Margaret Ann Ryburn

b. 9 August 1828, d. 15 April 1905
Margaret Ann (Ryburn) Carpenter
photo courtesy Betty Mealy
FatherPatrick Ryburn1 b. 19 May 1790, d. 2 Oct 1845
MotherJane Stewart2 b. abt 1792, d. 12 Mar 1874
Birth9 Aug 1828 Margaret Ann Ryburn was born on 9 Aug 1828.3 
 Margaret appears to have been named in memory of an older sister who died shortly after birth. 
Marriage24 Feb 1853 She married James Carpenter, son of William Carpenter, on 24 Feb 1853 in Washington County, Virginia.4 
Cens-18603 Jul 1860 Seven years after their marriage Margaret and James were enumerated on the 1860 census for Washington County with 5 children: William (6), Pamelia (5), Elisa (4), John (1) and Sarah, two months. James was a farmer and stated that he owned land valued at $3,000 and personal property worth $300.5 
Military  When the Civil War broke out James, though well into his 30s and with a family of small children at home, joined many of his Washington County neighbors and enlisted in the Confederate Army. He served as a private in Company K of the 48th Regiment.6 
Cens-187027 Sep 1870 In 1870, following the war, the census enumerations for the county were more specific as to a families location. James and Margaret were recorded farming in Glade Spring township where their real estate holdings were now valued at $1,800. I do not know if the family had moved or if the decreased value was due to the lingering effects of the war. Two additional daughters had been added to the family since 1860: Mary and Sarah Rebecca. It appears that Sarah, born abt 1866, was named for her older sister of the same name who was recorded on the 1860 census, but not on the 1870.7 
Cens-1880Jun 1880  A last daughter was added to the family abt 1872 and enumerated with her parents and 3 older sisters in 1880.8 
Widowed10 Sep 1881 In the Fall of 1881 James died at the age of 56. 
  Margaret's sons William and John, and her daughter Eliza all married in the early 1880s. However in the years immediately following James's death there were still 4 unmarried daughters living with Margaret: Mary, Frances, Sarah and Pamelia. Gradually as the 1880s moved into the 1890s the first 3 of these daughters also married. 
Cens-190020 Jun 1900  By 1900 just Margaret and Pamelia were left for the census taker to record. Margaret stated that she was 71 and the mother of 8 children, 7 of whom were living.9 
  Then in the summer of 1901 Pamelia also married. 
Death15 Apr 1905 Margaret died on 15 Apr 1905 at age 76.3 
Will-Recd4 May 1905 Margaret's will was recorded on 4 May 1905 in Washington County . It had been written before Pamelia's marriage. Margaret left all her real and personal estate to Permelia [Pamelia] with the comment that Permelia had shown her much care and kindness in sickness and in health. In return, Permelia was to continue to provide a home for her mother while she lived "in this old family homestead". Margaret named Thomas Moffett Porterfield, a neighbor, as her executor.10 
Burial She was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 

Related Links and Images:

Also believed to be a photo of Margaret
Margaret's will
Margaret's headstone (before and after cleaning)
Other interments in Rock Spring Cemetery

Family

James Carpenter b. 2 Jun 1825, d. 10 Sep 1881
Children
ChartsDescendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited23 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [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.
  2. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. Margaret Ryburn was the first cousin, once removed, of J.B. Hutton.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 206. Margraret Carpenter, w/o James Carpenter, 9 Aug. 1828-15 Apr 1905, "Mother."
  4. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 52. James Carpenter (no other information recorded) and Margaret Ann Ryburn (no information recorded); 24 Feb. 1853.
  5. [S234] James Carpenter household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., The Western District, p. 443 (added script), dwelling 549, family 536, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2005, image 81 of 361. Enumeration includes: James Carpenter, 34, farmer, land value $3,000, personal property $300, b. VA; Margaret 30; William 6, Pamelia 5; Elisa 4; John 1; Sarah 2/12; all b. VA.
  6. [S23] Marguerite Carpenter Flynn Coleman, "Carpenter Family" in Families of Washington Co. and Bristol, VA, p. 106.
  7. [S635] James Carpenter household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, p. 69 (stamped), dwelling 219, family 225, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2005, image 31 of 49. Enumeration includes: Jas Carpenter, 44, farmer, land value $1,800, pers. prop $400; M.A., 42, keeping house; William, 16; P. J., 15; Eliza, 14; John, 12; Mary, 7; S.R. (f), 4; all b. VA.
  8. [S165] James Carpenter household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 18 (61B stamped), dwelling 154, family 155, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 18 of 54. James Carpenter, 55, farmer; Margaret A., 52, wife; Cornelia J., 26, dau; Mary M., 17, dau; Sarah R., 12, dau; Frances S, 8, dau; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  9. [S574] Margaret Carpenter household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 109, sheet 14A (96 stamped), dwelling 271, family 282, viewed online at Genealogy.com, Jan. 2005, image 68 of 70. Margaret Carpenter, 71, wid, b. Aug. 1828, mother 8 children, 7 living, b. VA, parents b. VA; Permelia, dau, sgl, 40, b. __ 1860 VA, parents b. VA.
  10. [S830] Margaret A. Carpenter will (recorded 1905), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 29 (D): 29. The will was dated 6 Apr. 1898 and recorded in court 4 May 1905; witnessed: Jas A. Davis and J.T. Quesenberry.
  11. [S2169] Donald Helton, compiler, "Washington County Virginia Abstracted Death Records 1912-1939" (manuscript shared by author), p. 76; Eliza Catherine Logan entry (mother's last name only).
  12. [S23] Marguerite Carpenter Flynn Coleman, "Carpenter Family" in Families of Washington Co. and Bristol, VA, p. 106. Marguerite is the granddaughter of John Ryburn Carpenter and Ella Rosanna McChesney.