James Ryburn

b. circa 1796
FatherWilliam Ryburn1 b. in 1753 or 1754, d. Oct 1812
MotherMary (?) b. 14 Jul 1759, d. 24 Jun 1848
BirthCircacirca 1796 James Ryburn was probably born circa 1796.2 
Devisee22 Jul 1812 William Ryburn left James half his land when he wrote his will in 1812. James's brother, Patrick, received the other half. However, the men were not to take possession of the land until after the death of their mother, Mary (who survived her husband by 36 years). They were also to divide an assortment of books, including a Bible. In addition, James's father left him his rifle, shot bag and powder horn.1 
Marriage24 Jun 1819 He married Polly Porterfield on 24 Jun 1819 in Washington County, Virginia, with Rev. Stephen Bovell presiding.3 
Cens-18201820  James was listed as the head of a household on the Washington County census for 1820. There were four other females in the home, which probably represented his wife, Polly, his widowed mother, and his two younger unmarried sisters.4 
Cens-18301 Jun 1830  By 1830 James's mother was no longer living with him and his younger sisters had married. However five females under the age of 10 had been added to the household.5 
Cens-18401840  The 1840 census suggests that one of the older females either married or died as there were 4 females over the age of ten listed that year, along with one female age five to ten (in addition to James and an older female, presumably Polly).6 
Taxfrom 1818 to 1841  James appeared on the Washington County tax rolls from 1818 through 1841. He was probably also the second tithable represented in the name of his older brother Patrick from 1813 to 1817. Since his father died in 1812, James would most likely have been charged as a tithable to Patrick when he turned 17.7 
Court Record15 Jan 1839 On 15 Jan 1839 James executed an indenture whereby for $1.00 he sold William Buchanan the tract of land left to James and Patrick by their father. The purpose of the document was to secure a $300 indebtedness James owed William Graham. If James did not repay William Graham with interest by January 15th, 1840, William Buchanan was to sell the land and pay William Graham his money. The indenture was signed by both James and Polly Ryburn.8 
Court Record17 Jan 1839 Two days later James executed a second indenture. This time he sold a variety of household items and farm animals to Andrew Edmondson for $1.00. The document stated that James owed Mary Ryburn the sum of $96.67 and wished to secure the same. If James did not repay Mary within 6 months Andrew was to sell the items and use the proceeds to pay Mary. The document was witnessed by John H. Wallace, John Ryburn and William Campbell.9 
Land-Sell4 Dec 1841 On December 4th, 1841, James and Mary [Polly] sold 1/2 of an undivided tract of land in Washington County to William Graham. William paid him $400 for the land, which bordered the lands of William Trimble, William and Calvin Jones, James Beaty and others.10 

Research Comment:

What happened to James and Polly after they sold their share of his father's land in late 1841? James disappeared from the Washington County tax rolls at the same time. Did they leave the area? There are no probate or other records suggesting James died in Washington County. Did the 1839 debts reflect his purchase of land elsewhere? To date, no later records for James or Polly have been found. The census records seem to indicate that James and Polly had several daughters, but no sons, making it somewhat more difficult to track them if they left Virginia. There is one marriage in Washington County which may belong to one of James and Polly's daughters. An Elizabeth Ryburn married a John Wesley Wedding in Nov. 1838 in Washington County. Was this the female who disappeared from James's family by the time of the 1840 census?11,12

Related Links and Images:

James's childhood home. Click on camera icon for larger image
Deed to Andrew Edmondson to secure debt
Deed to William Graham.
ChartsDescendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited29 Jun 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. [S16] A birth year range of 1795-1800 can be calculated based on the fact that James is probably the male listed as 16-25 (b. 1795-1805) on the 1820 census and 30-39 (b. 1790-1800) on the 1830 census. The range can be further narrowed by the fact that he appears on his own for the first time on the 1818 tax rolls, by which time he had turned 22.
  3. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 51. James Ryburn and Polly Porterfield; 24 June 1819.
  4. [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+).
  5. [S578] James Ryburn household, 1830 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 280, viewed online at Ancestry.com, James Ryburn, 1 male (30-39); 2 females (0-4), 3 females (5-9), 1 female (30-39).
  6. [S679] James Ryburn household, 1840 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 240 (stamped), viewed online at Ancestry.com, James Ryburn, 1 male 40-49; 1 female 5-10, 2 females 10-14, 2 females 15-19, 1 female 40-49.
  7. [S1249] Washington Co., Virginia Tax Records 1782-1805.
  8. [S1064] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 13: 382. Indenture dated 15 Jan. 1839 whereby James Ryburn sold a tract of land to William Buchanan to secure a loan for $300 made to William Graham.
  9. [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.
  10. [S982] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 16: 86. The deed was dated 4 Dec. 1841 but not recorded until 16 Jan. 1843; Mary released her dower.
  11. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 66. Abstract reads: John W. Wedding to Elizabeth Ryburn, 21 Nov. 1838; by Alexander McEwen.
  12. [S669] Keys, "Descendants of Abednego Wedding". Martha cites the Bible of Fredonia Wedding Wilson Mahaffey which she viewed in the home of Fredonia's great grandson, Sonny Mahaffey in Enid, Oklahoma. She believes it is now in the possession of Sonny's widow who resides in Victoria, Texas. The bible is purported to state that the wedding took place on 22 November.