----------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitted by:  Ruth Blakeslee, 
1131 NE Beaumont Lane
Bremerton WA  98311  phone 206.679.5077
Research, cemetery visit and photos: December 2003

The US GenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to 
the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended 
that this material not be used in a commercial manner. All submissions
become part of the permanent collection.

Byrd Cemetery, Tacoma, Pierce, Washington
Legal dimension of cemetery is 300 feet by 145 feet.  
Probably owned by descendent(s) of Elbert Byrd, to whom it was deeded in
1931 and who was still owner in 1963.
Last burial was in 1881.

Address: No official address
Driving directions: from Steilacoom Blvd, turn north on Phillips Rd., 
in 1/4 mile turn right into driveway and parking lot of State Game Farm.  
Cemetery is 100 yards east of parking lot behind State Game Farm offices
and garage.  Cemetery is fenced, gated and well-maintained after decades 
of restoration efforts be the Byrd Clan.  Mostly new tombstones mark 
the 19 known grave sites  Many tombstones however have no inscription. 

Landmarks: on the cemetery grounds is a large granite
Byrd Cemetery Monument erected 1955 by The Byrd Clan.

Historical info on cemetery:
There is an 11 page history of cemetery ("The Byrd Cemetery-Brief 
History") written by relative Leland J. Athow in 1963.  It is contained 
in the Tacoma Geneological Society's publication "Old Cemeteries of 
Washington" which can be found in the Geneological Room in the 
Downtown Branch of the Tacoma Library.  
The following is an excerpt from "The Byrd Cemetery-Brief History":
    "Adam Byrd was born in Virginia October 9. 1796.  The family migrated
to Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and finally to Wisconsin.  In 1852 Adam Byrd
decided to come to the coast.  He successfully conducted the journey of
his family and six of his children and their families, by covered wagons,
across the plains and over the mountains from Wisconsin to Puget Sound.
The family settled in the Steilacoom area.
     Adam Byrd was not privileged to enjoy life very long in the west
because he was afflicted wtih Bright's disease.  When he became aware
that his days were numbered, he selected as his final resting place,
a beautiful spot high on a hill on the property chosen by his son,
Francis Marion Byrd, as a Donation Claim.  Adam died April 26, 1853
and was buried on the plot he had selected.
     Between the time of Adam's burial and 1881, when the last burial
was made there, about one hundred pioneer settlers were buried in the
graveyard, which had become known as the Byrd Cemetery."  

Transcriptions:
The following tombstones were located in December, 2003 and were
listed in the Tacoma Geneological Society's publication 
"Tacoma Geneological Society - Old Cemeteries of Washington":
1.  Adam Byrd, Oct 9 1796-April 26 1853
2.  Mary Houck Byrd, April 28 1797-Sept 20, 1877
3.  Andrew F. Byrd, Aug 7 1825-Jan 22 1863
4.  Rufus Byrd
5.  Ollie Byrd
6.  William Edward Ross
7.  Mahlon L. Ross
The following tombstones were located in 1963 according to the 
Tacoma Geneological Society's publication "Old Cemeteries of Washington":
8.  Hadley Spinning
9.  Rudolphus Weston
10. Nancy A. Weston
11. Minerva Weston
12. George H. Law
13. Calla A. Elder
14. A son of the Elders
15. Mrs. Deloss Montgomery
16. Caroline Bates
17. Clara Harmon's child
18. George Rudolphus
19. Gerald Rudolphus


Historical info on people in cemetery:
Some personal history can be found in the above mentioned "The Byrd Cemetery-
Brief History".
Adam Byrd's family tree is contained in the publication "Pioneers of Washington 
State" which can be found in the Geneological Room in the Downtown Branch of 
the Tacoma Library.
Records from the Byrd Bible can also be found in Tacoma Geneological
Society's publication "Pierce County Family Bibles" in the Downtown Branch of 
the Tacoma Library.