Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-08-08
Miseellansu,1s geading.
WAS "BELLE BOYD'S" MAID.
An Old Negro Woman Who Claims to Hav'
Served the Famous Spy.

An Old Negro Woman Who Claims to Have
Served the Famous Spy.
Grafton wv. Va.,) Cor. Philadelphia Times.
At the western base of hill in
Berkeley county, w. Va, about a
mile and a half back from the river
and directly opposite Williamsport, in
a comfortable farm house, surrounded
by family of grown children, lives
"Aunt" Mary STRIPPING, an old color.
ed woman, who cherishes the memory
of once having been the maid, and in
a manner, the companion in her early
life of Belle Boyd, the famous female
spy of the Confederacy.
"Aunt" Mary is relic of slavery
days. She was born in Clark county,
Virginia, Oh the plantation of John
Early, father Of General Jubal Early,
the leader. Her childhood was spent
at the old Virginia home, but when
her young mistress, Miss Susan Early,
became the bride of James Glenn,
whose plantation bordered many miles
of the Potomac, about Sandy Ridge,
near Shepsrdstown, she went along to
continue in the service of her "mis-
sus." 1t was then she first met and
became associated with the woman
whose daring wild escapades were
rarely equaled by, and often astonish-
ed, the men in gray with whom she
mingled in the days of blood and
strife.
Maria Belle Boyd was born in Mar
tinsburg. She was the daughter of
Benjamin Boyd, a reputable and
wealthy resident of that place. Their
home was bright, inviting, and there
Belle and her sister, who lives in
Charles. Town, and brother, were
carefully reared. Her afterlife, how
ever, threw black shadow athwart
the threshold of that home and the
training she received shere.
James Glenn, the owner and master
of "Aunt" Mary, was the uncle of
Belle Boyd, who often visited and
spent much of her time on his planta-
tion before the war. She was described
to press representative by the old
colored woman as having been state
ly and prepossessing young lady with
black hair and eyes, and having many
admirers among the male sex. Her
associates were classed among the best
families. She always dressed in style
and was a lover Of outdoor sport, in
which her high spirited nature was
wont to revel. She sat upon horse
like an equestrienne and would ride
like the wind over the country in fox
hunt with an escort, but frequently
alone. In this respect her manner Of
ten bordered on recklessness. At
times she would appear disguised in
male dress and ride horseback with
parties of her friends. These elements
in her nature at times, however, were
the only indications which, though un-
foreseen, pointed unerringly into the
future to a life of stirring romance and
wild and reckless daring.
James Glenn had two daughters,
Florence and Lille, who were her con-
stant companions during her visits to
their home.
When the war broke out Belle
Boyd's nature was reused and her sym
pathies went out freely to the south
ern cause. She never intimated to
anyone her determination, but after
the first year of carnage passed she
quietly left home and Joined General
Ashby's command. Her career then
began. She gradually overcame her
womanly timidity and the spirit OF
fearlessness arose in its stead. AS a
spy she won fame and figured in some
of the most daring adventures on
record. Her service to the Confeder-
ate army was invaluable. The fame
of the woman spread over the country
and won at once admiration and con-
tempt. Her life has been published in
full and is we'll known. She was cap
tured by Union soldiers and sent to
Fortress Manroe. Then she was sent
to the old capital prison in Washington,
and there married northern soldier.
There her father found her and died Of
a broken heart. Her life was check
cred, full of romance and adventures.