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Marcus Boyd (abt. 1803 - 1866)

Colonel Marcus Boyd
Born about in Williamson, Tennessee, United Statesmap [uncertain]
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 15 Feb 1825 (to Sep 1845) in Williamson, Tennessee, United Statesmap
Husband of — married 28 May 1846 (to Nov 1866) in Greene, Missouri, United Statesmap
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 63 in Springfield, Greene, Missouri, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 18 Apr 2019
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Contents

Biography

Notables Project
Marcus Boyd is Notable.

The Honorable Marcus Boyd was a nineteenth-century member of the Missouri State Legislature. Although he had been a slave-holder, he was a staunch Unionist, and fought for the United States in the Civil War, in spite of the economic hardship it caused him. He was actively involved in Freemasonry, serving as Grand Master of the Missouri State Lodge.


This profile is part of the Boyd Name Study.

Before the War

Marcus Boyd was born 27 July 1803 in Williamson County, Tennessee, United States, son of William G. Boyd (1774–1841) and Martha Edmiston (1772–1843).[1]

In his early years he thought to practice medicine, but instead chose to study law.[1]

Marcus and Elizabeth Hamilton were married on 15 February 1825 in Williamson County, Tennessee.[2] They had the following children:

  1. Sempronius Hamilton Boyd (1828–1894)
  2. Rufus King Boyd (1831-1883)
  3. Erastus Halloday Boyd (~1834-1899)
  4. Audley Shanklin Hamilton Boyd (~1835-1899)
  5. Marcus Boyd Jr. (1836-1883)
  6. William Gibbon Boyd (~1838-1876)]]
  7. Robert Boyd (~1840-aft. 1860)
  8. Theodorick Jones Boyd (~1842-1884)
  9. Martha Tennessee Eliza Boyd (1845-1902)

In 1830, they were living in Williamson County, Tennessee with their son Sempronius.[3]

Marcus served as secretary for the Nolensville Turnpike Road improvement,[4] and was involved in other public improvements.[5]

They still lived in Williamson County, Tennessee during the 1840 census. By that time, they were a household of twelve, including three unaccounted-for males over the age of fifteen that may have been his brothers.[6]

They did not remain in Tennessee for long, however. They moved that year to Greene County, Missouri.[5] There, he purchased 200 acres of homestead property about two miles east of Springfield, where he had a large farm.[7]
Marcus Boyd was a homesteader in Greene County, Missouri. Join the Homesteaders Project.

On 15 September 1845, Eliza died of what the paper called a "Fever", leaving behind nine children. It is likely she died of complications from childbirth.[8]

Marcus and Dorinda Cecil Price were married on 28 May 1846 in Greene County.[9] Their children were:

  1. Mary Louisa "Lula" Boyd (1847–1912)
  2. Joseph Crabtree Boyd (1848–aft. 1870)
  3. Eliza Ann Boyd (~1850–1914)
  4. Thomas Henry Boyd (1853–1931)
  5. Charles Boyd (1854–aft. 1870)
  6. Clara Virginia Boyd (1856–1919)
  7. John Bell Boyd (1858–1933)

In 1850, they were a family of thirteen. That year, he was appointed receiver of the United States Land Office in Springfield.[5][10][11][12]

Political Activity

In 1854 he was elected to the Missouri State Legislature,[13] and then re-elected in 1858 and 1860. In the first election, he ran as a Whig, but in the latter two elections he ran as a member of the "Union Party." When the Legislature passed the "Military Bill" in May 1861 to establish a state guard as a prelude to secession, his was one of only nine "no" votes.[5][14][15]

Freemasonry

Freemason
Marcus Boyd was a Freemason and a member of Unity Lodge #9 and Grand Lodge of Missouri.

The Most Worshipful Brother Marcus Boyd represented, as Worshipful Master, Greene Lodge No. 101, which was later named "Unity no. 5." He was made District Deputy Gand Master in 1853.

He was elected to the following positions in the Grand Lodge of Missouri:

  • Junior Grand Warden in May 1856
  • Senior Grand Warden in 1857
  • Deputy Grand Master in 1858
  • Most Worshipful Grand Master in 1859.

He was High Priest of his Chapter, and first recognized in the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons in 1857, when he was elected Grand King. In 1858 he was chosen Most Excellent Grand High Priest and re-elected in 1859.[16]

The War Years

Like many others in the 1860s, the Boyd family was torn apart by the war. His eldest son chose to fight for the Union with him, but his other sons fought for the Confederacy. Rufus became Secretary of State of Alabama after the war; Erastus served as a surgeon in a Texas regiment, and Audley was a scout for the 3rd Missouri Cavalry. Conard, in his History of Missouri, says William and Theodorick served under General Cabell in Texas.[5][17]
Colonel Marcus Boyd served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: 1 May 1861
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Greene Co. Home Guard, 74th Regiment, Enrolled Missouri Militia

Marcus assisted in the organization of Phelps' regiment of Home Guards in June of 1861, and he was elected their Lieutenant Colonel, while his son Sempronius was chosen as Major.[5][18][19]

The organization of the Enrolled Missouri Militia began about the 1st of August, 1862. Marcus was the first and only colonel of the 74th Regiment.[20][21] He received his commission on 3 February 1863.[22]

Though few records survived of 74th Regiment, it is known that he led them in defense of Springfield in January of 1863.[23]

After the War

On 24 March 1864, Colonel Boyd wrote a letter to President Lincoln, requesting that he be appointed to the office of Surveyor General of Government and Indian Lands in Utah Territory. President Lincoln endorsed the letter, asking the Secretary of the Interior to look into it. The position not being vacant, he was instead nominated for the position of Surveyor General of Missouri in June 1864.[24]

On 25 May 1866, Colonel Boyd was appointed register of the the U.S. Land office in Springfield.[25] And on 23 August 1866 he was appointed postmaster.[26]

Marcus died on 13 November 1866 in Springfield, Greene, aged 63. He was buried in Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.[27]

Slaves

Colonel Boyd was both pro-Union and pro-slavery. His ownership of enslaved people was recorded as early as 1830.[3] He also inherited additional people in his father's 1840 will.

For more detailed information on the people owned by Colonel Boyd, see: Slaves of Marcus Boyd, Tennessee and Missouri.

Sources

  1. 1.0 1.1 Obituary: "The Late Hon. Marcus Boyd" Newspapers.com, Daily Missouri Republican, December 22, 1866, page 1, Newspapers Clip: 78091963 (accessed 3 January 2024)
  2. First Marriage:
    • "Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, citing Digital film/folder number: 005728778; FHL microfilm: 001008503; Image number: 73, FamilySearch Record: QKHQ-463B (accessed 2 January 2024) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L93F-821W, Marcus Boyd marriage to Eliza H Hamilton on 15 Feb 1825 in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
    • "Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, citing Digital film/folder number: 005725207_002_M9JJ-ZH7; FHL microfilm: 002051488; Image number: 405, FamilySearch Record: QKHS-ZRQ2 (accessed 2 January 2024) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-993F-MYT, Marcus Boyd marriage to E H Hamilton on 15 Feb 1825 in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
    • "Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, citing Digital film/folder number: 005728778; FHL microfilm: 001008503; Image number: 74, FamilySearch Record: QKHQ-46QM (accessed 2 January 2024) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L93F-82PG, Marcus Boyd marriage to E H Hamilton on 15 Feb 1825 in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
    • "Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, citing Digital film/folder number: 005728396; FHL microfilm: 000455557; Image number: 187, FamilySearch Record: QKH3-CWFT (accessed 2 January 2024) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-893F-49X3-F, Marcus Boyd marriage to Eliza H Hamilton on 15 Feb 1825 in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
    • "Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950," database with images, citing Digital film/folder number: 005725207_002_M9JJ-ZH7; FHL microfilm: 002051488; Image number: 406, FamilySearch Record: QKHS-ZRQG (accessed 2 January 2024) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-893F-M45M, Marcus Boyd marriage to Eliza H Hamilton on 15 Feb 1825 in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
  3. 3.0 3.1 1830 Census: "United States Census, 1830," database with images, citing Page: 162; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M19; Digital film/folder number: 005156023; FHL microfilm: 0024540; Image number: 323, FamilySearch Record: XHPT-5QS (accessed 2 January 2024) FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GYY8-S8M5, Marcus Boyd in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
    1830 United States Federal Census: Williamson, Tennessee
    Household AgesNumberProbable Persons
    Males (b. 1801-1810)1Marcus
    Males (b. 1826-1830)1Sempronius
    Females (b. 1811-1815)1Eliza
  4. 1838 Newspaper Clipping: "Notice" Newspapers.com, The Tennessean, November 23, 1838, page 3, Newspapers Clip: 93969822 (accessed 3 January 2024)
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Regional History: Conard, History of Missouri, Page 349.
  6. 1840 Census: "United States Census, 1840," database with images, citing Page: 167; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M704; Digital film/folder number: 005154905; FHL microfilm: 0024550; Image number: 340, FamilySearch Record: XHYM-Q5W (accessed 2 January 2024) FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GYB7-8WH, Marcus Boyd in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
    1840 United States Federal Census: Williamson, Tennessee
    Household AgesNumberProbable Persons
    Males (b. 1801 - 1810)2Marcus
    [—]
    Males (b. 1821-1825)3[—]
    [—]
    [—]
    Males (b. 1826-1830)1Sempronius
    Males (b. 1831 - 1835)3Rufus
    Erastus
    Audley
    Males (b. 1836 - 1840)2Marcus
    William
    Females (b. 1801 - 1810)1Elizabeth
    Slaves-Males (b. 1805-1816)1[—]
    Slaves-Males (b. 1831-1840)2[—]
    [—]
    Slaves-Females (b. 1817-1830)2[—]
    [—]
    Slaves-Females (b. 1831-1840)2[—]
    [—]
  7. Homestead Patent Certificates:
    • Boyd, Marcus (Greene, Missouri) Cash Sale homestead patent file, final certificate no. 6448, 1 May 1845, Springfield, Missouri, Land Office, database and images, General Land Office Records (Certificate : accessed 3 Jan 2024); citing Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Record Group 49, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
    • Boyd, Marcus (Greene, Missouri) Cash Sale homestead patent file, final certificate no. 6457, 1 May 1834, Springfield, Missouri, Land Office, database and images, General Land Office Records (Certificate : accessed 3 Jan 2024); citing Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Record Group 49, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
    • Boyd, Marcus (Greene, Missouri) Cash Sale homestead patent file, final certificate no. 6981, 1 Jun 1845, Springfield, Missouri, Land Office, database and images, General Land Office Records (Certificate : accessed 3 Jan 2024); citing Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Record Group 49, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
    • Boyd, Marcus (Greene, Missouri) Cash Sale homestead patent file, final certificate no. 11820, 1 Nov 1852, Springfield, Missouri, Land Office, database and images, General Land Office Records (Certificate : accessed 3 Jan 2024); citing Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Record Group 49, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
    • Boyd, Marcus (Greene, Missouri) Cash Sale homestead patent file, final certificate no. 11902, 1 Nov 1852, Springfield, Missouri, Land Office, database and images, General Land Office Records (Certificate : accessed 3 Jan 2024); citing Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Record Group 49, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
  8. Obituary for Eliza Boyd: "Death Notice-Mrs. Marcus Boyd" Newspapers.com, Weekly Springfield Advertiser, September 20, 1845, page 3, Newspapers Clip: 137993131 (accessed 3 January 2024)
  9. Second Marriage: "Missouri Marriages, 1750-1920," database, citing Digital film/folder number: 007578652; FHL microfilm: 897454; Record number: 577; Packet letter: A, FamilySearch Record: Q29P-YDX7 (accessed 2 January 2024), Marcus Boyd marriage to Derinda C. Price on 28 May 1846 in Greene, Missouri, United States.
  10. 1850 Census: "United States Census, 1850," database with images, citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M432; Line: 10; Digital film/folder number: 004200560; FHL microfilm: 443608; Image number: 57; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01142-3, FamilySearch Record: MDZH-KFZ (accessed 3 January 2024) FamilySearch Image: S3HT-6L47-T7D, Marcus Boyd (47) in Springfield, Greene, Missouri, United States. Born in Tennessee.
    1850 United States Federal Census: Springfield, Greene, Missouri
    Name Sex Age Occupation Birth Place
    Marcus Boyd M 47 Receiver PM Tennessee
    Davinda D Boyd F 23 Kentucky
    Sempronius Boyd M 22 Clerk Tennessee
    Rufus K Boyd M 20 Farmer Tennessee
    Erastus Boyd M 18 Clerk Tennessee
    Audley S H Boyd M 16 Farmer Tennessee
    Marcus Boyd M 14 Tennessee
    William C Boyd M 12 Tennessee
    Robert Boyd M 10 Missouri
    Theodorick J Boyd M 8 Missouri
    Martha J Boyd F 5 Missouri
    Mary L Boyd F 3 Missouri
    Eliza A Boyd F 0 Missouri
  11. Biographical History: Holcombe, Greene County, page 213.
  12. 1860 Census: "United States Census, 1860," database with images, citing Page: 119; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M653; Digital film/folder number: 005170202_001_M9CV-3TR; FHL microfilm: 803621; Image number: 123; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01747-4, FamilySearch Record: MHZQ-XX8 (accessed 3 January 2024) FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9BS4-717, Marcus Boyd (56) in Campbell Township, Greene, Missouri, United States. Born in Tennessee.
    1860 United States Federal Census: Campbell, Greene, Missouri
    Name Sex Age Occupation Birth Place
    Marcus Boyd M 56 Farmer Tennessee
    Dorinda Boyd F 32 Virginia
    Martha Boyd F 14 Missouri
    Louisa Boyd F 13 Missouri
    Robert Boyd M 18 Student Missouri
    Joseph Boyd M 11 Missouri
    Eliza Boyd F 10 Missouri
    Thomas Boyd M 8 Missouri
    Charles Boyd M 6 Missouri
    Clara Boyd F 4 Missouri
    John Boyd M 2 Missouri
  13. Biographical History: Holcombe, Greene County, page 227.
  14. Biographical History: Holcombe, Greene County, page 258.
  15. Biographical History: Holcombe, Greene County, pages 270-271.
  16. Biography: Missouri Freemasons, Biographies and engravings of grand masters, grand treasurers and grand secretaries of the Grand lodge of Missouri. From 1821 to 1900, inclusive, ( Saint Louis: A.R. Fleming printing co., 1901), pages 43-44, "Marcus Boyd, Grand Master—1859"
  17. Regional History: Conard, History of Missouri, Page 350.
  18. Military: "Missouri, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865," database, citing Affiliate Publication Title: Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Missouri; Affiliate Publication Number: M405, FamilySearch Record: FFBR-5VY (accessed 2 January 2024) http://www.fold3.com/document.php?doc=234971335&xid=215&p=ma, Name: Marcus Boyd; Military Service Date: 1861; Military Service Place: Missouri; Miitary Unit: Missouri Home Guards, B-Bo; System Of Record: SLS
  19. Biographical History: Holcombe, Greene County, page 289.
  20. Biographical History: Holcombe, Greene County, page 426.
  21. Military: "Missouri, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865," database, citing Affiliate Publication Title: Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Missouri; Affiliate Publication Number: M405, FamilySearch Record: FF1H-YX6 (accessed 2 January 2024) http://www.fold3.com/document.php?doc=243982520&xid=215&p=ma, Name: Marcus Boyd; Military Service Date: 1862; Military Service Place: Missouri; Miitary Unit: Personal Papers, Bo-Bra; System Of Record: SLS.
  22. Military Report: Missouri Adjutant General's Office. Annual Report of the Adjutant General of Missouri for the Year Ending December 31, 1865, page 606, State Historical Society of Missouri, digital images, citing Collection no. M 355.61 M691r 1865
  23. Biographical History: Holcombe, Greene County, page 452.
  24. Government Document: "Abraham Lincoln Papers," database with images, Original data: Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division (Washington, D.C.: American Memory Project, [2000-02]), http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/alhome.html, accessed 2009, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1386 #3182200 (accessed 4 January 2024), Title: Marcus Boyd to Abraham Lincoln; Date: 24 Mar 1864; Subject: Seeks office; endorsed by Abraham Lincoln, March 24, 1864; Pages: 2; Text: From Marcus Boyd to Abraham Lincoln [With Endorsement by Lincoln] 1 , [March 1864] Washington City D. C. Sir I desire to ask of you the appointment to the office of Surveyor General of Government and Indian Lands in Utah Territory Superintendency of remaining Indians in said Territory and all matters thereto appertaining Which I feel I am competent to conduct to the interest of the Government and satisfactory to the heads of Departments I respectively refer you to the full delegation from Mo in the Present Congress, I am most Respectfully yr obt servt Marcus Boyd Late Col 74th Regt. Enr mi Mo [ Endorsement :] Col: Marcus Boyd earnestly recommended by Senators & Congressmen of Missouri, also by Senator J. H. Lane for an appointment Col B-- would like to be Surveyor General in Utah or Supvr of Indians. [ Endorsed by Lincoln :] If there is such an office, vacant, and ready to be filled, as indicated, the Sec. of the Interior will please send me a nomination, according to the within-- A. Lincoln March. 24, 1864 [ Endorsement :] By Act of 14th March 1862 the Surveying Districts of Utah & Colorado were united -- until otherwise ordered by the President-- The Superintendency of Indian Affairs for Utah is not vacant Dept of the Interior March 26th 1864; Footnotes: 1 Though there was apparently no available position in Utah for Marcus Boyd, Lincoln nominated him to be surveyor general of Missouri in June of 1864. See Collected Works, VII, 372.; Series: Series 1. General Correspondence. 1833-1916.
  25. Biographical History: Holcombe, Greene County, page 505.
  26. Employment: "U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971," database with images, The National Archives in Washington, DC; Washington, DC; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-Sept. 30, 1971; Record Group: Records of the Post Office Department; Record Group Number: 28; Series: M841; Roll Number: 71; Volume Number: 22, Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1932 #954587 (accessed 4 January 2024), Name: Marcus Boyd; Post Office Location: Springfield, Greene, Missouri; Appointment Date: 23 Aug 1866; Volume Year Range: 1858-1867.
  27. Memorial: "Find a Grave," database with images, Find A Grave: Memorial #18577286 (accessed 3 January 2024), Memorial page for Col Marcus M. Boyd (1803-30 Nov 1866), citing Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield, Greene County, Missouri, USA; Maintained by cjhunter (contributor 46942653). Includes images of gravestone and biography

See also:

  • Marriage: "Tennessee State Marriage Index, 1780-2002," database, citing p. , Williamson, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee, FamilySearch Record: VNFM-FZG (accessed 2 January 2024), Marcus Boyd marriage to Eliza H Hamilton on 15 Feb 1825 in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
  • Marriage: "Tennessee State Marriage Index, 1780-2002," database, citing p. , Williamson, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee, FamilySearch Record: VNX7-2MT (accessed 2 January 2024), Marcus Boyd marriage to E H Hamilton on 15 Feb 1825 in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
  • Marriage: "Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950," database, citing Digital film/folder number: 005728396; FHL microfilm: 455557, FamilySearch Record: XDQ1-FQM (accessed 2 January 2024), Marcus Boyd marriage to Eliza H. Hamilton on 15 Feb 1825 in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
  • Marriage: "Tennessee State Marriage Index, 1780-2002," database, citing p. , Williamson, Tennessee, United States, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee, FamilySearch Record: VNX1-Z1G (accessed 2 January 2024), Marous (Unknown) Boyd marriage to E H Hamilton on 15 Feb 1825 in Williamson, Tennessee, United States.
  • Military: "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865," database, citing Affiliate Publication Title: Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations From the State of Missouri.; Affiliate Publication Number: M390; Affiliate Film Number: 5; FHL microfilm: 881540; Record number: 1177; Packet letter: F, FamilySearch Record: F9TB-BY9 (accessed 2 January 2024), Name: Marcus Boyd; Military Service Date: from 1861 to 1865; Military Service Place: Missouri, United States; Miitary Beginning Rank: Lieutenant Colonel; Military Company: F&S; Miitary Final Rank: Lieutenant Colonel; Miitary Side: Union; Miitary Unit: Greene County Regiment, Missouri Home Guard; Misc Note: Appears on the record of the allowances made by the Hawkins Taylor Commission._.
  • FamilySearch Person: LCW2-5G6




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* As a member of the US Black Heritage Project, I have added a link to the slaves owned by Marcus Boyd on this profile with categories using the standards of the US Black Heritage Exchange Program. This helps us connect enslaved ancestors to their descendants. See the Heritage Exchange Portal for more information.

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