Cyrus Riveer

During the War of 1812 Cyrus joined Chowning Jr's 92nd Virginia Militia. Records show that his brothers; James, Joel, and William also served in the same unit. The brothers were also listed on a payroll from 1813-1814 in Thomas's 92nd. Cyrus was shown there as serving 4 months, 8 days. The Northern Neck suffered frequent British coastal raids during the war and the militia often engaged the raiding parties, but usually with little success.

Cyrus' father died between November of 1815 and December of 1816 in Lancaster county. In his will he left land and slaves to his sons James and Joel. He left four slaves to Cyrus, plus one more that was left jointly to Cyrus and his sister Polly. Additionally he left sums of cash to the children of his deceased son William. William appears to have died in the war.

Cyrus married Mary Rosson on November 13th, 1826 in Lancaster county. She was the widow of Edward Pitman who died in 1824. They had at least two children; Juliet and Abner.

Cyrus appears to have died intestate. An inventory was made of his estate on December 27th, 1839. Listed first in his property were five slaves; Old Comfort, Molly, Steptoe, James and Harriett. Items in his home included a coffee mill and coffee pot, a safe, a loom and spinning wheel. Also listed in the inventory were two fish nets, a box of lumber and an array of carpentry tools. Livestock was listed as two oxen, four cows, one calf and one young pig. The total value of the estate was put at $1,357.74.

In the spring of 1842, after the payment of debts the accounting of Cyrus' estate was settled. His wife and each child received $25.25. In October 1842 the slaves of Cyrus Riveer were divided among his widow and two children, each party receiving slaves valued at $260.00.