CHESTER
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA BOYDS
John Boyd- Clockmaker
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JOHN BOYD'S GENEALOGY ADAM BOYD was born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland. He came
to America in 1692. On October 13, 1724, he was ordained and installed
as a pastor of Upper Octoraro Presbyterian Church in Sadsbury
Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. He
filled this position until a few weeks before his death which occured on
November 23, 1768. Adam owned more than 500 acres of land in
the vicinity of his church. Part of this tract is still
owned by his family. On October 23, 1724, Adam married Jane
Craighead, dau. of Thomas Craighead. There were six
One son was THOMAS BOYD was born in 1733. He settled on a farm conveyed to him by his father. During the Revolutionary War, Thomas served as a staff officer in the Colonial Army. According to records of the Upper Octoraro Presbyterian Church, he died on September 22, 1778. One of his sons: MACHAEL WALLACE BOYD was born in 1762. He inherited part of the family property in Sadsbury Township where he was a farmer. In 1794, he built the Black Horse Tavern which he operated until 1816. He died on November 25, 1827. The children of M. Wallace and Sarah Boyd were: Jane, Sarah, Elizabeth, Thomas W., Joseph C., and John. Of them: JOHN BOYD, Clockmaker, was born in 1805. In addition to running a farm he was a clock and watch maker. He inherited the tavern property on a part of which he had a clock shop. In 1857 he married Sarah ARMSTRONG, of Compass, a village a few miles from the Boyd home. John and Sarah's children were Sarah, Elizabeth, Margaret A., Clara, and J. Wallace. Of them Clara was still living at the family homestead in 1945 where she showed the writer her father's watchmaker's tools.. Her brother ( J. Wallace) was born in 1865. He inherited the family farm containing the old tavern. This location has been designated "Boyd's Corners" during recent decades. Wallace Boyd married Eleanor COWEN. Their children were: J. Douglas, R. Elizabeth, Margaret Jean, and Sarah V. After the death of J. Wallace in 1935, the family property passed into the ownership of his son, J. Douglas. Thus, during the past two centuries this property has been owned by six consecutive generations of the Boyd family. From the time that Reverand Adam Boyd was installed as Pastor of the Upper Octoraro Presbyterian Church, in 1724, until the present, members of the Boyd family have been functional participants in the civic and ecclesiastical affairs of Sadsbury Township. In 1794, when the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike was under construction, M. Wallace Boyd built the present sub-stantial structure at Boyd's Corner. The property was known as the "Sign of the Black Horse" or as the "Black Horse Tavern" for some thirty years. Upon the completion of the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad, in 1834, this inn, like many of the wayside taverns along the turnpike, became obsolete. The Boyd House was a tavern post offices for several years. The Black Horse of recent times is a mile west of Boyd's corner. John Boyd the clock and watchmaker, grew up at this
tavern property amid the colorful scenes which these old inns
presented. It is likely, however, that his parents saw
to it that he was spending most of his time at
work on the farm rather than loitering about the tavern.
It has not been possible to ascertain with whom he learned
his trade. It seems possible that it was George W. Baldwin,
who, at this period, was actively engaged in making clocks
at Sadsburyville.
John's name appeared for the first time in the Sadsbury tax lists in 1830. The following year he is classified as a "W. Maker." For several years following this he is classified as a watchmaker and was assessed as the owner of ninety acres of land. During this period there were three John Boyds recorded as living or owning property in Sadsbury Township. One was a weaver, one a chairmaker, and the other the watchmaker. The United States Census Report for 1850 lists "John Boyd age 45 Watchmaker, Real Estate 5500." This report also indicates that his mother, age seventy-eight, and his sisters, Elizabeth, and Sarah, were living with him at the home property. Perhaps this is why he did not marry until he was over fifty years old. According to his will (Will Book 22-495) dated January 28, 1867, John
left his property to his wife and children.
He nominated his friend, George Richman to have the guardianship
of his children during their minority. In the inventory
of his property (Papers 15609) are listed farm implememts &
"Contents of Shop $20" His tombstone in the Octoraro Grave Yard,
is in-
John Boyd shared with David Anderson, of HoneyBrook, the honor of being among the last of the old school of clockmakers in Chester County. At right is one of his business cards, which is still prized by his descendants. (graphics not yet shown here) Seven grandfather clocks have been located which are inscribed "John Boyd". Two of them are still in their native county bearing witness to their makers competency. These clocks are rather plain reflecting, perhaps, the Scotch-Irish sense of good taste and simplicity. The case of the clock pictured is of mahogany veneer and the enameled face is marked --John Boyd. Several unmarked clocks in the Sadsbury area are attributed to John Boyd, but any identification is lacking. John Boyd's clocks are but one of the many wholesome imprints which the Boyds of Sadsbury have contributed to Chester County. [Chester County Clocks and Their Makers, Arthur E. James, 1947] (used with permission) |