Henry Boyce
Encyclopedia
Henry Boyce was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Derry
, Ireland
, Boyce read law to enter the bar in 1820. He began a private practice in Bayou Leche, Louisiana by 1824, and was then in Alexandria, Louisiana
from 1824 to 1828. He was a planter in Rapides Parish, Louisiana from 1828, maintaining that occupation until his death in 1873. He was a judge on the State Circuit Court of Louisiana from 1834 to 1839. He was the United States Attorney
for the Western District of Louisiana in 1849.
On May 9, 1849, Boyce received a recess appointment
from Zachary Taylor to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
created by 9 Stat. 401. Formally nominated on December 21, 1849, Boyce was confirmed by the United States Senate
on August 2, 1850, and received his commission the same day. Boyce's served in that capacity until his resignation from the bench on February 19, 1861.
He was a member of the Louisiana State Legislature in 1865, and the legislature elected him to United States Senate
from Louisiana. However, the U.S. Senate refused to seat Boyce.
Boyce married Irene Archinard with whom he had two children, Henry Archinard Boyce and Louise Frances Boyce. Irene died when she was 22 years old. Boyce subsequently married Octavia Delaney Mullanphy of St. Louis, with whom he had one child Mary Boyce. Powhatan Henry Clarke
, West Point graduate and Medal of Honor
recipient, is his grandson.
The town of Boyce, Louisiana, adjacent to his plantation Ulster, was named for him. He died at his plantation in Boyce, Louisiana
.
Helen and Alfred Boyce Wettermark and Family Collection
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Ireland
Kingdom of Ireland
The Kingdom of Ireland refers to the country of Ireland in the period between the proclamation of Henry VIII as King of Ireland by the Crown of Ireland Act 1542 and the Act of Union in 1800. It replaced the Lordship of Ireland, which had been created in 1171...
, Boyce read law to enter the bar in 1820. He began a private practice in Bayou Leche, Louisiana by 1824, and was then in Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
from 1824 to 1828. He was a planter in Rapides Parish, Louisiana from 1828, maintaining that occupation until his death in 1873. He was a judge on the State Circuit Court of Louisiana from 1834 to 1839. He was the United States Attorney
United States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
for the Western District of Louisiana in 1849.
On May 9, 1849, Boyce received a recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
from Zachary Taylor to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
The United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana is a United States federal court with jurisdiction over approximately two thirds of the state of Louisiana, with courts in Alexandria, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport...
created by 9 Stat. 401. Formally nominated on December 21, 1849, Boyce was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on August 2, 1850, and received his commission the same day. Boyce's served in that capacity until his resignation from the bench on February 19, 1861.
He was a member of the Louisiana State Legislature in 1865, and the legislature elected him to United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Louisiana. However, the U.S. Senate refused to seat Boyce.
Boyce married Irene Archinard with whom he had two children, Henry Archinard Boyce and Louise Frances Boyce. Irene died when she was 22 years old. Boyce subsequently married Octavia Delaney Mullanphy of St. Louis, with whom he had one child Mary Boyce. Powhatan Henry Clarke
Powhatan Henry Clarke
Powhatan Henry Clarke was a United States Army First Lieutenant who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor during the Geronimo Campaign in Sonora, Mexico. He received the medal for rescuing a wounded soldier on May 3, 1886.-Life:Clarke was born at Alexandria, Louisiana on October 9, 1862. He was...
, West Point graduate and Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient, is his grandson.
The town of Boyce, Louisiana, adjacent to his plantation Ulster, was named for him. He died at his plantation in Boyce, Louisiana
Boyce, Louisiana
Boyce is a town in northern Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Alexandria, Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,190 at the 2000 census. The community is nearly 75 percent African American.-History:...
.
Sources
Helen and Alfred Boyce Wettermark and Family Collection