b. 8 August 1811, d. 19 August 1890
Birth | 8 Aug 1811 | John Byars was born on his father's estate, Brook Hall Farm, in Washington County, Virginia, on 8 Aug 1811.3,4,5 |
Marriage | 24 Oct 1836 | He married his second cousin Jane Beattie Ryburn, daughter of Beattie Ryburn and Jane Ryburn, on 24 Oct 1836 near Glade Spring, in Washington County, with Rev. Alexander McEwen presiding.6,7 |
Cens-1850 | 9 Aug 1850 | John, Jane and their two daughters were enumerated on the 1850 census of Washington County living near Jane's father Beattie Ryburn.8 |
Residence | | By 1860 John and Jane appear to have moved to their new home, known as Cave Springs, where they would live for the next 30+ years. The home sat on land owned by John's father, Col. William Byars. The brick structure contained 14 beautiful, high-ceilinged rooms, eight of which had their own fireplaces. There were many additional out-buildings, including slave quarters. A long road led up to the house; John was known to drive it in a carriage lined in velvet and drawn by a team of white horses. Years later, the home was remembered as a showcase. It sat just west of Brook Hall, where the widowed Col. Byars resided. [see link below for photos and additional information on Cave Springs].9,10 |
Cens-1860 | 1860 | The 1860 census enumerated John and Jane as Col. Byar's neighbors. John was not listed as the owner of the property on which he was living, but he was listed as the owner of personal property worth over $10,000, which included 13 slaves. However Col. Byars real estate holdings were valued at almost $85,000 and his personal property was listed at $41,500. These were both very large amounts for the time and neighborhood.11,12 |
Cens-1860- Agric | | The 1860 agricultural schedule provides additional information about Cave Springs. The farm consisted of 150 acres of improved land and 90 acres unimproved; it was valued at $10,000. The livestock, valued at $5,625, consisted of 5 horses, 10 mules, 13 cows, 6 oxen, 110 other cattle, 20 sheep and 75 swine. In the previous year the land produced (among other things) 150 bushels of wheat, 80 bushels of rye, 2,000 bushels of Indian corn, 1,000 bushels of oats, 24 pounds of wool, 500 pounds of butter, 20 tons of hay and 30 gallons of molasses.13 |
| | The makeup of John and Jane's family had changed in the years between the 1850 and 1860 census enumerations. Daughter Sarah died in 1856 at age 9 and daughter Elizabeth married John Hall. In 1860 the young couple were also enumerated living at Cave Springs. |
Devisee | 1866 | Col. William Byars died in 1866. His will, written in May 1858 bequeathed John a portion of Brook Hall Farm [Cave Springs]. Col. Byars also left John a farm William had purchased from John Eakin with the stipulation that on John Byar's death it was to pass to John's nephew, James Ernest.2 |
Cens-1870 | 27 Sep 1870 | The 1870 census enumeration included John and Jane, along with Elizabeth and John Hall, and 9 year old William Hall. Oddly, John Hall and not John Byars was listed as the head of the household and the property owner (owns real estate valued at $17,300 and personal property valued at $2,000).14 |
| | This census may not accurately reflect who was the head of the household or who owned the land. |
Cens-1880 | 26 Jun 1880 | In 1880, John Byars was enumerated as the head of the household which was no doubt a more accurate representation. John was 69; his occupation was listed as "farmer". Jane was 60. John and Elizabeth Hall and their 17 year old son William were again part of the household. A servant was also present, as was 50 year old Ann Eliza Nye.15 |
| | Ann Eliza was John's first cousin once removed, the daughter of Arthur Byars and Susannah Blessing. |
Death | 19 Aug 1890 | John died on 19 Aug 1890 at age 79.3,1 |
Burial | | He was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 |