William Boyd

William Boyd is said to have been born in September 1775. He was the son of John and Ann Logan Boyd. He probably was born in Albany and grew up in the large family of a newcomer Scottish merchant.

During the 1790s, his father re-located the family to Johnstown where he died in 1799. Perhaps his widow took William back to Albany when she went (probably after 1800) to live with her married daughter.

As a young man, William Boyd is said to have been a sloop captain running between Albany and New York.

By 1809, he had established himself as a silversmith and jeweller on Steuben and North Market Street - for a time in partnershep with Robert Shepherd. Beginnning in 1810, city censuses configured his small family. Beginning in 1813, city directories identified this Albany mainstay.

He was a member and officer in the Albany Mechanics Society.

In May 1809, he married Hannah Hook. The marriage produced at least eight children. Both parents were members of the Albany Presbyterian church and William was a trustee at the time of his death.

In July 1818, he was identified as a silversmith who with his partner engraved a silver plate commemorating the heroism of General Montgomery.

In 1813 and in 1819, he was elected a director of the "Mechanics & Farmers Bank."

William Boyd died in April 1840 at the age of sixty-five.

Sources: The life of William Boyd is CAP biography number 7595. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.