Dear Cousins: On July 23rd, I will reach my 75th birthday, I have been researching my Boyd Family since 1977, I'm probably more familiar with these Boyd's than anyone I am aware of. In an effort to provide you current information, I present the following information: 1) Robert Boyd was born about 1780, most probably in Virginia. He's usually found in Franklin and Patrick Counties. Until recently we thought he had died about 1830, this date is the one found in Lehman Tiller's BOYD Book, referred to by Charlene B. Kemp. After some Deed research last year by S.D. Kirby and myself, we are now of the opinion he had died as early as 1814. Elizabeth (Rakes) his wife bought Property fron Joseph Boyd in 1815, ti's appears she is probably a Widow ar that date. 2) Elizabeth Rakes was born about 1793, most likely in Franklin County where Most Rakes lived at the time. Elizabeth's Father is Charles RAKES, her mother has always been JANE (?) whos is said to be an INDIAN Woman. No marriage date for Charles and Jane exists that i'm aware of. There is another marriage attributed to Charles Rakes to Nancy Hubbard of 22 May 1827, Patrick County, Virginia. Charles dob is reported as 1745 in Virginia. If this date is accurate, then Charles would hav Eighty-two (82) in 1827. There is reason to believe there is also a Charles Rakes, Jr. I personally believe Jr. is who married Nancy Hubbard. More recently, submissions mainly on Ancestry are showing JANE as HUBBARD also. In over 30 years tracking thes Family members I have NEVER seen anything documenting Jane's name as HUBBARD. My opinion is such information is TOTALLY FALSE. 3) Robert and Elizabeth (Rakes) Boyd's children are proven in Patrick County Court Records. Elizabeth sold sold 20 ac. property to Samuel Rakes (her Brother), this Deed recorded December 1831 and designates their children and heirs as: 1) Elisha Boyd 2) Edward Arrington and Leony (Ona) his wife, formerly Leony Boyd 3) Samuel Boyd 4) ELISHA BOYD was born about 1807, roughly confirmed by Census Records. It does appear he was Born in Patrick County. Elisha married LEAH COCKRAM, 18 Nov 1830, in Franklin County, where the Cockram,s lived. Leah was born about 1810 in Franklin County. In all census records where she's found she is always ten (10) years younger. Elisha and Leah are found in Census Records as follows: 1840--Russell County, Virginia *Leah is found in BuCoVA census, age (70), in household of Son ISAAC and wife. 1850--Russell County, Virginia 1860--Buchanan County, Virginia Elisha died at Vandyke, Buchanan County on 3 Oct 1865, cause not known. Elisha's widow LEAH and none of her family have been found in any 1870 Census, apparently because they were in route to UTAH, having joined the Mormon Church in 1869 Elisha and LEAH's children, in order of birth follows: 1) Robert, born abt 1834, Franklin County 2) Sarah Leah (Sally), born abt 1838, Franklin (?) County. 3) John born abt 1840, Russell County Virginia. John was killed by a group of Yankees 4 Oct 1865, near his home. Buchanan County was under Military rule at this time. 4) Isham Boyd, born 7 Jan 1841, Russell Co., VA Isham died 28 Dec 1908, Vandyke, Buchanan Co., VA 5) Isaac Boyd, born 7 Apr 1843, Russell Co., Va Isaac died 3 Mar 1932, Marvin, BuCoVA. (My Gr.Grandfather) 6) Samuel Boyd, born 25 Oct 1845, Russell Co., VA, he died 15 Jan 1918, of Pneumonia at Whitewood, Buchanan Co., VA. 7) William born abt 1848, Russell County, VA., died 6 Jun 1854 in Russell County, Virginia. About 15 years ago, some information appeared, from someone in North Carolina that Elisha and Leah had a daughter named Christina (Christiana), who married Charles (H.) ARRINGTON on 23 Dec 1853, Patrick County, Virginia. She and Charles Arrington are later found in Heard County, Georgia. Christina is found in Lehman Tiller,s (Info provided by me) BOYD Family Book, referred to by Charlene B. Kemp. We have concluded that Christina is NOT Elisha and Leah,s daughter, but is actually dau. of an ELIAS BOYD, spouse unknown. Elias Boyd Can be found in Heard co., GA also, but apparently moved to Alabama. Great Grand mother LEAH COCKRAM is referred by some as Ella Leah, but she is always LEAH in all census where she is found. She is LEAH at her baptism Oct 1869. Great Grandmother LEAH's Sister MARY married Jonathan Hale of Franklin County, Virginia. The HALE'S were in Russell and Buchanan where one married into Charlene Kemp's Boyd Family. They apparently re- ferred to LEAH as "Aunt ELLA", which is likely the source of "ELLA", a nickname. There is no evidence ELLA was her given name. Sincerely, H R Boyd