Born on July 26, 1770, on Westover Plantation in Charles City County, Colony of Virginia, British America,[1] Byrd read law in 1794,[1] with Gouverneur Morris in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was admitted to the bar.

[10] Following the admission of the Northwest Territory to the Union as the State of Ohio on March 1, 1803, Byrd was nominated by President Thomas Jefferson on March 1, 1803, to the United States District Court for the District of Ohio, to a new seat authorized by 2 Stat. 201.

[4][12] On June 8, 1807, Byrd and his wife purchased a tract of 600 acres (2.4 km2) in Monroe Township, Adams County, Ohio, known as Buckeye Station and Hurricane Hill, from their brother-in-law, General Nathaniel Massie.

[15] While residing in West Union, Byrd met and married Hannah Miles (died August 14, 1839) on March 8, 1818.

[2] Byrd purchased an area called "Sinking Spring" in Highland County because he believed the waters there possessed medicinal properties conducive to health and longevity.

[2] By his place at the dining table, Byrd kept a small silver scale, upon which he weighed every article of food allowing a certain quantity of fat, sugar and phosphates with each portion given to himself and his family.