Author: Michael Flood
Samuel Boyd was born in Craven County, South Carolina, May 20, 1763. He was of Scotch descent. His father, James Boyd, had previously emigrated thither from Virginia. The father and one son died in a Tory prison during the Revolutionary war; and Samuel, the subject of this sketch, came near losing his life by a ball from a Troy gun. He recovered, however, with the loss of his left eye, and served through the war, having enlisted at the age of 16. He was married, December 12, 1785, to Isabella Higgins, who also was of Scotch descent, and not a distant relative of Robert Burns, the poet. She did not forget, through life, that, when a young woman, she danced with Andrew Jackson.

In 1801, during the fame Kane Revival, in Kentucky, he made a profession of the Christian religion, and during the remainder of his life he labored faithfully, as a minister, for the salvation of others. During a missionary tour to the Indians, he again came near losing his life. An Indian boy thoughtlessly touched a burning brand to a keg of powder, blowing the rude hut to pieces, killing two children, and injuring Samuel Boyd, who was laid out as dead. He recovered, and for more than a score of years was an active laborer in the cause of his Master. He was a member of the Christian Church, then often termed 'Newlights'. As a public speaker he was earnest and animated, for one of so limited education advantages was an efficient Christian teacher. His wife lived to the age of 88 years, and died a Christian, 31 October 1852. They had ten children; all but one having lived to be married, and settled as farmers and farmer's wives, and all except one in Wayne County.

While residing in Ninety Six District, Samuel Boyd enlisted in the Spring 1780, served as a private in Captains Thomas’ and Earle’ companies, Colonels Roebuck’s and Hays’ regiments, was out in many scouting parties, was in an engagement on Bush River, where his “left eye was entirely shot out”, was at the capture of Augusta, Georgia and the siege of Ninety Six, continued in the service until the spring of 1782 and that from spring until December 1782, he served in Captain Duvall’s company and Colonel Pickens’ regiment. Samuel Boyd moved from Ninety-Six District to Kentucky in 1787, where he lived until the year 1811, when he moved to Wayne County, Indiana.

The soldier, Samuel Boyd, was allowed pension on his application executed August 29, 1832, while resident of Wayne County, Indiana. He was pension by the State of South Carolina, on account of wounds received while in the service. Samuel died November 27, 1835. His widow, Isabella Boyd, was allowed pension on her application executed September 8, 1840, then seventy-six years of age and living in Wayne County, Indiana. She died October 31, 1852.

REFERENCES:
(1) History of Wayne County, Indiana 1872 by Andrew W. Young, pages 238 & 239
(2) Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution by B.G. Moss, page 90 W9737 A.A.672A
(3) Revolutionary War Pensions - applicants who served from So. Carolina complied by Sara Sullivan Ervin on page 10
(4) Revolutionary War Pension Records. Samuel Boyd – W.9737