William Ryburn

b. in 1753 or 1754, d. October 1812
Father(?) Ryburn
Birthin 1753 or 1754 William Ryburn was born in 1753 or 1754.1,2,3,4,5 
 William's exact year of birth is the subject of some mystery. A plaque in the Hortenstine Cemetery in Washington County, which was erected by one of his descendants and includes many names, states that William was born August 26th, 1753. The same date is listed in a manuscript authored by Philip Ropp which credits the information to "Henry Hortenstine of Abingdon who copied them [it] years ago from the Bible of William Ryburn in the possession of a Ryburn descendant". Though no one has seen the Bible in some years this date seems relatively reliable. However, it also happens to be the date recorded for the baptism of Mathew Ryburn (probably a distant cousin) in the parish records of Campbeltown, Scotland, which seems an unlikely coincidence. And in 1992, when a researcher for the Virginia Historic Landmarks project visited Mrs. W.T. Ryburn (now deceased) who stated that she held the family bible, the researcher recorded 1754 as William's date of birth in her field notes.1,2,3,4,5 
 William's place of birth is also uncertain. Only his daughter Ann (Ryburn) Campbell was alive in 1880 when the federal census was expanded to include a question about parent's place of birth. She stated that her father was born in Virginia, but without any other corroborating evidence this should not be taken as proof.6 
  In fact there is evidence suggesting William and his brother John Ryburn were in York (now Adams) County, Pennsylvania in the late 1770s. A John and William Ryburn both appear on the York County militia roll of April 1, 1778.7 
Marriage1779 He married Mary (?) in 1779.1,8 
Tax1780  A John and William Ryburn also appear on the 1780 tax list of single men in Huntington township York (now Adams) County, Pennsylvania.9 
Migrationcirca 1781  William and his brother John both appear to have migrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia about 1781.10 
Land-Grant20 Jun 1785 On 20 Jun 1785 William, as assignee of Andrew Russell, received a grant for 315 acres of land on the middle fork of the Holston River in Washington County, Virginia. The neighboring tracts were owned by Thomas Montgomery, John Crilley, James Berry and James Trimble. William paid the Commonwealth of Virginia 1 pound 15 shillings for the land.11 
Land-Surv  The land had been surveyed for Andrew Russell on August 30th, 1781.12 
Land-Sell16 Aug 1791  In 1791 William and Mary sold 125 acres from the lower third of the tract to John Ryburn [William's brother] for 85 pounds.13 
Land-Sell18 Apr 1797  In the spring of 1797 they sold an additional 16 acres to John McClelland. This land was off of the northern edge of their tract and abutted the Middle fork of the Holston River.14 
Taxfrom 1782 to 1812 William appeared on the tax rolls of Washington County from 1782, when they were first recorded, until 1812, the year of his death. Until 1799 he was charged with 1 tithable, however as his sons turned 17 William was also taxed for them.15 
Cens-18101810 William was listed as the head of a household on the Washington County 1810 census. Individuals living in the home were indicated as follows: 3 males 16-25, 1 male 45+ [William], 2 females under 10, 2 females 10-15 and 1 female over 45. John Ryburn Jr. [William's son] and John Ryburn [William's brother] were listed as the adjacent households.16 
Will22 Jul 1812 William wrote his will on 22 Jul 1812. He left his land to be divided between his sons Patrick and James. However, the profits arising from it were to be his wife Mary's during the rest of her natural life. William also stipulated that she was to have the "free and entire use" of the dwelling house and kitchen with all its contents. In addition he left her three specific horses and her choice of three of the best cows. He also bequeathed $10 to his daughter Sarah Buchanan, $100 to his son John, and $10 to his daughter Mary Buckhannon. Daughters Jenny, Ann, Peggy and Patsy were also remembered. Patrick was named as his father's executor.17 
DeathOct 1812 He died in Oct 1812.1 
Will-RecdOct 1812 William's will was recorded in Oct 1812 in Washington County.17 
Probate Recd15 Dec 1812 His personal property was appraised in December 1812. The itemized list covers several pages of the will book and includes a variety of items including six beds, books, a large Bible and 2 small ones, 11 chairs, farm implements, tools, farm animals, etc.18 
Burial William was buried in Ebbing Spring Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia.19 

Research Comment:

The maiden name of William's wife Mary is not known at this time, but appears to have been Beattie or Brandon. As there is conflicting information I have started a "log" to keep track of the clues. See the text icon in the "Related Links" area below this narrative.
Furthermore, the 1779 marriage date reportedly entered for William in his family Bible appears - at least on the surface - to be at odds with William's apparent appearance as a single man on the 1780 York Co., Pennsylvania tax rolls. However Bob Ford, who has researched the York Co. records in great detail, explains that the tax rolls were routinely taken towards the end of the preceding year. Therefore it is possible William was recorded for 1780 in late 1779 and married shortly thereafter, possibly in December 1779. This would be consistent with the birth of William and Mary's first child in late Oct. 1780.
A manuscript written by William and Mary's great grandson, J.B. Hutton also states that William and Mary had ten children.20
If that is correct, there is a child yet to be identified for this family. This possibility is somewhat supported by the following:
- the 1810 census lists 3 males between 16 and 25 in William's household. William's eldest son John was enumerated as the head of his own household so that leaves William's sons Patrick and James. Who was the 3rd 16-25 year old?
- the tax rolls show William with 2 tithables (males over 16) in 1804 and 3 in 1805. William himself was 1 tithable and the second one was probably his son John. But who was the third in 1805? Son Patrick, born in 1790, would not be taxed until 1807 and son James even later. The following year son John was listed on his own but William was still listed with 2 tithables (himself and ?). Of course it is possible the extra person, if there was one, was simply a relative or hired hand.
- the 1992 Virginia Historic Landmarks Project interview with Mrs. W.T. Ryburn (referenced under William's birth notes) produced the statement that William, born 1754, had a son named William who was born in 1787 and died in 1854. Indeed, there is a gap in the order of William's children in the late 1780s and a son born in 1787 would explain the extra male on the census and tax rolls. However, the 1854 date of death is problematic as no reference to a younger William appears in the older William's will or in Washington County records of the period. It is more likely that this son William, if indeed he existed, died before William Sr.'s will was written in 1812.

Related Links and Images:

What was Mary's maiden name?
William's will
The Ebbing Spring Church and Cemetery page identifies the location of the old cemetery and tells a little about its history
Ryburn homestead. Click on camera icon for larger image
See the location of William's land. His home still stands and is identified on this map

Family

Mary (?) b. 14 Jul 1759, d. 24 Jun 1848
Children
ChartsDescendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited29 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S49] Hortenstine Memorial Marker and Genealogy, Hortenstine Cemetery, Washington Co. VA. William Ryburn, b. 8-26-1753; marr Mary Beattie 1779; d. Oct. 1812.
  2. [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, compiled by Vivian Coletti 12/10/1992. Ms Coletti visited Mrs. W.T. Ryburn and her daughter who provided information on William Ryburn. They stated that they had in their possession a family bible. Ms Coletti's notes list 1754 as William's year of birth.
  3. [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.
  4. [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.
  5. [S56] Philip Ropp, "Withers-Bayless and allied families", manuscript. Author cites Henry Hortenstine of Abingdon who he credited with copying the dates from the Bible of William Ryburn "in the possession of a Ryburn descendant". This source uses 26 Aug. 1753.
  6. [S165] D.A.P. Campbell household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Abingdon district, ED 93, page 41A (stamped), dwelling 297, family 297, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, Jan. 2005, image 1 of 56. Enumeration includes: D.A.P. Campbell, 49, marr, farmer; Susan E., 33, wife; Ann, 87, mother; Sarah McConnell, 37, niece; John Worley, 30, nephew; Hank Clark, 13, adopted; Amelia Campbell, black, 20, hired; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  7. [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.
  8. [S56] Philip Ropp, "Withers-Bayless and allied families", manuscript. Author cites Henry Hortenstine of Abingdon who he credited with copying the dates from the Bible of William Ryburn "in the possession of a Ryburn descendant."
  9. [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.
  10. [S16] This estimate is based on William and John's appearance on the 1780 tax rolls in Pennsylvania and their subsequent appearance on the Washington County, Virginia rolls in 1782.
  11. [S1438] Virginia Land Office Grants Q: 557, Library of Virginia Online.
  12. [S66] Bob and Donna Ford, "Ryburn/Orr," e-mail to Diana Powell, 18 Oct. 2004. Research by Bob Ford citing Washington Co., VA Survey Bk 1:255.
  13. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 223.
  14. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 528.
  15. [S1249] Washington Co., Virginia Tax Records 1782-1805.
  16. [S1004] William Ryburn household, 1810 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 5(original script); 696 (added script), viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2006, image 8 of 73. The census list was not alphabetical, suggesting individuals listed next to each other also resided in the same neighborhood.
  17. [S617] William Ryburn will (1812), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Bk 3: 300. Wlliam's will was dated 22 Jul 1812 and recorded in court in October of the same year. Son Patrick was appointed executor with James Orr, L. Hutton and John Edmondson witnesses.
  18. [S131] William Ryburn appraisal (1812), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 6.
  19. [S56] Philip Ropp, "Withers-Bayless and allied families", manuscript. Author does not specifically state his source for this information. He notes that the tombstones have disappeared.
  20. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton was Mary's great grandson.
  21. [S1985] Mary Buchanan entry, Smyth Co., Virginia Death Register Vol. 1: 2 (1858).