Robert Boyd, Glover in Kilmarnock

ROBERT BOYD

Glover in Kilmarnock (aka Skinner in Kilmarnock)

Spurious Pedigree

Robert Boyd, here treated, is claimed as the ancestor of a number of families who believe that he was the son of William, first Earl of Kilmarnock, that he was born in Kilmarnock in August 1689, and that he was baptised there on 24 October 1689. He is said to have married Margaret Thomson and to have had eleven children with her. The Scots Peerage V: 174 A record of the birth or baptism referred to has not been found in the old parochial registers of Kilmarnock, or in the registers of any other Scottish parish. Earl William did have a son named Robert, whose baptism was registered on 8 July 1670, at the parish of Kirkintilloch in Dunbartonshire, but this child has no known connection with Margaret Thomson. Moreover, Margaret Thomson's husband, who was a Glover in Kilmarnock, is not referred to as the son of Earl William in his marriage record, or in the baptismal record of any of his children. It follows therefore, that Robert Boyd, here treated, should not be regarded as the same person as Robert Boyd

Death

Robert Boyd, here treated. is reported to have died in November 1762 The Scots Peerage V: 174, although this date cannot be matched with a death recorded in the Kilmarnock Register of Mortality. It seems possible, therefore, that Robert Boyd, here treated, is actually the skinner of the same name who died of palsy, aged 72 years, at Kilmarnock on Wednesday 7 March 1759. [National Records of Scotland, Kilmarnock Deaths, reference OPR.597/6] Image of Death Record In this regard it should be noticed that glovers and skinners belonged to the same trade guild, and although Robert Boyd is most frequently identified as a glover in Kilmarnock's old parochial registers, in the marriage record of his daughter Margaret dated 5 September 1748 he is said to be a skinner. [National Records of Scotland, Kilmarnock Marriages, 1687-1777, reference OPR.597/5] Image of Marriage Record

Marriage

Robert Boyd, here treated, married Margaret Thompson. They were booked for proclamation at Kilmarnock on Friday 1 October 1714, and, after orderly proclamation on the three following Sabbaths, they were married there on Monday 25 October 1714. The marriage record reads as follows: "Robert Boyd Glover in Kilmarnock, & Margaret Thomson daughter of Peter Thomson Glover thr, were booked, & consigned 8 merkes of penaltie on Friday Octr 1st 1714. Witnesses John Adam Bonetmaker in Kilk, & James Finlay waiter thr, & after orderlie proclamation 3 several Sabbaths were married by Mr Wright on Monday Octr 25 1714. Witnesses Peter Thomson Glover in Kilk, & James Finlay aforesaid & got up their penaltie when the time expired". [National Records of Scotland, Kilmarnock Marriages, 1687-1777, reference OPR.597/5]

1. Image of Marriage Record 1
2. Image of Marriage Record 2

Children

According to the Marquis of Ruvigny, Robert Boyd and Margaret Thomson had eleven children. The Scots Peerage V: 174 However, only nine children can be identified from surviving baptismal records:

1. Robert Boyd
2. John Boyd, primus
3. John Boyd, secundus
4. William Boyd, Manufacturer at Turriff
5. Boyd Child: Name Not Known
6. Margaret Boyd
7. Janet Boyd, primus
8. James Boyd
9. Janet Boyd, secundus

The Marriage Record of his daughter Janet Boyd

Janet Boyd married John Thomson They were booked for proclamation on Friday 10 December 1756, at Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, Scotland, and married there on 30 December 1756. The marriage record reads as follows: "John Thomson son to William Thomson Glover in Kilmk & Janet Boyd daughter to Robert Boyd Skinner there, both there 1st. marriages were booked on friday December 10, 1756 & after orderly proclamation three several Sabbaths were married at Kilmk on thursday Decer 30, 1756 by Mr. Leslie." [National Records of Scotland, Kilmarnock Marriages, reference OPR.597/5] Image of Marriage Record