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WILLIAM BRACK BOYD, OP PALDONSIDE. 



By the death of Mr. W. B. Boyd, on Saturday, 16th March, 

 the Pteridologieal Society lost a genial and devoted member 

 who, if precluded from taking part in its annual meetings 

 through advancing years, retained a keen and loyal interest 

 in its objects of pursuit. 



Mr. Boyd was born in 1831 at Cherrytrees, Yetholm, at 

 the base of the Cheviots, being the youngest of three sons 

 of Mr. Adam Brack Boyd, who succeeded to that property 

 from his maternal uncle. He was educated at The Grange, 

 Sunderland, a scholastic establishment presided over by 

 Dr. James Cowan, in which a number of Border youths in 

 those days received the rudiments of learning. 



On entering on the active business of life, he tenanted 

 the farm of Hetton Hall, Northumberland, but 

 afterwards removed to Ormiston, Roxburghshire. Having 

 married in 1862 Elizabeth Bell, only daughter of Mr. James 

 Wilson, of Otterburn and Buchtrig, who as one of two 

 co-heiresses succeeded to the estate of Faldonside upon the 

 death of Mr. Nicol Milne, her uncle, he took up residence 

 there, cultivating a portion of the inherited property. Three 

 children were born to him, the elder son, Major A. Boyd 

 Wilson, who succeeded to Otterburn, and held a commission 

 in a cavalry regiment ; the younger, Captain James W. 

 Boyd, who was appointed estate agent to Lord Allendale, 

 but at the outset of hostilities volunteered for service in 

 France, where he was killed in action ; and an only daughter, 

 her father's constant companion for many years, who has 

 survived him and succeeded to the property. 



Living quietly the life of a country gentleman engaged in 

 agricultural pursuits, Mr. Boyd devoted a large part of his 

 leisure to the study and propagation of plants, and through 

 his extensive knowledge and successful cultivation of them 



