| William L. Boyd Jr. | |
| Birth Date: | 17 February 1825 |
| Birth Place: | Tennessee, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Tennessee, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Slave trader, real estate broker, steamboat captain |
| Years Active: | 1853–1883 |
| Known For: | Slave trading, steamboat operations, legal troubles |
| Spouse: | Susan Boyd |
William L. Boyd Jr. (February 17, 1825 – October 31, 1888) was an American slave trader, real estate broker, and steamboat captain from Nashville, Tennessee. Boyd was a prominent figure in the slave trade in Tennessee during the mid-19th century and was involved in several notable incidents, including being charged with murder in 1883.
Boyd was born on February 17, 1825, in Tennessee to parents with Virginia and North Carolina origins. He began his career in the early 1850s, initially as a partner in a real estate and slave trading business located on North Cherry Street, Nashville.[1]
Boyd's involvement in the slave trade became well-documented through his advertisements in local newspapers. In 1854, he listed both real estate and enslaved people for sale, a practice he continued throughout his career.[2]
In March 1855, three enslaved individuals escaped from Boyd’s "yard," and he offered a $30 reward for their capture.[3] By 1860, Boyd was established as a major figure in Nashville's slave trade, with his business listed in both city directories and census records. Historian Frederic Bancroft noted that while Nashville's market was significant, it was overshadowed by the larger operations in Memphis.[4]
Boyd also ventured into the steamboat business, operating vessels like the Nashville and the James Wood along the Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers, extending his influence beyond Tennessee.[5]
Boyd's life was marked by significant legal issues. In 1861, it was determined in a court of law that Boyd was legally not a resident of Tennessee, possibly due to his steamboat operations and frequent travel.[6]
In 1868, Boyd was involved in a violent altercation where he brandished a gun during a fistfight between his son and another man.[7] His most infamous legal battle occurred in 1883 when he was charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Birdie Patterson. Boyd was convicted twice of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison, but both verdicts were overturned on appeal.[8] He died in 1888 while awaiting a third trial and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery.[9]
Boyd married Susan Boyd, and by 1880, he was listed as retired and living on Summer Street, Nashville. In 1883, he placed an advertisement seeking a lost family Bible, highlighting his interest in preserving family heritage.[10] A family Bible matching his description was later found in a 2009 compilation of Tennessee family records.[11]