Hi Folks, (Since the Parish of Aghadowey is in County Derry, not County Antrim, I have changed the subject line.) The existance of a wife for the Reverend William Boyd has never been in doubt. His grave, less than six miles from where I live in the Parish church of Taughboyne, Co Donegal says: "Here lyeth the body of the late Revd. Mr. William Boyd who departed this life May 2nd 1772. Aged 87 He had been Presbyterian Minister in Taughboyne 47 years. Here also lyes the body of his wife who died June 21st 1764 Aged 68." This has been on the Clan Boyd site since ever I started researching the Reverend William Boyd. What is of more interest is whether he had any children. The following is taken from the online index to the Belfast Newsletter for 23 May 1755 #1924, col. 4: "Lands, Vow, Ballymoney, co. Antrim, son Taughboyne, Boyd William" The way this site works, the word "son" is probably an error because I doubt if he had a son called Taughboyne - that is where he ministered (now called Monreagh) after he left Macosquin in 1725. So, what land was he selling in the Vow, which is near Kilrea but across the Bann in County Antrim? Anyone have access to the Belfast Newsletter? I would like to confirm that this is not a reference to a son. And even more interesting for me, did he have any siblings in Macosquin or Aghadowey, as my great great grandmother was a Mary Boyd from Macosquin (1810-1885)? I really do fancy being descended from the man who organised the first mass emigration of Scotch-Irish Presbyterians to New England in 1718! Boyd ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Boyd" <mikejboyd@bigpond.com> To: "Jack Devitt" <7jj9800231@tttmaxnet.com>; <NIR-DERRY@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 7:37 AM Subject: Re: [NIR-DERRY] Boyds of Aghadowey, Co Antrim > Jack > Thank you for posting this information. > > This is the first time in about 20 years that I have seem an wife mentioned > for the Rev Thomas Boyd. > SNIP