Col. William Byars1

b. 13 November 1776 or 18 November 1776, d. 14 February 1866
Col. William Byars (cropped)
Courtesy of the Emory & Henry College Archives
FatherJohn Byars2,3 b. 16 Mar 1732, d. 1781
MotherElizabeth Thomasson2,4 b. 27 Feb 1735, d. 12 Oct 1823
Birth13 Nov 1776 or 18 Nov 1776 Col. William Byars was born on 13 Nov 1776 or 18 Nov 1776 in Virginia.5,6,7 
Marriage26 Feb 1807 He married Elizabeth Beattie, daughter of William Beattie and Mary Allison, on 26 Feb 1807 in Washington County, Virginia.8 
Military1812  Family tradition states that William served as a major and later a colonel in the War of 1812. However compiled service records show that a William P. Byars served as a sergeant of Bradley's Regiment (the 70th Regiment from Washington Co.). He was noted as Capt. William Byars on the 1810 census. County militia records do show that William was recommended Major of the 2nd Battalion of the 70th Regiment in late 1814. He was recommended colonel in 1818, a position he held until 1834.9,10,11,12 
Public Serv  William represented Washington County in the state Legislature for 4 successive terms, beginning in 1807. During this time he acquired great wealth and rose to some prominence. Later, in 1829, he served as a member of the Constitutional Convention of Virginia and in 1833 was a candidate for Congress.13,14 
Residence  During the early years of their marriage William and Elizabeth lived in a log house known as Brook Hall which had been built years earlier by James Dysart.15 
Residence  William made his money operating a grist mill and a distillery. The profits were used to expand his land holdings and to purchase slaves (he owned 47 by 1830). In the late 1820s he built an immense estate which he also called Brook Hall. The 8,800 square foot home consisted of 26 rooms, including a ballroom. There were several unique features including a suite of rooms built for the colonel's daughters that could only be accessed through a hidden stairway. The house sat 3 stories tall and included a basement.16,17,18,19 
Land-Buy  He also purchased a large tract of land in Washington County with a stone house sometimes referred to as Ft. Kilmackronen. Shortly before the Civil War William conveyed this tract of land to his son James.20,21,15 
  William was one of the founders of Emory and Henry College and supported it both financially and with his time. The college's fine arts center, built in 1889, was named Byars Hall in honor of the colonel's contributions to the college. Two other buildings had previously stood on the same site, including a boarding house designed by Col. Byars and constructed in 1836-37.22 
  In addition, he built a home for his son John and his wife Jane (Ryburn) Byars. This home was known as Cave Springs. Records vary as to whether it was actually constructed in 1835 or 1856. A creek now called Hall Creek (but earlier known as Little Holston, Ernest Creek or Glade Creek) wound through the property, separating Cave Springs from Brook Hall. Col. Byars distillery and mill sat on this creek near the Stage Road. Slave cabins and a slave cemetery also sat along the creek.23,24 
WidowedNov 1835  William was widowed when Elizabeth died in Nov 1835. 
Cens-18501850  Fifteen years later William, at age 73, was recorded on the first federal census which listed each member of the household by name. Sharing William's home at that time was his youngest son James (23), and his daughter Amanda (26) with her husband John Earnest (25). William stated that he was a farmer and that he owned land valued at $86,000.25 
Will6 May 1858 In the Spring of 1858, as he moved into his 80s, Col. Byars wrote his will. It was a long and detailed document. He clarified that his daughters Eliza McEwen and Sarah Walker had already received their share of his estate. William left the "mansion house and rest of the farm called Brookhall" to his daughter Amanda Ernest. She also received several slaves, as did her children. William also left her an 8 day clock "now at the college" and shares in the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad to be used for her children's education. William's daughter Mary Cloyd received part of the river farm called the Thompson place as well as shares in the same railroad. Son John Byars received the part of Brookhall Farm not previously disposed of along with a farm William purchased from John Eakin. However, on John Byar's death the land was to pass to William's grandson, James Ernest. William's son William was given a tract of land in Clinton County, Kentucky.26 
Codicil31 Mar 1862  A codicil was added in 1862, which among other items set aside $25 for the burial of several of William's slaves.26 
Cens-186010 Jul 1860 In 1860, as the Civil War approached, William was again enumerated on the federal census. He was 83. This time he stated he owned land valued at $84,800 and personal property of $41,500. Recorded adjacent to him on the census were his daughter Amanda Ernest and her family, and his son John Byars and his wife Jane (Ryburn).27 
Cens-1860- Slave1 Aug 1860  The 1860 federal census included two special schedules, both of which showcase William's wealth and position in the community. The slave schedule listed William as the owner of 24 slaves who lived in 7 slave houses.28 
Cens-1860- Agric  The 1860 agricultural schedule listed William as the owner of 1,550 acres of improved land and over 1,000 acres of unimproved land. The land itself was valued at $80,000, with $4,597 of additional livestock. This included 35 cows, 183 other cattle, 170 sheep, 150 swine and assorted other farm animals. In addition William grew wheat, rye, Indian corn, oats and Irish potatoes. He produced wool, hay, flax, honey, butter. William's output of almost any of these items was far above that of his neighbors.29 
Death14 Feb 1866 William died on 14 Feb 1866.1,5 
Will-Recd26 Mar 1866 His will was recorded on 26 Mar 1866 in Washington County.26 
Burial William was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.5 

Related Links and Images

The first Brook Hall, built by James Dysart and his wife Nancy Beattie; also owned by William Byars and wife Elizabeth Beattie30
The second Brook Hall, built by William Byars and Elizabeth Beattie; also owned by their daughter Amanda Ernest31
William's will
William's inscription on the Byars monument
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed William as the head of household number 987. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

Elizabeth Beattie b. 26 Dec 1784, d. 26 Nov 1834 or 26 Nov 1835
Children
Last Edited5 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 102-6.
  2. [S1666] Byars family file, Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia.
  3. [S3222] Andy Doss, "Elizabeth Byars," e-mail to Diana Powell, May 17, 2013. Mr. Doss cites the will of John Byars as recorded 11 Feb. 1782 in Louisa Co., VA Will Bk 2: 397-400, and which names wife Elizabeth, son William.
  4. [S618] Elizabeth Byars will (recorded 1823), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 5: 144. The will was dated 25 Oct. 1815 and proved 16 Dec. 1823; sons John & William Byars exec.
  5. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 175. Transcription reads: Col. Wm Byars, 13 Nov. 1776-14 Feb. 1866, age 89y 2m 26d.
  6. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 102-6; uses 18 Nov. 1776, not sourced.
  7. [S956] J. Cloyd Byars, "Fort Kilmackronen", Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Bulletin #10 (July 1943): uses 18 Nov. 1776, not sourced.
  8. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 5.
  9. [S956] J. Cloyd Byars, "Fort Kilmackronen", Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Bulletin #10 (July 1943).
  10. [S725] Gerald Clark, The Militia of Washington Co., Virginia, p. 8.
  11. [S2138] Index to the Compiled Military Service Records for the Volunteer Soldiers Who Served During the War of 1812, subscription database, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC (www.ancestry.com: viewed Oct. 2008.
  12. [S1004] Capt William Byars household, 1810 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 215 (lower right hand corner), line Jan. 2009, image 29 of 73, viewed online at Ancestry.com.
  13. [S956] J. Cloyd Byars, "Fort Kilmackronen", Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Bulletin #10 (July 1943): 10, 12. J. Cloyd Byars was the grandson of Col. William Byars (and the son of James Byars and Virginia Watson).
  14. [S2207] Lewis Preston Summers, History of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786, p. 817. Summers lists William Byars as representing Washington Co. in the Virginia House of Delegates for 5 terms, from 1807-1811.
  15. [S956] J. Cloyd Byars, "Fort Kilmackronen", Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Bulletin #10 (July 1943): 1-15.
  16. [S952] "Historical Houses of Washington County, Virginia", Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Bulletin Series II, #6 (Spring, 1968): 25. Article on Brook Hall authored by Mr. Jerry Simpson and originally published in the Washington County News in May, 1965.
  17. [S578] William Byars household, 1830 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 230 stamped, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2009, image 12 of 150. William Byars HH: 1 male under 5; 1 male 10-15; 1 male 15-20; 2 males 20-30; 1 male 50-60; 1 female 5-10; 1 female 10-15; 1 female 15-20; 1 female 20-30 and 1 female 40-50; 47 slaves.
  18. [S2640] "Brook Hall Final Nomination Form", 1997, digital image, Virginia Department of Historic Resources - Historic Registers (http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/register.htm : Apr 2011).
  19. [S16] Research submitted with the Brook Hall Natl Register of Historic Places registration form noted that between 1829 and 1830, the 615 acre parcel Byars purchased from Dysart experienced a substantial increase in tax base related to the buildings on the property (Washington Co. Land Tax Records viewed at Richmond). This suggests Brook Hall was probably completed abt 1830.
  20. [S952] "Historical Houses of Washington County, Virginia", Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Bulletin Series II, #6 (Spring, 1968): 12. This land was part of a tract of over 2,600 acres originally patented to James Patton and left by him to his daughter, Mary, the wife of William Thompson. On her death the land passed to her son James who built the stone house in 1776.
  21. [S955] Gordon Aronhime, "The 1772 Cummings Petition - Location of the Homes of the Signers", Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Bulletin Series II, #16 & 17.
  22. [S1441] "Online Tour - Byars Hall", Emory and Henry College (http://www.ehc.edu/about/emory-southwest-virginia/… : accessed Apr 2011).
  23. [S1209] Virginia Division of Historic Landmarks, Washington County Survey forms, copies held by the Historical Society of Washington County, Abingdon, Virginia. Vol 6: # 95-205 (Cave Springs), dated 8/9/1992, completed by Vivian Coletti. Ms Coletti's report on Cave Springs states that the home was built by Col. Wm Byars, who lived on the adjoining property, for his son John in 1835.
  24. [S1593] "Home Near Glade Spring Recalls Past", The Roanoke Times, Sunday, Dec. 7, 1958, page B-10. The author visited Cave Spring and interviewed Miss Mary Byars, stated to be the great-granddaughter of Col. William Byars [actually his great grandniece], for this article. Miss Byars owned the home and lived in it at the time the interview was conducted. The article states the home was built in 1856.
  25. [S367] William Byars household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th district, p. 136 (stamped), dwelling 987, family 987, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2005, image 137 of 289. Enumeration includes: William Byars, 73, farmer, owns real estate valued at $86,000; James M., 23, farmer; John H. Earnest, 25, lawyer; Amanda J. Earnest, 26; all b. VA.
  26. [S852] William Byars will (1866), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 16: 406. The will was written 6 May 1858 with a codicil added March 31, 1862. It was recorded 26 March 1866.
  27. [S234] William Byars household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 461 (added script), dwelling 698, family 677, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 99 of 361. William Byars, 83, famer, owns land $84,800; personal property of $41,500, b. VA.
  28. [S1308] William Byars, owner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, slave schedule, p. 10 (original script), line 17, viewed online at Ancestry.com. 24 slaves, almost all adults; 7 slave houses.
  29. [S1311] William Byars landowner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, agricultural sched., Glade Spring Post Office, p. 25, line 7.
  30. [S1376] Photo courtesy of The Library of Virginia.
  31. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Carolyn Ryburn.
  32. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 175. Transcription reads: Littleton Byars, inf s/o Col. Wm & Elizabeth Byars, 14 Jun 1809 - 19 May 1814, age 4y 11m 5d.
  33. [S1876] Elizabeth (Byars) Hall Bible.