James Henry Monroe Boyce was born in Pleasant, Miss, and died Dec 31, 1959 in Houston, Texas.
Notes for James Henry Monroe Boyce: June 9, 1999 notes by Jametta w/Pops, Reeta, Cousins from Mississippi and Leon
Granddad had 16-17 sisters and brothers! (need to get names etc) and more info on grandad
Boyce Family spread to Houston, Mississippi and Memphis after Emancipation FAMILY NOTES: JUNE 9, 1999 Surprise visit by Cousins Jane and Dorothy Smith (Jane's full name; Jane-netta) Pops had met, new to rest of family 16242 Coyridge Lane Houston, Texas 77053
Mississippi - Bahylia Connection Killis Boyce originally from Ireland, settled in Bahylia. Land he established plantation belonged originally to Cherokees. First Presbyterian church built in Bahylia. The Presbyterian records have black pictures but no names with them. The white Boyces stayed inBahlia and Blacks moved to the more rural areas. Speculated that some Black Boyces lived and married Indians. Dorothy noted that some of their cousins were mixed with Native American.
Fairview Presbyterian, first Black church, also had a school - named Boyce School. Dorothy wants to get it to be a historical site. Early 1900's (date?) Blacks didn't have school, although paid taxes, had to walk 7 mile and through Black Bottom. Every Black family donated a bale of cotton to purchase the land and to build the school. Purchased from a white woman. Group chose to put in the name of Mattie Boyce, and the school was named Boyce School.
Dorothy's grandmother was a sister to James Henry Boyce. In other words Pops and Dorothy are 3rd cousins Callie Barry Smith married Gus Smith. Callie was a descendant of Killis Boyce and her mother was Mariah, of African descent
Dorothy and Jane are close to Edison Boyce who is DD and Pops 3rd cousin. He's going on 90 years old. One of Edison's sisters is in Boston was Helen Boyce, her son is James Hardy Williams (about 40ish)
We explained to them that our connections and knowledge to the Boyce side was limited. Pops has some names but not too much info. However, hes going to pull out audio tapes he did with his mom, and we can all begin to piece somethings...particularly grandads side, which is sketchier than hers the Luffborough side. Dorothy, was filling in some of the blanks about Boyces and will forward materials later.
Pops' great grandmother, on his mom's side was Choctaw, purchased by the white Luffborough for his son, for $20. Pops has photo of his great grandfather Luffborough, son of the white Luffborough and an African woman.
Dorothy and Jane Moved to Houston in 1969 where they John Linton pastor of their Presb. church. Jane, discovered thru Presbyterian church, that they had relatives in Houston, and was introduced to Vera Boyce . They use to see Vera around when they lived near Texas Southern. This minister had been in Bahylia doing an internship and knew the Boyce history there.
Their Cousin Calvin whose about 90 can run all the family history. Drove a big black car, always carrying folks on trips. Says exactly whats on his mind. We encouraged to get him on tape talking about the family and getting whatever dates, names etc. they can ASAP.
Dorothy, has a son David will be 21 in July. Wants to be percussionist in Texas Southern band. Wants to go into pharmacy also.
History note; Dorothy noted that cousins use to refer to each other as living on'old man's so and so' Place Was initially confusing, cuz the last names didn't match theirs. In many cases these were freed slaves and chose or were forced thru sharecropping to stay on those lands.
Other Boyce sisters; Their older sister is Murtis Smith Edwards and lives in Memphis, has three children, LaVerne lives at same address w/Dorothy and Jane.
Their dad worked during day on farm, and army depot at night. Jane noted how kids today have know idea how it is to grow up "Free speaking of how open and safe their upbringing was in Miss.
They know Evelyn Strong, who is their second cousin, the mother of Rodney K. Strong originally of Memphis, Tenn. Evelyn noted by sisters as a very sweet person who was always gracious. All laughed at Jametta's recount of how she found out Rodney was her 3rd cousin at college in Atlanta. He had found out they were related upon talking at a Strong family reunion, relatives there told him about the Boyce connection, and readily knew 'James Henry' the Boyce who went to India to teach and came back with a daughter and were living in Detroit.
As usual, folks promised to keep in touch. Namely, the sisters have to stay with the Boyce-Lilly household next visit. And we'll make a point to attend next Boyce family reunion. Jametta said, if they get info on a disk she can enter it into family tree she's collecting.
____________________________________________________________________________________________ October 17, 2003 W/sister at her house w/Leon
Daddy..his kids always came first. Unlike DD. Daddy dressed meticulously. Who carried me to work everyday to my first job? If you have to catch a plane he got you there 2 hours early! He was always there for his kids But baby, mama was beautiful..but Daddy was something else. He said 'Scat on you my boy!' to Pops after he'd proposed to Mom and wanted to back out...the Presybtery had told him it was preferable that he go over married. "Daddy was something else" and he was crazy about La Reeta. JL told her how mama always said that 'Dad, was a really a good man, just a good man.' When he got mad, the worst he would say is 'scat'. He didn't like me wearing tight clothes ('half naked) but he didn't say anything about the twins who wore tight jeans. We never grew up hearing curse words. I didn't even hear 'nigger' until I got up and out of the house. We didn't curse at home. DD was the one who would fight, not Jimmuy too busy trying to earn a dollar being a boyscout. 'My chile this tastes pretty good' - in response to Magaret's holiday egg nog I learned to cook for my daddy and my brothers. I still do.
James Henry Monroe Boyce (d. Dec 31, 1959)
Notes for James Henry Monroe Boyce: