Boyds of Aghadowey,
County Derry, Northern Ireland
W.P.
Boyd, 1912
The first trace of the early Boyd family in Ireland was at
the time of the siege of Londonderry. To the east of this
renowned city, a few miles, rested in the County of Antrim,
a small Presbyterian village called Aghadowey, one of the
oldest Presbyterian settlements in Ireland. At this time
found at this settlement the Rev. Thomas Boyd, who had
ministered almost from the time of the plantation to the little
settlement of this place. He had succeeded the predecessor
of the Rev. James McGregor, who had come over her to America.
A few days before the seige of Londonderry commenced
this aged soldier Divine, for he must have been between seventy
and eighty years old at the time, gathered all the members of his
congregation one afternoon on what was called the green or lawn,
in front of the old church. Here he held a service, picturing
to his
congregation the advancement of the Irish troops towards the illfated
city. He then afterwards picked out all the youths and men who were
able to carry arms. Then mounting upon a small grassy
elevation on the lawn, with his sword by his side and Bible in
hand, with his long white waving hair hanging over his shoulders,
he addressed the men and his hearers, and aroused them to the
highest pitch of religious and patriotic enthusiasm. Then formed
them into a company of soldiers, and placed himself in front, as chief
or commander, and marched at the head of his company to the
walls of Londonderry, where, old as he was, he prayed and
fought and endured all the deprivations and horrors of that
famous and awful siege. He afterwards, returned to his old
home again, where he lived for nine or ten years in peace,
to see his cherished religion saved, and died among those of
his younger days in 1699.
Although this event occurred over two hundred years ago to
this very day, his memory is as fresh amongst the people of
Aghadowey who now reside there, as though he had only lived
twenty years ago. The spot where he stood to address his
congregation before he marched with his men to Londonderry,
is still pointed out to all who visit that place. He is said
to have
been a tall, slender, old gentleman and had a very commanding
appearance and was a favorite with all that knew him.