Arthur Bowen McNeal Byars1,2

b. February 1867, d. 7 July 1936
FatherArthur Henderson Byars3 b. 24 Sep 1835, d. 7 Feb 1926
MotherMary Jane Edmondson Ryburn4 b. 9 Nov 1839, d. 26 Mar 1918
BirthFeb 1867 Arthur Bowen McNeal Byars was born in Feb 1867 according to the year listed on his headstone although the 1900 census lists his date of birth as Feb. 1868.5,6 
Name Other Arthur appears to have often used the nickname "Mac" or Arthur Mac. 
Childhood  He grew up in his parent's home in Washington County, Virginia.7,3 
Cens-190023 Jun 1900  By 1900 he was living with his widowed first cousin (once removed) Elizabeth Hall and helping run her farm [known as Cave Springs]. He had also been recorded on that years census in the home of his parents, but his name had been lined through.6 
Exec-Devisee1906  When Elizabeth wrote her will in 1906 she noted that Arthur was caring for her estate. She willed him 300 acres of her land, including the home she was living in. Elizabeth was very specific about the section of land he was to receive, describing it in terms of neighbors (Amanda Ernest place, J.R. Robinson, Mrs. Mary McKinney, Nye land) and the old main road. She also left him 2 horses and 2 cows, her father's picture, a large green bible, her husband's desk, a set of walnut furniture and a bed and bed clothing. In addition she named him as one of her executors, referring to him as "her cousin, A.M. Byars."8 
Residence  When Arthur inherited Cave Springs the rest of his family appear to have moved into the large house with him. In 1910 this included Arthur's 74 year old father, Arthur H. Byars, his 70 year old mother, Mary Byars, and his siblings: Thomas (40), Hattie (29) and Mary (25). Ten years later the household consisted of Arthur Sr., who by then was widowed, Arthur Jr and his sister Mary.1,9 
Death7 Jul 1936 Arthur died on 7 Jul 1936 in Glade Spring, Washington County, Virginia, at age 69.2 
Burial He was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.5 
Will-Recd18 Jul 1936 Arthur's will was recorded on 18 Jul 1936 in Washington County. He left his estate, both real and personal, to his sister Mary. He instructed her to pay $1,000 to the Glade Spring Presbyterian Church as well as $1,000 each to the four children of his sister Betty and to the four children of his sister "Blessing" [Jane/Bessie].10 

Related Links and Images:

The home known as Cave Springs, built by John Byars and his wife Jane Beattie Ryburn; also owned by their daughter Elizabeth Hall and then by Arthur Byars
Arthur's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
ChartsDescendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Descendants of John Buchanan and Ann Ryburn
Descendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited28 Apr 2013

Citations

  1. [S237] A. McNeal Byars household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 117, sheet 21A, dwelling 346, family 353, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2003, image 41 of 45. Recorded data includes: A. McNeal Byars, 43, sgl, farmer, owns home; Arthur H., father, 74, first marriage, 44 yrs; Mary R., mother, 70, second marriage, 44 yrs, mother of 7 children, 6 living; Thomas E., bros, 40; Hattie C., sister, 29; cont. on sheet 21B: Mary S. Byars, sister, 25; all b. VA; address on prev. sheet says: Rock Rd south of Old Glade; on sheet 21B says: Old Stage Rd.
  2. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington Co., Virginia death register entry for Arthur Bowen McNeil Byars, Glade Springs (sic), white male, single, b VA, 16 Jan 1867, 69/05/21; d 07 Jul 1936, s/o Arthur Henderson Byars, VA & Mary Jane Ryburn, VA; Miss Mary Byars, Glade Spring, VA, inf; bur Glade Springs (sic).
  3. [S165] Henderson A. Byars household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 28 (66D stamped), dwelling 244, family 246, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 28 of 54. Henderson A. Byars, 45; Mary J., 40, wife; Arthur B., 13, son; Thomas E., 11, son; Elizabeth H., 7, dau; Jane B., 5, dau; Hattie C., 2, dau; all b. VA; parents b. VA.
  4. [S832] Mary J. Byars settlement (1928), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 33: 400. A.M. Byars administrator.
  5. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 176. Transcription reads: A. Mack Byars, 1867-1936; confirmed by photo (2006).
  6. [S574] Elizabeth Hall household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 108, sheet 20A (p. 80 stamped), dwelling 357, family 364, viewed online at Genealogy.com, April 2003, image 39 of 70. Elizabeth Hall, 61, b. Nov. 1838, widowed, mother of one child who is living; William, 38, son, b. Feb. 1862, farm laborer; Vene Ryan, boarder, 52, b. Aug. 1847, widow, mother of 3 children, none living; Bertha Carmack, servant (?), 23, Jan 1877; Mark Cato, servant, 19, b. Feb. 1881, houseboy; Mack Byars, nephew, 32, sgl, Feb. 1868, farm laborer; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  7. [S635] A. H. Byars household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., 1st Division (post office at Abingdon), p. 204 (stamped), dwelling 292, family 312, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 407 of 426. Data includes: A. H. Byars, 35, merchant, owns real estate valued at $1,000 [$7,000?]; M. J., 31; A. B. 3; Thomas E. 1; all born Virginia.
  8. [S830] Elizabeth Hall Will (1906), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 29 (D): 173. Elizabeth's will, dated June 30th 1906, was recorded July 19th, 1906.
  9. [S238] Arthur McByars household, 1920 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 149, sheet 4B, dwelling 63, family 65, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2003, image 3 of 19. Recorded data includes: Arthur McByars, 52, single, owns home free of mortgage, farmer; Arthur McByars, father, 84, widowed, Mary McByars, sister, 35, single; living on the "State Highway", all born Virginia, all parents born Virginia.
  10. [S819] Will of A. M. Byars (recorded 18 July 1936), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 37: 147. Arthur's will, dated 13 Feb. 1930, requested that the Bank of Glade Spring be appointed to administer his estate. Accordingly, on 18 July 1936, the bank's trustee department submitted the following list of heirs and their relationship to the deceased: Tom Byars (brother, 60, res Marion VA), Mrs. Blessing Davis (sister, 58, Knoxville, TN), Miss Mary Byars (sister, 50, Glade Spring VA), Mrs. Betty West [Susong added in parentheses] (sister, 56, address unknown); also the following, all of Bristol, VA and stated to be children of Bettie per the will: Estelle Susong Bonham (niece, 36), Mahlon Susong (nephew, 33), Hattie Susong Blevins (niece, 30), Lucy Susong (niece 26). The trustees also identified the following individuals, who according to the will were children of "Blessing" (address listed as unknown): Virginia Davis West (niece, 36), Mary Pearl Davis Littrell (niece, 34), Florence Davis Columber (niece 25), Robert Henderson Davis (nephew, 29). The will itself left Arthur's estate to his sister Mary, with instructions to pay $1,000 to Glade Spring Presbyterian Church and $1,000 each to the 8 nieces and nephews named above [The ages listed above are not consistent with the expected ages of these individuals in 1936].