Our Story
In the mid 1800’s Kenny Boyd’s Great Great Grandfather W.W Hamilton settled on what we call the homeplace. Considered one of the first pioneers of Patronville, he possessed the same acreage that hosts Hymn and Herd Family Winery today. At the same time, the Boyd family began their travels from Virginia through the Cumberland Gap to Switzerland County Indiana. They eventually settled just south of Patronville and continued to purchase land throughout the mid-late 1800’s. At the turn of the century, there was a wedding that joined the Boyds and Hamiltons. Both families were considered great pioneering families of the area. WW’s Granddaughter Margaret Hamilton would marry Adolphis Boyd. (Kenny Boyd’s Grandparents)
With the new union, joining the Hamilton and Boyd families, George and Josephine Boyd saw their son Adolphis relocate to the current homeplace previously owned by WW Hamilton. At that time, the location had become the heart of Patronville Indiana. The homeplace was settled near two markets and directly across from the town post office. The farm ground George Boyd had accrued throughout the 1800’s was still just a short travel distance away. George and Josephine had 11 children. When reaching Patronville they purchased 9 farms to pass down to their children. Two of the children has passed away before he purchased the farms for his children. Of those 9 original farms only 2 are still owned by Boyds today. One of those is our Father and Grandfathers, Kenny Boyd
The homeplace continued to be passed down each generation until reaching Chester “Jack” Boyd. Chester and Beulah raised 3 children on the homeplace, 2 sons and a daughter. Tragically, one son, Harold died at the age of 12 due to pneumonia. The homeplace has been a location of history and tragedy alike. In 1974, Beulah and Chester “Jack’s” 2 story farmhouse was lost in a fire. It was 1948 when Chester (Jack) Boyd (our Grandfather and Great-Grandfather) deeded Patronville Church some of his pasture land for them to have a place of congregation. Within those walls, Patronville Church congregated every Sunday from 1948-2008.
The land returned to the family in 2016 when Kenny Boyd and Mac Webb (Son and Great Grandson of Jack) purchased the original 2 acres of the “homeplace”. Kenny has now sold his portion of those two acres to his daughter Shelly, her husband Mike, and one of their other son’s ( Malin) along with Mac. The family began making wine in 2009, working to perfect each batch. The hobby continued to grow each year. It’s accumulated to the opening of Hymn and Herd Family Winery. We’re devoted to honoring our farming heritage, the legacy of the church and the future of providing quality wines for generations to come.
