Jane Blessing Byars1

b. February 1876
FatherArthur Henderson Byars2 b. 24 Sep 1835, d. 7 Feb 1926
MotherMary Jane Edmondson Ryburn3 b. 9 Nov 1839, d. 26 Mar 1918
BirthFeb 1876 Jane Blessing Byars was born in Feb 1876 in Virginia.4 
Name Other Jane was known at different times of her life as Bessie or Blessing.5,3 
Marriage20 Apr 1897 She married Robert Lee Davis on 20 Apr 1897 in Washington County, Virginia.1 
Cens-19001 Jun 1900  Three years after their marriage Jane and Robert were enumerated living at 505 Ring Street in Knoxville, Tennessee. Robert was working as a railroad conductor.4 
Cens-191022 Apr 1910  By 1910 they had moved to 125 Columbia Street with their 3 children.6 
Cens-19205 Jan 1920  By 1920 however, the family situation had changed. The census taken that year enumerated Blessing both at home and also as a patient in the Eastern State Hospital in Knox County, Tennessee.7 
Cens-192010 Jan 1920  Robert was living at home with the children who now ranged in age from 21 to 9. Also living with the family was Margaret West, age 41 who was identified as a housekeeper.8 
Cens-193011 Apr 1930 In 1930 Blessing was again enumerated as a hospital patient.9 
Cens-193011 Apr 1930  However, on exactly the same date she was also listed living at home with Robert. He was still working as a railroad conductor and living in Knoxville with their son Robert, their daughter Florence, and Florence's husband, John Columber.10 
Heir26 May 1928 Jane's brother Arthur settled their mother's estate in 1928. Jane's share ($41.27) was listed as such: R. L. Davis, Committee of Bessie B. Davis.3 

Family

Robert Lee Davis b. Oct 1871
Children
ChartsDescendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Descendants of John Buchanan and Ann Ryburn
Descendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited31 Oct 2008

Citations

  1. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 27. Transcribed record states: Robert Lee Davis, 25, b. Montgomery Co., VA, living same, brakeman and Jane Blessing Byars, 21, d/o A. H. & M. J. Byars; marr: 20 Apr 1897 by P. H. Guinn.
  2. [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.
  3. [S832] Mary J. Byars settlement (1928), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 33: 400. A.M. Byars administrator.
  4. [S837] Robert L. Davis household, 1900 U.S. cens., Knox Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Knoxville, ED 65, sheet 2B, dwelling 34, family 40, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2004, image 4 of 48. The enumerator recorded: Robert L. Davis, 28, b. Oct. 1871 VA, marr 3 yrs, railroad conductor; Blessing, wife, 24, b. Feb. 1876 VA, marr 3 yrs, mother of 1 child who is living; Virginia, dau, 2, b. Mar 1898 VA; renting home at 505 Ring St.
  5. [S819] Will of A. M. Byars (recorded 1936), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 37: 147. Arthur's will, dated 13 Feb. 1930, listed the living children of his sisters Bettie and Blessing. The settlement document, dated 18 July 1936, listed their age and address, if known. However the reported information is not always consistent with other records.
  6. [S838] Robert L. Davis household, 1910 U.S. cens., Knox Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Second District, ED 104, sheet 15A, dwelling 168, family 276, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2004, image 29 of 118. The enumerator recorded at 125 Columbia Ave: Robert L. Davis, 39, marr 12 yrs, conductor on steam railway; Blessing J., 32, marr 12 yrs, mother 3 children, all living; Virginia B., son [sic], 11, b. VA; Mary P., dau, 8, b. TN; __inie, dau 4, b. TN.
  7. [S836] 1920 U.S. cens., Knox Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Eastern State Hospital, ED 129, sheet 3B, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2004, image 6 of 17. "Blessing Davis, 41, b. VA."
  8. [S836] Robert L. Davis household, 1920 U.S. cens., Knox Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Knoxville, ED 108, sheet 15B, dwelling 305, family 321, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2004, image 30 of 66. Robert L. Davis, 48, b. VA, marr, conductor on locomotive; Blessing, wife, 38, b. VA, marr; Virginia, dau, 21, b. VA, sgl, mailing clerk in dry goods store; Mary Pearl, dau, 17, b. TN; Florence, dau, 15, b. TN; Robert, son, 9, b. TN; Margaret West, 41, b. VA, boarding, widow, housekeeper.
  9. [S833] 1930 U.S. cens., Knox Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Eastern State Hospital, ED 47-81, sheet 10B, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2004, image 22 of 30: "Blessing Davis, patient, age 50, married."
  10. [S834] Robert L. Davis household, 1930 U.S. cens., Knox Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Knoxville, ED 47-26, sheet 12B, dwelling 233, family 295, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2004, image 24 of 55. The enumerator recorded living at 121 E. Baxter Ave.: Robert L. Davis, owns home valued at $6,500, age 58, b. VA, married at age 24, railroad conductor; Blessing J., wife, 53, b. VA, marr at 21; Robert H., son, 18, b. TN; Florence D. Columber, dau, 23, b. TN, marr at 20; John Columber, son-in-law, 28, b. TN, married at 25, clerk for railroad.