Boyd, Had a look at the entries for the Revs. Wm. and Thomas. There are several pages of dialogue on Thomas, as he was minister of the Aghadowey Presbyterian Church 1660-1669, born in Scotland, and graduated M.A. at Glasgow in 1655. When Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, the Episcopal Church was restored as the Established Church in Ireland. Sixty four out of seventy four Presbyterian ministers refused to be re-ordained by Bishops and gave up their parishes, including Boyd, but he continued to preach locally as he could, although it appears he get himself into trouble for "holding a Conventicle at Desertoel in the Co. of Derry contrary to the declaration of this House", etc. He is mentioned as having also done duty at Macosquin, was in the seige of Derry, and later settled at Aghadowey until his death in 1699. Of interest to you may be the following: "He left a widow, and the Rev. William Boyd of Macosquin was probably a son", and goes on to wonder if the widow is the same Mrs. Boyd who in 1703 was blamed for "deserting our assembly and conforming to the Established Church," etc. Of William Boyd, other than the above, all I can find is this: "In 1718 the Rev. William Boyd of Macosquin was sent over to America, bearing a commission signed by nine ministers and by 208 other persons, to find out what encouragement would be given to them if they went to settle in New England", after which is a description of the settlement there by Rev. James McGregor of Aghadowey and his congregation. I will have a fresh look again tomorrow, as it appears the index does not pick up on all entries in the text, but it's past midnite here, and getting bleary-eyed. Hope this scant info is of some help. Jack in Thailand ----- Original Message ----- From: "Boyd Gray" <boydgray26@utvinternet.com> To: "Jack Devitt" <7jj9800231@tttmaxnet.com> Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 9:59 PM Subject: Re: [NIR-DERRY] Boyds of Aghadowey, Co Antrim > Hi Jack, > > I have a particulat interest in the Reverend William Boyd, who was the > minister for Macosquin Presbyterian Church up to 1725, when he moved to > Monreagh in County Donegal. He may just possibly have been an ancestor of > my great great grandmother, Mary Boyd (1810-1885), of Macosquin. I have > done quite a bit of research on the man and am aware of his leadership in > the Five Ships expedition to New England in 1718, and also his role in the > Synod of the Presbyterian Church. I live near his burial place at > Taughboyne Parish Church, near Monreagh, and am currently endeavouring to > raise awareness of his life and work here in Donegal. > > I have heard of the Reverend Mullins' book but like so many other people, > have been unable to acquire a copy of it. I was just wondering what the > Reverend Mullins might have written about the Reverend William Boyd and > would any of it be new to me. Does he say anything about the Reverend > William Boyd's ancestry in particular? I know Mike Boyd believes he would > have to be the grandson of the Reverend Thomas Boyd of Aghadowey, if they > are related at all. I would also be very interested if he says anything > about the Reverend William Boyd's children. His gravestone only mentions > a > wife and does not even name her. I do however have some evidence that he > may have had a son who had some connection with the townland of the Vow, > near Kilrea. > > Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to give me, > > Regards, > > Boyd > >