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PEDIGREE OF THE BOYD
FAMILY - IRELAND
THE BOYD FAMILY 1904- IRELAND
Compiled from authentic documents
The
following pedigree of the Boyd family was sent to me in 1985 by Harold
Boyd of England, an early member of the House of Society.
_________________________
DUFFUS was the 78th King of Scotland, and left a son GRIMUS, who became the 82nd king, and a daughter , who married the
Thane of Lochabar and became the mother of:
BANQUO, who, under the reign of King Duncan, attained great honours, and was made Receiver of the King's revenues for the
whole realm. MacBETH, being made Viceroy under his cousin King Duncan, procured the murder of the king and others of
the Royal family. Among them Banquo was slain. To avoid a like fate, which threatened all his race, his son:
FLEANCE fled to North Wales, and tendered himself useful to the king of that country. He obtained, as reward, from
GRYFFUDTH AP LLEWELLYN, Prince of Wales, his daughter NESTA or MARY, in marriage. By her he had a son:
WALTER who, after the death of the MacBeth, went to Scotland, and was employed by king Malcolm against the rebels
in Galloway. Here, by his prowess and success, he showed himself worthy of his Royal descent, and was rewarded for his
services by being appointed "Seneschal", or Lord High Steward of Scotland, as Receiver of the revenues of the Realm. From
this office, which descended in his family, in a direct line for five generations, came the royal name of Stewart.
ALLAN was the son of WALTER, and High Steward. He married Margaret, daughter of Fergus, Lord of Galloway, and had three
sons; WALTER, ADAM, SIMON. Of these Walter, the eldest was High Steward, and was succeeded in that office by his son
Alexander, he by his son James, and he by his son, Walter, who married Robert Bruce's daughter. Their son, as Robert II,
became the 100th King of Scotland, and the first of the name of Stewart. Allan's second son, Adam, is mentioned in a
charter of King David Ist in 1139. But it is the youngest son
SIMON with whom we have to do, as he was the progenitor of all the family of BOYD. In the foundation charter of the
Monastery of Paisley, A.D. 1161, Simon is designated: "SIMON FRATER WALTERI FILII ALLANI, DAPIFERI REGIS SCOTIAE"
Simon was the father of:
ROBERT the FAIR, who on account of his complexion was named BOYT or BOYD, from the Gaelic or Celtic word
BOIDH, signifying Fair or Yellow. From this came the surname Boyd, and all Boyds are descended from this Robert BOIDH. In the
charter of the Monastery of Paisley he is described as nephew
to Allan the high Steward. In a contract between Boyce de Eglinton and the village of Irvine, A.D. 1205 he is mentioned
by the title of DOMINUS ROBERTUS BOYD.
Page 2
The Boyds having always borne the same armorial bearings as the Stewarts proves their descent* from a common stock. Robert
died prior to the year 1240, leaving a son:
SIR ROBERT BOYD, who, in a charter of Sir John Erskine in 1282, is designated ROBERTUS DE BOYD, MILES. He was a man of
great bravery, and highly distinguished himself at the battle of Largs, where King Alexander III gained a signal
victory over HACO (Haakon) King of Norway, A.D. 1263, for
which the king rewarded him with a grant of lands in Cunningham. He died in 1270. His son:
SIR ROBERT BOYD, was one of the Scots Barons who were forced to swear fealty to King Edward I, when he overran Scotland,
A.D. 1298. In the following year he joined Sir Walter Wallace and did everything
a valiant man could do to relieve his
country from the ignominy of a foreign yoke. He died about 1300
and was succeeded by his son:
SIR ROBERT BOYD who was a great and worthy patriot. He was one of the first to join the gallant Bruce, and continued to
be the ardent and devoted friend of that monarch. The generous king rewarded his faithful services with gifts of
lands, and Baronies, of Kilmarnock, Bondington, Hertsham, Kilbride,
Ardniel, Dalnv, and many others forfeited by John Baliol. The charters may be seen in the Public Archives,
dated A.D. 1308, 1360, &c. Sir Robert died in the beginning of the reign of David Bruce and left three sons, Thomas,
Allan, a brave man who was killed in the siege of Perth, in 1339, and James, mentioned in a charter 1342.
SIR THOMAS BOYD of Kilmarnock flourished in the reign of David Bruce. He had three sons, Thomas, his heir, William,
ancestor of the Boyds of Badenheath, who, obtained a charter from King David in 1368, and a third son Robert de Boyd,
ancestor of the Boyds of Portincross in Ayrshire.
SIR THOMAS BOYD, designated Dominus de Kilmarnock, had been guilty of the slaughter of Neilson of Dalrymple in feud, for
which he obtained a remission from Robert, Duke of Albany, who was Governor of Scotland A.D. 1409. He married the
daughter and co-heiress of Sir William Gifford, Lord of
Yester, and by her had a great accession of fortune, and was a man of distinguished abilities, who made a great figure
during the reign of James I, and who was one of his sureties, when he came to Scotland to concert measures for obtaining
his liberty in 1421. He was also one of the hostages for ransom, in 1424. He married Janet Montgomery of the family of
Ardrossan, and by her had Sir Thomas, his heir, and William, Abbot of Kilwinning. He died in 1432.
*Most
modern Scottish writers and historians discount this theory.
See
Roberts Woods "Peerage of Scotland" edited by Sir James
Balfour Paul.
Page 3
SIR THOMAS BOYD, Lord of Kilmarnock succeeded his father.
He had two sons, Robert, his heir, and Sir Alexander Boyd of
Duncan, who was Preceptor to King James III. His eldest
daughter, Janet, was married to John Maxwell of Calderwood,
and his second daughter, Margaret, to Alexander, Lord
Montgomery. Sir Thomas had been concerned in the murder of
Lord Darnley, and Sir Alexander Stewart, in revenge, murdered
him at Craignaught hall, July 9, 1439. His son:
SIR ROBERT BOYD, THE GREAT LORD KILMARNOCK, was a man of
great parts, and eminent as a statesman. He was in such great
favor with King James II, that he created him Lord of Parliament in 1459.
The eminent abilities of this distinguished nobleman claim a
more extended notice, as they raised him to the highest
pinnacle of grandeur. Historians have thought it sufficient
honour to record of his father that he had for his son THE
GREAT ROBERT BOYD. In what manner the early years of his life
were passed, or of what age he was when deprived of the
guidance and instruction of his father, we are uninformed.
Towards the end of the reign of King James II, he began to
make a considerable figure, and to attract much attention.
His great penetration and sound judgement rendered him useful
at court. His knowledge of mankind was unsurpassed by any of
his time. His courtesy and affability made him a universal
favorite, so that he acquired the esteem and confidence of
all classes of people, as well as the favor of his Prince, by
whom he was created a Baron, and called to Parliament by the
name and title of LORD BOYD OF KILMARNOCK. He added to his
grandeur by alliances made with many great and noble
families, and by the large additions which he made to his
paternal inheritance.
The first time we find his Lordship engaged in any public
employment was in the year 1459, when he was one of several
Lords, Barons, and Prelates, who were sent to England in the
character of Plenipotentiaries to renew the truce with that
country, just then expired. They prolonged it at Newcastle,
for seven years. Upon the unhappy death, in 1460, of James II
Lord Boyd was made Justiciary, and was named one of the Lords
of Regency, in whose hands was lodged the administrations of
affairs during the young kings minority. Buchanan speaks of
him as Lord Chancellor, but this is a mistake, witness a
charter of James II (date Jan 23,1461) under the Great Seal,
in which Lord Evandale is named as a witness, as "ANDREA,
DOMINO EVANDALE, CANCELLARIO NOSTRO"
His lordship's younger brother, Alexander of Duncan, participated in the Royal favor, and was knighted by the king, to
whom he had been appointed instructor in the rudiments of
Military discipline, in which he was a great proficient.
Page 4
As the Lord Boyd had a great share in the administration of
affairs in virtue of his office, so his brother Alexander by
his constant access to the person of the young king, as his
tutor, had great influence over the inclinations of his Royal
pupil, insomuch that the two brothers found means to engross
most of the places and preferment's about the court to their
own family and friends. Sir Alexander began to instill in the
mind of the young king, then 12 years old, notions of
manhood and liberty, insinuating that he was now old enough
to govern without the help of guardians and tutors, so that
he might, and ought to, free himself from that restraint.
This advice was readily accepted by the young king, who
resolved to take the government upon himself, which was, in
effect, to take it out of the hands of regents, and transfer
it to the Boyds. The king was at this time in Linlithgow,
where Lord Kennedy, one of the regents, kept a watchful eye
on him. It thus became necessary to take the king to
Edinburgh, that he might assume the Royal government, and
this was effected by the Boyds in the following manner. They
ordered a hunting party for the King on July 20, 1466, and
instead of pursuing the chase, they turned towards Edinburgh.
Lord Kennedy speedily overtook them, and, laying his hand on
the bridal of the King's horse, requested him to return to
Linlithgow, and bade him beware of those guides who thus
treasonably attempted to take him away, as, by a statute then
recently passed, it had been made high treason to remove the
King's person without the consent of the State in Parliament
first obtained. But the Boyd's thought that the King's person
would shield them from harm, and that an after statute would
cancel the former. In this assurance, Sir Alexander Boyd, as
if he meant to resent the insolence offered to the King,
after some angry words, gave Lord Kennedy a blow to his
hunting staff, who thereupon left them, and they proceeded
unmolested to Edinburgh. Lord Boyd then began to prepare
for his own safety, and to avert the danger which threatened
him and his friends. They therefore prevailed upon the King
to call a parliament at Edinburgh, which convened (in 1466)
the Lord Boyd fell upon his knees before the throne where the
King sat, and, in a long and elaborate harangue, complained
of the hard construction put on the King's removal from Linlithgow, and how ill his services in bringing the King to
Edinburgh were interpreted by his enemies, who threatened
that the instigators should one day suffer for it, and he
humbly begged the King's opinion thereon. The King, after
advising a short time with his Lords, made answer that the
Lord Boyd was not his advisor but rather his companion on
that journey and therefore more worthy of a reward for his
courtesy than of punishment for his compliance, and that this
he was willing to declare in a public decree of the Estates,
and thereby silence his enemies, and in the same decree
provision should be made that the matter should never be made
prejudicial to the Lord Boyd or his companions.
Page 5
His lordship then desired that the decree might be registered
in the Acts of the Assembly, and confirmed by letters patent
under the Great Seal.
This was complied with; the declarations were recorded and an
instrument was granted to his Lordship under the Great Seal,
(which is still extant in the King's archives in Edinburgh).
At the same time by the advise of the council, the King gave
him letters patent, constituting him as sole Regent, and com-
mitting to him the entire keeping and safety of the King, his
Royal brothers and sisters, and all the jurisdiction over all
his subjects till the King should arrive at 20 years of age.
The nobles present immediately promised their assistance to
Lord Boyd and his brother in all their public actions, and
agreed to be liable to punishment if they should fail to
fulfill their promise. This stipulation and covenant the King
also subscribed.
Lord Boyd's nomination to so great a dignity was not effected
by a private junto, but in full and open Parliament and, as
the King himself declared, "CONSENSII CAETERORUM DOMINORUM
NOSTRI CONCILLII"
Great as his Lordship now was, he had not yet reached the
summit of his glory. The honours which he had already received paved the way for still greater. Having now the sole
administrations in his own hands, it was not long before he
had opportunity of getting into the highest offices in the
kingdom. On August 25, 1467, he was appointed Lord high
Chamberlain of Scotland. His commission, (which the Crawfurd
had seen) was issued, bearing the Great Seal of the above
date and was "Provit".
Some matters of high concern were taken out of the hands of
the high Chamberlain and reserved for a commission. Of this
class were the marriages of the king, his sisters, and his
brothers the Duke of Albany and the Earl of Mar. This,
however, did not hinder the Lord Chamberlain from obtaining
the hand of the Lady Mary Stewart, the King's eldest sister,
in marriage for his son:
SIR THOMAS BOYD. This young nobleman was most accomplished
and his marriage and near alliance with the Crown, added to
his own distinguished merit, raised him to a nearer place in
the affection as well as confidence of his sovereign, by whom
he was, soon after, created Earl of ARRAN. With his Royal
bride he obtained many lands, and was himself esteemed the
fountain from which all honours and preferment's must flow.
The Lord Chamberlain, by this great accession of honour to
his family, seemed to have arrived at the highest pinnacle of
pomp and grandeur, and this, in appearance, too well based
to be easily shaken.
Page 6
The King was declared friend and patron, a great part of the
nobility in league with him, the administration of the whole
government in his hands, his brother in no less esteem and
favour with the King, and future greatness of his family
secured by his son's marriage with the King's sister.
But, such is the instability of human affairs, and so deceitful the smiles of fortune, that what seemed to be a prop and
support for the establishment of the power and greatness of
this family proved to be the very means of its overthrow, by
stirring up the most bitter and jealous enemies. About this
time a marriage having been concluded by ambassadors sent to
Denmark for that purpose, between the young king of Scotland
and Margaret, daughter of the king of Denmark, the Earl of
Arran was pitched upon, as a nobleman in every way qualified
for so honourable and magnificent an embassy, to go over to
that kingdom and espouse the Danish princess in the name of
his brother- in-law the King, and to conduct her to Scotland.
The Earl of Arran, judging all things at home safe, willingly
accepted this honour, and, in the autumn of 1469, sailed for
Denmark with a proper convoy, and a noble train of friends
and followers. This was a fatal step. For the Lord Chamberlain, the Earl's father, being necessarily absent from court
a large part of the time, in discharge of his office, as well
as through age and infirmity, -which was also the case with
his brother Alexander, - the Earl of Arran had scarcely set
out on his journey before his enemies began to plot for his
ruin, and the downfall of his family. The Kennedy's were
powerful, and exceedingly bitter in their hostility. Every
art that malice could suggest was tried to alienate the King.
Every public miscarriage was laid at their door, and the
Kennedy's spread about reports to inflame the people against
them. They represented that the Lord Chamberlain was an ambitious and aspiring man, guilty of the
highest offences and
capable of contriving and instigating the worst villainies;
that he had stained the Royal blood by marrying his son to
the Princess Mary. The King, weak, credulous, and wavering,
and naturally prone to jealousy, began to alarmed, and at
length, giving way to his new counsellors, and flattered with
the prospect of filling his coffers with the confiscated es-
tate of the obnoxious Lord, sacrificed not only the Earl of
Arran, but all his family, to the malice and resentment of
their enemies. Notwithstanding their own and their ancestors
great service to the crown, and in spite of those ties of
blood which united them so closely to each other, James summoned a parliament to meet at Edinburgh on the 20th November
1469, before which the Lord Boyd, the Earl of Arran (though
in Denmark) and Sir Alexander Boyd of Duncan were peremptorily summoned to give an account of their
administration, and to
answer to such charges as should be brought against them.
Page 7
The high Chamberlain was astonished at this sudden blow, and
betook himself to arms, or at least, appeared with such an attendance
of armed men as obliged the government to call out
the Royal forces. So unequal a contest the weaker party declined, and his Lordship, distrusting Parliament, escaped to
England. But his brother, Sir Alexander, being sick, and
trusting in his own integrity, was brought before Parliament
where he, the Lord Boyd, and the Earl of Arran were, at his
majesty's instance, indicted for high treason for carrying
the King from Linlithgow to Edinburgh in 1466. Sir Alexander
alleged in his defense that they had not only obtained the
King's pardon for that offense, in public convention, but it
was declared by a subsequent Parliament to be a good service,
and he desired a copy of that act might be transcribed, but
this was denied him, and it was alleged that the King only
forbore his personal resentment, which did not exempt them
from the punishment of the law. They were found guilty by a
jury of noble Lords and Barons and condemned. Sir Alexander,
being present, was sentenced to lose his head, which sentence
was speedily executed, in Edinburgh. Lord Boyd, who had
escaped into England, avoided a like fate, but did not long
survive his down- fall. He died at Ainwick in 1470. The Earl of
Arran, though absent, and that on the King's and public
business of great importance, was, without a hearing,
declared a public enemy, and all his estates confiscated.
Things were in this situation when he arrived from Denmark,
in the firth of fourth, with the espoused queen. Before he
landed he received intelligence of the ruin of his family,-
for his lady, on the first news of the approach of the Dan-ish fleet, made immediately to her beloved Lord, and informed
him of the calamity. Thinking it unsafe to land, he resolved
to return to Denmark; and without waiting for the ceremony of
the Queen's landing, he embarked to Denmark with his lady in
one of the Danish vessels, and sailed to Denmark, where he
met with a noble reception suitable to his high birth and
real merit. He traveled thence through Germany into France,
where he prevailed on Louis XI to attempt his reconciliation
with his Royal brother-in-law, but without success. He then
left the French court, and went to Charles, Duke of Burgundy
who received him graciously, and accepted his services in the
war he was then waging with his rebellious subjects. Finding
him a brave and wise man, he honoured and supported him and
Lady Mary in a manner becoming their rank; -whereupon King
James wrote over to Flanders, and recalled his sister.
Knowing, however, the great affection she had for her husband
and fearing she would not leave him, he caused others to
write to her and give her hopes that if she would come over
and sue for pardon for her husband, she would be graciously
heard and he be restored to favour. Flattered with these fair
promises, the countess of Arran resolved to try if her
presence and entreaties could move her brother to compassion.
Page 8
No sooner was she arrived in Scotland than the faithless king
began to urge a divorce from her husband; cruelly detaining
her, and causing citations to be fixed up at Kilmarnock, commanding Thomas Boyd of Arran to appear within sixty days, on
his failing to do which, his marriage with the King's sister
was declared null and void, and a divorce made, (according to
Buchanan), the Earl now being alive, and unheard (1474). The
Lady Mary was then compelled to Marry James Lord Hamilton, a
man inferior to her former husband, both in birth and
fortune.
The Earl, borne down by the weight of his misfortunes, died
soon after, at Antwerp, where he was honourably interred at
the expense of the Duke of Burgundy, in 1474. The Duke also
erected a superb monument to his memory, with an inscription
suitable to the great character he left behind him.
Some writers affirm that the Earl of Arran died in 1470, but
this is an error. It was his father, Lord Boyd, who died in
that year, at Ainwick, (whence, probably, the mistake arose).
The Earl of Arran did not return from the Danish expedition
till 1470; he then went to Denmark, Germany, and France; at
each of which Courts he must have stayed some time. After
that, he entered into service with the Duke of Burgundy
and served in his wars. During his residence in that court,
the Lady Mary bore him a son and a daughter before returning
to Scotland. All of this could not have been accomplished
earlier than 1474. The Earl did not die till the Lady Mary
had arrived in Scotland, whither she had been lured
ostensibly that she might obtain favor for him, and she
arrived there in 1474. It is evident from King James conduct
that he had determined to give his sister another husband at
any cost and he must either have forced her into an adulterous marriage, with Hamilton, or else have effected the
marriage in the very earliest days of her widowhood. Her
affectionate behaviour to the Earl of Arran forbids our
supposing that she would have married again quickly except
under compulsion. Now, if her husband were already dead, why
did King James clamor for divorce.
While these papers were in course of revision, a friend sent
in the following interesting note.
"Authorities are all agreed that the ballad of Sir Patrick
Spens is of uncertain date; it does not answer, in all particulars to any one authentic incident in Scottish history. A
note in Allingham's "ballad Book" tells us that "Mr. Finlay"
thinks it (the ballad) more likely to have to do with James
3rd's marriage with Margaret, daughter of the King of Denmark
and I don't see why not. The changed catastrophe need not
surprise us. A national ballad is not a chronicle, nor a
police report.
Page 9
Its function is not to embalm details of a crime, but to
express and incite noble emotions, and the bard may sing not
what was but what should have been. The ballad in question is
a tale of pity and terror; it hints, indeed at treachery
(which is an ingredient in most tragedies; but we are at
least spared the shameful record of Royal dishonour. If this
were done designedly, it rather neatly emphasizes the moral
that fifty fathom water is more merciful than a corrupt
court".
After the terrible disaster which befell the house of Boyd at
the time of the king's marriage with the Danish Princess, the
fortunes of the family were not long in reviving; thus The
Lord high Chamberlain, Robert Boyd, had, besides the Earl of
Arran, two sons (by his former wife Marion, daughter of Sir
Robert Maxwell of Calderwood), named Archibald and Alexander;
also a daughter; married to the Earl of Angus (Chancellor
under James IV). After the downfall of the Boyds, the Barony
and Lordship of Kilmarnock fell to the crown, and there
continued till 1492, when the King, taking compassion on his
nephew, the son of the late Earl of Arran, and out of the
love which he bore to his sister, restored her son to the
Barony of Kilmarnock and other lands belonging to his
ancestors; also to the title of Lord Boyd. But, he dying
without issue, (being killed by Lord Montgomery) the Lordship
returned again to the Crown; and the line was carried on by
Alexander, second son of the late Lord Chamberlain, and
brother to the late Earl of Arran. In a grant which he had of
land in 1494, he is styled FILIUS ROBERTI, QUONDAM DOMINI.
ALEXANDER BOYD the second son of the late Lord Chamberlain
(the great Robert Boyd) had, as already told, a sister
married to the Earl of Angus, Chancellor to James IV. Partly
through the interest of that nobleman, and partly through his
own dutiful behaviour, he was, by James IV, made "Baillie"
and Chamberlain of Kilmarnock for the Crown, and was restored
to part of that Lordship, with a grant of the lands of Bordland. He was a great favorite of James IV, and by him
advanced to many honours. He married a daughter of Sir Robert
Colville of Ochiltree, and had three sons, Robert, Thomas the
ancestor of the Boyds of Picton, and Adam, from whom the
Boyds of Pinkhill and Trochrig are descended.
ROBERT BOYD succeeded his father and became a great favorite
with King James V, whom he faithfully served, both at home
and abroad, so that the King bestowed upon him the whole
lordship of Kilmarnock (May 20, 1536). He also had, by a
grant of the Earl of Arran (Governor of Scotland during the
minority of Queen Mary) many other lands; formerly belonging
to his ancestors. In 1536, he was restored to the title and
and honours as well as the estate of Lord Boyd, and in March
1544 he was served and returned heir to his cousin James. He
married Helen, daughter of Sir James Summervail of Canmethan,
by whom he had Robert, and Margaret who married Neil Mont-
gomery of Landshan. He died in 1550.
Page 10
ROBERT LORD BOYD succeeded his father, and was the fourth
bearing the title. During his lifetime the family revived
again. He was a nobleman of great parts, possessing in an
eminent degree all those hereditary qualities that had
rendered the name of Boyd illustrious. The trouble of the
times during the hapless reign of the unfortunate Queen Mary
gave him sufficient opportunities of exercising his talents.
That Princess in 1549, had been graciously pleased to recognize his title to the honours of Lord Boyd, under letters
patent of the Great Seal; and he retained her confidence by
faithful adherence, maintaining his loyal service even in the
worst of times, till the almost total suppression of her
interests; assisting her with his counsel, and risking his
own life in her defense on every occasion; although, at the
same time, he condemned the imprudence which involved the
Queen in her difficulties, as well as the violent measures
taken by her subjects against her. Upon her marriage with
Bothwell he entered into an association with other Lords to
punish the King's murderers; to dissolve the Queen's marriage
and at the same time to defend the infant Prince from his
mother and step-father. He, however, continued to serve the
Queen and was made one of the Lords of the privy-council, and
selected by her to treat with the rebel lords; they having
refused to treat with her. Lord Boyd then commanded a part of
her army at the battle of Longside, where she was defeated.
Upon the Queens retirement into England, Commissioners were
appointed by Queen Elizabeth and Lord Murray (Regent of Scotland) to hear and determine the controversy between Mary and
her subjects; and Lord Boyd was chosen to be a commissioner,
on behalf of Queen Mary. He was also employed in the fatal
affair of her intended marriage with the Duke of Norfolk. He
was, in short, one of her chief defenders on all occasions,
until 1571, when the Earl of Morton, then regent; persuaded
Lord Boyd and the Earl of Argyle to desert the Queen's party;
bestowing on the former a large grant of land, at the same
time that the Earl of Argyle was divorced from his wife, and
married Lord Boyd's daughter. After this Lord Boyd was one of
the commissioners who subscribed the treaty of Perth. In 1578
he was on the Commission to treat with England for suppressing the border incursions. In 1581 he conspired with other
Lords to remove the Duke of Lennox, (a Papist) from court. To
do this, they seized the King, confined him to Ruthven house,
and compelled him to banish the duke. For this Lord Boyd came
near losing his life, but escaped to France. Returning thence
in 1585 he was pardoned, and in the same year was sent ambassador to England, together with the Earl of Bothwell, to
arrange a treaty for the defense of the protestant Religion,
as well as a firm and lasting peace between the two realms;
a treaty which they concluded and signed.
Page 11
This league was formed in consequence of the one made by the
Kings of France and Spain with the Pope for the extirpation
of the Protestant cause. Lord Boyd died in 1589, and was
buried among his ancestors in the church of Kilmarnock under
a fair tomb, with the following strange verse by way of an
epitaph.
Here lies that godly noble, wise Lord Boyd
Who Kirk and commons all record
Which were while they this jewel all enjoyed
Maintained, governed, and councill'd by that Lord
His ancient house oft peril'd, he restored
Twice six and sixty years he lived and syne
By death the 3rd of January devoured
In anno thrice five hundred eighty nine
His wife was Margaret, daughter and sole heiress of Sir
George Colquhoun of Glins. By this marriage he made additions
to his paternal inheritance; and had children, Robert, who
died without issue; Thomas, who succeeded him, William, who
married the heiress of Badenheath; also daughters; Giles
married to Hugh, Earl of Eglinton; Agnes, to James Colquhoun
of Luss; Christiana, to Sir James Hamilton of Avendale; and
Eliza, to Cunningham of Drumquhassel. His son:
THOMAS BOYD, the 5th Lord of Boyd, succeeded him, and obtained
charters of many lands and Baronies between 1595 and 1599,
and married Margaret, daughter of Sir Matthew Cambell of London (ancestor to the Earl of that name) by whom he had a son,
Robert, who was Master* of Boyd, and a daughter who married
James Hamilton, Earl of Abercorn. His other children were Sir
Thomas Boyd of Bedlay; Adam, who married Margaret, sister of
Robert Galbraith of Kilkroich, also John Boyd Esq., a
daughter married to Blair of Blair, and one to Elphinston of
Blythesrood. He died in 1616, and was succeeded by his
grandson.
ROBERT, 6th Lord Boyd, was served and returned heir to his
father in 1612, and succeeded his grandfather in 1619. He
married Christiana, daughter of Thomas Hamilton Earl of Maddington, by whom he had a son and four daughters, one of whom
married Morrison of Prestonrange, one, Sinclair of Stevenston
one Scott of Marden, and one Dundas of Armiston. He died in
1622, and was succeeded by his son:
ROBERT, 7th Lord Boyd, who married a daughter of the second
Earl of Wigton, and died without issue 1640, being greatly
regretted as a man of much promise. He was succeeded by his
uncle:
*The eldest son of a Scottish Baron, who, if he had survived
his father, would have inherited the title, is called
"Master of &c".
Page 12
JAMES, 8th Lord Boyd, 2nd son of Robert, Master of Boyd. He
was a man of great worth and honour, and a steady supporter of the unfortunate Charles. (For this, the usurper fined him
1500 Pounds Sterling). He married Catherine, daughter of John
Craik of York, by whom he had a daughter, Eva, who married
Sir David Cunningham of Robertland. He died in 1654, and was succeeded by his son:
WILLIAM, 9th Lord Boyd, who gave early proofs that he inherited all the abilities and shining qualities which had
rendered his ancestors so illustrious. He was esteemed a man
of great wit and learning, which recommended him to the gay
court of Charles II. He had been remarkably active in the
interest of that monarch's restoration, for which, and for
some services to the Crown, he was, by letters Patent, Aug
7th, 1661, created EARL of KILMARNOCK.
He married Lady Jane, daughter of William Cunningham, Earl of
Glencairn. He died in 1622, leaving four sons and two daughters. Of the latter, one, Lady Mary, married Sir Alexander
Mclean, the other, Lady Margaret, married Porterfield of
Porterfield. The sons were William, Robert*, Captain James Boyd, and
Capt. Charles Boyd. (James and Charles served in the Scot's Dutch
Brigade)
WILLIAM, 2nd Earl of Kilmarnock succeeded his father, (1692),
and married Lettice, daughter of Thomas Boyd, Esq., an eminent merchant of Dublin, by whom he had William, his heir,
and Thomas, the advocate. He survived his father but a few
months, and was succeeded by his son:
WILLIAM, 3rd Earl of Kilmarnock, whose charter bears date
July 20, 1699. He married Eupheme, daughter of Lord Ross, by
whom he had a son and successor. This nobleman was no less
distinguished for his abilities than were his predecessors.
He was a zealous member of the Parliament of Scotland, though
wavering in his conduct with regard to the Union of the
Crowns, and ultimately joining with those who favored that
measure. In the rebellion of 1715, he was active in the
service of the government. He died in 1717.
WILLIAM, 4th Earl of Kilmarnock succeeded his father when but
13 years of age.
*Robert Boyd of Kilmarnock was born in August 1689, and baptized on the 24th of the same month. He died at
Kilmarnock in 1760 aged 72. He married Margaret Thompson,
and had four sons and a daughter. John Boyd settled in London,
William Boyd settled in the north of Scotland, James
Boyd* at
Newburyport, Massachusetts. Alexander, born ca. 1720 at Kilmarnock (see page 14) and Margaret, who married ________
Fairservice of Kilmarnock.
*The
lineage of James Boyd is disputed by Sir James Balfour Paul (and others)
in his edition of Robert Woods
"Peerage of Scotland".
Page 13
He married Lady Ann Livingstone, daughter and sole heir of
James, 5th Earl of Linlithgow and Callander, by Lady Mary Hay
(daughter of John, 12th Earl of Errol) and had sons, James,
Lord Boyd, born April 20, 1725, also Charles and William. Lady Ann Livingstone, wife of the Earl of Kilmarnock, died,
at Kilmarnock, September 1747. Of her three sons the eldest
had been educated in principles of loyalty, so that he was in
the army of the King, opposed to his father in the battle of
Culloden. In the rebellion of 1745, in favour of the
pretender, the unfortunate Earl of Kilmarnock, deviating from
the principles of his illustrious ancestors, fell a sacrifice
to the justice of his country. Being but 13 when deprived of
the care and instruction of his father, he fell into hands
unfavourable to integrity and honour. He manifested, in his
youth, a genius not inferior to his high birth and illustrious descent. Finding the family estates much encumbered, he
chose retirement rather than public life. A large portion of
the patrimony had been alienated, and the income was uncomfortably small. It was his Lordship misfortune to be too soon
let loose among the gaieties of youth and as he grew up, instead of applying himself to the dry assiduities of study, he
devoted his time to the pursuit of far more expensive
pleasures than his fortune could support. By this course he
considerably reduced his already emaciated estate, which may
afford a probable reason for his engagement in the services
of the pretender, Charles Edward Stuart. He did not join the
rebellion at first, but encouraged his tenants to serve the
King. After the battle of Prestonpans he joined the rebel
army, and was received with marks of esteem and distinction.
He was made member of the privy-council, appointed Colonel of
the guards, and promoted to the rank of general in the army. He behaved with courage and resolution, until at the fatal
battle of Culloden, he was taken prisoner, or surrendered
himself to the King's troops, supposing them to be FitzJames
Calvary. On July 28, 1746, he was, with the Earl of Cromarty
and Lord Balmerino, conducted to Westminster Hall, where he
pleaded guilty to a charge of treason, and submitted himself
to His Majesty's mercy and clemency. On Wednesday, July 30,
these nobleman were brought from the tower to receive
sentence. When his Lordship was asked if he had anything to
say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him, he
addressed himself to the Lord Chancellor, and the whole
august assembly, then con- sisting of his peers, and delivered
an eloquent speech, after which, the sentence of death was
passed upon him. After this, he presented petitions to the
King, and Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Cumberland,
wherein he set forth his family's constant attachment to the
Royal interests, his father's zeal and activity in the
rebellion of 1715, and also his own appearing in arms when
young, under his father, and the whole tenor of his life
until this occasion.
Page 14
But the services of his ancestors could not satisfy the
demands of justice, and, in accordance with the sentence, he
was, on the 18th of August, 1746, beheaded on Tower Hill, his
estates and honours being forfeited to the Crown.
This dismal catastrophe of the last Earl of Kilmarnock did
not entirely extinguish the light and glory of this ancient
family, for, happily, his eldest son and heir:
JAMES, Lord Boyd, whose devotion to his sovereign led him
into the army of the King to fight against his misguided
father, has shed a lustre upon the name which that father had
obscured. He became the 14th Earl of Errol on the death of
Mary, Countess of Errol in 1758, his mother having been
heiress to that title and estate.
ALEXANDER BOYD, Esq. was a younger son (see note Page 12) of
Robert, second son of the first Earl of Kilmarnock. He was
born (about 1720) at Kilmarnock, whence he removed to North
Bank near Linlithgow. He married Helen, daughter of Mr. Reed
of Latham near Midcalder, by which marriage he had nine sons
and three daughters. James Boyd, Robert Boyd (who died young), John
Boyd,
Alexander Boyd, William Boyd, Robert Boyd, George Boyd, Walter Boyd, and David
Boyd. His daughters were Jane, Janet, and Nancy. His eighth son:
WALTER BOYD, removed to Dublin in 1710?*
He first married Jane Stephans, step-daughter of Samuel Warren Esq. Lord Mayor of
Dublin. By this marriage he had one daughter, Jane (who died
young) and sons Alexander Boyd and Samuel Boyd. He next married Jane,
3rd daughter of Robert MaCrory Esq. of Castle Dawson, County
Derry, by which marriage he had one daughter, Margaret Helen,
and two sons Robert Boyd and Walter Boyd. His son:
ROBERT BOYD, (who died in 1894) married, in 1856, Julia Emma,
the daughter of James Stapleton Esq. of Riversdale House,
Drumcondra, and by her had one son and seven daughters;
Walter Boyd, Jane Boyd, Julia Boyd, Margaret Boyd, Ann Boyd, Flora
Boyd, Mabel Boyd, and
Kathleen Boyd. Of these eight children:
WALTER (who died in 1899) married Frances, daughter of George
Francis Augustus De Rinzy, Maj. Gen. and Leonora, daughter of
Richard Lloyd Esq. of Tamnamore, Co. Tyrone, and had one
daughter, Emily Leonora Boyd, born Sept 3, 1884 and died
June 5, 1885
JANE married Arthur Patton (who died in 1892) son of the Rev.
George Augustus Frederic Patton and Katherine Cecelia,
daughter of Henry Magill Esq. of Tullycairne, Co. Down.
*It
is impossible for Walter to have gone to Dublin in 1710 as his father
was born 1720! 1810 would work though. R.G. Boyd
Page 15
JULIA married Leonard Macmanus, second son of James MacManus Esq. of Killeaden House, Co, Mayo, and Charlotte, daughter of
the Rev. Leonard Strong, of Brampton, Torquay, and has four
children. Emily, Charlotte, Desmonde, and Diarmid.
MARGARET married Arthur, eldest son of the above James Mac
Manus. Her husband died in 1894, leaving two children, James
and Rondal.
ANN married James Scott, son of James Anderson Scott Esq. and
Letitia , daughter of John Emerson Wilson, Esq. of Fermanagh,
and has one daughter, Muriel.
FLORA married William Trotter, son of David Trotter, Esq.
M.D. of Summer Mill, Co. Meath, and has two children, David
and Daisy.
MABEL and KATHLEEN are both unmarried.
__________________
WALTER BOYD, second son of Walter Boyd and Jane Maccrory,
married Anna Catherine, daughter of Matthew Anderson Esq. and
has four sons and two daughters, Herbert Boyd, Cecil Boyd, Henry
Boyd,
Robert Boyd, Alice Boyd and Ida Boyd.
HERBERT BOYD married Ruth, daughter of William Fry Esq. and has
one daughter, Margery.
ROBERT BOYD married Beatrice, a daughter of
Captain Ditmas.
Originally published by the Boyd family in
1904 (author unknown)
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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