b. between 1750 and 1760, d. between 5 September 1836 and 28 November 1836
Birth | between 1750 and 1760 | John Ryburn was born between 1750 and 1760 based on his apparent age on the 1820 and 1830 census records. A survey of Washington County homes, done in 1992 for the Virginia Division of Historic Landmarks, states that "Col. Ryburn was born Dec. 10, 1751". Mrs. W.T. (Margie) Ryburn, a descendant of John's brother William, was interviewed for the survey. Notes from that interview state that the family bible was in Mrs. Ryburn's possession and that it included entries for Col. Ryburn and William Ryburn. Though the survey entry does not specifically refer to John Ryburn, it would appear that he was most likely the individual referenced as "Col. Ryburn."1,2,3 |
Military | 1 Apr 1778 | A John and William Ryburn both appear on the militia roll of April 1, 1778 for York County, Pennsylvania.4 |
| | This is likely John and his brother William Ryburn. |
Tax | 1780 | A John and William Ryburn also appear on the 1780 tax list of single men in Huntington township York (now Adams) County, Pennsylvania.5 |
Migration | circa 1781 | John probably migrated from Pennsylvania down the Valley of Virginia to Washington County circa 1781.6 |
Marriage | | He married Margaret Reed, daughter of James Reid.7 |
| | The exact year and location (Pennsylvania or Virginia?) of the marriage is not known.8 |
Land-Buy | 16 Aug 1791 | On 16 Aug 1791 John purchased 125 acres of land in Washington County from William and Mary Ryburn for 85 pounds. The tract was cut from the lower side of a 315 acre parcel William owned on the south side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River.9 |
Cens-Sum | | John appears on the 1820 and 1830 Washington County, Virginia census records as the head of a household. Though not named, it appears that Margaret was also present in both enumerations. In addition, a 16 to 26 year old female was present in 1820, and a 20-39 year old female in 1830. If this represented John and Margaret's daughter she may have been deceased by the time John wrote his will in 1836.10,11 |
Tax | | John's name appears on the Washington County tax rolls from 1782 (the first year they were recorded) until 1831, 5 years before his death. However, for reasons not yet known, he was not actually charged for a tithable (male over 16) in any but a few of these years. The exceptions include 1782-1789 when he was charged for 1 tithable, and 1803-1806 when he was again charged with 1 tithable. He was consistently taxed for cattle and/or horses and when a special tax was levied in 1815 he was charged for one watch.12 |
Land-Sell | 21 Mar 1832 | On 21 Mar 1832 John and Margaret sold their 125 acres to Thomas Montgomery for $762. The deed mentioned neighbors Isaac McQuown, James Trimble, Jacob Mickles and "Beattie". Margaret released her dower by signing with an "X."13 |
Will | 5 Sep 1836 | John wrote his will on 5 Sep 1836. He left whatever remained of his estate after paying his debts to his nephew Patrick Ryburn.14 |
Death | between 5 Sep 1836 and 28 Nov 1836 | He died between 5 Sep 1836 and 28 Nov 1836.14 |
Will-Recd | 28 Nov 1836 | John's will was recorded on 28 Nov 1836 in Washington County court.14 |
Probate Recd | 23 Jan 1837 | The appraisal of his personal property listed 1 bed and bedstead, 1 lot of books, a tin cannister and shaving items, 1 pair of shoes, 3 chairs and 1 box and case.15 |
Probate Recd | | Final papers settling John's estate were not filed until many years after his death. The list of vouchers for expenses paid by the estate included payments to several people who served as witnesses for Patrick Ryburn, executor of John's estate, in a suit involving James Reid Jr. Those who served as witnesses included: Jane Scott, Lucretia Reid, Arthur Stewart and James Stout. There was also an entry for $140.92 paid John W.C. Watson "amount of judgement and costs of James Reid Jr. vs Patrick Ryburn, executor of John Ryburn dec'd."16 |