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BOYDS OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA.

The history of this family has been one of great interest to the present generation, and more so by the fate of Lieut. Thomas Boyd, who was captured and cruelly massacred at the ambuscade of a company of Gen. Sullivan’s army in 1779, which is given hereafter. In the summer of 1842 my father Hiram Boyd, of the Kent branch of Conesus, NY., while upon a visit to friends in Lycoming County, PA. learned that Mary, one of the daughters were living near Washingtonville in an adjoining county, with her daughter, Mrs. Wilson.  He resolved to pay her a visit. They set out one morning overland route to Mrs. Boyd’s residence. Here they found an aged couple of herself and husband passing the last days of their life in a gentle manner. On making known who they were and their errand, were kindly received and made to feel at home. Here they revealed the ancestry of each one to the other, and parted after enjoying the society of each other for the day, fully convinced they were closely connected together. 

According to their genealogical interpretation, John who is supposed to be the ancestor of this family in America, after parting with his brother Ebenezer in New York City, went into Orange County,   NY., and soon afterwards from here to Washingtonville, Northumberland County, PA. where he was residing at the time of his death. Here he married while young a Miss Hathorn, and in a few years afterward died leaving a widowed wife and four children. The birth place of is not known, whether the same was in Ireland or Scotland, which must have taken place near the year 1720. 

The parting scenes when the brothers went forth in the morning of their departure from the roof of their parental homestead at Washingtonville, never to return, must have been quite solemn as Mary their only sister described it to my father at the time of his visit to her. She said on the morning of their departure, they all rose early as little sleep had been had through the night. Her mother prepared a scanty breakfast, while at the same time wiped from her redden eyes tears as they came forth. They all sat down to the table in silence. After they had eaten but little of the last meal together, the boys rose, took down their guns and strapped their rifle belts around them, followed each other out of the Low Log Cabin without saying a word. The mother followed them to the door and as they had advanced a few rods away, gathering up courage over her personal emotion, she called to them to stop. They did so, and she exclaimed to them in the following language: 

“Boys, I beseech you whatever position that you may be placed in, never let cowardice cross your path, and then watched them until they had disappeared down the path from her sight. The oldest son of the family was named John, who after leaving home went out with a company of soldiers he belonged to, and was taken prisoner. This being the last known of him by his sister Mary. It was supposed he was killed by the savages. The next son was William, who joined Washington’s army and fell in the Memorial battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777. The third and youngest son was Thomas, whose fate seemed to be reserved for Indian torture, was born near Washingtonville, PA. in 1757. He was a young man of ordinary height, strong built, fine looking, sociable and agreeable in all of his manners, which gained him many friends wherever he went. In his youth as I have said, his father had died, leaving him in care of a widowed mother, who looked upon her sons with the pride of a mother love, and begged of them never to let cowardice cross their path. 

The younger days of Thomas were spent at home helping his faithful mother keep the wolf from their door. The first we have any account of him, he belonged to the Pennsylvania Rifle. 

Company under the command of Captain Mathew Smith. This was in the winter of 1776-77. It was at the time of Benedict Arnold's famous march through the Pine Forest from Maine to Quebec. It was in September of 1776, when Gen. Arnold set out upon this expedition. He had with him eleven hundred men. They went first by water to the mouth of the Kennebec River. There they procured two hundred batteaux. They were long flat boats for shallow water. The current of the river was rapid, the bottom rocky, and the navigation interrupted by falls; sometimes they had to transport the baggage by land; and other times they were obliged to carry on their shoulders or drag them up the rapids with ropes. They had steep precipices to climb, vast shady forests to pass under, and quagmires to pass through. They also had deep valleys to travel through, where the pine trees were tossing their heads in the stormy winds, and where the river was rushing and foaming over the rocks, with a noise like that of the ocean. They were sometimes a whole day in traveling four or five miles with their baggage lashed on their backs and axes in hand to hew a road through the wilderness. Some of them died at last from mere fatigue; many others became sick and perished, and all suffered greatly for want of food. By the time they reached the source of the Dead River, a branch of the Kennebec, their provisions were almost exhausted and what remained was damaged as well as their ammunition, by water which had got into the batteaux during their passage. The soldiers it is said, began to kill and eat lean dogs they had with them, and even this food was esteemed a luxury. They arrived at last on the mountains between the Kennebec and Chaudiere, and found their way down the latter to Point Levy, opposite Quebec, where they arrived November 9th. The people here were as much amazed at their arrival as if so many ghosts had come among them—which indeed many of them more resembled than living beings.  

Here Thomas took active part in the assault upon the works December 31, 1775, and was wounded and taken prisoner, but soon afterwards exchanged. Upon his return to his native place he joined the 1st Pennsylvania Rifle Corps and was present at the battle of Stillwater, October 7, 1777; and witnessed the surrender of Burgoyne. Then he was present at the battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778. 

After leaving this army he went to Schoharie in the fall of that year under the command of Major Posey, who commanded three companies of Morgana celebrated rifle corps under the command of Captain Long, Pear and Simpson of which Thomas belonged to the latter. 

Thomas remained here for nearly a year, until the fall of 1779. Through the summer of that year the Seneca Indians in the Western part of New York had commenced murdering the early settlers of that region. Congress resolved to send an army into their midst to bring them under submission. This army consisted of about four thousand and five hundred men, who had been raised from the best families of Pennsylvania. Among this number were Thomas, who had joined Captain Michael Simpson's Rifle Company in Col. Butler's regiment. While Thomas was residing at Schoharie, he paid his addresses to Miss Cornelia, a daughter of Bartholomew Becker. After his death she gave birth to a daughter of which he was the reported father. When the troops under Col. Butler were preparing to leave Schoharie, Miss Becker in a state of mind bordering on madness, approached her lover, caught hold of his arms and in tears besought him by the most tender entreaties to marry her before leaving Schoharie. He endeavored to put her off by promises, but doubting his intentions she told him if he went off without marrying she hoped he would be cut in pieces by the Indians. In the midst of this unpleasant scene, Col. Butler rode up and reprimanded Thomas for his delay, as the troops were ready to March, and Thomas; mortified at being seen by his commander, thus importuned by a girl, drew his sword and threatened to stab her if she did not instantly leave him. 

We have no more account of Thomas from the time of the setting out of the army from Easton, PA. Friday morning June 18, 1779, until the 12th of September following. Whatever were the scenes of the little army—including the battle of Newtown, near the present sight of Elmira, NY., Thomas must have taken an active part. The evening of the12th of September found them encamped near the present site of Honeoye, NY. The next morning when they arose, they found that a heavy rain storm had set in and the army did not resume their march until noon. They then traveled in a heavy rain and through a dense forest for nearly eleven miles, until they reached a low piece of ground, a little west of the present site of Foot's Corners in the town of Conesus, Livingston County, NY., where they encamped for the night, after reaching same a little after dark. About eleven o'clock at night, Gen. Sullivan, Thomas’ commander, sent for him to come to his tent, as he had important business for him to do. Thomas went and soon received orders to select four of his most trusty comrades for a scouting party, and to go some fourteen miles in advance of the army in the Indian country to discover the location of their settlement, and to report the same to his commander before daylight, so as to enable him to form plans for the future guidance of his army. Thomas (who was a lieutenant) left his generates tent, but to disobey his commander's order, for instead of four he took with him twenty-six men and two Oneida Indians and set out for his destination. The little band winded their way through the dense forest by the Indian trail until they reached the little village of Canaseragua, which was situated in the town of Mount Morris, NY., which they found deserted, although the fires were still alive in their huts. The night was far advanced, and the party quite weary, encamped for a few hours, intending to ascertain at early morning the location of the capitol, which was the object of their mission. 

It was not yet the break of day on Monday morning, the fourteenth of September—a day so fatal to most of Thomas’ party. Thomas accompanied by Thomas Murphy, a noted Indian fighter stole away from their companions and entered the Indian village near at hand. Here they discovered two Indians coming out of a tent, one of whom was a wounded warrior and the other an uncle to the Sachem Soh-nah-so-wah. A ball from Murphy's rifle quickly sealed the fate of the former and the latter fled. Murphy as was his custom took off the slain Indian's scalp, his third and thirtieth trophy. The flying Indian, Thomas was well aware, would at once make known his visit to the enemy and thus defeat his purpose. He therefore resolved to join the army without delay. On going back to his party, he dispatched two messengers to Gen. Sullivan with a report of his operations.  They were directed to inform the general that the scouts would return immediately. These messengers reached the camp early in the morning.  The scouting party prepared to retrace their steps also Hanyerry an Oneida Indian, recommended his leader to follow a different trail. But Lieut. Boyd unwisely disregarded the advice of his faithful and intelligent guide. The most careful caution was observed on the return march with Hanyerry in the front and Murphy in the rear, their eagle eyes fixed on each moving leaf and weaving bough. They marched forward slowly and with the utmost caution. Five weary miles had they thus traveled the dangerous route and were about to descend a hill at whose base the army laid. Less than two miles intervened between them and the camp, and the party began to breathe freely, when they were surprised by five hundred Indians under Brant, and five hundred Royalists under Butler. The enemy was secreted in a ravine. The party at once took to a small grove of trees when the fighting began. A moment was thus secured for reflection. Lieut. Boyd saw at once that the only chance of escape for his little party was the hazardous one of gathering all into a compact force and breaking through the enemy's lines. After a few encouraging words, he led forward his men for the attempt. 

In the first onset, not one of Boyd's men fell while his fire told fearful upon the enemy. A second and third attempt to break the enemy's lines was made and seventeen of the Americans had fallen. The fire was so close before the brave party was destroyed, that the powder from the enemy's muskets was driven into their flesh. Though a majority lay dead, yet at the third outset of the Americans, the enemy's lines were broken through and Murphy tumbling a hugh warrior in the dust, who obstructed his passage—even to the merriment of his dusky companions— led forth the little band. Thomas, justly supposing if anyone escaped with life it would be Murphy, determined to follow him. But not being so fast a runner he was soon taken and with him one of his men named Parker.  Gen. Sullivan says that Lieut. Boyd was shot through the body at the beginning of the fight. If so, this accounts for his inability to make his escape with Murphy. 

Thomas and Private Parker were hurried forward immediately after the affair, with the retiring enemy in the vicinity of Beardstown. On finding himself a prisoner, Thomas obtained an interview with Brant, who as well as himself was a Free Mason. After they had exchanged the magic sign of brotherhood, Brant assured him that he should not be injured. But soon afterwards, Brant was called off on some enterprise, the prisoners were left in charge of one of the Butlers (a half breed), who placing the prisoners on their knees before him, a warrior on each side firmly grasping each arm, a third at their backs with a raised tomahawk, began to interrogate them about the purpose of Gen. Sullivan, threatening them with savage tortures if true and ready answers were not given. Thomas believing the assurance of Brant ample for his safety, and too high-minded in any situation to betray his country, refused as did also Parker, to any question touching the immediate purpose of the army. 

The savage Butler was true to his threats, and when the prisoners refused to answer, he handed them over to Little Beard and his warriors, who were already full of vindictiveness. The prisoners were seized, stripped and bound to trees; they commenced a series of horrid cruelties, directed toward Thomas. When all was ready, Little Beard lifted his hatchet—stained with recent blood—and with steady aim sent it whistling through the air, and in an instant it quivered within a hair's thickness of Thomas' devoted head. The younger Indians were now permitted to follow the Chief's example, and from front, right and left, their bright tomahawks cleared the air and trembled about the inflinching person of the victim,; weary at the length of this work, a single blow severed Parker's head from his body and mercifully ended his misery. Poor Thomas however, was reserved for worse fate. An incision was made in his abdomen and a severed intestine was fastened to a tree. He was then scourged with prickly ash boughs and compelled to move around until the pain became so intense that he could go no farther. Then his mouth was enlarged with a knife, his nails dug out, his tongue cut away, his ears severed from his head, his nose hewed off and thrust into his mouth, his eyes dug out and the flesh cut from his shoulders, and then sinking in death after these enormities, he was decapitated and his disfigured head raised by the frenzied savages upon a sharpened pole. 

Just at night as the army was preparing to encamp here, Paul Sanborn afterwards for many years a resident of Conesus, NY., then a private soldier, on the extreme right of Gen. Clinton's brigade, was moving with his detachment and as it wheeled quickly around in the direction of the village, discovered the headless corpse of Thomas. The blood was yet oozing from it, so recently had the body been freed from its tormentors. Leaping over this, Sanborn lighted beside that of Parker's, as it lay in the long grass. At once making known his discoveries, the remains were placed under guard of Captain Michael Simpson's Rifle Company, and at evening the mutilated bodies and disfigured head of these heroic men were buried with military honors under a wild plum tree, which grew near the junction of two small streams formally named at the great meeting in Cuylerville in 1841, as Boyd Creek and Parker's Creek. In finding of these two men by their companions they were recognized by their heads of which Thomas's features were so familiar, and Parker was identified beyond doubt from a scar on his face and his broken front teeth. Among these that took part in his burial were Major Parr, who commanded the rifle battalion to which Thomas's Company belonged, and John Salmon late of Groveland, NY., who also was a member of the same company. 

In the year of 1841 some gentlemen in Rochester, NY. and along the Genesee Valley, determined to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of Lieut. Boyd, and his companions by removing their remains to Rochester, and re-interring them with appropriate solemnities in the new cemetery at Mt. Hope. The necessary preparations were made by disinterring the remains, depositing them in a capacious um, and raising a large mound of earth over the grave of Thomas for a memorial.  On the 20th of that year, a large entercourse of people assembled at the village of Cuylerville, among whom was several Revolutionary patriots, and in particular Major Moses Van Campen and two other fellows, soldiers who were with Thomas and his unfortunate companions in Sullivan's Army. When the urn containing the remains was removed from the top of the mound under convey of military escort, which composed of several independent companies and a band of music from Rochester, to the grove of Colonel Cuyler's near the village of Cuylerville, where a pertinent and lucid historical and biographical address was pronounced by ———? Treat, Esq., after which the remains were escorted to Rochester by the militia, music, citizens, etc. in several canal boats. 

The next day the remains were removed from the city of Rochester to Mt. Hope, escorted as before and attended by Gov. Seward, his military suite and an immense concourse of citizens. After an appropriate discourse by Gov. Seward and an appeal to the Throne of Grace by the Rev. Mr. E. Tucker, the remains were interred by the militia with the honor of war. Their last resting place is now marked by a fine monument erected by the citizens of the surrounding country, and here now lies all that is left of that brave soldier whose life possessed more than ordinary material for a romance. 

Mary Boyd, the only sister of John, William and Thomas, was born near Washingtonville, Northumberland County, PA. in 1763. Here she married for her first husband William Templeton in 1784 or 85. After his death; married James Strawbridge at the same place in 1800 and died here September 13, 1857. She is the person that my father visited in 1841 or 42. He found them living with her only daughter, Mrs. Margery Wilson in Northumberland County, PA. both of them were aged, yet a sprightly couple of their advanced age. Her first husband we have but a little information of. James Strawbridge the second husband, was born in Ireland in 1771 and died here September 13, 1857. She was the mother of six children, five by her first husband and one by her second as follows:

First, William Templeton who was born at Washingtonville, February 28, 1786 and died young in 1793.  

Miss Sarah A. Allen gave me a history of his death in 1884 as follows, which was quite remarkable: ''My mother used to speak of her brother Billy’s (as they would call him) death. She said that just before he died he looked up and a bright smile played over his face and pointing his finger heavenward, exclaimed:  "Daddy did you see that, at this moment his aunt Hannah entered the room, looking into her face he said: “Aunt Hannah there will two go from your house.” His aunt burst into tears, turned about and went home. She had left her eldest boy crying because she would not let him go and see his uncle Billy as he called him, for he said he would never see him again. At this moment she commenced to dress him to go, when he was taken violently sick, and before the setting of the sun on the second day, he and his younger brother were dead. William only went to school three weeks before he was able to take the bible and read a whole chapter to his mother. One day his teacher called his uncle in and told him that she did not think he would live long, for said she, "Things seem to come to him so quick, which was a bad omen, but did not wish for him to tell William's mother.” 

Second son named Robert Templeton, was born at the old homestead in Washingtonville, November of 1788. As no further record is known of him, is supposed to have died young. 

Third, Mary Templeton, the oldest daughter, was born at Washingtonville, PA. April of 1791. We have no further record in regard to her marriages, only her first husband’s name was Robert Allen, by whom she had four children, and by the second husband James Strawbridge, the same number as follows: By the first husband was Mary Ann Allen, who was single in 1884 and at that time about sixty-six years of age. Second and third were William and Alien Allen, who died young, and fourth was Robert Templeton Allen, who was born in Washingtonville, PA. when young went west and bought a farm and then came back and took his mother and her family back with him and settled near Monmouth, IL. Here he married Eliza Allen (no relation) but of same name. By this union they had two children, Mary Jane and Christina, the latter died in infancy. Soon after this the mother was stricken with apoplexy: her death was very sudden. 

For at this time her sister Mary Ann, came home from church, went to her room, and found her past speaking. The father lived until Mary Jane became ten years of age, when he died with consumption, leaving to the care of his sister Mary Jane, with whom in 1884, Mary A. made her home. His daughter married Newton Reice at Abingdon, 111. in 1861, who was once Assistant Secretary of Illinois. Their children Eddie and Roy living in 1884, and Frank, Earnest and Allen dead. 

Mary Templeton by her second husband James Strawbridge’s children, were Margaret Strawbridge, who in 1884 was still single and lived at Abington, 111. Henry Strawbridge, who died at the age of thirty-five years had remained single and was at the time of his death living on his niece’s (Mary Jane) farm. Margaret Strawbridge married William Wagoner in 1884 and was supposed by my informant to be dead. Her children at this time were somewhere in the far west. William Boyd Strawbridge the youngest, died of heart disease at the age of twelve years. 

Fourth, Agnes H. Templeton the second daughter of Mary Boyd Templeton was born near Washingtonville, PA. September 18, 1793. She married Hugh Allen at the same place June 16, 1813. He was born at Jersey town, PA. April 16, 1787. He was a man of large stature and great strength. He breathed his last at Buckhorn, PA. December 22, 1833. Their daughter Miss Sarah Allen in 1884 wrote me this: "My father bought a farm at a cross roads, three miles from Bloomsburg, PA. and built upon the same a tavern”. As no Post Office was near by, the mail was distributed at "our” house and was called the Buck-Horn Tavern. This place having taken its name from a Buck-horn being placed in the forks of a large oak tree, which stood in front of our house, and as the tree grew it enclosed the horn in the wood, from which it derived its name. I have now one of the prongs for boring eyelet holes in cloth. After his death, Agnes went west and died at South Bend, Ind., October 22, 1861. She was the mother of fourteen children as follows: 

First, Mary Allen, born at Jerseytown, PA. February 7, 1814; died at the same place April 3, 1814. Second, John Allen born at the same place January 13, 1815; died at South Bend, Ind., March , 1835.  

He was a young man who stood high in the midst of all that knew him and was the pride of his mother's household. His father was away from home a large portion of the time and upon him rested matters at home. His useful days were cut short by consumption. The day he died he took a pleasure walk over the farm and came in to his mother’s house greatly exhausted. His mother helped him off with his coat and hung it across the back of a chair. This did not seem to suit him and he requested to hang it as she had after seeing him do it, which was to place a sleeve upon each post. She did so, turning about she saw him as if so very tired, and raised his drooping head to give him a drink of water, and he sank back into her arms dead. Third, Robert F. Allen, the second son of Agnes was born at Jerseytown, PA. May 20, 1817; married Rachael Roberts at Mechlenburgh, PA. about the year of 1855, and died at Shickshinny, PA. October 16, 1872 or 73. He was the father of five children, Agnes E. Allen, no record; Sarah Alverda Allen now dead, no record; Mary Francis Allen, married Byron Sleepy, a conductor on the Bloomsburg and Lackawanna Railroad, and in 1884 resided at Burwick, Pa. They had one child named Robert Samuel Sleepy. Luella Allen died with quick consumption at the age of sixteen. James Leroy Allen, no record. Fourth, Nelson McAlister Allen, Agnes third son, was born at Jersey-town, PA. April 21, 1819. Supposed to have died at Salt Lake City. Nelson was by occupation a carpenter, leaving his home in Pennsylvania, he went to Springfield, 111. and continued to work at his trade. At this place a company was formed to go to California. He equipped himself with a horse, saddle and bridle and with a gold watch joined the same and left in fine style. When he arrived at Fort Laramie, he wrote his mother that he had yet to go five hundred miles, and when he had reached Salt Lake City he would write her again. In this letter he said that he had been offered $500 for his horse and he would not take it. This was the last his mother ever heard from him. Nine long months rolled away, and the promised letter came not. They then wrote to his friends in Illinois and sent Henry James Strawbridge to the place where he was last heard from. Here he was informed by friends, that upon Nelson's arrival at Salt Lake City he went into a warm spring to bathe, and was taken sick and inside of three days breathed his last. It was also claimed that he had changed his route and had joined a company in taking horses to California. His friends have always cherished the thought and believed that he was murdered by Mormons or his friends who accompanied him. Fifth, Mary Jane Allen, the second daughter of Agnes, was born near Washingtonville, PA. January 12, 1821; married John dark Robison near the same place, the date we have not. She died at Danville, PA. September 1855. Soon after Mary's marriage, she and her husband went to reside upon his father's farm, which afterwards became their own. Here he died with consumption leaving one child about two years old. After his death, she went to live with her mother, and was taken with typhoid fever and died in the third sinking spell. She had complained about two weeks, but her child being sick with the same disease, and her motherly care for the little one, she had neglected herself. Her fate was sad, for the night she died, the physician came to see the child about eleven o'clock. He found her lying upon the same bed, and when he entered the room she looked up and exclaimed: "Doctor if you do not give me something to help me, you will come in and find me missing." He replied, "Mrs. Robison I think you are better”. She replied, "I don't know.” This evening a couple of the neighboring ladies came in to take care of the sick and let her mother go to bed to rest. She reluctantly left her charge and retired to her room. About half past three o'clock in the morning, they saw a change and called her. When she came to the bedside, she found Mary's eyes filled with great drops of sweat, and her pulse gone and past speaking. When the physician came and was informed that she was dying, he exclaimed, "My God, can it be possible?” The child was named after its mother, and was taken by its grandmother and aunt, Miss Sarah Allen for future care. She was taken west and when she became of age married Harry Wm. Russell, who in 1884 was a bookkeeper for the Singer Sewing Machine Co. She is a noted singer at her home and takes part in most of the home entertainments. They had one child who was called Grace Agnes Russell. 

Sixth, James Strawbridge Allen, the fourth son of Agnes Allen, was born near Washingtonville, PA. January 24, 1823; married Catherine Case at Ross Township, Luzerne County, PA. of which we have no date. At the age of twenty-five he went west with his mother's family where he followed the occupation of a carpenter, having learned the same of Samuel Butler of Jerseytown, Pa. He was employed for a time in the Singer Sewing Machine Company at South Bend, Ind., and in 1884 held the position of City Sexton of that city. In 1884 their family consisted of six children namely: Robert Nelson Allen, employed at the Singer Works at South Bend, Ind.; Alverda Jane, Kate Mary, James Lervy (now dead), William and Maud Allen. Their children all lived at South Bend, Ind. We have no more record of them. 

Seventh, David Stevenson Allen, the fifth son of Agnes, was born near Washingtonville, PA. January 4, 1825 and died at Carson City,  NV., in March, 1861. He was a man of large stature and great strength. In 1848 or 49 in company with friends of his native place, he set out upon a journey to Pikers Peak. Before reaching there, he changed his mind and went to Carson City to work in a silver mine. Carson City at this time had the prospect of becoming a large city. Here he bought several lots, .and upon one of them commenced to build a saw mill, and then wrote home that when he got his mill in good running order, he would then be well off, and sell his property then and come home. After sending this message home, he started for California to purchase castings for the mill, and while on the way back ruptured a blood vessel and died within a half hour. His property fell into the hands of a lawyer, who soon left for parts unknown and his friends failed to receive a cent. 

Eighth, William Boyd Allen, the sixth son of Agnes Allen, was born near Washingtonville, PA. November 19, 1826, and died at Buckhorn, PA. January 27, 1827. 

Ninth, Hugh Alford Allen, the seventh son of Agnes (Templeton) Allen, was born near Washingtonville, November 19, 1828. He married Harriet Hulder Roberts near Shickshinny, PA. of which we have no date. His occupation being that of a farmer, was a soldier in the War of 1861. His family consisted of Sarah Agnes Allen, who married Floyd Culvert Kline, a merchant who was killed, by whom she had two children, and for her second husband Nathan Hartman, and in 1884 was living near Shickshinny, Pa. The other children were Elisha Robert, James Clarence, Jennie Adalade, Charles Barclay and Melville Allen. Tenth and Eleventh were two twin sons of Agnes, who died in infancy. 

Twelfth, Sarah Ann Allen, the third daughter, was born at Buckhorn Tavern, three miles from Bloomsburg, PA. February 8, 1831. In 1884 I had an extensive correspondence with Miss Allen in regard to the history of her branch of the Boyd Family, ,and most of the information I have given, was from her valuable resources. At that time she was a tailoress by occupation. Her health at this time was poor, caused from over work. She then made her home with her brother James, and niece Mrs. Russell .at South Bend, Ind. Her letters to me in regard to her ancestry on her father’s side was very interesting to me as it connected my own on my mother's side back to hers. 

Thirteenth, Clarissa Ellen Allen, the fourth daughter of Agnes, was born at Buckhorn Tavern, PA. November 27, 1833; died at the same place October 17, 1835. 

Fourteenth, John Paris Hudson Allen, the youngest son of Agnes (Templeton) Allen, was born at Buckhorn Tavern, three miles from Bloomsburg, Columbia County, PA. September 20, 1835. When he grew up he became a very large fleshy man, and in 1884 resided at Shickshinny, PA. where he there carried the mail between the Post Office and depot, and also painted at odd spells. When the War of 1861 broke out, he enlisted in the army but was unable to carry arms as he had two fingers amputated when a small boy, by having the cords cut with a scythe. He at first went as a drummer, but not liking the position took up arms and was in McClellan's seven days' fight at Bull Run, where he was taken prisoner, and his friends mourned for him as if lost. After a while he was exchanged and sent to Davis Island near New York, more like a dead man than a living being, with clothes scarcely enough to hide his nakedness. As soon as he was able, he went back into the army again, but his health being so impaired for active service, he was placed in the hospital to care for the sick and wounded, where he remained until the war closed. 

Fifth, Sarah Templeton, the youngest daughter of Mary Boyd Templeton by her first husband, was born near Washingtonville, PA. May 5, 1797. She married here Jessie Funston, July 6, 1815, and breathed her last at South Bend, Ind., June 9, 1864. She and her husband resided in Pennsylvania until the year of 1839, when they moved to South Bend, Ind. and bought a farm upon which they resided at the time of their death. Her husband was also born in Pennsylvania, January 13, 1787, and died April 18, 1868 by taking a severe cold and settling on his lungs in the form of pneumonia, while hers was that of consumption. Their family consisted of twelve children namely: First, Mary Ann Funston, the oldest daughter of Sarah Templeton, was born in Pennsylvania (of which we have no date). She married James Harris at South Bend, Ind., February 10, 1840 and died at the same place November 30, 1863. Her husband at the time of their marriage was a widower with two children. After their marriage he took her to his home near her father's on what was called the “Harris Prairie”. They soon sold their Prairie farm and moved within three miles of South Bend. Here after a few years, she was stricken down with typhoid fever and died. Her death was a severe shock to her husband, and within three weeks afterwards he was taken down with the same disease, and followed her to a Heavenly home. This disease passed through the whole family. Yet all recovered, except one, whose name was Aggie. Mary Ann was the mother of twelve children thus: Erastus A., the oldest son who married Maggie Staly, a daughter of the proprietor of '' Staly Woolen Mills'' of South Bend, Ind. From here they moved to Three Oaks, Iowa, where she has since died, leaving two children, whose names are unknown to us. The next son Edwin Irwin Harris, he went into the army and died there with camp colic. The oldest daughter of Mary Ann, whose name was Hannah Catherine, married a young lawyer by the name of Cooper and lives at Three Oaks, Iowa. Mary Emma Harris was married in Iowa and went further west. They had one son three years of age, who was drowned. William James Harris, the third son of Mary Ann in 1884 lived in one of the Western States. Henrietta Harris, the third daughter, married Samuel Lontz at South Bend, Ind. Soon after her marriage she was taken with smallpox, and died leaving a son, who was brought up by her parents until he was six years old, when he was stricken with a paralytic stroke, becoming an idiot and a nursing charge until he became eleven years of age when he died. Agnes died young as we have stated above, with typhoid fever. Albert Madison Harris, the fourth son, married Eva Lontz and have one child, Alfred Addison (whom he married, we can not say). Alice Harris died in 1862 at the age of five years. Martin Harris, the youngest son in 1884 was somewhere in the far west, and Sarah Jessie Harris, the youngest daughter was still at home. 

Second, John Funston, the oldest son of Sarah Templeton, was born in Pennsylvania (no date). He married Louisa Lowery at Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Ind., March 3, 1859. While in his younger days, John went to California where he resided for several years, and then returned to South Bend. Soon after his marriage, he moved his family to Oskaloosa, Iowa. In 1884 had one child which died in infancy. 

Third, Louisa Funston, the second daughter of Sarah Templeton, was born in Pennsylvania. In 1884 she was still single and was living at South Bend, Ind. 

Fourth, Margaret Funston, the third daughter of Jessie and Sarah Templeton, was born at Washingtonville, Northumberland County, Pa. in 1824; married David Youngs at South Bend, Ind., April 13, 1854. They after their marriage went to Leighton, Iowa, where her husband was a prosperous merchant. By this union they had two children, Minnie and Kittie. The former was born at Cassopolis, Mich. and was married to Charles L. Koller, whose birthplace was at Shoe-makerville, Pa. His occupation is that of a wholesale grocer at Altoona, Pa. Their family consisted of three children namely: First, Daisy May Koller, who was born at Leighton, Iowa. She married Clarence S. McIntyre at Altoona, PA. June 30, 1904, who was born at Altoona, PA. August 22, 1879. Daisy at the age of eight or ten years, moved with her parents to Oklahoma City, Okla., and in the year of 1896 to Altoona, Pa. They have one daughter, whose name is Fern Margaret, who was born at Altoona, December 12, 1905; and two sons, whose names are D. Earnest, born at Leighton, Iowa, and Charles Lester, born at Arkansas City. Both are now single and live at Altoona, Pa. Kitty, the second daughter of Jessie and Sarah Funston, was born at Cassopolis, Mich. She married for her first husband D. A. Gray at Leighton, Iowa, and for her second husband Wm. Krapp at Cassopolis, Mich. Her first husband was a telegraph operator. She is the mother of four children. First, Wilber, who married Edna Funk at Elkhart. Second, Frederick, who married (I am unable to say). Third, Maud, and fourth, Agnes, single and lives at Elkhart, Ind. 

Fifth, Sarah Elizabeth Funston, the fourth daughter of Sarah Templeton Funston, was also born in Pennsylvania, and married George Wilkie at South Bend, Ind., January 15, 1846, and died here June 2, 1873. Soon after her marriage, they went west, where he soon died, leaving her with four small children. Soon after his death, she returned to her father's home at South Bend. When the children became large enough, she took them and went house-keeping at that place. Their names were Eugene Ethan Allen Wilkie, Theodore Augustus Franklin. In 1884 was in Kansas editing a paper. George Norman Eddie and Samuel Jessie Boyd Wilkie, in the far west as a farmer. 

Sixth, Agnes Hathorn Funston, the fifth daughter of Sarah (Templeton) Funston, was born in Pennsylvania (of which we have no date). In 1884 she was still single and lived with her youngest sister at Edwardsburgh, Mich. The records we received at that time of her mother's family were furnished by her. 

Seventh, Robert Templeton Funston, the second son of Sarah (Templeton) Funston, was also born in Pennsylvania. He married Melissa M. Hoover at Leighton, Iowa, February 25, 1872, and died at the same place November 2, 1875. In his early days he went to California with his brother John, from here to South Bend, Ind. and then to Iowa, where soon after his marriage he bought a farm near Oskaloosa and settle down for life, and in a short time afterwards bought forty acres more. The evening after his last purchase, he spent in the midst of his family, telling them his future intentions. After he had finished telling them his future course, he said, '' I must go to bed as I must be up early in the morning. He then retired and laid down on his bed, placed his arms across him and in less than five minutes he had gone to his Maker. In 1884 his wife still lived on the old farm. They had no children. 

Eighth, Lucretia Murny Funston, the sixth daughter of Sarah (Templeton) Funston, was also a native of Pennsylvania (whose birth we have no record of). She married James Boddy at South Bend, Ind., August 5, 1868. In 1884 she and her husband were living in Kansas, where they took up their residence soon after their marriage. Her husband was a blacksmith and wagon-maker. They had two children, whose names we have not. 

Ninth, Jessie Franklin Funston, the third son of Sarah (Templeton) Funston, was born in Pennsylvania and married Sarah Schaefer at South Bend, Ind., March 26, 1866. They also after their marriage went west and settled in Iowa. In 1884 they had two children, whose names were Harry and Gertrude. 

Tenth, James Nelson Funston, the fourth son of Sarah (Templeton) Funston, was born in Pennsylvania and died in infancy. 

Eleventh, Almira Jane Funston, the seventh daughter of Sarah (Templeton) Funston, was born at the old homestead in Pennsylvania. She married for her first husband Perry W. Erwin at South Bend, Ind., February 12, 1861, and for her second husband Thomas P. Wooderson at Niles, Mich., October 10, 1862. Her life was filled with many misfortunes of which we do not feel at liberty to mention. But by this union they had four children. Three of them were taken from them by death. Two by a natural death while the third, a bright little boy was kicked by a horse that was grazing on the “Commons” where he was at play, and he lived but a short time. The fourth was a daughter named Bertha, who in 1884 lived with her mother. Her first husband died in Ohio. 

Twelfth, Emily Amanda Furgarson, the youngest daughter of Sarah Templeton Funston, was born at South Bend, IN. She married here A. Hamilton Cart, April 7, 1870. After their marriage they moved to Michigan and settled down on a farm near Edwardsburgh, and in 1884 had two children, whose names were Frank and Earnest Cart. 

Margery Scott Strawbridge, the only daughter of Mary Boyd by her second husband James Strawbridge, was born near Washingtonville, Northumberland County, PA. May 15, 1802. She married Samuel Boyd Wilson at the same place April 1, 1828, died at Bloomsburg, Columbia County, PA. August 26, 1877. Her husband was a farmer and also was born near Washingtonville, PA. August 3, 1807 and died at Bloomsburg, December 20, 1843. Her family consisted of six children, all born near Washingtonville, Pa. as follows: First, Mary Ellen Wilson, the oldest daughter, was born April 15, 1829; she married Charles Henry Garrison at Milton, PA. July 6, 1843. Her husband was born in Pennsylvania, June 29, 1823. In 1884 they resided at. Troy, NY., where he had retired from the grocery business. They had no children. Second, the second daughter of Margery was born August 26, 1831 and died at the same place May 21,. 1851. Third, Strawbridge Aiken Wilson, the oldest son of Margery, was born October 3, 1833. He married Caroline Pursel at Bloomsburg, PA. September 20, 1855. In 1884 he and his wife still resided at the place of his marriage, he being in the confectionery business. She was born September 15, 1833. They had one child, George Norman Wilson, born at Bloomsburg, December 5, 1856. He married Hannah May Wagner at Muncy, PA. September 22, 1881, where he was a clerk.  

Fourth, Nathaniel Boyd Wilson, the second son of Margery, was born September 4, 1836; married Sarah Bissell at Williamsport, PA. September 22, 1858, and in 1884 was in the carriage business at Williamsport, PA. His wife was born October 28, 1835. Their family consisted of five children as follows, all born in Williamsport, Pa. David R., born July 9, 1861; Bessie, born September 5, 1863 and died at the same place December 7. 1865; Charles D., born January 1, 1865; James R., born September 7, 1869, and Samuel B. born November 25, 1872.  

Fifth, Eliza Jane Wilson, the third daughter of Margery (S) Wilson, was born September 7, 1838; married Levit David Garrison at Cortland, NY., May 7, 1863. Eliza’s husband in 1884 was a grocer at Cortland, and was born June 12, 1837. Their family consisted of three children as follows: Charles Henry, born July 27, 1872; George, born October 13, 1873, and an infant now dead, born September 6, 1878. All born at Cortland, NY.  

Sixth, Margaret Ann Wilson, the youngest daughter of Margery (Templeton) Wilson, was born June 27, 1841; married at Bloomsburg, PA. Charles Gillespie Barkley, June 2, 1864. Their family in 1884 consisted of three children, all born at Bloomsburg, PA. as follows: Mary Garrison Barkley, born September 23, 1865; Josephine Redfield, born May 30, 18 68, and Jennie Wilson Barkley, born June 1, 1872.  

Mr. and Mrs. Barkley in 1884 took a deep interest in furnishing me records of their families for my first edition of the Boyd History of that date, and at that time her husband was a prominent lawyer at Bloomsburg, PA. Boyd Family and Descendants, William P. Boyd, 1912.

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