Peter Byrom and Mary Nightingale

[Mrs Graybeard]

Peter Byrom was born about 1678 in England and died 1719 in Essex County, Virginia.  Married Mary Nightingale about 1710 in Essex County, Virginia.  Mary born about 1690 and died 1756.

Children:
John
Francis who married William Meador
Sarah
Elinor
Elizabeth
Mary who married David Faulconer


Peter and his brother Henry were the first gunsmiths of record in the American Colonies.  They were also gunsmiths in Lancashire, England before coming to America. They landed in Norfolk, Virginia in 1696.

Henry was born about 1675 in Lancashire, England and died May 1717 in Essex County, Virginia. Married Francis Mills on December 10, 1702 in Essex County, Virginia.

Their brother John born 1672, came to Virginia about 1693. There is no record of his marriage or of any children. He remained in Essex County, Virginia, until his death in 1716.  They also had a sister named Margaret born 1670.

Parents of John, Margaret, Henry and Peter were Henry Byrom and Anne Callen.

[Mrs Graybeard]

I found this site thanks to Marsh, Moderator of Black Powder Cartridge Rifles.

http://members.visi.net/~baskew/byrumhistory.htm

It tells how Peter and Henry came to America.

INDENTURE
 
"This Indenture made the first day of February in the eight year of raigne of our most gracious Soveraigne Lord William the Third by the grace of God of England Scotland France & Ireland King Defender of ye faith etc: Anno Dom. 1696 between Henry Byrome of Parr in the County of Lancaster and Kingdome of England Gunsmith and Peter Byrome brother and Servant to the Sd Henry of the one part & Alderman Thomas Tyrer of Liverpool in the Said County of LancS merchant of the other part witnesseth that ye Sd Henry Byrome and Peter Byrome have put themselves Covenant Servants to & with the Said have put themselves Covenant Servants to & with the Said Thomas Tyrer to serve him or his assignes for & dureing the term of four years next after they shall be arrived in Maryland or Virginia and the Sd Thomas Tyrer doth hereby Covenant & agree to & with the Sd Henry Byrome & Peter Byrome that the Said Thomas Tyrer shall and will pay for their passages and provide them with sufficient meate drink apparrell washing and Lodging and also with all sort & manner of Tools necessary for the Said Trade of a Gunsmith dureing their service and at the expiracion thereof the said working tools to be their own use and as their own Goods and shall allow them fifty acres of Land and all other benefits and advantages allowed by the said place where they shall arrive att according to the Customs of the Countrey in witness whereof the said Thomas Tyrer to these present Indentures his hand & Seale have put ye day & year first above written."
Thomas Tyrer (seal)
Sealed & delivered on
Six penny stamp paper
in the presence of                Truely recorded according to an order of Essex County Court dated ye 10th day of
John Thomas                                                Jany. Anno Do. 1697
Tho Roe
Jon. Plumbe                                       Test: Francis Merriwether Cl. Crt.