He was High Sheriff of Donegal and was a Major in the 36th Regiment of the Donegal Militia. He was married to Martha, daughter of Colonel Stewart, Governor of the Bahamas. His son, John Robert Boyd was described as 'an arrogantly ambitious man'. The Londonderry Journal of 5th February 1870 reported: Today one of the greatest Tenant Right meetings ever held in Donegal, perhaps in Ulster, took place in Letterkenny. It was an eminent success, whether as respects the attendance, the tone and spirit of the speaking, or the good sense of the resolutions adopted. John Robert Boyd presented himself rather obtrusively, riding up and down the town on a grey charger and was hooted on two occasions.

He was succeeded by his nephew, William Henry Porter, under the condition that he assume the surname Boyd, which he did by Royal License in 1891. He was father to Mary Rosalie Boyd, the famous South African poetess. She was an MA graduate of London University.  Mary Rosalie Treharne Boyd went to South Africa in 1911 and settled in Port Elizabeth. She won three "Bardic Chairs" for her poetry, South Africa's highest literary award. The poems for which this award were given were "The Veldt" (1921), "Drought" (1930) and "Table Mountain" (1931).

The founding member of the Apprentice Boys of Derry was also called John Boyd (1767-1836). He was the Accountant General of the Court of Chancery, a Captain in the Letterkenny Corps of the Donegal Militia, and a Freeman of the City of Londonderry.  In 1830 he presented to the Apprentice Boys the saddle on which Governor Walker rode at the Siege of Derry in 1689.

The Australian Boyd line of Arthur Merric Boyd, landscape artist, and his family are descended from the Boyds of Ballymacool.