In 1869, Boynton was the first geologist to examine the Cardiff Giant after it was unearthed near Cardiff, New York. Boynton declared that the giant could not be a fossilized man, but hypothesized that it was a statue that was carved by a French Jesuit in the 16th or 17th century in order to impress the local Native Americans. The giant was later determined to be a hoax. Boynton died in Syracuse, New York. Published works Notes References Fred C. Collier (ed.), The Kirtland Council Minute Book, Collier's Publishing Co., 2002. External links Susan Easton Black, John Farnham Boynton 1811 births 1890 deaths 19th-century American inventors American Latter Day Saint leaders American Latter Day Saint missionaries American geologists Apostles of the Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints) Columbia University alumni Converts to Mormonism Doctrine and Covenants people Former Latter Day Saints Latter Day Saint missionaries in the United States People excommunicated by the Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints) People from Bradford, Massachusetts Religious leaders from Massachusetts