Buckingham Ministers: Rev. John Ayres
Buckingham County Personal Property Tax, 1800
John “Jack” Ayres was born in Buckingham County on January 22, 1772. According to Harry S. Holman, Rev. Ayres was a Methodist licentiate, not an ordained minister, and preached at Stoney Batter, which was located between Humanity Hall and his home at Edge Hill on the Slate River. During his very long life, he served Buckingham well.
He officiated at many weddings, including that of his granddaughter, Elizabeth H. Ayres, daughter of Col. John B. Ayres, who married, Robert H. Ayres, of Highland County, Ohio. The marriage took place on May 19, 1836, at Crab Orchard in Buckingham County.
Pastor Ayres also ministered to the dying and was at the death bed of Susan Chambers, whom he had known all her life. His daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy´´ Ayres, was the first wife of Susan’s uncle, Edward “Ned´´ Chambers.
Susan’s obituary reads in part:
… sending for the Rev. John Ayres- to which the Doctor assented, remarking, that never having committed sin she, consequently, had nothing for repentance. The parson had the interview, and after a few interrogatories, found that she had been mindful of the one thing needful, and prepared to meet her God, no doubt from the time she possessed the moral faculty.
Susan, who was educated at the best female schools and at the Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute, died on November 10, 1839, age eighteen.
slate river ramblings . . . . 
Could he be referred to a Parson Ayres?
Keith Brown
Yes, he is often referred to as Parson Ayres. Joanne