“Joseph Ryland son of Thos. & mary Ryland was Born [torn]” [Ryland Family Bible, Library of Virginia, Accession Number 20514.]

“Joseph Ryland was Married to Elizabeth his wife September ye 16th in the year of Our Lord 1740” [Ryland Family Bible, Library of Virginia, Accession Number 20514.]

“Joseph Ryland was Married to Mary his wife April ye 28th 1751” [Ryland Family Bible, Library of Virginia, Accession Number 20514.]

On 14 January 1752, Joseph Ryland bought land from James Herndon and Hannah his wife. Lease and release. James Herndon and Hannah his wife of the County Essex to Joseph Ryland of the County of Gloucester. For five shillings current money of Virginia (release for £127.10 current money of Virginia), a tract of 200 acres in Essex County whereon John Herndon now lives. Signed James Herndon, Hannah herndon. Witnesses: George Wright, Richard Hodges, Joseph Dillon. Recorded 21 April 1752. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 26, pages 35–39.]

On 4 December 1755, Joseph Ryland cast votes for Colonel William Daingerfield and Colonel Francis Smith for burgesses of Essex County. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 27, pages 248–252.]

On 7 November 1757, George Braxton Gent. of King and Queen County and the Parrish of St Stephens sold to Joseph Ryland of the County of Essex and Parish of Southfarnham. For £21, a tract of 74 acres in Southfarnham Parish. Signed George Braxton. Witnesses: John Dix, Adam Jones, William Allen. Ordered recorded 15 November 1757. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 28, pages 25–27.]

On 15 August 1758, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of John Croxton was recorded, made by John Edmondson, James Booker and Joseph Ryland. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 11, pages 121–123.]

“Joseph Ryland was Married to Ellizabeth his third wife July ye 23d 1765” [Ryland Family Bible, Library of Virginia, Accession Number 20514.]

Joseph Ryland was mentioned in the 22 April 1769 will of his father-in-law John Farguson. Joseph and his wife Elizabeth were to receive a negro man Jack and a negro girl. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 82–83.]

The will of Joseph Ryland was written 29 Novemberf 1771. “In The Name of God Amen I Joseph Ryland of the County of Essex being sick and weak of Body but thanks to the Almighty in Perfect Sence and of Sound Mind and Memory do make and ordain this writing as and for my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all others by me in any manner heretofore made and as to such worldly Estate as it hath Pleased God to Bless me with I give and Dispose of in the following manner (to wit) Item I lend to my Beloved Wife Elizabeth during her natural Life or widowhood one third Part of my whole Estate both Real and Personal after my debts and Funeral Expences are paid Item I give to my Daughter Mary Hunley one Cow and Calf one Ewe and Lamb to her and her Assigns being in full of her Part of my Estate Item I give to my son Thomas Ryland all that Part of my Land lying on the south side of the long Branch being Part of the Purchase made by me [sic] Capt Wm Roane and Morris Broach to him and his heirs forever he paying to his Brother John when he Arrives to age the Sum of Thirty Pounds Current money Item I give to my Son Richard Ryland all the rest and residue of the Tract of land whereon I now live to him and his heirs forever he Paying to his Brother Iveson When he comes of Age the sum of Thirty Pounds Current Money Item I give to my grandson Ambrose Hunley Five Pounds Currt Money to be Applied for and towards his Education I give to my Grandson Richd Hunely Five Pounds Currt. Money to be Applied for and towards his Education Item I give to my son Josiah Ryland Five Pounds Current Money to be Applied for and towards his Education Item I give to my Daughter Joanna Ryland Five Pounds Currt Money to be Applied for and towards her Education Item I give all the rest and residue of my Estate of what nature or kind soever it be to my four Daughters namely Elizabeth, Ann, Sally, and Suckey to them and their heirs and Assigns forever Item my Will and meaning is that the land I have Given to my son Thomas be in full satisfaction of any manner of Claim or demand he may have against me for and on account of my having & Possessing the Negroes to him given by his Grandfather Richard Hunley decd And lastly I Nominate and Appoint my Friends Capt Wm Roane and Richard Wright together with my two Sons Thomas and Richd Ryland my Executors In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this xxixth day of November Anno Domn 1771” Signed Joseph Ryland. Witnesses: Samuel Allen, Josiah Allen, W Roane. Proved 17 August 1772. Recorded 21 September 1772. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, page 487.]

“Joseph Ryland Husband of Elizabeth Ryland his third Wife departed this life May ye 19th In the year of our lord 1772” [Ryland Family Bible, Library of Virginia, Accession Number 20514.]

On 8 January 1773 the slaves of Joseph Ryland were divided to his widow and children. To Elizabeth Ryland widow. To Richard Jones who married Eliza Ryland. To Sarah Ryland orphan. To Sarah Ryland orphan of Joseph Ryland decd. To Susannah Ryland orphan. To Nancy Ryland orphan. By Samuel Allen, James Booker and Thomas Wood. Ordered December 1772. Recorded 20 September 1773. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 12, pages 559–560.]