Greenville Boyd

Published to "Window to the Past" website 28 Dec. 2020

Greenville & Jane (Freeman) Boyd - c/1880s

Greenville Boyd was born in Miller County on 18 October 1835. He was the son of James Boyd and Ruth (Clark) Boyd Mills, who migrated to Missouri from Greenup County, Kentucky in the early 1830s, and settled near Brushy Creek (a tributary of the Big Tavern Creek) near St. Anthony. It has been recorded the Boyd-Clark families [of Greenup County, KY] made the trek to Missouri at the same time; they settled in the area between St. Anthony and Capps Landing. According to Peggy Smith Hake, "Between the years 1837-1870, there are many land transfers and purchases for these Boyd-Clark families in Miller County - they were all located in Osage Township..."

Greenville married Jane Freeman (20 Aug 1840 • 24 JUL 1928), who was also a native of Miller County, born near Mary's Home. Jane Freeman's parents were James B. Freeman (1805 TN • 1844 MO) and Deborah (Jenkins) Boyd Vanhooser (1808 TN • 1853 MO), who immigrated to Missouri from Claiborne County, Tennessee in the late 1830s. James died a young man of 39 years, leaving Deborah to raise six children. In 1847, Deborah married Bluford Vanhooser and had two more sons.

Greenville and Jane's wedding took place on 18 December 1856 and the ceremony was performed by Greenville's brother-in-law, Dr. Charles O. Curtman, who was also a Justice of the Peace. From this wedded union 11 children were born:

1) Robert Boyd (1857-1896) married Sintha Ann Grosvenor [1876]

2) James Boyd (1858-1906) married 1) Cecelia Shelton [1879]; 2) Bertha McCormick [c/1899]

3) Sarah (Sally) Boyd (1863-1947) married Edward Clark

4) Greenville Boyd (1863-1868) Note: Greenville was the twin to Sarah/Sally who died at 5 years old.

5) William Boyd (1867-1915)

6) Lydia Boyd (1869-1943) [Never married]

7) Mary Boyd (1871- ) Note: Mary died as a young child.

8) John R. Boyd (1873-1968) married Della Wickham

9) Laura E. Boyd (1875-1963) married 1) Andrew Roark; 2) James Coffman

10) Edward Boyd (1878-1965) married Cecile Clark

11) Iva C. Boyd (1882-1972) married Willis Rowden

Greenville Boyd enlisted with the Union Army in 1862 when he was 27 years old; he was a Private in Co. K, 12th Missouri Cavalry Volunteers. According to Peggy Smith Hake, "He also spent 14 months in the Home Guards under the command of Captain Jacob Capps in the Miller Co. area." He was listed as a Private, serving in Co. H of the Infantry Regiment. Greenville was mustered out of service on 9 April 1866. He was listed as a farmer when Greenville joined the Army and returned to farming after the Civil War.

In 1869 when his mother Ruth (Clark) Boyd Mills died, he was named as her only heir even though Greenville still had two sisters (Lydia and Susannah) living at the time. In the Miller County Associate Probate Court are estate records for Ruth Boyd Mills; it shows she filed an updated will and other legal papers right before her death. Why Ruth Boyd Mills chose to cut her daughters out of her will remains a mystery unto this day. To add more suspense to this mystery... Ruth Boyd Mills actually re-did her last will and testament the same day she died on 3 April 1869! She listed Greenville (her son) as her Executor and the Witnesses included: Israel D. Rowden, Alexander Clark, Manerva Clark and H.J.M. Lindley. The last will and testament of Ruth Boyd Mills was "Proved" on 9 August 1869.

According to the U.S. Census between 1870-1910, Greenville was listed as a Farmer, who owned his farm. Neither he nor his wife, Jane, could read or write. The 1860 Census stated his personal estate was valued at $350; in 1870, his real estate was valued at $1000 and personal estate at $350. It is interesting to note... in the 1880 Census, a woman named Palina Hamilton was residing at the Boyd farm with her 6-year-old daughter, Sarah. After doing a little more research, it was found that her name was Paulina Irene Hamilton (born in 1850). She was listed as "White" and "Single" in the 1880 Census and residing with the Boyd family on their homestead as a "hired servant". Not sure who this woman was, but she died in 1937 and was buried at the Bilyeu Cemetery near Tuscumbia.

Boyd Homestead c/1950s?

According to family legend, Greenville was a breeder of thoroughbred horses as well as being a farmer. Peggy Smith Hake noted, "I have heard my grandmother, Sarah Eliza Boyd-Smith, speak of her grandparents whom she could remember while a child. She remembered that Greenville owned racehorses and ran them in races many Sunday afternoons..." Greenville Boyd lived a long life... from farmer to soldier to thoroughbred breeder. He died at his home (near the small community of Sudheimer) on 18 February 1931 at the age of 95 years.

Jane (Freeman) Boyd died a few years prior on 24 July 1928; she was 88 years old. They were fortunate enough to have celebrated 72 years of marriage! Both are buried at the Dick Lawson Cemetery, which is very close to the Maries County boundary line.

Jane (Freeman) & Greenville Boyd c/1920s

Obituary of Greenville Boyd
(Unknown paper dated Feb 26, 1931)

One of Miller County''s pioneer citizens, Greenville Boyd, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1931, at his home near Bray's at the age of 95 Years. He was born October 18, 1835. Mr. Boyd had been an invalid for several months prior to his death and his passing away had been expected for some time. When a young man he was married to Miss Jane Freeman, who preceded him in death by two years. By this union, six children survive; they being Edward Boyd of near Brays, John Boyd of near Ulman, Mrs. Sallie Clark of Sedalia, Mrs. Ivy Rowden of Crocker, Mrs. Laura Coffman of Eldon, and Miss Lydia Boyd at home. Besides these he leaves 53 grandchildren, a great number of great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Boyd united with the Christian Newlight church some years ago, and continued as a member until death. He was honored and respected by relatives and neighbors, and in his death the county loses one of its oldest citizens. Funeral services were conducted at Wheeler church Thursday by Fred Curtman and burial was at the Lawson Cemetery.

Greenville Boyd

by Kelly Warman-Stallings