John Ryburn

b. between 1750 and 1760, d. between 5 September 1836 and 28 November 1836
Father(?) Ryburn
Birthbetween 1750 and 1760 John Ryburn was born between 1750 and 1760 based on his apparent age on the 1820 and 1830 census records. A survey of Washington County homes, done in 1992 for the Virginia Division of Historic Landmarks, states that "Col. Ryburn was born Dec. 10, 1751". Mrs. W.T. (Margie) Ryburn, a descendant of John's brother William, was interviewed for the survey. Notes from that interview state that the family bible was in Mrs. Ryburn's possession and that it included entries for Col. Ryburn and William Ryburn. Though the survey entry does not specifically refer to John Ryburn, it would appear that he was most likely the individual referenced as "Col. Ryburn."1,2,3 
Military1 Apr 1778  A John and William Ryburn both appear on the militia roll of April 1, 1778 for York County, Pennsylvania.4 
  This is likely John and his brother William Ryburn. 
Tax1780  A John and William Ryburn also appear on the 1780 tax list of single men in Huntington township York (now Adams) County, Pennsylvania.5 
Migrationcirca 1781  John probably migrated from Pennsylvania down the Valley of Virginia to Washington County circa 1781.6 
Marriage He married Margaret Reed, daughter of James Reid.7 
  The exact year and location (Pennsylvania or Virginia?) of the marriage is not known.8 
Land-Buy16 Aug 1791 On 16 Aug 1791 John purchased 125 acres of land in Washington County from William and Mary Ryburn for 85 pounds. The tract was cut from the lower side of a 315 acre parcel William owned on the south side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River.9 
Cens-Sum John appears on the 1820 and 1830 Washington County, Virginia census records as the head of a household. Though not named, it appears that Margaret was also present in both enumerations. In addition, a 16 to 26 year old female was present in 1820, and a 20-39 year old female in 1830. If this represented John and Margaret's daughter she may have been deceased by the time John wrote his will in 1836.10,11 
Tax  John's name appears on the Washington County tax rolls from 1782 (the first year they were recorded) until 1831, 5 years before his death. However, for reasons not yet known, he was not actually charged for a tithable (male over 16) in any but a few of these years. The exceptions include 1782-1789 when he was charged for 1 tithable, and 1803-1806 when he was again charged with 1 tithable. He was consistently taxed for cattle and/or horses and when a special tax was levied in 1815 he was charged for one watch.12 
Land-Sell21 Mar 1832 On 21 Mar 1832 John and Margaret sold their 125 acres to Thomas Montgomery for $762. The deed mentioned neighbors Isaac McQuown, James Trimble, Jacob Mickles and "Beattie". Margaret released her dower by signing with an "X."13 
Will5 Sep 1836 John wrote his will on 5 Sep 1836. He left whatever remained of his estate after paying his debts to his nephew Patrick Ryburn.14 
Deathbetween 5 Sep 1836 and 28 Nov 1836 He died between 5 Sep 1836 and 28 Nov 1836.14 
Will-Recd28 Nov 1836 John's will was recorded on 28 Nov 1836 in Washington County court.14 
Probate Recd23 Jan 1837  The appraisal of his personal property listed 1 bed and bedstead, 1 lot of books, a tin cannister and shaving items, 1 pair of shoes, 3 chairs and 1 box and case.15 
Probate Recd  Final papers settling John's estate were not filed until many years after his death. The list of vouchers for expenses paid by the estate included payments to several people who served as witnesses for Patrick Ryburn, executor of John's estate, in a suit involving James Reid Jr. Those who served as witnesses included: Jane Scott, Lucretia Reid, Arthur Stewart and James Stout. There was also an entry for $140.92 paid John W.C. Watson "amount of judgement and costs of James Reid Jr. vs Patrick Ryburn, executor of John Ryburn dec'd."16 

Related Links and Images:

John's will and inventory
Last Edited29 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S1209] Virginia Division of Historic Landmarks, Washington County Survey forms, copies held by the Historical Society of Washington County, Abingdon, Virginia. Vol 5: entry 95-308, dated 12/10/1992, completed by Vivian Coletti.
  2. [S870] Carolyn Ryburn, "V. Coletti and the Ryburns," e-mail to D. Powell, 14 March 2005. Carolyn spoke by phone with Ms Coletti who had reviewed her interview notes in response to querries from Carolyn and others. Ms Coletti stated that she had no notes indicating that she had actually seen the Bible when she visited Mrs. Ryburn. She also was unable to determine her source for the dates recorded in her notes. She did not have any record indicating that they actually came from the Bible.
  3. [S16] Extensive efforts were made in 2005 to locate the Ryburn Bible. Mrs. W.T. Ryburn's children were contacted, but state that they do not have knowledge of the Bible or of its possible whereabouts.
  4. [S915] Roger Ryburn, "Info From York County Heritage Trust," e-mail to D. Powell, 19 Feb. 2005. Information received from the York Co. PA Heritage Trust.
  5. [S66] Bob and Donna Ford, "Wm Ryburn," e-mail to Diana Powell, 31 May 2006. Bob cites PA Archives, Series 3, Vol. 21, page 268.
  6. [S16] This estimate is based on John's appearance on the 1780 tax rolls in Pennsylvania and his subsequent appearance on the Washington County, Virginia rolls in 1782.
  7. [S857] James Reed (recorded 1817), Washington Co., VA Will Book 4: 212. The will, dated 1 June 1814, and recorded 18 Feb. 1817, was witnessed by Mathew Buchanan and John Graham. It named son James, dau Jennet, dau Margery Longwell, son John, dau Margaret Ryburn and dau Elizabeth Snodgrass.
  8. [S16] Margaret's presumed father, James Reid, owned land in Tyrone Township in York County, Pennsylvania. This later became part of Adams County. James also moved to Washington County, Virginia (research of Bob Ford).
  9. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 223.
  10. [S621] John Ryburn household, 1820 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 228 (stamped at bottom), viewed online at Ancestry.com, The following columns were marked: 1 M (45+); 1 F (16-26); 1 F (45+).
  11. [S578] John Ryburn household, 1830 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 280, viewed online at Ancestry.com, There are single marks in the following columns: male (70-80); female (20-30); female (60-70). John was enumerated next to Patrick Ryburn. On the other side of Patrick was James Ryurn. The heads of households for the county were not listed alphabetically, suggesting these three Ryburn men were living near one another.
  12. [S1249] Washington Co., Virginia Tax Records 1782-1805.
  13. [S1044] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 11: 81. John and Margaret Ryburn to Thomas Montgomery, dated 21 March, 1832, rec'd 31 March 1832, Mgt released dower, signed with her mark.
  14. [S856] John Ryburn will (1836), Washington Co., VA Will Book 7: 135. The will was dated 5 Sept. 1836 and recorded 28 Nov. 1836. John designated his nephew Patrick Ryburn as his executor; William Graham and Thomas Montgomery witnessed the document.
  15. [S856] John Ryburn inventory (1837), Washington Co., VA Will Book 7: 145. The appraisal was dated 14 January 1836 [7] and was signed by William Graham, James Beaty, Isaac McQuown and Patrick Ryburn.
  16. [S826] John Ryburn settlement (1855), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 14: 191. Patrick Ryburn, executor.