Martha Elizabeth Henderson

b. 10 March 1849, d. 1919
FatherRobert Hecter Henderson1,2 b. 5 Sep 1819, d. 17 Aug 1858
MotherMinerva Elizabeth Ryburn3 b. 6 May 1827, d. 17 Dec 1852
Birth10 Mar 1849 Martha Elizabeth Henderson was born on 10 Mar 1849 in Washington County, Virginia.2 
Ward23 Aug 1858 Martha's mother died when she was a toddler and her father, Robert, died when she was only about nine. A few days after Robert's death, on August 23, 1858, Martha's uncle, William B. Ryburn was appointed her guardian.1 
Cens-18601860  By 1860 Elizabeth appears to have been living in the household of William and Susan Byars.4 
Court Record1868  Martha's only surviving sibling, her older brother Mathew, died in 1864. Four years later Martha, by her guardian William B. Ryburn, brought suit against James S. Buchanan, administrator of her father's estate. The purpose of the suit was to force distribution of $1,825.88 which remained in the hands of the administrator (Wm B. Ryburn had already received $1,019.17 from the estate on Martha's behalf).

Buchanan himself wished to complete the distribution and the court determined the shares to be received by Wm B. Ryburn on behalf of Martha and by Martha's stepmother Mary (Love) Henderson. Martha herself did not receive these funds from her guardian until 1882 and was not entirely satisfied with the distribution at that time. Among other things, she felt she was not paid adequate interest on the money for the years it was held in trust.5 
Marriage23 Mar 1870 She married Thomas Caywood Taylor, son of William Taylor, on 23 Mar 1870 in Washington County, Virginia.6,7,8 
Cens-18708 Oct 1870 Thomas and Martha had only been married a few months when the 1870 census was enumerated.9 
Cens-1880Jun 1880  Ten years later they were recorded living with four children near Glade Spring, Virginia. Thomas worked as a train engineer; his father William resided with the family.10 
Cens-19006 Jun 1900 Twenty years later Martha and Thomas were enumerated with all 9 of their surviving children at home. Elizabeth stated that she had given birth to 10 children, but that only 9 were living, so an additional child exists for this family whose name has not been identified. Thomas was still employed as an engineer. Daughter Mary and her husband William Adkins were enumerated in the household with their 2 year old son Claude; William worked as a locomotive fireman. Two of Thomas and Martha's adult sons also listed occupations: Robert was a watchman and William was employed as a blacksmith.11 
  Although the 1900 census did not list specific addresses, many of Thomas and Martha's neighbors were relatives on Martha's mother's side of the family. Martha's cousin, William McRyburn was deceased, but his wife Hattie was still a neighbor as was Elizabeth (Clark) Ryburn, who was a second cousin, once removed. Also in the neighborhood was Beattie Ryburn and his wife Florence. Beattie was a second cousin to Martha, as was neighbor Fullen Ryburn. Martha's uncle, William Ryburn and his wife Ann were also close by as was Martha's cousin Nancy (Clark) McNew. Nancy's husband was also a locomotive engineer. Many of these residences sat on land deeded to Mathew Ryburn Sr. by John Beattie in 1784. 
Death1919 Martha died in the summer of 1919.12 
Will-Recd23 Jul 1919 Martha's will, written in May of 1919 and recorded in court on July 23rd, divided her real estate holdings among her seven living children. They, in turn, were to pay Lillian and Thomas Taylor (children of Martha's deceased son William) $25.00. She also left her personal property to be divided between her two sons Robert and Richard.12 

Related Links and Images:

Thomas and Martha's old home. It sat just north of where a branch of the train tracks running through Glade Spring swings north toward Saltville13
Martha's will

Family

Thomas Caywood Taylor b. 5 Jun 1840, d. 11 Jun 1909
Children
ChartsDescendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Last Edited15 Nov 2012

Citations

  1. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 56. William B. Ryburn named guardian of Mathew R. and Martha Elizabeth Henderson, orphans of Robert H. Henderson, deceased. Bond: $6,000. Sureties: James O. Ryburn and Claiborne L. Shugart.
  2. [S2996] "Complaint", Martha Elizabeth Henderson by her guardian Wm B. Ryburn vs James S. Buchanan, Washington Co., Virginia Ended Chancery Causes 1869-017, reel 117, Library of Virginia.
  3. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 23.
  4. [S234] William B. Byars household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 463 (added script), dwelling 712, family 689, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 101 of 361. Reported data includes: William B. Byars, 34, Farmer; Susan 31; Rhoda 8; Sarah 4; Susan 3; Arminta (f) 1; Elizabeth Henderson 11; Mary Henderson 27, weaver; all born VA.
  5. [S2996] Martha Elizabeth Henderson by her guardian Wm B. Ryburn vs James S. Buchanan, Washington Co., Virginia Ended Chancery Causes 1869-017, reel 117, Library of Virginia.
  6. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 362. Thomas C. Taylor, 29y, sgl, b. & resid Washington Co. VA, engineer, s/o Wm & E. Taylor AND E.M. Henderson, 21y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, d/o R.H. & __ Henderson; 23 Mar 1870.
  7. [S2996] "Thomas C. Tayler and wife statement", Martha Elizabeth Henderson by her guardian Wm B. Ryburn vs James S. Buchanan, Washington Co., Virginia Ended Chancery Causes 1869-017, reel 117, Library of Virginia.
  8. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 23. Ms Shugart states this marriage occured in 1889 which is inconsistent with the Washington County marriage records.
  9. [S635] Thos C. Taylor household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., 1st Division (post office at Abingdon), p. 204b (stamped), dwelling 302, family 322, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 408 of 426. Data includes: Thos C. Taylor, 30, engineer; Martha 21; both b. VA.
  10. [S165] Thomas C. Taylor household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 26 (65B stamped), dwelling 228, family 230, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 26 of 54. Thomas C. Taylor, 40, engineer; Elizabeth, 31, wife, father b. England; Manerva E., 8, dau; Mary Ellen, 6, dau; William T., 4, son; Minnie R., 1, dau; William, 77, father;.
  11. [S574] Thomas Taylor household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 108, sheet 5B, dwelling 86, family 90, viewed online at Genealogy.com, Nov. 2006, image 10 of 70. Enumeration includes: Thomas Taylor, 59, marr 30 yrs, b. June 1840, owns home, no mortgage, is home (not farm); Elizabeth, wife, 51, marr 30 yrs, mother of 10 children, 9 living; Minerva, dau, 28, b. Dec. 1871; William, son, 23, b. Oct. 1876, blacksmith; Minnie, dau, 21, b. Dec. 1878; Robt, son, 19, b. Apr. 1881, watchman; Margaret, dau, 16, b. Sept. 1883; Charles, son, 14, b. Dec. 1885; Richard, son, 12, b. Dec. 1887; Ethel, dau, 10, b. Apr 1890; William Adkins, son-in-law; 30, b. May 1870, marr 3 yrs, locomotive fireman; [Adkins], Ella, dau, 26, b. March 1874, marr 3 yrs, mother 1 child; cont. top next page: Claude Adkins, gr son, 2, b. Aug. 1897; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  12. [S961] Martha E. Taylor will (recorded 1919), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 31: 575. The will was dated 12 May 1919 and recorded 23 Jul 1919. Martha's son Richard Taylor was named as her executor.
  13. [S35] Nanci C. King, Places In Time Vol. II, p. 138. Photo used with permission of the author.
  14. [S29] Leonidas Littleton Papers titled "Ryburn Family."