THE SOMERSET BOYLAN FAMILY

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BY THE EDITOR OF THE QUARTERLY

Among the early important Scotch-Irish families of Bernards and Bedminster townships, Somerset County, was the Boylan family, which, while large in Revolutionary days, began to migrate afterward, so that scarcely any of the name now reside near their ancestral home.

For many of the following important particulars of this family we are indebted to Mr. John F. Boylan, of Madison, N. J.; Miss Martha F. Haywood and Mr. Rufus T. Boylan, of Raleigh, North Carolina; Mr. John A. Powelson, of Pluckemin, N. J., and Mrs. Noyes R. Thomas, of Newark. 1. Aaron Boylan came to N. J. from Coleraine, Ireland, date not known, but probably about 1732.

It is said he landed at Perth Amboy and settled near Long Hill; if so, it could have been either in Somerset or Morris county. A descendant thinks it was at Vealtown (Bernardsville), but another informant states it was near Liberty Corner, in either case Somerset. He is said to have been a pew holder, and perhaps member, of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian church. His date of birth is placed conjecturally between 1710 and 1716. The fact that he came from Coleraine with a brother James, and that the name of his wife was Catherine Parkinson appears from a very brief sketch which his grandson, William Boylan, of Raleigh, N. C, wrote out in 1833, and is all we know of Aaron's origin:

"Roger, James and Aaron O'Boylan were of Coleraine, in Ireland. Roger was prepared for the Church, did not preach but became a teacher of a classical school. James and Aaron ran away from their guardian, Roger, and worked their passage to New Jersey. James married Mary Annin and Aaron married Catherine Parkinson, the widow of Richard Shillton. The Parkinsons were of Ireland. James had several children, who are of distant States. Aaron had two sons, James and John." Miss Haywood, a living granddaughter of William Boylan, further states: "My grandfather told me that he had always heard that the little boys had been left orphans with considerable property in Ireland under the guardianship of their uncle, were unkindly treated and had run away and hid on a ship and came to America as stowaways. There they were sold by the captain of the vessel, and their uncle in Ireland, afterwards hearing of it, sent money to redeem them."

It will be noticed that, in the first quotation, the surname is said to be "O'Boylan," but we doubt if this is correct. The name seems certainly to have been Scotch, and not Irish, as such a surname would imply. However, that may be, no such surname was used by the family in America, and it is certain the early Boylans were Presbyterians and not Roman Catholics.

Aaron Boylan married into the Parkinson family, of which we can give no further particulars. He probably married her after his arrival in New Jersey. In 1775 there was a Parkinson (or Parkison) of Somerset, but we have obtained no further clue to the family. In Lee's "Gen. and Mem. Hist, of N. J." (p. 1462) there is a statement which, from lack of any other record, was naturally followed in the Quarterly (Vol. I, p. 157), to the effect that Aaron Boylan had come from Derry or Londonderry, New England, to New Jersey, but this seems not to be authenticated by the town records of these two places, and we now believe the statement was founded simply on the fact that one of Aaron's sons, Dr. James Boylan, married a wife whose parents came from Londonderry, N. H. (See under James (2) below). It is quite certain, however, that Aaron sailed from the port of Londonderry, Ireland, which is near Coleraine. The date of Aaron's death Is unknown, and mentions of him in our local records are few. In 1756 he was a contributor to the building of St. Paul's Lutheran church at Pluckemin (Snell's "History," p. 716). In 1763 his name is given as one to whom application could be made for lottery tickets for the Bound Brook bridge, his residence, or perhaps only his post-office address, being given as at Basking Ridge. (Quarterly, Vol. Ill, p. 92). Previously, in 1754, an advertised letter in the New York post-office was also addressed to him at Basking Ridge ("N. T. Archives," Vol. 19, p. 395). We have been unable to find any recorded deed of any land owned by him.

What became of Aaron's brother James, who married into the Annin family, is unknown; he must have gone to one of the adjoining States, as William (18) stated his children were in other States. In the memorandum of William Boylan above referred to, he states that Aaron had two sons, James and John. This omits a son Aaron, and does not mention daughters, of whom there were probably some, although the name of one only has reached us, and we are not certain of its correctness.

Children of Aaron Boylan and Catherine (Parkinson) Shillton: 2. James, physician, b. Aug. 14, 1743 (old style); d. May 19, 1823; m., about 1767, Ann Dunlop (dau. of Rev. Samuel Dunlop and Elizabeth Guest), who was b. Jan. 17, 1746 (old style), and d. Jan. 9, 1831. The father of Ann Dunlop and cousin of Aaron Boylan was a pastor in Londonderry, N. H., and went from there to Cherry Valley, N. Y., in 1741. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were both Scotch-Irish, from Ireland. During the Indian massacre at Cherry Valley in 1778 his wife was killed in an inhuman manner (see various accounts of the Cherry Valley massacre), whereupon he came to New Jersey, probably to reside with his son-in-law, James Boylan.

Dr. Boylan resided at Vealtown (Bernardsville), Somerset co., where he not only practiced medicine but owned a gristmill and 1355^2 acres of land. In various local histories Dr. Boylan is stated to have served in the Revolutionary War, and the record referring to him is probably that of the James Boylan who served as a corporal in Capt. Jacob Ten Eyck's Co., and also in a Somerset battalion from Oct. 21 to Nov. 4, 1776. * He *

The records at Trenton also show that another James Boylan served in Capt. Jacob Ten Eyck's Co., enlisting in April, 1776, serving until Dec, 1779, when he was taken prisoner and confined for two months. He was b. in 1755 and in 1832 was living at Batavia, Genesee co., N. Y. (as per Washington Pension records). He may have been a son of James Boylan who immigrated with Aaron (1); if not, we cannot identify him.

There was also a James Boylan serving in Philadelphia and Chester co. (Pa.) regiments as 1st Lieut., and Captain between 1783 and 1790. (Pa. Archives, 5th Series, Vol 5, pp. 842, 843). is also said to have acted as surgeon to the wounded after the Battle of Princeton; and it is suggested in Mellick's "Story of an Old Farm" (p. 410) that he was probably Lord Stirling's family physician.

During the winter of I/76-'77, when some stray British militiamen made a temporary raid into the northern part of Somerset, they took property of his appraised at £25 (Quarterly, Vol. I, p. 282). He died in 1823 intestate, and he and his wife are said to have been buried in the Basking Ridge churchyard, though the published tombstone inscriptions do not record their names. (See Quarterly, Vol I, p. 125). A surgeon's saw, said to have belonged to Dr. Boylan, is among the preserved relics in the Washington Headquarters at Morristown.

One of his sons went to Cincinnati, O., and it is said a descendant of this son, Dr. Halsted Boylan, is in Paris, France. (For ch., see infra).

3. John, b. 1746; d. Mar. 4, 1793; m. Eleanor Hodge (dau. of Samuel Hodge and Lyle, both probably Scotch-Irish, of Coleraine, Ireland), f who was b. about 1751 and d. Feb. 3, 1846, when, after being a widow for fifty-three years, she died at the age of 95. It is stated that, at the time of her marriage, she was but fifteen years of age ("Our Home," p. 533), but this has not been verified. "Captain" John Boylan (the name being then pronounced and occasionally spelled in print "Bullion") usually went by that title during his later life, although in 1777 he became a lay Judge of the Somerset County Courts, after which he was properly "Judge" John. He was a prosperous man during the Revolution having, it is said, four stores in Bedminster and Bernards townships, viz., at Pluckemin, at Liberty Corner, at Vealtown (Bernardsville) and at Vanderveer's Mills. (Snell, p. 712; "Story of an Old Farm," p. 582).

In the statement made by his son William, he says that Capt. Boylan first resided at Liberty Corner and then removed to Pluckemin. That the Captain served for a brief time as a Revolutionary private soldier appears from a record in the Adjutant-General's office at Trenton, which states that "John Boylan served as private in Capt. Gavin McCoy's Company, First Battalion, Somerset co., N. J., militia." He probably received his title of "Captain" from service in the militia subsequent to the Revolution.

Further references to "Captain" Boylan are as follows: His son William stated that he was a "merchant and publisher" when at Liberty Corner. Of his being a "publisher" we have no other clue. Snell (p. 712) says he was an extensive manufacturer of potash and "is said to tin the "Story of an Old Farm" (p. 163), it is stated that his wife was the daughter of Jacob Eoff, and from these authorities it was repeated in the Quarterly (Vol. V, p. 234). But his own son, William, stated otherwise, and we know from other sources who she was.

It was Samuel (15), a son of John, who married into the Eoff family. 102 Somerset County Historical Quarterly have entertained Washington in some of his visits to Pluckemin," a matter not improbable, as he and 'Squire McEowen were the two most prominent men of that village while Washington's army was quartered there. In the recent celebration (February 21, 191 3) at Pluckemin of the grand fete and ball commemorating the French Alliance, which was held by Washington, Knox and other Generals at that place on February 18, 1779, the old house of Captain Boylan was opened for about seventy-five guests, and the present owner, Mr. Andrew Compton, with Mrs. Martha Powelson, acted as General and Lady Washington, and "served bountiful refreshments from a large centre table lighted with tallow candles, and the blue ware used had seen service during the trying days of the American Revolution." (Quarterly, Vol. II, p. 154).

 ** A picture of the Boylan house at Pluckemin appeared in the Quarterly for July, 19 1 6. From various sources it can be gleaned that the Boylans were acknowledged leaders in social affairs at Pluckemin and Vealtown in Revolutionary days. A receipt in the Captain's own handwriting appears in the "Story of an Old Farm" (p. 581), showing he wrote a business hand, and it was certain he was a man of education for that day. Besides owning stores, he possessed 150 acres of land north of the village of Pluckemin. (See Quarterly, Vol. V, p. 234). In 1773 it is noted that he was one of the managers of a "Lottery for the disposal of certain lands in the township of Bridgewater." ("N. J. Archives," Vol. 28, p. 348). The exact object of this lottery we have not ascertained. He was a man of wealth for those days. We know that he, and also his wife Eleanor after his death, made many mortgage investments in Somerset, as the records show.

When Judge Boylan took his seat on the Somerset Bench it was beside two distinguished men, who were lay Judges with him, Col. Peter D. Vroom, father of the Governor, and Henry Southard (later Congressman), father of the Hon. Samuel L. Southard. Judge Boylan died March 4, 1793, when only 46 years of age, and was buried in the old Basking Ridge church burying-ground, where there **

The late Mrs. Paul Vandervoort, of Burnt Mills, near Pluckemin (a granddaughter of this John Boylan), who, before she died in 1916, was probably the oldest living descendant of the line, stated some years ago that "General and Mrs. Washington were several times entertained at Mr. Boylan’s house, and Mrs. Boylan had the honor of dancing with the General;" that "the white satin slippers and square silver buckles which she wore in the dance are still preserved in the family;'' and that "the china buff and gold set, together with the silver service used in the entertainment are or were in the home of Horace Bannard, of Long Branch." At the time of her death Mrs. Vandervoort was about 76 years of age. and certainly obtained the facts from her mother, a daughter of John and Eleanor Boylan. To Mrs. Van Dervoort descended many of Captain Boylan's books and his desk, or secretary, a mahogany sideboard, etc., now possessed by her daughter, Mrs. Noyes R. Thomas, of 88 S. 13th street, Newark, N. J. 103 is a tombstone to his memory. His widow Eleanor, by will dated Oct. 10 1844, probated March 26, 1846 (Somerset Wills, Book F, p. 162), mentioned only her daughters Sarah and Hannah and grandchildren Sarah Jane and Mary Van Derveer, and gave her house and lot to her son William, of Raleigh, N. C. (For ch., see infra).

4. Aaron, b. 1749; d. Sept. 20, 1824. He also served in the Revolution, in Capt. John Parker's Company, First Battalion, Somerset Militia; in the State Troops and in the Continental Army. Whom he married we do not know, but he doubtless removed soon after 1800 to Mercer co., Pa., where he died, according to the War Department Pension records, although, upon inquiry in Mercer county, we have found no record of a will or administration upon his estate.

 4a. Ann. No proof of this daughter, but we have been informed that there was an Ann and that she died very young).

Children of Dr. James Boylan (2) and Ann Dunlop:

5. Samuel, b. 1768. He was living in Bedminster twps. in 1798.

6. Robert, b. 1769. No further trace.

7. John, b. 1771; d. 1847. He was probably a physician, like his father, and certainly lived at Bernardsville. If a physician, he is the same mentioned by Dr. McDowell in "Our Home" (p. 533), who tells the anecdote of him that, when a man had broken his thigh and the doctor was sent for in a hurry to set it, the latter had first to attend to a previous call, and said to the messenger: '"Wait a minute; take this emetic; give it to the man, and I will be along shortly." We have not learned that he was married. By his will of Sept. 28, 1843, probated April 12, 1847 (Somerset Wills, Book F, p. 239), he left all his property to his sister Catherine.

8. Aaron, of Newark, X. J., b. Jan. 11, 1774; d. Dec. 21, 1858; m., June 20, 1806, Phebe Breese (dau. of Stephen Breese and Nancy Baily), who was b. Aug. 25, 1783, and d. Apr. 25, 1862. He studied law with Hon. Aaron Ogden, of Elizabeth; was admitted to the New Jersey Bar at the September Term, 1797. Practiced in Bernards twsp., Somerset co., where he was owner of various tracts of land, until 1825, and thereafter at Newark until his death.

He had eight children, three of whom, Aaron Ogden, David Kirkpatrick and James Harris, became lawyers and practiced in Newark. One of the daughters of James Harris Boylan, named Osee Melinda, m. John Driscoll Fitz-gerald, one of whose sons was the late Methodist Bishop James Newbury Fitz-gerald, who d. in China in 1907, while another, Aaron Ogden Fitzgerald, is now the head of the Fitz-gerald Company Varnish Works, of Newark. (This particular family is carried out in Lee's "Gen. and Mem. Hist, of N. J.").

9. Henry, b. 1775; d. 1782.

10. Catherine, b. 1778; d. about May, 1863; unm. She resided at Bernardsville and owned considerable real estate, conveyed to her by her father. She is said to have possessed the old family records, now unfortunately missing. By her will she bequeathed her estate to her adopted daughter, Margaret C, wife of Charles S. Quimby. (Somerset Wills, Book H, p. 398).

11. James, b. 1778. No further trace.

12. Joseph, b. 1780. It is stated that a dau. of Joseph is still living, very aged, at Lebanon, Ohio, and that her daughter, a Mrs. Hartwell, resides at Little Rock, Ark.

13. Benjamin, of Basking Ridge, N. J., b. July 7, 1782; d. May 21, 1839; m. Elizabeth Alward (dau. of Benjamin Alward and Sarah Ayres). He removed to Newark about 1832, but after his wife's death went to Lebanon, Ohio, where he died. (For ch., see infra).

14. Jacob, b. 1789. No further trace.

Children of Judge John Boylan (3) and Eleanor Hodge: (According to the late Dr. McDowell there were "fifteen children, most of whom lived to grow up." ("Our Home," p. 533). One of these children, William (18), in the memorandum before referred to, simply said: "John and Eleanor had children, to wit: Samuel, who moved to the State of Ohio, where he died, leaving several children on the Great Miami. William, John and Andrew, who moved to North Carolina to their uncle, Abraham Hodge, the State Printer. Abraham Hodge during the Revolution conducted the Whig Press of Samuel Lowdon of the City of New York, and just before the close of the Revolutionary war he conducted General Washington's traveling press while the army was stationed at Valley Forge. Most of the daughters of John and Eleanor Boylan are married and live in and about Pluckemin, except Margaret, the wife of James Shaw, the late sheriff of the city of New York, and Lydia, who married Jacob Suydam, who removed to the Great Miami in Ohio. He died, and she married Robert Lawrence, of Cincinnati, merchant."

 It seems rather strange that all the children were not mentioned. While we are unable to name or place all the fifteen children the following fourteen (order uncertain) are given as a result of much correspondence):

15. Samuel, b. 1768; m. Mary (dau. of Jacob and Mary Eoff, of Pluckemin). She was previously the wife of Capt. Abram Van Arsdale. Samuel was known as "Captain" Samuel, being captain of the 4th Regiment of N. J. Infantry, which was sent to Western Pennsylvania to aid in quelling the Whiskey Insurrection in 1794. He served from 105 Sept. 24. to Dec. 24 of that year. He was at one time collector of taxes for Bedminster twsp. His daughter Maria m., Feb. 5, 1817, Jaquis O. Quick, and resided at Flemington. As before stated, Samuel removed (after 1811) to the Great Miami country, State of Ohio, where he left various descendants.

 A Samuel Boylan (whether his son or not is unknown) of Pluckemin was a private in Capt. John Logan's Co., 3rd Regiment, N. J. Detailed Militia, in the last war with Great Britain, serving from Sept. 12, 1814, to Dec. 9, 1814.

16. John, who is said to have gone to North Carolina, but of whom we have no further knowledge.

17. Abraham Hodge, who also removed to North Carolina with his brother William and was unm.; was living in 1861, because mentioned in the will of William (18).

18. William, of Raleigh, N. C, b. Sept. I, 1777; d. July 15, 1861. (See full sketch of him and also ch., infra).

19. Eliza; m. Oct. 23, 181 1, Samuel Sloan, of Bedminster twsp., who went to Vicksburg, Mississippi. A son, William, lawyer, resided and also d. at Vicksburg, Miss. 20. Mary, b. about 1781; d. Sept. 2, 1848, aged 67 years; m. (1) Samuel Wilson, and (2), 1813, John Davenport, of Pluckemin, being his second wife. Mr. Davenport was b. at Bury, Eng., in 1777, and d. Sept. 18, 1830. He was the most prominent and enterprising business man there of his day. She is said to have been a remarkably estimable lady.

They had six children: Margaret Davenport, who m. George Van Nest and is living between Pluckemin and North Branch; John Davenport, who m. Hester Voorhees; Thomas Davenport, of Somerville, who m. Frances Smith; Eleanor Davenport, who m. William L. Jones; James S. Davenport, of Raritan, who m. Maria Remsen; and Samuel W. Davenport, of Somerville, who m. Amelia Besteder. Thomas, James S. and Samuel W. Davenport composed the firm of Davenport Brothers, of New York City, which was noted in the china and glassware business for forty years.

By Samuel Wilson, Mary Boylan had one son, Robert, who settled in the West.

21. Sarah, of Pluckemin, b. about 1776; d. Sept. 7, 1872, at the age of 96; m., Dec. 1, 1830, Eli Parker, who d. Aug. 16, 1867, aged 76 yrs. There were no ch., but there was a step-son, John Parker, who m. Sarah Parker's niece, Mary Van Derveer, dau. of Anne (26). Mrs. Parker also adopted Mary Eugenia, her grandniece, named under (26).

22. Hannah, of Pluckemin, b. about 1778; d. 1864, a g e d 86 yrs.; unm. She resided with her sister Sarah.

23. Lydia; m., Nov. 23, 1814, Jacob Suydam, and removed to the Great Miami, Ohio. Had a son, Simon. After Mr. Suydam's death she m. Robert Lawrence, a merchant of Cincinnati.

24. Margaret, who m. James Shaw, once sheriff of the city of New York. Had 5 ch.:

(1) Rev. James Boylan Shaw, D. D., pastor of the Brick Presbyterian church at Rochester, N. J., who was Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly at Brooklyn in 1865.

(2) Eliza, who m. a Webster (said to have been a brother of Noah Webster, the lexicographer), and d. at Pluckemin Dec. 19, 1871. She was highly educated; is said to have been a classmate of Harriet Beecher Stowe at Litchfield, Conn.; was at one time a school teacher in the "Dutchess" neighborhood between Pluckemin and North Branch, and was a fine musician.

(3) Jane, who m. a Rev. Mr. Wyncoop

 (4) William, who was an insurance agent in New York City.

(5) Son, name unknown. (Order of foregoing uncertain).

25. Catherine, who m. a Wilson, cousin to Samuel Wilson (20). Both died in New York City of yellow fever somewhere about i8o2-'5. Had two ch.:

(1) Catherine, b. 1800; d. 1886; m. Peter Garretson, of Burnt Mills, later of Pluckemin. When very young she was taken to Raleigh, N. C, and brought up by her uncle William (18), but returned North before marriage. Mrs. Jane Gaston (widow of Hugh) of Somerville is a living daughter.

(2) John, who was also taken to Raleigh and lived there. When grown up he went to New York with a large amount of money to use for his uncle, William, and was never heard from afterward; supposed to have been robbed and, perhaps, murdered.

25a. Daughter, name unknown; m. a Ward and went West, had a son, Boylan Ward.

26. Anne, who m. Peter Van Derveer (probably son of John Van Derveer and Jane Van Pelt), of Pluckemin.

Their ch. were:

(1) Samuel Van Derveer, of Pluckemin, b. 1820; d. Jan. 4, 1841 ; m. and had ch. : Sarah Jane, who m. Sept. 11, 1859, John W. Teeple, and whose dau., Mrs. William Henry Whittemore, resides at 12 N. 16th street, East Orange ; and Mary Eugenia (wife of Paul Van Dervoort, of Burnt Mills), who d. July 27, 1916, aged about 76 yrs., whose two ch. are: Sarah Boylan, wife of Noyes R. Thomas, of 88 S. 13th street, Newark, N. J., and Paul C. Van Dervoort, living at Burnt Mills.

 (2) John Van Derveer, of Pluckemin; d. (after 1870); m. Margaret Collier and had ch.: John C, who m. Margaret Blackwell Van Dervoort; Sarah, who m. Elias Walk; Eliza, who m. Andrew Gulick, of Pluckemin; and Ann, who m. John De Mott.

(3) James Van Derveer, of Chester, who had a son John, now living there.

(4) William B., of Pluckemin.

(5) Mary Van Derveer, who m. John Parker (named under 21). 107

26a. Eleanor (supposed); m. John T. West. It is said they went to North Carolina. Both are mentioned in the will of her brother William (18); also "my niece, Eleanor West."

Sketch of William Boylan, of Raleigh, N. C.

As the above Mr. William Boylan (18), a native of Somerset County, N. J., became one of the most successful and influential of the noted men of the State of North Carolina, it may interest our readers to have more than the usual dates concerning him. From some of his descendants and from Ashe's "Biographical History of North Carolina," published in 1907, and a few other sources, we learn that Mr. Boylan, when a very young man, went to North Carolina to work in the office of his uncle, Abraham Hodge (brother to his mother, Eleanor Hodge). This uncle was one of the State's early printers. Mr. Hodge first engaged in business at Newbern about January, 1775, when the firm of Hodge & Blanchard became publishers of the "State Gazette of North Carolina." Later the firm became Hodge &Wills, removing to Edenton about 1777 and subsequently to Halifax, N. C, where they began publishing the "North Carolina Journal," in July, 1793. Another account states that Mr. Hodge conducted, in the early part of the Revolutionary War, the Whig press of Samuel Lowden, of New York City, and that just before the close of the war he conducted a traveling press for General Washington, the time of the latter being stated as "while the army was stationed at Valley Forge."

In 1797, when twenty years of age, William Boylan became a member of the firm of Hodge &Boylan, publishing at Fayetteville the "North Carolina Minerva" and the "Fayetteville Gazette." The latter newspaper was later removed to Raleigh and the name changed to the "North Carolina Minerva and Raleigh Advertiser," and afterwards simply "The Minerva." It was about 1799 when Mr. Boylan became a citizen of Raleigh.

He opened a book store in addition to his newspaper business. For many years Hodge &Boylan were printers to the State, and regularly published Almanacs, as well as printed some miscellaneous books. An early anecdote of him as almanac-maker is thus given by Governor Swain in an address in 1867:

"Traveling from Raleigh to Pittsboro about 1800, he and Mr. Peace, on reaching the election ground at Brassfields, found a multitude assembled engaged in dancing and other rural sports in the free and easy manner characteristic of the time and place. Mr. Peace was comparatively at home. Mr. Boylan stood aloof until a rowdy approached and invited him to enter the ring with the dancers. On his declining, a dozen came forward prepared to coerce the submission of the proud aristocrat. In an instant Mr. Peace, with great solemnity, beckoned the leader of the band aside and whispered: 'My friend, be careful how you act. Bless your life, that is Mr. Boylan, the man who made the almanac, and can foretell eclipses and thunderstorms.' The reference to the almanac-maker secured at once the most deferential respect for the distinguished visitor."

In 1801 the Raleigh Academy was incorporated, Mr. Boylan becoming one of its Board of Trustees. In this famous school were afterward educated William Rufus King, Vice-President of the United States, Leonidas Polk, Bishop and Confederate General, and other men who attained distinction in public life.

When the old capitol at Raleigh was burned, on June 21, 1831, Mr. Boylan was appointed a commissioner on the erection of a new building, which still stands, and which cost the State $530,000.

When the North Carolina Railroad Company was incorporated in 1848, the State made a subscription of $2,000,000 conditioned on $1,000,000 being subscribed by individuals. The Governor of the State, with Mr. Boylan and some others canvassed for the stock, but when the plan was about to fail, Mr. Boylan, with great sacrifice but high faith in the enterprise, subscribed for the untaken shares. His labors in this direction received high encomiums.

Mr. Boylan was also the second president of the State Bank of North Carolina, succeeding Colonel Polk, and was President of the Raleigh &Gaston R. R. Co., now part of the great Seaboard Air Line Railway system of the South. When Mr. Boylan, by his business ventures, had acquired a fortune, he retired from editorial work and gave his newspaper outfit to his bachelor brother, Abraham Hodge Boylan, who soon disposed of it.

Mr. Boylan owned plantations both in North Carolina and in Mississippi. He raised the first cotton in Wake county, N. C, and at one time owned over 1,000 slaves. At his death he left an estate of about $1,000,000, which he had accumulated by his own industry and business sagacity.

The fine Boylan mansion was originally built by Col. Joel Lane, who d. in 1795, when it became the property of one Browne, a lawyer, who sold it, with a fine miscellaneous library, to Mr. Boylan in 1818. (A brief account of a visit to this mansion by Dr. A. W. McDowell, of Pluckemin, appeared in "Our Home" for 1873, p. 534).

Mr. Boylan was twice married: first, to Elizabeth Stokes McCulloch, dau. of Benjamin McCulloch, of Halifax, N. C, and a granddau. of Hon. Alexander McCulloch, member of the King's Council of North Carolina in Colonial days; second, to Jane Elliott, who survived him. The McCullochs were from Ireland and were related to Lord Macartney, who was English Ambassador to China. 109 Mr. Boylan died at Raleigh in his 84th year, on July 15, 1861, and was buried in the family plot in the old City Cemetery. On his monument is the following epitaph: "He removed in his early youth to North Carolina, where he resided until his death, beloved and respected by all. He was a patriotic and public-spirited man, and ardently devoted to the interests and improvement of his adopted State." It is stated that Mr. Boylan was "sedate and grave in manners to a degree that, to a stranger, might have been taken for austerity." But his portrait, taken from an engraving (see frontispiece in this number), does not show this, and it is certain he had a kind, warm heart, not only toward the public but toward his relatives.

He often made handsome presents to his mother Eleanor Boylan, and was liberal to his sister, Mrs. Parker. (See "Our Home," p. 534). His will of June 18, 1858, with two codicils, probated Nov. 18, 1861, in Wake county, N. C, was also recorded in this (Somerset) county in order to give title to the real estate at Pluckemin bequeathed to him by his mother and which he willed to his sister, Sarah Parker. (Somerset Wills, Book L, p. 263). In this elaborate will he mentions not only children and grandchildren, but, by specific name, a large number of slaves. Besides the large bequests to the widow and family, he devised his numerous plantations specified as in Wake and Chatham cos., and at Cape Fear, N. C.; also in Yazoo co., Miss. To his unmarried daughter Catherine, he gave his handsome dwelling house and plantation called "Wakefield," with his library, etc.

Singularly enough, while Mr. Boylan had eleven children, yet of his descendants, which were many, the only ones now to bear his surname descend from his youngest son, William Montfort Boylan, of Raleigh. Children of Benjamin Boylan (13) and Elizabeth Alward: 27. Ann, who d. aged 22 yrs. 28. Sarah, who m. W. Huff, and resided in Newark. Ch.:

(1) Ferdinand; m. Emily Hulen; have ch. living in Newark.

(2) James; m. Adelaide Gardner.

(3) William; m. Agnes Brown.

(4) Frank, of White Lake, N. Y.; m. Precilla Collins.

29. John, of Newark, N. J.; m. Mary A. Graham (dau. of Guy and Ann Graham). Ch.:

(1) W. Cassius; d. aged 7 yrs.

(2) Kate A.; m. Eugene Ward; living in Newark, and has ch. Mary Eva and Eugene Graham.

(3) Eva; d. aged 11 yrs.

(4) John F., of Madison, N. J., b. July 24, 1856; m. Elizabeth Guerin (dau. of S. T. Guerin, of Newark, and Sarah Boyd), and had ch. Madeliene and Theodore, both deceased. Mr. John F. Boylan is with Browning, King &Co., of New York City.

(5) William C, of Newark; unm. no

30. William L., who went to Melbourne, Australia, in 1849; m Charlotte A. Rhalves. Ch.:

(1) Sarah; m. W. Moore.

(2) Charlotte; d. unm.

 (3) George R.; living in Brooklyn; m., first, Mary Henshaw, and second, Emily Dana, and had ch. (by M. H.) Robert, and (by E. D.) John and Myra.

31. James B.; m., first, Katherine S. Webster, and second, Mary F. Weeks. Ch. (by K. S. W.) James B., Jr., of Hoboken, who m. Emma Van Velsor, and had ch. Benjamin D., Henry B. and Raymond; and Elizabeth, of Newark, who m. J. D. Orton.

Children of William Boylan (18) and Elizabeth S. McCulloch:

32. John Hodge, of Chatham co., N. C, b. Jan. 5, 1803; d. 1870; unm.

2^. Alexander McCulloch, b. Aug. 16, 1804; d. Oct., 1834; m. Priscilla Hall. Ch.: William, Weldon Edwards and Alexander Pleasants, who m. Cooper, of Tennessee, and had one ch., Kate Weldon Cooper.

34. William, b. July 2, 1806; d. 1828; unm.

35. Benjamin McCulloch, b. Apr. 14, 1808; d. 1809.

36. Eleanor Eliza, b. Feb. 12, 1810; d. Aug., 1848; unm.

37. Samuel McCulloch, b. Nov. 22, 1812; d. 1845; m Mary Collins, of Mississippi. Had one son, John, who d. 1870.

38. Mary Adelaide, b. Nov. 2, 1814; d. 1825.

39. James, b. Oct. 26, 1816; d. 1842; unm.

40. Catherine, b. Aug. 25, 1818; d. 1895; unm.

41. Sarah, b. Dec. 10, 1820; d. 1821.

42. William Montfort, of Raleigh, N. C, b. Sept. 5, 1822; d. Feb. 3, 1899; m. Mary Kinsey, of Newbern, N. C. This Mr. Boylan was a successful planter, occupying a beautiful home surrounded by hundreds of acres of land on the outskirts of the city of Raleigh. "He was handsome in appearance and possessed of those splendid traits of character and disposition which made him one of Raleigh's best-known and most popular citizens." (For ch., see infra). Child of William Boylan (18) and Jane Elliott: 43. Jane Elliott, b. Feb. 28, 1833; m. William E. Green.

Children of William Montfort Boylan (42) and Mary Kinsey:

44. James, b. 1842; d. May 14, 1905; m. Margaret Tucker. He was a successful merchant, leaving a fine business conducted at present by his oldest son, William Montfort Boylan, under the firm name of Boylan, Pearce and Co. "James Boylan was known and loved by all classes of people in Wake county." (For ch., see infra). in

45. William, of Raleigh, N. C, b. 1844; d. 1914; m. Placide Engelhard. Ch.:

(1) William; d. unm.

(2) Josephine Engelhard; m. Ellsworth Van Patten, and has ch., Ellsworth, Jr. 46. Mary Alice, b. June 9, 1847 > m Joseph A. Haywood, of Raleigh. Ch.:

(1) William Boylan Haywood, b. Sept. 13, 1870; d. aged 16 yrs.

(2) Martha Helen Haywood, b. Sept. 2", 1872; living at 210 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh, founder and editor of the ''North Carolina Booklet." We are indebted to her for much data concerning this North Carolina branch.

(3) Catherine Haywood, b. Sept. 7, 1876; m. Jan. 10, 1900, Benjamin W. Baker, and has ch., Katherine Boylan Haywood Baker, b. Mar. 24, 1902, and Elizabeth Whitely Baker, b. July 30, 1904.

(4) Elsie Bryan Haywood, b. Aug. 13, 1881. 47. Elizabeth McCulloch, b. 1848; m. George H. Snow, of Raleigh, N. C. Ch.:

(1) Mary Boylan Snow, b. Mar. 18, 1872; m. Charles Baskerville, and has ch.: Charles, now at Cornell University, and Elizabeth McCulloch.

(2) William Boylan Snow, b. Mar. 12, 1873; m. Alice Stronach, and has ch., William Boylan and John Kennall. Senator Snow is an active and successful lawyer, who has been County Attorney for Wake co., City Attorney of Raleigh, State Senator, and is at present Prosecuting Attorney in the City Court of Raleigh.

(3) George Hodge Snow, b. Mar. 17, 1875; wno d. unm.

(4) Adelaide Boylan Snow, b. Mar. 1, 1880; m. Francis Cloud Boylston, of Charleston, S. C. Ch.: Adelaide Boylan Snow Boylston, b. Oct. 27, 1905.

48. Benjamin; d. young. Children of James Boylan (44) and Margaret Tucker:

49. Florence Tucker; d. unm.

50. Mary Kinsey; m. Steadman Thompson, of Raleigh, N. C, and had ch., George and James.

51. Margaret Jordan; m. Claiborne Carr, of Durham, N. C, and had ch., Claiborne, Montfort, Boylan and John Wesley.

52. William Montfort; unm.

53. Katherine; unm.

54. Rufus Tucker; unm.; now with the Raleigh Banking &Trust Co. We are also indebted to him for facts and courtesies in the preparation of this article.

In addition to the foregoing Boylans, we have found on Somerset records, without being able to certainly place, the following members of the family, all of Bedminster or Bernards twsps.: John Bullion (doubtless Boylan), who m., Feb. 28, 1815, Betsey Blair. Joseph Bullions (perhaps Boylan), who m., Jan. 2, 1823, Jane Whitenack. Ann Boylan, who d. Oct. 5, 1845, a g e d 51 yrs., 1 mo., 16 dys. (Grave at Basking Ridge). Mary Boylan, who m., Dec. 30, 1846, Freeman Ayres. Lavinia Boylan, who m. Jan. 24, 1833, Daniel D. Reader. (Marriage by Rev. John Kirkpatrick). William R. Boylan, who, on Dec. 21, 1807, mortgaged one acre of land in Bernards twsp. to John Smith. (Somerset Mortg., Book G, p. 189). Jonathan Boylan and Catherine, his wife, who, on Mar. 12, 1828, mortgaged l / 2 acre of land at Liberty Corner to Nathan Compton. (Somerset Mortg., Book J, p. 508).

That the name was pronounced "Bullion" in Somerset even fifty years ago is certain, as a lady now living testifies. The Boylan name remained in Ireland at least a century after the coming to Somerset county of Aaron Boylan, as is proven by the fact that a William H. Boylan, architect, now residing in New Brunswick, states that his father, William Boylan, came over from County Kildare, Ireland, about 1835. He died in 1881, aged about 85. x