Boyd McNayr (1778)
I am seeking info on BOYD MCNAYR. He was born 1778 in or near Glasgow, Scotland, and died 17 August 1854 in Springfield, Annapolis Co., Nova Scotia.He married RACHEL BEALS 29 September 1802 in Wilmot, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, daughter of ABEL BEALS and ABIGAIL KENT.
Notes for BOYD MCNAYR:
Boyd's father was an officer in the Kings Service who came to Halifax, Nova Scotia when Boyd was about eight years old. Placing Boyd in the care of a friend, the father sailed on a vessel, presumably toward the New England coast, but the ship evidently was lost at sea and it was never heard from afterwards nor any on board. Boyd later made his way to Lawrencetown where he was apprenticed to a blacksmith.
Rachel and Boyd lived on the eastern part of her father's land south of the South Williamston road and Boyd eventually bought the 88 acres in 1808.This property was sold to John Warner (husband of Elizabeth Kent, daughter of Zarah and niece of Abel Beals by marriage) about 1824.
The following is an exerpt from "Down the Road to Yesterday,a History of Springfield, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia"written by Mary F. Kendrick and published in 1941:
"It was in 1819 that the first settler came to the neighborhood of what is now known as Springfield.In that year John Grinton, a thrifty Scotchman, with a pack of food on his back and an axe ready at hand made his way south on the Lunenburg trail.He selected a suitable place for a clearing, then chopped down the trees and built a log cabin.He was soon joined by Boyd McNayr, another Scotchman and he also made a clearing and built a cabin. This log cabin was the scene of the first religious service in Springfield and thereafter meetings for prayer were held at frequent intervals in the home.The first marriage ceremony in Springfield was performed in Boyd and Rachel's cabin, probably about 1825, when his daughters, Catherine and Mary, were married at a double wedding.
During the last few years of his life Boyd and his wife lived with their son William.This house was built by William in 1841. One sunny day in August, 1854, Boyd went to New Germany on horseback to visit his daughter, Mary Woodworth. Rachel was to spend the night in Springfield at the home of their son, Israel.The next morning her little grand-daughter, Sereathea, came into the living room with a basket of patchwork in her hand which she was going to take to school where she was working on a quilt.At that moment a little wild bird flew in at the open window and after circling the room dropped lifeless into the basket of patchwork which Sereathea was holding.Rachel, who was sewing, arose and folded her work, saying that she must go home at once, that the entrance of the bird was a sign of impending news of great import.A short time afterwards a messenger arrived in haste from New Germany with the word that Boyd McNayr had passed away in his sleep that night.He was seventy-six years old."
Buried Springfield Cemetery; tombstone reads:
Boyd McNayr, died 17 Aug 1854 aged 76
Rachel, wife of Boyd McNayr, died 9 May 1872 aged 90
I have a fair bit on Boyd's descendants, but would appreciate some help on his ancestors.
Linda Chase
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
Stephen Franey 6/03/05
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
Linda Chase 6/03/05
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
Stephen Franey 6/04/05
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
Linda Chase 6/05/05
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
R S 12/13/05
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
lorie okel 7/27/05
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
R S 12/13/05
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
1/02/01
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)
Linda Chase 1/02/01
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Re: Boyd McNayr (1778)