After reading the article partially listed in the below box, I felt compelled to write about my Boyd Family that lived in Aurora, Texas from 1858 – 1920.  Beginning in 1857 my GGG Grandparents, John G. Boyd, Sr. (b.1795) & Elizabeth Boyd (b.1801) along with their son and his wife, my GG Grandparents, John G. Boyd (b. 1823) and Frances D. Boyd (b.1823) along with their son, my G Grandfather, James W. Boyd (b.1849), migrated from Mason County, KY and settled in Aurora, Texas in 1858 later originating Boyd’s Mill. My GG Grandfather John G. Boyd, was a grain miller and installed a mill (Boyd’s Mill) near Aurora, Texas. This is what
started the town of  “Boyd Mills” which had post office between 1870-1873, which was later moved to Aurora in 1873. My GG Grandfather John G. Boyd purchased the original mill works in Houston from George Ramsdale. My G Grandfather, James W. Boyd married Phoebe Ella Rankin (b.1856-NY) and they farmed in Rhome, Texas. My Grandfather, James Arthur Boyd (b. May 1872 –Aurora, TX) m. Louella B. Lewis (b. May 1875 – Glen Rose, TX) lived and farmed around Aurora, Newark and Rhome. 
 

I am trying to find out if there were any other Boyd’s in this area exactly the same time my Boyd’s lived in Aurora. I have heard of H. S. Boyd that settled in the 1890’s originating the town of Boyd, Texas in circa 1893. 

Richard W. Boyd was born in Coweta County, Georgia, May 26, 1825; 
Mary Ann Marshall, his wife, was born in the same county, May 9, 1833. They 
were married April 12, 1848; moved to Upshur County, Texas, near Gilmer, 
in 1851, and in April 1860 (or, possibly 1858?) came to Wise County and 
settled near Aurora. Mr. Boyd participated actively in guarding the 
county against Indians during the time of their depredations, upon which 
account he was prevented from entering the war. The names of their 
children, dates of their birth and to whom they were married are here 
given, as well as their present place of residence:
 

                               Family Tree from 1795 to 2002
 
 

John G. Boyd, Sr. m. Elizabeth Park      (3rd Great Grandparents)- from Mason Co. KY to Aurora, TX

John G. Boyd m. Frances D. Anne         (2nd Great Grandparents)- from Mason Co. KY to Aurora, TX

James W. Boyd m. Phoebe Ella Rankin (Great Grandparents)-Mason Co., KY to Aurora, TX

James A. Boyd m. Louella B. Lewis        (Grandparents)- Aurora, Newark, Rhome, TX

William F. Boyd                                           (My Father was born in Newark, Texas in 1916) 

James F. Boyd 
 
 

James Arthur & Louella Boyd’s children 

Ida Boyd m. Vance Beauchamp - Newark, TX

Della Boyd m. Vernon Beauchamp - Boyd, TX

Nell Boyd m. Frank Mills – Newark, TX

Madelyn Boyd m. Lundy Finch - Haltom City, TX

Ernestine Boyd m. J.C. Kemper - Haltom City, TX

Gladys Boyd m. Arthur Suggs - Fort Worth, TX

Maude Boyd m. Jack Elliott – Fort Worth, TX 

Raymond Boyd m. Pauline? - Fort Worth, TX 

Clarence Boyd m. Juanita ? - Fort Worth, TX

William Boyd m. Lois Parker - Fort Worth, TX (My father & Mother)
 

Land near Aurora was first preempted in 1861. Some of the earliest settlers were Major Slimp, C.C. Leonard, Johnny Teague, John Prunty, John G. Boyd, Jack Stephens, and Lucian P. Lowery. Doctors among the early settlers were Blenton, Randle, and later Barr, Davis, Burch, Fralin, Roark and Roberts.

An outbreak of spotted fever (cerebrospinal meningitis) did much to deplete the town of citizens, some by death, others by flight.  When the Dallas, Pacific and Southwestern railroad abandoned Aurora as a right-of-way location, Aurora became the "town that might have been."
 

James F. Boyd

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This 1860 Census shows my GG Grandfather, John G. Boyd & family members including my G Grandfather, James W. Boyd, who lived at Boyd’s Mill (census shows Decatur post office-Boyd’s Mill used Decatur address in 1860 according to USPO archives.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/tx/wise/census/1860/0319b.gif

 
This 1860 Census shows R. W. Boyd & family members living at or near  Prairie Point.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/tx/wise/census/1860/0325a.gif

 
Between the 1860 & 1870 Census my GG Grandmother, Frances D (Anne) Boyd and baby Frances were killed near Deep Creek.  My GG Grandfather, John G. Boyd later married RoSana ? (Ill), sometime before 1870.  
 

This 1870 Census shows my GG Grandfather, John G. Boyd & family members including my G Grandfather (listed as William), James W. Boyd, who lived at Boyd’s Mill.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/tx/wise/census/1870/0492b.gif
 

This 1870 Census shows Richard W. Boyd & family members living at Boyd’s Mill.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/tx/wise/census/1870/0492a.gif

 
This 1880 Census shows my G Grandfather, James W. Boyd & family members including my Grandfather, James A. Boyd, who lived at Aurora, TX

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/tx/wise/census/1880/129-01.gif
 

This 1900 Census shows my Grandfather, James A. Boyd & family members who lived at Newark, TX during this enumeration

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/tx/wise/census/1900/145-08b.gif

 
This 1910 Census shows my Grandfather, James A. Boyd & family members who lived at Newark, TX during this enumeration

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/tx/wise/census/1910/258-13a.gif

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/tx/wise/census/1910/258-13b.gif
 

You can browse .gif files in Wise County at these web addresses

http://www.ntws.net/wisemuseum

http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/tx/wise/census

 
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