THE DON VERNER'S PLACE
THE BROTHERS BOYD
JOHN H. (DOCK),
THOMAS B., GEORGE L.
By John Henry Walker May 22, 1985
The Boyd brothers came to Wise County in the early 1880's from Lamar County Texas and settled four miles
north east of Decatur. A land deed record indicates that .John H. Boyd purchased forty-three and one-half acres of
land on November 28, 1883 located on Pecan Creek for $385.00. Records further indicate he sold this same acreage
in June 1888 for $500.00, and in 1890 he bought 80 acres for $1,250.00; February 1894 he bought two other tracts,
one 10 acres and 65 acres for $60.00. At a later date, John H. Boyd sold the land he had acquired in the Pecan Com-
munity and purchased four hundred acres located a few miles East and South of the Pecan community. He sold this
400 acres when he retired from farming in 1927. Thomas B. Boyd, third child of John Hiram Boyd and
his Wife, Mary Jane Kesler, natives of Union County, South Carolina, was born March 16, 1838 in Lauderdale
County, Alabama. John H. (Dock) Boyd, twelfth child, was born August 9, 1857 in Itawamba County,
Mississippi. There were ten sons and two daughters in the family. Their Mother died in 1862 during the Civil War, and their
Father remarried a Widow, Martha Jane Cook, nee Sullivan, Four daughters and one son was born to this union, the
son was George L. Boyd, born August 16, 1879 in Lamar County, Texas. In March of 1880 the father of these three
brothers died, and his widow died in 1886. A few years later, George L. Boyd came to Wise County to make his
home with his half brother, Thomas B. Boyd and his family. These brothers were grandson's of David Lesley Boyd
and Elizabeth Duke, also narives of South Carolina; great-grandsons of John Boyd, Major Duke and Henry Kesler all
Revolutionary Patriots. John Boyd, the Immigrant, with his Wife Jane came from County Down, Ireland and settled
in Newberry County, South Carolina in 1770. The Boyds were Scotch-Irish, and the Kesler's were German.
John H. Boyd married Delia Ann HobbsJuly 6, 1876 at Paris, Texas. She was born March 10, 1859 in Lamar
County, Texas, the daughter of Charles Hobbs and Elliott Ellison, natives ofLaurens County, South Carolina. Charles
Hobbs and his family came to Lamar County Texas in 1857 from Itawamba County, Mississippi. John H. Boyd and
Wife, Delia Ann reared an interesting and accomplishedfamily of children, they were:
1. Elizabeth M. (Lizzie) married Charles B. Longmire
— Parents of two children; Maxine and Charles Boyd
Longmire.
2. Albert died at 2 years of age.
3. Johnny K. married Jennie L. McSpadden — Parents
of seven children; John E., Archie M., Glyn D., Roy
R., Bess ie 0., Cora Avalee, and B i Hie Joe Boyd.
4. Eddie E. married Emma Robertson — Parents of
seven Chn; Harley L., Mayme M., Velma L., Alice
Lois, Delia Florence, Ola Mae, and Margie M. Boyd.
5. Henry Claude married Artie Mac Tucker— Parents
of five Chn; Grady W., James R. (J. R.), Mary C.,
Martha Louise, and Doris Norine Boyd.
6. Leva L. married Horace A. Walker — Parents of nine
CHN; Lucille, Clara Nell, Georgia B., John Henry,
Gladys J., Delia Margaret, Merle L., Ellen C., and
Mattie Pauline Walker.
7. Cora L. married James Lev Sellars—No children.
8. Dollye married William (Bill) Alexander — No
children.
9. Richard D. married Robbie Beall — Parents of four
children: W. J. S., Richard Leon, Raymond G., and
Delia Faye Boyd.
10. Odie E. married Edith E. Myers—Parents of five
Children: Billy G., Helen Ruth, Jo Ann, Bobby L.,.
Jack Woody Boyd.
The spouses of these Boyd children were descendents
of well known early Wise County pioneers. John H. Boyd
died at Decatur December 3, 1934, and his Wife died October 28, 19291 both are buried in marked graves in the
Oaklawn Cemetery. Thomas B. Boyd married Eliza J. Hobbs, (Sister of Delia Ann) on May 25, 1870 at Paris, Texas.
Eliza J. Hobbs was born October 17, 1849 in Itawamba County, Mississippi. To this union were born the following
children; •
1. Alice, married William (Bill) Hughes
2. William M., married Bertha Dennie Therrell
3. J. L., No record
4. James L., married Lottie Barrett
5. Thomas B., married Millie Barrett
6. Mattie, married Willie Cook
7. Leia, married Ludie Gage
8. E. E. (Jack), married Eula Smith
Thomas B. Boyd died at Decatur October
13, 1926, and his Wife Eliza J. died in 1939, both are buried in
marked graves in the Oaklawn Cemetery. Thomas B. Boyd, along with four of his brothers served in the Confederate
Army from Mississippi during the Civil War.
George L Boyd married Martha Luvenia Wade June 16, 1901 at Decatur. She was a descendent of the well
known Fullingirn and Wilton families, also early pioneers of Wise County. To this union were born the following
children.
1. Paul S. Boyd
2. Leia Mae Boyd
3. Waldo W. Boyd
4. John Henry Boyd
5. Louvenia Boyd
6. Georgia Bonnell Boyd
The Boyd's were farmers, land owners, and members
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. John H. (Dock)
Boyd and lrvin Freeman donated land from their adjoining farms for the Pecan school and church. I am told that Dock
Boyd was the song director at the church, and that my Mother, Leva L. Boyd had the most beautiful alto voice and
sang with others in special music at the Pecan Church. The Boyd Children attended the Pecan School which was
located a short distance West of their home. While I was not privileged to live near my grand
parents in my youth, I do remember, with fond memories, going to visit them and the good times we had with our
playful and jolly Grandfather. I am his namesake as I carry his full given name —John Henry, of which I am very
proud. I recall very well my great uncles, Thomas B. and George L. Boyd and their families, lam extremely proud of
my Boyd heritage and I take great pride in the knowledge that this family and their many
descendents have and are making outstanding contributions as noble citizens of Wise
County Pioneers.
lf you could see your ancestors
All standing in a row
Perhaps there might be one or two
You wouldn't care to know.
Now cum the question right about
And take another view
When you shall meet your ancestors
Will they be proud of you?
ANON
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