Robert Andrew Boyd: Born 30 November 1814, London; died 17 July 1869, Walthamstow, London. My great grandfather's father.
I've said a bit about his parents, his birth, his siblings, at my page about his parents, John Boyd, Sarah Boyd, fruitiers, near Piccadilly Circus, London, at least 1812-1841.
I think Robert was a sugar refiner. A partner, perhaps, in a sugar refinery. A source of many fortunes. In the 1871 census, shortly after Robert Andrew died, he left two sons (John, I THINK... I have the information, but not to hand) and my grandfather (Thomas Lunham Boyd), as young men (in 20's) employers (according to the census return) of scores of men. Each.
But! All mention of "sugar" disappeared from the family's "oral history". Were young John James Boyd and Thomas Lunham Boyd "pushed out" by those who had been in the trade with Robert Andrew? Did the family become embarrassed about the source of their wealth... slavery... at some point?
Whatever the explanation, the records don't lie. Robert Andrew was a sugar refiner, and at least one of his sons, too, at least briefly. (Death certificate attests the first, 1871 census the second.)
Robert Andrew Boyd married Mary Lunham, of Swinton, Berwick, Scotland. Their banns were published 13 May 1838. How did they meet?
Robert and Mary had the following children that I know of as of June 2017.
See John James's page for some as-yet un-researched possible other siblings.
TKB: Successful businessman. 1849-1931
Jessie Smith Boyd: b. about 1853. Died aft 1893. Seems she never married.
Rachel: b. about 1856, d. after 1881. Seems she never married.
Robert William Boyd: b. about 1860. Died aft 1911. In 1911, living in Bickley, Kent (near Bromley), with wife and 18 year old son (Gordon). RWB, 1911: "Provision merchant", as was his father, and others in the family.
Currently, I am wrestling with a mystery thrown up by an 1871 census return for Mary Boyd (Robert Andrew's widow, then.) She was at Clay Street, Walthamstow, Essex, which "fits".
With her, many of the above, whom I "know"... but also another "Mary", listed as daughter, age 24, born Ireland. (The "Born Ireland" is fine... many of Robert Andrew and Mary's children were.) I don't think I'd heard of her before!
Also in the house, and something of a puzzle: Two grandsons, if I read the image correctly, named H L Ridings and George R Ridings, aged 4 and 2, respectively. I found a Henry L and a George R Ridings that "fit" in the 1881 census, too. (they were together, at a boarding school.) That record says they were born in Lewisham, Kent, which fits with the 1871 record. So there really were two boys, those names.
But why were Mrs. Boyd's grandsons named Ridings? All of her daughters, the ones I knew about, plus the "new" "Mary", are listed as "Boyd" in the 1871 census return.
Ah! The thrills and spills of family history research!
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