Does anyone think there's a BYAM/BYRAM connection?
I have been doing extensive research on the BYRAM family (and the potential ancestors of Nicholas, b. 1610) in England. Nicholas is alleged to have been sold into indentured servitude to the West Indies - and made his way to New England. Many may already be familiar with the legend. I have an Ancestry.com world membership - and searched the card catalog for Barbados....where many supposed he was a servant.
In the database of wills and burials I came across a will for a Roger Byrom, 1661, Barbados. According to the 3 pages - here's what I've been able to glean about his tree as put forth by Roger's half-sister, Alice (Byrom) Wallis (c. 1661):
Roger's was a Weaver of London. Roger's father was John Byrom (a brewer of London who married first, Elizabeth). (The Worshipful Company of Brewers in London have record of him - as I've been in touch with their archivist).
John and Elizabeth had Roger (b. abt 1605), William (executor of the will - b. abt 1607) and Margaret (b. abt 1609 - who married a guy with surname "Blount").
John married (second) Dororthy Parker of Prestwich. They had 7 kids:
George Byrom of Ashburn Green, b. 1616 (who was on Barbados for a time and was alleged at some point to have returned to Derbyshire - perhaps temporarily or permanently)
John Byrom (who was on Barbados for a time and went on to Virginia, and then name spelled Byram)
Dorothy Byrom
Elizabeth Byrom
Henry Byrom (b. abt 1615)
Mary Byrom
Alice Byrom (b. abt 1625, married Edward Wallis)
Roger's first will was written in London, with the help of his (weaver Master) in 1643, just prior to going to Barbados..
How is all this relevant to GEORGE BYAM and the BYAMs of Antigua? One theory I have is that the BYAMs may have originally be Byrams/Byroms of England....because it doesn't seem that there's any info to be fuond on the Byam family prior to George (unless I'm mistaken. Are there pedigrees for Byams in England dating back to medieval times - as there are for Byroms/Byrams?)
PERHAPS George BYAM was born George Byrom/Byram - b. 1616, son of John (the brewer of London) and his second wife, Dorothy Parker of Prestwich. Perhaps he went to Barbados with his father and sibs - returned to Derbyshire for a while - and made his way to Antigua? What is curious - is that both Nicholas Byram (b. 1610) and George Byam (b. 1616?) ended up in New England. Also - IF George Byam was (originally) George Byrom - the death date of 1680 - makes a birth year of 1616 plausible for him.
Any thoughts or info or corrections are welcome by all! Thank you.
I have recently been in touch with a historian on Antigua and have info to share on the Byams, and Byam Fort. If interested in this info or in sharing info - please email me at
gerriberger@yahoo.com.