1803 - 1891

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• Birth	25 May 1803	Guilford, Windham, Vermont
  Gender	Male
  Died	15 Jan 1891	, Albemarle County, Virginia
  Person ID	I47135	Brainard (Brainerd) / Foster / Fish
  Last Modified	19 Mar 2005 00:00:00
  Father	Daniel BOYDEN, III, b. 22 Mar 1765, Worcester,, Massachusetts
  Mother	Tabitha GOODNOUGH, b. 30 May 1765
  Family ID	F85	Group Sheet
  Family	Mary SHEFFEY, b. 29 Mar 1813
  Married	19 Jan 1832	Stauton,, Virginia
  Family ID	F20957	Group Sheet

• Notes

  He graduated from Yale University in 1825 and immediately entered the Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal). His graduation and ordination took place in May 1828. His first appointment was to Christ Episcopal Church in Staunton, Augusta county, Virginia. He was asked to care for a new mission church close to Staunton for a few years. When he left, the new community was named BOYDEN in his honor. He married quite well in the Staunton community. His wife, Mary Sheffey, was the daughter of Congressional Representative and highly reguarded lawyer, Daniel Sheffey, Esq. and his wife, Maria Hanson, headmistress and founder of a prestigous girl's secondary school, the Virginia Female Institute. After the wedding (January 19, 1832 at Christ Episcopal Church in Staunton), Ebenezer was the rector of a church in Norfolk, Virginia and Cleveland, Ohio. The colder, northern winters never agreed with him, and he accepted the rectorship of Grace Episcopal Church in Cismont, Virginia in 1839. He purchased a lovely home close by which he named "Hopedale". He was the rector for over 40 years. There is today a lovely stained glass window dedicated to his many years of service in the chansel of the church. In the churchyard cemetery there is a spire memorial to the Boyden family over their graves. Ebenezer and Mary (Sheffey) Boyden had 5 daughters and 3 sons. Their oldest son, Daniel Hanson Boyden was an ordained Episcopal priest and he enlisted on MAR 1862 CSA, Corporal, Carrington's Battery of Charlottesville Artillery. He saw plenty of action and returned home permanently 'shell-shocked'. He died of stomach cancer in 1871. Their youngest son, Peter Meriwether Boyden, was also ordained and served several ministries in Maryland. Their 5 daughters never married (the Civil War had taken all of their beaux)and they opened a respected girls school at their home after the Civil War. The last son maintained the family farm, Hopedale, for many years with his wife who helped out with the school. Boyden family - www.genforum.com In 1745, it is said that the Vestry ordered that "Walker's" or "Middle" Church be built, being replaced in 1848 by a stone building, which was gutted by fire in 1895, restored in 1896 and still stands. This Parish was formed from Fredericksville Parish in 1839. Colonel John Walker of "Belvoir" about 1745 conveyed to the Vestry 2 acres of land on which the church was built. It is still used by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and has an active congregation. This handsome stone building, the cornerstone of which was laid in 1845, is of Gothic architecture. The lofty tower still carries the wonderful old bell, which is said to weight 1575 pounds; which, although having fallen fifty feet during the fire of 1894, was uninjured and still rings forth its clear tones on Sunday mornings. One enters from a small vestibule in front; on either side of the tower is a beautiful stained glass window. There are also five similar windows on each side of the building. A handsome memorial window of rich stained glass in the rear of the chancel was erected to the beloved pastor, the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Boyden, who served this church as pastor for forty years. On the Memorial window in the rear of the church is the following inscription: Rev. E. Boyden born May 25th, 1803 Died January 15, 1891 For forty years the beloved Rector of this Church The fine old bell was given by the father of Mrs. Grace Rives (Mrs. W. C., Jr. ) whose name was David Sears of Boston, Mass. It was cast by Mr. Hooper of Boston in 1853. Mrs. W.C. Rives,Sr. mother of W. C. Rives, JR. devoted much of her life toward the erection and support of this handsome stone church. The architect was Mr. William Strickland who also designed the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tennessee. The Rev James Maury was the first pastor of Walker's Parish, and there stands a monument in front of the present Grace Church erected to his memory and marks the spot where once the old Colonial Parish stood. It bears the following inscription: Sacred to the Memory of Rev. James Maury First Pastor of Walker's Parish Born Apr 8, 1717 Died June 9, 1769 ***** This monument was erected by Elizabeth Walker as a tribute to his Piety, Learning and Worth. Old "Walker's Church" took its name from Colonel John Walker, who gave the land on which it stood and which was surveyed by Peter Jefferson, father of the President ("Historic Homes of the Southwest Mountains" by E.C. Meade, p.160) Pate, Nancy S., "Grace Church, Albemarle Co., VA", Publication: Aug. 30, 1937. Virginia Historical Inventory survey report: VHIR/02/0242. Map location number: ALB48 Building date: 1848 Building material: Stone Format. Richmond, Va. : Library of Virginia, 2000. 1 image file. This is a part of the Virginia W.P.A. Historical Inventory Project sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Commission under the direction of its Division of History. 1937.