There is a marriage record in Surry Co., NC in 1853 for William R. Ayers and Katharine Philips. This would be odd since William R. Ayers shows up in the 1850 Patrick Co., VA census with wife Catharine and son Andrew J., age 9. However, it seems that perhaps William had been married previously to a Catharine (probably around 1840) with whom he had Andrew and that said Catharine likely died before William's 1853 marriage to Ms. Philips.
- oleyboy

Notes from cchldrss:
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Son of William Thomas Ayers and Catherine Abshire Yates.

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Wm R Ayres
Age: 27
Birth Year: abt 1823
Home in 1850: Northern District, Patrick, Virginia, USA
Gender: Male
Family Number: 380
Household Members:
Name Age
Wm R Ayres 27
Catharine Ayres 26
Andrew J Ayres 9
Nancy Merideth 20
Richard T Faley 3

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: William R Ayres
Age: 45
Birth Year: abt 1815
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1860: Carroll, Virginia
Post Office: Hillsville
Dwelling Number: 848
Family Number: 854
Occupation: Farmer
Personal Estate Value: 150
Household Members:
Name Age
William R Ayres 45
Catherine Ayres 35
Andrew J Ayres 19
James M Meridith 9

U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865
Name: William R Ayers
Residence: Carroll, Virginia
Age at Enlistment: 48
Enlistment Date: 6 Aug 1861
Rank at enlistment: Private
Enlistment Place: Carroll, Virginia
State Served: Virginia
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company E, Virginia 29th Infantry Regiment on 06 Aug 1861.Mustered out on 16 Jul 1862.
Description: height: 5 ft. 8 in., dark complexion, black eyes, black hair.
Birth Date: abt 1813
Death Date: 15 Mar 1892
Death Place: Carroll, Virginia
Sources: The Virginia Regimental Histories Series

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: William Ayers
Age in 1870: 65 [55]
Birth Year: abt 1805 [1815]
Birthplace: Virginia
Dwelling Number: 265
Home in 1870: Fancy Gap, Carroll, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Occupation: Farmer
Male Citizen Over 21: Y
Real Estate Value: 400
Household Members:
Name Age
William Ayers 65 [55]
Catharine Ayers 48

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Wm. R. Ayers
Age: 66
Birth Date: Abt 1814
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Fancy Gap, Carroll, Virginia, USA
Dwelling Number: 114
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Catharine Ayers
Father's Birthplace: VA.
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
Name Age
Wm. R. Ayers 66
Catharine Ayers 58

Virginia, Deaths and Burials Index, 1853-1917
Name: William R Ayers
Birth Date: abt 1814
Death Date: 15 Mar 1892
Death Place: Carroll, Virginia
Death Age: 78
Occupation: Farmer
Race: White
Marital status: Married
Gender: Male
Father Name: Wm. Ayers
Mother Name: Catharine Ayers
Spouse Name: Catharine Ayers
FHL Film Number: 2056976