Mary (?)1

b. 14 July 1759, d. 24 June 1848
Birth14 Jul 1759 Mary (?) was born on 14 Jul 1759.2,3 
Marriage1779 She married William Ryburn, son of (?) Ryburn, in 1779.4,5 
Land-Grant20 Jun 1785 On 20 Jun 1785 Mary, 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.6 
Land-Surv  The land had been surveyed for Andrew Russell on August 30th, 1781.7 
Land-Sell16 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.8 
Land-Sell18 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.9 
WidowedOct 1812 Mary was fifty-three years old when William died in 1812. It appears from census records that she lived with her son James (or more likely, he and his family with her) in the early years of her widowhood.10 
Legatee  William's will ultimately 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.1 
Court Record17 Jan 1839  By 1839 James owed money to several different people including $96.67 to Mary. He secured this debt by indenturing his farm animals and household items to Andrew Edmondson. The document was witnessed by, among others, John H. Wallace.11 
  It is possible that James owed Mary rent money for his share of the land left him in his father's will. James's brother Patrick, who also inherited a share of the land subject to Mary's life estate, clarified in his 1845 will that his son John was to continue to pay Mary the rent due her.12  
Cens-18401840  In 1840 Mary was probably the 80-90 year old female living in the household of John Wallace who was married to Mary's daughter Martha.13 
Death24 Jun 1848 Mary died on 24 Jun 1848 at age 88.3,2 
Burial She was buried at Ebbing Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.14 
  Mary outlived William by 35 years. She also outlived at least 4 of her children. During her lifetime she was presented with at least 49 grandchildren, including 6 granddaughters named Mary. 

Research Comment:

Mary's maiden name is not known at this time, but appears to have been Beattie or Brandon. As there is conflicting information I have started a "log" to keep track of the clues. See the text icon in the "Related Links" area below this narrative.
Furthermore, the 1779 marriage date reportedly entered for William in his family Bible appears - at least on the surface - to be at odds with William's apparent appearance as a single man on the 1780 York Co., Pennsylvania tax rolls. However Bob Ford, who has researched the York Co. records in great detail, explains that the tax rolls were routinely taken towards the end of the preceding year. Therefore it is possible William was recorded for 1780 in late 1779 and married shortly thereafter, possibly in December 1779. This would be consistent with the birth of William and Mary's first child in late Oct. 1780.
A manuscript written by William and Mary's great grandson, J.B. Hutton also states that William and Mary had ten children.15
If that is correct, there is a child yet to be identified for this family. This possibility is somewhat supported by the following:
- the 1810 census lists 3 males between 16 and 25 in William's household. William's eldest son John was enumerated as the head of his own household so that leaves William's sons Patrick and James. Who was the 3rd 16-25 year old?
- the tax rolls show William with 2 tithables (males over 16) in 1804 and 3 in 1805. William himself was 1 tithable and the second one was probably his son John. But who was the third in 1805? Son Patrick, born in 1790, would not be taxed until 1807 and son James even later. The following year son John was listed on his own but William was still listed with 2 tithables (himself and ?). Of course it is possible the extra person, if there was one, was simply a relative or hired hand.
- the 1992 Virginia Historic Landmarks Project interview with Mrs. W.T. Ryburn (referenced under William's birth notes) produced the statement that William, born 1754, had a son named William who was born in 1787 and died in 1854. Indeed, there is a gap in the order of William's children in the late 1780s and a son born in 1787 would explain the extra male on the census and tax rolls. However, the 1854 date of death is problematic as no reference to a younger William appears in the older William's will or in Washington County records of the period. It is more likely that this son William, if indeed he existed, died before William Sr.'s will was written in 1812.

Related Links and Images:

What was Mary's maiden name?
The Ebbing Spring Church and Cemetery page identifies the location of the old cemetery and tells a little about its history
Ryburn homestead. Click on camera icon for larger image

Family

William Ryburn b. in 1753 or 1754, d. Oct 1812
Children
Last Edited7 Sep 2013

Citations

  1. [S617] William Ryburn will (1812), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Bk 3: 300. Wlliam's will was dated 22 Jul 1812 and recorded in court in October of the same year. Son Patrick was appointed executor with James Orr, L. Hutton and John Edmondson witnesses.
  2. [S49] Hortenstine Memorial Marker and Genealogy, Hortenstine Cemetery, Washington Co. VA. Mary Beattie, b. 7-14-1759; marr William Ryburn 1779; d. 6-24-1848.
  3. [S56] Philip Ropp, "Withers-Bayless and allied families", manuscript. Author cites Henry Hortenstine of Abingdon who he credited with copying the dates from the Bible of William Ryburn "in the possession of a Ryburn descendant". Author lists Mary's maiden name as Beattie.
  4. [S49] Hortenstine Memorial Marker and Genealogy, Hortenstine Cemetery, Washington Co. VA. William Ryburn, b. 8-26-1753; marr Mary Beattie 1779; d. Oct. 1812.
  5. [S56] Philip Ropp, "Withers-Bayless and allied families", manuscript. Author cites Henry Hortenstine of Abingdon who he credited with copying the dates from the Bible of William Ryburn "in the possession of a Ryburn descendant."
  6. [S1438] Virginia Land Office Grants Q: 557, Library of Virginia Online.
  7. [S66] Bob and Donna Ford, "Ryburn/Orr," e-mail to Diana Powell, 18 Oct. 2004. Research by Bob Ford citing Washington Co., VA Survey Bk 1:255.
  8. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 223.
  9. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 528.
  10. [S621] James Ryburn household, 1820 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 35 (976 in added script, 227 stamped at bottom of page), viewed online at Ancestry.com, James Ryburn; 1 male (16-25); 1 female (10-15), 2 females (16-25), 1 female (45+).
  11. [S981] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 13: 392. Indenture dated 17 Jan 1839 between James Ryburn and Andrew Edmondson to secure $96.67 James owed to Mary Ryburn.
  12. [S701] Patrick Ryburn will (1845), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 10: 23. The will was dated 29 Sept. 1845 and recordrd in court 27 Oct. 1845. John Ryburn was named executor with William Graham and Robert Keys witnesses.
  13. [S679] John Wallace household, 1840 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 57, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2004, image 113 of 114. Data reported includes: John Wallace; 1 m under 5; 1 male 30-40; 2 females 5-10; 1 female 10-15; 1 female 30-40; 1 female 80-90.
  14. [S56] Philip Ropp, "Withers-Bayless and allied families", manuscript. Author does not specifically state his source for this information. He notes that the tombstones have disappeared.
  15. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton was Mary's great grandson.
  16. [S1985] Mary Buchanan entry, Smyth Co., Virginia Death Register Vol. 1: 2 (1858).
  17. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J.B. Hutton was the great nephew of the children of William and Mary Ryburn.
  18. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton was the grandson of Beattie Ryburn and Jane Ryburn.
  19. [S49] Hortenstine Memorial Marker and Genealogy, Hortenstine Cemetery, Washington Co. VA. Ann Ryburn, dau of William Ryburn and Mary Beattie, b. 2-16-1799; marr Capt. David Campbell; d. 1-3-1883.