John W. Boyd (Tennessee politician) facts for kids

John William Boyd (born around 1852, died March 10, 1932) was an African-American man who was born into slavery. He later became a lawyer. He served as a local judge, called a magistrate, in Tipton County, Tennessee. He also served two terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1881 to 1884. He was a member of the Republican Party.

Early Life and Family

Most records suggest John Boyd was born around 1852. He was born in Covington, Tennessee. His parents were Philip and Sophia Fields Boyd. They were enslaved by the Sanford family. John Boyd's older brother, Armistead Boyd, joined the Union Army in 1865. John is also believed to be a cousin of William A. Feilds. William was another African-American legislator in Tennessee during the Reconstruction era. This was a time after the Civil War when the Southern states were rebuilt.

Becoming a Lawyer

By the early 1870s, John Boyd lived in Mason, Tennessee. He worked as a clerk for local business people. At some point, he became a lawyer in Covington. Back then, many lawyers learned by "reading law." This meant they studied law books and worked with experienced lawyers. John Boyd continued to work as a lawyer for his entire life. Even in 1930, he was still listed as an "attorney" on the census report.

On March 13, 1879, he married Martha C. "Mattie" Doggett. Her father, Andrew Doggett, was a free man of color. He owned property before the Civil War. John's brother, Armistead, married Mattie's twin sister, Nannie. John and Armistead were members of the United Methodist Church. The Doggett sisters were Episcopalians. John and Mattie did not have any children who survived.

Public Service and Politics

John Boyd was active in politics. In May 1876, he was a delegate at the Republican state convention. He was also chosen to represent Tennessee's 9th congressional district at the 1876 Republican National Convention in Cincinnati.

Boyd was first elected as a member of the county court in 1876. He served a six-year term. A magistrate, or "squire," had many important jobs. They could issue warrants and hear small criminal cases. They also performed marriages and helped settle legal matters for families. Magistrates also formed the local government. They approved county spending and passed county laws.

He was re-elected as a magistrate in 1882 and 1888. He returned to the court in 1897 to finish a term. He was re-elected again in 1900 for his final six-year term. This was a long time after most African Americans in the South stopped winning elections for local government jobs. His brother Armistead and cousin Willis Lewis Fields were also elected to the court in 1882 and 1888.

Serving in the State Legislature

John Boyd was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1880. He represented Tipton County for a two-year term. In the 42nd General Assembly, he served on committees dealing with immigration, new counties, and places that sold alcohol.

He was re-elected in 1882. He then joined the committee on federal regulations. He tried to get rid of Jim Crow laws. These laws forced racial segregation. Sadly, one of his own bills was changed into a new Jim Crow law. This law forced Black and white passengers to sit separately on trains.

In 1884, Boyd ran for a seat in the Tennessee Senate. This seat represented Tipton and Fayette counties. His opponent was Houston Letcher Blackwell, a former soldier from the Confederate Army. Blackwell was declared the winner. However, Boyd challenged the results, even after Blackwell's sudden death.

Boyd claimed that the ballot box from a Republican area had been stolen. He said that if those votes were counted, he would have won. The Senate did not agree with his claims. Another white Democrat was elected in a special election to fill the empty seat. No African-American person would serve in the Tennessee Senate until 1969.

During this time, unfair tactics were increasing in West Tennessee. By the 1886 and 1888 elections, white Democrats used "force and a great deal of fraud." This stopped Republican votes. It helped them gain control of the state legislature. In later years, this led to laws like the "Myers law," the "Lea law," the "Dortch law," and a poll tax. These laws made it harder for African Americans to vote.

Later Years

Boyd continued to work as a lawyer for some years after his last term as magistrate ended in 1906. He died on March 10, 1932, from heart failure. He was buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Mason, which was a segregated cemetery.

See also

• African Americans in Tennessee
• African-American officeholders during and following the Reconstruction era