Mary Ryburn1

b. 2 April 1785, d. 5 May 1858
FatherWilliam Ryburn2,3 b. in 1753 or 1754, d. Oct 1812
MotherMary (?)3,1 b. 14 Jul 1759, d. 24 Jun 1848
Birth-Calc2 Apr 1785 Mary Ryburn was born on 2 Apr 1785 as calculated from the information on her headstone (see photo below).4 
Marriage19 Feb 1807 She and John Buchanan, son of John Buchanan and Ann Ryburn, were married by Rev. Edward Crawford on 19 Feb 1807 in Washington County, Virginia.5,6 
Legatee22 Jul 1812 Mary's father, writing his will in 1812, left $10 to be paid to "my daughter Mary Buckhannon two years after my death."2 
1832  John and Mary lived in that part of Washington County which became Smyth County in 1832. 
Cens-185022 Jul 1850 The 1850 census for Smyth County listed John and Mary, both age 65, with their four adult, unmarried children: Ann, Jane, Sarah and Alexander. Also in the home were three grandchildren: Mary, Sarah and James Ward. The children's parents were not present.7 
  Records left by Mary's descendants describe her as a strong willed, forthright lady who was much loved by her community, her family, and her slaves.8 
Death5 May 1858 Mary died on 5 May 1858 in Smyth County at age 73.9,3,4 
Burial She was buried in Buchanan Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia, next to her husband John. Their stones appear to have been carved with the same detail.4 

Related Links and Images:

Mary's headstone (Full view and close up)
Other interments in Buchanan Cemetery
Mary's childhood home. Click on camera icon for larger image.

Family

John Buchanan b. 1784, d. 14 Sep 1858
Children
ChartsDescendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited28 Oct 2011

Citations

  1. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J.B. Hutton was the great nephew of the children of William and Mary Ryburn.
  2. [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.
  3. [S1985] Mary Buchanan entry, Smyth Co., Virginia Death Register Vol. 1: 2 (1858).
  4. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 150. Stone reported to read: Mary Buchanan, d. 5 May 1858, 75y 1m 13d; computes to a birthdate of 22 March 1783.[A 2010 photo of the stone reveals Mary's age actually read: 73Y 1M 3D. This computes to a birthdate of 2 Apr 1785]
  5. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 4. John Buchanan and Mary Ryburn, 19 Feb. 1807; minister Edward Crawford [confirmed on Family History Library mf #0034389].
  6. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 209. Mr. Trimble states this couple married on 19 Feb. 1809 however that disagrees with the Washington Co. marriage record. Since John and Mary's first child was born in Dec. 1807 it is unlikely the 1809 date is correct.
  7. [S465] John Buchanan household, 1850 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., VA, pop. sched., p. 165b, dwelling 132, family 134, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2002, image 20 of 169. Enumeration records: John Buchanan 65 farmer, real estate $3,000; Mary 65; Ann 42; Jane 36; Sarah 34; Alexander 22; Mary I or J. Ward 10; Sarah F. Ward 8; James F. Ward 7; Jesse Davis 50 Black; all born Virginia.
  8. [S928] Peggy Lester, "America Crenshaw Booth," e-mail to D. Powell, 11 Oct. 2006. Peggy cites a collection of notes written by Mary (Booth) Smyth (1877-1969) later in her life, which include both her own memories as well as memories from conversations with her mother America (Crenshaw) Booth, daughter of George and Margaret (Buchanan) Crenshaw, and granddaughter of John and Mary (Ryburn) Buchanan.
  9. [S2780] Patricia Hatfield, Deaths in Smyth County, Virginia 1853-1896, 8. Mary Buchanan, d. 5 May 1858 in Rich Valley at age 73y 1m 3d; d/o Wm & Mary Ryburn. Born Washington Co., VA; consort of John Buchanan. Informant: John D.M. Buchanan, son.
  10. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 209. Trimble cites records belonging to Miss Mary Sewell Helvey as his source for information on the family of John Buchanan and Mary Ryburn.
  11. [S1985] Polly B. Ward entry, Smyth Co., Virginia Death Register Vol. 1: 99 (1892).
  12. [S1584] Peggy Lester, "Descendants of George Sanders Crenshaw and Margaret Wilson Buchanan", report dated 10 Oct. 2006. Peggy is the great granddaughter of George and Margaret (Buchanan) Crenshaw.
  13. [S60] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1851-1891 & 1860 Census, p. 124. William D. Page, 32, s/o Tucker & Barbara ["Moore Robinson was written below Tucker and Barbara Page on the orginal] AND Buchanan, Sarah [no age given], d/o John and Mary, 29 Jul 1858.
  14. [S1145] Ruth Boyd Wilson and Thurman Robert Wilson, Tazewell County Death Register 1872-1896, p. 177, citing 1894 Death Register reports, line 77; parents listed as John and Mary Buckhannan.