THE GETTYSBURG TIMES Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Publicatiaon Date: Saturday, November 12, 1938 Page: 4 BACKGROUNDS OF ADAMS COUNTY By: B. F. MacPherson No. 65 -- An Explanation In answer to several request we herewith do a bit of explaining. since beginning this series of columns on the Revolutionary soldiers buried in the county many people have asked us where we obtained the datat regarding the veterans. There are a number of sources from which such information can be obtained, the first and foremost being the Pennsylvania archives. At Washington, D. C., the comparatively few pension papers filed by soldiers of the Revolution are to be found in the pension bureau, Department of interior. In addition to the above mentioned sources the old newspaper files are also of use in the matter of death notices. As an example of this we quote the obituary published at the time of Adam Black's death. On Tuesday th 16th aged about 66 years, after a short illness, Captain Adam Black. He left a wif and children to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and an indulgent parent. Captain Black with many others marched to the defence of his country in the memorable year 1776. He was esteemed by his intimates, he was endowed with a pleasantry and cheerfulness of which disappointment or the frowns of the world could not rob him, which indicates a nobleness of mind and becoming a good man and a Christian; for philanthorpy he was excelled by few. *Adams Sentinal July 24, 1816 * Lastly we remind you that the descendants of the soldier in question sometimes have in their possession family records giving the desired data. This last source is sometimes the best. We hope the above will answer all questions adequately. * * * We continue our survey in Black's graveyard. Our first soldier of the Revolution, this week is one who lies in an unmarked grave. We believe, however, that the soldier in quest is buried in or close to the Black family plot, for he is believed to have been a brother of the wife of Robert Black. Little is known concerning Samuel Herron, so we quote from a sketch written by a descendant as follows: "Samuel herron, lived with the Blacks and was Uncle Samuel to the children. He was a solder of the Revolution, served in the "Flying Camp." The gun carried by Samuel Herron all through the war is now in the possession of his sister's descendants. He once killed two deer with one shot using the gun mentioend above and every since has been called "Old Kildeer." "In 1784, while hunting in the mountains Samuel Herron was caught in a terrible snow storm. He walked between two big trees until exhausted then sat down with "Kildeer" across his knees and froze to death. Samuel Herron was buried in Black's graveyard." Our next soldier is also buried in an umarked grave in Black's graveyard. William Boyd (second of that name) was a son of William Boyd (the first of that name) and his wife, Margaret. William Boyd (1st) was born sometime between the year 1700 - 1710 in the northern part of Ireland. His wife, Margaret, whom he married in 1726 in Ireland, was born between the years 1706 - 1710 in Ireland. William Boyd (1st) died September, 1767, in Cumberland township, York county (now Adams) and was buried in Black's graveyard. Margaret Boyd died in 1767 and was buried in the same churchyard by the side of her husband. William Boyd (1st) with his wife and family came to this country and settled in this county, 1734 - 1736. It is interesting to note that they had a family of sons and daughters when they came to York county and at least two sons were born after they came here. William Boyd (2nd) was borni n 1726 in the northern part of Ireland. He died in Cumberland township, York county, in 1785. He married sometime between the years 1744 - 1748 to Catherine McGrew (born 1724 in County Tyrone, Ireland and died October 25, 1828, in Westmoreland county at the home of her son, William Boyd (3rd). Catherine McGrew was a daughter of John and Elizabeth McGrew of County Tyrone, Ireland, and a sister of Archibald McGrew. In his will William (2nd) mentions his children as follows: (1) son, William Boyd; (2) son, John Boyd; (3) son, Robert Boyd; (4) son, Archibald Boyd; (5) son, Benjamin Boyd; (6) daughter, Rosanna Boyd inter-married with _________ Kennedy; (7) daughter, Mary Boyd inter-married with John Cavan; (8) Jeanette Boyd; (9) daughter, Elziabeth Boyd. The service of William Boyd (2nd of that name) in the war of the Revolution was as follows: At the beginning of the war he servbed as many of his neighbors, in the battalion commanded by Col. Walter Stewart in the company of Captain Matthew Scott. In August of the year 1778 William Boyd (2nd) was promoted to the rank of sergeant for a short time. After he finished this tour of duty he probably returned home and later joined Captain's Paxton's ranging company to protect the frontiers, and later, with his brother Robert Boyd, joined the new levies to protect the frontiers again. He, William Boyd, was one of the men in the regular militia companies, of his own township in the division of county battalions. This data was taken from the Pennsylvania archives, 6th series, volume 2, page 469, Cumberland township, York county, Pa., April 1778. These men were between the agees of sixteen and sixty years, who had not at that time enlisted, but were required to answer the call and were deemed fit to serve if necessary. Guess I'm reading old newspapers today. Will share as I find. Mindy