William James Byers and Margaret Mary Tweedie

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James' third child and second son, William James Byers married Margaret Mary Tweedie on 4 May 1887 in Hobart, Tasmania. The witnesses were Michael O'Shea and Jane Tweedie. 1
Margaret was born about 1867 or 1868, the daughter of Henry Veitch Tweedie and Mary Dalton.2
William and Margaret had twelve children that have been traced.

BYERS—SWEDIE. [sic] —On April 4, 1887, at the residence of the bride's uncle, Montpelier-street, Hobart, by the Rev. Father Woods, William, eldest son of James Byers, Tunnack, to Margaret, second youngest daughter of Henry Swedie, Mount Seymour. 3

William James Byers	Margaret Mary Tweedie

Margaret Mary Byers, nee Tweedie, the wife of William Byers, died on 23 May 1939 in Hobart, Tasmania, just before the outbreak of World War Two.

Mrs. W. Byers, Tunnack The funeral took place at the Presbyterian cemetery, Oatlands, on Thursday of Mrs. William Byers, of Tunnack, who died at the Royal Hobart Hospital on Tuesday. There was a large gathering of frlends from the Tunnack district. The chief mourners were Messrs. J., H., P., O., A., Ralph, and Ray Byers (sons), and J. Tweedie (brother). Mrs. Byers, who was in her 73rd year, was Margaret, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tweedie, of Parattah, and had resided at Stuart Field, Tunnack, for many years. Mrs. Byers was devoted to the Presbyterian Church, and took a keen Interest In district affairs. Mrs. Byers is survived by her husband, seven sons and four daughters. 4

William Byers died on 2 February 1943 in Tunnack, Tasmania.

Mr William Byers The death of Mr William Byers occurred at his home, Stuart Field, on Tuesday night He was in his 86th year. No man in the Tunnack district was more widely respected. Devout and intellectual, he was a keen reader and a man of broad views. He took a live interest in world affairs. As a young man he identified himself with the Brethren, and remained with them throughout the whole of his life. For the past 32 years Mr Byers was an invalid. Before his illness he carried out farming pursuits. His especial interest was bee culture, in which he became successful. He pursued it until the last few years. Mr Byers, who at an early age came from Scotland with his parents, settled at Tunnack when the country was a wilderness, and was able to recall the days when wheat was carried on horse- back over tracks to Oatlands to be ground at the old flour mill. Mr Byers leaves a family of eight sons. James (Ouse), Henry (Baden), Percy, Colin, and Oswald (Hobart), Raymond (Tunnack), Ralph (Mt. Seymour), and Athol (White Hills), and four daughters. Molly (Mrs Eyles, Hobart). May (Mrs Scott, Hobart), Edie (Mrs Robert Byrne, Stonor), and Ida (Mrs J. Clancy, Sydney). He had 23 grandchildren and five great-grand- children. His wife died about three years ago. The funeral will take place at Oatlands today. 5

William's funeral was reported as follows.

Mr William Byers The funeral of Mr William Byers, of Stuart Field, Tunnack, was held at the Presbyterian cemetery, Oatlands, on Thursday. The service was conducted by Mr Alan Janes, assisted by Mr Elias Brough. Chief mourners were Messrs James, Henry, Percy, Colin, Oswald, Raymond, Ralph, and Athol Byers (sons), Archie Byers, (brother), Robert Byrne (son-in-law), Bert, Edward, Walter, Jack, and George Byers (nephews). Carriers were Messrs J. Scott, J. Lester, W. Wilson jun., and M. K. Horner. Mr H. T. Fysh, Oatlands, made the arrangements. 6

• 1TAHO: Marriage Registration - RGD 37/1/46 #332 Hobart
• 2Birth not registered. Birth date calculated from age stated at marriage
• 3Family Notices - The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 11 May 1887, p 1
• 4Mrs. W. Byers, Tunnack. - The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. 1860 - 1954) 27 May 1939: page 4
• 5Mr William Byers - The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. 1860 - 1954) 4 Feb 1943: page 4
• 6Mr William Byers - The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. 1860 - 1954) 6 Feb 1943: page 4