Amanda Jane Byars1

b. 25 March 1823, d. 6 July 1904
FatherCol. William Byars2 b. 13 Nov 1776 or 18 Nov 1776, d. 14 Feb 1866
MotherElizabeth Beattie2 b. 26 Dec 1784, d. 26 Nov 1834 or 26 Nov 1835
Birth25 Mar 1823 Amanda Jane Byars was born on 25 Mar 1823 at "Brook Hall" near Glade Spring in Washington County, Virginia.3 
  Amanda's mother died in 1835. As the youngest of her parent's 4 daughters, Amanda probably helped her father run the large home after her mother's death. 
Marriage1 Nov 1849 She married John Henry Ernest, son of John Hundley Ernest and Mary Moore, on 1 Nov 1849 in Washington County.4 
1850  Following their marriage the young couple lived with Amanda's father at Brook Hall. It was a spacious home with plenty of room for Amanda and John's growing family. Family tradition holds that Col. Byars promised Brook Hall to Amanda at the time of her marriage to John.5,6,7 
Fath-Death14 Feb 1866  William Byars died in February, 1866. His will formally left Brook Hall and much of the surrounding land to Amanda, as well as 10 slaves, farm animals and various other household items. He also left her an 8 day clock "now at the college" [no doubt Emory and Henry]. William also provided for Amanda's children.2 
WidowedMar 1868  Two years later, in March 1868 John was crushed to death by a falling log on the Brook Hall property. His death left Amanda a 45 year old widow with five children and a large farm to run. 
Cens-Sum  Amanda remained at Brook Hall and ran it with the assistance of several hired laborers. In 1870 she was enumerated with all 5 of her children. The farm was valued that year at $34,000. Her eldest two children married in the late 1870s. In 1880 the household included Amanda (54), son James (24), daughter Betty (20) and daughter Lucy (16).8,9 
Death6 Jul 1904 Amanda died on 6 Jul 1904 at age 81.3 
Burial She was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 

Related Links and Images:

The first Brook Hall photographed about 1937 (Amanda's probable birthplace)10
Amanda grew up at Brook Hall and eventually inherited the home from her father
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery

Family

John Henry Ernest b. 7 May 1825, d. 3 Mar 1868
Children
Last Edited14 Jul 2013

Citations

  1. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p, 44. Transcription reads: Wm Byars Ernest, b. 29 Apr 1853 to John H. and Amanda Jane Ernest.
  2. [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.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 180. Amanda J. Ernest, 25 Mar 1823 - 6 Jul 1904.
  4. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 19. John Henry Ernest and Amanda Byars marr 1 Nov. 1849 by Levi R. Morrison.
  5. [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.
  6. [S234] John H. Earnest household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 461 (added script), dwelling 699, family 678, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 99 of 361. John H. Earnest, 34, lawyer, owns land: $1,100; pers. prop: $3,200; Amanda, 35; Mary 9; William 7; James 5; Sarah 2; all b. VA.
  7. [S1282] Bob Cooke, "The First Brook Hall," e-mail to Diana Powell, 10 Apr 2011.
  8. [S635] A.J. Ernest household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring Township, p. 69b (stamped), dwelling 225, family 232, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2005, image 32 of 49. Enumeration includes: A.J. Ernest, (f), 45, keeping house, owns land: $34,000, pers. prop. $1,000; Mary 19; William 17; James 15; Bettie 13; L. Lu, 8; _ Johnston, 21, black, laborer; Adelin Johnston, 16, black, laborer; M. Carter, 14, (f), black, laborer; James Carter, 12, (m), black, laborer; all b. VA.
  9. [S165] Amanda Ernest household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 77D (stamped), dwelling ?, family ?, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, March 2004, image 50 of 54. Amanda Ernest, 54, widowed, keeping house; James H., 24, son, farmer; Bettie M., 20, dau; Lucy Lee J., dau, 16; all b. VA.
  10. [S1376] Photo courtesy of The Library of Virginia.
  11. [S1198] Virgil Lewis, "Residents of Washington County," in Virginia and Virginians, p. 733.
  12. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 100. Transcription reads: William B. Earnest, 25y, sgl, b. & resid Washington Co., VA, farmer, son of John H. and Amanda J. Earnest and Fannie S. Mason, 21y, sgl, b. Pulaski Co., VA, resid WCV, d/o W.B. & Mary J. Mason; marr 23 Oct. 1878.
  13. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 180. James Henry Ernest, s/o J. H. & Amanda J. Ernest, 9 Feb. 1855 - 2 March 1926.
  14. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 180. Lucy L. Ernest, d/o J.H. & A. J. Ernest, 11 Oct. 1862 - 29 Apr 1887.