Mary Loverin (1792-1884)

With the help of a family bible, an application for an 1812 War Pension, and the memoir of her granddaughter, Gertrude Lovin Boyce Phillips, we can get a glimpse into “Polly” Loverin Boyce’s  life as she lived in New Hampshire and Vermont and finally on a farm in Illinois.

Mary Loverin was born on 01 Feb 1792 in Croydon, Sullivan, New Hampshire, as the fourth child of John Loverin and Betty Hall. She had ten siblings, namely: Eunice, Aehsa, Kimbell, Caleb, Betty, Eunice, Hannah Hall, Lydia Hall, John Caleb, and Loisa Jane Printice. Mary Loverin was called Polly.

When she was 27, Mary Loverin married Adam Boyce, son of Robert Boyes and Genet Boyes, on 02 Mar 1819 in Croydon, Sullivan, New Hampshire (at the time, Croydon was in Cheshire county).

Adam Boyce and Mary Loverin had the following children:

1. Elias Smith Boyce was born on 26 Nov 1819 in Springfield, Sullivan, New Hampshire. He married Chloe Ann Bacon on 08 Mar 1843. He married Janette Dodge on 12 Jun 1877 in Big Rock, Kane, Illinois. He married Harriet French on 27 Jan 1887 in Big Rock, Kane, Illinois. He died in Dec 1899 in Kaneville, Kane, Illinois (Age: 80).
2. Achsah Jane Boyce was born on 27 Mar 1823 in Springfield, Sullivan, New Hampshire. She married Ebenezer Milo George on 04 May 1842 in Strafford, Orange, Vermont. She died on 18 Jul 1917 in Big Rock, Kane, Illinois (Age: 94).
3. Sophronia Jennette Boyce was born on 09 Mar 1825 in Springfield, Sullivan, New Hampshire. She married Peleg Young on 12 May 1851 in Strafford, Orange, Vermont. She died on 11 Mar 1890 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois (Age: 65).
4. Oliver Selam Boyce was born on 30 Apr 1827 in Springfield, Sullivan, New Hampshire. He married Mary Jane Frost on 02 Jul 1857 in Massachusetts (New England). He died on 22 Jan 1878 in Blackberry, Kane, Illinois (Age: 50).
5. Sylvanus Boyce was born on 29 Jan 1830 in Springfield, Sullivan, New Hampshire. He married Phebe Sweetser on 19 May 1856 in Charlestown, Suffolk, Massachusetts. He died on 20 Jan 1897 in Illinois (Age: 66).
6. Lucinda Hall Boyce was born on 05 Feb 1832 in Springfield, Sullivan, New Hampshire. She married John S Kibling on 21 Feb 1855 in Strafford, Orange, Vermont.  She died on 25 Jun 1920 in Batavia, Kane, Illinois (Age: 88).
7. Mary Loverin Boyce was born on 26 Feb 1836 in Strafford, Orange, Vermont. She married George Franklin Smith on 10 May 1856 in Kane, Illinois. She died on 13 Oct 1928 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois (Age: 92).

Mary and Adam Boyce began their married life in Springfield, Sullivan, New Hampshire. Adam and Polly were among Springfield’s earliest settlers. Between 1832 and 1836, they moved their family to Strafford, Orange, Vermont. They were still living there in 1850 when the census was taken.

About 1855, they made a longer move, this time to Blackberry Township, Kane, Illinois. Adam had fought in the War of 1812, and was granted land for his service. So, he was able to secure farm land in Illinois. A lot of their children made the move at the same time.

I have no data when they came west but I think with possibly when Uncle Elias, Aunt Cindy’s, and Aunt Mary. How easily in the past I might have learned!  Vaguely but assuredly I know a number came in one group and their parents. Again vaguely, a dim recollection of some where on the trek they were obliged to walk some distance across ice. I know this is a fact for thru the years I’ve visualized that crossing of Grandma afflicted with one club foot and needing a cane always. — Gertrude Lovin Boyce Phillips

Polly was fortunate to have her children nearby.

Here, Father was settled among all his family excepting Uncle Venes who came later to settle in Elgin. All the others as you know, located in Kane Co. on farms living within a few miles of each.

The families lived within a few miles of each including their parents for whom in their midst was built across the road opposite the N.W. corner of our farm a small one and a half story house with a small acreage. Their rooms were small, kitchen, pantry, two bedrooms for one bed, small dresser, one chair, clothes hung on nails driven into cleats. In the back a small shed. Grandpa must have had a cow and chickens but can’t remember a barn. Here I enjoyed many happy times. Some time for the day or all night.

We girls were always so well remembered at Xmas. One xmas all of the families went to Grandpa’s. We in our bob sleigh riding across the fields, carrying our dining table, chairs, a roasted turkey, etc. Of course others contributed. A pen knife was in my xmas stocking. I was allowed to take it but not to open it but I went out in Grandpa’s shed knowing I could shave some kindling, but shaved skin off my finger: then mother had to know.  — Gertrude Lovin Boyce Phillips

Her granddaughter had fond memories of time spent with Polly.

Grandma had a small cloth pad hung on one side of the kitchen window full of needles, which were to be threaded with different colors for her mending. One treat I always had there but not often at home. To have sweetened water with seasoning of salt and pepper – m – m – fix it myself. — Gertrude Lovin Boyce Phillips

Polly became a widow on 17 Jun 1874 when her husband, Adam Boyce, died at Blackberry, Kane, Illinois at the age of 86. He was buried at Sugar Grove Cemetery, Sugar Grove, Kane, Illinois.

Polly filed for a pension based on Adam’s 1812 Military Service.

Polly was there when her son, Oliver Selam Boyce passed away from consumption on 22 Jan 1878.

“About nine o’c. Grandma then 85 was helped to his bed side. He turned his head and said, ‘we will meet again.’ She then went to bed.” — Gertrude Lovin Boyce Phillips

Polly lived with her children in her latter years. For example, she was recorded with her daughter and son-in-law, Sophronia Jeannette Boyce and Peleg Young in the 1880 Federal Census.

Grandma lived with us most of the time after Grandpa died in 1874. Other times, with her families, always taken in a spring wagon with her own feather bed, pillows, her long handle warming bed pan and her clothes. She was then 82, dried dishes, peeled potatoes not often. She knit a tiny bag of colored yarn for each granddaughter for our coins. — Gertrude Lovin Boyce Phillips

Mary Loverin Boyce died on 01 Jan 1884 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois at the age of 91. She was buried in Sugar Grove Cemetery, Sugar Grove, Kane, Illinois.

Grandma too, was living with us and when home for Holiday vacations, she died Jan. 1st, 1884, lacking a mo. of being 92. The minister preached the same sermon that he did at Guy’s Grandpa Brace’s. No one could go to the cemetery but the men who carried shovels to clear the way.  — Gertrude Lovin Boyce Phillips

Where is she in the tree?