William Byars Cobbs1

b. 1866, d. 1897
FatherThomas Nelson Cobbs2 b. 1830, d. 1895
MotherLouisa Byars Taylor2 b. abt 1846, d. 8 Feb 1869
Birth1866 William Byars Cobbs was born in 1866.3 
Childhood  William's mother Louisa (Taylor) Cobbs died when William was an infant. Louisa had been raised in the home of her aunt and uncle William B. Byars and Sarah (Taylor) Byars in Glade Spring, Virginia.

When Louisa died William and his father Thomas Cobbs continued to live with the Byars who grew close to the young boy. Thomas eventually married Louisa's older sister Sally, who also lived with the Byars. Thomas and Sally are believed to have had one son, Charles. 
  The Byars home was a very comfortable one however not necessarily a happy one. William's aunt Sally died as well, leaving William's father a widower for the third time. 
Cens-1880Jun 1880  The 1880 Glade Spring, Virginia census enumerated 13 year old William and 7 year old Charles along with their father in the Byars household. Although William Byars was recorded as the head of the family he was actually a patient at the Western Lunatic Asylum at Staunton, Virginia.4,5 
  In the early 1880s William and Sarah Byars moved to Texas where they spent a few years. William wrote his will there in 1887, leaving his entire estate to his "adopted son, William B. Cobbs". William Byars died in April 1895. In May 1895 his widow Sarah wrote her will; she too left her estate to William Cobbs. 
Marriage26 Jun 1895 The following month, on 26 Jun 1895 William Byars Cobbs married Augusta Hundley in Smyth County, Virginia.2 
Death1897 William died just two years later, in 1897. He was barely 30.3 
Burial He was buried at Cobbs Cemetery in Washington County.6 
  William's widow and infant daughter lived in the home at Glade Spring for a few years. In 1913 Augusta (who had remarried and moved to Covington, Virginia), donated funds towards the construction of a new church building at Glade Spring. The church was named the Byars-Cobbs Memorial United Methodist Church.7 

Related Links and Images:

The William and Sarah Byars home known as Woodburn (where William grew up)8
For more information on the church see the history page at the Byars-Cobbs Church website
William's headstone
Other interments in Cobbs Cemetery

Family

Augusta Hundley b. Apr 1870
Child
  • Marion L. Cobbs1 (May 1897 - )
Last Edited28 Jul 2013

Citations

  1. [S2619] Anne Leyden, "William B. Byars," e-mail to D. Powell, 15 Jan. 2011.
  2. [S1020] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1892-1905, p. 26. Wm B. Cobbs, 29, b. Washington Co., VA, living Glade Spring, VA, s/o Thos N. & Lou, farmer; marr Augusta S. Hundley, 25, b. Louisa Co., VA, d/o Jno W. & V.M. Hundley; 26 Jun 1895.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 172. Stone reported to read: William Byars Cobb, 1866-1897.
  4. [S163] Wm B. Byars household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 94, p. 24D, dwelling 212, family 213. March 2011. Household includes: Wm B. Byars, 64, insane; Sarah, wife; Thomas Cobbs, 48, farmer, wid; William Cobbs, 13, nephew; Charles Cobbs (no relation stated), 7; Frances Meeks, black female, 20, servant; Amelia Meeks, black, 8; William Meeks, black, 3; Lula Meeks, black, b. Oct.; William Sales, black servant, 15; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  5. [S2620] William B. Byars entry, 1880 U.S. Nonpopulation Census, Washington Co., VA, Defective, Dependent and Delinquent Schedule, Glade Spring District, p. 898, line 1, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March, 2011. The entry noted that Mr. Byars entry on the population schedule was on p. 24, line 45 (Glade Spring, VA). He was a resident of the Western Lunatic Asylum and had been for 7 months. He was 64 when his "attacks" began. This was his second attack; it had lasted for 7 months. He had spent a total of 8 months as a resident and at times was confined to a cell or apartment under lock and key.
  6. [S54] Virginia Historicial Society of Washington County, High On A Windy Hill Vol II, p. 154.
  7. [S634] A.H. Cobbs household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 108, sheet 12A (p. 72 stamped), dwelling 207, family 214, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2011. Household included: A.H. Cobbs, 30, wid, b. Apr. 1870, mother of 1 child, is living, farmer; Marion, dau, 3, b. May 1897; V.C. Hundley, sister, 23, b. Oct. 1877, sgl, Thomas Warren, servant, 24, b. Feb. 1876; all b. VA/VA/VA.
  8. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Carolyn Ryburn.