Muhlenberg County Kentucky

Old Muhlenberg Map

Family Group Records B

Adlai Boyd

Adlai Boyd
Born: November 26, 1804 Iredell Co., North Carolina
Married: 1) 1824 Muhlenberg
Died: December 31, 1881 Greenville, Kentucky
Buried: Old Liberty Churchyard, west of Greenville
Father: John Boyd
Mother: Elizabeth Leach

Spouse: 1) Joanna Cessna
Died: January 3, 1864
Buried: Old Liberty Churchard, west of Greenville
Father: Robert Cessna
Mother: Elizabeth Culbertson

Spouse: 2) Almira J.M. Boyd

Rev. Adlai Boyd was born in Iredell Co., North Carolina, November 26, 1804. His parents were John Boyd and Elizabeth Leach, and Adlai was one of 10 children. In 1811, the Boyd family moved to Wilson Co., Tennessee, and in 1814, they moved to Christian Co., Kentucky. The following year, they moved again to Stewart Co., Tennessee and settled near the Kentucky border.

In 1817, Adlai joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the age of 13, and in 1822, he led prayer meetings at Liberty meetinghouse. Later, he had his first appointment with the Christian circuit. He had a very distinguished career with the Presbyterian church.

In 1824, he married Joanna Cessna, daughter of Robert Cessna and Elizabeth Culbertson, in Muhlenberg.

Children of Adlai Boyd & Joanna Cessna:

  1. Mary Elizabeth Smith Boyd, born October 7, 1829; married Richard D. Reynolds on December 10, 1846, officiated by Rev. Boyd; died January 13, 1900.
  2. Margaret Ann Cessna Boyd, born March 25, 1832; died May 7, 1839, age 7 yrs.
  3. Sylvanus John Boyd, born August 11, 1833; married Annie A. Alexander December 19, 1872 in Calhoun, McLean Co., KY; died February 5, 1908 in Louisville, Kentucky. Occupation: Attorney/Judge
  4. Sarah Emily Boyd “Emma”, born May 23, 1836; married William Grundy October 31, 1878; died February 2, 1888, McLean Co., KY
  5. Josie Isabella Boyd, born February 5, 1838; unmarried; died June 11, 1892, McLean Co., KY
  6. Rufus Marian Boyd, born July 7, 1840; married Nanny Gish October 19, 1864; died November 30, 1909, McLean Co., KY
  7. Robert Adlai Boyd, born October 12, 1843; married Viola Alice Jennings Robinson December 24, 1895 at age 52; died November 17, 1927
  8. James Quisenberry Boyd, born August 20, 1845; married but her name is unknown; died February 10, 1908
  9. Benjamin Thomas Boyd, born April 4, 1848; married but her name is unknown; died June 1914, Lakeland, Florida

Joanna Cessna Boyd died on January 3, 1864 and is buried in the Old Liberty Churchyard which is located approx 6½ miles west of Greenville. Adlai remarried after Joanna's death to Almira J.M. Boyd and had four more children with her but their names are not known by this researcher. Adlai and Almira lived in Henderson, Kentucky.

Adlai died on December 31, 1881 at Greenville, Kentucky and is buried in an unmarked grave next to Joanna and Margaret Ann.
Contributed by Cheryl Cessna

Updated July 22, 2017