James BOYD

TheWashingtonObserver22 October 1880

James Boyd.

Demise of a Washington County Farmer Aged 99 Years- sketch of the Career of the Remarkable man.

James Boyd of Independence township died on Friday the 8 h inst. Mr. Boyd was in his 99th year, having celebrated his 98th birthday in April or May last.  Up to within a period of three weeks he had been in extraordinary health, and was one of the best posted and most intelligent man of the county.  It is thought he moved to Washington county about the year 1805  and it is claimed he lived on the one farm for 75 years.  It is related of him that he was in Philadelphia during the war of 1812 and was pressed into the service, his six-horse team being used in hauling cannon.  He remained in the service of the Government over three years, and made enough money to pay for his team and farm in Washington county.  He was born in the year 1782, in Cumberland county. His first farm was about three miles from West Middletown, in Independence township.  He had a great taste for horses.  David Craig furnished him the money to buy the team, which he used when he started wagoning, and this team he paid for in silver on his return from the war of 1812. He first bought forty or fifty acres of ground, and after some years sold it and bought a larger farm.  He was not brilliant or quick but had good judgment, a clear memory and robust health.  Three weeks before he was taken sick he recalled events of recent occurrence as vividly as he did those of seventy-five years ago, showing that his mind was still unimpaired.

He was married three times and has nine children. The last time he was married he was over eighty years of age.  He never knew what “hard times” meant, as his farm increased in value, and his granaries were always well filled. He left considerable property, although poorer than poor when he set out in life.  In May or June he visited West Middletown and on leaving the residence of D.M. Boyd, Jr., Esq,. his nephew, that gentleman suggested that his horse be brought around to the stile.  Old Mr. Boyd laughed at the idea and jumped to the animal’s back as spry as a youth of 20.  He could see to read without glasses, and was also an endless talker- an encyclopedia of the early history of Washington county.  He was large, being over six feet high and built in proportion, weighed 230 pounds, perhaps, of fine appearance, genial temperament, sociable and humorous, and a staunch Whig and Republican, never voted otherwise, but he did not mingle in politics, except as to local elections.  He was fond of music and attended all the country singings of “Ye Olden Time,” riding, horseback sometimes fifteen miles to participate in the frolic.  He sang bass, and had a voice not only musical but of great volume.

It is said of him that he never missed an election, and was very proud when called to occupy a township office.  He would entertain his friends for hours with humorous anecdotes, incidents of pioneer life in the West & c.  In 1875 he said he could drive six horses as easy as one, and in order to demonstrate the fact, jumped to the back of a horse with agility.

He was elder in the Presbyterian church of Upper Buffalo for nearly fifty years.  He was opposed to the use of the organ, and when he was overruled and the organ introduced he withdrew.  After two years the instrument was taken out of the church and he returned and subsequently consented to its use.

William McB. Perrin, Esq,. a member of the bar of Washington county, with some friends, visited Mr. Boyd a few evenings before he died.  He became quite talkative and exacted a promise from the gentlemen that if he was living on election day, if too feeble to be driven in a carriage to the polls that he be carried there, in order that he might vote for Gen. Garfield for President.  He evidently anticipated his”next line and a half unreadable” was quite weak and weary, how ever, but manifested a desire to live to be 100 years old, but told his niece and daughters, who were attending him that he “wanted to go home.”  He lived all his life in Independence purchasing first a small farm, and adding to it as his means allowed.  Recently he removed to a large house up in the town of independence, and when he talked of “going home,” doubtless meant the old farm where he lived for seventhly five years, and which was so dear to him.  He wanted to see the old place once more before he died, but his wish was not gratified.

He has now gone to his last rest, and Washington county will mourn the loss of one of the most remarkable men known in its history.

The funeral was over a mile in length and the officiating minister, Rev. Mr Hervey, was requested by Mr. Boyd, many years ago, to conduct the funeral.  The friendship existing between them was strong indeed, and was only severed by death.

Our first page will be found quite an interesting sketch of Mr. Boyd’s father, David Boyd, who was captured by the Choctaw Indians near Carlisle, in 1764, and lived among them for three years and a half.