Mary Sullivan Byars1

b. January 1884, d. 1964
FatherArthur Henderson Byars2 b. 24 Sep 1835, d. 7 Feb 1926
MotherMary Jane Edmondson Ryburn3 b. 9 Nov 1839, d. 26 Mar 1918
BirthJan 1884 Mary Sullivan Byars was born in Jan 1884 in Virginia.1,2 
Cens-19001 Jun 1900 Mary grew up in her parents home in Glade Spring, Washington County, Virginia, where her father worked as a clerk in a dry goods store.2 
Residence  At the time of the 1900 census Mary was still living at home, but her brother Arthur was running the farm of their widowed cousin Elizabeth Hall. When Elizabeth died in 1906 she left her plantation and home, known as Cave Springs, to Arthur. Arthur's family, including Mary lived at Cave Springs with him.4,5 
Cens-1930Apr 1930  By 1930 it was just Arthur and Mary alone in the huge house.6 
Devisee18 Jul 1936  When Arthur died in 1936 he left Mary his real and personal property, with instructions that she was to pay specific legacies to his nieces and nephews.7 
  From 1936 until her death in 1964 Mary lived at Cave Springs with a companion. Mary's niece, Lucy Susong lived with her for a few years. In 1958 a Roanoke Times reporter visited Cave Springs and interviewed Mary. Although the house had lost its former glory, the reporter was clearly fascinated by the memories "Miss Mary" shared with her.4 
Death1964 Mary died in 1964.1 
Burial She was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.1 

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
Mary'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 Edited15 Feb 2013

Citations

  1. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 176. Transcription reads: Mary Sullivan Byars, 1884-1964.
  2. [S634] A. Hend Byars household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring, ED 108, sheet 1A, dwelling 1, family 1, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2003, image 1 of 43. Reported data includes: A. Hend Byars, 64, b. Sept. 1835, marr 33 yrs, clerk in dry goods store, owns home; Mary J., wife, 33, Nov. 1839, marr 33 yrs, mother of 6 children, all living; Thomas, son, 31, b. May 1869, salesman in dry goods store, sgl; Hattie, dau, 21, b. Apr 1879, sgl; Mary, dau, 16, b. Jan 1884; all b. VA; all parents b. VA. Note: McArthur Byars had also been entered and then lined out.
  3. [S832] Mary J. Byars settlement (1928), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 33: 400. A.M. Byars administrator.
  4. [S1593] "Home Near Glade Spring Recalls Past", The Roanoke Times, Sunday, Dec. 7, 1958, page B-10. The author visited Cave Spring and interviewed Miss Mary Byars, stated to be the great-granddaughter of Col. William Byars [actually his great grandniece], for this article. Miss Byars owned the home and lived in it at the time the interview was conducted.
  5. [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.
  6. [S639] Arthur M. Byars household, 1930 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 96-7, sheet 9B, dwelling 149, family 157, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2003, image 18 of 31. Recorded data includes: Arthur M. Byars, 63, sgl, farmer, owns home, has radio, lives on farm; Mary S., 43, sister, sgl, not employed; both b. VA.
  7. [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. 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 8 nieces and nephews.