William Byrd I
William Byrd I (1652–April 12, 1704), was a native of Shadwell, London, England. His father, John Byrd (c. 1620-1677) was a London goldsmith.
William Byrd came to Virginia in the late 1660s. On October 27, 1673, he was granted 1,200 acres (5 km2) on the James River. Byrd became a well-connected fur trader in the Richmond, Virginia area. Byrd's land became (after his death) the site of modern day Richmond, Virginia. About 1673, he married Maria Horsmanden, a native of Hampton, Kent, England. They would become the parents of a son, William Byrd II, and three daughters.
In 1676, Byrd was a sympathizer of Nathaniel Bacon in Bacon's Rebellion, but probably took no active part in the rebellion. Byrd later allied himself with the Governor and became a prominent citizen.
Also in 1676, Byrd established the James River Fort on the south bank of the James River in what is now known as the Manchester District of Richmond.
Byrd was active in Virginia politics, serving many years on the council of the Virginia House of Burgesses..
He died on April 12, 1704, at his plantation home of Westover, in Charles City, County, Virginia.
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