b. in 1753 or 1754, d. October 1812
Birth | in 1753 or 1754 | William Ryburn was born in 1753 or 1754.1,2,3,4,5 |
| | William's exact year of birth is the subject of some mystery. A plaque in the Hortenstine Cemetery in Washington County, which was erected by one of his descendants and includes many names, states that William was born August 26th, 1753. The same date is listed in a manuscript authored by Philip Ropp which credits the information to "Henry Hortenstine of Abingdon who copied them [it] years ago from the Bible of William Ryburn in the possession of a Ryburn descendant". Though no one has seen the Bible in some years this date seems relatively reliable. However, it also happens to be the date recorded for the baptism of Mathew Ryburn (probably a distant cousin) in the parish records of Campbeltown, Scotland, which seems an unlikely coincidence. And in 1992, when a researcher for the Virginia Historic Landmarks project visited Mrs. W.T. Ryburn (now deceased) who stated that she held the family bible, the researcher recorded 1754 as William's date of birth in her field notes.1,2,3,4,5 |
| | William's place of birth is also uncertain. Only his daughter Ann (Ryburn) Campbell was alive in 1880 when the federal census was expanded to include a question about parent's place of birth. She stated that her father was born in Virginia, but without any other corroborating evidence this should not be taken as proof.6 |
| | In fact there is evidence suggesting William and his brother John Ryburn were in York (now Adams) County, Pennsylvania in the late 1770s. A John and William Ryburn both appear on the York County militia roll of April 1, 1778.7 |
Marriage | 1779 | He married Mary (?) in 1779.1,8 |
Tax | 1780 | A John and William Ryburn also appear on the 1780 tax list of single men in Huntington township York (now Adams) County, Pennsylvania.9 |
Migration | circa 1781 | William and his brother John both appear to have migrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia about 1781.10 |
Land-Grant | 20 Jun 1785 | On 20 Jun 1785 William, as assignee of Andrew Russell, received a grant for 315 acres of land on the middle fork of the Holston River in Washington County, Virginia. The neighboring tracts were owned by Thomas Montgomery, John Crilley, James Berry and James Trimble. William paid the Commonwealth of Virginia 1 pound 15 shillings for the land.11 |
Land-Surv | | The land had been surveyed for Andrew Russell on August 30th, 1781.12 |
Land-Sell | 16 Aug 1791 | In 1791 William and Mary sold 125 acres from the lower third of the tract to John Ryburn [William's brother] for 85 pounds.13 |
Land-Sell | 18 Apr 1797 | In the spring of 1797 they sold an additional 16 acres to John McClelland. This land was off of the northern edge of their tract and abutted the Middle fork of the Holston River.14 |
Tax | from 1782 to 1812 | William appeared on the tax rolls of Washington County from 1782, when they were first recorded, until 1812, the year of his death. Until 1799 he was charged with 1 tithable, however as his sons turned 17 William was also taxed for them.15 |
Cens-1810 | 1810 | William was listed as the head of a household on the Washington County 1810 census. Individuals living in the home were indicated as follows: 3 males 16-25, 1 male 45+ [William], 2 females under 10, 2 females 10-15 and 1 female over 45. John Ryburn Jr. [William's son] and John Ryburn [William's brother] were listed as the adjacent households.16 |
Will | 22 Jul 1812 | William wrote his will on 22 Jul 1812. He left his land to be divided between his sons Patrick and James. However, the profits arising from it were to be his wife Mary's during the rest of her natural life. William also stipulated that she was to have the "free and entire use" of the dwelling house and kitchen with all its contents. In addition he left her three specific horses and her choice of three of the best cows. He also bequeathed $10 to his daughter Sarah Buchanan, $100 to his son John, and $10 to his daughter Mary Buckhannon. Daughters Jenny, Ann, Peggy and Patsy were also remembered. Patrick was named as his father's executor.17 |
Death | Oct 1812 | He died in Oct 1812.1 |
Will-Recd | Oct 1812 | William's will was recorded in Oct 1812 in Washington County.17 |
Probate Recd | 15 Dec 1812 | His personal property was appraised in December 1812. The itemized list covers several pages of the will book and includes a variety of items including six beds, books, a large Bible and 2 small ones, 11 chairs, farm implements, tools, farm animals, etc.18 |
Burial | | William was buried in Ebbing Spring Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia.19 |