Individual Details

The family of John & Sarah Byrd is not very well substantiated. There are circumstances and associations that indicate most if not all the children named here were siblings. John died sometime in the late 1770's or early 1780's. Sarah's maiden name is unknown, but she married William Burch prior to 1787 when her daughter Elizabeth married John Harmon there in Montgomery Co.

I have wondered if John "Byrd" was the son of Andrew Bird, earlier of Augusta Co, VA. Several of Andrew Bird's children married Ruddells, at least two of the marriages found in The Session Book of the Peaked Mountain Church. Andrew is purported to have had a son John.

John was also said to have been from Spotsylvania Co. I do find evidence there of a John Byrd, but only one record. It is interesting that it also mentions a Richard Byrd:
Augt. 29, 1763. John Gardner of Louisa Co. and Mary, his wife, to Joseph Allen of Spts. Co. 80 #'s curr. 206 a. in St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co. Witnesses, Benjamin Winslow, John x Byrd, Richard Byrd, Samuel Allen, Hezekiah x Chiles, Robr. Silvey. March 5, 1764.
[This was in the Spotslvania Records found online at GenealogyLibrary online.]

Other parents are "attached" to John Byrd without the slightest evidence - one set of parents a Thomas Byrd and wife Bridgetta Huling.

Found on USGenWeb.org, Louisa Co VA
Book: ?, Page: 0, Grantor: John Bird, Grantee: Wm. Gardner, Date: 22-Jul-1771
John Bird of Prince Edward Co., Virginia to Wm. Gardner of Spotsylvania, St. George Parish; #12 for tract in Louisa containing 100 acres more or less being part of a dividend of land belonging to Wm. Winston and by him sold to John Gardner, by Gardner sold to Nathan Chiles, by Chiles sold to John Bird adjoining the River, John Gardner, Leonard Young, George Burrus. Sig. John Bird (x) wit. Frans Ford, Peter Scholler Ann Norris (x)

John's son Henry claimed in his Revolutionary pension application that he was born in Prince Edward Co in 1764. Prince Edward was formed from Amelia Co in 1753.

This record is likely John Byrd, son of William Byrd III of Westover. John received his father's rights in the lead mines in Fincastle. There have been suggestions this was the same John Byrd ...it was not.
The first court was held for Fincastle at the Lead Mines [now in Wythe Co] on the 5th of January 1772. John Byrd produced a commission under the hand and seal of Thomas Nelson, secretary of Virginia, appointing him clerk of the court. The oath was administered and he at once began his duties. William Christian was appointed his deputy. John Byrd also signed a petition with others including William Christian, declaring Allegiance to the King in May - year not specified although it appears to have been in May of 1774.


It is notable that among the children of both John and Sarah Byrd and their daughter Elizabeth who married John Harmon, may be found the given names William, Richard, Mary, Mildred, Elizabeth. Also Elizabeth & John Harmon named a son John Bird Harmon and a daughter Sarah.

Death	Bef 1786
Marriage		Sarah [Byrd]

Spouse	Sarah [Byrd] ( - )
Child	Richard Byrd ( - 1803)
Child	William Byrd (1753 - 1829)
Child	Mary Byrd ( - 1805)
Child	Samuel Byrd (1758 - 1820)
Child	Henry Byrd (1764 - 1859)
Child	George Byrd ( - )
Child	Mildred Byrd (1766 - 1840)
Child	ELIZABETH BYRD (1771 - 1869)
Child	Jane Byrd (1770 - 1820)