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Person Info

• Name: James BYERS
• Sex: M
• Birth: 1755 in Pennsylvania ^b
• Death: 7 Sep 1835 in East Finley Twp, Washington Co, Pennsylvania ^d
• Burial: Byers Burial Ground, East Finley Twp, Washington Co, Pennsylvania ^u


Parents:

• Father:
  
• Samuel BYERS Birth: 1719 in Chester Co, Pennsylvania Death: Apr 1796 in Washington Co, Pennsylvania
Mother:

• Jane WHITE Birth: 1727 in Northern Ireland or Pennsylvania Death: Nov 1801 in Washington Co, Pennsylvania

Family:
Bibliography

Sources for birth and parent Information

date:

[Ref: Bell BYERS-95 p101]

Age 22 in 1777 [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p1]

abt 1750-55 [Ref: Craig BYERS p69],

place:

maybe Pennsylvania [Ref: Craig BYERS p69],

parents:

[Ref: Beers WashingtonCoPA p233, Bell BYERS-87 p1, Bell BYERS-95 p101, Craig BYERS p69, Taylor BYERS p23]

Sources with Inaccurate birth and parent Information

date:

1750 [Ref: Craig BYERS p10, Eagleson BYERS p2]

abt 1750, d 1835 age 85 [Ref: Boss BYERS p193, Taylor BYERS p23]

d Sep 1835 age 85 [Ref: Borkowski ByersBurialGround p27]

Sources for death Information

date:

[Ref: Bell BYERS-95 p101, Boss BYERS p193, Craig BYERS p10, Craig BYERS p69, Eagleson BYERS p2, Taylor BYERS p23],

place:

[Ref: Craig BYERS p10, Eagleson BYERS p2]

Sources for burial Information

place:

[Ref: Borkowski ByersBurialGround p27, Boss BYERS p193, Taylor BYERS p23]

Research Notes:
Came to East Finley Township in 1777, age 22; left only for a year in Strabane Township, a few miles to the northeast, and is listed in the 1783 tax lists. [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p1]

Took Oath of allegiance to the State of Virginia in October 1777. The oath was administered by a neighbor, Thomas Waller, and was required of all white males age 16 and over. [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p2]

Listed as a private in militia company of Captain James Buchanan, a neighbor, in 1778. [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p2]

James and Thomas Byers are listed in the Washington County Militia on Sep 28 1781 in a company commanded by Captain George Sharp of Strabane Township.
The first tax list of Washington County, dated 1782 but made up the previous fall, lists James Byers unmarried in Donegal Township [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p4]

Tax list for Donegal Township, Washington County, 1783, shows James with 200 acres but no horses or cows. This indicates they were non-residents of the township. For 1783 they appear in Strabane Township - James unmarried [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p4]

From 1784, James and Thomas appear yearly in tax lists of Donegal, Washington County, and from 1789 in Finley Township (now East Finley). Finley was set off from Donegal in 1788. [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p4]

Tax lists of 1785 for Donegal Twp shows 100 acres, 1 horse, no cows [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]

1786: took up land called "Stone Coal" [Ref: Taylor BYERS p23]

Taxed in Donegal in 1786: 100 acres, 1 horse, 1 cow [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]

Mar 16 1786: took warrant for land in East Finley Twp, resurveyed 20 Oct 1829, and patent issued 12 Dec 1829, for 350 acres and 41 perches of land [Ref: WashingtonCoPA Deeds 2O-39, WashingtonCoPA Deeds 2O-40]

James and his brother, Thomas, took up land in Washington County, PA, in 1786, though they had already been there for several years. They called the tract "Stone Coal." The Horn Papers, vol 3, plot 63, show: Tract 1: 404 acres 117 perches, from a warrant dated 16 March 1786, resurvey by order of the Board of Property dated 20 October 1820, and patented 12 December 1829 to Thomas Byers, Executor in Trust, and James Byers. Tract 2: 251 acres 43 perches from a warrant dated 29 December 1796, resurveyed by order of the Board of Property, dated 20 October 1829 and patented 13 March 1830 to Thomas Byers, Executor in Trust, and James Byers. (Thomas Byers died 1825; the Thomas, Executor in Trust, is his son) [Ref: Craig BYERS p12]

James and Thomas got warrants in 1786 and in 1796 for 605 [sic. likely should be 655] acres in what is now East Finley Township of Washington County [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p4]

Land records show Warrant Mar 16 1786, survey Apr 27 1786, for 404 acres [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p12]

Taxed in Donegal in 1787: 150 acres, 2 horses, 1 cow [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]
Taxed in Donegal in 1788: 100 acres, 2 horses, 1 cow [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]

Sep 21 1789: purchased (with father and brother Andrew) 177 acres from Presley Peck. noted in [Ref: WashingtonCoPA Deeds 1L-561]

Taxed in Finley in 1789: 150 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]

Taxed in Finley in 1791: 100 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]
Taxed in Finley in 1792: 150 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]
Taxed in Finley in 1793: 150 acres, 3 horses, 3 cows [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]
Taxed in Donegal in 1793: 100 acres [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]

Jul 21 1793: sold his interest in 177 acres of land purchased (with father and brother Andrew) on 21 Sep 1789. noted in [Ref: WashingtonCoPA Deeds 1L-561]

Sold land July 21 1793 [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]

Taxed in Donegal in 1794: 100 acres [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p14]

Dec 29 1796: took warrant for land in East Finley Twp, resurveyed 20 Oct 1829, and patent issued 18 Mar 1830, for 344 acres and 45 perches of land [Ref: WashingtonCoPA Deeds 2O-39, WashingtonCoPA Deeds 2O-40]

Land records show Warrant Dec 29 1796, for 251 acres [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p12]

Land Warrant December 29 1796, following death of father, adjoining their 1786 grant [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p7]

In 1798 the Federal Direct Tax (window tax) gives this information for Finley Township, Washington County: James Byers, house worth $20, 250 acres. In all of Finley Township in 1798 there was no house worth as much as $100 [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p5]

1800: living in Finley Twp, Washington Co, PA. One male age 26-45, one female over age 45 [WTM: mother Jane (White) Byers] [Ref: 1800 PA Washington Finley 01]

1800 Census of Donegal Township, Washington County, page 758, shows 1 white male age 26 but under 45, and 1 white female age 45 and upwards. The white female is his mother, Jane White Byers, widow of Samuel Byers. [Ref: Craig BYERS p19]

1810 Census of Finley Township, Washington County, page 709, shows 1 white male age 45 and upwards, no females. [Ref: Craig BYERS p20]

1820 Census of Finley Township, Washington County, page 253, shows 1 white male age 45 and upwards, engaged in agriculture. [Ref: Craig BYERS p21]

batchelor, died alone in a log house on land now owned by William Thomas. lived for the most part alone and was cared for by the family of his brother Thomas, as intimated in his will. [Ref: Eagleson BYERS p2]

Jun 19 1830: exchanged release deeds with Thomas Byers (as Executor of will of Thomas Byers Sr), James Byers releasing his claim to 344 acres and 45 perches of land in East Finley Township (originally patented to James Byers and Thomas Byers Sr on 18 Mar 1830 from a warrant 29 Dec 1796 and resurveyed 20 Oct 1829) and heirs of Thomas Byers Sr releasing their claim to 350 acres and 41 perches of land in East Finley Township (originally patented to James Byers and Thomas Byers Sr on 12 Dec 1829 from a warrant 16 Mar 1786 and resurveyed 20 Oct 1829) [Ref: WashingtonCoPA Deeds 2O-39, WashingtonCoPA Deeds 2O-40]

will dated 11 Feb 1834, and recorded in book 5, page 225. Executors were George Sutherland Sr (who resigned 24 Oct 1835), John McDonald, and Thomas Byers. Witnesses were William Morrow and George Williams [Ref: Craig BYERS p10]

Will dated Feb 11 1834, and in his own handwriting, and recorded in Will Book No. 5, page 225, Washington Co, PA. He directs that all his estate be sold for the best price that could be gotten, except a piece of ground, containing about three acres, surveyed by David Fraxier, "which I give and bequeath as a burying ground forever," a plot of said survey being attached to and made a part of his will. This burial ground being on the Tilton farm, near the end of the Flynn road, south of Claysville, PA, and is the ground in which are the graves named. He then bequeathed to the trustees of Jefferson College, in trust, two hundred dollars, to aid in educating young men for the ministry. He also willed "to the trustees of commissioners or by what name they may be called of the Western Missionary Society, organized by Synod of Pittsburg in 1803, two hundred dollars, for seeding the gospel to the heathen on our borders." He then proceeds to will the balance of his estate to the children of his brother and sister, naming each one as well as the children. [Ref: Eagleson BYERS p2]

Beneficiaries of the Will were: Trustees of Jefferson College of Canonsburg, PA; Trustees or commissioners of the Western Missionary Society; Brother Samuel Byers' children: Andrew, Mary, Jean, Nancy, and Elizabeth; Brother Ebenezer Byers' children: John, Ebenezer, Samuel, and Jean; Annie Stone, "sister Agnes' daughter"; Brother Thomas' five sons and to his six daughters: John, Thomas, James, Samuel, William, Sarah, Jean, Margaret, Anna, Nancy, and Rachel. [Ref: Craig BYERS p11, Taylor BYERS p23]

Byers family graveyard is on land warranted by Thomas and James Byers, and dedicated by the 1834 Last Will and Testament of James. The survey of this three acre parcel of land was made after the death in 1825 of Thomas. On the survey drawing, which is with the probate papers of James, the grave marker for Thomas is mentioned. This was likely a rough and temporary type. Following the death in 1829 of Margaret, wife of Thomas, an inscribed single stone was erected for Thomas and Margaret, jointly, containing both death dates. It seems that at that time, James, the bachelor, had stones inscribed and erected for the other graves, also. From his estate papers, we know that James was well fixed, financially, for that period in time and could easily afford to have all these stones made. This would hae been about 35 years after the death of Samuel Byers, Sr, and can account for the incorrect death year being inscribed on the stone of Samuel Sr. [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p5]

Tombstone in Byers family cenetery is a large stone, but is down and could not be read [Ref: Borkowski ByersBurialGround p28]

---------- Washington Co PA Deeds 2O-39, dated 19 Jun 1830:
To All People to whom these presents shall come, James Byers of East Finley Township in Washington County Pennsylvania sends greetings. Know ye that the said James Byers, for and in consideration of one hundred dollars to hi in hand paid by Thomas Byers surviving executor of Thomas Byers late of said Township deceased in trust for the heirs of the said Thomas Byers deceased, hath remised, released, and forever quit claimed, and by these presents doth for him and his heirs remise, release, and forever quit claim unto said Thomas Byers executor of said Thomas Byers deceased, in trust for the heirs aforesaid and to their heirs and assigns forever, All the estate right title interest claim and demand whatsoever of him the said James Byers of in or to all that messuage or tract of land situate in the township aforesaid granted by the Commonwealth by Patent dated the 18th of March 1830 to the said James Byers and Thomas Byers executor in trust for said heirs in pursuance of a warrant dated 29 December 1796 and resurveyed by order of the Board of Property dated the 20 of October 1829 adjoining lands of Samuel England Laurance Coffield James Peden and others, Bounded as follows, Beginning at a stone thence by land of the heirs of Samuel Byers and Thomas Byers south sixty degrees east two hundred and four perches to a dogwood, thence by land of Samuel England south forty eight and a half degrees west one hundred and fifty five perches to a hickory, thence by lands of Laurence Coffield south seventy degrees west one hundred and forty three perches to a black oak, thence by lands of said Coffield and James Pedor, north seventy four degrees west ninety three perches to a beech, north twenty five degrees west one hundred three perches and five tenths to a white oak, thence by lands of the said James Byers north fifty seven and a fourth degrees east two hundred and forty six perches to the beginning, Containing three hundred and forty four acres and forty five perches strict measure be the same more or less, To Have and to hold the said messuage and tract of land above mentioned unto the said Thomas Byers Executor in trust for the said heirs and the said heirs and their heirs and assigns forever so that neither he the said James Byers nor his heirs nor any person or persons for him or his heirs or in his or their names or right shall or may by any ways or means whatsoever at any time hereafter claim challenge or demand any estate right title or interest of in or to the said messuage or tract of land and premises, or any part thereof, but from all and every action and actions, estate right title interest claim and demand of in and to the said premises or any part or parcel thereof they and every of them shall be forever barred by these presents, And the said James Byers and his heirs the said messuage lands hereditaments and premises with the appurtenances to the said Thomas Byers Executor etc in trust for said heirs and to the said heirs and their heirs and assigns against him the said James Byers and his heirs shall and will Warrant and forever defend by these presents. In Witness whereof the said James Byers hath hereto set his hand and seal this nineteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty. James Byers.
Witnesses present. David Frazier, Thomas Frazier.
Received on the date hereof the sum of one hundred dollars the above consideration money in full of Thomas Byers Executor in trust for the heirs of Thomas Byers deceased. James Byers.
Washington County, SS. Personally before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County came James Byers the releasor in the foregoing Indenture and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed and desired that it might be recorded as such. In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal the date of the above Indenture. David Frazier.
Recorded and compared with the Original August 30th, A.D. 1830. W Hoge, Recorder. [Ref: WashingtonCoPA Deeds 2O-39]

Washington Co PA Deeds 2O-40, dated 19 Jun 1830:
To All People to whom these presents shall come, Thomas Byers surviving Executor of the last Will and Testament of Thomas Byers, late of East Finley township in Washington County, deceased, sends greetings. Know ye that the said Thomas Byers Executor, in trust for the heirs of the said Thomas Byers, deceased, in pursuance of his last Will aforesaid, and in consideration of one hundred dollars being also a like sum of consideration mentioned in a deed of release in reciprocity for this release, by James Byers to the said Executor in trust for said heirs and to the said Executor in trust for said heirs by the said James Byers at or before the ensealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath remised, released, and forever quit claimed and by these presents doth for himself and the said heirs of the said Thomas Byers deceased remise, release, and forever quit claim unto the said James Byers and his heris and assigns forever, All the estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever of him, the said Thomas Byers Executor in trust for said heirs, of in and to a certain messuage or tract of land situate in the township aforesaid, granted by the Commonwealth by patent dated the 12th of December 1829, to the said James Byers, and Thomas Byers Executor in trust for said heirs in pursuance of a warrant dated the 16th of March 1786 granted to James and Thomas Byers deceased and resurveyed by an order of the board of Property dated Oct 20, 1829, and bounded as follows, Beginning at a stone, thence by land of said heirs, south fifty seven and fourth degrees west two hundred and forty six perches to a white oak, thence by lands of James Peden, north eleven degrees east ninety eight perches to a black oak, north thirty degrees west seventy perches to a post in a new road thence by land of Jacob Morris north nineteen degrees west one hundred and forty two perches to a post, thence by land of Hugh Morrow north eighty nine degrees east ninety two perches and five tenths to a chesnut, thence north eighty six and three fourth degrees east (by lands of Mitchels heirs) one hundred and sixteen perches to a dead black oak, north sixty three and three fourths degrees east one hundred and one perches to a dead walnut, thence by the lands of the heirs of Samuel Byers, south six degrees and a fourth one hundred and sixty perches to a post, south thirteen and a half degrees west fifty two perches to the place of beginning, Containing three hundred and fifty acres and forty one perches strict measure be the same more or less, To Have and to hold the said described messuage and tract of land above mentioned unto the said James Byers and his heirs and assigns forever, so that neither he the said Thomas Byers Executor in trust for said heirs, nor the said heirs, nor the heirs of either of them, nor any other person or persons for them or their heirs or in his or their names, or right shall or may by any way or means whatsoever at any time hereafter claim, challenge, or demand any estate right title or interest of in or to the said messuage or tract of land and premises, or any part thereof, but from all and every action and actions estate right title interest claim and demand of in and to the same premises or any part or parcel thereof they and every of them shall be forever barred by these presents, And the said Thomas Byers Executor in trust for the said heirs, and their heirs the said messuage lands hereditaments, premises and appurtenances to the said James Byers and his heirs and assigns against him the said Thomas Byers Executor in trust for said heirs and their heirs shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents. In Witness whereof the said Thomas Byers Exr in trust for said heirs hath hereto set his hand and seal this nineteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty. Thomas Byers, Executor in trust.
Witnesses present: Thomas Frazier, David Frazier.
Received on the date of the above the consideration therein mentioned in full. Thomas Byers.
Washington County, SS. Before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county personally came Thomas Byers executor in trust for the heirs of Thomas Byers deceased, and acknowledged the foregoing release deed to be his act and deed and desired that same may be recorded as such. In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal the date of said release. David Frazier.
Recorded and compared with the original, August 20th, A.D. 1830. R. Hoge, Recorder. [Ref: WashingtonCoPA Deeds 2O-40]

will dated Feb 11 1834, Will Book 5, p225, Washington Co, PA:
In the name of God Aman I James Byers of East Finley Washington County, State of Pennsylvania possin the use of my reason for which I would desire to pleas God but caling to mind the uncrnty of life do make and constitute this my last will and testament which is written by my own hand imprimis after comiting my soul to God in hopes that he will keep what I have committed to his trust I desire that my body may be commited to the earth in a christean manner Item I desire that all debts if aney ther be and my funeral chargarges prumtly paid after my death it is my will that my land and all my other property should be sold by my executers hereafter named for the best price that can be got for it and disposed in the following maner with exception of a lot of ground containing about three acres surved by David Frezer which I give and bequeth as a buringground for ever the plot of which will accompeny this will and now I come to dispose of my property in the folowing maner. Item I give and bequeth to the trustees of Jefferson College in trust two hundred dollars for the suport of pious men that is desirous to become preachers of the Gospel Item I give and bequeth to trustees or Comishners or by what name they may be called of the western misionary (Society) sixty two hundred dollars for sending the Gospel to the heathen on our border I give and bequeth to my brother Samuel Byers children Andrew Meray Jean Nancy and Elisebet to every one of them fifty dollars I give and bequeth to my brother Ebenezer Byers children John Ebenezer Samuel and Jean to every one of them fifty dollars I give and bequeth to Anne Slone my sister Agness daughter fifty dollars and as my brother Thomas Byers and his family was kind and helpful to me in my desolate way of living I think my duty to make some return for favours received therefore it is my will that the remainder of my estate not disposed of in the former part of my will be divided into eleven equel shears and I give and bequeth to my brother Thomas Byers five sons John Thomas James Samuel and William to each of them one eleventh part and to his six daughters Sarah Jean Margaret Anne Nancy and Rachel to each of them I bequeth one eleventh part and if should so happen that any of the persons unknown to me should be dead or die before me in both cases the heirs of such persons shall derive all the benifet of the bequest and lastly I constitute and apoint George Sutherland Siner John McDonel and Thomas Byers executors of this my last will and testament in witness and aware of the things herein contained I set hand and seal February the eleventh in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty four. (Signed) James Byers Attest: William Morrow, George Williams (Full text of Will is given in cited source) [Ref: Bell BYERS-87 p29]



Pedigree of James BYERS
                   /-----Thomas BYERS
          /-----James BYERS
 /-----Samuel BYERS
James BYERS
|         /-----Thomas WHITE
 \-----Jane WHITE
          \-----Ann (WHITE)



Descendants of James BYERS