CHIEF:  Alastair Ivor Gilbert Boyd 7th Baron Kilmarnock         (formerly House of Boyd)

Richard G. and Jerri Lynn Boyd

568 W. Friedrich Street

Rogers City, Mich. 49779

Annals of Winchester, CT

WINSTED, CONNECTICUT IMMIGRANTS & FAMILY RECORDS 
1791 to 1801

                                             Jenkins and Boyd

Jenkins and Boyd, the pioneer manufactures of Winsted, came into the Society this year and erected the first scythe factory in the state and  the third in the country on the site of the Winsted Manufacturing Company's East Village Works.  About 1795 in company with Thomas Spencer,  Jr. they erected the first forge for making bar iron in the town, on the  lake stream opposite the grinding shop of the Winsted Manufacturing Company. In 1802 the erected another scythe factory on the site of the Winsted Hoe Company's shop, near the corner of Lake and Meadow streets.

Benjamin Jenkins of the above firm was born October 15th, 1765 at Scituate, Massachusetts and learned the scythe maker's trade of Colonel Robert Orr of Bridgewater, MA who was the first manufacturer of scythes by water power in this country. From Bridgewater he went to New Windsor, adjoining Newburg, NY as a foreman of the scythe works erected by Colonel Robert Boyd where he married September 10, 1791 Elizabeth Boyd daughter of Samuel Boyd of Little Britain soon after which he removed to Torrington and thence to Winsted.  In company with Mr. Boyd he built, in 1795 the double house afterward owned and occupied by Rev. James Beach in which he lived until about 1806 when he built and moved into the original building of the Winsted Hotel.  In 1812 Mr. Jenkins built a scythe shop on the site of the Strong Manufacturing Company's Works, which he carried on until about 1816. In 1818 he removed with his family to Wayne County,  PA and began the world anew in the then unbroken forest on the Lackawaxen  four miles west of Honesdale. Here he cleared up a new home, built a  scythe shop and saw mill before the first explorers of the Hudson and Delaware Canal and Rail Road route visited that region, and before Honesdale existed.  The rail road was located through his farm and the pleasant village of Prompton grew up around him, and principally on the land which he had first cleared.  Here he lived to a good old age, the pioneer revered patriarch of a region which he had first entered at the age of  fifty-two.  He died January 18, 1853 aged 87 years, 4 months, and 26 days. His wife, Elizabeth Boyd, with whom he had lived more than sixty years died April 25, 1851, aged 81.

Mr. Jenkins was a man of fine personal appearance and pleasing address-- genial and kind-hearted --liberal and public-spirited ---energetic and honorable---a good husband and kind parent.  Children, surname Jenkins:

1. Elizabeth b. Oct 5 1792 m. Horace Kent of Boston; died 24 Oct 1820.  2.   Susan b. April 25, 1794 m. Dr. Henry Noble; died 1814  3.  Benjamin Jr b.  December 6, 1796; m. October 4, 1820, Mary Kent.  4. Samuel b. December 4, 1798; m 1st Elizabeth Buckland; 2nd Mary Jane Buckland.  5. Lionel b. 1799  d. May 18, 1807.  6. Louisa b. 1801 m. 1st Arah Bartlett; 2nd Jacob S. Davis  7. Edward b. 1804 d. unmarried  8. Maria  b.  1806 m. Ralph Case  9. John b. 1808 m. Jane Greeley.  10. Henrietta b. 1810  m. Lyman Hubbell. 11. Mariatta b. 1812 m. Benjamin Jenkins 3rd; she died 1842.  

James Boyd(3) came to Winsted with his brother-in-law and partner, Benjamin Jenkins in 1792 having previously learned from him the scythe maker's trade at New Windsor his native place. He first lived in a small house that stood on the west side of North Main Street, nearly opposite the parsonage house of Rev. James Beach, which was built by him and his partner in 1795 and jointly occupied by them until 1802.  He then built and moved into the house on the east side of Main Street, west village opposite Monroe street now owned by John T. Rockwell, where he spent his remaining life and died February 1, 1849 aged 78 years.  In 1803 he dissolved partnership with Mr. Jenkins taking for his share the joint property of the firm in the west village. In 1808 he built a forge and saw mill on the water-power opposite the Clarke House, now owned by the New England Pin Company. In 1822 he built a drafting and forging shop in the rear of the Beardsley House and in 1828 he rebuilt the "Upper Forge" on the lake stream above Hulbert's present iron works. He also built in 1816 the old iron store on Main street next north of Dudley's brick block.

He was a man of indomitable energy. Few men ever did more hard work and more thoroughly managed a large business than he until past the prime of life.  Frugal and temperate in all his habits and retiring in his disposition, he was also public-spirited and benevolent. No wandering outcast, however degraded was ever turned away from his door without food and lodging if needed. With a good common school education he possessed a strong, discriminating mind and studious habits. His range of reading extended from "Tristan Shandy" through general history to "Edward's on  the Will" and other obtuse theology.  Trained in the faith of the Scottish Seceeders, he made the Bible his constant study and deduced from it his own independent belief, matured by careful study, and reverently cherished.  With an erect figure and rapid gait he had a sternness of aspect and an immovable decision which expelled familiarity; yet he had a
strength of affection and tenderness of heart little realized by those who superficially knew him. Perfect integrity was a dominant trait of his character.

The Little Britain, NY branch of the Boyd Family, to which he belonged, was of the Kilmarnock stock, originating in Ayrshire, Scotland transferred to County Down, Northern Ireland from whence four brothers, Samuel, Robert, John, and Nathaniel Boyd migrated to America.

Samuel Boyd, the oldest of the brothers, may have been the one among the  so-named North of Ireland Men who came over to found the Londonderry  settlement in New Hampshire about 1720 many of whom eventually went to other places.  He settled in the city of New York about that period accumulated a large estate, and died a bachelor.  By his aid and counsel his three brothers before named and a sister Mary, who married a man named Wargh came over from County Down and settled in the town of New Windsor, Orange County, New York.

Robert Boyd, above named, settled at New Windsor, NY near the mouth of the creek which empties into the Hudson a mile below Newburgh. He had a son Robert(2) and a daughter Mary (3) who married ______? Harris.

Colonel Robert Boyd (2) erected iron and scythe works on the creek before mentioned.  He inherited the estate of his bachelor uncle and removed to the city of New York early in this century and there held the office of sheriff of the county. He died October 29, 1804 aged 70 as appears on his monument in Little Britain Church-yard. He married ______? Smith and had six children:

1. Samuel Boyd a counselor-at-law in the city of New York.  2. John Boyd of Ogdenburg, sheriff of St. Lawrence county, NY.  3. Jennett Boyd wife of  Rev. James Schrimgeozir.  4. Agnes Boyd wife of Dr. Baltus Van Kleek.  5. Elias Boyd died a bachelor.  6. George Boyd an Episcopalian clergyman in Philadelphia.

Nathaniel Boyd, the fourth brother lived in Little Britain Parish, New Windsor, NY and had sixteen children by his first and second wives. 

By Margaret Beck:  1. Jane Boyd wife of _____? Butler  2. John Boyd of  Amenia, NY.  3. Samuel Boyd  4. James S. Boyd  5. Mary wife of William Bradner  6. Nathaniel Boyd  7. Martha wife of _____? Homan.

By Martha Monsel:  8. Jane Boyd  9. Elizabeth Boyd  10. Nathaniel Boyd  11. Mary Boyd, wife of Thompson of Esopus.  12. Charles Boyd     13. Hannah Boyd  wife of ______? Alexander  14. Jane Boyd   15. Robert W. and 16. Nathaniel 

James Boyd (1), the third brother sailed from Belfast, Ireland August 9, 1756 with his second wife and children whose names and date of birth are recorded in his family bibile as follows: By Sarah ______? his first wife.  1. Samuel Boyd (2) born 1734.  2. Sarah Boyd (2) born August 13, 1738.   3. Robert Boyd (2) born January 10, 1740.  4. Mary Boyd (2) born March 28, 1742, married and settled in Scotland.  5. Jean Boyd (2) born January 20, 1749 m. _____? Soper of Esopus, NY.  By Mary _____? his second wife.  6.  Seaborn Boyd (2) born on the voyage September 23, 1756 married Richard Hudson of Newburg.  7.  James Boyd (2) (date of birth torn off)  8. Elizabeth Boyd (2) born February (torn off) married _____? Belknap of  Newburgh, NY.  9.  David Boyd (2) born in December of Phelps, Ontario County, NY. 10. Nathaniel Boyd (2) 11. Alice Boyd (2) married John Wood.

Samuel Boyd (2) oldest son of James Boyd (1) visited America four years earlier than his father and returned to Ireland whence he came back as a  permanent settler in 1756 and thereafter resided in Little Britain parish until his death May 27, 1801 in his sixty-seventh year.  He served in the French Canadian War (French and Indian War? and furnished a substitute in the Revolution.  He married 1st Elizabeth McDoel, daughter of Mathew  McDoel of New Windsor who died August 25, 1775 and married 2nd. Mary Lyon who died in 1812.  Children by first wife:  1. Elizabeth Boyd (3) born at  Little Britain, NY 1769 married Benjamin Jenkins  2. James Boyd (3) born Little Britain November 15, 1770.  3. Mathew Boyd (3) died young.  4. John  Boyd (3) died young.

James Boyd (3), son of Samuel (2) settled in Winsted as already stated.  He married at Torringford, CT, December 23, 1795, Mary Munro born Boston,  MA March 10, 1771 daughter of Alexander and _____? (McIntosh Munro from Inverness, Scotland.  She died Winsted September 2, 1821 and he married  2nd on June 27, 1822, Jane Munro, daughter of Alexander and _____?  (Hutchison) Munro and half sister of his first wife.  She died in Winsted December 29, 1852.  Children:  1. Nancy Boyd (4) born May 27, 1797 married 1820, Lucius Clarke.  2.  John Boyd (4) twin of James born March 17, 1799.  3. James Boyd (4) twin of John born March 17, 1799 died August 28, 1826  4.  Eliza Boyd (4) born March 18, 1801 and died April 1, 1801.  5. Samuel  Boyd born June 24, 1802.  6.  Eliza Boyd (4) born June 25, 1804 died September 10, 1821.  7. Mary Boyd (4) born August 11, 1807 died August 30, 1821. 8. Jane Munro Boyd (4) born December 10, 1812 married Lyman Hubbell. 9. Susan Boyd born March 19, 1815 married September 7, 1836 Elijah Phelps Grant, born Norfolk, CT, 23 Aug 1808 son of Deacon Elijah and Elizabeth (Phelps) Grant. He graduated Yale college 1830 and lives at Canton, Ohio; a lawyer and banker. Children, all born in Canton, Ohio: 1. Elizabeth Grant born May 21, 1838 married May 18 1858 Thomas J. Hurford of Omaha, Nebraska;  2. Susan Grant born January 8, 1841 died July 19, 1841;  3.  Mary Grant born September 12 1842;  4. Charles Fourier Grant born August 12, 1844 died May 25 1845;  5. Jane Grant born November 27, 1846;  6. Martha A. Grant born April 30, 1849 died June 27, 1859;  7. James Boyd Grant born November  10, 1853.  10. Alexander Munro Boyd (4) born July 2, 1823 died June 12, 1824.  11. Jennett Boyd (4) born May 16, 1825 died April 14, 1827 12. Elizabeth Boyd  (4) born October 23, 1827 married June 1, 1859, Stephen A.  Hubbard born in Sunderland, MA. 13. Robert Lewis Boyd (4) born 15 Aug 1831 commenced and carried on the manufacture of planter's hoes in Winsted from 1852 to 1860; then went to New York where he now resides. He married November 6,  1862 Helen, a Peck daughter of Edward B. and Mary Ann Peck of Fairfield County, CT born April 18, 1840. Her name changed (by adoption) to Helen Annette Wooster in which name she was married.  Children: 1. Anna Boyd  born New York City June 30, 1864 and died July 2, 1864; 2. a son, stillborn in Brooklyn, NY July 6, 1865; 3. Ralph Booth Boyd born Brooklyn June 4, 1866;  4. Louis Roland Boyd, born Brooklyn December 10, 1867 and died August 13, 1868;   5. James Hubbell Boyd born Brooklyn November 13, 1869 died Aug 17, 1870.

John Boyd (4) married in New Haven, May 17 1831 Emily Webster Beers, born  in New Hampshire March 1805, daughter of Elias and Jerusha (Fitch) Beers.  She died November 25, 1842 and he married 2nd on December 10, 1843, Mrs. Jerusha (Rockwell) Hinsdale, widow of Theodore Hinsdale and daughter of  Soloman and Sarah (McEwen) Rockwell.  He graduated Yale College in 1821; admitted to the bar New Haven County, 1825; Rep. General Assembly, 1830  and 1835; County Commissioner, 1840, 1849, and 1850.  Town Clerk, 1829-1833, 1837-1841, and from 1855, to the present time, Judge of Probate for  fifteen years, till disqualified by age in 1869; State Senator, 1854;  Secretary of State on Connecticut 1859, 11860, and 1861; a manufacturer of  the firm of J. Boyd and son, 1827 to 1850, afterwards to 1853 alone.  Children:  1. Ellen Wright Boyd (5) born September 3, 1833. 2. James Alexander Boyd (5) born November 12, 1835 died October 5, 1837.  3. Emily Beers Boyd (5) born June 23, 1842 died October 16, 1852.

James Munro Boyd (4) was trained to business as an iron manufacturer and  trader under his father with decided ability and energy until his death.  He was an extensive reader, social, warm hearted and upright.  He died  unmarried August 28, 1826 beloved and lamented. 

Samuel Munro Boyd (4) married September 20, 1825 Sylvia Coe born August 12, 1806 daughter of Jonathan & Charlotte (Spencer) Coe. He was a trader and  manufacturer in Winsted until 1833. He was a custom house appraiser  in New Orleans until 1850; Commission Hardward in New York till 1860;  Appraiser in Custom House in New York to the present time.  Children:  1. James Munro Boyd (5) born Winsted September 28, 1826.  Was drowned in Mad River, June 10, 1829.  2. Marianne Boyd (5) born Winsted July 31, 1828;  married August 28, 1850 Henry Bascon Keen a merchant and banker of New York, born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania July 18, 1825 son of Robert Lewis and  Phebe A. (Page) Keen.  He died in December of 1868. Children: 1. Robert Lewis Keen (6) born Brooklyn, NY August 23, 1851; 2. Henry Boyd Keen (6)  born in Brooklyn 9 Jan 1854;  3. James Munro Keen (6) born July 16, 1856.  3. Sarah Jane Boyd (5) born Winsted June 10, 1831 married Brooklyn, NY September 30, 1853 Thomas Howe Bird who was born in Boston, MA. 

NOTE: Use this data as a finding tool, just as you would any other secondary source. When you find the name of an ancestor listed, confirm the facts in original sources.

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