Source: Annals of Bath County; The Families of Greater Bath, p.190.
John BYRD, a brother-in-law to John & William DEAN, was killed by Indians 2 years after his purchase on Jackson's River in 1754. Of the wife & 6 children who were carried away, John Jr., is the only one we know to have returned. The family were trying to escape Fort Dinwiddie. The son became so Indianized that it was quite awhile before he could reconcile himself to the ways of his own people. He was a favorite of the red man & made at least one attempt to go back to them. His wife was a HAMILTON. There were 7 children but Andrew H., whose wife was Elizabeth Capito, was the only son to stay in Bath. A sister, 2 years older than John Jr. remained with the Indians. Another sister Sarah, born 1743, does not seem to have been carried away & choose John DEAN as a guardian.
Carolyn Byrd Snodgrass writes: I am originally from WV and am a direct descendant of JOHN BYRD, who was killed by the Shawnee and his family captured. I wonder about the girl that stayed, if anything is known of her descendants? (send in your comments to be posted on this page).
Dave Matthews Dave. I have information from the West Virginia archives that Mary Bird, daughter of John Bi(y)rd and (?) Dean, was captured by the Indians in 1754 while living on the Jackson River in (now) Bath County Virginia. She returned from captivity at the end of the French and Indian War and married Henry Morris, a veteran of the American revolution and son of William Morris. Some records say she did not return. Do you have any information that can confirm this? or any information on her origins? I have other miscellaneous info that I could pass on to you regarding their children and association with the (Conrad)Young and John Young family of Kanawha County WV.
Jimmy I was reading the names you have on Indian Captives. I have Bird family members in my family tree. I have some information from a Thomas Lebird b.1585 down thru Byrd and Bird's also so other surnames that were married to Birds. If you would like to exchange information on these different people in hopes of helping each other please let me know.
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