Rome Sentinel
October 7, 1925

Mrs. Pheba J. Byam, widow of Seth E. Byam, died late on Tuesday afternoon at her home, 640 N. James Street, at the age of 82 years. She had no disease, death being the result of advancing age, and she had been steadily failing for several months. Some years ago her eyesight began to fail and continued till she was practically blind.

Mrs. Byam was a member of the First M. E. Church, with which she and her husband united many years ago during the pastorate of the late Rev. William Searls. She loved her church and Sunday school up to the time her eyesight failed and feebleness incident to advancing years prevented.

Mrs. Byam was the daughter of Zerah and Abigail Preston and was born in the town of Lee on the farm now owned by her brother, Clark W. Preston. She attended school in that town and grew to young womanhood there. At the age of 17 she was united in marriage to Seth E. Byam. The family lived for several years in West Lee, and in 1870 moved to Rome and took possession of the home Mr. Byam had erected on N. James street, and Mrs. Byam had lived there since that time. Mr. Byam died some 16 years ago, and since that time Mrs. Byam had looked after the home place and her financial affairs. She was a remarkably clear-headed, painstaking, Christian woman,, and was highly esteemed by her many friends.

She is survived by two sons, Ernest E. of North Adams, Mass., formerly one of the publishers of the Rome Semi-Weekly Citizen, and Charles P. of this city. She is also survived by two grandsons, one great-grandson and two great-granddaughters. She also leaves two brothers, Charles W. Preston of Lee and Oren A. Preston of this city, besides numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.