>From History of the Boyd family and descendants, with historical sketches of the ancient family of Boyd's in Scotland from the year 1200, and those of Ireland from the year 1680, with records of their descendants in Kent, New Windsor, Middletown and Salem, N. Y., Boston, Mass., Northumberland County, Pa., and sketches of those from the southern and western states from 1740 to 1912. By William P. Boyd ... Rochester, N. Y., John P. Smith printing company, 1912. 507 p. 12-24703. pp 94-95 "The first traces (a) of the early Boyd family in Ireland was at the time of the seige of Londonderry. To the east of this renowned city, a few miles (b) , rested in the County of Antrim (c), a small Presbyterian village called Aghadowey, one of the oldest Presbyterian settlements in Ireland. At this time (1689) found at this settlement the Rev. Thomas Boyd, who had ministered almost from the time of the plantation (d) to the little settlement of this place. He had succeeded the predecessor (e) of the Rev. James McGregor, who had come over here to America. "A few days before the seige of Londonderry commenced (which too place April 15, 1689) this aged soldier Divine, for he must have been between seventy and eighty years (f) old at the time, gathered all the members of his congregation one afternoon what was called the green or lawn, in front of the old church. Here he held a service, picturing to his congregation the advancement of the Irish troops toward the illfated city. He then afterwards picked out all the youths and men who were able to carry arms. Then mounting upon a small grassy elevation on the lawn, with his sword by his side and Bible in hand, with his long white waving hair hanging over his shoulders, he addressed the men and his hearers, and aroused them to the highest pitch of religious and patriotic enthusiasm. Then formed them into a company of soldiers, and placed himself in front, as chief or commander, and marched at the head of his company to the walls of Londonderry, where, old as he was, he prayed and fought and endured all the deprivations and horrors of that famous and awful siege. He afterwards, returned to his old home again, where he lived for nine or ten years in peace, to see his cherished religion saved, and died among those of his younger days in 1699. "... He is said to have been a tall, slender, old gentleman and had a very commanding appearance and was a favourite with all that knew him. "At this time, there were several other families of Boyd living at this place. (g) And there were others of the Boyd name (h) who went with Reverend Thomas Boyd of Londonderry, but being less noted men, their names and deeds have passed into oblivion. At the present day, [1912?], there are several Boyds,* still living there, who are prominent in civil history, and one of their cleverest judges descends from the old ancient family of Boyds." What source did William P. Boyd get this from in 1912? Assume it was an published book of some kind that he had found. Need to correct errors in the above statement. [Notes: (a) Know members of Boyd families were in Ireland long before 1689. Several that I am aware of are Boyds of Ballymacool arrivied in 1590 at Letterkenny [ch 6]; William Boyd of Dunluce, Co Antrim died in 1624 [ch 7/360]; Boyds of Ballycastle who were in Dervock, Co Antrim in early 1600's starting with Thomas Boyd, who died in 1634) and his wife Elizabeth Smeaton. [ch 5]. I think several other families could be added to this list from chapter 7/354 the 1659 Census of Ireland. Plus other Boyd Preystberian families who were there before the Seige in 1689. (b) Aghadowey is about 42 kms or about 23 miles east of the Walled City, not just a few miles. (A good 6-10 hours walk and over a nice little hill as well). (c) Aghadowey is about 6 kms west of the River Bann and therefore in County Londonderry and not Antrim. (d) As Rev Thomas is said to have been in his 70's or 80's when the Siege of 1689 was on, then this comment does not seem to be correct "who had ministered almost from the time of the plantation" as the plantation started in 1609 and he would not have become a minister until the 1630's or 1640's. (e) The Rev Thomas Boyd was the second minister at Aghadowey, while the Rev MacGregor was the third minister, so he could not have "succeeded the predecessor of the Rev. James McGregor" as Rev Thomas was the predecessor of him. (f) He does not cite any source for the age of the Rev Thomas Boyd at the time of the Siege in 1689 but would appear to be quoting from some source. If so, from what? (g) Where did these "several" other Boyd families live around Aghadowey in 1689? (h) There "were others of the Boyd name who went with Reverend Thomas Boyd of Londonderry" would these names be recorded in the Church records or the Exemption records? (i) "There are several Boyds, still living there [1912?]" - who can these be identified. Some of the "Statements" by W. P. Boyd of are wrong an dI think htat I have corrected these in my Notes below his quotation on this Rev Thomas Boyd. The way it reads is as if he is quoting form some Preimary source. But while he does not give much specific information, it does tell us that Rev Thomas was an "old" man in 1689 and that other Boyd families lived around Aghadowey in 1689, although they are not named or said from which townlands they were living in. Given the migrations of 1718 and the 1720's some of the Boyds who went to the USA in this period and were Presbyterians could come from these unknown families or other area of the River Bann Valley. If you Boyd came from this area please let the list know. Mike Boyd Historical Committee, HBS