Hugh and Elizabeth (Scott) Boyd
REV. BANKHEAD BOYD was born
in County Derry, Ireland, in 1809, a
son of Hugh
and Elizabeth (Scott) Boyd. For a brief period he studied the
classics, and then with his
father and mother came to America in 1824.
The family settled in the
bounds of the congregation of which afterward
he became the pastor. In 1829
he graduated at Jefferson College,
Canonsburg. He studied theology
the required time (four years) in the
Associate Theological Seminary,
also near Canonsburg, which institution
was then under the supervision
of Rev. James Ramsey, D.D. He was
licensed to preach in the
summer of 1833, and was installed pastor of
the Seceder Church, Pigeon
Creek, in July, 1834. This relationship
continued pleasant, useful
and unbroken till his death, February 2,
1860, covering over a quarter
of a century. As a sermonizer he was clear
and methodical, thus greatly
aiding the hearer in remembering the
discourse. He sustained every
sentiment by Scripture testimony. The
doctrines he presented were
strictly Calvinistic, and were highly
calculated to make strong
Christians in faith and good works. He treated
sin, and especially Sabbath
desecrations, in a manner to convince the
most callous of their dark
and degrading character. As a pastor he was
honest, faithful, conscientious.
On communion occasions he very
distinctly outlined the character
of the worthy partaker of the Lord's
Supper. A warm friend of the
young, his instructions always pressed them
to walk in the ways of truth
and righteousness. Whilst it is true that
"winter storms and summer's
thunder can not break the sleep of death,"
yet with many in his old congregation
and community his kind admonitions
are still fresh and impressive
in their influence. As the moderator of
Session he was calm, decided
and ever ready to promote whatever would
advance the spiritual interests
of his people. As a presbyter he was
esteemed a wise and safe counselor.
Possessing a cultivated and
well-stored mind, he was chosen
a member of the board of managers of the
theological seminary already
alluded to.
On March 7, 1838, Mr. Boyd
was married to Margaret Thome, daughter of
James and Abigail Hill Thome,
the former of whom was a member of Session for
many years. Five children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bankhead Boyd, viz:
(1) Hugh
Wilson Boyd, born December 16, 1840 (he graduated at Jefferson
College in 1863, completed
his theological course in Allegheny Seminary,
in 1868, and same year was
licensed to preach by Chartiers Presbytery.
As a licentiate he preached
nine months in different Presbyteries. While
engaged in his Master's work
he contracted a cold which ended in a
severe hemorrhage and resulted
in his death June 12, 1869. "What I do
thou knowest not now; but
thou shall know hereafter: is the Scriptural
key that unlocks God's mysterious
provinces). (2) James Thome Boyd, born
in July, 1843, died December
22, 1861. (3) Robert Erwin Boyd, born
December 22, 1845, died May
18, 1848. (4) Lizzie Scott Boyd, born March
24, 1848, died July 2, 1868.
(5) Abigail Thome Boyd is the only
surviving child, and is the
wife of Carson M. Berry (a sketch of whom
follows). The reside in the
old homestead, and are workers in the U.P.
Sabbath-school and congregation
of Pigeon Creek. The bodies of those
that have bowed to the summons
of the Pale Messenger sleep in the
beautiful cemetery attached
to this church. [From the pen of Hon. John
C. Messenger.]
Text taken from page 374 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative
Biographical Record of Washington
County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co., 1893).