GEORGE BOYD. Among the venerable citizens of Hanover township, whose heads are crowned with the silver of many well-spent years, is found this well-known gentleman. The fair "Isle of Erin" was the home of his ancestors, and in that country his grandfather, John Boyd, first saw the light of day. The latter was born about 1747, in County Antrim, where he learned the tailor's trade, and was married to Martha Mahan. The young people soon thereafter sailed to America, and with true ardor John Boyd entered heart and soul into the American struggle for Independence. He enlisted in North Carolina, serving seven years under Gen. Greene and Capt. Smith, was employed as a scout much of the time, and received several wounds. When the war was ended he came to Washington county, Penn., locating between Cross Creek village and West Middletown, and there followed his trade. In 1793 he moved to Hanover township, Beaver Co., Penn., and in 1817 located near Harlem Springs, Carroll Co., Ohio, where he remained until about 1840, then returning to Beaver county, Penn., died soon afterward, and was buried in the King's Creek cemetery. He left the following children: James, born May 28, 1781; John, born July 20, 1782; Mary (Mrs. David Moody, of Carroll county, Ohio), born February 26, 1784; Agnes (wife of James Sharp, of Columbiana county, Ohio), born October 15, 1785; Sarah (Mrs. James Moore, of Beaver county, Penn.), born July 16, 1787; Margaret (wife of Robert Campbell, of Columbiana county, Ohio), born July 8, 1789; Robert, born December 28, 1791; Thomas, born October 15, 1793; Martha, born in November, 1795 (killed by lightning); Rachel (Mrs. John Anderson, of Iowa), born in September, 1797; and David, born in June, 1799. In politics the father was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church. Robert Boyd was born December 28, 1791, on the home farm between Cross Creek village and West Middletown. In 1816 he was married to Catherine McCausland, who was born March 7, 1793, daughter of George and Catherine (Kidd) McCausland. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boyd first located on a farm in Hanover township, Beaver Co., Penn., and in 1834 moved to the home place in Hanover township, Washington Co., Penn. He was a successful agriculturist, and in politics was a Democrat. He died in 1878, having been preceded by his wife in 1875, and their children were: John, born April 15, 1817 (who lived in Hanover township, this county); Martha (widow of John Smith, of Jefferson township), born October 21, 1818; Catherine (wife of Joseph McCready, of Columbiana county, Ohio), born December 3, 1820; Margaret (widow of William McCready), born August 17, 1822; George, born March 7, 1824; Robert, born February 28, 1826; Francis, born March 21, 1828 (killed in West Virginia by a falling limb of a tree); Presley (a farmer of Colombiana county, Ohio), born March 9, 1830; and Mary, born February 23, 1832. George Boyd was born on the home farm in Hanover township, Beaver Co., Penn., and passed his youth in attending the schools of the period. He spent several years with a sister in Jefferson township, this county. In 1880 he was united in marriage with Jane, daughter of Peter Lance, a farmer, who was married to Jane Nicholson, and had children as follows: Eleanor, Emeline, Addison, Peminda, Jane, Sarah, Theresa, William and Matteson. The father died August 24, 1850, the mother on March 27, 1857, and they are buried in Hopewell Presbyterian Church cemetery, of which church they were members and he was a trustee. In politics he was a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have for several years been residents of Hanover township, Washington county, where he is engaged in farming. Politically he is a Democrat. Mrs. Boyd is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Paris, this county.

Text taken from page 1115 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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