“Son of former slaves in Milledgeville GA., he was the only one of his parents’ 17 children who was born free.”
Las Cruces Sun-News, Sunday, March 30, 1947
Frank Boyer’s grandmother, Aggie Boyer, was born free in Africa. For people under the conditions of Blackness in America, the trajectory from freedom to sovereignty was often interrupted by slavery. On October 29, 1822, Henry Boyer was born in Hancock County, Georgia on the plantation of Elias Boyer. Henry married Hester Hill and Frank Boyer was the last of their 17 children. Frank was also the first of a generation born free.
Since 1875, Henry Boyer nurtured his belief in sovereignty through liberation theology as a member of the African Baptist Church (Morehouse College). Henry passed away at the age of 103 at the home of his son, Henry Boyer Jr., in Rowell, New Mexico on South Kansas Street at 10 o’clock, February 24, 1926. Henry was survived by 5 of his children, John Henry Jr., Robert S., Frank and Henry’s daughter, Mrs. M. V. Johnson. Henry’s great wealth at his passing was measured in 38 grandchildren.
by Dr. Timothy E. Nelson ©
