William Thomas Ryburn

b. 27 June 1891 or 30 June 1891, d. 9 March 1977
FatherSamuel Logan Ryburn1 b. 22 Aug 1860, d. 7 Mar 1898
MotherPhoebe Emmaline Larimer1 b. 22 Oct 1867, d. 20 Oct 1949
Birth27 Jun 1891 or 30 Jun 1891 William Thomas Ryburn was born on 27 Jun 1891 or 30 Jun 1891 in Smithshire, Henderson County, Illinois.2,3,4,5 
 William's exact date and place of birth is something of a mystery. His cemetery stone is reported to provide June 27, 1891 as the correct date, but a birth record filed with the state of Virginia uses June 30th 1891.2,1 
  The same Virginia birth record says he was born in Smithshire, Illinois, which is in agreement with the 1910 and 1930 census.6,7 
  However, the 1900 and 1920 census records state that he was born in Virginia.8,9 
  Church records for William's father indicate that the family was in Illinois at some point but do not provide a date. 
Fath-DeathMar 1898 William was 6 years old when his father, Samuel, died. The family was living in Washington County, Virginia at the time. 
Devisee17 Dec 1898  William's grandfather had written a will leaving the Ryburn home farm to Samuel, but in late December, 1898, he added a codicil leaving the land to Samuel's 3 sons. Their mother was allowed her dower rights to the land.10 
Cens-19004 Jun 1900 The 1900 census recorded William's mother, Phebe, living on the land in the Holston District with her 3 boys. The census taker had problems with spelling, and Phebe was enumerated as "Feby Ribon."8 
  William's aunt and uncle, Sarah (Ryburn) and William J. Snodgrass, who had been deeded a portion of the home farm in the previously mentioned codicil, were enumerated as the adjacent household. 
1905 In 1905 William's mother married John Ryburn, who was the brother of her first husband, and therefore William's uncle. 
Cens-191012 Apr 1910  The combined family was enumerated in 1910, by all appearances still living in the same location. William and his brothers now ranged in age from 20 to 16.6 
Religion28 Jun 1914 Four years later William and his brother John both joined the Rock Spring Presbyterian Church.11 
Cens-19205 Jan 1920 However John, and also William's older brother Frank, left Washington County to pursue opportunities elsewhere. By 1920, when the census was again enumerated only William was still living at home and helping his mother and stepfather with the farm.9 
Legatee3 Mar 1923  William appears to have developed a close relationship with his stepfather, who wrote his will in March, 1923, naming William as his executor. John left his estate to Phebe, but on her death it was to pass to William, whom the older man referred to as his son.12 
Marriage7 Oct 1925 He married Margaret K. Preston on 7 Oct 1925 at Lodi in Washington County.13 
Cens-193024 Apr 1930  John Ryburn died in 1927. The 1930 census enumerated William as the head of the family. Margaret and their three children were present, as was William's mother, Phebe. William listed his occupation as "farmer".and stated that he owned his farm. The census also asked each household that year if they owned a radio; William replied that he did not.7 
  Neither did any of his neighbors. 
Death9 Mar 1977 William died on 9 Mar 1977.2 
Burial11 Mar 1977 He was buried on 11 Mar 1977 in Knollkreg Memorial Cemetery, Abingdon, Virginia, with the Rev. Fred P. Albright presiding.2,14 

Family

Margaret K. Preston
Children
  • Bessie Ryburn7
  • Emily Ryburn7
  • Catherine Ryburn7
  • Sam Ryburn
  • Tom Ryburn
ChartsDescendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited1 Jan 2012

Citations

  1. [S723] William Ryburn entry, Washington Co. birth records submitted to the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics: reel 47, p. 413 (1891). Parents listed as Samuel L. Ryburn and Emma Ryburn. Date of birth listed as June 30, 1891 in Smithshire, Illinois.
  2. [S54] Virginia Historicial Society of Washington County, High On A Windy Hill Vol II, p. 224. William Thomas Ryburn, 27 June 1891-9 Mar 1977.
  3. [S723] William Ryburn entry, Washington Co. birth records submitted to the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics: reel 47, p. 413 (1891). Parents listed as Samuel L. Ryburn and Emma Ryburn. Date of birth listed as June 30, 1891 in Smithshire, Illinois. Note: this date of birth is not consistent with the date provided by family members at the time of William's death.
  4. [S588] "William S. Ryburn", Trish and Dan's Genealogy (http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi). This source uses 27 June 1891 in Smithshire, Henderson County, Illinois, but the data is not cited.
  5. [S1244] Farris Funeral Chapel, Abingdon, Virginia. Date of birth reported as June 27, 1891.
  6. [S237] Geo Ryburn household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston District, ED 120, sheet 3B, dwelling 39, family 39, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2005, image 6 of 28. Enumeration includes: Geo Ryburn, marr #1, 6 yrs, [age not clear], farmer, owns farm, b. VA; Phebe, wife, 48, marr #2, marr 6 yrs, mother of 3 children, all living, b. VA; Frank, stepson, 20, sgl, b. VA; William, 18, stepson, b. IL; John, stepson, 16, b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  7. [S639] William T. Ryburn household, 1930 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Holston district, ED 96-12, sheet 15A (152 stamped), dwelling 272, family 272, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2005, image 29 of 43. Enumeration includes: William T. Ryburn, 38, age 34 at first marr, farmer, b. IL; Margaret, wife, 31, marr at 27, b. VA; Bessie, dau [age lined out]; M__, dau, [age lined out]; Catherin [sp?], dau, 0; all children b. VA, father b. IL, mother b. VA; Phoebe, mother, 63 wid, first marr at 20, b. VA.
  8. [S574] Feby E. Ribon household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Holston District, ED 114, sheet 3A (150 stamped), dwelling 49, family 49, viewed online at Genealogy.com, Jan. 2005, image 5 of 73. Enumeration includes: Feby E. Ribon, 33, b. Oct. 1867, wid, mother 3 children, all living; Frank C., son, 10, b. Sept 1889 VA; William T., son, 8, b. June 1891 VA; John P., son, 6, b. Aug. 1893 VA; all parents b. VA.
  9. [S859] George Ryburn household, 1920 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Holston District, ED 155, sheet 3A (188 stamped), dwelling 46, family 46, viewed online at Genealogy.com, Dec. 2005, image 14 of 61. Enumeration includes: George Ryburn, 65, marr, farmer; Phoebe E., wife, 52; William T., stepson, 28; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  10. [S853] William S. Ryburn will and codicil (recorded 1900), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 26: 296. William's will, which replaced a previous one, was dated 30 June, 1886. He added a codicil on 17 Dec. 1898. Both were recorded in court on 26 Feb. 1900. J.D.G. Ryburn and W.J. Snodgrass took the oath of executor without security, as directed by the will.
  11. [S1204] Records of Rock Spring Presbyterian Church, 100-101 (C). A Register of Communicants includes the following entry: W.T. Ryburn admitted by examination June 28, 1914.
  12. [S832] John D.G. Ryburn will (recorded 1927), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 33: 81. The will was dated March 3, 1923 and recorded March 5, 1927. William T. Ryburn was named as executor.
  13. [S2842] William T. Ryburn-Margaret K. Preston Marriage License (Washington Co., VA), digital image, Historical Society of Washington County, license dated 1 Oct. 1925; marriage date: 7 Oct. 1925 at Lodi, VA: William T. Ryburn, 34, sgl, farmer, b. Henderson Co., IL, resid Meadow View, VA, s/o Samuel & Phoebe E. Ryburn marr Margaret K. Preston, 26, sgl, b. WCV, d/o Samuel & Bessie Preston; by J.W. Hogshead, Minister of the Presbyterian Church.
  14. [S1244] Farris Funeral Chapel, Abingdon, Virginia.