This monument pays tribute to Philip Edward Boyd (1839-1906). It notes that he spent thirty-three years (1873-1906) devoted to Leary. Boyd was a Confederate veteran. Carole Mallett Lechner notes that it was originally located in the middle of Main Street, at Hotel Street, but was moved because it kept being struck by cars.
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 
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People are contemplating having the statue removed. It harbors and perpetuates horrible memories for many people. “If thy right eye offends thee, pluck it out”. Matt. 5:29. Leary, let’s unite!
I played on this monument as a child, I don’t understand how it can bring bad memories. So many things that seem to offend are only history. Are we just to forget what our forefathers did for us and the freedom we have now because of what they sacrificed.
That is so easy for you to say. Remember, God is love, not hate. During that period in history so many awful and hateful things were done to our people, and nothing was done about it. We should learn from our history, not celebrate or take pride in it (I’m referring to the killings, hangings, house burnings, rape, and the list goes on. Maybe you can understand now what I’m talking about.) Let’s learn to love and respect the feelings of others. Our forefathers did many things, but all were not out of love or respect. All people are God’s creation, and he loves them all.
I was working in Leary putting in a foundation and was told this story. Philip Edward Boyd was buried under the statue and he over looking his plantation, which is now in ruins. And to sweeten the story the person said that was the second statue, the first had sunk with the Titanic. True or not it was an interesting yarn.
I remember this well. I played on it while my mother would be buying groceries at Dick Perryman’s store. It was located in the middle of town and the cars had to drive around it. So sad to drive through Leary now and see how it is disappearing. I lived on a farm outside of Leary until I was 15 and loved every day of it. That, too, has changed.
Sharon Rogers, if you get this message I would like to know who his wife was or how you know he is your great-grandfather. I remember this statue well and this has intrigued me to research him. I am decendant of the Jordans of Leary.
There is a grave of a D. E. Boyd in the Leary cemetery with the same birth and death dates as the statue, the D could be a misprint or the marker is worn and was misread. There is also a Philip Boyd Mercer buried there. The only other thing I have including a P. E. Boyd is an article from the church archives about the Leary Baptist Church released through usgenweb where it states that about 1890 a P. E. Boyd bought the church meeting house and tore it down and built a dwelling out of the lumber. This statue use to sit in the middle of Main Street down at Hotel Street. It was moved because people kept hitting it with their cars.
I would like to have more information on Philip Boyd because he is my great-grandfather and I don’t know anything about him. I know my granfather looked just like him. Any info will be appriectated. Thanks
Sharon Rogers, if you get this message I would like to know who his wife was or how you know he is your great-grandfather. I remember this statue well and this has intrigued me to research him. I am decendant of the Jordans of Leary.
Hello Sharon
I have family that came from Leary and I just learned after reading this that my 2nd great uncle, Ben Hillman, worked for him as a sharecropper on his property. Ben was formally a slave. I found a tax document that that has P E Boyd as Ben’s employer.
This is neat. I am from Leary. We have always been told that Mr Boyd did so much for Leary. It looks like he gave jobs to former slaves then.
Eldonna Wilkinson,
Uncle Ben was a sharecropper, which means he didn’t receive much money from working off Boyd’s land. The landowner benefited most from the sharecroppers.