The journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Vol. IV, 1904Various
History
The journal of the American-Irish Historical Society, Vol. IV, 1904
Various
American-Irish Historical Society -- Periodicals; Ethnology -- United States -- Periodicals; Irish Americans -- Periodicals
Another numerous family in East Greenwich and vicinity were the Boyds.
Some of them were born in Ireland; all are believed to have been of
Irish blood. Several bore the name Andrew. One Andrew Boyd is mentioned
as having been born in the County Antrim, Ireland, of which his mother,
Sarah (Moore) Boyd, was also a native. Another Andrew, probably of the
same stock, is thus mentioned in the records of the Rhode Island
Assembly, October, 1776:
In Council was read the return of Andrew Boyd, clerk of the company
of Kentish Guards, choosing Christopher Greene, of Warwick, son of
Nathaniel, second lieutenant of said company, in the room of Thomas
Holden, who refused.
The action of the Guards was approved. The East Greenwich records show
the marriage of Andrew Boyd and Abigail Moor in 1763; Mrs. Sarah Boyd
and a Mr. Weeden in 1783; Andrew Boyd and Elizabeth Spencer in 1788;
William Boyd and Freelove Arnold, daughter of Capt. Thomas Arnold, in
1792; Hannah Boyd and Capt. Michael Spencer in 1805; William Boyd and
Rhoda Andrews in 1819. In the Warwick records is found noted the
marriage, in 1797, of Catherine Boyd and Timothy Bentley. In 1798,
Hannah Boyd and Darius Havens were married.
A RHODE ISLANDER BECOMES AN IRISH BARON.
A brother of the Baron Kinsale, of Ireland, settled in Newport, R. I.,
about 1720. Some hold that he was married in the old country; others,
that his wife was a Newport woman.
They had a son[18], Thomas, born in Newport, who early displayed a love
for the sea. In due time he was bound an apprentice to Captain Beard.
The latter had command of a Newport merchantman and ranked among the
ablest captains of his day.
Thomas de Courcy, the apprentice, advanced rapidly in nautical
accomplishments and became a general favorite. After serving under
Captain Beard, he enlisted in the navy and participated in the honor of
taking Porto Bello in 1740.
The manner in which he succeeded to the title and estates of his uncle
is thus told by himself. He was serving aboard Admiral Vernon’s
flagship. The latter was returning to England from the West Indies.
While on the voyage they fell in with a merchantman bound from London to
Jamaica. She was spoken and on inquiry, her captain sent aboard the
flagship two late papers for the gratification of the admiral. The
latter read them attentively. Suddenly he exclaimed:
“Ah! the Baron of Kinsale is dead!”
A steward overhearing the remark quickly carried the news to a gallant
young tar in the forecastle whose name was De Courcy.
“Is he dead? Then by the powers! something will come to me,” was the
reply.
The incident was reported to Admiral Vernon who immediately sent for De
Courcy. The following conversation then ensued between the two:
“My lad, what is your name?”
“De Courcy, sir.”
“Where were you born?”
“In Newport, Rhode Island, sir.”
“Are you related to the late Thomas de Courcy, Baron of Kinsale?”
“He was my uncle, sir—he was my father’s eldest brother.”
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