| Clan Boyd
Society, International
The Melrose Journal
August 25, 1883
OBITUARY GENERAL JOSEPH F. BOYD General Joseph F. Boyd died as his residence, Melrose Highlands, on Saturday, August 18, in his eightieth year. He had some months ago a slight shock of apoplexy, and fell heavily, receiving severe bruises. From this he gradually recovered and renewed his attention to business. Later he had an attack of pneumonia, the result of a severe cold. From this he was thought to be slowly recovering, but a second attack of apoplexy ended his long, active, and useful life. The funeral was attended on Tuesday, at his residence, Rev. Henry Bates of the Congrega- tional Church at the Highlands officiating. The funeral address paid a just and feeling tribute to the integrity and worth of General Boyd as a public officer, a citizen and kind-hearted neighbor; honoring every trust, and filling with unscrupulous fidelity every relation. A quartet consisting of Mrs. Dow, Miss Meston, Mr. Fawcett and Capt. R. A. White sang "Cast thy Burden on the Lord" and "Nearer, My God, to Thee." After the closing prayer, the remains were taken to Mount Auburn for burial; the pall-bearers being Daniel Norton, Jr., and Henry G. Fields, Selectmen, Capt. Hurd of Stoneham, and A. V. Lynde, Esq. Of Melrose. Among the many old friends of General Boyd present on the occasion, were Ex-Mayors Sawyer, Lawrence, and Stone with others of Charles- town, County Treasurer Stone of Everett, and nearly all the officers of the town. General Boyd was born in Salem, of Scottish
ancestry, as his name indicates, but came early to Charlestown, where most
of his life was spent. He was Adjutant-General of Massachusetts,
under Governor Morton, served as Selectman during the Town Government,
and also as Councilman and Alderman after its incorporation as a city;
was Captain of three military organiza- tions, Chief Engineer of the Fire
Department, as Assessor and Representative in the Legislature. For
over twenty years he was master sail-maker at the navy yard. In 1869
he removed to Melrose, and spent his later years in managing his real estate.
For the past five years he served on the Melrose Board of Selectmen.
General Boyd leaves a widow, daughter and three sons. He had a family
of eleven children, and three of his sons served in the war of the Rebellion.
Thanks to Barbara Smith, Pepperell, MA
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