  was  grazing  on  the  ' '  Commons ' '  where  he  was  at  play, 
and  he  lived  but  a  short  time.  The  fourth  was  a  daughter  named 
Bertha,  who  in  1884  lived  with  her  mother.  Her  first  husband 
died  in  Ohio. 


484         HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

Twelfth,  Emily  Amanda  Furgarson,  the  youngest  daughter 
of  Sarah  Templeton  Funston,  was  bom  at  South  Bend,  Ind.  She 
married  here  A.  Hamilton  Cart,  April  7,  1870.  After  their  mar- 
riage they  moved  to  Michigan  and  settled  down  on  a  farni  near 
Edwardsburgh,  and  in  1884  had  two  children,  whose  names  were 
Frank  and  Earnest  Cart. 

Margery  Scott  Strawbridge,  the  only  daughter  of  Mary  Boyd 
by  her  second  husband  James  Strawbridge,  was  bom  near  Wash- 
ingtonville,  Northumberland  County,  Pa.,  May  15,  1802.  She 
married  Samuel  Boyd  Wilson  at  the  same  place  April  1,  1828, 
died  at  Bloomsburg,  Columbia  County,  Pa.,  August  26,  1877. 
Her  husband  was  a  farmer  and  also  was  bom  near  Washington- 
ville,  Pa.,  August  3,  1807  and  died  at  Bloomsburg,  December 
20,  1843.  Her  family  consisted  of  six  children,  all  born  near 
Washingtonville,  Pa.  as  follows:  First,  Mary  Ellen  Wilson,  the 
oldest  daughter,  was  bom  April  15,  1S29;  she  married  Charles 
Henry  Garrison  at  Milton,  Pa.,  July  6,  1843.  Her  husband  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  June  29,  1823.  In  1884  they  resided  at 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  where  he  had  retired  from  the  grocery  business. 
They  had  no  children.  Second,  the  second  daughter  of  Margery 
was  born  August  26,  1831  and  died  at  the  same  place  May  21, 
1 85 1.  Third,  Strawbridge  Aiken  Wilson,  the  oldest  son  of  Mar- 
gery, was  born  October  3,  1833.  He  married  Caroline  Pursel  at 
Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  September  20,  1855.  In  1884  he  and  his  wife 
still  resided  at  the  place  of  his  marriage,  he  being  in  the  confec- 
tionery business.  She  was  bom  September  15,  1833.  They  had 
one  child,  George  Norman  Wilson,  bom  at  Bloomsburg,  Decem- 
ber 5,  1856.  He  married  Hannah  May  Wagner  at  Muncy,  Pa., 
September  22,  1881,  where  he  was  a  clerk.  Fourth,  Nathaniel 
Boyd  Wilson,  the  second  son  of  Margery,  was  born  September 
4,  1836;  married  Sarah  Bissell  at  Williamsport,  Pa.,  September 
22,  1858,  and  in  1884  was  in  the  carriage  business  at  Williams- 
port,  Pa.  His  wife  was  born  October  28,  1835.  Their  family 
consisted  of  five  children  as  follows,  all  bom  in  Wilhamsport,  Pa. 
David  R.,  born  July  9,  1861;  Bessie,  born  vSeptembcr  5,  1863  and 
died  at  the  same  place  December  7,  1865;  Charles  D.,  born  Janu- 
ary I,  1865;  James  R.,  born  September  7,  1869,  and  Samuel  B., 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS         485 

born  November  25,  1872.  Fifth,  Eliza  Jane  Wilson,  the  third 
daughter  of  Margery  (S)  Wilson,  was  bom  September  7,  1838; 
married  Levit  David  Garrison  at  Cortland,  N.  Y.,  May  7,  1863. 
Eliza's  husband  in  1884  was  a  groceryman  at  Cortland,  and  was 
bom  June  12,  1837.  Their  family  consisted  of  three  children  as 
follows:  Charles  Henry,  born  July  27,  1872;  George,  born  Oc- 
tober 13,  1873,  and  an  infant  now  dead,  born  September  6,  1878. 
All  bom  at  Cortland,  N.  Y.  Sixth,  Margaret  Ann  Wilson,  the 
youngest  daughter  of  Margery  (Templeton)  Wilson,  was  born 
June  27,  1 841;  married  at  Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  Charles  Gillespie 
Barkley,  June  2,  1864.  Their  family  in  1884  consisted  of  three 
children,  all  bom  at  Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  as  follows:  Mary  Garri- 
son Barkley,  bom  September  23,  1865;  Josephine  Redfield,  born 
May  30,  1868,  and  Jennie  Wilson  Barkley,  bom  June  i,  1872. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barkley  in  1884  took  a  deep  interest  in  furnishing 
me  records  of  their  families  for  my  first  edition  of  the  Boyd  His- 
tory of  that  date,  and  at  that  time  her  husband  was  a  prominent 
lawyer  at  Bloomsburg,  Pa. 


[  PUBLIC 


MARY  V.   (PLACE)  BOYD 
WILLIAM  J.  BOYD 


MARY  ELLIOTT  BOYD 


CHAPTER    VIII 
The  Boyds  of  Arghadowey,  County  Derry,  Ireland 

The  great  grandfather  of  this  family  was  John  Boyd  of 
''The  Calhus,"  Derry  County,  Ireland,  who  had  a  son  named 
William,  and  he  a  son  Thomas,  that  came  to  America  to  whom 
our  history  back  into  the  old  country  from  the  latter  is  very 
limited. 

Thomas  was  bom  at  The  Callius  in  the  County  of  Derry 
in  that  romantic  country  in  1817.  Here  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage October  10,  1850  to  Miss  Mary  Elliott,  who  was  bom  at 
Lisnabriar,  Castlederry,  County  Tyrone,  March  27,  1826.  On 
January  i,  1852  they  bid  farewell  to  their  friends  there  and  set 
out  for  America;  landing  at  New  York  March  loth  of  that  year. 
Upon  their  arrival  here,  they  found  that  the  cholera  had  broken 
out  in  the  city,  and  he  volunteered  as  a  nurse  in  the  cholera  hos- 
pital for  a  time.  After  remaining  in  New  York  until  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  E.,  5th  New  York  Heavy  Artillery  and 
served  through  the  war  until  his  regiment  was  mustered  out  in 
May  of  1865.  He  breathed  his  last  here  January  2, 1870^  and  she 
died  here  also  December  14,  1886.  Their  family  consisted  of 
four  children  namely : 

First,  Charles  Mathews  Boyd,  was  bom  at  Castlederry, 
Ireland,  September  13,  185 1.  While  his  parents  were  on  their 
journey  over  the  ocean,  he  was  taken  sick  and  died  and  buried 
at  sea  in  March  of  1852. 

Second  child  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Elliott)  Boyd  was  named 

Annie  Boyd.     She  was  bom  in   New  York,  February  11,  1853, 

(487I 


488  HISTORY  OF  THE  BOYD  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS 

and  died  at  the  same  place  June  26,  1902.     She  married  for  her 

husband  J.  R.  Allen  at  New  York ,  who  was  born 

at  County  Cork,  Ireland,  September  15,  1843,  and  died  at  New 
York  March  17,  191 2.  Their  children  are  Mrs.  Louis  Bumges 
(Mary  Elliott),  Annie  E.,  Robert  H.,  Mrs.  Robert  Meagher 
(Mabel  D.),  Margaret  G.,  Lilly  A.  and  Fanny  Boyd,  all  living; 
William  J.,  Martha  Francis  and  Thomas  deceased. 

Third,  William  J.  Boyd,  the  second  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
Elliott  Boyd,  was  born  in  the  third  ward  of  New  York  City, 
September  12,  1854;  married  for  his  first  wife  Fanny  Swanton, 
the  eldest  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mary  Swanton  at  Caledonia, 
N.  Y.,  September  13,  1882,  who  died  in  New  York  City,  October 
19,  1904,  leaving  no  children.  For  his  second  wife  he  married 
Miss  Mary  Virginia  Place,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Robert  M. 
and  Jennie  B.  Place  of  Caledonia,  N.  Y.,  who  was  born  at  the 
latter  place  June  26,  1872.  Their  marriage  took  place  here, 
November  16,  1905. 

William  J.  Boyd  is  now  the  only  member  of  his  father's 
family  living.  In  1859  he  commenced  going  to  school  in  the 
old  St.  Paul  Chapel  day  school  in  Trinity  Parish,  New  York 
City,  and  remained  a  member  of  the  Parish  until  his  removal  to 
Caledonia,  N.  Y.  in  1909,  thus  having  spent  fifty  years  in  the 
Trinity  Parish  and  included  within  that  time  twenty  years  ver- 
ger in  the  old  Trinity  Church.  In  June  of  1869  he  entered  the 
em^ploy  of  McDowell  &  Dickinson,  dealers  in  fancy  groceries,  and 
remained  in  their  employ  for  nearly  nineteen  years.  After  leaving 
them  he  entered  the  employ  of  Reiss  &  Brady,  October  5,  1888, 
now  known  as  the  Cresca  Company,  Importers  and  Packers  of 
fancy  groceries  and  delicacies  of  New  York  City.  Now  he  is  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  C.&  E.  Place  &  Boyd  of  Caledonia,  N.  Y. 
He  is  still  in  the  employ  of  the  Cresca  Company,  looking  after 
their  interest  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.;  also  a  member  of  St.  Andrews 
Episcopal  Church  of  Caledonia,  N.  Y.,  where  he  is  a  licensed 
Lay  Reader  and  frequently  officiates  there,  assisting  the  Rector 
and  holding  service  in  his  absence.  He  is  a  life  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity;  a  member  of  Brooklyn  Lodge  No.  288, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  a  member  of  the   Brotherhood  of  St.  Andrews. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BODY  FAMILY  AND  ITS  DESCENDANTS  489 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  him  and  his  family  at  Cale- 
donia in  the  spring  of  191 2,  as  a  mere  stranger  to  me.  I  fomid 
them  to  be  very  kind  and  also  an  entertaining  couple  to  meet; 
also  Mr.  Boyd  has  taken  a  deep  interest  in  our  work.  His  family 
consists  of  one  daughter  named  Mary  Elliott  Boyd,  who  was 
bom  at  Caledonia,  Januar\^  27,  1910 — a  bright  and  active  little 
child. 

Fourth,  Joseph  Elliott,  the  youngest  son  of  Thomas  and 
Mary  (Elliott)  Boyd,  was  bom  at  New  York  City,  March  18, 
1857,  and  died  at  the  same  place  June  12,  1866. 


Inde 


X 


BOYDS  OF  KENT,  N.  Y. 


Page 

Barker,  Eric  G 316 

Orlean  E 316 

Jake  B 316 

Isreal  P 316 

Barrett,  Emily 258 

Lovisa 258 

Benedict,  L.  Horace 308 

Millie  M 308 

Fernwood 308 

BiGELOW,  Orvile 264 

Claud 264 

Clyde ." 264 

Booth,  Flora 307 

Mary 307 

Boyd,  John 189-190,   193-194 

Ebenezer 191-192,  194-195, 

197-198,  203 

Ebenezer,  Jr 204 

Susannah 205 

PhiHp 206 

Bennett 211 

Bartholamew 211 

Hannah 212 

Robert 212 

Sarah 213 

Lewis 213 

Pheobe 215 

Ebenezer 197 

Ebenezer 205 

WilHam  D 205,  216 

Bennett 205,  217 

Sarah 205,  217 

Stillman 205,  217 


Page 

Boyd,  Susannah 205 

Philip 206 

Tere 211,  218 

Lewis 211,  218 

Justus 211,  221 

Bennett 211,  222 

Ebenezer 211,  225 

Susannah 211,  225 

Norah 211.  225 

Matilda 211,  225 

Hiram 211,  225 

Elmer 211,  229 

Bennett 211 

Bartholamew 211 

Hannah 212 

Hiram  M 212,  234 

Marinda 212,  234 

Hannah 212,  234 

Robert 212 

CeHna 213,  235 

AmeHa 213,  235 

Merritt 213,  235 

Sarah 213,  235 

Lewis 213 

Harvey  C 215,  239 

Emehne 215,  246 

Pheobe  A 215,  246 

Mial 215,  246 

George  W 215,  246 

Sarah 215,  247 

Robert 215,  248 

Mina 215,  248 

Ebenezer 215,  249 

[49 1] 


492 


INDEX — BO  YDS   OF   KENT,   N.    Y. 


Page 

Boyd,  Almira 215,  249 

Adeline 215,  249 

Pheobe 215 

Ebenezer  W 217,  256 

William 217,  256 

Ebenezer  F 217,  256 

Cyrus 217,  256 

Louisa 217,  257 

Charles 217,  257 

Sarah 217,  257 

Amanda 217,  258 

Mary 217,  258 

Garrett 217,  259 

Eliza 217,  259 

Robert  B 217,  260 

Mary  A 218,  260 

Emma  L 218,  263 

Sarah  A 218,  263 

William  H 218,  263 

Merritt 218 

Jennie  E 218,  263 

Lewis  B 222,  267 

John  N 222,  267 

Hannah 222,  267 

Norman 222,  268 

William  H 222,  268 

Elizabeth 222,  268 

Henry  P 222,  268 

Angeline 222,  268 

William  H 222,  268 

Elizabeth  S 229,  268 

Bennett  R 229,  271 

WilHam  P 229,  272 

William  D 245,  303 

Orlando  A 245,  303 

Merritt 245,  303 

Homer  H 245,  303 

Lula 247,  305 

Edward  H 248,  307 

Willie  A 249,  307 

Harriett  J 249,  307 

Maggie  E 249,  307 

Charles 256 

Sarah 257 

Harriett 257 

Lizzie 257 

Henretta 257 

Emma 257 

William 257 

James  S 257 

Minnie  A 257 

Charles  S 257 

Thomas  S 257 

Theron  B 259 


Page 

Boyd,  Mary  K 259 

Gaylord  R 260 

Morgan  T 267 

Jerred 267 

Lewis  B 267 

Justus  F 267 

Bertrom 268 

Kate  Bell 268 

Mary  J 271 

Victor  H 275 

Beatrice 275 

Charles  J 303 

Ella  H 303 

Lewis  G 304 

Edith  M 304 

Warren  C 304 

John  H 304 

Booth,  Flora 307 

•     Mary 307 

Sarah 307 

Brown,  Mary  A 250,  307 

Coleman  C 250,  308 

Sarah  L 250,  308 

S.  Alma 250,  308 

Lonia  E 308 

Allie  G 308 

Nettie  E 308 

Jessie  M 308 

Buchanan,  Mable  S 305 

Anna  P 305 

Luella  J 305 

Burgess,  Emma  M 300 

Ezra  R 300 

Infant 300 

Lula 300 

Campbell,  Clara  A 282 

Eliza  J 282 

Henry  A 282 

Sarah 282 

Hannah 282 

Inza  J 282 

Francis  M 282 

Cavanaugh,  Dorothy  M 304 

Cole,  Harriett  M 253,  311 

Ezra  M 253,  312 

Mary  E 253,  312 

Julia  P 253,  312 

Charles  M 253,  312 

Susan  M 253,  315 

Linnie  H 253,  315 

Lewis  M 253,  315 

William  R 281 

Helen  T 312 

Stanley  D 312 


INDEX— BOYDS   OF   KENT,   N.   Y. 


493 


Page 

Cole,  Bertha  L 312 

Elizabeth 312 

Edward  L 312 

Fanny  M 312 

Alma 315 

Milfred 315 

Fred  E 315 

AltaB 315 

CoYKENDALL,  Levi.. 232,  283 

Leah 232,  284 

Hannah 232,  285 

Zilla  R 232,  286 

Harvey 232,  286 

Mary  A 232,  287 

Hiram  J 232,  287 

Celina 232,  288 

Ehzabeth  H 283 

F.  Fayette 284 

Carrie 284 

Harry 284 

EllaB 284 

Jane 287 

Frank 287 

Crawford,  Emeline 216,  250 

Mariah 216,  250 

Charles  C 216,  250 

Ebenezer 216,  253 

Susannah 216,  253 

Lewis  P 216,  253 

Nathaniel  B 216,  253 

Hannah 216,  254 

Sarah 216,  255 

George 216,  255 

George  B 253,  311 

Charles  C 254,  315 

Alma 254,  316 

Jay  B 254,  316 

Phoebe  M 254,  317 

Lewis  R 254,  318 

Myrtle  D 254,  318 

Lillian  M 254,  318 

Inez  M 256,  318 

Louis  H 256,  318 

Ward  E 311 

William 311 

Jay  W 317 

Curtis,  Charles  B 235,  300 

Lewis  W 281 

Infant 281 

Infant 301 

Elliott  D 301 

Charles  B 301 

Isabelle  W 301 


Page 

Danfels,  Gertrude 307 

Freddie 307 

Zoula 307 

Bertie 308 

Grace 308 

Demund,  Francis  M 275 

Sarah  E 276 

Eliza  A 276 

Edward  M 276 

Harriett 276 

Henry  L 276 

DiVEN,  William  N 254,  318 

Mary  E 254,  318 

DooLiTTLE,  Arthur  H 286 

Mary  E 286 

Dunham,  Eddy 308 

Eddy,  Mary  L 276 

Seymour 276 

Eggleston,  Nellie 258 

John 258 

Bell 258 

Emmons,  J.  S 306 

Walter  P 306 

Robert  C 306 

Finch,  Levera 276 

Charles 279 

Flickinger,  Jessie  L 283 

Ettie  E 283 

Edwin  E 283. 

Frost,  Ali 213 

Alanson 213,  235 

Alzada .  .213,  235 

Hyatt 213,  236 

Mesinda 213,  236 

Teressa 213,  236 

Harvey 213,  236 

Almeda 213,  236 

Frost,  Charles  M 213,  236 

Susan  E 218,  264 

Sarah  M 218,  264 

Infant 264 

Fulton,  Anna  M 265 

Fulkerson,  Lillie 300 

Ruth 300 

Jessie 300 

Infant 300 

Garrett,  Charles  W 318 

Ralph 318 

Haight,  Frank  D 259 

Garrett  B 259 

Bennett  R 259 

Sarah  A 259 

Carrie  B 256 


494 


INDEX- 


-BOYDS  OF  KENT,   N. 


Y. 


Page 

Hall,  Fremont  A 288 

Ida  A 288 

Sarah 288 

Mary  A 289 

Harpending,  Infant 299 

Harry  S 299 

Hartson,  Alice  B 286 

Emma  1 286 

Annetta 286 

Hick,  I.  Leveria 285 

Ruth 285 

Haynes,  Martin  R 282 

Mary  E 282 

Frank 282 

Harriett 282 

HoLCOMB,  Marion 282 

Frank 282 

Hopkins,  Louis 259 

HoppouGH,  John  B 284 

Margery .  .  .284 

Ida  B 284 

Carrie  M 284 

Murray  H 284 

Emory  W 284 

AltaE 284 

Minnie  E 284 

Estella  D 285 

Mary  E 285 

Sarah  M 285 

Adalade 285 

AdaHne 285 

Lewis  B 285 

Florence 287 

Roy 287 

Huff,  Ola 284 

Fayette 284 

HuMiSTON,  Herbert  A 279 

Finch  L 279 

Huntley,  Louis  C 276 

Minnie 276 

Hurd,  Wilham  B 248,  305 

Mary  A 248,  306 

Sarah  J 248,  306 

L.  C 248,  307 

Sherman  S 306 

Frank 306 

Edna 306 

Mamie 306 

Sarah  L 306 

Loyd  C 312 

Hyatt,  Charlotte  A 255,  318 

Eugene 255,  318 

Bellnetta 255,  318 

Freddie 255,  318 


Page 

Hyatt,  Edgar  H 255,  318 

Kelsey,  Sarah  E 260 

Sarah  E 260 

Charles  B 260 

Ketcham,  Henry  W 246,  304 

Sophia 246,  304 

Frank 246,  304 

Smith  L 246,  304 

Emma  C 246,  304 

Edwin 246,  304 

Walter  A 304 

Lamb,  Eunice  M 305 


Litchfield,  Lewis  A 249 

Lewis,  Addison  B 212 

Harvey  P 212 

Sally 212 

Merritt  C 212 

Susan  M 212 

James  M 212 

Thomas  J 212 

Hiram  M 212 

MaUnda 212 

Hannah 212 

Sarah  A 231 

Adahne 231 

Liva 231 

Mary 231 

David 231 

Joseph  M 231 

Morris  B 231 

Emma 231 

Frank  W 231 

Mariah 231 

Wihiam  W 231 

John 231 

Emeline 231 

Hannah  J 231 

Sarah  A 231 

James 231 

Harlem 232 

Joel 232 

Mary  J 232 

Mark 232 

Dennis 232 

Clayton 233 

John  E 233 

Robert  B 233 

Charles  G 234 

Agnes  A 234 

Wilson  A 234 

EU 234 

Frank  E 234 

Eugene 234 

Delzora 234 


307 
229 
231 
231 
232 
232 
232 
233 
234 
234 
234 
275 
276 
276 
276 

279 
279 
279 
279 

280 
280 
281 
281 
282 
282 
282 
283 
288 
288 
288 
289 
289 
296 
296 
296 

297 
297 
298 
298 
299 
299 
299 


INDEX- 


-BOYDS  OF  KENT,   N. 


495 


Page 

Lewis,  Elizabeth 279 

Carrie 279 

Frederick 279 

Minnie 279 

Addie 279 

Etta 281 

Mary 282 

IdaB 282 

John  B 283 

Edward  M 283 

Claud  F 283 

Edward 288 

Edwin 288 

George 288 

Ida 288 

Maud 297 

Infant 297 

Hattie  A 297 

George  W 297 

LosEY,  Minnie  A 264 

LooMis,  Frank 308 

LossiER,  Silas  L 289 

Meisner,  Carrie  S 295 

Elsworth 295 

Frank  M 295 

Mason,  Edward  E 312 

Margaret  E 312 

Miller,  Infant 263 

PiTCHARD,  Ezra  C 312 

Grace  M 312 

Powers,  Frederick 258 

Rand,  Mildred 212 

Rapalee,  Emmett 299 

Lewis 299 

Viola  M 300 

Marenda 300 

Ezra 300 

RoDGERS,  Julia  R 250,  308 

Ross,  Edward  S 236,  302 

Augustus 236,  302 

Hyatt  D 236,  302 

Louisa 236,  302 

Sarah 236,  302 

RuMPF,  Margaret 257 

William 257 

Charles 257 

Harriett  L 257 


Page 

Shannon,  Merenda 232,  289 

Lewis 232,  289 

Henry  N 232,  289 

Minerva 232,  290 

Martha 232,  295 

John  E, 232,  295 

Myron  T 232,  296 

Harvey 232,  296 

Emmit 234,  299 

Mary 234,  299 

Susan  L 289 

Mary  E 289 

Hildah 289 

D.  L 290 

Charles  B 290 

Smalley,  Sarah  M 206,  218 

Smith,  Edwin  C 280 

Frank  A 280 

Jennie  M 280 

Florence 306 

Irene 306 

Georgiana 306 

Stevens,  Paul  B 271 

Struble,  F.  Viola 318 

Swan,  Fannie 283 

Charles 284 

TowLE,  Essie  M 285 

Willie  R 285 

Travis,  Frankie  S 263 

Charles  P 263 

Stillman  H 263 

Weaver,  Almeda 235,  301 

Alzada 236,  301 

WiLLOVER,  John  A 236,  301 

EH  M 236,  301 

Harvey  F 236,  301 

Myron 236,  302 

Mary  E 301 

Blanch 301 

Louie  F 302 

WiNFiELD,  Sarah  M 285 

Harrison  J 285 

Mary  1 285 

John  M 285 

Ida  M 286 

Herbert  R 286 

Wilbur  J 286 

Asa  L 286 

Ida  M 286 


496 


INDEX — BOYDS  OF   MIDDLETOWN,   N.   Y. 


BOYDS  OF  SALEM,  N.  Y. 

Page 

Adams,  Casea  O 325 

Ball,  Avery  E 325 

Harlon  W 325 

Wendell  L 326 

Boyd,  Robert 321 

Robert 321-  322 

Joseph 321-322 

John 321,  323 

William 321,  323 

James 322 

Robert  W 322 

Ella  M 322 

Rachel 322 

James  P 322 

Joseph 322 

John  R 322 

Isaac  D 322 

David 322 

Joseph 322 

Randolf 322 

William .322 

John 323 

WilHam  A 323-324 

Thomas 323-324 

Mathew 323,  325 

Emily  A 323,  325 

James 323,  326 

Isaac  D 323,  326 

Robert  K 323,  329 

Franklin 323 

Emily  L 323 

WilHam  H 323-324 

Harriet  A 323-324 

Adaline  M 323 

Charles  A 324 


Page 

Boyd,  Hattie  M 324 

Frank 324 

Ralph ,.  .  .324 

Mabel 325 

Avilla 325 

George 325 

John 325 

Robert 325 

Mary 325 

George  H 326 

Emily  H 326 

Robert  R 326 

Clinton 326 

Ida  May 326 

Donald 329 

Harold 329 

Bertha 329 

Percy 329 

Edwards,  Arthur  S 325 

Clarence  V 325 

Pearl  M 325 

Roy  S 325 

Ferry,  Lillis 325 

Elmer 325 

Irvin  B 325 

Lorin 325 

Morse, 322 

Randall,  Eva 324 

Katherine  K 324 

George  V 324 

Docella 324 

Katherine ■ 324 

Whiton,  Camilla 325 

Mary  S 325 


BOYDS  OF  MIDDLETOWN,  N.  Y. 


Barber,  Lillian 348,  351 

French 348,  351 

Josephine 348,  351 

WilHam 348,  351 

Dorothy 351-353 

George  A 352-353 

Boyd,  Robert 337 

John 337 

Alexander 337 

Alexander 337 

George 337 


Boyd,  Clara 337 

EHza  J 337 

Katurah  A 339 

Sarah  J 339 

Frederick  S 339-340 

John  N 339-340 

Abigail  E 339,  342 

David  R 339-  342 

Mary  M 339,  343 

Charlotte  A 339,  343 

Alexander  P 339,  343 


INDEX — BOYDS  OF  NEW   WINDSOR,   N.   Y. 


497 


Page 

Boyd,  George  H 339,  343 

George  F 340,  345 

Mary  A 340,  345 

Ellen  B 340,  345 

Louise  F 340,  346 

Josephine 340,  346 

Charles  H 340,  346 

Samuel  M 342,  346 

Mary  S 342,  348 

Mary  A 342,  348 

Grace  N 343,  349 

Hattie  G 343.  349 

Alice  A 348,  351 

John  J 348,  351 

Irwin  H 348,  351 

Frederick  N 348,  351 

AdaS 349.352 

Helen  A 349,  352 

Cox,  Marion 352-353 

Herbert 352,  354 

Crist,  Theodore 342,  348 

Charles  J 342,  348 

Mary  B 348,  352 

Grant 348,  352 

Clara  L 348,  352 

George  W 348,  352 

Abigail 348,  352 

Sarah  M 348,  352 

Edith 352,  354 

Clifford 352,  354 


Page 

Cristy,  Beatrice 352,  354 

Decker,  Marietta 340,  344 

B.  Franklin 340,  344 

Gabriel  H 340,  344 

Alexander  B 340,  344 

James  A 340,  345 

David  H 340,  345 

Ahial 340,  345 

Sarah  A 340,  345 

A.  AmeHa 340,  345 

Howard  L 344,  350 

Emma  J 344,  350 

Francis  M 344,  350 

MaxH 345,  350 

Delia 3.-45,  350 

Fannie  M 345,  350 

DiCKERSON,  Louise 352,  354 

Green,  Charles  H 343,  349 

George  B 343,  349 

Charles  S 349,  353 

Emma  E 349,  353 

Charlotte  A 349,  353 

Harriett  A 350,  353 

Helen  G 350,  353 

HoRTON,  Charles  H 339,  344 

Gabriel  W 344,  350 

Hannah  W 350,  353 

Lyman,  Ruth  1 353-354 

Roe,  Alfred  R 350,  353 

Francis  J 350,  353 


BOYDS  OF  NEW  WINDSOR,  N.  Y— Introductory  Chapter. 


Allen,  Lula 410 

Ayres,  Martha  J 382,  389 

David 382,  389 

Mahetable  A 382,  389 

Samuel 382,  389 

Charles 382,  390 

Harriett. 382,  390 

Jesse 382,  390 

Dorcus 382,  390 

Fanny  E 382,  390 

Sarah  E 389,  402 

John  1 389,  402 

Angelica  K 389 

Charles 389 

George 389 

Roberta  J 405 

Margareth  W 405 

Gladys  D 405 


Ayres,  Jennie  M 406,  418 

Josephine  1 406,  418 

Francis 406,  418 

Clara  B :    406,  418 

Bacon,  Wilham  K 418 

Braga,  Seth 410 

Boyd,  Samuel 360,  361 

Robert 360,  361 

James 360,  362 

Nathaniel 360,  374 

Mary 361,  381 

Robert,  Jr 361 

Mary 361 

Samuel 361 

Anna  M 361 

Mary 361 

Augustus 361 

Robert 361 


498 


INDEX — BOYDS   OF  NEW  WINDSOR,   N.   Y. 


Page 

Boyd,  James 361 

Kent 361 

John 361 

Eleanor 361 

Samuel 361 

Edward 361 

Elizabeth 361 

Anna  M 361 

Isabella 361 

John 361 

Robert  R 361 

Hannah 362 

Elenor 362 

George 362 

Jenet 362 

Agnes 362 

Elias 362 

George 362 

Mary 362 

Samuel 363 

EHzabeth 363 

Susan  B 363 

Bemjamin 363 

Samuel  B 363 

Leonial 363 

Louise  B 363 

Edward 363 

Mariah 364 

John  B 364 

Henrietta 364 

Marietta 364 

Nancy 365 

John 366 

Ellen 369 

James 369 

Emily 369 

James 370 

Eliza 370 

Samuel 370 

James  M 370 

Marianne 370 

Sarah  J 370 

Robert  M 370 

Susan • 371 

Robert 371 

Bertha 371 

Alice  J 371 

Eliza 371 

Mary 371 

Jane 371 

Susan 372 

Alexander  M 372 

Janet 372 

Elizabeth 372 


Page 

Boyd,  Lewis 372 

Anna 372 

Infant 372 

Ralph  B 372 

Louis  R 372 

James  H 372 

Mathew 372 

Samuel 372 

Sarah 373 

Robert 373 

Sarah 373 

Thomas 373 

Robert 373 

Francis 373 

James 373 

Hannah 373 

John 373 

Mary 373 

Samuel 373 

Charles 373 

Mary 373 

Jean 373 

Sea  Born  Agnes 373 

James 373 

EHzabeth  W 373 

David 373 

James 374 

John 374 

Harwood 374 

David 374 

James 374 

John 374 

Isabella 374 

Robert  C 374 

Sarah 374 

Charles  D. 374 

Eliza  J 374 

Mariah 374 

Hugh 374 

Henry 374 

Mary  E 374 

James  P 374 

Caroline  M 374 

Cordelia 374 

Oliver 374 

John 374 

Samuel 374 

James 374 

Mary 374 

Jane 374 

Nathaniel 374 

Martha 374 

Jane 374 

Elizabeth 374 


INDEX — BOYDS   OF   NEW   WINDSOR,   N.   Y. 


499 


Page 

Boyd,  Nathaniel 374 

Mary 374 

Charles 374 

Hannah 374 

Jane 374 

Robert 374 

Nathaniel 374 

John 375 

David 375 

Mary  E ■ 377 

JohnG 377 

Juha 377 

John 377 

Nathan 377 

Henry  S 377 

Frederick  J 378 

David 378 

Stephen 378 

Samuel 381 

Joshua 381 

Mary 381 

John 381-382 

Mahetable 381-382 

Margaret 381-382 

Katurah 381-382 

Freigift 381-382 

John  H 382,  385 

Daniel  T 382,  385 

Martha  A 382,  386 

Nathaniel 382,  386 

Mary 382,  386,  389 

Samuel 382,  386 

Elsie  G 382,  386 

Harriet 382,  389 

David 382,  389 

Sylvester 382,  389 

Joshua 385.390 

Carohna 385,  393 

John  T 385,  393 

MaryE 385,393 

Francis  M 385,  393 

Francis  J 385,  394 

Myra 385,  397 

Horace  T 385,  397 

Martha  A 385,  397 

Orange  1 385,  397 

Barton  E 385,  397 

Matilda 385,  398 

William  H 385,  398 

Valney  B 385,  398 

Samuel  I '.  .  .  .386,  398 

George  L 386,  401 

Robert  T 386,  401 

Mary  A 386,  401 


Page 

Boyd,  Anna  Bell 390,  409 

Augusta 390,  409 

Ethelyn,  R 398 

Mary  L 398 

Beatrice  W 398 

William  E 398 

Zernia. . 398 

Barton,  L.  R 398 

Harvy  A 398 

Girdena  L 398 

Harold  R 398 

Mary  E 398 

Rov  B 398 

Herbert  W 398 

Esther  A 398 

Lester  A 398 

Robert  B 398 

Cecil  C 398 

Frank  H 398 

Charles  L 401 

Grace  A 401 

Florence  R 401 

William 401 

Frank  R 401 

Ethelyn  R 413 

Mar}^  L 413 

Beatrice  E 413 

William  E 413 

Zermah  G 413 

Barton  L 413 

Emmet  O 414 

Chester  C 414 

Herbert  A 414 

Harvey  A 414 

Gerdina  L 414 

Harold  R 414 

Mary  E 414 

Roy  B 414 

Herbert  W 414 

Esther  A 414 

Lester  A 414 

Robert  V 414 

Cecil  C 414 

Frank  H 414 

Charles  L 414 

Florence  H 417 

Grace  Elma 417 

Florence  R 417 

William 417 

Frank  R 417 

CiLLEV,  George 398 

Emmet 398 

Chester  C 398 

Herbert  A 398 


500 


INDEX — BOYDS  OF  NEW  WINDSOR,   N.   Y. 


Page 

CiLLEY,  George 414 

Margaret 414 

Babe 414 

Clark,  Caroline 365 

Frederick 365 

Lucas  H 365 

Mary  M 365 

Thomas  M 365 

Carrie 365 

Lucas 365 

Munroe 365 

Thomas 365 

Harry  C 365 

Caroline  F 365 

Boyd 365 

Fanny 365 

Jessie 365 

Nancy 365 

Edward '-365 

Martha 365 

Susan 365 

Decker,  Charles  E 406,  419 

Roy  L 406,  419 

Dubois,  Ethel  M 401,  417 

AHce,  McN .401,  417 

DwiGHT,  James 363 

Frain,  Charles  S 402,  417 

M.  Theodore 402,  417 

Florence  N 402,  417 

Octavious  L 402,  413 

Madalin 417 

Eulalia 417 

FULERTON,  Matilda 382,  385 

Grant,  Elizabeth 372 

Susan 372 

Mary 372 

Charles  F 372 

Jane 372 

Martha 372 

James  B 372 

Hendershott,  Willis 393 

HuBBELL,  Lunian  S 364 

Andrew  L 371 

James  B 371 

Louis  B 371 

Grace 371 

Henrietta  M 371 

James  B 371 

Andrew  L 371 

Hays,  Esther 417 

Hughs,  Mabel  L 402,  417 

Harold  A 402,  417 

James,  Wilham 406 

Russell  W 406 


Page 

Jacobus,  Herbert 394,  410 

Clarence  W 394,  410 

Fred  E 410 

Jenners,  Ellen  L 397,  413 

Charles  H 397,  413 

Orphie  A 397,  413 

Keen,  Robert  T 370 

Henry 370 

James 370 

Herbert  F 370 

Nellie 370 

KiRBY,  Katurah  A 389,  402 

Martha  J 389,  402 

Jessie  W 389,  402 

Fannie  E 389,  402 

Sarah  W 389,  402 

Ranseller  H 390,  402 

Frank  B 390,  402 

Mary  L 390,  405 

Henry  M 390,  405 

Frederick 390,  405 

Mary  A 390,  405 

John 390,  405 

KiRBY,  Clarence 390,  406 

George 390 

Arabell 390 

Nellie 390 

Landcaster,  George  A 394,  409 

Albert 394 

Charles  P 394,  409 

Ella  M 394,  410 

Kenneth  A 410 

Myrtle  C 409 

Lee,  Julia  L 413 

Meredith,  Charles  W 413 

Overton,  Grace  M 406,  418 

Pearl  M 406,  418 

Edith  B 406,  418 

Frank  R 406,  418 

Clarence 406,  418 

Penney,  Theodore  A 386,  401 

Carohne 386,  402 

Sarah  D 386,  402 

John 402 

Quackenbush,  Lorenzo 385,  393 

Mary  J 385,  393 

Isaac  L 385,  393 

Hannah  A 385,  393 

Daniel  W 385,  394 

Malinda  E 385,  394 

Margaret  E 385,  394 

Avery  L 385,  394 

Emma  C 385,  394 

Esther 385,  394 


INDEX — BOYDS  OF  ALBANY,   N.   Y. 


501 


Page 

QuACKENBUSH,  Mary  R 385,  394 

Lillian 393,  409 

Harry  H 393,  409 

Willis 409 

Shorter,  Nellie 410 

Ida  May 410 

Bert 410 

Harry 410 

Smith,  Alice  E 390,  406 

J.  Edwards 390,  406 

Emma  J 390,  406 

Mary  F 390,  406 

Henry  C 390,  406 

Smith,  Minnie  L 390,  406 

Ida  1 390,  409 


Page 

Smith,  Ralph  L 406,  418 

Margaret  E 406,  418 

Leonard 419 

Stratton,  Lena  J 394,  410 

TiTSwoRTH,  Dorothy 409 

Taylor,  Mattie  K 402,  418 

Lena 402,  418 

Todd,  Charles  D 405,  418 

Van  Huken,  Olive  E 397,  410 

Minnie  A 397,  410 

Lucy  E 397,  410 

Maud  L 397,  410 

Wilson,  Donald  B 409 

Willi ard,  Ernest  B 371 

Winnie,  Gladeys  E 409,  419 


BOYDS  OF  ALBANY,    N.  Y. 


Baldwin,  Minnetta 438 

WilHam 438 

Edwin 438 

Boyd,  John 421 

Nancy 422 

John  L 422 

Mary 422 

John  L 422 

Thomas 422 

James 422 

John 422 

Eveliza 422 

James 424 

Anna  M 424 

John 424 

Alida 224 

Charles 424 

Wilmot 424 

Jessie  C 424 

Wilham  M 424 

Chase 427 

Horatio 427 

Ernest 427 

Jessie  M 427 

Clara  P 427 

Alexander  H 427 

Harry  A 427 

NeUie  M 427 

Laura  E 427 

Emma  J 427 

James 427 

John  F 427 

Mazie  A 427 


Boyd,  Mary  D 427 

Charles  E 427 

Frederick  D 427 

Charles  F 427 

Christina 427 

Jessie  C 427 

Alida 427 

Mary  J 427 

Margarette  A 428 

James 428 

William  L 431 

Kenneth  M 431 

Marv  E 431 

Mell'L 431 

James 431 

Jessie 431 

James 431 

James  Van  W 431 

Muriel 431 

Bruce 431 

Robert 431 

Robert,  Jr 431 

Wilham  S 431 

Alexander 431 

Charles  L 431 

James 431 

Emma  L 431 

Hannah  L 43 1 

Marjory 431 

Catherine 431 

Ann 432 

Parthenca 432 

Wilmot 433 


502 


INDEX — BOYDS  OF  ALBANY,   N.   Y. 


Page 

Boyd,,  James  A 433 

Frank  W 433 

Marjory  W 433 

Dorothy  F.  B .433 

Margaret 433 

Susan 434 

Nancy  McH 434 

Alexander 437 

John 437 

Helen 437 

David 438 

Elizabeth 438 

Alexande; 438 

Susan 438 

Ann 438 

Margaret 438 

Van  Derzee 438 

Amah 438 

Ann 438 

Albert 438 

Peter 438 

James   438 

Margaret 438 

William  A 438 

Rodgers  D 439 

William  A 439 

Ida 439 

Henry 439 

Cora 439 

Alice 439 

Harlow 439 

William  A.,  Jr 439 

EHzabeth 439 

Henry  A 439 

Edwin 439 

Mary 439 

Martha 439 

Nancy 439 

Alexander 439 

Hugh .439 

Delia 439 

Capt.Hugh 439 

Ann 439 

Hugh 439 

Hugh 440 

Mary  C 440 

Hamilton 440 

David 440 

Ephenia 440 

Hugh  M 440 

Mary 440 

Mattie 440 

Margaret 440 

David  M 440 


Page 

Boyd,  Ann 440 

John  H 440 

Ursula 440 

Dr.  David 441 

Thomas 441 

Elizabeth 441 

John  T 441 

John,  Jr 441 

William  N 441 

Florence  A 441 

John  T.,  Jr 441 

Erastus  G 441 

Carlisle 441 

Gertrude 441 

WiUiam  A 441 

Adeline  V 442 

Beatrice 442 

Beverly 442 

Lucille 442 

Addie  S 442 

Natalie  G 442 

Leontine  A 442- 

Constance  C 442 

Gansevoort  M 442. 

Sarah  M 442 

Theodore  C 442 

Hamilton 442 

Melvilla 442 

Mary  M 442 

Melvilla,  Jr 442 

Reyonald  P 442- 

Ruth 442 

Theodore  C 442 

Margaret  A 442- 

WilHam  H 442 

Margaret 442 

Sarah 442- 

Catherine  H ;  .  .  .  .  443, 

John 443, 

Thomas  H 443, 

Thomas  H.,  Jr 443. 

William 443. 

Howard 443 

Catherine 443 

Anna  M 443, 

CaroHne  H 443, 

William  W 443. 

Catherine 443. 

Hamilton 443. 

James  H 443 

Mary  A 443. 

James 443 

Jane 44s 

Charles 443, 


\ 


\ 


INDEX — BOYDS  OF  ALBANY,   N.    Y. 


503 


Page 

Boyd,  John  C 444 

Grace  R 444 

Donald 444 

Hamilton 444 

Rachel 444 

Margaret 444 

Mary  G 444 

Margaret 444 

James  P.,  Jr 444 

Edward  H 444 

Edward 444 

George  H 444 

Edward  H 444 

Anna  B 444 

Brown,  Van  Vechten 433 

Anson 433 

Esther 433 

Alida  H 433 

Nathan 433 

Catherine 433 

Esther 433 

Lydia  B 433 

Charles  H 433 

Charles  F 433 

Georgianna 433 

George  H 433 

Madehne 433 

Herbert  S 433 

Burton,  Elcy  N 427 

Florence 427 

Herbert 427 

Gary,  Robert  J 437 

Walter 437 

Harriet  S 437 

Irvin  B 437 

Clute,  Susan 433 

Alida 433 

Abraham 433 

William  B 433 

Anna  C 433 

Nancy  L 433 

Harriet  L 433 

James  B 434 

Dermott,  Caroline  H 433 

Stephen  C 443 

Katherine  S 443 

Easton,  William 428 

Helen  N 428 

Mary  B 428 

Edward 428 

Charles 428 

Edith 428 

Edward,    Jr 428 

Mary  B 428 


Page 

Easton,  Roland  J 428 

Elcy  N 428 

Arthur  B 428 

Robert  P 428 

William 428 

Lillian'  A 428 

Conde  P 428 

Adrian  N 428 

Alice  E 428 

Frederick  E 428 

AHce .  .428 

I.  B 428 

Ferris,  David 428 

Jessie  B 428 

Thomas  R 428 

Charles 428 

Edward  M 428 

Mary 428 

Howard 428 

Mary 428 

Edward 428 

Frelick,  Margaret 433 

Graves,  Leshe  C 432 

Herbert  L 432 

Clara 432 

Griffing,  Stephen  B 434 

Helen  E 434 

George  C 431 

Emma  H 434 

Helen 434 

Edward  V 434 

James 434 

Hellen 434 

EHzabeth 434 

Henry 434 

GiLEREST,  Elcy 431 

Grohs,   (Mrs.  F.  H.  Hoffman) 432 

Gruell,  Orien 427 

Sarah 427 

Hall,  Myra 339 

Harriet 339 

Firman 339 

Hazleton,  Alize 434 

Hildebrand,  Helen 434 

Clament 434 

M'Hss  L 434 

Edwin 434 

Francis 434 

Frank  C 434 

Jay,  Pheobe 1 43* 

CaroHne 438 

WilHamP 438 

James,  David  McH 422 

Martin,  EHzabeth 439 


504 


INDEX — BOYDS   OF  ALBANY,   N.   Y. 


Page 

McCarty,  Nellie 424 

Jennie 4^4 

Metcalf,  John  T 444 

Arthur 444 

Ann  M 444 

McHench,  William 422 

David 422 

Laura 422 

David  B 422 

Margaret 44^ 

Euphemia 440 

Sarah 44^ 

•   Mary 44° 

Caroline 44^ 

Moore,  Elcy 428 

Harriet 428 

James 43i 

Nash,  Hellen 437 

Alexander 437 

Antonetta 437 

OSBORN,  Frederick 434 

Henry  G 434 

Charles  B 434 

Isabelle 434 

Susan 434 

Parson,  John 424 

Daniel 424 

Catherine 424 

Springer,  George 424 

Jackson 424 

Mariah 424 

Spohn,  Charles  C 433 

Frederick  W 433 

Howard 433 

Stome,  Clarence 442 

Edna  G 442 

Mable  L 442 

Thacher,  Margaret 440 

John  B 440 

George  H 441 

George  H.,  Jr 441 

John  B 441 

Thomas  0 441 

Emma  L 441 

Rowland 441 

Kenelm 441 

Edward  T 441 

TiCE,  Frederick 428 

Grace 428 

Alice 428 

Caroline 428 

Elsie 428 


Page 

Veder,  James 432 

Catherine 432 

Van  Vechten 438 

James  W 438 

Florence 438 

Van  Gaasbeek,  Wilham 438 

•Helen  P 438 

Elias  J 438 

John 438 

John  F 438 

Wilham 438 

Edwin 438 

Ehza 437 

Deborah 437 

Margaret 437 

Alexander  B 437 

Amos  C 437 

Antonette  H 437 

Van  Slyke,  James  B 434 

Harriet  M 434 

Van  Bethuysen,  Charles  H 444 

Marion 444 

Van  Vechten,  Cornelia 438 

Maria 438 

James ■•  .  .  .  .438 

Eliza 438 

Ann 438 

Helen 438 

Jane 438 

DeHa 438 

Caroline 438 

Margaret 438 

ViELE,  Philip 431 

James  B 432 

Rachel 432 

John 432 

Clarisa  A 432 

Cornelis 432 

Catherine 432 

Mariah 432 

Alexander 432 

Jacob 432 

Deborah 432 

Giles  F 432 

Rachiel 432 

Jessie 432 

Wheeler,  Edgar 439 

Archibald 439 

Edgar  T 439 

Harriet  E 439 

Wilham  A 439 

Sarah  B 439 

Seth 439 


INDEX— BOYDS  OF  BOSTON,  MASS, 


505 


Page 

Whitaker,  Edith  M 432 

Anna  B 432 

David 432 

Philip  A 432 

Frederick 432 

Catherine 432 

Robert. '.  .432 

Alida 432 


Page 

Whitaker,  Nancy  McH 432 

Abram 432 

Parthenia  E 432 

James 432 

John  B 432 

Albert  C 432 

Henrietta  A 432 

Charles  B 432 


BOYDS  OF  BOSTON,  MASS. 


Boyd,  Hugh 447 

William 447 

Hugh 447,  449 

Peggy 447,  449 

Mary 447,  449 

John 447,  449 

Hugh 447 

Wilham 447 

Mary  J 447,  450 

Susan 450 

John 447 

Jane 448 

Margaret 448 

Wilham  H 448 

Adam  G 448 

John 448 

James 448 

Hannah  G 448 

Thoinas  H 448 

Mary  A 448 

Wilham  J 448 

Thomas 448 

William  G 449 

Edwards  G 449 

Tillie 449 

Thomas 449 

Daniel 449 

Margaret 449 

Eliza 449 

Mary 449 

Hugh 449 

James 449 

Jane 449 

William 449 

William,  Jr 449 

Hugh 449 

Sarah 449 

Thomas 449 

Daniel 449 

Esther 449 


Boyd,  Henry 449 

Esther 449 

Robert 449 

Peggy 449 

William 450 

Mary  J 450 

Susan 450 

Edward 450 

James 450 

Francis 453 

Francis 454 

Moses  E 454 

Mary  R 454 

James  W 454 

Eliza  E 454 

Eliza  G.  E 454 

Susan  E 454 

Caroline  E 454 

Edward  W 454 

James  P 454 

John 454 

William 454 

William  (2d) 454 

Frederick 454 

John  D 454 

Margaret  C 454 

Frederick 454 

Margaret  C 454 

Genet  A 457 

Alexander 457 

James  B 457 

Alexander 457 

Harry  W 457 

Allen  R 457 

Harriet  A 457 

Infant 457 

James  L 457 

Charles  B 457 

Jane 457 

William 457 


506 


INDEX — BOYDS  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY,  PA. 


Page 

Boyd,  William 457 

Catherine  E 458 

William  F 458 

Catherine 458 

Hugh 458 

Sarah 458 

Thomas 458 

Charles  H 458 

Charles  H 458 

Agnes  A 458 

Francis  L 458 

Daniel 458 

Esther 458 

Henry 458 

Mary  T 458 

Henry  W 461 

Sarah  P 461 

Henry  W 461 


Page 

Boyd,  Mariah  L 461 

James  P 461 

Deborah  E 461 

Hannah  R 461 

Louise  C 461 

Esther 461 

Robert  B 461 

Royal,  M.  May 448. 

George  B 448 

Seymour,  Jane 449 

Margaret 449 

Ellen 449 

Sloan,  William  1 447 

Archie 447 

Isabell 447 

Margaret 447 

Thomas 447 

Wyman,  Margaret  C 454 


BOYDS  OF  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY,  PA. 


Allen,  Mary  A 474 

William 474 

Allen 474 

Robert  F 474 

Jane 474 

Christina 474 

Mary  F 474 

Agnes 475 

Mary 475 

John 475 

Robert 476 

Agnes  E 476 

Sarah  A 476 

Mary  F 476 

Luella 476 

James  L 476 

Nelson  McA 476 

Mary  J... 477 

James  S 478 

Robert  N 478 

Alverda  J 478 

Kate  M 478 

James  L 478 

WilHam 478 

Maud 478 

David  S 478 

WilHam  B 478 

Hugh  A 478 

Sarah  A 479 

Elisha  R 479 


Allen,  James  C 479 

Jennie  A 479 

Charles  B 479 

Melville  A 479 

Sarah  A 479 

Clarissa  E 479 

John  P.  H 479 

Barkley,  Mary 485 

Josephine 485 

Jennie 485 

Boyd,  John 46s 

Wilham 464 

John 464 

Thomas 464 

Mary 464.  473 

Cart,  Frank 484 

Ernest 484 

Erwin,  Bertha 484 

FuNSTON,  Mary  A 480 

John 481 

Louisa 481 

Margaret 481 

Kitty 482 

Sarah  E 482 

Agnes 482 

Robert  T 482 

Lucretia 483 

Jessie  F 483 

Harry ^83 

Gertrude 483 


INDEX — BOYDS   OF  AGHADOWEY 


507 


Page 

FuNSTON,  James  N 483 

Almira 483 

FuRGERSON,   Emily  A 484 

Garrison,  Charles 485 

George 485 

Infant 485 

Harris,  Erastus 480 

Edwin  J 480 

Hannah  C 480 

Mary  E 480 

William  J 481 

Henrietta 481 

Agnes ■. 481 

Albert  M .481 

Alfred  A 481 

Alice 481 

Martin 481 

Sarah  J 481 

KoLLER,  Daisy  M 481 

Knapp,  Wilber 482 

Frederick 482 

Maud 482 

Agnes 482 

McIntyre,  Fern  M 482 

D.  Ernest 482 

Charles  L 482 

Reice,  Eddie 475 

Roy 475 

Frank 475 

Ernest 475 

Allen 475 

Robinson,  Mary  J 477 


Page 

Russell,  Grace  A 478 

Sleepy,  Robert  S 476 

Strawbridge,  Margaret 475 

Henry  J 475 

'William  B .475 

Margery  S 484 

Marian 484 

Templeton,  William 473 

Robert 473-474 

Mary 473-474-475 

Agnes 475 

Sarah 480 

Wilkie,  Eugene  E.  A 482 

Ellen  H.  F 482 

Theodore  A 482 

George  N.  E 482 

Samuel  J 482 

Wilson,  Mary  E 484 

Margery 484 

Strawbridge 484 

George  N 484 

Nathaniel 484 

David  R 484 

Bessie 484 

Charles  D 484 

James  R 484 

Samuel  B 484 

Eliza  J 485 

Margaret  A 485 

Wooderson,  Bertha 483. 

Young,  Minnie 481 

Kittie 481 


BOYDS  OF  AGHADOWEY 


Allen,  Mary  C 488 

Annie  E 488 

Robert  H 488 

Mable  D 488 

Margaret  G 488 

Lilly  A 488 

Fanny 488 

Wilham  J 488 

Martha  F 488 


Allen,  Thomas 488 

Boyd,  John 487 

William 487 

Thomas 487 

Charles  M 487 

Anna  B 487 

Wm.  J 488 

Mary  E 489 

J.  ElHott 489. 


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