(Last updated 8 July 2018)
Father |
William Burrows (Burris) may have been the son
of Jacob Burris (died 1755) of Caroline County, Virginia. He is
believed to have left Virginia and moved to
South Carolina after becoming indebted in the 1740s. That William
Burrows (Burris) was born about 1718 and supposedly died before 1755 but
that is questionable. ***** Our William Burrows (Burris) is first documented in Laurens County, South Carolina in 1769 when he obtained land along Williams Creek [now Burris Creek] which is a smaller creek that joins Rayburn / Rabun / Rabon Creek. This means he was a legal adult of 21 years in 1769 and makes him born 1748 or before. In 1795 William Burrows (Sr? Jr?) gives power of attorney to David Burris to handle his affairs and by 1796 William Burrows had migrated to Clark County, Kentucky with James Box. They are listed consecutively on the 1796 tax roll with the same collection date. It's not known if the William Burrows (Burris) in 1795 Laurens County, South Carolina and 1796 Clark County, Kentucky is the father William Burrows Sr or the older child William Burris Jr. Currently this writer thinks it was William Burris Jr and that the father probably died in the 1780s. Without knowing their approximate ages it is impossible to know for sure. William Burrows (Burris) evidently died sometime after 1803 probably in Clark (or Madison) County, Kentucky. |
Census and tax records: 1790 SC, Laurens County, p. 431 1796 KY, Clark County, tax roll |
Mother |
Rachel ________? | 1790 SC, Laurens County, p. 431 |
| son ? |
● William Burris, Jr - It is not known when he
was born but he was old enough to be in the Loyalist Militia in 1780. William Burris, Jr is listed in a
1780 Loyalist Militia roll with his presumed father William Burris, Sr. In 1781 there is only one William Burris listed. In 1782 we have William Burris and Walter Burris listed together. It's possible William Burris Jr (if born 1750s) was the father of David Burris (b. 1771/74), Isaiah Burris (b. 1776) and Thomas Burris (b. 1777/79). |
|
| son ? |
● Walter Burris was born 1761-1770 [1761-65] place
unknown if not Laurens County, South Carolina. Walter married _____
and Lydia Barnes. Walter died late 1839 in Jackson County, Missouri.
[Walter's page]
|
1790 SC, Laurens County, p. 431 (next to William Burress) 1800 KY, Madison co. (marr. bond) 1803 KY, Madison County, tax roll 1804 KY, Clark County, tax roll 1805 KY, Clark County, tax roll 1806 KY, Clark County, tax roll 1808 KY, Clark County, tax roll 1810 MO, Montgomery co., Loutre Island Settlement. 1817 MO, Howard County, tax roll 1830 MO, Cole County, p. 194 1839 MO, Jackson co., will wrote |
| son ? grandson? |
● David Burris was born 1771-1774 probably in Laurens
County, South Carolina. David married Mary ____ and Ellender "Nelly"
Lackey. David died in 1849 in Cass County, Missouri. Elender
died in 1850. [David's page]
|
1790 SC, Laurens County, p. 431 (with father?) 1803 SC, Laurens County, deeds 1808 KY, Estill County, tax roll 1809 KY, Estill County, tax roll 1810 MO, Montgomery co., Loutre Island Settlement. 1819-22 MO, Cooper County, tax roll 1830 MO, Jackson County, p.309 1840 MO, Van Buren County, p.1452 |
| son ? grandson? |
● Isaiah Burris was about 1776 probably in
Laurens County, South Carolina. Isaiah married Rachel Barker and
Nancy Robards. Isaiah died after 1850 probably in Johnson
County, Missouri. The Isaiah Burris family is very difficult to research because he left no
will. The children listed below is based on circumstantial evidence.
Only his daughter Mahulda can be proven to be a child. It's possible
there are more unknown children. [Isaiah's
page]
|
1790 SC, Laurens County, p. 431 (with father?) 1800 KY, Clark County, tax roll 1814 KY, Estill County, tax roll 1830 MO, Wayne County, p. 43 1840 MO, Ripley County, p. 345 1850 MO, Johnson County, p. 81 |
| son ? grandson? |
● Thomas Burris was born 1776-1778 probably in
Laurens County, South Carolina. Thomas married Margaret "Peggy"
Tincher. Thomas died 1845-47 probably in Cass County,
Missouri. [Thomas' page]
|
1790 SC, Laurens County, p. 431 (with father?) 1801 KY, Clark County, tax roll 1802 KY, Clark County, tax roll 1810 KY, Estill County, p. 5, line 20 1820 KY, Estill County, Ravenna Twp., p. 47, line 13 1830 KY, Estill County, p. 252, line 20 1840 MO, Van Buren County, Grand River Twp., p. 136, line 11 |
| possible relative ? |
● Prudence _____ was born 1751-1760.
Prudence married _____ Owens. Prudence died in the 1830s
probably in Cass County, Missouri.
|
1800 KY, Madison co. (marr. bond) 1810 KY, Madison co., (older female with Thomas Burgin?) 1830 MO, Jackson County, p.309 (with Thomas Burgin) |
| possible relative ? |
● Mary "Nancy" ______ was born 1760s. Mary
married ______ Bowles/Boyles and James Box. James Box died in
early 1808 in Estill County, Kentucky (formerly part of Clark County).
In 1809 the family migrated to Loutre Island settlement in
Montgomery County, Missouri. Mary died after 1810 in
Missouri. Some genealogies list her death date as 1830 or after but
this is unverified and no source is given.
|
1808 KY, Clark
County, tax roll 1810 MO, Montgomery co., Loutre Island Settlement. |
| possible relative ? |
● Malinda Burris was born 1790 in South Carolina.
She married James Ferrell before 1811 probably in Clark or Madison
County, Kentucky (record lost). James Ferrell died during the
War of 1812. Malinda remarried to David Lilly (1793-1865) in late April
or early May 1814 in Clark or Madison County (marriage record lost
but marriage bond survives). Malinda's surname is listed in some genealogies as Owens. Malinda died 1875 in Macon County, Missouri and was buried in La Plata cem., Macon County, Missouri.
|
1810 KY, Clark co., census (James Ferril) 1814 KY, Clark co., marr. record 1820 KY, Clark co., census 1830 MO, Cooper co., census 1840 MO, Cooper co., census |
Year |
Timeline, records, and notes: |
| 1769 |
In 1769 in Laurens County, South Carolina a William Burris [Burrows] obtained land in 1769 along
Williams Creek [later named Burris Creek] which is a smaller creek that joins Rabun / Rabon
Creek. At the time Laurens County was part of a
larger area called Craven County which then became "Ninety-Six District".
[plot part 1] [plot
part 2] "Survey for William Burrows pursuant to precept dated 7 March 1769; 200 acres on waters of Rayburns Creek in Craven County,. Bounding SW land belonging to Joseph Babb; [Plat shows land laid out to Oliver Mathews now property of Joseph Babb.] Certified 10 April 1769. Ord. Co. 28 October 1774. Jno. Caldwell, D.S." [SC Colonial Plats Vol. 13 page 447, item 1] Text from "Laurens County, S.C.: Rabun Creek Settlement" [page 67] [page 68] |
|
1780- 1782 |
In 1780 William Burris, William Burris Jr, appear on South Carolina Loyalist rolls
for the "Little River Militia" under major Patrick Cunningham.
William Burrows also had land next to Patrick Cunningham. In 1782 William Burris and Walter Burris appear on South Carolina Loyalist rolls. They were part of the "Little River Regiment" of the Ninety-Six Brigade which covered part of the upland area in South Carolina where Laurens County [then Ninety-Six District] is today. The service date of 1782 also helps indicate that Walter would have been at least old enough (16?) for militia service but still not born before 1761 per the 1830 census. Loyalist Rolls: 1780 (14 June - 13 Dec) payroll: William Burres Sen., William Burres Jun. [They may have fought at the Battle of King's Mountain] 1780 (14 June - 30 Dec) payroll: William Burris Sen., William Burris Jun. [They may have fought at the Battle of King's Mountain] 1781 (3 Nov - 2 Jan) payroll: William Burrows [Note that it's only one William Burrows] 1782 (9 March - 5 May) payroll: William Burrows, Walter Burrows 1782 (6 May - 5 Aug) payroll: Walter Burns, William Burns [common mis-transcription of "Burris"] 1782 (6 Aug - 6 Oct) payroll: Walter Burris, William Burris 1782 (6 Aug - 31 Dec) payroll: Walter Burrows, William Burrows Scans from the book "Loyalists in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War" listing Walter Burris: [page 310], [page 316], [page 318], and [index] An 1889 biography of Luther W Burris (son of William Burris, grandson of Henry Burris, great-grandson of Walter Burris) says "William Burris was a Missourian by birth, a son of Judge [Henry] Burris, one of the settlers there before the country was taken over from the French. His father [Henry Burris] was a member of one of the colonial families of the east, a son of a Revolutionary soldier of the name of Burroughs." Source "History of Sonoma County" page 683. Luther W Burris biography [page 1] and [page 2] The biography mirrors the previous information that Walter Burris served some part in the Revolutionary War and that the family name was originally Burrows (or Burroughs). An 1893 biography of David Burris' son James M Burris (1815-1900) says "J. M. BURRIS, one of the early pioneer settlers of Texas, and a farmer of Williamson County, was born in Missouri, November 25, 1815, a son of David and Nellie (Lackey) Burris, natives of New York. The paternal grandfather of our subject served in the Revolutionary war. David Burris emigrated to Missouri at a very early day, when it was yet a Territory, and for seven years after locating there was obliged to fight the Indians." Source "History of Texas: Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee, and Burleson Counties." page 291 The biography verifies the grandfather [David's father, assumed to be William Burris] was in the Revolutionary War. The biography erroneously states his parents were natives of New York when in fact all other evidence says David Burris and Isaiah Burris were born in South Carolina in the 1770s. |
| 1786 |
Dec. 12, 1786: "Laurens County, S.C. Came into Open Court Jonathan Downs, Esq.
and David Allison made oath that they have known Wm. Burrows to possess a
certain tract of land containing 200 acres on Williams Creek, this 18 or 20
years and no ways interrupted, in accordance with his grant of 5 December
1774, (by warrant directed by Egerton Leigh, Esq. Surveyor General, dated 7
March 1769 for this land, on waters of Reaburns Creek in Craven County,
certified 10 April 1769 by John Caldwell, SC). Lewis Saxon, CC."
[Laurens County Deed Book B: 69] Text from "Laurens County, S.C.: Rabun
Creek Settlement" [page 67] [page
68] [plot part 1] [plot part 2] |
| 1788 | March 10, 1788 - David Burris witnessed a deed in Laurens County, South Carolina. The age of consent (per Colonial Virginia) to witness a deed or will was only 14 years. So David may have just been old enough to witness the deed meaning he was at least 14 years old in 1788 (born in or before 1774). The 1830 and 1840 census indicates he was born 1771-1780 so this brackets his birth year as 1771-1774. |
| 1790 |
In the 1790 Federal Census, South Carolina, Laurens County we have "William
Burress". William Burress' name is mis-transcribed on Ancestry as
William Burick. In the William Burress household the grouping of males
above and older 16 years plus 7 females is consistent with a household where
the oldest male is at least age 20 (2 year birth spacing). This would
mean the head of the household William Burress (likely the father) would
probably be in his middle 40s to 50s in age. Next door Walter Burris
was likely in his mid 20s with two young sons. 1790 Federal census, South Carolina, Laurens County, page 431, line 30 William Burress, head of house, 4 males aged 16 and up, 2 males aged under 16 years, 7 females 1790 Federal census, South Carolina, Laurens County, page 431, line 31 Walter Burress, head of house, 1 male aged 16 and up [Walter Burris], 2 males aged under 16 years [John and Henry Burris?], 1 female [unknown wife?] |
| 1794 |
April 16, 1794 - David Burris has 284 acres surveyed
(of a 300 acre grant) on Chestnut Fork of Burris Creek in Laurens
County, South Carolina. The land was bordered by William Burris,
Patrick Cunningham on one side and other sides by John Harry, Solomon
Cole and Nat Brown. [land
plot] Patrick Cunningham was the major of the Loyalist "Little River Regiment" that William Burris Sr and William Burris Jr joined in 1780. Patrick, David and John Cunningham, three loyalist brothers, remained in South Carolina after the war. Patrick Cunningham moved his family back to his Plantation "Rosemont" in Laurens, situated between the Reedy and Saluda Rivers. Patrick Cunningham died October 25, 1796 at his plantation. |
| 1795 |
Sep. 10, 1795 - "William Burris sic (Burrows), of Laurens
County, S.C, to John
Blackwell, of same place, for £100 stg.; 200 acres in said County on a
branch of Raibon's Creek. Bounded on SW by Joseph Babb; other sides vacant
land. Hereunto said William Burrows and Rachel Burrows, his wife, have set
their seals. Signed William (W his mark) Burrows, Rachel (her mark) Burrows.
Wit: James Abercrombie, John Pinson. Proved by John Pinson on 18 July 1797
before Joseph Downs, J.P. Recorded 18 July 1797." [Laurens County Deed
Book F: 247] Text from "Laurens County, S.C.: Rabun Creek Settlement" [page 67] [page 68] |
| 1795 |
Oct. 21, 1795 -
William Burris, of Laurens County, gives Power of Attorney to David Burriss.
No relationship given. [Laurens County Deeds Vol F:33] This
would have given David Burris the power to legally act for William Burris.
It appears David Burris stayed in Laurens County as late as 1803 (probably as late as 1807). |
| 1796 |
1796 Kentucky, Clark County, tax roll May 17, 1796 - William Burrows listed next to James Box. The same collection date indicates proximity. William Burrows and James Box had both came from Laurens County, South Carolina. According to the tax roll the William Burrows household contained two males aged over 21 years and two males aged over 16 years. [image] This would be William (b. 1730s), Walter (b. 1760-65), Isaiah (b. 1776) and Thomas (b. 1775-78). David Burris (b. 1771-74) was living elsewhere. James Box was the father of Muke Box and both are closely associated with Walter Burris and Isaiah Burris. |
| 1799 |
April 9, 1799 - William Burris and Thomas Burris are recorded consecutively
in the Clark County, Kentucky tax roll and with the same collection date of
April 9th. The
fact they are listed consequently with the same collection date in a loosely
alphabetical tax roll is a good indicator of proximity living near (or with) each
other and not in different areas of the County. They had to
have been taxed together at the same time and noted at the same time in the
tax collector's original papers to be repeated together in the final tax
roll. [tax rolls] This writer believes the Burris family was sharing a farm/plantation in southern Clark County close to the border with Madison County. It may have been in the section that was made into Estill County in 1808. Isaiah Burris' residence near the other Burris men and proximity to the Box and Barnes family seems to be consistent over the years. |
| 1800 |
May 15, 1800 - The Clark County, KY tax roll records William Burris
and Isaiah Burris with same collection date of May 15th. The same
collection date in a loosely alphabetic tax roll is an indicator of close proximity.
[tax rolls] July 7, 1800 - Walter Burris was a bondsman (with Thomas Burgin and William Lackey) for the marriage of Thomas Burgin to Nancy Owens. The bond was filed in Madison County. [Walter Burris may have been living just over the border into Clark County while Thomas Burgin lived in Madison County.] The permission slip signed by Nancy's mother Prudence "Oings" was witnessed by Isaiah Burris. There was no actual marriage recorded though. This is the earliest record of Walter Burris in Kentucky and also connects Walter Burris to Isaiah Burris. [link] |
| 1803 |
Jan. 20, 1803 - David Burris sold 197.75 (above tract) acres
on Raburn Creek in Laurens
County, South Carolina to Thaddeus Sims & William Osbourn. (Book H, page 57).
Part of original grant to Pierce Butler and by sundry conveyances to David
Burris. Witnesses: James Hunter, John Cochran, Josiah Blackwell, J.P.; D.R.
of Mary Burris; Chas. Allen, J.Q. Deed recorded Oct. 17, 1804. [J.Q. =
Justice of the Quorum, D.R = Dower renunciation] From "Laurens County, S.C.: Rabun Creek Settlement" [page 66]: "David Burris, of Laurens Dist., S.C., to Thaddeus Sims and William Osbourn, of same place, for $400; 197 3/4 acres on waters of Rabourns Creek. Being part of a tract of an original grant to Pierce Butler, Esq., and by said Butler to D. Bize and by sundry legal conveyances to the said David Burris. [Plat shows bounding Lewis Saxon, Thos. Johnson, James Cunningham, A. Calder, John Cochran]. David Burris (LS) Wit: James Hunter, John Cochran. Proved by John Cochran 20 January 1804 before Josiah Blackwell, J.P. Dower of Mary Burris, wife of the within named David Burris given 31 March 1804 before Charles Allen, J.Q. " |
|
1803- 1806 | Aug. 11, 1803 - Kentucky, Madison County, tax roll - William Burris is listed consecutively and with the same collection date of Aug. 11th with Walter Burris and Thomas Burris. The same collection date in a loosely alphabetic tax roll is an indicator of close proximity. Walter Burris taxed on 200 acres. [image] |
Page 104
Major Patrick Cunningham
This officer, a brother of Brigadier-General Robert Cunningham, was
an active loyalist from the outset of the Revolutionary war. As a participant in
the siege of Ninety-Six he was one of the signatories to the treaty of
neutrality of 22 November, 1775 (see p. 70). Major Patrick Cunningham and his
party of loyalists attempted to rescue his brother, Robert, from his captors
while being taken to Charleston as a prisoner, but failed in the attempt (see p.
87). He was, however, compensated for this failure by his capture of the
ammunition sent as a gift by the Americans for the Cherokee Indians (see p. 64).
A member of this party was William Gist, who took up arms "to protect some
loyalists who had taken a magazine of powder which was sent by the rebels to the
Indians." (The Royal Commission on Loyalist Claims, 1783-1785, ed. by H. E.
Egerton; Roxburghe Club, 1915, p. 56; Moultrie, Memoirs, Vol. I. pp. 96-100.)
Patrick Cunningham was appointed in 1780 to the command of a corps of loyal
militia, consisting of 24 officers and 155 men, forming a part of the brigade of
militia in the district of Ninety-Six, commanded by his brother, Robert.
Great was the joy of the Americans at the capture of so dangerous a loyalist as
Patrick Cunningham, who was condemned to a term of imprisonment in Charleston
jail. Shortly after his release he offered his services to Major Andrew
Williamson for his expedition against the Cherokee Indians in July, 1776, an
expedition which was accompanied by Alexander Chesney and other loyalists,
though the Cherokees at this time were supposed to be allies of the British.
Williamson, however, refused the offer of Cunningham's services, as he did that
of Richard Pearis on the same occasion (Drayton, Memoirs, Vol. II, pp. 343-4).
(See pp. 65.) Major Patrick Cunningham in or about 1785 returned to South
Carolina and was elected a member of the Legislature, dying in 1794 (Sabine,
Loyalists of the American Revolution, Vol. I, p. 348)
Page 88
Patrick, David, and John Cunningham, three loyalist brothers of Brigadier
Robert Cunningham, remained in South Carolina after the war.
