Immigrated to Virginia in March 1669 (Julian Calendar).

William Byrd, also known as William Byrd I, was an Indian trader, explorer, member of the House of Burgesses (1679–1682), member of the governor's Council (1683–1704), and auditor- and receiver-general (1688–1704). Byrd was also an original trustee of the College of William and Mary. Inheriting the bulk of his uncle's Virginia estate, Byrd spent his early years as an Indian trader and explorer. Early in 1676, his trade was cut off after Indian attacks, and he helped to persuade his partner, Nathaniel Bacon, to take unlawful command of a militia and lead it against the Indians. Bacon's Rebellion (1676–1677) resulted, but Byrd switched his loyalties to Governor Sir William Berkeley, opening the way for his political career. Elected to the House of Burgesses in 1677, Byrd commanded defense forces at the falls of the James River and operated as one of the most important Indian traders of the seventeenth century. He became an ally of Governor Thomas Culpeper, baron Culpeper of Thoresway, who appointed him to the Council in 1683. Five years later, after much lobbying, he received the combined posts of auditor- and receiver-general, putting him in charge of both collecting and maintaining all the colony's royal revenue. In the absence of Governor Francis Nicholson, he served three stints as president, or acting governor, of the colony. Byrd died in Charles City County in 1704.

Source:

• http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Byrd_William_ca_1652-1704

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Birth: 1652 London Greater London, England Death: Dec. 4, 1704 Westover (Charles City County) Charles City County Virginia, USA

WILLIAM BYRD, I, the progenitor of the Byrd family in America, arrived in Virginia in about 1670. William's brother Thomas Byrd arrived later in Virginia about 1692 and lived in Henrico where he died in 1710. William had inherited large land holdings from his uncle, Captain Thomas Stegge, II. His inheritance included a large track of land surrounding the present site of Richmond, VA. After marrying Mary Horsmanden in 1673, their first-born child, WILLIAM BYRD, II (known as the founder of Richmond) was born On March 28, 1674, at the little stone house on The Falls in Henrico County. They later built what was called "Belvidere", a place that proved to be very lonely for Mrs. Byrd as her husband was away on business much of the time. In 1688 he purchased "Westover" a tract of about 1,200 acres in a more settled area in Charles City County. He built a commodious frame dwelling, later replaced by his son with an elegant brick mansion famous in Virgina history. He resided at Westover and continued to trade with England, the West Indies, and the Indians. His land acquisitions increased and he became one of the great land holders of Virginia. When he died it is estimated that he possessed at least 26,000 acres of land throughout Virginia. He became rich and cultivated in Virginia and was the most remarkable early trader on the Trading Path. His most important business was Indian trading. His traders with their pack-horses went 400 miles to the southwest to trade skins and furs with the Cherokees and Catawbas. WILLIAM BYRD was appointed in 1680 as member of the Council on which he served for 24 years and Auditor of the Colony for 6 years. He inherited a wealth of information, Indian scouts, traders, and suppliers through his good fortune. As a young man, he traveled "far into the wilderness over trails which penetrated 400 miles as far as the haunts of the Catawbas and Cherokees" and as near as the banks of the Meherrin. He had a vast knowledge of the wilderness and amassed a considerable fortune in the fur trade. In 1687 Colonel Byrd was commissioned Deputy-Auditor and Receiver-General of Virginia. For several years he held high rank in the Virginia Council, preceded only by Ralph Wormeley & Richard Lee. When Lee resigned in 1699, Byrd was second in position, becoming President of the Council in 1701 when Wormeley died. He was interested in botany and other sciences and corresponded with Leonard Plukenett, Sup. of the Royal Gardens of Queen Mary. William Byrd died on 4 December 1704 and was buried beside his wife in the "old" Westover Parish Cemetery on the grounds of Westover Plantation 1/4 mile from the mansion. About 1730 the construction of today's Westover Parish Church was completed at its present site on Herring Creek about 1 1/2 mile north of Westover mansion.

Family links:

Parents:
 John Byrd (1620 - 1677)
 Grace Elizabeth Stegge Byrd (1625 - 1690)

Spouse:
 Maria (Mary) Horsmanden Byrd (1652 - 1699)

Children:
 William Byrd (1674 - 1744)*
 Susan Byrd Brayne (1676 - 1710)*
 Ursula Byrd (1681 - 1698)*
 Mary Molly Byrd Duke (1682 - 1725)*
 Maurice Warham Byrd (1685 - 1689)*

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Inscription: "Hic recunduntur cineres Gulielmi Byrd Armegeri, et regii huij Provinciae Questoris qui hanc Vitam Cum Eternitate Commutatavit 4to Die Decembris 1704 posstquam vixisset 52 annos"

Note: From William and Mary Quarterly lV. 144 . 1704 is established as the date of his death by both the reports of the governor to England and by the Title-book.

Burial: Westover Plantation Charles City Charles City County Virginia, USA

Created by: J Tompkins Record added: Aug 30, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 41319759 http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=41319759