Thursday, June 16, 2011

EmigranThursday – Allan Boyle and Martha Campbell Boyle

The Boyle Family, Perry Township 1850.
Welcome to this week’s EmigranThursday featuring Allan Boyle of Perry Township, Columbiana County, Ohio. His biography appeared on page 198 of Brant and Fuller’s History of the Upper Ohio Valley with Historical Account of Columbiana County, Ohio published in 1891. Additional sources from Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  • Allan Boyle was born in Dalry, Ayrshire September 28, 1811, the son of James Boyle and Ann Patrick. He learned the trade of silk weaving in his own country, having served an apprenticeship of four years. He came to America in 1841 and went first to Illinois, then to Cincinnati, then to Circleville and to Salem in 1848 where for 20 years he was engaged in the business {of silk weaving? – the text wasn’t clear} having branches of this establishment at Wooster, Mansfield, Ashland, Seville and Mount Vernon. During this time business increased to such an extent that it amounted to $100,000 annually. In 1868, he went into partnership with Baxter and embarked in the manufacture of stoves. Baxter & Boyle lasted for 11 years. In 1879, Mr. Boyle was appointed postmaster of Salem and served for four years. In 1859 he became associated with the Salem Gas Company as an incorporator and became its president in 1872. He married Martha Campbell of Ayrshire on June 3, 1841. Allan and Martha had six children: James, William, Anna, Mary E., Mattie and Maggie. Mr. Boyle is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and also of the F. & A.M., and the R.A.M. “His political convictions are intensely republican.”

Allan Boyle of Columbiana County is probably the Allan Boyle who arrived on the ”Garrick” 13 Sept 1841 which sailed from Liverpool to New York. Sailing with him Mrs. Boyle and William Boyle. William and Allan were listed as farmers on the passenger manifest. According to the census records, Allan Boyle was in Perry Township by 1850 and here he stayed until at least 1880. 
In his household in 1850 was himself (38), his wife Martha (34), their daughters Margaret (8, born in Illinois) and Ann (1, born in Ohio), and Margaret Campbell (54) – very likely a relative of Martha’s. Allan’s occupation was butter packer – so perhaps the whole silk thing didn’t work out so well. By 1860, Margaret Campbell has disappeared, but siblings for Margaret and Ann have appeared, namely May, James, William and Mattie. Also in their household is April Darris (24) who has “none” listed under occupation, but may be a domestic. Allan Boyle’s occupation is “butter dealer” and he owned real and personal property valued at $10,000 each. The household is roughly the same in 1870, although by this time Allan is a foundryman with real estate and personal estate valued at $12,000 and $15,000 respectively. Martha and the children are all still at home. Also in the household is a domestic servant, Lenora Rose and William Boyle (54), presumably Allan’s brother.

I did find entries at FamilySearch.org that might be this family. I did not find an Allan Boyle’s born in Dalry parish in 1811 just one born 6 Jan 1811 in Kirkoswald, Ayrshire. A Margaret Orr Campbell, daughter of William Campbell was born in Dalry parish Ayrshire 25 June 1815. There was also an entry for the marriage of Allan Boyle to Margaret Orr Campbell, the daughter of William Campbell on 21 May 1841 in Dalry Parish. It would take more research to figure out if these individuals in Dalry parish are same as the ones in Perry Township, especially because of the discrepancy in the marriage dates, but it seems likely.

This biography and his origin in Ayrshire make it a bit harder to figure out how Allan Boyle ended up in Columbiana County. Since the text says he moved from Illinois, to Cincinnati, to Circleville (south of Columbus, in central Ohio) then to Salem (in Perry Township, Columbiana County, Ohio), suggest that Allan was just following his nose, looking for opportunity. Of course, it is likely that the opportunities he found were brought to his attention via networks and it is likely that other Scots played an important role here. I wonder how Martha Campbell Boyle felt about all this constant moving about?

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