Eleanor Ryburn

b. 21 September 1781, d. 19 November 1864
FatherMathew Ryburn1,2 b. 26 Aug 1753, d. 6 Mar 1818
MotherJane Beattie1 b. abt 1760, d. 21 Aug 1814
Birth21 Sep 1781 Eleanor Ryburn was born on 21 Sep 1781 in Washington County, Virginia.3,4,5,6 
Marriage19 Apr 1797 She married Josiah Nichol, son of John Nichol and Margaret Dysart, on 19 Apr 1797 in Washington County, Virginia.7,8,9,2 
 She was 15 and he was 25. 
 Sometime after the birth of their second child Eleanor and Josiah moved to Knox County, Tennessee where they remained for several years during which time Josiah formed a friendship with Andrew Jackson, who was serving as a Superior Court Judge [later President Jackson]. However, by the time Eleanor and Josiah's son Charles was born in the fall of 1805 the family had settled in Nashville, [Davidson County] Tennessee where they raised a large family and were influential members of the growing community.10,11 
Legatee22 Feb 1818 Eleanor's father, writing his will in February 1818, left her a legacy of $100.00.2 
Widowed31 May 1833  Eleanor was widowed in late May 1833 when Josiah died of cholera. She was 51. 
  She had already suffered the loss of several children: son John in 1802, daughter Jane in 1813 and daughter Elizabeth in 1823. The years following Josiah's death brought her additional suffering: daughter Margaret (Nichol) Armstrong died in 1834, son Josiah in 1836, daughter Mary Eleanor in 1845 and daughter Mary Ann Henrietta (Nichol) Percy in 1848. 
Cens-185011 Sep 1850  The 1850 census found Eleanor living with Charles Percy, and his 5 children: Thomas (9), Ellen (8), Josiah (6), Charles (4) and Henrietta (2). Also present was Jane Brown [Eleanor's daughter; named no doubt for Jane's elder sibling who died a few years before Jane's birth]. Jane's husband was not enumerated in the household, however 2 young children with the surname Brown were listed with Jane. Eleanor was listed as the owner of real estate valued at $25,000. Charles Percy owned land valued at $3,000 and Jane Brown owned land valued at $10,000. Charles was listed with an occupation of "plantar", although the family was residing in the city of Nashville.6 
Cens-186010 Aug 1860  In 1860 Charles Percy was not present and Eleanor was enumerated as the head of the household. She was 78 and owned land worth over $100,000 and personal property valued at over $6,000. Also present was Alex Nichol (46), Jane Brown (42), Ella Brown (21), John Brown (15), Thomas Percy (19), Ellen Percy (17), Josiah Percy (15), Charles Percy (13) and Henrietta Percy (12).12 
Death19 Nov 1864 Eleanor died on 19 Nov 1864 at age 83.5 
Burial She was buried at Old City Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.5 

Related Links and Images:

Eleanor's stone
Eleanor's stone to the left of the large monument to her husband Josiah Nichol (move cursor over stones in center of photo to see names)
Old City Cemetery entrance in Nashville
Eleanor's niece, Mary Jane B. (Davis) Moffett left a journal in which she included information on the Ryburn and Beattie families. See Mary Jane's Journal for images and transcriptions of the pages

Family

Josiah Nichol b. 17 Mar 1772, d. 31 May 1833
Children
  • Margaret Dysart Nichol4 (16 Apr 1798 - 29 Jun 1834)
  • William Nichol4 (12 Feb 1800 - 23 Nov 1878)
  • John Nichol4 (19 Oct 1801 - 7 Dec 1802)
  • James H. Nichol4 (9 Jul 1803 - 22 Feb 1878)
  • Charles McAlister Nichol4 (1 Sep 1805 - 27 Dec 1867)
  • Mary Eleanor Nichol4 (1 Dec 1808 - 10 Apr 1845)
  • Josiah Nichol4 (5 Nov 1810 - 15 Dec 1836)
  • Jane Dickenson Nichol4 (27 Aug 1812 - 25 May 1813)
  • Alexander Ramsey Nichol4 (2 May 1814 - Apr 1892)
  • Elizabeth Nichol4 (23 May 1816 - 9 Sep 1823)
  • Jane Ramsey Nichol4 (4 Jun 1818 - 9 Feb 1899)
  • Mary Ann Henrietta Nichol4 (18 Aug 1820 - Dec 1848)
ChartsDescendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Last Edited30 Aug 2012

Citations

  1. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 8. Children of Mathew Ryburn and Jane his wife: Elen, Mary, Jane, Sarah, Beaty (oldest son), Ann, Nancy, and Mathew (youngest son).
  2. [S131] Mathew Ryburn will (22 Feb. 1818), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 234-235. Lists sons Beatie and Mathew Ryburn, also daughters: Jane Ryburn, Ann Ryburn, Sarah Davis, Nancy Buchanan (mentions her husband as James Buchanan), Eleanor Nichol and Mary McNeille.
  3. [S2648] Mathew Ryburn Family Record, handwritten copy, original held in 2011 by Carolyn Ryburn, Glade Spring, Virginia. Entry reads: "Elenor Ryburn was born Sept. 21th [sic] 1781."
  4. [S1245] Bromfield Nichol, Nichol of Nashville, citing the Family Bible record of Josiah Nichol, Tennessee State Library and Archives, microfilm, MS DIV AC. No. 68-11.
  5. [S1247] Eleanor Nichol tombstone, Stone reads: Eleanor Ryburn Nichol, Sept. 21 1781 - 19 Nov. 1864, Old City Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee.
  6. [S1828] Charles B. Percy household, 1850 U.S. cens, Davidson Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Nashville, p. 118 (stamped), dwelling 469, family 502, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2007, image 65 of 169. Household includes: Charles B. Percy, 30, planter, land val at $3,000, b. AL; Thos. G. Percy, 9, b. AL; Ellen N. Percy, 8, b. TN; Josiah W. Percy, 6, b. TN; Charles Percy, 4, b. TN, Henrietta Percy, 2, b. TN; E. Nichol, 69, land val at $25,000, b. VA; Jane R. Brown, 30, owns real estate: $10,000, b. TN; E.R. Brown (female) 11, b. TN; John P.W. Brown, 5, b. TN.
  7. [S1245] Bromfield Nichol, Nichol of Nashville, citing the Family Bible record of Josiah Nichol, Tennessee State Library and Archives, microfilm, MS DIV AC. No. 68-11 (uses 19 April 1797).
  8. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 45. Josiah Nichol and Elenor Ryburn, 18 Apr 1797; Edward Crawford minister [it is possible this was the date a license was issued].
  9. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton was the great nephew of Eleanor Ryburn. He states that Eleanor married a Mr. Nicols who lived in or near Nashville, Tennessee.
  10. [S1246] Margaret Nichol, Josiah Nichol, A Man Worth His Salt.
  11. [S1245] Bromfield Nichol, Nichol of Nashville.
  12. [S1829] Elleanor Nichol household, 1860 U.S. cens, Davidson Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Nashville, p. 359 (stamped), dwelling 404, family 450, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2007, image 15 of 29. Household includes: Elleanor Nichol, 78, owns real estate worth $105,500, pers. prop worth $6,000, b. VA, no occupation given; Alex R. Nichol, 46, b. TN; Jane R. Brown, 42, owns land worth $40,00, pers. prop of $5,000, b. TN; Ella R. Brown, 21; John P.W. Brown, 15; both b. TN; Thomas G. Percy, 19, b. AL; Ellen N. Percy, 17; Josiah N., 15; Charles Percy 13; Henrietta Percy 12; last 4 b. TN.