Boyer, Benjamin. gunsmith. 1850, Hamburg, Berks County [U.S. Census].
Boyer, David. gunsmith. 1832-35, Mahoning Township, Carbon County; 1836-80, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County [tax; Boyd's Directories; Polk's Gazetteer]. He was the fourth child of George and Anna Maria Boyer. David was born, according to his baptismal certificate, in Manheim Township, on the 8th of April 1806, at the hour of 9 in the evening. The certificate, written in German and hand illuminated, said that the baptism was performed by the Lutheran pastor. David was baptized at the Red Church on August 10, 1806. "David Boyer, a native of Berks County, established his gunshop in Mahoning Township, where he made guns for three years. He married Hannah, daughter of George Beck." [Mathews and Hungerford, Carbon County, p. 747]. The fourth child of George and Anna Maria Boyer, the grandfather of Lewis Elmer Boyer, was named David Boyer. David was born, according to his baptismal certificate, in Manheim Township, on the 8th of April 1806, at the hour of 9 in the evening. The certificate, written in German and hand illuminated, said that the baptism was performed by the Lutheran pastor. David was baptized at the Red Church on August 10, 1806. It was just two years after his grandfather, Johann Friedrich Boyer, had been buried from the same church. David was a gunsmith, the maker of a long rifle known as a "Pennsylvania-Kentucky" rifle (see photo above). One gun known to be made by David was stamped "D. Boyer," and some gun experts believe that other guns stamped "D. Boyer" may also have been made by David of Orwigsburg. Others point out that there may have been two people named D. Boyer who made guns at various times, the first one around 1800, making rather rustic flintlock rifles, and the second one around 1840, using a cap percussion system and showing superior craftsmanship. Some experts also think that D. Boyer the gunmaker may have lived in Reading, Pennsylvania, while others believe he spent his entire life in Orwigsburg, 30 miles north of Reading, also in Berks County. (Orwigburg was included in the new Schuylkill County when Berks County was divided in 1811. The sections below provide information on David Boyer's role as a gunsmith in Orwigsburg and on his two wives and his nine children. They also discuss the debate over whether there were one or two gunmakers who signed their work "D. Boyer," and whether these gunmakers lived in Reading or Orwigsburg. David Boyer's children were: Joseph Boyer (1829-1908) Violetta Boyer (Schock); (1832-1904); Lawrence Boyer (1837-?); Matilda Boyer (Jenkins) (Dietrich) (Elliot) (1838-?); George B. Boyer (1839-1907); William B. Boyer (1843-1925); Marie Barbara "Annie" Boyer (Gerber) (1847-1935); Charles Boyer (1850-1869); and Thomas B. Boyer (1854-1857).
Boyer, David II gunsmith. 1880, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County [Dir]. Reported as the son of David Boyer, above, he does not fit within the genealogy provided.
Boyer, George. gunsmith. 1849-52, Union Township, Union County [tax; U.S. Census].
Boyer, George (1840- ). gunsmith. 1860-80, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County [U.S. Census; Boyd's Dirs; Polk's Gazetteers]. This man was a son of David Boyer.
Boyer, Henry the Elder. gunsmith. c.1790-1804, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County; 1807, Lebanon Township, Lebanon County; c.1840-45, Lebanon Township, Dauphin County [tax; U.S. Census].
Boyer, Henry the Younger (1786-1850). gunsmith. Lebanon, Lebanon Courier Died
