Annie Boyd

Photo taken 1891b. Jan. 17, 1834, Bristol, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania; d. April 12, 1914, Cambridge, Illinois

Boyd Letters - John Boyd to Bostwick & Cabeen

Letter from John Boyd to his brother - dated St. Louis, June 17, 1853

as transcribed by Bob Palme 1978

Dear Brother:

We arrived at this place on last evening after a very pleasant passage down the Ohio and up the Mississippi. We found the Ohio very low and at times it seemed almost impossible for us to get along. We were extremely fortunate in our selection of a boat. Although a small boat, we had very good fare and kind treatment from those in charge of the boat. We passed a number of boats almost on dry land. If this dry weather should continue, the Ohio will be almost impassible. After leaving Cincinnati we had better water and got along with less difficulty. In Louisville where we took an omnibus for a point below the falls we took passage on board the Telegraph No. 2 for St Louis. When we were leaving the Ohio for the Mississippi our boat struck a sand bar which unshipped our rudder and obliged the pilot to have the boat managed entirely by the engine. The Mississippi is very high--- they say 25 feet above the low water mark and the current is running like a small fall. They say after leaving the mouth of the Mississippi we will find the river not so high. We have taken passage on board of the Goddess Eva and will start this afternoon for Keithsburg at which place we will arrive on Sunday morning next if nothing should occur to prevent. I think upon the whole we have great cause to be thankful for our safe and speedy arrival so far. So many persons perhaps more deserving than we have been left sticking by the wayside that started before us.

We have been delighted with our trip so far meeting a great many most estimable people and several of them from Philadelphia seeking homes as we are in the west and among them a young man by the name of John Lee, lately a clerk in the employ of Wise, Perry & Wise. He takes his wife and two children with him and some household goods. His place of destination is Muscatine, Ioway. I believe I told you that our goods had been forwarded from Pittsburg and when I next got scent of them by a boat coming up the river that she was aground about 200 miles below so you may think I was a little anxious until we arrived there. But we found she had been got off and was on her way down the river. When we arrived at the mouth of the Ohio we found that she had gone up the Mississippi and, of course, had plenty of water. This morning I went out and found the consignment and was told that the goods had been shipped on on board of the Bruisiette and will start this day for Keithsburg and will arrive about the time that we will. The consignee said they arrived in good order at St. Louis. Expenses so far $47.30 and will be increased about $7.50 more which will make the whole $52.80. The consignee says he thinks they have been shipped as cheap as any lot of goods he ever had anything to do with. Frate must go up very much after this as long as the Ohio continues so low. I would like when you get to Phila you would call on Cabeen & Co. Tell them you have heard from us and that we are all well and like our trip so far very much and hope we will continue to do so and be favored with our usual good health and then I think we all will have cause to be well satisfied.

The Captain of this boat is well acquainted with Cyrus and Mary A. He says he went up with him a few weeks ago. I hope you are all well. How is Mary Ann? Tell her we often think of her and hope she is better and will continue to improve. All the family joins in sending their love to her. Tell her how much we all love her and how deeply we sympathize with her and all of you in her suffering and do hope and most sincerely pray that she will soon be restored again to herself and friends is our most heartfelt desire and prayer. How is little Lilly; Kate and Anna? How often I think of them. How much I love the little things. They feel near and dear to me as do you one and all. How we would, after we once get settled, like to see you one and all out here. Do write and tell me all the news. Remember us most affectionately to all of friend Warner's family. How much we have sympathized with them in their affliction. I hope dear Mary will be sustained in her most trying affliction. Remember us to David Swan's and family. Tell Joseph Robinson how we are getting along and would recommend him to come out to this country if he thinks he and his wife would be likely to be satisfied after they get out to the west. And to never think of coming without his better half would be well satisfied after she would arrive. Give our love to all of our relation and receive a full share to yourself and in conclusion I remain as ever your affectionate Brother,

John Boyd

If you should write to Lib tell her you have heard from us and all send our love to her and hope she will try and improve every opportunity that she has.

Robert Cabeen Marries Ann Bessonet Boyd 1805

Robert Cabeen b. January 17, 1775 married Ann Boyd, widow of John in 1805. Robert died in Bristol, Bucks Co., PA April 7, 1855.

Robert Cabeen Will Abstract -- File # 9710, Bk 13 / pg. 773, written Nov. 26, 1845.

Robert Cabeen, Bristol Borough. Children Catharine (wife of Robert C. Beatty), Robert B, Samuel. Exec: sons Robert B. and Samuel and son-in-law Robert C. Beatty.
Wit: H.N. Bostwick, John Boyd. Probated May 16, 1855.

Ann Cabeen, wife of Robert of Bristol, died on January 10, 1832.
(Source: Bucks County Intelligencer, Jan. 16, 1832.)

Robert Cabeen died April 7, 1855, 81 yrs, in Bristol. (Source Bucks Co. Intelligencer Apr. 17, 1855.)

"Robert Cabeen having cast his lot with the rebels after the defeat of Shane Castle, June 17, 1798, was obliged to flee to America. He landed in Philadelphia, November 1798. Just before sailing his uncle (probably the one mentioned in the family letters as "Old Robert Cabeen of Larne"), gave him a silver watch, telling him never to part with it, except for bread. He never parted with it, and it is still in the possession of the family. He then proceeded to Bristol, Pennsylvania, to the house of his cousin Eleanor, daughter of William and Mary Cabeen, and wife of William Crawford. Eleanor Cabeen some years before had emigrated from Broughshane, County Antrim. He settled in Bristol and married in 1805 Ann Bessonet, widow of John Boyd, a sea captain, and daughter of Daniel Bessonet of Halifax, Nova Scotia, captain of the 4th Battalion, New Jersey Cavalry, British. Her mother was Sarah Johnson Bessonet. He was naturalized at Newton, then the county town of Bucks County, December 1, 1808, thus becoming a citizen of the United States.
He bought the property known as the "King of Prussia" at the corner of Mill and Pond Streets, October, 1809, for $2,200. He converted the tavern into a store, and carried on a business there until 1823, when he retired from business and bought the property on Radcliff Street, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died of pneumonia after a short illness, on April 7, 1855, aged 80 years."

"Their children were:

Catharine Ann, b. March 12, 1808

Robert, b. October 30, 1809 and d. September 25, 1810

Robert Bessonet, b. November 7, 1811, d. 1876

Samuel, b. February 8, 1814, d. June 3, 1870

Catharine Ann Cabeen married Robert C. Beatty, May 6, 1830, in the parlor fronting the river of the house on Radcliff Street."

Taken from The Cabeen Family, The Bessonet Family and Ann Bessonet Cabeen by Mrs. Thomas McKeen Chidsey

From "Lights Along the Delaware" by MW Rivinus and Katharine H. Biddle "The oldest house still standing on Radcliffe Street is 910. The original part of the building was in existence in 1765 and has been remodeled several times; the last time was in 1811. It is naturally colonial in architecture, and not Victorian, but since it is the oldest inhabitant, so to speak, it is included in these sketches . .. In 1812 John Reed, a wealthy ship builder, was the possessor and is credited with adding many improvements.

Robert Cabeen purchased the property in 1828, and when he died, his daughter, Catharine C. Beatty, inherited it. For a period of ninety years it remained in the possession of the Beatty family. John Bostwick married a Beatty. In the Victorian era when daguerreotypes were popular, he became a leading photographer in Bristol. The Bostwicks daughter, Katharine, was a noted French scholar who lived and died in the old homestead."

Robert Cabeen & sons Robert Bessonet and Samuel Cabeen

Robert Cabeen

January 17, 1775 April 7, 1855

Departed this life in Bristol Borough, on the 7th of April, 1855, ROBERT CABEEN, in the eighty-first year of his age.

Mr. Cabeen had been for a long time a prominent citizen of this borough, and was for many years one of our principal merchants and business men. He was widely known in this community, and universally esteemed by all classes; as was shown by the unusually large concourse of people from the town and surrounding country who followed his remains to their final resting place. He had at different times held various public and private trusts, which he performed with scrupulous fidelity, and in an efficient manner; and by his character and services contributed a good share in advancing the growth and prosperity of the borough, to whose cause as well as that of his country at large, he was ever a firm and devoted friend. Endowed by nature with sound practical sense, kindness of heart, and energy of spirit, he united to these, good principles and correct habits - which are the elements of success and usefulness in life. To Mr. Cabeen may be applied with remarkable propriety the words of a distinguished writer, when delineating the character of "the Man of Integrity": "The upright man is guided by a fixed principle within which nothing can shake. Hence we find him ever the same; at all times the trusty friend, the affectionate relation, the conscientious man of business, the pious worshipper, the public spirited citizen." Hereafter, although "the places which have known him shall know him no longer;" and his familiar form, elastic step, and pleasant countenance will be missed from the streets and social circles in which he moved; yet the memory of him and his virtues will often be present to the minds of the people. His long and active life was terminated by a comfortable and tranquil dissolution, -- "that peace in which a Christian can die." Like a shock of corn, fully ripe, he was gathered to his fathers. Full of years and of usefulness he has descended to the tomb, leaving behind him a spotless name and an exemplary character, to be cherished by the old and followed by the young, wherever he was known.

A friend and neighbor of the deceased, who had known him long and well, though far from his junior in years, offers this spontaneous tribute to his memory and takes this opportunity to hold up his life and character as an example to those who are coming after him; and especially to those in the younger walks of life, of the town in which he dwelt.

S.

Letter from Robert & Ann Cabeen to Samual Cabeen 1829

Samuel Cabeen, Esqr.
Union Township
Muskingum County
Near McDonald's Post Office, Ohio
Bristol (Pa) Jany 29th 1829 -

Respected Brother and Sister:

I received yours of the 15th Sept last and much pleased to hear you and your family were all in good health likewise Mother, Brothers & Sister with their families were all well. I have to inform you of the death of your brother James Wright. He departed this life the 5th of December last. He was confined to his bed for the span of 8 or 10 days, but had been on the decline from the time you left him. The settlement of the Estate affected him very much he had the referee call'd sometime after you left us for an investigation of the accts which he had not brought forward. Sam'l Headley said there was a deduction on each share of between 3o and 40 dollars so by this last settlement Sam'l Garland and yourself got overpaid each the above sum. I have now to inform you that we have moved since you left us in the month of Febr'y last we purchased the house and lot opposite of Wm Crawfords'. It is the property H Walton purchased of John Reed in 1816 for which he paid $6000.00. It had gone into Second hands and we purchased for $2250.00 which is a considered a good bargain. In the Spring we made considerable improvements to the amount of $800.00 made the folding doors between the parlors, a double piazza to the river and several extras which has made it a very desirable situation. We moved here in May last when we rented the old establishment to Mary Ann and her husband for 250 $ p Annum. Her husband does a very handsome business and are both well at present. John Boyd has been doing business where he purchased of Sarah McKindsay and has got married and doing well. Son Robert has been in Phila'da with Sam'l V Anderson & Son wholesale grocers he is well and much pleased with his situation & the Team well satisfied with him.

Son Samuel is at a boarding school in Doylistown which is considered one of the best schools in the country. Board and tuition is 50$ p. qr. We had a letter from him a few days ago. He was well and much pleased with the school. Sister Rachel & family is well at present. They have been visited with chills and fever for sometime in the Summer and fall and Rachel was afflicted a disease the Doctor call'd the liver complaint. She now enjoys a tolerable share of health. I was to see her a few weeks ago. She wishes to be remembered to Mother and all of your familys. Our family is all well at present. Thanks to the kind providence from whom all is rec'd.

Our canal is going on the bridges are contracted for and in the course of the ensuing Summer is expected to be completed. we were concerned for the crossing of the Street. It was expected it would cross Mill Street between our house and Abraham Warner's which we did not like. It is now ascertained that it will cross Mill Street between the factory and Sam'l Allens. We wish you to give our kind love to Mother
Brothers & Sisters and write soon and let us know how Brother Richard is coming on with his saw mill and all of your improvements and Family affairs which are not secret. Give our Respects to Sam'l Garland and wife the family all join in love to you all

From your affectionate
Brother & Sister
Robert & Ann Cabeen

To Sam'l & Elisabeth Cabeen

Ann Bessonet Boyd Cabeen's Family

Information below comes from "The Cabeen Family, The Bessonet Family and Ann Bessonet Cabeen" by Mrs. Thomas McKeen Chidsey


"This family is of Huguenot extraction and probably descended from Claude de Besonet, sieur de Gatuzieres, Dauphiny, now the Department de la Lozere. At the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 1685, the family fled from France to England, supposed to consist of a father and three sons, Claude, Alexander and John. Claude Bessonet, presumable the father, was naturalized in London in 1700.


The Claude Bessonet branch settled in Ireland, where the family held a high social position in Waterford, and where Francis Bessonet was minister of the French Church in Dublin, 1765.


Alexander Bessonet went to Batavia, Java, where he died.

John Bessonet came to America, settled first in Bensalem Township, and afterwards in Bristol, where he died in 1778. His name appears as one of the vestrymen in the earliest remaining records of St. James' Church."


"He married Sarah Dye. Their children were:

Elizabeth, born January 13, 1721
Mary, born December 7, 1723
John, born October 21, 1725
Sarah, born May 10, 1728
James, born October 21, 1730
Catharine, born October 7, 1732
Charles, born October 5, 1734
Ann, born January 28, 1736
Margaret, born September 18, 1739
Martha, born January 25, 1742  m. Richard Johnson Oct. 12, 1783
Daniel, born February 25, 1743  m. Sarah Johnson, May 31, 1764


The children of Daniel and Sarah Johnson Bessonet were:

James, born May 14, 1765 d. October 26, 1766
Margaret, born August 1, 1766 d. November 7, 1769
Samuel, born October 26, 1768 d. September 4, 1769
Sarah, born November 4, 1769 d. July 9, 1811
Mary, born July 15, 1771 d. 1796
Elizabeth, born April 6, 1773 d. March 7, 1796
Ann, born April 15, 1775 d. January 10, 1832
Daniel, born July 8, 1779 d. December 1806

New Jersey Volunteers - Bessonett's Coy - Muster Roll shows Daniel Bessonet as the Captain of the 4th Battalion
"At the end of the Revolutionary War, Captain Daniel Bessonet of the British Army, being loyal to the Mother Country whose cause he had espoused, emigrated from Philadelphia to Halifax, with other refugees, accompanied by his wife, Sarah Johnson Bessonet, his three daughters, Mary, Elizabeth and Ann, and his son Daniel. He died December 1, 1783, aged 40 years. His wife, Sarah Bessonet, died December 3, 1790, aged 42. These three daughters were remarkable for their beauty and their grace of manner. Halifax being a garrison town, they probably led a life of gaiety and excitement, resulting in the early death of Mary and Elizabeth. Consumption, the disease of which they died, was probably induced by exposure to the night air in thin ball dresses, as well as by the unhealthiness of the climate."

John Boyd - FOUND!

The life of John Boyd is a puzzle that we have worked to solve for a number of years . . . finally with a little persistence, some great assistance from "internet cousins" and a little document from a library in Pennsylvania, we have been able to learn more about the life of such an elusive fellow. We'd like to tell you the little bit that we know about him in hopes of learning more . . . .

John was the Master of the Ship Superb, originating from Philadelphia, PA. He was at sea as the captain at least from 1797 to 1800. In 1802, his health failed and he left the sea and removed to Bristol, PA. He died in 1805 and was buried in Bensalem, PA. His widow went on to marry Robert Cabeen.