Benjamin Newton Ryburn1,2

b. 9 July 1894, d. 13 September 1952
FatherWilliam Armstrong Ryburn3,4 b. 25 Feb 1857, d. 20 May 1919
MotherMargaret A. McCready3,4 b. abt 1856, d. 30 Sep 1894
Birth9 Jul 1894 Benjamin Newton Ryburn was born on 9 Jul 1894 in Washington County, Virginia.4,5 
Moth-Death Bennie's mother died shortly after his birth. He was raised by his aunt and uncle Nancy Clark Ryburn and Daniel Burke McNew from the time he was 6 weeks old, however, they never formally adopted him.6 
Name Other  As an adult Bennie would frequently use the surname McNew instead of Ryburn. His cemetery stone refers to him as Ben McNew Ryburn. The stone for his first wife also carries the "McNew Ryburn" name. 
Cens-19006 Jun 1900 The 1900 census for Glade Spring District in Washington County, Virginia recorded the 5 year old Benjamin living with Dan and Nancy McNew and their five children, who ranged in age from 26 to 13.7 
Cens-191018 Apr 1910  Ten years later his uncle Dan was deceased, but Ben was still living with his Aunt Nancy.8 
Marriage He married first Sarah Ella Rutherford.9,10 
Cens-192012 Jan 1920 By 1920 Ben had married and was recorded with his wife Sarah and their two daughters. He was working as a fireman on the railroad.11 
  This was most likely an interest he acquired from his uncle Daniel who was a locomotive engineer. 
Widowed  Sarah died some time shortly after her youngest child's birth in September 1924. Ben remarried but the baby, also named Ben, was raised by Walter and Bertie McNew, whose parents had raised Ben Sr. when his own mother died. 
Marriage He married second Lula Belle Whitticker.9,10 
Cens-19307 Apr 1930 Ben and his second wife Lula Belle were recorded on the 1930 census for Glade Spring in Washington County. Lula at age 23 was raising Ben's two daughters (ages 12 and 10) as well as three children of their own, the oldest of whom was less than 4. Ben listed his last name as McNew.12 
Death13 Sep 1952 Benjamin died in 13 Sep 1952 at age 58.13,5 
Burial He was buried at Old Baptist Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.5 

Research Comment:

There is an Annie McNew Ryburn buried in Old Baptist Cemetery along with Ben and Ella. Her dates are listed as: 7 Nov. 1921-21 Apr. 1924. Was this another child of Ben and Ella?14

Related Links and Images:

Benjamin's headstone
Other interments in Old Baptist Cemetery

Family 1

Sarah Ella Rutherford b. 7 May 1894, d. 6 Oct 1924
Children
  • Ella Lucille Ryburn12
  • Warena Lee Ryburn12
  • Ben Ryburn10

Family 2

Lula Belle Whitticker b. 1904
Children
  • Edith Belle Ryburn10,12
  • Mary Evelyne Ryburn10,12
  • James Ryburn Ryburn10,12
  • Franklin Gill Ryburn10
ChartsDescendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Descendants of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge
Last Edited12 Mar 2010

Citations

  1. [S85] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Births 1889-1896" online database from original data, <www.Ancestry.com>. Benjamin Ryburn, born 9 Jul 1894 to William & Margaret Ryburn.
  2. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 16. Name entered as Bennie Newton Ryburn.
  3. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 16.
  4. [S723] Benj. B. Ryburn entry, Washington Co. birth records submitted to the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics: reel 47, p. 482 (1894). Ben. B. Ryburn, male born 9 Jul 1894 in Washington County, Virginia to Wm A. Ryburn & Margaret A. Ryburn (single birth).
  5. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 170. Stone reported to read: Ben McNew Ryburn, 9 Jul 1894-13 Sept. 1952; dates confirmed by photo Aug. 2005.
  6. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 6.
  7. [S574] Dan B. McNew household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 108, sheet 5B, dwelling 81, family 84, viewed online at Genealogy.com, April 2003, image 10 of 70. Dan B. McNew, 59, b. May 1841, marr 30 yrs, locomotive engineer, Nancy C., 52, b. Sept. 1847, marr 30 yrs, mother of 5 children, all living; James B., son, 26, b. Sept. 1873, locomotive f___y; William, son, 24, b. Nov. 1875, farmer; Annie, dau, 20, b. May 1880; Walter, son, 17, b. May 1883; Joseph, son, 13, b. Oct. 1886, Ryburn, Benjamin, 5, Jul 1894; all born VA, all parents b. VA.
  8. [S237] Nannie C. McNew household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring Precinct, ED 116, sheet 6A, dwelling 86, family 95, viewed online at Ancestry.com.
  9. [S29] Leonidas Littleton Papers titled "Ryburn Family". No date given.
  10. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 18.
  11. [S238] Ben Ryburn household, 1920 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 149, sheet 5A, dwelling 78, family 80, viewed online at Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 4 of 19. Ben Ryburn, 24, b. VA, fireman on the railroad; Sarah, wife, 23, b. TN; Lucille, dau 2 x/12, b. VA; Warena, dau, 1 2/12, b. VA.
  12. [S639] Benn McNew household, 1930 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring, ED 96-4, sheet 7A (page 7 stamped), dwelling 150, family 156, viewed online at Ancestry.com, April 2004, image 13 of 14. Benn McNew, 34, first marr at 23, owns home valued at $1,000, not a farm, fireman on steam railroad; Luli B., wife, 21, first marr at 16; Lucille, dau, 12; Warrena, dau, 10; Edith, dau, 3 11/12; Mary E., dau, 2 10/12; James R. son, 4/12; all b. VA, all parents b. VA.
  13. [S29] Leonidas Littleton Papers titled "Ryburn Family". This source uses 3 Sept. 1952 as the date of death which conflicts with headstone.
  14. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 170.