Lillburn Breckenridge Porterfield1,2

b. 26 September 1830, d. 19 July 1905
FatherJames Porterfield3,4,5,6 b. 1791, d. 13 Mar 1847
MotherJeannette Clark4,5,6 b. 29 May 1794, d. 7 May 1873
Birth26 Sep 1830 Lillburn Breckenridge Porterfield was born on 26 Sep 1830.7,8,9,10,11,12 
Devisee10 Mar 1847  Lilburn's father wrote his will on March 10th, 1847, three days before he died. Lilburn was 16 at the time. James's will requested that his estate be equally divided between his 5 children when Lilburn turned 21. Lilburn and his 2 brothers, James and John, were to divide the land.3 
Marriage20 Sep 1854 He married Rachel Craig Buchanan, daughter of Wilson Buchanan and Eliza Friel Graham, on 20 Sep 1854 in Smyth County, Virginia.13 
Residence  Lilburn's brother John moved to Missouri, and his brother James resided southwest of Glade Spring, on land on Indian Run. However Lilburn and Rachel spent their married life living on the old family homestead, about a mile northwest of the Glade Spring Depot.14 
Cens-18607 Jul 1860 Six years after their marriage they were enumerated on the Washington County census. Lilburn owned real estate valued at $7,500 and personal property of $1,200. Three children: Wilson (4), James (3) and George (10 mos) were also present, along with Jane Porterfield (66) and Amanda Buchanan (26) who was listed as a seamstress.15 
Guardian28 Oct 1861 Lillburn was named guardian of Thomas Henderson, son of his cousin Mary Clark Henderson on 28 Oct 1861. Thomas died less than 2 years later, in August of 1863.16 
ChildDeathJan 1863  Lillburn and Rachel also lost two children of their own in 1863. Both James and George died in January of that year. An infant son Charles died in 1861. 
Cens-18703 Oct 1870  By 1870 Lilburn estimated his land was valued at $6,000 and his personal property at $6,000. He was 40 years old and Rachel was 38. The household now included Eliza (8), Emet L. (6) Thomas B. (4), Jeannette (2) and [James's mother] Jeannette (76).17 
Cens-1880Jun 1880  They were enumerated again in 1880 by which time the record was specific enough to describe the location as "Glade Spring district". The couple's seven youngest children, ranging in age from Marge [Margaret] (18) to John (2) were also recorded as was a servant.18 
Cens-19007 Jun 1900  Twenty years later, when the census was again recorded, Lilburn and Rachel reported that they had been married 46 years. In addition, Rachel listed that she was the mother of 11 children, of whom 8 were still living. Three children were still at home: Jennie, age 30, Albert, age 27, and John, age 22. Two grandsons, Kent (13) and John D. Porterfield (9) were also living with them.19 
Will2 Mar 1904 Lilburn wrote his will on May 4th, 1903 and added a codicil the following year. He left his wife his real estate along with two horses and two cows. On her death Lilburn's daughter Jennett was to receive the "Ryburn" field and the balance of the real estate was left to the 4 youngest sons: Thomas, Albert, William and John. They in turn were to pay certain sums of money to Lilburn's daughters Jennett and Maggie and his sons Lee and Graham. Lilburn also mentioned his grandson John Dickey Porterfield and instructed that the family was to provide John a home and a business education.20 
Death19 Jul 1905 Lillburn died on 19 Jul 1905 at age 74.21,22,7 
Burial He was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.7 

Research Comment:

John Dickey Porterfield was the son of Lilburn and Rachel's son Graham and his first wife, Almetta Louise Dickey. Almetta died in 1895 and Graham remarried in 1898. It appears that John Dickey Porterfield then lived with Lilburn and Rachel as he was enumerated in their household in 1900. However Graham and Almetta are reported to have also had a daughter, Stella L., born in 1886, who married William Gibson in 1903. Is it possible she was also living with Lilburn and Rachel in 1900 and was erroneously recorded as Kent Porterfield, age 13, born 1886? If that is not the case I cannot identify the father of the grandson "Kent" recorded on the 1900 census.

Related Links and Images:

Lillburn's will
Lilburn's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
Deed from Lilburn and Rachel to William McRyburn

Family

Rachel Craig Buchanan b. 7 Sep 1832, d. 27 Nov 1906
Children
ChartsDescendants of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge
Last Edited15 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 84 (first name only).
  2. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Lilburn Porterfield were first cousins, once removed (first name only).
  3. [S668] James Porterfield will (1847), Washington Co., VA Will Book 10: 285. The will was dated 10 March 1847 and recorded in court 22 March 1847; son James C. Porterfield executor; John Clark Sr., Robert Clark and Tobias Smyth witnesses.
  4. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J.B. Hutton was a first cousin, once removed, to the children of James Porterfield and Jeannette (Clark) Porterfield.
  5. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 152-160.
  6. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn."
  7. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Record reads: L.B. Porterfield, 26 Sept 1830-19 Jul 1905.
  8. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 70-85. This source uses 26 Sept. 1830.
  9. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 154. Source provides year of birth and death only.
  10. [S27] Leonidas Littleton Papers titled "Washington Co. Families". This source uses 26 Sept 1830.
  11. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Lilburn Porterfield were first cousins, once removed (yr only).
  12. [S623] David B Trimble, Kincannon and McDonald, p. 197; source states Lilburn Breckinridge Porterfield was born Sept 5, 1840 in Glade Spring, Virginia and died there July 19, 1905.
  13. [S60] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1851-1891 & 1860 Census, p. 129. Lil B. Porterfield, 24, b. & resid Washington Co. VA, s/o Jas & Janett AND R. C. Buchanan, 22, d/o Wilson & Eliza [Graham]; 20 Sept. 1854.
  14. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Lilburn Porterfield were first cousins, once removed. J. B. states that Rachel was the daughter of Wilson Buchanan.
  15. [S234] Lilburn B. Porterfield household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 453 (added script), dwelling 639, family 624, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 91 of 361. Reported data includes: Lilburn Porterfield, 29, farmer, owns real estate valued at $7,500, personal property of $1,200; Rachel 27; Wilson 4; James 3; George 10/12; Jane Porterfield 66; Amanda Buchanan, 26, seamstress; all b. VA.
  16. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 61. Lilburn B. Porterfield named guardian of Thomas P. Henderson, orphan of Robert Henderson, deceased. Bond: $3,000. Surety: James Clark.
  17. [S635] Lilburn Porterfield household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., 1st Division, p. 10 (original script), dwelling 72, family 79, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2006, image 10 of 44. Enumeration includes: Lilburn Porterfield, 40, farmer, owns land: $6,000, pers prop: $1,200; Rachel, 38; Graham, 14, at school; Eliza M. 8; Ennet L. 6; Thomas B, 4; Jeannette, 2; Jeannette, 76; all b. VA.
  18. [S165] Lilburn Porterfield household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 25 (65A stamped), dwelling 180, family 181, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 25 of 54. Lilburn Porterfield, 49, farmer; Rachel, 47, wife; Marge, 18, dau; Lee E., son, 16; Thomas B., 14, son; Jennie, dau, 11; Albert, son, 8; William, 5, son; John, 2, son, Rebecca Johnson, servant, 23, black; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  19. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, Lilburn B. Porterfield.
  20. [S830] L.B. Porterfield will (recorded 1905), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 29 (D): 97. The will was dated 4 May 1903 with a codicil added 2 March 1904. it was recorded in court 26 Sept. 1905.
  21. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 70-85.
  22. [S27] Leonidas Littleton Papers titled "Washington Co. Families."
  23. [S123] William R. Wheeler, Washington Co., VA Marriage Licenses 1881-1890, p. 28, 86. Graham C. Porterfield, 24, sgl, b. & resid Washington Co. VA, lawyer, s/o Lilburn Porterfield AND Mettie Dickey, 17, sgl, b. Grayson Co., VA, resid WCV, d/o John M. & Nannie Dickie; 20 Dec. 1882.
  24. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Graham Porterfield were second cousins.
  25. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Transcription reads: James S. Porterfield, s/o L.B. & R.C. Porterfield, d. 15 Jan 1863, age 5y 7m 5d.
  26. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Transcription reads: George D. Porterfield, s/o L.B. & R.C. Porterfield, d. 30 Jan 1863, age 3y 5m 4d.
  27. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Transcription reads: Charles Porterfield, s/o L.B. & R.C. Porterfield, d. 25 March 1861, age 1m 5d.
  28. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 156.
  29. [S123] William R. Wheeler, Washington Co., VA Marriage Licenses 1881-1890, p. 54, 86. Edward J. Hutton, 24, sgl, b. & resid Washington Co., VA, stock dealer, s/o Dr. A.D. & Sarah B. Hutton AND Maggie E. Porterfield, 25, sgl, L.B. & R.C. Porterfield; 21 Mar 1888.
  30. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 157.
  31. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Lee Porterfield were second cousins.
  32. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Stone reported to read: Lee Porterfield, s/o L.B. & Rachel Porterfield, 1864-1933.
  33. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Thomas B. Porterfield were second cousins.
  34. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 158.
  35. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Jennie Porterfield were second cousins.
  36. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Albert Porterfield were second cousins.
  37. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and William Porterfield were second cousins.
  38. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 160.
  39. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and John Porterfield were second cousins.