Judge Mark Byrd

From Ancestors of Samuel J. Davis & Sherry L. Kirk:Information about George Byrd:

Mark was the Commonwealth's Attorney, served as a member of the House of Delegates and Convention of 1850, was a Judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit between 1876 and 1883. He married Sarah C. M. Hite of "Belle Grove" and they had five daughters: Elizabeth Green (Bettie), Ann Hite, Mary Louisa, Sally Madison, Cornelia and five sons: Mark, Isaac Hite, William Maury, Eltinge Fontaine (who all served in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War), and George.

Sarah's homestead of "Belle Grove," had a unique and interesting history. The home was designed by Thomas Jefferson and built by Major Isaac Hite, Jr. for his young bride Nelly Conway Madison, the sister of President James Madison. Here James and his wife Dolly Payne spent part of their honeymoon. The site was well chosen, commanding a perfect view of all the mountain scenery fringing the border of the Lower Valley. The mansion was located among virgin oaks of wonderful size. It was a dream to the happy young couple. In the spring of 1793, they announced to friends far and near, that the dream had been fulfilled, and all must come and see the belle in a grove of her choice; and from that announcement, the name of the princely establishment was forever settled; and since that eventful day, the regal home has known no other name than "Belle Grove." The structure of pure limestone hewn with minute precision was 160 feet in length and forty feet in breadth, had four porticoes, with pillars of such pattern and size as to excite wonder over their origin. The many ornamental blocks of marble filling their respective positions were curious. Major Hite had drawn upon every quarry in the area to supply stone. Belle Grove was handsomely furnished. The furniture was mahogany inlaid with satin wood imported from England; the "sideboards" and sofas were heavy with hand-carving in exquisite style and figure; solid mahogany "tableboards," as the great dining tables were called, were large enough to seat sixty guests; the rare oil paintings were hung profusely on the walls. Several paintings were of Major Hite and various members of his family. He prized highly those of Thomas Jefferson, and Dolly Madison the wife of President Madison who had been a frequent visitor to Belle Grove. Major Hite died in 1836; his wife survived him until 1851. After her death, the famous furnishings of this noted place were distributed among her descendants. The celebrated Civil War battle of Cedar Creek which occurred on October 19, 1864, centered around this place and Union General Sheridan had his headquarters here for a few hours during the battle and here CSA General Stephen D. Ramseur died from his wounds received in the battle.

Link: http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/m/a/d/Holly-M-Maddox/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-...

Note: Doubtful Eltinge served in Civil War due to his age.