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Historical Sites related to the Life and Career of Benedict Arnold


  1. Homes and Graves of Those on the March to Quebec

Thomas Boyd Grave *

Original burial site: Boyd -Parker Memorial Park, 3064 Cuylerville Rd, Leicester, NY

Ambush site: 5434 David Gray Hill Rd, Geneseo, NY See this website: http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=117006

Final burial site: Mount Hope Cemetery, 1133 Mount Hope Av, Rochester, NY

An excellent blog by J. W. Ocker gives a good account of the events surrounding the death of Thomas Boyd. Many of the photos used in this gallery are his. See his blog here: http://www.oddthingsiveseen.com/2018/01/here-we-go-round-boyd-parker-torture.html


Thomas Boyd (1756-1779) served as a sergeant in Capt. Smith's company of Pennsylvania riflemen on Arnold's March to Quebec. He was taken prisoner in the failed attack and held prisoner by the British. After his release and exchange, he continued to serve, and was on Gen. Sullivan's expedition against the Indians in upstate New York. While leading a party of soldiers, he was ambushed. Some of the soldiers were killed at the site and others, including Boyd, were taken prisoner. Boyd and Parker were horribly mutilated and killed at what is now known as "Torture Tree." They were buried at that site when their bodies were discovered by Sullivan's troops. They lay there until 1841, when, with much ceremony, they were removed and reburied in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester.
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Interpretive panel at "Torture Tree" (click for larger version)<br />
As seen on waymarking.com
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Interpretive panel at "Torture Tree" (click for larger version)
As seen on waymarking.com

  • Historical marker at Boyd-Parker Memorial Park. "Torture Tree" is to the left of the marker. <br />
Photo by J. W. Ocker (used with permission)
  • "Torture Tree", the site of Thomas Boyd's death<br />
Photo by J. W. Ocker (used with permission)
  • Closer view<br />
Photo by J. W. Ocker (used with permission)
  • Close up<br />
Photo by J. W. Ocker (used with permission)
  • Interpretive panel at "Torture Tree" (click for larger version)<br />
As seen on waymarking.com
  • Second interpretive panel at "Torture Tree" (click for larger version)<br />
As seen on waymarking.com
  • Monument in Mount Hope Cemetery, to which Boyd's body was moved in 1841.<br />
Photo by J. W. Ocker (used with permission)
  • In front of the previous shown monument are individual grave markers. This is Thomas Boyd's.<br />
As seen on Findagrave.
  • This map, found on the web at  <a href="http://www.exploringupstate.com">http://www.exploringupstate.com</a>, shows the location of the grave, labelled "Boyd & Parker, BB, Lot 123"
  • This monument marks the place where Thomas Boyd and his party were ambushed by the Indians. Soldiers died and were buried here. Boyd and Parker were taken to "Torture Tree," where they were tortured and killed.<br />
Photo by J. W. Ocker (used with permission)
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