Boyd, Robert – War of 1812

The following article was graciously submitted by James T. Newell.

Robert Boyd, from whom many of the Boyds, Newells, Kizziahs, and others of Tuscaloosa Co., AL and surrounding areas are descended, came from Mecklenburg Co., NC.  He was born about 1781 and was married to Temperance Pitman.  A descendant, James Ernest Boyd, who had Robert Boyd’s old family Bible indicated that he had identified Robert’s father as James Boyd.  Although not proven, there was a James Boyd on the 1800 Mecklenburg Co., NC census with a male in the age category (16-26) that matched Robert’s age.  Robert is identified on the 1810 Mecklenburg census with four young daughters <10 years old.  These would be Polly, Jane, Sarah, and Elizabeth.  The census identifies him, as well as the older James Boyd, as being in CPT Hood’s Co.  Robert was a veteran of the War of 1812 and served in the Creek Indian campaigns in Alabama during his six months of active duty.  According to the NC Archives, he served in the 8th Co Second Mecklenburg Regiment.  He was mustered into service at Salisbury, NC Feb 3, 1814 for six months service.  He was discharged at Salisbury on Aug 12, 1814.  He eventually received two 80-acre Bounty Land Warrants as payment for his service.  Warrant #10395 was entered in Tuscaloosa Co. on Jul 22, 1851 and warrant #5526 was entered in Tuscaloosa Co. on Aug 23, 1855.  However, land records show that Robert had already obtained 40 acres in Tuscaloosa Co. on Dec 30, 1835 near Cedar Cove.  Others holding land and settling nearby included his sons-in law, James Newell (land purchase Jan 25, 1833) and William Kizziah, and a brother-in-law Matthew Pitman (land purchase Apr 17, 1833), and members of the Pierson family.

Other sources indicate that Robert served as a Private in CPT Wood’s Company (this same document later stated it was CPT Robert Hood’s Company) and COL Jesse Pierson’s Militia Regiment.  This would imply that CPT Hood led the 8th Co and COL Pierson was in charge of the Second Mecklenburg Regiment.  The following information has been extracted from an archaeology report by the Alabama Historical Commission in reference to the Creek Indian war campaigns in Alabama:

“General Joseph Graham leading North and South Carolinians advanced westward from Fort Mitchell.  As the Army moved, Forts Bainbridge, Hull and Decatur were erected or improved.  From Ft. Decatur the Carolinians moved to the locale of old Fort Toulouse.  Here they joined Jackson’s militia and the 39th U. S. volunteers on April 17, 1814…  An encampment bearing the name of Andrew Jackson was established southeast of the site of Fort Toulouse and the Carolina units and the 39th Infantry settled in…  From these troops fatigue parties, numbering from 100 to 200 men were mustered each day to raise the fort that General John Coffee states was begun immediately after the troops arrived…

“By May 17th the ditches and moats at the new defenses had been dug…  Preparation began the ninth of June for the withdrawal of Graham’s Brigade.  Their enlistment was nearing expiration and the 3rd Regiment U. S. Infantry was scheduled to arrive soon from the west. Two companies of militia were left to occupy the fort and wait for the regulars to arrive while the main body moved to ‘Tuckabatchee Old Fields’ where they began construction of Fort Burrows opposite Fort Decatur…  Only those posts in Alabama occupied by the Carolinians had earth as the major component in their construction.”

By August 1814, Jackson had begun his descent down the Alabama River, and eventually on to the Battle of New Orleans.  On Aug 15, he landed on the right bank “opposite where Colonel Pearson, of the North Carolina militia, had encamped during the Indian war (‘Colonial Mobile’).”

This foregoing information places the Carolina troops, in which Robert Boyd served, in the Tallapoosa Valley area during the construction of Fort Jackson.  As stated, the Carolinians used earthen works as their primary construction medium.  This was because they were used to constructing Coastal defenses against bombardments from ships at sea.  Fort Jackson was primarily an earthen based fort.  Therefore, Robert may have actually participated in the construction of Fort Jackson.  After his release from service, Robert returned to Mecklenburg Co., NC.   He was on the 1830 Mecklenburg census, but had arrived in Tuscaloosa by 1833.  Sources indicate that the family may have spent some time in TN during this transition.  Robert married 2nd, Lydia Whitaker in Tuscaloosa Co. Nov 20, 1837.  She applied for a pension in Tuscaloosa on Jan 29, 1880 and was listed on the War of 1812 Pension rolls as a resident of Bibb Co.  She may have returned there to live with some of her children.  Robert and several of his descendants had moved to Franklin Co. where he died Jul 14, 1863.  It is unknown at this time where his grave may be located.  Other descendants moved across to Tishomingo Co., MS in the early 1860s where several descendants still reside.

Robert and Tempie Boyd had seven known children:  Polly b Sep 28, 1801 married Robert Lee Kizziah; Jane b Mar 29, 1805 (no further info); Sarah b Jul 8, 1807 married James Newell (my ancestral line); Elizabeth b Oct 10, 1809 married William Kizziah, Jr.; John Alexander b Jan 5, 1812 married Rachel Lawless; Rachel b Sep 27, 1813 (no further info); William Washington b Apr 13, 1817 married (1) Sue Kizziah (2) Primrose Lawless; and Caty Caroline b Jul 15, 1820 married Jesse Prince.

Robert and Liddy Boyd had five known children:  Robert M. bc1838 (no further info); Samuel W. b Mar 1840 married Mildred Vaughn; David Baker b Apr 7, 1843 married (1) Sarah Anne Miller (2) Rebecca A. (?); James Early, b Jul 2, 1851 married (1) Patsy J. Cummings (2) Fanny Jane Hullman; and Sarah Emeline bc1855 (no further info).

Written by James T. Newell originally for the “The Heritage of Lamar County, Alabama (2000).”  Revised May 2010.

Sources:

“At Liberty on Bear Creek,” Charles E. Boyd

“Haysop,” Charles E. Boyd

“Fort Toulouse Phase III Completion Report,” The Alabama Historical Commission

“Colonial Mobile,” The University of Alabama Bicentennial Reprint