Boyd Family Collection
Scope and Content
This collection contains correspondence and Margaret Boyd's diary. Of the correspondence, 36 letters are written by members of the Boyd family, and 11 letters are written by friends or associates. The letters are arranged by correspondent. The letters span the period 1821 to 1881 and cover a wide range of topics, from Robert Boyd Sr.'s attempt to emigrate to America (1821) by trying to sell property in Ireland, to Daniel Boyd's views on the Civil War (1865). Letters written by Mary Ann Boyd, John E. Boyd, Robert Boyd Sr. and Daniel Boyd himself, contain many references to Sunday school and prayer meetings, indicating that the family had strong religious ties. Most of the letters deal with family members writing to keep up with the affairs surrounding the Boyd household. The diary dates from January 1873 to November 1874 and chronicles Margaret's senior year at Ohio University and first job.
Dates
- Creation: 1821 - 1881
Creator
- Boyd, John (Person)
- Boyd, Hugh (Person)
- Boyd, Richard (Person)
- Boyd, Robert Sr. (Person)
- Boyd, Robert R. (Person)
- Boyd, William (Person)
Language of Materials
The records are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Ohio University Libraries.
Conditions Governing Use
Ohio University retains all property rights to the collection.
Ohio University retains all copyrights unless retained by the donor, other correspondents, or other artists.
Biography of The Boyd Family
Daniel Boyd was born in Donegal County, northern Ireland in 1794. He came to America in 1819 and walked over the mountains to Steubenville, OH where he found employment as a teacher and weaver. In 1825 he married Jane Elliot, sister of the Rev. Charles Elliot who was a widely known Methodist minister, editor, and author. In 1827 Daniel Boyd moved to Coshocton County, OH where he went into business for himself. The business failed and having acquired large debts he moved to Athens County, OH where he settled on a farm in Carthage Township. He worked to repay his debts for the next 30 years until his death in 1867.
Daniel and Jane Boyd had nine children: John Elliot, a physician who died in Columbus in 1855; Mary Ann, who died in 1867; Jane, a prominent teacher in Athens County; Kate, Principal of Athens High School; Hugh, who graduated from Ohio University in 1859; Lucy, a teacher in Nelsonville; William Fletcher, who graduated from Ohio University in 1866 and an attorney in Cincinnati; Francis Blair, wife of Charles Lawrence of Carthage Township; and, Margaret, the first woman to graduate from Ohio University in 1873.
After the death of their father in 1867, the Boyd family sold the farm and moved to Athens.
Extent
0.33 cubic feet
Abstract
Correspondence and a diary.
Statement of Arrangement
These records are organized into the following series:
- Series I: Correspondence
- Series II: Diary
Other Finding Aid
A paper copy of the folder list is available.
Acquisition Information
The Ohio University Archives received the collection prior to 1962 except the Margaret Boyd diary which was a gift from Mrs. Wesley Boyd Lawrence in 1962.
Existence and Location of Copies
Ohio University will entertain requests to photocopy reasonable amounts of material from the collection for the convenience of individual researchers.
Bibliography
- Coyle, William. Ohio Authors and Their Books. New York: World Publishing Company, 1962. Hill, N.N., Jr.
- History of Coshocton County. Newark, Ohio: A.A. Graham & Company, 1881. History of Hocking Valley, Ohio.
- Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1883. Walker, Charles M. History of Athens County. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Company, 1869.
Description Note
Original, legacy collection inventories may contain inaccuracies or be incomplete. Collection descriptions may change or be updated as they are verified. Please contact Mahn Center staff if you note any errors or discrepancies.
Subject
- Boyd family (Person)
- Boyd, Daniel (Person)
- Boyd, Jane (Person)
- Boyd, John Elliot (Person)
- Boyd, Mary Ann (Person)
- Boyd, Robert (Person)
- Boyd, Margaret (Person)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Finding aid for the Boyd Family Collection
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Ohio University Archives staff.
- Date
- 2021
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
- Sponsor
- The finding aid was converted into EAD with funding support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Revision Statements
- 5 January 2024: Subjects and other notes added from ALICE MARC records and Mahn Center Microsoft Office finding aids by Ohio University Libraries Metadata Services Department Python scripts.
Repository Details
Part of the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections Repository
