David Byerly (1819 - 1870)

Born 13 May 1819 in Lexington, Rowan, North Carolina, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Susannah (Myers) Byerly — married 24 Dec 1844 in Parke Co, Indiana

Descendants

Died 31 Oct 1870 at age 51 in Centropolis, Franklin Co. Kansas

Biography

David Byerley was the eldest of two sons born to George Joseph and Lydia Sappenfield Byerley. He was born May 13, 1819 in Rowan (now Davidson) County, North Carolina. His brother John Riley was born December 19, 1820, also in Rowan County. (David was the last of Jim’s ancestors to be born in North Carolina.)

His mother died shortly after the birth of John, either late December 1820 or early January 1821. In 1823 George married Lydia's twin sister Leah and together they had 11 children; Catherine c. 1824, Rachel b. March 16, 1826, George Washington c. 1829, William Matthias c. 1831, Andrew James c. 1833, Francis Marion c. 1835, Mary Ann c. 1837, Jacob Matthews b. October 15, 1841, twins Leah Almina and Lydia C. c. 1844 and Ephraim Melancthon b. March 2, 1847.

In 1824 David traveled with his parents to Indiana. They traveled westward along the Ohio River to the Wabash and followed its course to the fork of Sugar Creek and settled at Portland Mills, where he grew up.

David married Susannah Myers on December 24, 1844 in Parke County, Indiana. Susannah was the daughter of Daniel and Mary Magdalene Shuler Myers, born October 31, 1818. She had a twin sister Sarah, who married Absalom Sappenfield, Lydia and Leah's nephew making David his 1st cousin.

In the late 1850s David, Susannah and their family, along with his parents moved to Albia, Monroe County, Iowa where George and Leah lived the rest of their lives. After the Civil War they moved to Franklin County, Kansas.

Susannah and David had 5 children; Leah Margaret b. December 8, 1845, Mary b. November 1847, George Daniel b. November 21, 1849, Sarah Isabell b. August 9, 1857 and John E. b. November 23, 1861. Leah, Mary and George where born in Parke County, Indiana while Sarah and John where born after the move to Monroe County, Iowa.

Susannah died August 23, 1870 and David died 2 months later on October 31, 1870 in Marion Township, Douglas County, Kansas. Both are buried in Union Cemetery in Douglas County, Kansas.^[1]

Will of David Byerly

I David Byerly of the county of Davidson and State of NC planter being very sick in body but of perfect mind and memory. Do make and ordain this my last will and testament. I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner:

FIRST-I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Lucy Byerly the privilege of one room of my dwelling house of her choice for her proper use and livelihood during her natural life or as long as she shall remain a widow in my name.

SECOND-I give and bequeath unto my beloved son, George Byerly my land adjoining it that I purchased from Isiah Fisher. I give and bequeath unto my son George Byerly one negro fellow of his choice out of my negroes and also my large wagon and all the horse harness belonging to the same and also all my farming utensils of every denomination. I give to my son George Byerly the above mentioned property for his own proper use and livelihood also give and bequeath to my son George my two stills and all my still tubs and other implements belonging to the same, also I give to my son George one bed and furniture and my chest and my desk and my wearing apparel for his proper use and behalf.

THIRD-I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Sarah Byerly my negro girl named Nancy for her proper use and behalf also I give to my daughter Sarah Byerly my sorrel mare and my will is further that my daughter Sarah Byerly shall have an equal share out of my stock and household and kitchen furniture as my daughters that are now married have received.

FOURTH-My will is that my son George Byerly shall one year after my decease pay $100 to my granddaughter Eliza Byerly a daughter of my son Phillip Byerly, deceased or to her guardian out of the above estate which is already willed to the said George Byerly for her proper use and behalf.

FIFTH-I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Barbara Garner two negroes that is my negro girl Poll and my little negro boy named Joeda for her proper use and behalf.

SIXTH-My will ia that all my debts be paid out of my money on hand and the balance of my money on hand and the balance of my money in actual cash and notes to be equally divided amongst my wife Lucy and four of my children that is George Byerly, Catherine Capeley, Christina Collins and Sarah Byerly, my wife is to have an equal share with one of them and also my will is that all the grain and all the ardent spirits and all the meat that is now on hand George Byerly shall have the half thereof and my wife Lucy and my daughter shall have the half also. I give to my wife Lucy one horse of her choice, and if my above named wife should marry another man shall be entitled to receive one horse saddle and bridle, two cows, four head of sheep and her own bed, her chest, bureau, and her flax wheel and kitchen furniture as much as she may think proper for her own use and behalf.

SIXTH-My will is that after the decease of my beloved wife above named all my property above willed to my beloved wife to be sold at public auction and the proceeds there of to be equally divided amongst all my children that is George Byerly, Barbara Garner, Catherine Capely, Christina Collins and Sarah Byerly for their proper use and behalf and it is that my son George Byerly shall find my wife Lucy in good diet during her natural life and during her widowhood if they cannot agree at one table the said George to find her as much as any two good men will say will do her. I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved son George Byerly sole executor of this my last will and testament.

Sources

Footnotes

1. ↑ Entered by Darrell Abbey.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Darrell Abbey for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Darrell and others.