Boyd, John Sr

John BOYD Sr (1735 - 1800) and Sarah GRYFYTH (1740 - 1806)

my 5g-grandparents

John BOYD was born about 1735, in Scotland or England. He immigrated to America, and appeared in Frederick County, Virginia, by 1754. A great deal of speculation as to his origins has been made. His wife was Sarah GRYFYTH, born in Wales, about 1740.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/John%20Boyd%201760-1828%20cropped.jpg

John BOYD Sr (1735-1800) or John BOYD Jr (1760-1828)

The portrait above is often attributed to John BOYD Jr. However, it forms the frontispiece of [JBBC], which is about the descendants of John BOYD Sr. I would be grateful to anyone who can provide more information on this.

John BOYD first appears in 1754, as owner of land consisting of 101 acres, about 5 miles west of Martinsburg, designated as Tract 801 in Tablers Station Quadrangle. He later acquired some of the adjacent properties. A map of this land appears in [JBBC, p. 7]. The property is on the southeast slope of North Mountain, which is a long ridge, running southwest to northeast, like many of the mountain ridges in this region.

This area was included in the part of Orange County, VA which became Frederick County, VA in 1743, and it was in the part of Frederick County, VA which became Berkeley County, VA, in 1772, and became Berkeley County, WV when WV was formed in 1863.

John BOYD's origins

From the biography of Elisha Holmes Boyd]

"Elisha Holmes Boyd, an Attorney at Winchester, Virginia, has an ancestral connection with America dating from about 1750, at which time his great-grandfather, a native of Scotland, came from England to the new world, settling in what is now Berkeley county, Virginia, where he engaged in farming, having purchased a large tract of land from Lord Fairfax." - [UVA, pp. 439-40]

[From the biography of Charles James Faulkner]

"John Boyd, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Faulkner, was born in Scotland and on coming to America settled first in Pennsvlvania, but moved to Berkeley County, Virginia, about 1742." - [UVA, pp. 472-3]

These two biographies from the University of Virginia can't both be correct. The first one says that John Boyd Sr immigrated to America about 1750, and the second says he moved from PA to VA about 1742. However, they fit into the general story, that he was born in Scotland, sailed from England to America, first settled in PA, and then VA.

Sarah GRYFYTH's origins

John BOYD "married about the year 1754, to Sarah GRYFYTH, native of Wales" [A], [JBBC]. Their first child was born 13 Apr 1756, so Sarah was born no later than 1741. Several researchers have estimated he birthdate as about 1740, but it may have been earlier. She must have come to America with parents or guardians. The name is also spelled GRYFYTH in the marriage record (below) but probably became GRIFFITH in America.

As with her husband, we have been unable to find out specifically when Sarah arrived in Berkeley County. Cartmell's History states that the Griffith family came from Chester County, PA to Frederick County, VA in 1777, that the Griffiths were of Welsh origin, and that three brothers came from Wales in 1716 from Pennsylvania. Since John and Sarah were married much earlier than 1777, this may be a different Griffith family and they may have been married in England, or Wales or in Chester County. How or where they met is at present unknown. [JBBC, p. 2]

There was a Sarah GRIFFITS who was christened on 5 Jul 1741 in Madley, Herefordshire, England, child of John and Elizabeth GRIFFITS. Madley is about 20 miles east of the border between Herefordshire and Wales.

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name John Boyd
Gender Male
Birth Place EN
Birth Year 1735
Spouse Name Sarah Gryfyth
Spouse Birth Place Wl [Wales]
Marriage State of VA

England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980
Name: Sarah Griffits
Gender: Female
Christening Date: 5 Jul 1741
Christening Place: Madley, Herefordshire, England
Father: John Griffits
Mother: Elizabeth Griffits

John BOYD in Virginia

There are many hints of connections among the several BOYD extended families in Virginia and Pennsylvania. See the BOYD page and the Thomas BOYD page.

Several short biographies of John BOYD exist, and an entire book [JBBC] has been written about his descendants. His youngest son was Elisha BOYD, a famous general in the War of 1812.

John Boyd biography in Aler's History

JOHN BOYD,

Father of Gen. Elisha Boyd and a native of England, was one of the earliest settlers in the County of Berkeley. He acquired his land in this county by original grant from Lord Fairfax, the patents of which are still preserved by his descendants. He resided near the North Mountain, about five miles west of Martinsburg. He was a man of herculean frame of body, and some anecdotes are related of his hand to hand conflicts with the Indians, which demanded all his activity and strength, but in which he was generally victor.

He was married about the year 1754, to Sarah Gryfyth, a native of Wales, and died in the year 1800, leaving eight children, born in the following order, to wit : Charles, Margaret, Fulton, John, William, Rachel, Bayley, Elijah, Mary, Munford and Elisha ; the first born on the 13th of April, 1756, and the last on the 6th of October, 1769.

His widow, Sarah Boyd, survived him some years, dying in 1806. With the exception of Elisha, the children were among the earliest emigrants to Kentucky. It is said that Hon. Lenn Boyd, of Kentucky, for several years Speaker of the House of Representatives, was one of that stock, and his striking resemblance to Gen. Boyd in stature, feature and general appearance would seem to confirm that remark.

[Note: the names Fulton, Bayley and Munford should probably be set in parentheses, if they were the married surnames of Margaret, Rachel and Mary. – W.H.]

Aler's History of Martinsburg and Berkeley County, West Virginia, by F. Vernon Aler, 1888, pp 106-7

John BOYD married Sarah GRYFYTH, or GRIFFITH, in Frederick, VA, 1754. They had 8 children, all born in Frederick County. At the age of about 19, John BOYD had immigrated to America, got married and owned a farm in Virginia.

Nothing seems to be known about Sarah before 1754. There is an extended family named GRIFFITH in the vicinity, probably related.

Aler says that "He acquired his land in this county by original grant from Lord Fairfax, the patents of which are still preserved by his descendants," but [JBBC, p. 2] says it was "surveyed for Robert Jackson but paid for and issued in the name of John Boyd in 1754." To further complicate things, it seems that someone named BOYD did receive a land grant in this region, around 1739.

Land Grants in Shenandoah Valley

"A number of minor grants were issued to Shepard, Morgan, Swearingen, Stephen, Boyd, Dark, Harper, Porterfield and other early settlers on the south side of Cohongorooto [Potomac] River now embraced in the counties of Berkley and Jefferson ..." (page 16)

[These were part of the grants distributed by Yost Hite, around 1739.]

Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia, by Thomas Kemp Cartmell, 1909

Now John BOYD would have been about 5 years old in 1739, so this land may have been granted to his father, whoever that was.

Biography of John BOYD

John BOYD was born in England and was one of the earliest settlers of Berkeley County, Virginia. He acquired large holdings in the eastern base of the North Mountain near where the county infirmary was later located. John Boyd was the father of Elisha Boyd of the Second War of England and the ancestor of Colonel John E. Boyd, a noted soldier in the Civil war and of Robert H. Boyd, a distinguished attorney of the Berkeley Bar.

John Boyd left a large family: Charles, Margaret Fulton, John, William, Rachael, Bailey, Elijah, Mary, Munford, and Elisha. The children, with the exception of Elisha, were among the earliest emigrants to Kentucky. The Hon. Lem Boyd of Kentucky, for several years Speaker of the House of Representatives, was a descendant of John Boyd.

Berkeley County West Virginia BOYD Biographies

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvberkel/boydbios.html

John Boyd bio in Norris' History

John Boyd, a native of England, obtained from Lord Fairfax a grant of land lying a few miles west of Martinsburg, and lived upon it until his death, which occurred in 1800. He was one of the earliest settlers of that part of Frederick that was afterward formed into Berkeley county. His wife, Sarah Gryfth, a Welsh lady, to whom he was married in 1754, survived him and died in 1806. They had eight children, all of whom except Elisha, the youngest, moved to Kentucky, and were among the first emigrants to that State.

History of the lower Shenandoah Valley counties of Frederick, Berkeley, Jefferson and Clarke, by J.E. Norris, 1890, page 582

John BOYD appeared on the Rent Rolls for Berkeley County, VA in 1772 and 1777. There was also a William BOYD on these lists. Any relation? Unfortunately, the Virginia records from the 1790 and 1800 censuses were destroyed when the British burned the US Capitol, in the War of 1812, so those are not available.

Both John and Sarah left very explicit wills, with detailed instruction as to the distribution of their estates. At the time of Sarah's death in 1806, they had 21 grandchildren, and 4 of them were named Sarah, after their grandmother. In her will, Sarah left generous inheritances to her 4 namesakes, and nothing to the other 17 grandchildren!

Summaries of the wills of John and Sarah BOYD

Will of John BOYD, written 8 Apr 1800, proved 23 Jun 1800, Summary

From Berkeley County Wills, Vol 3: 1796-1805, pages 310-313

Wife Sarah to inherit estate, and take care of son Charles.

After Sarah’s death, planation is to be sold, and $1000 put in a bank trust, the interest to support son Charles. After death of Charles, the $1000 equally divided between sons John, William, Elijah and Elisha.

To grandchildren Sarah, Mary, James, Margaret Munford (children of Mary Munford, deceased) when they turn 21 or marry: 4 pounds Virginia currency, each

To grandson John Munford (son of Mary Munford, deceased) when he turns 21 or marries: 8 pounds Virginia currency

To daughter Rachel Bailey: $80

To daughter Margaret or her son John Sutton: $30

A female mulatto named Mill shall be free when she reaches age 21

Son Elisha Boyd is executor

Witnesses: Thomas Patterson and Harvey Booth, Teste: J. Bedinger CBC

Will of Sarah BOYD, written 22 Oct 1805, Summary

From Berkeley County Wills, Vol 4: 1805-1812, pages 124-125

To son Charles: $20, a horse named Chestnut, a female Mulatto slave named Mill, until she was 21, and one piece of pulled cloth and 5 yards of flannel, “to be made up into clothes for him as he may want them.” Also, personal property sold to ensure that Charles will be supported.

To son John: $100 and one black mare named Til

To daughter Margaret Sutton: $12 and silver shoe buckles, clothes

To daughter Rachel Bayley: $12 and silk cloak, clothes

To granddaughter Sarah Boyd (daughter of John Boyd) when she turns 21 or marries: 3 silver table spoons, 3 silver tea spoons

To granddaughter Sarah Boyd (daughter of Elisha Boyd) when she turns 21 or marries: $100 and 3 silver table spoons

To granddaughter Sarah Bailey (daughter of Rachel Bailey) when she turns 21 or marries: $20

To grandsons John and Elisha (sons of Elijah, deceased): the $20 for Sarah Bailey if she should die

To granddaughter Sarah Munford (daughter of Mary Munford, deceased): one brown heifer, one spinning wheel, one gown

Sons John Boyd and Elisha Boyd are executors

Descendants

The children of John BOYD and Sarah GRIFFITH are well-documented in [JBBC]. Note that Berkeley County, VA was formed in 1772, from the northern third of Frederick County, and became Berkeley County, WV when that state was formed in 1863.

1 John BOYD b: 1735, d: 08 Apr 1800 in Martinsburg, Berkeley, WV
+ Sarah GRYFYTH b: 1740 in Wales, m: 1754 in Frederick, VA, d: 1806 in Martinsburg, Berkeley, WV
...2 Charles BOYD b: 13 Apr 1756 in Frederick, VA, d: 1829 in Bedford, Lawrence, IN
...2 Margaret BOYD b: 15 Feb 1758 in Frederick, VA, d: aft. Oct 1805 in KY
+ SUTTON or FULTON
...2 John BOYD b: 09 Jan 1760 in N Mt, Frederick, VA, d: 14 Jan 1828 in Bedford, Lawrence, IN
+ Ann Nancy MARTIN b: 03 Mar 1770 in Martinsburg, Frederick, VA, m: 07 Sep 1791 in Berkeley, WV, d: 1825 in Nicholas, KY
...2 William BOYD b: 17 Dec 1761 in Frederick, VA, d: Apr 1805 in Nicholas, KY
+ Jane PARKS b: 1775 in Frederick, VA, m: 10 Nov 1796 in Berkeley, VA, d: 1798 in Berkeley, VA
+ Alice "Elcy" GRAY b: 1777 in Frederick, VA, m: 01 Apr 1798 in Berkeley, VA, d: 13 Aug 1838 in Nicholas, KY
...2 Rachel BOYD b: 17 Aug 1763 in Frederick, VA, d: KY
+ William Harrison BAILEY b: 1759 in Frederick, VA, m: 7 Aug 1793 in Berkeley, VA, d: 1833 in KY
...2 Elijah BOYD b: 05 Apr 1765 in Frederick, VA, d: 04 May 1803 in Washington, KY
+ Phebe HAYES b: 1768 in Frederick, VA, m: 21 Aug 1789 in Berkeley, WV, d: 11 Oct 1802 in Pleasant Run, Washington, KY
+ Ann MOODY b: 1781 in Berkeley, VA, m: 11 Oct 1802 in Washington, KY , d: Jul 1840 in Washington, KY
...2 Mary BOYD b: 29 Apr 1767 in Frederick, VA, d: bef. 8 Apr 1800 in Nicholas, KY
+ William MUNFORD b: 1763 in Frederick, VA, m: 6 Apr 1786 in VA, d: May 1804 in Nicholas, KY
...2 Elisha BOYD b: 06 Oct 1769 in Frederick, VA, d: 21 Oct 1841 in Berkeley, James, VA
+ Mary WAGGONER b: 1775 in VA, m: 1795 in Frederick, VA, d: 1803 in Martinsburg, Berkeley, VA
+ Ann "Nancy" HOLMES b: 1784 in Frederick, VA, m: June 1805 in Martinsburg, Berkeley, WV, d: 20 July 1819 in VA
+ Elizabeth BYRD b: 1773 in Frederick, VA, m: 10 Mar 1827 in Richmond, VA, d: 16 Nov 1839 in Berkeley, WV

John was about 19 and Sarah only 14 when they married, if all these dates are correct. Of course they are only guesses, and should not be taken too literally.

All the children of John and Sarah, except Elisha, the youngest, migrated to Kentucky. This must have been a hard time for the family. Mary BOYD died in 1800, and Elijah in 1803, then William died in 1805. Meanwhile, back in West Virginia, John BOYD Sr died in 1800, and his wife Sarah in 1806.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/1822%20KY%20north%20central.jpg

1822 map of north central Kentucky, where John BOYD's sons and daughters, except Elisha, lived about 1800-1820. [source]

A brief summary of the 8 children of John and Sarah (GRIFFITH) BOYD follows. Most of the information comes from [JBBC], in addition to census and vital records, and the sources listed at the bottom of the page.

1. Charles BOYD was born 13 Apr 1756 in Frederick County, VA. He must have had some disability, and according to his father's will, he was was unable to provide for himself. However, in his mother's will, she left him a horse, so he must have been able to do some riding. She also left him twenty dollars, and one slave. After the death of his mother, Charles came to live with his brother John BOYD Jr and family, following them to Kentucky and then Indiana. After the death of John BOYD Jr on 14 Jan 1828, his son, John BOYD III, agreed to care for his Uncle Charles, who was then 71. Charles BOYD probably died about 1830, in Indian Creek Township, Lawrence County, IN.

2. Margaret BOYD was born 15 Feb 1758 Frederick County, VA. She married a man named SUTTON. They had at least one child, John SUTTON, who was mentioned in John BOYD's will, so he was born before 8 Apr 1800, and [JBBC, p. 19] speculates that he may have been an adult by this date. Margaret was still living at the time her mother's will was written, in Oct 1805.

3. John BOYD Jr, a Revolutionary War soldier, was born 9 Jan 1760 in Frederick County, VA. He married Ann "Nancy" MARTIN, who I suspect may be connected with my MARTIN line, also from Virginia. They moved to Kentucky, and later to Indiana. John and Nancy are the subject of another page, since they are my 4g-grandparents. See the John BOYD Jr page.

4. William BOYD was born 17 Dec 1761 in Frederick County, VA. He first married Jane PARKS on 10 Nov 1796, Berkeley County, VA. They had no known children, and Jane probably died in 1798. William next married Alice "Elcy" GRAY in Berkeley County, 1 Apr 1798. Elcy GRAY was born about 1776, the daughter of Hugh and Elcy GRAY. William and Elcy had 2 children, both sons.

Between 1 Apr 1798 and 30 Jun 1800, William and Elcy moved to Nicholas County, KY, to join his brothers John and Elijah. William BOYD died in Apr 1805, in Kentucky, at age 43, when his sons were both under 5 years of age. Elcy (GRAY) BOYD remarried, had 5 more children, and died on 13 Aug 1838, in Nicholas, KY, at age about 62. [JBBC, p. 11]

There were 9 William BOYDs in the Kentucky Tax List of 1799-1801. Only one was in Nicholas County. He paid taxes in 1800.

The 2 known children of William BOYD and Elcy GRAY were both in Bath County by 1840, as the US Census has them both in the small town of Sharpsburg, about 1 mile from the Bath-Nicholas County line. The population of Sharpsburg was 158 in 1830, and Bath County had 8,799.

i. Andrew BOYD was born 30 Jun 1800 in Nicholas, KY, and died 1 July 1881. [JBBC, p. 11] He married in 1824 to Nancy WITHERS, born 22 Apr 1803 and died 6 Apr 1878, daughter of James WITHERS and Nancy ELGIN. They lived in Sharpsburg, Bath County, KY, and had 1o children.

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: Andrew Boyed [Andrew Byed]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Bath, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 1
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 4
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total Slaves: 3
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 10

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: Andrew Boyd
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Sharpsburg, Bath, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1 [James (11)]
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1 [Andrew (39 or 40)]
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 [Martha (1)]
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1 [Nancy (35)]
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 2
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 3
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 2
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 2
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 2
Persons Employed in Commerce: 2
Persons Employed in Manufacture and Trade: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total Slaves: 10
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 18

Andrew and Nancy had a large household in 1840, with 6 children and 10 slaves. By 1850 they had 3 more children. Andrew was a merchant of some kind.

Andrew BOYD owned 10 slaves in 1840, as recorded in the 1840 US Census, above. In 1850, the census had a slave schedule, which gave a little more information, but still no names. Andrew BOYD had 11 slaves in 1850.

I haven't found the family in the 1860 Census. In 1880 Andrew and Martha, both 79, were quite prosperous. They were next to a WITHERS family in the census, so they probably lived nearby. William A. WITHERS may have been Nancy's niece. They had a black family living with them, with the same surname - undoubtedly former slaves.

1 Andrew BOYD b: 30 Jun 1800 in Nicholas, KY, d: 01 Jul 1881 in Bath, Kentucky, USA
+ Nancy WITHERS b: 22 Apr 1803, m: 1824 in Berkeley, VA, d: 06 Apr 1878
......2 Charles W. BOYD b: 08 Jan 1825, d: 25 Jul 1825
......2 Mary W. BOYD b: 28 Sep 1826, d: 12 Aug 1857
...... + E. E. BARNES m: 1846
......2 James A. BOYD b: 18 Aug 1828, d: 19 Aug 1854 ; unmarried
......2 Elcy Ann BOYD b: 05 Nov 1830, d: 11 Jun 1881
...... + Judge Elijah Richard WITHERS m: 24 Sep 1847
......2 Andrew M. BOYD b: 23 Jun 1835, d: 23 Sep 1837
......2 Martha E. BOYD b: 1838, d: 1911
...... + Judge Michael M.CASSIDY m: 05 Jan 1859
......2 Bethany BOYD b: 1843
...... + Dr. E. R. ROE m: 1859
......2 Sarah A. BOYD b: 1844
...... + William A. WITHERS m: 31 Oct 1865
......2 Joseph E. BOYD b: 25 Dec 1845, d: 25 Jul 1847
......2 Waller L. BOYD b: 31 Oct 1847, d: 02 Nov 1883
...... + Mary Elizabeth JONES

ii. James Gray BOYD was born 1804 in Nicholas, KY. He married (1) in Shelbyville, Shelby County, IN to Elizabeth LAINGOR 4 Mar 1828, and (2) Elizabeth PERKINS on 16 Sep 1839 in Bath, KY. James died 1 Sep 1858 in Bath County, KY. [JBBC, p. 11]

Indiana, Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850
Name: James Boyd
Spouse: Elizabeth Laingor
Marriage Date: 4 Mar 1828
Marriage County: Shelby

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: Jas Boyd
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Sharpsburg, Bath, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1 [William (10)]
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1 [James (36)]
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1 [Elizabeth]
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54: 1
Persons Employed in Commerce: 3
Free White Persons - Under 20: 3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 6
Total Slaves: 2
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 8

James BOYD had 2 slaves in 1840, as recorded in the 1840 US Census, above. In 1850, the census had a slave schedule, which gave a little more information, but still no names. James G. BOYD had 3 slaves in 1850.

1 James Gray BOYD b: 1804 in Nicholas, KY, d: 01 Sep 1858 in Bath, KY
+ Elizabeth LAINGOR m: 04 Mar 1828 in Shelbyville, Shelby, IN, d: 18 Dec 1835
......2 Charles Claude BOYD b: 26 Dec 1828, d: 30 Sep 1834
......2 William Andrew BOYD b: 16 Mar 1830, d: 23 Mar 1903
...... + Mariah HIGHLAND m: 10 Feb 1853
......2 Archibald Allen BOYD b: 10 Sep 1833, d: 13 Sep 1834
......2 Mary Jane BOYD b: 26 Sep 1835, d: 25 Jan 1875
...... + Samuel MCMICHAEL m: 14 Jun 1859
+ Elizabeth PERKINS m: 16 Sep 1839 in Bath, KY, d: 16 Mar 1859

James Gray BOYD and his second wife, Elizabeth, shared a gravestone in Sharpsburg Cemetery. The dates are hard to read, but it looks like he died on 1 Sep 1858, at age 54, and she died on 16 Mar 1859.

5. Rachel BOYD was born 17 Aug 1763, probably on the BOYD farm near Martinsburg, then in Frederick County, VA, later in Berkeley County, VA (now WV). She married William H. BAILEY on 8 Aug 1793, in Martinsburg.

William Harrison BAILEY was born about 1760, probably in VA, the son of William BAILEY Sr, who wrote his will in 1817, in Nelson County, KY. In the will, William Sr named his sons, Thomas, Andrew and William H. He also named his daughter Ruth and her husband John MILLER and daughter Elizabeth and husband Joseph STANLEY. He named his grandchildren (the children of William H. & Rachel BOYD) as Boyd, William, Sarah, Elizabeth and Ammitey BAILEY. [KM]

There were, of course, many William BAILEYs, and it's sometimes hard to tell which record is for which person. The will mentioned above is crucial, since it names Rachel BOYD. It gives us a starting point, in searching for the children of William and Rachel.

(I had originally thought that the William BAILEY who appeared in Bourbon County in 1810 and 1820 was the son of John and Sarah. Thanks to Kay MCGEE for finding the right William. [KM])

Kentucky, Land Grants, 1782-1924
Grantee: Wm Bailey
Number of Acres: 126
Survey Date: 25 Sep 1798
County: Nelson
Watercourse: E Fk Cox Cr
Book Number: 14

I don't know if the land record above is for William BAILEY Jr or Sr. Either way, it probably shows that the family lived, in 1798, near the east fork of Coxe's Creek, northern Nelson County, probably near the village of Fairfield.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/1818%20KY%20Coxes%20Creek.jpg

1818 Map of northern Nelson County, KY. [source]

The 1800 tax list, sometimes called the Second Census of Kentucky, had 3 listings for William BAILEY in Nelson County, dated 30 Aug 1800.

1810 United States Federal Census
Name: Wm H Bailey
Home in 1810 (City, County, State): Kentucky, Nelson , Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44 : 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16: 6
Number of Household Members Over 25: 3
Number of Household Members: 10

There was a Margaret H. BAILEY who married John BAILEY on 26 Jan 1811 in Nelson County. The bond was signed by Margaret's father, William H. BAILEY. Margaret may have been the one called Ammitey in her grandfather's will.

In 1812 one William H. BAILEY enlisted in Captain Thomas Speed’s 2nd Regiment, the Kentucky Mounted Militia, as a sergeant. [KM]

In Oct 1818 William H. and Rachel BAILEY sold 290 acres of land in Nelson County for $ 1,532. The fact that both William and Rachel are named in the records of this sale provide confirmation that we have the right William BAILEY.

William and Rachel migrated from Nelson County, KY to Helena, Arkansas Territory in 1818, with some of their children. Helena became part of St Francis and Hornor Townships, Phillips County, when that county was formed on 1 May 1820.

William BAILEY the Methodist

We have had occasion to speak of a colony of Kentuckians, that settled on the west bank of the Mississippi, where Helena now stands. During the year 1818 there was a valuable addition to that colony in the person of William Harrison Bailey, who, with his family, came down from Nelson County, Ky., in a flatboat and settled at Helena. His earnest, consistent Christian life soon made an impression upon his neighbors. He opened his house for prayer meetings for his neighbors, and finally organized a society of Methodists in Helena, which was the beginning of Methodism in Helena. [HMA, p. 36]

The first positive information that we have in reference to the introduction of religious service in this colony was in 1818. William Harrison Baily and his pious wife came from Kentucky that year and settled at Helena. This Mr. Baily was a nephew of William Henry Harrison—President Harrison. Mr. Baily was a very devoted Methodist, and, although he was not a minister, in the absence of the regular minister he would hold religious services. Although he was not a physician, yet being a man of good education, he knew something of the nature of medicine, and would visit the sick and relieve their wants, and in this way he very greatly endeared himself to the people. He opened his house for the accommodation of his neighbors and held prayer-meetings for them in his own house, and in this way laid the foundation for the first Methodist congregation in Helena. [HMA, p. 355]

William H. BAILEY purchased land originally owned by Moses BURNETT in 1819. On 2 Sep 1820, land owned by William H. BAILEY amounting to 376 acres Arkansas County was sold for taxes. The previous owner was Moses BURNETT, so it was probably the same land William had purchased the previous year. It might seem like William had come upon hard times.

William and Rachel were generous to the poor, and took in several orphaned children. Charles and Augusta Maria LOOMIS, aged 5 and 12, were bound in indenture to William and Rachel in 1820, after the death of their father, Isaac B. LOOMIS. On 20 March 1821, Hannah BELOUT was bound to William and Rachel for 15 years. [KM]

William became a Phillips County Magistrate 20 March 1821. He was Justice of the Peace and Judge of Elections in 1823. [KM]

William Harrison BAILEY died in 1824, probably in Helena. He left no will. Rachel, his widow, was executor of his estate, and she had 6 children, all of William. They are named in the court records related to the division of lands in William's estate. They are: Boyd, William C., Sarah (wife of Philip RAYMER), Margaret (wife of John BAILEY, deceased), Virginia (wife of Elijah BOYD), and Elizabeth (wife of Isam SINGLETARY).

Children of William Jr and Rachel, from the 1817 will of William Sr:
Boyd, William, Sarah, Elizabeth and Ammitey.
Children of William Jr and Rachel, from the 1824 land division of William Jr:
Boyd, William C, Sarah, Margaret, Virginia, and Elizabeth.

So it looks like one of {Margaret, Virginia} is Ammitey, and the other was born between 1817 and 1824. Later records show that Margaret was married in 1811, so she was born before 1795, and she must be Ammitey. However, Virginia had her first child in 1824, so she must have been born before 1808. We have a dilemma. Below are my best guesses.

1 William Harrison BAILEY b: 1759 in Frederick, VA, d: 1824 in Phillips, AR
+ Rachel BOYD b: 17 Aug 1763 in Frederick, VA, m: 08 Aug 1793 in Berkeley, VA (now WV), d: Aft. 1824
......2 Sarah B. "Sally" BAILEY b: Feb 1800 in Berkeley, VA (now WV)
...... + Phillip RAMER d: Bef. 1852
......2 Elizabeth H. BAILEY
...... + Isam SINGLETARY d: 30 Jan 1842 in Phillips, AR
......2 Margaret H. BAILEY b: Bet. 1790–1795
...... + John BAILEY b: Bef. 1770, m: 26 Jan 1811 in Nelson, KY, d: 20 Feb 1830 in Phillips, AR
......2 William C. BAILEY b: Abt. 1792
...... + Ann Seville Young KORNEGAY m: 14 Jun 1832 in Phillips, AR
......2 Boyd BAILEY b: 1805 in KY, d: 16 May 1870 in Phillips, AR
...... + Rose Ann MCGARNIGLE m: Phillips, AR
...... + Valenta UNDERWOOD b: 1813 in TN, m: 31 Mar 1829 in Shelby, TN
......2 Virginia BAILEY d: Bef. 1841
...... + Elijah BOYD b: 29 Mar 1799 in Bourbon, KY, m: Abt. 1820, d: 1836 in Phillips, AR

Children of Rachel BOYD and William H. BAILEY (probably not in the right order):

i. Sarah B. "Sally" BAILEY was born, probably in Berkeley, VA or Nelson, KY, between 1790 and 1800, based on the 1830 and 1840 censuses, below. She moved in 1818, along with her parents and siblings, to Helena, and married Phillip RAMER/RAYMER about 1823.

It seems that in the early 1800s, the name was usually spelled RAMER, sometimes RAIMER, RAMES, RAMERS. Later descendants used the spelling RAYMER.

One Phillip RAIMER appeared on the tax list for Arkansas County, AR in 1819. Since Phillips County was formed from Arkansas and Lee Counties on 1 May 1820, it may be that Phillip had already settled near Helena by 1819. He must have been an adult in 1819, so probably born before 1798.

On 28 Nov 1823, Phillip and Sally sold 640 acres on the bank of the Mississippi River, in Phillips County. Phillip purchased 40 acres of public land in 1837, and almost 80 acres in 1844.

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: Philip Rames [Phillip Ramer]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): St Francis, Phillips, Arkansas Territory
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 2
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 1
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total Slaves: 5
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 13

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: Philip Ramers [Philip Ramer]
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): St Francis, Phillips , Arkansas
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 3
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 3
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 3
Slaves - Males - 36 thru 54: 1
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1
Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 3
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: 3
Free White Persons - Under 20: 11
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 14
Total Slaves: 9
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 23

Phillip RAMER was a slave owner, with 5 slaves in 1830 and 9 in 1840. He died before 31 Jan 1852, as he was listed as deceased in an advertisement on that date, shown below.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/Phillip%20Ramer%2021%20Feb%201852%20sm.jpg

Southern Shield (Helena, AR) Saturday, 21 Feb 1852, page 4

ii. Elizabeth H. BAILEY married Isam/Isom/Isham SINGLETARY, who died 30 Jan 1842 in Phillips County, AR.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/Isam_Singletary_1842%20sm.jpg

Southern Shield (Helena, AR) Saturday, 14 May 1842, page 3

iii. Margaret H. BAILEY married John BAILEY on 26 Jan 1811 in Nelson County, KY. John died on 20 Feb 1830 in Phillips County, at "an advanced age," so he must have been born before 1770. Married in 1811, Margaret must have been born before 1795. I'm not sure if or how Margaret and John were related. There were other BAILEY families in Phillips County, which seem to be unrelated.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/John_Bailey_1830%20sm.jpg

The Arkansas Gazette (Arkansas Post, AR) Tuesday, 16 Mar 1830, page 3 [Thanks to Kay MCGEE for finding this.]

Margaret survived her husband, with 4 children. She was in the 30 thru 39 age category, so she was born after 1790.

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: Margaret H Bailey
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): St Francis, Phillips, Arkansas Territory
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 4
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 5
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 5

iv. William C. BAILEY married Ann Seville Young KORNEGAY on 14 Jun 1832, in Phillips County, AR.

v. Boyd BAILEY was born about 1805, in KY. He married (1), Rose Ann MCGARNIGLE, in Phillips County, AR, and (2) Valenta UNDERWOOD on 31 Mar 1829, in Shelby County, TN. He was about 24, and Valenta was about 16, when they married (based on the 1850 census, below).

Tennessee, Marriage Records, 1780-2002
Name: Boyd Bayley
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 31 Mar 1829
Marriage Place: Shelby, Tennessee, USA
Spouse: Valenta Underwood

Boyd BAILEY was commissioned on 30 Oct 1823, as an Ensign, in the Arkansas Territorial Militia, commanded by Adjutant General Terrence FARRELLY. He served in the 8th Regiment, from Phillips County, which was commanded by Col. David MOONEY, with Lt. Col. W. B. R. HORNER. [The Arkansas Gazette, Tuesday 14 Jun 1825] Later, on 16 Jan 1829, command of the 8th Regiment was passed to Col. William R. HORNER, who I assume is the same as the previous Lt. Col.

Early Arkansas

The largest hindrance to effectively organizing the militia was the scattered population of only 14,273; and of this number, the majority were scattered around the state on isolated farms. The only real town in Arkansas in 1820 was Arkansas Post, a tiny village of no more than forty houses. To make matters worse, there were few roads in Territorial Arkansas, thereby making communication with the militiamen very difficult. [Wikipedia]

By 1830, Phillips County had a population of 1,152, much of it in the city of Helena, in St. Francis Township, on the Mississippi River.

Three of Boyd BAILEY's cousins also settled on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Ann Rebecca (BOYD) WOODHOUSE went to Dubuque, IA and William G. BOYD went to Saline City, Sainte Genevieve, MO. Elijah BOYD lived in Helena in 1830, and died there in 1836. See the John BOYD Jr page. Elijah BOYD married Virginia BAILEY, the sister of Boyd BAILEY. See below.

Nothing seems to be known about Boyd BAILEY's marriage to Rose Ann MCGARNIGLE, except that it was in Phillips County, AR, and it was his 1st marriage. So Boyd served in the Militia from Phillips County in 1823, and was married there, then married Valenta UNDERWOOD on 31 Mar 1829, in Shelby County, TN. Soon after marriage, Boyd returned to Helena Arkansas Territory with his second wife. [Comments in brackets are mine, not part of the census.]

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: Boyd Bailey
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): St Francis, Phillips, Arkansas Territory
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 2 [Boyd (25), ?]
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1 [Valenta (17)]
Free White Persons - Under 20: 1
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 3

In 1830, Boyd BAILEY was head of a household of 3. The female must have been his wife, Valenta, in the 15 thru 19 age group. The other male is probably a brother.

At some time before 1840, Boyd BAILEY set up shop in the dry goods business, with Judge John C. P. TOLLESON. The latter must have had some financial trouble, as he dissolved his partnership with Boyd BAILEY on 14 April 1840, and then he (TOLLESON) dissolved a partnership with William and Margaret WILLIAMS on 14 May 1840. On 21 May 1841, Judge TOLLESON dissolved a law practice, in Helena, that he had shared with Andrew J. GREER.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/Boyd_Bailey_1840_AR%20small.jpg

The Arkansas State Democrat, and Helena Commercial Advertiser (Helena, AR), Friday, 14 Feb 1840, page 4

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/Boyd_Bailey_and_Co_1840_Helena_AR%20small.jpg

Southern Shield (Helena, AR), Friday, 31 Jul 1840, page 4

John C. P. TOLLESON left the business to his partner. Boyd BAILEY later found it necessary to post a notice that he was not responsible for his former partner's debts. Boyd BAILEY's business carried a variety of dry goods, including furniture, building materials and tobacco.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/B_Bailey_2_ads_1840_Helena_AR.jpg

[Southern Shield (Helena, AR), Saturday, 28 Mar 1840, page 4]

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: Boyd Bailey
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): St Francis, Phillips, Arkansas
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1 [WW (4)]
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1 [Chas (9)]
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1 [?]
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1 [Boyd (35)]
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1 [Valenta (27)]
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 [?]
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1
Persons Employed in Manufacture and Trade: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total Slaves: 1
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 9

In 1840, Boyd and Valenta BAILEY had 5 children in their household. The oldest, in the 15 thru 19 age group, was too old to have been Valenta's son. Perhaps he was the son of Boyd and his first wife, Rose Ann. Or he could be Orlean, son of Elijah BOYD, who had died in 1836. There was also an older female, 40 thru 49, not old enough to be Rachel, possibly the mother of Valenta. There was also a female slave, in the 10 thru 23 age group.

Notice of Administrators

NOTICE

THE following Administrators and Guardians, having filed their account for settlement and confirmation, at the last term of the Probate Court for the county of Phillips, in the State of Arkansas, which was begun and held on the first Tuesday after the third Monday in July, A.D. 1840, to wit: Obadiah Roberts, Administrator of the estate of Henry Kimble; Boyd Baily and Phillip Raymer, Administrators of the estate of Elijah Boyd; William Keller, Administrator of the estate of Thomas Bailey; Richard Powers and Elijah Green, Administrators of the estate of George Turner; M. G. Anders, Administrator of the estate of Daniel Wadsworth; Macky M. Wherry, Administrator of the estate of William B. R. Hornor; Malinda Tunstill, Administrator of the estate of Mourning Tunstill; and James McKenzie, Guardian of the minor heirs of Joseph L. Morris.—Notice is hereby given to all persons interested in the settlement of any of said estates or guardianships, to come forward and file exceptions to such accounts, if any they have, on or before the 2d day of the next term of said court, to be held on the first Tuesday after the 3d Monday in October next, or they will be forever barred from excepting to the same or any item thereof.

JOHN S. HORNOR, Clerk.

August 13, 1840. 32—1t

The Arkansas State Democrat, and Helena Commercial Advertiser (Helena, AR) 14 Aug 1840, Fri, Page 3

This Notice, that appeared in 1840, has several items of interest. Boyd BAILEY was an administrator of the estate of Elijah BOYD, his cousin, who had died in 1836. I don't know who Thomas BAILEY was; maybe a brother. Also, Col. William B. R. HORNOR (or HORNER) has died.

Davis THOMPSON, not for State Senate

FOUL WORK.

We understand from undoubted sources that Messrs JOHN J. BOWIE ! ! ! Daniel M. Brickey, WILLIAM M. BOSTWICK ! ! and BOYD BAILEY ! ! are free in giving publicity to slanderous reports, concerning Maj DAVIS THOMPSON, calculated to injure and impair his fair standing in the estimation of his fellow citizens, and thereby if possible, to defeat his election. This we have just learned, and have no hesitancy in giving it publicity, as the source we consider worthy the most implicit coincidence—will these men avail themselves of the present state of Maj. Thompson’s health and thus assail him, on the very eve of the Election, when they imagine it will be impracticable for him to meet their dastard charges? Do they suppose that the Major’s fate is sealed, because he has been so unfortunate as to be sorely afflicted with disease, both in person and his family.—And will they thus try to avail themselves of this misfortune? Fie on you men!—Such conduct deserves the ex????? & contempt of every gentleman in the land—because it is a species of moral turpitude, by far more ?????? than we had thought it were possible for men to perpetrate with impunity in a community, characterized as ours is, for morality and gentility. Will these men dare to confront Major Thompson with these charges—if so, we are willing to rest the cause with them. If he does not prove in the satisfaction of every honest man in the community, that he has been slandered, grossly slandered by these men, we will retract with pleasure, my remarks which may have been elicited on the occasion. If a man’s private and public character is to be thus wantonly assailed, at a period when he is disabled by disease and sickness, from vindicating himself; we would say with as much propriety, might he be ???? ???? and his wife and children turned out of home, and striped of their just property, when the life blood of the husband and father, had been chilled by the icy hand of Death.

We have made the charges above, and are responsible for the consequences. Our authors are at hand, and their names freely offered to those concerned.

We will, when more particularly advised of the particulars pertaining to this matter, hold these men up before the public in their proper light. We have no vindictive or personal feeling to gratify—what we do, is the result of a spirit of justice, and a duty which we owe to that gentleman, who has been so grossly injured. More anon.

The Arkansas State Democrat, and Helena Commercial Advertiser (Helena, AR), Friday, 18 Sep 1840, page 2

In the election of 1840, on the Democratic Republican Ticket, a man named Davis THOMPSON ran for State Senate, representing Phillips and Monroe Counties. He was a slave-owner, and states' rights advocate, and apparently, not a friend of Boyd BAILEY. The authors of this letter were supposed to have been made known, but I don't know who they were. Davis THOMPSON himself published a longer letter on 28 Sep 1840.

Boyd Bailey, guardian of 5 children

Notice

The following Administrators and Guardians have filed their accounts for settlement and confirmation, at the county of Phillips, in the State of Arkansas, A. D. 1841, to wit: … Boyd Bailey, Guardian of Missouri, William G., Fleetwood, Isham and Sarah Boyd …

JOHN S. HORNOR, Clerk. May 21, 1841.

Southern Shield (Helena, AR, Friday, 21 May 1841, page 3

In 1841, Boyd Bailey was guardian of his sister Virginia's 5 children. At the same time, he was having some financial problems.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/Boyd_Bailey_1841%20small.jpg

Southern Shield (Helena, AR), Friday, 18 Jun 1841, page 1

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/Cossitt_Bailey_1842%20small.jpg

Southern Shield (Helena, AR), Saturday, 29 Jan 1842, page 4

Boyd BAILEY had financial troubles of his own, in June 1841. A. G. UNDERWOOD is probably related to Boyd's wife. H. W. BAILEY must be related in some way to Boyd BAILEY.

Several ads for a dry goods store called BAILEY & RICE appeared in Helena newspapers during the period 1847-50. In 1850 this became BAILEYS & HORNOR. I don't know whether this involved Boyd BAILEY or H. W. BAILEY, or both. However, it seems that Boyd BAILEY turned his attention to carpentry, and stores began to advertise their location in the storehouse built by Boyd BAILEY, on Main Street, opposite the courthouse in Helena. In the 1850 census, he was listed as a carpenter, not a merchant.

The 1850 US Census has Boyd and Valenta BAILEY, with a large family. This census doesn't give relationships, but we can infer that WW (1836), Quincy K (1844), Mary (1847), and John (1849) were their children. The others are probably children of Boyd's cousin Elijah BOYD, mentioned above. Sarah F. LOCK may be Sarah BOYD with her husband, although another record has her birth in 1834, not 1824. Fleetwood BOYD is present. Boyd CORBETT or possibly Corbett BOYD may be Orlean C. W. BOYD. Chas BAILEY, in the previous family, probably living with the family next door, was a merchant, maybe working at BOYD & RICE.

Recall that Boyd BAILEY owned one slave in 1840, a female, in the 10 thru 23 age group. In the 1850 US Slave Schedule he has 3 female slaves: one Black, age 22, one Mulatto, age 24, and one Mulatto, age 1.

Helena Fire of 1852

GREAT CONFLAGRATION !

The most Beautiful Portion of Helena in Ruins.

On Monday night last, Helena was visited by that awful calamity, fire, which destroyed the most valuable part of Helena, taking into consideration the same amount of ground. The fire was first discovered issuing from the roof of Dr. H. P. Hargraves’ Livery stable, about 12 o’clock Monday night last. It consumed the stable all the provender contained in it, as well as all the notes, accounts, &c., of Dr. Hargraves, besides some $300, in L??d Scrip. The horses were all saved, with the exception of one, which was brought to the door of the stable, but rushed back from fright into the flames, and was burned up.

Judge Bruton’s office, to the right of the stable was next consumed; but its contents were saved. The fire stopped there in that direction.

The conflagration extended south, burning the Helena House, belonging to Turner W. Goswick, and occupied by A. G. Robertson. Part of its contents were saved.

The flames rapidly spread down the street consuming the house of J. Q. Taylor; occupied as a drug store by King & Comfort, and as a Doctor’s office by Drs. Deputy & King; but a small portion of its contents saved.

The buildings belonging to Boyd Bailey, occupied by Messrs. Norton, Fackler & Moore, by Hicks & Bumpass, by F. F. Howerton, and the Masonic Lodge, were destroyed, together with a great portion of their contents.

The building owned by Jesse Locke, occupied by J. Levy, merchant, and as a Barber shop by James Alexander, fell a prey to the flames.

The fire crossed over to the row of law offices belonging to Messrs. Bailey & Horner, and H. P. Coolidge & Co., burning them to the ground, destroying a portion of their contents. These buildings were occupied by T. J. Moore, Esq.; R. F. Sutton, Esq.; the Swamp Land office (the papers and books of which, were saved); and by Jackson & Trousdale, Esqs.

The fire was here checked by the application of wet blankets to the roofs of the adjoining buildings, and the desperate exertions of our fellow citizens, and by the unusual calmness of the atmosphere, together with the fact that there had been a steady rain during the early part of the night, which served to dampen everything inflammable. Had there been the least wind during the fire, Helena would have been totally destroyed, and it is the wonder of all that our town escaped as it did. The fire was doubtless the deed of an incendiary. The amount of property lost, is calculated at some $50,000, as follows:

Dr. R. H. Hargraves, $6,000; J. C. Bruton, 200; T. W. Goswick, (insured,) 3,000; A. C. Robertson, 1,000; Q. K. Taylor, 1,100; King & Comfort, 6,000; Boyd Bailey, 7,500; Norton, Fackler & Co., (10,000; insured,) 12,000; Hicks & Bumpass, (5,000; insured,) 6,000; F. F. Howerton, 500; J. Levy, 3,000; The Masonic Lodge, 250; Baileys & Hornor, and H. P. Coolidge & Co., 1,500; T. F. Moore, 200; R. F. Sutton, 50; Jackson & Trousdale, 300.

Besides this amount, Baileys & Hornor lost $1,000 by damage in removing goods, as did several others, business men, lose various sums in like manner. (Helena Bulletin)

Transcribed by William Haloupek on 9 Feb 2019.

Weekly Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR), Friday, 27 Aug 1852, page 3

In 1860, Boyd BAILEY was a merchant again. Despite the losses sustained in the fire 8 years earlier, he had amassed a large estate. His son William W. BAILEY was also a merchant, and 3 clerks were living with the family. Margaret UNDERWOOD was probably Valenta's younger sister.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/Boyd%20Bailey%20died%201870%20sm.jpg

Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR) Wednesday, 25 May 1870, page 3 [Thanks to Kay MCGEE for finding this.]

Boyd BAILEY died on 16 May 1870, in Phillips County, AR, at age 65.

vi. Virginia BAILEY married her first cousin Elijah BOYD, son of John BOYD Jr and Ann Nancy MARTIN. See the John BOYD Jr page. Both Virginia and Elijah died before 1841, when her brother, Boyd BAILEY (above) was granted custody of the children.

1 Elijah BOYD b: 29 Mar 1799 in Bourbon, KY, d: 1836 in Phillips, AR
+ Virginia BAILEY m: abt. 1820, d: bef. 1841
......2 Missouri Elizabeth BOYD b: 1824 in AR
+ George DARWIN b: 1821 in AL, m: 13 Dec 1847 in Phillips, AR
......2 Orlean C. W. BOYD b: 1825, d: Bef. 1856
......2 Fleetwood H. BOYD b: 1830 in AR
+ Mary Ann LANDERS b: 1836 in MS, m: 08 May 1851 in Ashley, AR
......2 Sarah BOYD b: 1834 in AR, d: Nov 1859
......2 Elijah Isham "Isom" BOYD b: 1836 in AR, d: Jul 1859

6. Elijah BOYD was born on 5 Apr 1765, in Berkeley County, VA. He married Phebe O. HAYES or HAYS, on 21 Aug 1789 in Berkeley County. They had 4 known children, with at least one born in VA. [JBBC, p. 12]

The family moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky by 7 Dec 1795, when Elijah and his brother John appear in a legal document. On 10 Feb 1797, Elijah purchased 250 acres from John, and soon resold it for £300, a large sum at the time. Between 1797 and 1800, Elijah BOYD and his family moved to Washington County, KY.

The 1799-1801 Kentucky Tax List had 32,000 taxpayers, of whom 47 were BOYDs, but there was only one Elijah BOYD. He was in Washington County, taxed in 1800.

Phebe must have died, because on 11 Oct 1802 Elijah married Ann MOODY, daughter of Benjamin MOODY. Elijah BOYD himself died in 1803. An inventory of his estate was made on 4 May 1803, so he died before that date, at age 37 or 38, having been married to Ann less than 7 months.

https://sites.google.com/site/gapinskiancestry/home/boyd-john-sr/KY%201818%20Washington%20County%20-%20Pleasant%20Run.jpg

1818 map of central Washington County, KY, showing Pleasant Run creek. The southern part of the map is now in Marion County, formed in 1834. The county line is east-west, about halfway between Springfield and Lebanon.

The 1810 US Census has Ann BOYD living in Springfield, with 2 slaves. She was put in the "26 thru 44" category, so she was born between, roughly, 1766 and 1784.

1810 United States Federal Census
Name: Ann Boyd
Home in 1810 (City, County, State): Springfield, Washington, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Numbers of Slaves: 2
Number of Household Members Over 25: 1
Number of Household Members: 3

Ann (MOODY) BOYD may have remarried, as she filed a prenuptial agreement with Edward DORSEY on 19 Nov 1812. This agreement concerned 5 slaves: one Sarah and her 4 children, Delia, Harriet, Jack and Cato. It also involved "a tract of land being her part of 4,800 acres willed to her by her father." That's 7.5 square miles - quite an impressive estate.

The estate of Elijah BOYD was not settled immediately after his death in 1803, probably because some of his heirs were minors, and perhaps their inheritance was held by a trustee until they reached majority. A preliminary settlement was reached in 1811, and the final settlement was made on 25 Sep 1818, at a meeting in Washington County, KY, attended by attorney William B. BOOKER, estate administrator Justice HAYS (a relative of Phebe?), and the two heirs, John and Elisha BOYD. [JBBC, p. 12]

The 4 children of Elijah BOYD and Phebe HAYS:

i. John BOYD was born some time between or about 1790 [JBBC, p. 34] or between 1792 and 1800 [JBBC, p. 12] . He was named in his grandmother Sarah (GRIFFITH) BOYD's will in 1805. His name appeared on the final settlement of his father's will in 1818, mentioned above.

The birth dates of John and Elisha are switched in [JBBC] between pp. 12 and 34. The birth c. 1790 was probably in Berkeley County, VA, but the one between 1792 and 1800 could have been in VA or KY.

ii. Elisha BOYD was born about 1790 [JBBC, p. 12] or between 1792 and 1800 [JBBC, p. 34]. Elisha was undoubtedly named after his uncle, the famous General Elisha BOYD. Like his brother John, he appeared at the meeting on 25 Sep 1818 in Washington County, KY.

iii. Abigail BOYD married James C. SHORT on 29 Sep 1817, in Mercer County, KY. [KPC, p. 140] Mercer County shared its western boundary with Washington County. They lived in Stanford, Lincoln County, in central KY. See the 1822 map, above.

From [JBBC, p. 34], Abigail was born before 1803 (presumably because she was married in 1817), and that she did not appear in her grandmother Sarah (GRIFFTH) BOYD's will, written in 1805. The only data on the birth dates of Abigail and James comes from censuses. The 1850 US Census (below) has them both at age 54, so they were born about 1796, James in VA and Abigail in KY. This agrees with the 1820 and 1830 censuses, but not the 1840 census, which is probably in error on this point.

1820 United States Federal Census
Name: James C Short
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Stanford, Lincoln, Kentucky
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1 [James (24)]
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1 [Abigail (24)]
Slaves - Females - Under 14: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Manufactures: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 1
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total Slaves: 1
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 4

In 1820, Abigail and James had a daughter, and 1 slave.

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: James C Short
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Stanford, Lincoln, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 3 [Amanda (2)?]
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1 [James (34)]
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1 [?]
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1 [Abigail (34)]
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total Slaves: 1
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 11

Kentucky, Land Grants, 1782-1924
Grantee: James C Short
Number of Acres: 190
Survey Date: 20 Apr 1838
County: Green
Watercourse: Pittmans Cr
Book Number: M-2

James C. SHORT was granted 190 acres on Pittman's Creek, in Green County, KY, but was still living in Stanford in 1840.

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: James C Short
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Stanford, Lincoln, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2 [Henry (5)]
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1 [James (44)?]
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1 [Harriet (7)]
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1 [Amanda (12)]
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1 [Abigail (44)?]
Persons Employed in Manufacture and Trade: 3
Free White Persons - Under 20: 8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 10

Kentucky, Death Records, 1852-1965
Name: Amanda Webb
Maiden Name: Short
Gender: Female
Race: White
Death Age: 30
Birth Date: abt 1828
Birth Place: Lincoln
Residence Place: Lincoln, Kentucky, USA
Death Date: 10 Mar 1858
Death Place: Lincoln, Kentucky, USA
Father: James Short
Mother: Abergale Short

iv. William BOYD may have died young, as he is not mentioned in his grandmother Sarah (GRYFYTH) BOYD's will of 1805, and he does not seem to have inherited anything from his father. [JBBC, p. 12] In 1811 he was named as one of the 4 minor heirs of his father, who had died in 1803. [JBBC, p. 34]

7. Mary BOYD was born 29 Apr 1767, in Berkeley (then Frederick) County, VA. She married William MUNFORD/MUMFORD/MANFORD on 6 Apr 1786, in Berkeley County. They had 5 children. [JBBC, p. 13]

The children were all born in Berkeley, VA, except possibly the youngest. Most of them seem to have ended up in Pleasant Township, Switzerland County, in the southeastern corner of IN. The name was sometimes spelled MUNFORD or MUMFORD in VA and later in KY, but always MANFORD in IN. [JBBC, p. 35]

Mary must have died before her father, who died in Apr 1800, as she is not mentioned in his will, although her children are. However that means that Margaret could not have been born after 1800. At any rate, like her brothers William and Elijah, Mary also left several small children. Her husband, William, died in 1804.

1 Mary BOYD b: 29 Apr 1767 in Frederick, VA, d: 1800 in Nicholas, KY
+ William MUNFORD b: 1763 in Frederick, VA, m: 06 Apr 1786 in Martinsburg, Berkley, VA, d: May 1804 in Nicholas, KY
......2 Sarah MANFORD b: 20 Jan 1787 in Berkley, VA, d: 21 Apr 1868 in Switzerland, IN
...... + Abraham WEAVER b: 01 Nov 1784 in Germany, m: 20 Jun 1814 in Nicholas, KY, d: 27 Dec 1864 in Pleasant, Switzerland, IN
......2 Mary "Polly" MANFORD b: 1789 in Berkeley, VA, d: 1820
...... + John ALFREY m: 11 Apr 1815 in Nicholas, KY, d: Aft. 1832
......2 John W. MANFORD b: 10 Jan 1791 in Berkeley, VA, d: 07 Jun 1861 in Switzerland, IN
...... + Cynthia A b: 1797, d: Aft. 1870
......2 James MANFORD b: Bet. 1795–1800 in Nicholas, KY, d: Aft. 1832 in Switzerland, IN
...... + Sarah ALFREY m: 04 Mar 1819, d: Bef. 1827
...... + Sally m: 27 Mar 1827 in Jefferson, IN
......2 Margaret "Peggy" MANFORD b: Abt. 1800, d: 1850
...... + William DRYSDALE b: 21 Apr 1794 in Alva, Stirling, Scotland, m: 18 Jul 1825 in Switzerland, IN, d: 27 Dec 1872

i. Sarah MANFORD was born on 20 Jan 1787 in Berkeley, VA, and died 21 Apr 1868 in Pleasant, Switzerland, IN, at age 81. She married in Nicholas, KY, 20 Jun 1814 to Abraham WEAVER, born 1 Nov 1784 in Germany, and died 27 Dec 1864 in Pleasant, Switzerland, IN, at age 80.

Kentucky, Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850
Name: Abraham Weaver
Marriage Date: 20 Jan 1814
Marriage Place: Nicholas, Kentucky, USA
Spouse: Sally Manford

1 Sarah MANFORD b: 20 Jan 1787 in Berkley, VA, d: 21 Apr 1868 in Switzerland, IN
+ Abraham WEAVER b: 01 Nov 1784 in Germany, m: 20 Jun 1814 in Nicholas, KY, d: 27 Dec 1864 in Pleasant, Switzerland, IN
......2 William M. WEAVER b: 16 Oct 1814 in Nicholas, KY, d: 10 Dec 1890
...... + Sarah Ann Van NUYS m: 02 Nov 1840
......2 John WEAVER b: 1817 in Nicholas, KY
...... + Mary
...... + Mary Elizabeth WILCOX m: 04 Aug 1851
......2 James WEAVER b: 1819 in Nicholas, KY
...... + Elizabeth
......2 Abraham WEAVER b: 1823, d: Aft. 1870 ; unmarried
......2 Edward H. WEAVER b: 02 Oct 1824 in Pleasant, Switzerland, IN, d: 13 Jul 1910
...... + Mary Ann MCGEE m: 29 Aug 1850
......2 Cynthia Ann WEAVER b: 27 Jan 1828 in Pleasant, Switzerland, IN, d: 27 May 1866 ; unmarried

ii. Mary "Polly" MANFORD was born about 1789 in Berkeley, VA. She married on 11 Apr 1815 in Nicholas County, KY to John ALFREY.

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: John Alfrey
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Craig, Switzerland, Indiana
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1 [John]
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 [Mary (51) ?]
Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69: 1 [Mary (73) ?]
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 3
Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 6
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 6

iii. John W. MANFORD was born 10 Jan 1791 in Berkeley, VA, and died 7 Jun 1861 in Switzerland, IN. He married Cynthia A.

There was a John MUNFORD who lived in Patoka Township, Gibson County, in southwest IN. He appeared in the 1840 US Census, with a family of 11. In the 1850 US Census he appears as John MONTFORD, still in Patoka. He was born about 1795 in SC, and his wife was Mary A, so he is not our John W. MANFORD, although possibly related.

1 John W. MANFORD b: 10 Jan 1791 in Berkeley, VA, d: 07 Jun 1861 in Switzerland, IN
+ Cynthia A. b: 1797, d: Aft. 1870
......2 Hugh G. MANFORD b: 1822
...... + Clarissa HAWKINS m: 01 Mar 1847 in Switzerland, IN
......2 John W. MANFORD b: 1829
...... + Catherine VORIS m: 25 Feb 1851 in Switzerland, IN
......2 Cynthia A. MANFORD b: 1833
...... + James GRAY m: 06 Oct 1853 in Switzerland, IN
......2 Elijah C. MANFORD b: 09 Jun 1835, d: 10 Jun 1865
...... + Frances M. HEADY m: 01 Sep 1861 in Switzerland, IN
...... + Ann Eliza DRIVER m: 26 Nov 1863
......2 Clarissa L. MANFORD b: 1837
...... + Edward C. HEADY m: 09 Aug 1855
......2 William James MANFORD b: 1842, d: 24 Oct 1856

iv. James MANFORD was born between 1795 and 1800. He married (1) Sarah ALFREY on 4 Mar 1819, and they had 2 children, but Sarah died before 1827. James married (2) Sally (____) RUTHERFORD on 27 Mar 1827. Sally was a widow with 2 children. James and Sally had 3 more children.

1 James MANFORD b: Bet. 1795–1800 in Nicholas, KY, d: Aft. 1832 in Switzerland, IN
+ Sarah ALFREY m: 04 Mar 1819, d: Bef. 1827
......2 Rebecca MANFORD b: 15 Jul 1820, d: 10 Oct 1897
...... + Stephen H. ROGERS m: 15 Jan 1838
......2 Ocasina MANFORD
...... + Samuel BELLAMY m: 09 Apr 1847
+ Sally m: 27 Mar 1827 in Jefferson, IN
......2 William MANFORD b: Bet. 1827–1830
......2 Capiny MANFORD b: Bet. 1827–1830
......2 John MANFORD b: Bet. 1830–1832

v. Margaret "Peggy" MANFORD was born about 1800, since [JBBC, p. 13] says after 1800, and she is in the age group 30 thru 39 in the 1830 Census (below). Her birth place was probably Nicholas, KY, but could have been Berkeley, VA. She married William DRYSDALE on 18 Jul 1825, in Switzerland County, IN.

Indiana, Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850
Name: William Drysdale
Spouse: Margaret Manford
Marriage Date: 18 Jul 1825
Marriage County: Switzerland

William DRYSDALE was born on 21 Apr 1794, in Alva, then part of Stirlingshire, Scotland.

Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
Name: William Drysdale
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 21 Apr 1794
Baptism Date: 27 Apr 1794
Baptism Place: Alva, Stirling, Scotland
Father: Alexander Drysdale
Mother: Helen Dempster
FHL Film Number: 1041970

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: William Drasdall [William Dasdall]
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Switzerland, Indiana
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1 [William (36)]
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1 [Margaret (30)]
Free White Persons - Under 20: 3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 5
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 5

By 1830, William and Margaret had 2 girls and 1 boy, under 5. They lived in Switzerland County, IN, where they were married.

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: William Draysdale
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): New Albany, Floyd, Indiana
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 3
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 3

The gravestone of William DRYSDALE, in Newman Cemetery, Effingham, IL, has birth 10 Apr 1794, and death 27 Dec 1872, age 78. I don't know when or where Margaret died.

8. Elisha BOYD was born on 6 Oct 1769, in Frederick County, VA. He became a General after the War of 1812, and later he was known as the largest landowner in Berkeley County, VA (now WV). Two of his homes have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Elisha BOYD and his children are connected by marriage to several of the famous families of early Virginia. Even though he is once removed from my direct line, I am making a separate page for the Elisha BOYD extended family, because there is so much to tell.