James Leland Irby
b. 21 November 1864, d. 1 November 1921
- Father: John B. Irby b. February 1830, d. between 1900 and 1910
- Mother: Harriet Townsend b. April 1839, d. 7 March 1910
- James Leland Irby was born on 21 November 1864 in Marlboro County, South Carolina.
- John B. Irby and Harriet Townsend appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Smithville Township, Marlboro County, South Carolina, enumerated next to the household of John's brother William.. Other members of the household included James Leland Irby, Sarah Irby, Bessie Irby, Rebecca Irby and Elizabeth Irby.
- John B. Irby and Harriet Townsend appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Smithville Township, Marlboro County, South Carolina. Other members of the household included James Leland Irby, Sarah Irby, Bessie Irby and John B. Irby.
- He was attending school and working on the farm, according to the 1880 census.
- He married Bessie Cash.
- The following appeared on 12 March 1910 in The Watchman & Suthron: (Bennettsville, March 8) Mrs. Harriet Irby, widow of the late John b. Irby, of this county, was burned to death at the home of her sister, Mrs. W. F. Kinney, near Blenheim, this morning between 6 and 7 o'clock. Mrs. Irby's body was almost completely destroyed. Mrs. Dudley and Mrs. Kinney were saved from a like fate by a faithful old family servant Pleasant Gibson. The three women were alone when the fire was discovered.
W. L. Kinney, a son of Mrs. W. F. Kinney, went to see his uncle, Jno. R. Townsend, on business before breakfast, and left the lamp buring in his room. From this, it is assumed, the house caught fire. The occupants escaped, but Mrs. Irby, though warned not to go in again, could not be held back and entered the buring building. There she met her death. It is supposed that she fainted or was overcome by the smoke and heat.
Mrs. Dudley was painfully burned in an effort to rescue her sister. She and Mrs. Kinney were restrained by the negro from rushing into the burning building.
The terrible news was a shock to the entire county. Mrs. Irby was a member of a large and influential family. She was respected and revered by everyone. She leaves surviving her one brother, John R. Townsend, two sisters, Mrs. Dudley and Mrs. Kinney, and four children, James L. Irby of Boykin, Mrs. Bessie McArthur and Mrs. Sallie Hilliard and John B. Irby, of Cheraw. - James Leland Irby died on 1 November 1921 at age 56 in Moorehead Township, Guilford County, North Carolina, at Glenwood Park Sanatorium . His death was officially witnessed by John B. Irby.
- His wife Bessie Cash became a widow at his death.
- He was interred at Episcopal Church of the Ascension Cemetery, Rembert, Sumter County, South Carolina.
- Last Edited: 15 Aug 2015