Richard Bayless is well known as the resident of the Bayless House in Johnson City, TN. It is said that that house includes a "Mad Room" where Richard retired to when he was ill. Until now there was no evidence of Richard's illness but this image of a Civil War document shows the statement of John Washingyon Bayless, Richard's son, that Richard was "confined with insanity".

Richard Bayless was the son of Daniel Bayles and Martha Deakins. Richard was born about 1796 in Washington Co., TN. He married Susannah Geisler July 12, 1833, in Washington Co. Richard and Susannah settled in the log cabin and raised a family which included John Washington, Samuel D. Martha A. "Patsy" and others.

Susannah outlived her husband and appeared in the 1870 census for Washington Co., TN:

1870 Dist. 8, Washington Co., TN, Jonesboro P. O., pp. 246, 246B, 65/71
Susannah Bayless 50 Keeping House 2000/300 TN
Samuel 32 Farmer 2000/300 TN
Rena 38 Keeping House VA
Lauretta 8 At Home TN
Amanda 6 At Home TN
Unnamed 5 mo. TN
Julia Miller 16 At Home TN

A Case For Insanity