Rev. Abraham Boyd (1770-aft 1833)

He was born in Ireland, in December, 1770. He pursued his studies at the Canonsburg Academy, and was licensed to preach the gospel June 25th, 1800, by the Presbytery of Ohio. On June 17th, 1802, he was installed pastor of the congregations of Bull Creek & Middlesex, in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. This relation continued at Middlesex until 1817, and at Bull Creek until June 25th, 1833. After leaving Middlesex he gave half his time to Deer Creek, from 1817 to 1821.

Source: Encyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America: Including the Northern and Southern Assemblies, Alfred Nevin Editor; Philadelphia: Presbyterian Encyclopedia Pub. Co.,1884. FHL Film 599328

Rev. Adam Boyd (1692-1768)

He was born at Ballymoney, Ireland, in 1692, and came to New England as a probationer in 1722 or 1723. He was received under the care of New Castle Presbytery in July, 1724. He accepted a call to the churches of Octorara and Pequea, and was ordained, October 13th, at Octorara. In October, 1727, the families on the west side of the stream Octorara having asked for one-third of his labors, he was directed to spend every sixty Sabbath at Middle Octorara. The Forks of Brandywine composed part of his field until 1734. In the progress of the great revival, a large portion of his congregation having left him and joined the Brunswick brethren, he asked leave, August 11th, 1741, to accept the invitation given him by the fraction of Brandywine which adhered to the Old Side. His relation to the Forks was dissolved in 1758. He died November 23d, 1768. Mr. Boyd was a man of great exactness, recording in what articles his salary was paid; thus John Long paid by publications (as a magistrate) of marriages and astrays, and by a riddle. His congregation agreed to pay him twenty-five pounds yearly during his life and several of them remembered him, in their dying testaments, by small bequests.

Source: Encyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America: Including the Northern and Southern Assemblies, Alfred Nevin Editor; Philadelphia: Presbyterian Encyclopedia Pub. Co.,1884. FHL Film 599328

Rev. James Boyd (1774-1813)

The pioneers of Newton, Ohio (near Youngstown) were not long without public religious exercises. John Sutherland, Sr., soon called those of his neighbors of like inclination, and organized a weekly prayer-meeting, which met alternately at the different houses. In the summer of 1808, Rev. James Boyd, a Presbyterian minister who was sent as a missionary to the Western Reserve from New England, found his way to the River settlement, preaching the first gospel sermon in the township, in the open air, on the farm now owned by Joseph G. Strock. An effort was then made to secure the services of Rev. Boyd as minister to the River and Duck Creek settlements and Warren, which was successful. He spent his life in ministerial labor with his people, and was laid to rest near the spot where he delivered his first sermon to the pioneers of Newton, in March, 1813.

Source: History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties (Ohio): with illustrations and biographical sketches; Cleveland: H. Z. Williams & Bros., 1882. FHL Film 795945

Rev. John Boyd (abt 1769-1816)

He was licensed by Carlisle Presbytery December 21, 1791 and ordained April 9, 1794 (at Tuscarora in Virginia?). He was pastor of Tuscarora and Falling Water, April 9, 1794 to April 16, 1801; dismissed April 13, 1803 to New Brunswick Presbytery. He was present at Gerrardstown, October 26, 1799, when Joseph Glass was ordained and installed pastor of Gerrardstown and Back Creek, but when Winchester Presbytery met at Tuscarora, October 10, 1811 to ordain John Blair Hoge, pastor of Tuscarora and Falling Water, he objected by letter on the ground of non-payment of salary arrears as covered by a sponsion bond. On statement by the Tuscarora elders that he had been paid in full, except for subscriptions from persons who were dead or removed, as allowed in the bond, Presbytery ordered the statement sent him and proceeded with the ordination and installation. He was received by the Washington Presbytery from the Presbytery of Lancaster in April, 1812 and was called for one fourth of his time to the Presbyterian Church of White Oak. He was made stated supply for Straight Creek (near Red Oak), Ohio for one half of his time. In 1816 he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Miami. He died at Indian Creek, near Hamilton, Butler Co., Ohio, August 20, 1816 in the forty eighth year of his age. He was sick about two weeks with the billious fever. Matthew G. Wallace preached at his funeral from Rev. 14:13. He left a wife and eight children. His wife was Margaret Gaston, daughter of Joseph Gaston and Margaret Linn.

Source: Encyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America: Including the Northern and Southern Assemblies, Alfred Nevin Editor; Philadelphia: Presbyterian Encyclopedia Pub. Co.,1884. FHL Film 599328

Hello Richard

“It is with great interest that I came across your Clan Boyd website. I am conducting some research into a Kirby Boyd, born about 1900-1915, who as a child lived for many years in China.  We believe he may have been the son of Canadian, British, or Australian missionaries. I realize it is a long shot, but I was wondering if you might have any information about who this Kirby Boyd might be. I do have some photos taken of him in China about the age of 10 if you are interested.” 

“Attached you will find four photos of Kirby Boyd taken at the summer palace in Peking China probably about 1915-1920.  These photos are a small part of an old album found during WWII in France about 1945.  We believe Kirby may have been born in either Canada or Australia, but we can’t be certain. I appreciate any assistance you or your newsletter readers might provide about this person.” 

Sandra Miller-Long,                                                                             Family History Detective,                                                              YoreAncestry.com, 248-756-8047, 

 smillerlong "at" YoreAncestry.com