Acknowledgements
The Cross Timbers
Table of Contents
Internet Links
Search

William Joyce


 

William Joyce, a venerable and worthy man, resides near Valden, Mississippi.  The position he occupies in life renders his character deserving of consideration and it is with pleasure that his biography is recorded on these pages.  He was born in Maury County, Tennessee, May 25, 1822.  His father, Robert Joyce, was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina in 1779 and was of Irish descent.  He was married in his native state to Nancy Jennings, who was born in North Carolina and belonged to an old and respected family.  In the year of his marriage, 1813, he removed to Tennessee from North Carolina and became one of the prominent planters of Maury County.  He accumulated a comfortable competence and enjoyed the most pleasant business relations.  He died in the year 1847.  His wife passed away in 1829. 

William Joyce, son of the above, is one of a family of four sons and three daughters; all lived to maturity and with the exception of one, became the heads of families.  He and one brother, Harding Joyce, are the only surviving members.  This brother resided in Texas and he reached his seventy fifth year.  William Joyce spent his youth in his native county, where he received a fair English education at a private school.  He came to Mississippi in the year 1843 and first located in Holmes County on a farm, where he lived for several years.  He married in Attala County, January 26, 1846, to Miss. E.J. McKay, a daughter of the Rev. E.B. McKay, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.  This estimable woman died in the year 1860.  Mr. Joyce removed from Holmes to Leake County and engaged in the mercantile trade, continuing in this business for a number of years.  In August, 1863, he entered the Confederate Army, enlisting in Col. Armstead’s cavalry brigade and serving until the close of the war.  He entered as an orderly.  He participated in a number of engagements of importance and in many skirmishes and scouting parties.  At the close of the war, he war paroled at Gainesville, Alabama and then returned to Mississippi.  He located in Durant, Holmes County and for three years was engaged in the mercantile business.  In 1871, he moved to Carroll County and purchased a plantation on which he now resides.  He has many modern improvements.  He is one of the most successful planters of the county and although well advanced in years, he gives his personal attention to the management of the business.  Twice a week he drives to town, where his tall straight form and long white beard make him a conspicuous figure. 

He was married a second time in Attala County, Mississippi, in November 1866, to Miss Mollie Tribble, a daughter of Alfred Tribble and a niece of Col. Coffey, of Durant.  She died about the year 1879.  Mr. Joyce was married again in 1881, in Canton, Mississippi, to Miss Mary Chambers, a daughter of the Rev. Edward Chambers of Madison County, Mississippi.  Mrs. Joyce was reared in Madison County, but received her education at Holly Springs.  By this marriage, Mr. Joyce had five children and four by the second marriage.  The children of the first marriage are:  Miss N.A. Joyce; William E, unmarried; R.P.H. Joyce, married and a planter; John F., married and a resident of Bolivar County; E.H. Joyce, a young man of superior worth and fine character.  He was beloved and respected by all who knew him.  His death occurred in 1889.  He was a bookkeeper by profession.  In the Methodist Episcopal Church South, he was an active worker and a worthy and consistent member.

By his second marriage, William Joyce had four children, as before stated:  Fannie B.; J.R., a student at Starksville College; Valdora, a student at Grenada College and Percy K., a lad of fourteen years who is at home.  Mr. Joyce is devoted to his family and is giving his children that from which the world can not rob them, a good substantial education.  With the exception of the youngest child, the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.  The father has for many years been a steward of the church.  He is a Royal Arch Mason.

Source:  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi, Vol. 1, page 1064.

Published 1891, Chicago, Goodspeed Publishing Co.