J. T. BOYD was born in Salem Precinct, Livingston County, Ky., October 31, 1811, and is a son of Robert and Martha (Wiley) Boyd. The father was born in the Abbeyville District, S. C., in 1790, and was of Irish descent, his ancestors coming to this country some time prior to the Revolution. The mother was also born in the same district. The father came to Livingston County in 1809, and settled at Salem, which was at that time the county seat. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade, and resided at Salem for about four years. He moved to a farm about four miles from Salem, where he made a settlement, and continued to farm in Livingston County until his death, which occurred March 17, 1847. The mother died about 1818. Our subject is the second in a family of four children, of whom but two are now living: Sarah, wife of Charles Halstead, of the Driscoll Precinct, and subject. The latter, when about fifteen years old, commenced to learn the blacksmith trade, and followed it for upward of thirty-five years, when failing health forced him to try some other business. In 1852 he began merchandising with P. C. Barnett, at Carrsville, but only remained with him about one year. About 1862 he began selling goods in Salem District, and continued in business at that point until the close of the war. He next moved to Pope County, Ill., where he sold goods for about two years. Returning to Livingston County, he bought a farm near Salem, and turned his attention to the cultivation of the soil. In 1874 he came to his present farm, where he now owns about 117 acres. Mr. Boyd was married December 8, 1858, to Miss Hannah J. Boyd, a daughter of James and Cagy (Woodyard) Boyd, natives of South Carolina. Mrs. Hannah J. Boyd was born in Livingston County in 1829, and is the mother of one child—Martha I. In 1870, Mr. Boyd was elected to the office of magistrate for the Dyer's Hill District, and served eight years. He is a member of Salem Lodge No. 81. Mrs. Boyd is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 810.