I love the idea that the Boyes family originated on Jura. A cousin did some research whilst he was living and working in Scotland. This was a time before websites so he must have checked at source. He traced the Boyes family back to the 17th century when they were drovers, so this doesn’t prove the Jura part but confirms they were drovers.
I have a little information about John’s grandparents, though I can’t confirm this in the way I can his decedents. I think Georges Grandfather, like his Father was called Stephen Boyes, born in Scotland in 1775. He died aged 70 in 1845. His wife was Mary Jordan born in 1777. She died on the 18th July 1824 aged 47. John’s Great Grandfather was also called Stephen and was born in 1750.
The more reliable info follows
John was born in 1834 in Glencairn Dumfries, to Stephen Boyes and his wife Catherine nee Brown. His father died on the 8th of Feb 1835 aged 25. His sister Mary was born after his death in 1836. You know where he was aged 8, poor little boy, but it’s not clear if the shoemakers apprentice is our John Boyes, especially as he doesn’t use this skill again. On New Year’s Eve 1857 John married Jane Bell at the church Dunscore, Dumfries. The information of where they settle is based on the census material, but also on the place of birth of their children.
They had 3 children born in Scotland Katherine in 1856, John in 1858 and James in 1860. In 1861 they were living in Liverpool, where John worked as a labourer, daughter Jessie was born in 1862 and son William in 1864. John’s sister Mary was living with them at this time. They moved again, this time to to Bold where Stephen was born in 1868.
By 1871 they were in Widnes with John working as an artificial manure something (couldn’t read the writing on the census). Annie was born here in 1871. In 1874 they’re living in Hollywell North Wales, when Robert was born. They were in Liverpool again in 1878 where my grandfather George was born.
In 1891 they were back in Hollywell where John was coal dealer, but by 1901 Jane had died and John was living with his youngest son George and his wife Sarah in Sutton, St Helens, Lancashire. He was 68 and still working, this time as a hewer, a job cutting and loading coal in the local colliery. In 1911 at 78 he was retired. He died in Sutton St Helens in 1917 aged 84.
My Dad told me a couple of things about his grandfather, I got the impression he was quite a character. One was that he always said he had the cure for foot and mouth disease, which he kept secret and died without telling anyone what it was. However that would tie him into working as a shepherd at the time of his marriage. He also told my dad that his wife was born in the banks of Lock Lomond, though I can’t find any information regarding this.
Ok , a bit long, but hope that’s of use.
Bernie
P.S. Can I be cheeky and ask why you are so interested in John Boyes?