Person Page - 2

     Margaret Abney, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, was born on 21 January 1882 in Randolph, Chilton County, Alabama.¹ She was also known as Maggie.

Margaret Abney appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was 16 years old.²

Margaret Abney was a teacher on 8 June 1901 in Autauga County, Alabama. In the Montgomery Advertiser a Maggie Abney was among the new teachers granted certificates in Autauga county.

Maggie Abney was attending training on 23 March 1905 at Bibb County Teacher's Institute in Centreville, Alabama. According the county superintendant of education the law stated that each teacher must attend one instiute each year or their license could be suspended or cancelled.

In 1906 Margaret Abney lived in Birmingham, Alabama. She was listed in the city directory as a boarder at 411 N. 24th Street.

Margaret married Thomas Smith Christopher on 21 January 1906 at the Abney Place in Randolph, Chilton County, Alabama. The ceremony was performed by J. C. Harrison, paster of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Randolph. T. S. was an insurance agent and the couple lived in Gadsden.¹

Margaret Abney and Thomas Smith Christopher appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 19 April 1910 in Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama. The household was listed as Thomas S. Christopher, a 38-year-old insurance agent, and his wife, Margaret, who was 28. They had been married four years and Margaret was the mother of two children, both still living. Thomas and his parents had been born in Tennessee. The couple's two children were Thomas S., Jr age 3 and Leroy who was a year and four months old. They lived at 415 Fourth Street.³

Margaret Abney and Thomas Smith Christopher appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 January 1920 in Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama. The household was listed as Thomas, a 48-year-old insurance agent from Tennessee and his wife, Margaret, a 37-year-old stenographer. Their two children were Thomas, Jr. age 12 and his 8-year-old brother, Grigsby. The family was now living at 945 Chestnut Street.⁴

Margaret Abney and Thomas Smith Christopher appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 April 1930 in Gadsden, Alabama. The household was listed as Thomas, now a 59-year-old manager of an insurance agency and Margaret, his 48-year-old wife. This was apparently a second marriage for Thomas because it showed that he had first married 35 years earlier. Margaret had been married 24 years, or in 1906. The couple has two children, Thomas, 22, and Grigsby, 18. They still resided at the Chestnut Street address in a home valued at $9,000.⁵

Margaret Abney died on 5 March 1970 in Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama, at age 88.^6,7 She was buried in Forrest Cemetery, Gadsden, Alabama.

     Evelyn Lillie ABNEY, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, was born on 15 December 1883 at the Abney House "Trail's End" in near Randolph, Chilton County, Alabama.¹

Evelyn Lillie ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was 14 years old.²

Evelyn Lillie ABNEY was educated in Alabama Girls' Industrial School, Montevallo, Chilton County, Alabama, between 1901 and 1903. She received a cooking and Domestic Science certification in 1903.^3,4

Evelyn Lillie ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1910, in the household of Samuel ABNEY III in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.⁵ On 22 July 1910, as part of the pageantry of the unveiling and dedication of the Confederate monument in Centreville, a parade was held before 4,000 visitors. The chief attraction of the parade was provided by the twelve most popular young women, each representing a Southern state and each seated by an escort in a buggy decorated with confetti. Evelyn Abney symbolized South Carolina; Nell Steele, Mississippi; Olivia Wallace, Alabama; Annie Weaver, Georgia; Emma Love Riley, Louisiana; Margaret H. Hogan, Texas; Ray Stewart, Virginia; Beulah Avery, Arkansas; Dorothy Smith, North Carolina; Jessie Fondren, Tennessee; Delia James; Missouri; and Pearl Oglesby, Kentucky. More than 100 Confederate Veterans also participated, including Evelyn's proud father, Sam Abney. Capt. Zach Abney, Lt. Phil Vance, and Jacob Dennis Mayberry were there from Co. F 11th Alabama Infantry. Mary Mayberry, UDC president, unveiled the statue.⁶ Evelyn never married. She was engaged, but died of typhoid fever before the wedding.

Abbey Brewer found some old envelopes and one letter addressed to Miss Evelyn Abney from 1905 to 1907. The return address was: Guy Rice, Prattville, Ala. Edward Guy Rice was an attorney from Prattville (1878-1943), the son of James D. Rice and Louisa Missouri Zeigler. He married Myrtis Justice in 1913, two years after Evelyn's death. Could Guy Rice have been Evelyn's fiance?.^7,8

Evelyn died on 24 March 1911 in the Abney House, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama, at age 27. She was said to have been a very beautiful girl ("the prettiest of the lot") with lots of beaux and her father was very grieved over her death.^9,1 She was buried in Abney Cemetery, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.^9,10

     William Hamilton ABNEY was born on 21 May 1887 in Randolph, Chilton County, Alabama. He was born in the same house, in the same bed, in which he died. The bed was in the possession of his granddaughter, Mary Hintgen.¹

William Hamilton ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of his parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. He was 12 years old.²

William Hamilton ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 15 April 1910, in the household of Samuel ABNEY III in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.³

William married Flora Helen Whitby on 28 October 1914 at the Church Street Methodist Church in Selma, Alabama. The church was decorated with plams and white flowers. The couple lived on the Abney family place which William farmed. His brother Zach also made it his home, but was employed managing another farm. Other family members and their families often visited.¹

Due to a need for men to serve during World War I, the United States instituted a draft. The first registration was for men between the ages of 21 and 31. As a result, this first registration included men born between June 5, 1886 and June 5, 1896. William filled out a draft card on 5 June 1917 in Chilton County, Alabama. He was a 30-year-old self-employed farmer living in Maplesville. He was married and claimed an exemption as "physically disabled." He was discribed as of medium height and slender build with brown eyes and black hair.⁴

William Hamilton ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 27 January 1920, in the household of his mother Martha Anne WALKER in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. He was listed as a 33-year-old farmer, along with his wife Flora H., age 27, and daughter Flora J., 10 months old.⁵

William Hamilton ABNEY and Flora Helen Whitby appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 7 April 1930 in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as William H. Abney, a 42-year-old farmer; his wife Helen W. Abney, a 33-year-old public school teacher. With them was their 11-year-old daughter, Flora J. Abney, who was attending school. They had a 24-year-old black servant, Dallas Worthy, who was also listed a farm labor. They lived on the Maplesville Road.⁶

William Hamilton ABNEY and Flora Helen Whitby appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 21 May 1940 in Macedonia Precinct, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as William H. Abney, a 52-year-old farmer, and his wife, Helen W. Abney, a 46-year-old public school teacher. He had four years of high school and Helen two years of college. Living with them was their 21-year-old daughter, Flora Jane, who was in her fourth year of college. Also in the household was William's brother, Zach T. Abney, a 66-year-old farmer who had a college education. The value of the farm was listed as $4,000 and was located on the Morgan Road.⁷

William Hamilton ABNEY died on 2 December 1955 at the Abney Place in Chilton County, Alabama, at age 68.⁸ He was buried in the Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Wetumpka, Elmore County, Alabama. He is buried with his wife, her parents and other relatives. This is the Wetumpka City Cemetery.⁸

     Nellie Peck Abney, daughter of Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER, was born on 19 December 1888 in Randolph, Chilton County, Alabama.¹ She was also known as Nelle.

Nellie Peck Abney appeared on a census, enumerated 18 June 1900, in the household of her parents Samuel ABNEY III and Martha Anne WALKER in Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama. She was nine years old.²

Nelle Abney was a student between 1904 and 1907 in Alabama Girls' Industrial School, Montevallo, Chilton County, Alabama. Founded in 1896, this school would later become the University of Montevallo. She attended 1904 to 1906 for "preparatory" studies. In 1907 the school's first yearbook, The Chiaroscuro, listed Nell in the freshman class. She is shown as graduating in 1907 with certification in Domestic Science.^3,4,5,6

Nellie married Erasmus Hurt Alley on 25 November 1908 at the parlor of the Abney House in Chilton County, Alabama. For a time Hurt went into business with his brother-in-law, Silas Blann, in York, but sold out to his partner after a few years. He was a lumberman. He would go into an area, buy up the timberland and set up a sawmill, cut and saw the lumber then move to another location. He last settled in Wilsonville where he operated a sawmill, but also served as mayor.^1,7

Nellie Peck Abney and Erasmus Hurt Alley appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 9 January 1920 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. The household was listed as Erasmus H. Alley, 39, a timber purchaser, born in Alabama and his wife Nell Alley, 30. Their children were Evelyn R., 9, Mamie Nell, 7, Edwin, 4 4/12, born Georgia, and William S., 4 months old, born in Tennessee. The two older girls were born in Alabama. Also living with the family were Erasmus' brother, Robert E. Alley, 23, a time keeper for a manufacturer, and his sister, Mamie, 37, a clerk for an express company.Their parents were born in Tennessee.⁸

Nellie Peck Abney and Erasmus Hurt Alley appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 3 April 1930 in Tuskegee, Macon County, Alabama. The household was listed as E. H. Alley, 49, superintendent of a saw mill, and his wife, Nell Abney Alley, 38. Their children were Evelyn, 19; Mamie, 17; Edwin H., 14; William S., 11; Gray H., 5; and Forrest C., 7 months old. They lived at Saw Mill Junction and the Auburn Road.⁹

Nellie Peck Abney died on 27 May 1970 in Duval County, Florida, at age 81.¹⁰ She was buried in Abney Cemetery, Chilton County, Alabama.

     William WALKER, son of Hugh WALKER and Margaret CARROLL, was born on 3 March 1812 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. William married Sarah Virginia SHELTON, daughter of Stephen SHELTON and Martha GRAVES, on 9 May 1844 in Autauga County, Alabama. The service was preformed by J. W. Brown, minister.^1,2

William WALKER was alllowed the sum of $295 to build a new bridge across Autauga Creek at McNeil's Mill in August 1847.³

William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1850 in Huddleston Beat, Autauga County, Alabama. The household was listed as William Walker, age 38, carpenter, born North Carolina; Sarah Walker, age 23, born Alabama; Martha, age 4; Robert, age 2; Margarett, age 1; and Francis Hutten, age 19, carpenter, born Alabama. All of the children were born in Alabama. William's real estate was valued at $2,000 The Huddleston District was north of Prattville up to Kingston, and ran from Booth on the west side to approximately modern day U. S. Hwy. 31.⁴

William purchased a government land patent 2 February 1852 in Autauga County, Alabama. The land tract purchased at the Cahaba Land Office contained 40 acres in Northwest quarter of Northeast quarter of Section 12, Township 17N, Range 14E from St. Stephens Meridian. This was located near present day Whitewater Community off County Road 165 about halfway between Autaugaville and Booth.⁵

He was employed to build the new Autauga County courthouse at Kingston for about $6,400. According to 9 Feb 1857 entry in Autauga County Commissioner's Court Minutes, "It appearing from the examination of the County Treasurers Reports that Mr. William Walker, the builder of the Court House in Kingston, has received five thousand three hundred and four 88/100 dollars, leaving a balance of three [one?] thousand and ninety-five 12/100 dollars due him. It is therefore ordered that the said William Walker be allowed the said sum of one thousand and ninety-five 12/100 dollars, the amount due him for building said Court House." A jail and a tavern were also located at Kingston, but little else. A few lawyers and the county officials resided within the close environs but the town never enjoyed any popularity as a place where people chose to live. Within a few years the county seat moved to Prattville.⁶

He purchased a government land patent 1 September 1858 in Autauga (now Chilton) County, Alabama. On this date William purchased three tracts at Greenville Land Office, the first for the East half of Southeast quarter of Section 19, the second for the Northwest quarter of Section 29, and the third the East half of Northeast quarter of Section 30, all of these in Township 21N, Range 13E of St. Stephens Meridian. The three tracts near Maplesville totaled 320.37 acres.⁷

William WALKER was owner and operator of a cotton gin circa 1860 in Maplesville, Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama.⁸

William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1860 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as W. Walker, age 41, born North Carolina; Sarah, age 33, born Alabama; Martha, age 14; Robert, age 12; Margaret, age 11; W[illiam], age 9; Sarah, age 5; Mary, age 3; and Samuel, age 1.

William WALKER purchased a government land patent 1 December 1860 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. This tract from Greenville Land Office contained 19.12 acres in Southeast quarter of Southeast quarter of Section 13, Township 21N, Range 12E of St. Stephens Meredian.⁹

In the 1870 Manufacturing Schedule for Baker (now Chilton) County, Alabama William Walker was shown as the operater of a water-powered grist mill, with capitol of $2,500.

William WALKER and Sarah Virginia SHELTON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 30 July 1870 in Chestnut Creek, Baker (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as William Walker, a 58-year-old farmer, born North Carolina. He had real estate valued $4500 and personal property valued $2000. There was also Sarah Walker, age 43, keeping house; Robert Walker, age 22, works on farm; Margarette Walker, age 20, at home; William Walker, age 17, works on farm; Sally Walker, age 15, at home; Mary Walker, age 13, at home; and Samuel Waker, age 11. Sarah and all of the children were born in Alabama.

William built a beautiful two-story Eastlake style home between Maplesville and Clanton sometime during the 1880s. This house is rectangular with a wing attachment on the left rear. The exterior walls are of weatherboarding. The tile-like tin roof is gabled, with two magnificent gables on the front and two on the rear. The rectangular windows are covered by green, blind-like wooden shutters. Four red brick interior chimneys rise from the roof, and the house rests on a red brick foundation. The eaves extend two feet out, and beneath them is one foot of decorative board and batten. Between the two front gables is a cupola with three windows in the base and four window-like vents in the upper portion. The porch is supported by eight Eastlake style columns with carved, decorative wooden motifs at the tops and a carved balustrade. The central one of three gables extending from the roof is supported by two Eastlake columns and extends over a flight of wooden steps. A wainscoting of diagonally placed boards extends across the rear wall of the porch; at the base is a white carved eight-inch baseboard. The home has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

William WALKER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 7 June 1880 in Beat 3, Benson, Chilton County, Alabama. The household was listed as William Walker, a 69-year-old farmer; his daughter, Margaret, age 30, keeping house; son William, age 28, works on farm; daughter Sarah, age 25, works in house; daughter Molly, age 23, works in house; and son Samuel, age 20, at school. All were born in Alabama, William's parents were born in North Carolina.

William WALKER died on 28 January 1891 in Chilton County, Alabama, at age 78.¹⁰ He was buried in Isabella Methodist Church Cemetery, Chilton County, Alabama. His tombstone was engraved "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."¹⁰

     Sarah Virginia SHELTON, daughter of Stephen SHELTON and Martha GRAVES, was born on 7 March 1827 in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama.

She was probably one of the 2 females under age 5 listed in the household of her father, Stephen SHELTON, in the 1830 Federal Census of Capt. Franklin's District, Autauga County, Alabama.¹

She was probably one of the 2 females age 10 to 15 listed in the household of her father, Stephen SHELTON, in the 1840 Federal Census of Autauga County, Alabama.²

Sarah married William WALKER, son of Hugh WALKER and Margaret CARROLL, on 9 May 1844 in Autauga County, Alabama. The service was preformed by J. W. Brown, minister.^3,4

Sarah Virginia SHELTON and William WALKER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1850 in Huddleston Beat, Autauga County, Alabama. The household was listed as William Walker, age 38, carpenter, born North Carolina; Sarah Walker, age 23, born Alabama; Martha, age 4; Robert, age 2; Margarett, age 1; and Francis Hutten, age 19, carpenter, born Alabama. All of the children were born in Alabama. William's real estate was valued at $2,000 The Huddleston District was north of Prattville up to Kingston, and ran from Booth on the west side to approximately modern day U. S. Hwy. 31.⁵

Sarah Virginia SHELTON and William WALKER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1860 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as W. Walker, age 41, born North Carolina; Sarah, age 33, born Alabama; Martha, age 14; Robert, age 12; Margaret, age 11; W[illiam], age 9; Sarah, age 5; Mary, age 3; and Samuel, age 1.

Sarah Virginia SHELTON and William WALKER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 30 July 1870 in Chestnut Creek, Baker (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as William Walker, a 58-year-old farmer, born North Carolina. He had real estate valued $4500 and personal property valued $2000. There was also Sarah Walker, age 43, keeping house; Robert Walker, age 22, works on farm; Margarette Walker, age 20, at home; William Walker, age 17, works on farm; Sally Walker, age 15, at home; Mary Walker, age 13, at home; and Samuel Waker, age 11. Sarah and all of the children were born in Alabama.

Sarah Virginia SHELTON died on 20 September 1874 in Isabella, Chilton County, Alabama, at age 47.⁶ She was buried in Isabella Church Cemetery, Isabella, Chilton County, Alabama.

     Hugh WALKER was born on 16 June 1777 in North Carolina.

Hugh married Margaret Caryl on 12 January 1803 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. At least, that was the date of their marriage bond. The bondsman was John Carson and the witness was Isaac Alexander.¹

Hugh left a will dated 19 October 1818 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. "I will to my wife, Peggy Walker, all my estate, both real and personal, during her widowhood, but from said estate my just debts must be paid, and the residue is for the support of my family and the schooling of my children. It is my will that the issue of [the negro] Rachel are to be divided among my children when they come of age. If my widow should marry she is to have a child's portion of my estate." Witnesses were Robert Jamison and David McDonald. Isaac Alexander, CMC. Date of probate unknown.²

Hugh WALKER died on 1 July 1821 in North Carolina at age 44.

     Margaret CARROLL was born on 10 May 1782. She name is sometimes recorded as Margaret Caryl. She also went by the name of Peggy.

Margaret married Hugh WALKER on 12 January 1803 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. At least, that was the date of their marriage bond. The bondsman was John Carson and the witness was Isaac Alexander.¹

Margaret CARROLL died on 15 June 1831 at age 49.

     Thomas Hamilton ABNEY, son of Samuel ABNEY Jr. and Mary KENNEDY, was born in 1795 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

During the War of 1812, Thomas enlisted as a private in Capt. Pearson Holloway's company of Edgefield county militia, part of Col. William Youngblood's 1st Regiment, South Carolina Militia. Serving along with him were Charles Abner, Absalom Abney, William Abney, and Abney Mays. The militia guarded the coast but was never engaged in battle. From 10 Dec 1813 to 10 Jan 1814, Thomas Abney, private, received pay as part of First Brigade of South Carolina Militiia, Captain John Cheatham, Lieutenant John Lyn.² Following the war he moved with his widowed mother and siblings to Richmond, Virginia.^3,4

Thomas married Mary Ann Gosden, daughter of Capt. Benjamin HOLMES and Mary Ann CECIL, on 24 December 1817 in Richmond, Virginia. Mary's father or step-father was a very well-to-do man and they inherited his fine house which he had built on his second wife's property.⁵

Thomas Hamilton ABNEY appeared on the 1820 Federal Census of Richmond (Independent City), Henrico County, Virginia. 1 free white male 26-44 [Thomas], 2 free white females under 10 [Mary and Frances], and 1 free white female 16-25 [Mary Ann]. Thomas was engaged in commerce. In about 1826 the family moved from Virginia to Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama and bought a farm just northwest of Maplesville. They built a two-story, wood frame house of rustic design which at the time was known as "Crossroads Estate". The house was moved to the center of the plantation after the Civil War and the overseer and some former slaves lived near the house. The house is built of unpainted lumber and the medium pitch roof is covered by corrugated tin. The shed-like front porch is supported by six square wooden posts. The dark brown doors with six glass panes each lend entrance into the front hallway. The hallway is large and is constructed of pine lumber. The house is an excellent example of ante-bellum Southern architecture and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.⁶

Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Mary Ann ABNEY purchased a government land patent 6 December 1828 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. They purchased 125.5 acres of the northeast quarter of section 4, township 21-N, range 12-E. Section 4 contained 527.5 acres..⁷

Thomas and Mary Ann purchased a government land patent 9 January 1829 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. They purchased 72.75 acres of the east half of the southeast quarter of section 4, township 21-N, range 12-E..⁸

Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Mary Ann Holmes appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1830 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as one male age 30-39 [Thomas]; one male age 5-9 [Alexander]; one male under 5 [Cinncinatus]; one female age 20-29 [Mary Ann]; two females age 10-14 [Mary Cecil, Frances]; one female age 5-9 [Aurelia]; and two females under 5 [Virginia, Amanda].⁹

Thomas and Mary Ann purchased a government land patent 1 September 1830 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. They purchased 160.3 acres in the southeast quarter of township 22-N, range 12-E, section 33 which is the site of the plantation. Thomas' brother-in-law James Sample had the northeast quarter and John Killingsworth was also nearby..¹⁰ He was listed in the Bibb (now Chilton) County tract books as a landholder near Old Maplesville in 1832; Section 23, Township 21N, Range 12E.¹¹

Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Mary Ann Holmes appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1840 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as one male age 40-49 [Thomas]; one male age 15-19 [Alexander]; one male age 10-14 [Cinncinatus]; one male age 5-9 [Henry]; three males under 5 [Sam, Zach, Thomas]; one female age 40-49 [Mary Anne]; one female age 20-29 [Mary Cecil]; one female age 15-19 [Aurelia]; two females age 10-14 [Virginia, Amanda]; and one female under 5 [???]. Living with them was one female age 60-69 [Mary Kennedy Abney]. They owned 13 slaves.¹²

T. H. was listed in an 1848 Bibb County, District three, tax list. He had land in sections 4 and 13, township 21, range 12 and sections 21, 24, and 28 of township 22, range 12. The land was valued at $6,000. He was also taxed for over 20 head of cattle and three slaves under age 10 (Tom, Dan, Monroe), seven slaves 10-20 (Clara, Becky, Antonch, Vine, Charles, Dan, Peter), one slave 20-30 (Solaman), and five slaves 30-40 (Cath, Hayes, Bob, Sarah, Dolly.)¹³

Mary died on 3 April 1848 in Bibb County, Alabama, at age 55 leaving Thomas Hamilton ABNEY as a widower.⁵

Thomas married second Eliza Ann Echols on 9 May 1850 in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama.^14,15

Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Eliza Ann Echols appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1850 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as Thos. H. Abney, age 56, farmer, born South Carolina; Eliza Ann, age 52, born North Carolina; Virginia, age 24, born Virginia; Amanda, age 20, born Alabama; Henry C., age 18, farmer; Zachariah and Sam'l (twins), age 15, farmers; Thos. C., age 12; Frances Woodruff, age 30, born Virginia; Mary Woodruff, age 10, born Mississippi; and Frances Woodruff, age 7, born Alabama. Thomas Hamilton Abney's real estate was valued at $7,000.¹⁴

Thomas Hamilton ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 6 August 1860 in Randolph, Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as Thomas Abney, age 65, Farmer, born South Carolina; Virginia Abney, age 33, Domestic, born Virginia; Zachariah Abney, Attorney at Law, age 24, born Alabama; Francis Woodruff, 39, domestic, born Virginia; and George Woodruff, 20, School Teacher, born Alabama. Thomas had real estate valued at $7,000 and personal estate $15,000. [Note: where is Eliza?]¹⁶

Thomas Hamilton ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1866 in Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as 1 male 20-30 [Thomas C.], 2 males 30-40 [Zach, Sam], 1 male 70-80 [T. H.], 2 females 20-30 [Virginia, Frances], and 1 female 40-50 [Eliza].¹⁷

Thomas Hamilton ABNEY died on 17 January 1870 in Randolph, Bibb County, Alabama.¹⁸ He was buried in Abney Cemetery, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.

     Mary Ann Holmes, daughter of Capt. Benjamin HOLMES and Mary Ann CECIL, was born on 30 March 1793 in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.^1,2

Mary Ann Holmes and Benjamin John HOLMES were adopted circa 1796 in Richmond, Virginia, by James Gosden/Gausden. Mary Ann assumed the name Mary Ann Gosden after her mother remarried.

Mary married Thomas Hamilton ABNEY, son of Samuel ABNEY Jr. and Mary KENNEDY, on 24 December 1817 in Richmond, Virginia. Mary's father or step-father was a very well-to-do man and they inherited his fine house which he had built on his second wife's property.³

Mary Ann Holmes was named an heir in the will of James Gosden/Gausden dated 14 April 1818 in Richmond, Virginia. She was willed the Gosden House upon the death of her step-mother.

She was probably the female age 16 to 25 listed in the household of her husband, Thomas Hamilton ABNEY, in the 1820 Federal Census of Richmond (Independent City), Henrico County, Virginia.

Mary Ann ABNEY and Thomas Hamilton ABNEY purchased a government land patent 6 December 1828 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. They purchased 125.5 acres of the northeast quarter of section 4, township 21-N, range 12-E. Section 4 contained 527.5 acres..⁴

Thomas and Mary Ann purchased a government land patent 9 January 1829 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. They purchased 72.75 acres of the east half of the southeast quarter of section 4, township 21-N, range 12-E..⁵

Mary Ann Holmes and Thomas Hamilton ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1830 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as one male age 30-39 [Thomas]; one male age 5-9 [Alexander]; one male under 5 [Cinncinatus]; one female age 20-29 [Mary Ann]; two females age 10-14 [Mary Cecil, Frances]; one female age 5-9 [Aurelia]; and two females under 5 [Virginia, Amanda].⁶

Thomas and Mary Ann purchased a government land patent 1 September 1830 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. They purchased 160.3 acres in the southeast quarter of township 22-N, range 12-E, section 33 which is the site of the plantation. Thomas' brother-in-law James Sample had the northeast quarter and John Killingsworth was also nearby..⁷

Mary Ann Holmes and Thomas Hamilton ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1840 in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. The household was listed as one male age 40-49 [Thomas]; one male age 15-19 [Alexander]; one male age 10-14 [Cinncinatus]; one male age 5-9 [Henry]; three males under 5 [Sam, Zach, Thomas]; one female age 40-49 [Mary Anne]; one female age 20-29 [Mary Cecil]; one female age 15-19 [Aurelia]; two females age 10-14 [Virginia, Amanda]; and one female under 5 [???]. Living with them was one female age 60-69 [Mary Kennedy Abney]. They owned 13 slaves.⁸

On 3 April 1848 Mary Ann ABNEY died in Bibb County, Alabama, at age 55 leaving Thomas Hamilton a widower.³ She was buried in Abney Cemetery, Maplesville, Chilton County, Alabama.

     Zachariah ABNEY, son of Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Mary Ann Holmes, was born on 10 September 1835 at Abney Plantation "Trail's End" in Randolph, Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. He and his brother Sam were identical twins.^1,2 He was educated in Brierfield, Bibb County, Alabama, in the common schools.

Zachariah ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1840, in the household of Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Mary Ann Holmes in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama.³

Zachariah ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1850, in the household of Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Eliza Ann Echols in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama.⁴ He and Samuel ABNEY III attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, between 1855 and 1857. According to family tradition, they were the first twins to graduate from the University, and that has been confirmed by school records. He later read law in the office of Senator John T. Morgan in Selma and was admitted to the bar there in 1859.^5,6,7 He was associated with Samuel ABNEY III was teaching school in 1858 in Montevallo, Shelby County, Alabama.⁶

Zachariah ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 6 August 1860, in the household of Thomas Hamilton ABNEY in Randolph, Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama. He was recorded as 24 years old and an attorney at law. He was born in Alabama.⁸

In a 28 Sep 1861 letter to thieir brother Alexander H. Abney in Texas, Samuel wrote the following about Zach: "I suppose you have not heard that Zach & George [their nephew George Woodruff] are near Washington. They are in Gen. Johnston's Division. They went on the 1st of June in the Bibb Greys, a company from this county. Zach writes home very interesting letters home. He says he has undergone great hardships, but braved them cheerfully. He went as a private, but his mess was composed of high-toned gentlemen. You know it is almost impossible for a man of sense to get office of any kind in this county.

There was a host of people at this place on the day the Bibb Greys took the Cars. The people gave them a dinner on that day. Zach was called on at the of the dinner. He came out and made a very appropriate and touching address, so much so, that I was surprised, but few refrained from tears. I went with him to Selma, bade him adieu on board the steamer. There were three other companies aboard, thousands of people on the wharf, banners floating in the wind, Dixie performed by a good band. It was altogether a grand sight. They set sail amid the waving of snowy-white handkerchiefs and deafening show of devotion to the Sacred Cause in which we are engaged."

Rhonda Coleman Ellison wrote concerning the departure of the Bibb Greys, "These officers were all in their twenties, like most of the other members of the company. The Bibb Greys, as they were called, procured some tents and camped briefly" were a cadet from the University of Alabama came to drill them. "The day before the Bibb Greys left for the war zone, they paraded around the courthouse square to the applause of an estatically admiring crowd, and then received a silk battle flag ordered by the women of the community from Selma... Many citizens accompanied the young volunteers on their triumphant ride to the nearest railroad station, at Randolph."^9,10

Zachariah began military service at age 25 on 11 June 1861 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama, he enlisted as a private in Co. F 11th Alabama Infantry. Zach was present at Seven Pines, Gaines Mill, Frasiers Farm, 2nd Manasses, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Hanover Junction, Atlees Station, the Siege of Turkey Ridge, Wilcox Farm, Reams Station, Whites Tavern, Davis Farm, and Burgess Mill. On 4 September 1862 he was elected Brvt. 2nd Lieutenant. He was promoted to 2nd lieutenant 5 January 1863 at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Zach was wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness, and received a promotion to first lieutenant 16 August 1864 at White's Tavern. He was promoted 27 October 1864 to captain of Company F at Burgess Mill following the death of Captain Caddell.¹¹ He was discharged on 14 April 1865 in Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. He surrendered along with the Army of Northern Virginia. At the time he was captain of company F, 11th Alabama Infantry.

Zachariah ABNEY appeared on a census, enumerated 1866, in the household of his father Thomas Hamilton ABNEY in Bibb County, Alabama. Sam and Zach were the two males, 30-40.¹² He and Charles S. G. DOSTER were attorneys in the law firm of Abney and Doster in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama. The two were classmates at the University of Alabama and Zach were often travel to Prattville with Charles over school breaks. That is how he and his future wife met. Zach first practiced law in Randolph before moving to Prattville after the war. He was Autauga County Register in Chancery beginning in 1883 for 28 years until his death. His office was in the clock tower of the Autauga county courthouse, He was a Democrat and a Methodist.¹³

Zachariah married Alexandria Victoria DOSTER, daughter of Absolum G. DOSTER Sr. and Sarah Elizabeth ALEXANDER, on 31 March 1867 at the residence of Capt. A. Doster in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama. The Reverend Hardy Brown performed the ceremony.^14,15

According to Nell Abney, Zach built his house on the site of the early home of Thomas and Rebecca Hill. Their log cabin had been built in 1819 and was the site of the first court in Autauga county. This was near the Indian Springs Post Office and the original Union Baptist Church. Doster Road was part of the old Prattville to Washington Road. Alabama's first governor, William Wyatt Bibb spoke under an oak tree near the location of the Abney home.¹⁶

Zachariah ABNEY bought land from Charles S. G. DOSTER and Caroline E. DOSTER on 6 February 1875 in Autauga County, Alabama. For $800 the parcel included the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 21 and the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 16 of township 17, range 16, containing 80 acres. It was witnessed by N. D. Lamar and Kate Doster.¹⁷

Zachariah ABNEY, Samuel L. ABNEY and Augusta ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 14 March 1890 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. "Miss Gussie Abney, of Maplesville, Ala., and Mr. Sam Abney [son of Alexander Abney], of Texas, have been on a visit to their uncle, Capt. Z. Abney."

He appeared in a newspaper article 2 February 1900 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. Messrs. Z. Abney and H. S. Doster went up to Maplesville Thursday to be present at the marriage of Miss Augusta Abney to Mr. Jacob Knupp.

Virginia ABNEY and Zachariah ABNEY appeared in a newspaper article 17 May 1907 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. Capt. Z. Abney was in Maplesville last week, having been called there by the death of his sister, Miss Jennie Abney.

Zachariah and Samuel ABNEY III were participates in the Confederate Veterans Reunion and dedication of the new Confederate Monument on 22 July 1910 in Bibb County Courthouse, Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.

Zachariah ABNEY died on 10 August 1911 in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama, at age 75.^18,19 He was buried in Doster-Abney Cemetery, Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama.

His obituary appeared 17 August 1911 in the The Prattville Progress, published in Prattville, Alabama. Captain Abney is Found Dead in Office - Prattville, Ala.-- Captain Z. Abney, register in chancery for this county, was found dead in his office this afternoon at 5 o'clock. He had been at his desk all day attending to the business of the office in the usual way and apparently in his usual health. A business caller at his office left him but a few minutes when the Court House janitor making his afternoon rounds caring for the building found his body sitting up erect with his head slightly thrown back as if asleep and arms folded across his lap. By all signs a quiet death overtook the deceased while reading the daily paper.

The deceased was about 75 years old, was native of Bibb county, now a part of Chilton, near Randolph, had resided about two miles out of this city for about forty years. He removed from his native place after his marriage to Miss Doster, daughter of the late Absalom Doster, and sister to the late Charles R. G. Doster.

The deceased practiced law at this place for 33 years, acting as register in chancery for a great part of that time. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Church of this place and beloved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by a number of people who knew him well.

He is survived by one brother, Samuel Abney, of Maplesville, and one daughter and two sons: Miss Lina Abney, and Samuel and Zack Abney, all residing near Prattville.

Captain Z. Abney followed the Confederate flag throughout the Civil War, and those who knew him well say he was one of the best soldiers in the lost cause. He was a captain and much loved by all his men.

The remains were buried at the Doster graveyard on the Absalom Doster homestead at 4 o'clock on last Friday afternoon, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. Dickinson, pastor of the local Methodist church.

     Mary Ann CECIL, daughter of Lord CECIL, was born circa 1758 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Mary Ann married first Capt. Benjamin HOLMES circa 1792 in Scotland. Family tradition is that while in school in Edinburgh, Mary Ann eloped with an English sea captain named HOLMES and came to America. They had at least two children together. When Capt. Holmes was lost at sea, Mary Ann married James Gausden.

Mary Ann married second James Gosden/Gausden circa 1796 in Richmond, Virginia.

Mary Ann CECIL died before 1817.

     Eustace Pierre BURT, son of James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON, was born on 19 December 1858 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama.¹

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 2 June 1860, in the household of his parents James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. He was two years old.^2,3

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1870, in the household of James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama.⁴ He moved from Talladega County to Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, circa 1880 where he operated a farm and grist mill. After that mill was burned he moved a few miles further north to the Cedar Grove community. There he operated a large farm with a steam operated grist mill and saw mill.

He appeared in a newspaper article 19 March 1880 in the The Southern Signal, published in Prattville, Alabama. "A good miller with a small family can find employment at Burt's mill, Bibb county."

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared in the household of Simon Ward on a census enumerated 10 June 1880 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, the household was listed as Simon Ward, a black male, age 62, blacksmith, born Alabama; his wife Malisia, black female, age 27, farm laborer; son Thomas, age 12, farm laborer; daughter Allice, age 6; daughter Sauna, age 3; son Walter, age 1; and Eustice Burt, white male, age 22, farmer, born Alabama. Eustice's father was born in North Carolina, while his mother was born in Virginia. Waynell Burt Welsh, granddaughter of Eustace Burt, recalled that Pa Burt often menioned Simon and Malisia Ward and loved them dearly. He called them "Uncle Pete and Aunt Malisia", and he would eat breakfast with them on Sundays. He had a real fondness for "Aunt Malisia's" wonderful golden fried fish and biscuits.⁵

From the January 5, 1882 issue of the Bibb Blade: "Burt's Mill on Schultz Creek, two miles above Scottsville, was burned on the night of the 29th. About thirty bushels of corn were in the mill, which it is supposed were stolen and the mill set on fire to hide the theft. The saw and grist mills were both burned. Loss not known."⁶

Eustace married Emma HOLLIMAN on 18 February 1884 at the Presbyterian Church in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. A wedding annoucement appeared in the 20 February 1884 edition of Our Mountain Home: "Married-- At Mardisville, in this county, on Monday, the 18th inst., Mr. E. Pierre Burt and Miss Emma Holliman, Rev. F. L. Ewing officiating. Mr. Burt is the youngest son of Mr. James C. Burt, of our county, and one of those thorough-going and progressive young farmers in which our county takes special pride. The bride is a young lady of rare accomplishment and is a treasure worthy of the gallant knight who has won his way to her heart and hand in the tourniment of love."

The marriage of Eustace and Emma ended suddenly and under mysterious circumstances, however they never divorced. The pair remained friends and communicated throughout the remainder of their lives. Eustace returned to Bibb County alone, though he soon became involved in another relationship.^7,8

Eustace Pierre BURT and Martha Jane YEAGER, daughter of George Wesley YEAGER and Arrie KEADLE, lived as husband and wife beginning about circa January 1885 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama. Mattie was very attractive with dark hair and eyes.⁹

Eustace Pierre BURT borrowed money from James Creth BURT on 22 March 1892 in Bibb County, Alabama. He needed a $1,024 advance from his father to purchase horses, mules, oxen and necessary provisions, farming tools and implements to enable him to make a crop during 1892. The loan had a due date of 1 January 1893 and was backed by the following security: one mule, mouse colored, 7 years old, named Jack; one black mule, 9 years old, named Jack; one mare mule, sorrel colored, 5 years old, named Dollie; one bay horse about 15 years old named Charlie; one yoke oxen named Ball and Berry; one white cow named Dolly; one yellow cow named Spice; one white and yellow spotted cow named Timmy; two white and black cows named Lutie and Pink; nine heifer yearlings; and his entire crop of corn, cotton and fodder made in 1892. The security would go to J. C. Burt if not paid back by the due date. The instrument was signed by E. P. Burt and by Mattie Yeager via her mark.¹⁰

After the death of Mattie Yeager, Eustace adopted her daughter, Linnie Ross YEAGER, circa November 1892 in Bibb County, Alabama. His children had urged him to adopt Linnie and they welcomed her into the family and treated her as a sister.

Glover Medders writes, "My grandma Martha died when my uncle Irby, who was the youngest of the three children, was two years old. She was buried in the Vernon Cemetery, Bibb County, in an unmarked grave... She would have been born in the 1850s or 60s. Grandpa Burt was left with the three children. I was told that he had a mistress for several years until the girls were old enough to cook and keep house. He was raised in Talledaga County, where his father had a large plantation and a number of slaves.

He and his brother Henry came to Bibb County and bought a large amount of land. None of their heirs own any of the land now, but they still own mineral rights to 1800 acres of it.

Grandpa Burt was tall in stature, wore a handlebar mustache and had gray-hair as far back as I can remember. He took a daily newspaper that was delivered by the mail carrier, traveling by horse and buggy, until some time in the 1920s. He had more education than anyone I knew at that time. He named my second sister Eustace, my fifth sister LaMoyne and the sixth and youngest sister LaShawn.

There is one little story which I remember well. On the way to meet the mail carrier, he had to pass our house and he never failed to stop, going or coming, most of the time. One day he got his paper and was slowly walking along looking at it as he came into our yard. He had given us all a nickname, and mine was Josh. When he saw me, he called out, 'Hey, Josh, something bad has happened. A big ship has sunk and a lot of people drowned.' I thought that was awful-- until he showed me the picture with the paper turned upside down! Of course the ship looked upside down, with a lot of upside down people on the deck. Then he righted the paper and had a big laugh on me! All of us kids loved Grandpa Burt."¹¹

Eustace loved music and purchased an early disc grammaphone which he later traded for a newer model. It still remains in the Burt family home in West Blocton.

Eustace sold a tract of land to Henry McKenzie BURT, Anna BURT and Sarah Bell WEBB on 4 October 1899 in Bibb County, Alabama. The deed read E. P. Burt, "an unmarried man" of Bibb County to H. M. Burt of Talladega County, Mrs. Sarah B. Burt of San Francisco, California and Anna Buckner of Rappahanock County, Virginia for one dollar lands in Bibb County formerly owned by J. C. Burt, deceased, except for coal rights. The deed also recorded that they paid him $6,000 for 12/18th interest in J. C. Burt's lands in Talladega County, including section 17, township 19, range 5; the south 1/8 of the south half of section 8; the north half of the northeast quarter of section 19; the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 20; and more, all in the above township and range.¹²

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 11 June 1900 in Precinct 2, Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, the household was listed as Eustace P. Burt (Head), born December 1857; Nettie N. Burt (dau.), Nov 1885; Minnie M. (dau.), May 1887; Irby L. (son), May 1892; Foy Williams (house keeper) and William M. Williams (son of house keeper), age 3. Eustace was a widower, born in Alabama, while his father was born in North Carolina and his mother in Virginia. Living next door was Linnie Yeager with her uncle, James Frank Yeager.¹³

He appeared in a newspaper article 2 April 1908 in the The Blocton Enterprise, published in West Blocton, Alabama. "Mr. E. P. Burt was in town Saturday with a fine lot of butter and eggs. He paid The Enterprise a pleasant call and renewed his subsription to the paper."

He appeared in a newspaper article 3 September 1908 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. Mr. E. P. Burt has sold his gin to Mr. A. D. Belcher, who is figuring on putting in a new wheel and developing more power.

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 27 April 1910 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as E. P. Burt, a 52-year-old farmer and his 17-year-old son, Irby, farm laborer. Eustace was listed as divorced. They lived on Burt Creek Road.

He appeared in a newspaper article 11 July 1917 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama. "E. P. Burt of Blocton was in the city Sunday to visit H. M. Burt." There were only mentions over the years of Eustace returning to Talladega to visit family.

Eustace Pierre BURT was the registar at the draft board for the World War I draft registration of Charlie McCoy WATTS on 12 September 1918 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹⁴

Eustace appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1920 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, the household was listed as Pierre E. Burt, age 62, living alone. Living in the next house was his son, Irby.¹⁵

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1930 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as E. Pear Burt, age 72, a farm owner. He owned his home and could read and write. His occupation was farm overseer. He said that he and his father were born in Alabama and his mother was born in Virginia. Living next door was his son, Irby.¹⁶

Eustace Pierre BURT died on 11 July 1938 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 79. He was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

His obituary appeared 28 July 1938 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. "In Memory of Mr. Eustace Pierre Burt." The article read, "Mr. E. P. Burt of West Blocton, age 80 years, 6 months, 23 days, passed away at the home of his son, Mr. I. L. Burt, July 11, 1938. He had been in declining health for the past few years, but was confined to his bed only three weeks. His suffering was severe at times, but he was kind and patient until death. Everything that kind and faithful hands could do was done but to no avail. He had always been a good neighbor and friend to everyone, and was loved by all who knew him. His grandchildren always loved him dearly. They were with him during his illness and stood by him until God called him away. The love he had for his grandchildren, also great grandchildren, no one could express, and he was always happy to be with them.

He leaves to mourn his loss, one daughter, Mrs. J. W. Daniels, one son, Mr. I. L. Burt, who was with him until his death; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Mattie Stone of Glendale, California; nineteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, also a host of relatives and friends. Burial in Scottsville cemetery with Brown-Service in charge."

The family sent a card of thanks, "We wish to express our thanks and appreciation to each and everyone for their kindness and help shown us during the illness and death of our beloved father and grandfather. We especially thank Mrs. J. W. Medders, also Mrs. W. R. Young of West Blocton and Mrs. W. T. Woods of Brent for their beautiful floral offering". Signed-- Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Burt and family.

     Martha Jane YEAGER, daughter of George Wesley YEAGER and Arrie KEADLE, was born circa 1868 in Bibb County, Alabama. Martha Jane YEAGER also went by the name of Mattie.

Martha Jane YEAGER appeared on a census, enumerated 10 June 1880, in the household of her mother Arrie YEAGER in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. She was listed as Martha J. Yeager, age 12, farm labor.¹

Martha Jane YEAGER and Eustace Pierre BURT, son of James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON, lived as husband and wife beginning about circa January 1885 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama. Mattie was very attractive with dark hair and eyes.²

Mattie YEAGER witnessed s loan of money between Eustace Pierre BURT and James Creth BURT on 22 March 1892 in Bibb County, Alabama. The loan was needed by Eustace to purchase necessary arm animals and supplies. The instrument was signed by E. P. Burt and by Mattie Yeager via her mark.³

Mattie YEAGER died circa 1894 in Vernontown, Bibb County, Alabama.⁴ She was buried in Vernontown Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

     James Creth BURT, son of Joseph BURT Jr. and Ann READ, was born on 20 June 1809 in Halifax County, North Carolina.

He was probably one of the 4 males under age 10 listed in the household of his father, Joseph BURT Jr., in the 1810 Federal Census of Halifax County, North Carolina.¹

He was probably one of the 2 males age 10 to 15 listed in the household of his father, Joseph BURT Jr., in the 1820 Federal Census of Halifax County, North Carolina.² He moved from North Carolina to Washington, Autauga County, Alabama, circa 1821 with his parents. In true pioneer fashion they had traveled by wagon down the Old Federal Road through Georgia. (For a map of this location see map.)

James Creth BURT purchased a government land patent 19 December 1833 in Autauga County, Alabama. From the Cahaba Land Office he purchased the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter and the norteast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 19, township 17N, range 16E.³

He purchased a government land patent 29 September 1834 in Autauga County, Alabama. From the Cahaba Land Office he bought the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 19, township 17, range 16.⁴

James purchased a government land patent 17 February 1835 in Chambers County, Alabama. He purchased 80 acres in Section 19 on that date, then 40 more acres in Section 30 on 15 Apr 1837. It is possible that his brother, Joseph J. Burt, farmed this land for him as he was living in this area in 1845..

He purchased a government land patent 12 August 1835 in Autauga County, Alabama. He purchased from the Cahaba Land Office the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 36 and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 35 of township 15, range 8.

A year later on 1 Mar 1836 he sold this land to his brother, Martin R. Burt, for $225. The sale included the east half of the northeast quarter of section 35, township 15, range 8 and the west half of the northwest quarter of section 36 of the same township and range. It contained 160 acres..^5,6,7

He purchased a government land patent 21 November 1835 in Dallas County, Alabama. From the St. Stephens Land Office he bought the northwest quarter of section 6 and the north half of the southwest quarter of section 6, township 15N, range 16E.⁸

James Creth BURT sold land to Willis Perry BAKER on 18 May 1838 in Autauga (now Elmore) County, Alabama. For $480 Burt of Autauga county sold 160 acres to Willis P. Baker of Muskogee county, Georgia. It included the east half of the southeast quarter of section 13 and the west half of the southeast quarter of the same section in township 19, range 17.⁹

James moved from Autauga County to Talladega County, Alabama, circa 1839 At this time the former Creek Indian lands in northeast Alabama was opened for sale. The government-sponsored removal of the Indians had ended officially in 1837 and 1838. A government land office was created in Mardisville and a tide of new settlers moved into the newly available lands.¹⁰

James Creth BURT witnessed the probate of the estate of Joseph BURT Jr. on 18 January 1841 in Autauga County, Alabama. For a total of $1,215.75. The estate included four lots of books, saddle bags, rifle, shotgun, bedstead, arm chair, watch, chest, a Negro man, and a Negro Woman. On 20 January 1841 Martin R. Burt approved the appraisel and administered the sale of the property. James C. Burt purchased three lots of books, the saddle, rifle, shotgun, chair, watch, bed, and Negro man. S. R. [Stephen R.] Burt bought one lot of books, some tools, and a bedstead. M. R. [Martin] Burt bought some books and bags[?]. J. Burt bought one trunk. The total sale amounted to $1,398.91.¹¹

In settlement of a law suit between James C. Burt and C. C. Billingsley the county sheriff, Samuel Wallace, on 7 Jun 1841 by order of the court seized and auctioned some property at Kingston. J. C. Burt was the highest bidder on the tract of land being the east half of the southwest quarter of section 20, township 20, range 14.¹²

James Creth BURT witnessed the probate of the estate of Joseph BURT Jr. on 17 October 1842 in Autauga County, Alabama. $172.37 1/2 each was distributed to the following heirs: Nancy Coleman, Thomas Coleman in right of his wife Martha, Barrett Vincent in right of his wife Elizabeth, Stephen R. Burt, Martin R. Burt (administrator), Henry Hunt in right of his wife Sarah, James C. Burt, and Joseph J. Burt.¹³

James married Elizabeth BAIRD, daughter of Alexander BAIRD, on 18 February 1843 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. She was the widow of Isaac Killough. James and Elizabeth operated the tavern in Mardisville. The tavern containing 16 rooms was on the town's main street, which was none other than the old McIntosh Trail from Wetumpka, and which was the main road through Talladega. According to Historic Tales of Talladega,"The road entering Mardisville from the south had a row of beautiful oak trees along the border. Four of the 16 rooms of the tavern were on the second story. There were two staircases leading to the second floor; one staircase and two rooms were reserved for lady guests, and the other two rooms and staircase were reserved for gentlemen guests." The sound of the bugle of the stage coach many miles away, was a signal for residents to assemble at the tavern to see the new arrivals, and to get the weekly mail. "Transients frequently spent the night when the stage coach, drawn by four horses, with driver and footman, found its way into the wilderness once a week beginning about 1835. There was no such thing as private room. Frequently ten or twelve people occupied the same room." There were hoards of transients during the first years, which the tavern could not accommodate, and it was customary for travelers to bring their tents and to camp about the village. Frequently 65 or more were guests at the inn's table.

The tavern was first kept by Mrs. Lovedy Cruikshank, a widows. Elizabeth Burt followed Mrs. Cruikshank as keeper of the tavern. According to Historic Tales of Talladega, "She had a beautiful garden across the street from her home, which was invariably mentioned when the subject of Mardisville was brought up." On the opposite corner from the tavern was a general merchandise store owned and operated by John Hardie and Ansel Sawyer, where for many years the post office was kept. There was a cake shop, or baker's shop; a wood shop, containing hoes, plows, buckets, troughs, etc; a tailor shop, and a dry goods store located south of the tavern, owned by a Mr. Schuesbach. Back of the tavern was the harness and repair shop of David Waugh, who also kept the post office at one time in front of his shop. Across the street was home of David Waugh; two large log rooms with an open hallway. In back of his house was formal garden.

There were two churches-- Presbyterian and Methodist. The bell of the Presbyterian church was moved to First Presbyterian Church in Talladega when the Mardisville church was abandoned. There was a boys academy taught by Mr. Finn, and later by Mr. Jack King. There was also a girls academy.

The Micah Taul home was the most imposing dwelling. It was a two-story log house that was later weatherboarded. It was located northeast of the Land Office, below the hill on the on the east of the spring. The Taul home was the social center of the elite of the village. The Ansel Sawyer home on the east of Mardisville was once owned by Benjamin Smoot, and later by H. M. Burt. Dr. Augustine J. McAlpine had a home on the southwest side of town. Other early doctors were Drs. Wheeler, Osborn Echols, Joel Watkins, and John Watkins.

John Hardie built his home, "Thornhill" a short distance north of Mardisville, and others who transacted business in the village followed his example, of building on plantations. James C. Burt probably built a plantation outside of town before 1860.¹⁴

James appeared in a newspaper article 21 September 1898 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama. The article describes a tour of the area including a visit to "Mardisville (or Jumpers Spring) with its historic memories, or the lordly plantation homes of Capt. J. C. Burt, Gen. Levi W. Lawler, (where the scene of the famous melodrama, Alabama, was laid) and Maj. Walker Reynolds on the Sylacauga road, or to trace the Winterboro road which led off to the right at Gen. Lawler's, and became a plank road at the boro some two miles beyond...

James Creth BURT was named legal guardian of Angelina Seraphine KILLOUGH and Alexander B. KILLOUGH 14 August 1847. The court records state that James C. Burt, father-in-law of Angeline and Alexander Killough, children and minor heirs of the estate of Isaac Killough, deceased, applied for guardianship of said minor heirs. It said that at the final settlement of Isaac's estate $1,221 was set aside for the two children and intrusted to his widow, Elizabeth. Records confirm that J. C. Burt was appointed guardian.

In 1849 Angelina and her husband, Dr. Wiley Glover, filed for guardianship of Alexander and he lived with them in Benton [now Calhoun] County. He was declared of legal age in January, 1854.^15,16

He appeared in a newspaper article 15 March 1848 in the Democratic Watchtower, published in Talladega, Alabama. The State of Alabama, Talladega County, Special Term of the Orphan's Court: January 4th, 1848. -- This day came James C. Burt guardian for Angeline S. and Alexander B. Killough, minor heirs of the estate of Isaac Killough dec'd and presented his accounts and vouchers for settlement which were examinied and ordered to be filed for the inspection of all concerned.

It is therefore ordered that notice be given for forty days by publication for three weeks consecutively in the Democratic Watchtower, notifying all persons interested to appear before this court on the 16th day of February next, to show cause why said accounts should not be slated and allowed for settlement. By order of the Judge, A. J. Cotten, Clerk.

James married second Frances Anne GIBSON, daughter of Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON and Martha Dandridge BALL, on 13 February 1849 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. H. E. Taliferro performed the marriage ceremony.¹⁷

James bought a tract of land from Joseph Tarpley BURT on 24 April 1849 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama, for $750. Both men were residents of Talladega County. The sale included lots 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 38 and 39 in Mardisville (northeast quarter of section 18, township 19, range 5). The witnesses were John Sawyer, J. W. Hardie, and Marcus M. Duncan.¹⁸

James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1850 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. The household was listed as James C. Burt, age 41, born North Carolina; Frances A. Burt, age 30, born Virginia; Henry Burt, age 5, born Alabama; Fanny C. Burt, age 4, born Alabama; Martha D. Welch, age 5, born Alabama; J. Tapley Burt, age 34, born Georgia; and Elizabeth Billing, age 50, born Virginia. James and J. Tapley Burt, a cousin, were listed as farmers. James' estate was valued at $7,000. The identity of Elizabeth Billing is unknown, but she was most likely a boarder (see footnote.)^19,20

James Creth BURT was named legal guardian of Mattie WELCH in 1860 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. After the death of her father in 1847, James E. Welch, with the approval of his sister-in-law, Frances Ann Welch, became Mattie's guardian. In 1860 James Welch relinquished his guardianship role to James C. Burt, who formally became young Mattie's guardian. Since 1850, if not before, Martha had lived with the Burts in Mardisville.²¹

James and Frances appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 June 1860 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama, the household was listed as Jas. C. Burt, age 50, farmer, born North Carolina; Francis[Frances] A. Burt, age 40, born Virginia; Henry M. Burt, age 15, born Alabama; Martha D. Welch, age 14; John Burt, age 7; Anna Burt, age 5; and Pierre Burt, age 2. James had real estate valued at $15,000 and personal estate valued at $50,000. Martha D. Welch had real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate of $16,300. All of the children, except Pierre, were attendng school.

J. C. Burt appears to have been one of the wealthiest men in Mardisville. He had about 60 slaves in eleven houses in 1860. The agricultural census listed him with 600 improved and 1100 unimproved acres, a farm with cash value of $15,000, $800 worth of farm implements and machinery, eight horses, 10 mules, 20 milk cows, 8 oxen, 50 head of cattle, and 200 swine. The value of his livestock was $3,000. He had 300 bushels of wheat, 3,000 bushels of corn, 700 bushels of oats, 100 bales of cotton, 100 bushels of peas and beans, 10 bushels of Irish potatoes, 500 bushels of sweet potatoes, 20 bushels of barley, 300 pounds of butter, and $1200 worth of slaughtered animals. This last may have been from Mr. Burt's tannery. It is believed that he also made shoes and may have supplied leather goods to the Confederacy.^22,23

Confederate soldier, John Magee, whose artillery battery passed through Talladega County between August 6 and August 8, 1862, recorded in his diary the hospitality shown the soldiers by the citizens: "Wednesday Aug. 6, 1862. Started early came 23 miles to Talladega. At a small town by the name of Mardisville, a gentleman by the name of J. C. Burt gave dinner to all who would stop. His most estimable lady, who is a Virginian, assisted by her younger sister welcomed the soldiers in-- acting as ushers from the gate to the table. The young lady's name is Miss [Susan?] Gibson from Culpepper Courthouse, Va. The old gentleman is from N. Carolina. What a difference between Alabama and Mississippi hospitality. I stayed 3 or 4 hours, had a long talk-- read poetry-- heard music on the Piano and enjoyed myself very much."²⁴

James Creth BURT bought a tract of land from Henry Harrison HUNT on 29 July 1863 in Autauga County, Alabama.²⁵

James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1870 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama, the household was listed as James C. Burt, age 61, farmer, born North Carolina; Fanny A. Burt, age 51, born Virginia; and Henry M. Burt, age 25, farmer; Mattie [Margie] Burt, age 24; Anna, age 16; John, age 14; and Pierre, age 12, in school. Also in the household was Tilla Smoot, a 43 year old white housekeeper from Virginia.²⁶

James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1880 in Talladega County, Alabama. The household was listed as James C. Burt, age 71, farmer, born North Carolina; Frances A. Burt (wife), age 65, born Virginia; and Emily Holliman, age 16, Domestic Servant, born Alabama. The parents of James were both born in North Carolina, while the parents of Frances were born in Virginia. The birth place of Emily's parents was not given.²⁷

James Creth BURT appeared in a newspaper article 8 December 1886 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama. "The many friends of Capt. J. C. Burt will be glad to know that he has undergone a successful operation for cateract at the hands of Dr. Calhoun, of Atlanta, and that he will be home soon with his eyesight restored."

James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON gave a tract of land to Ambrose Burt on 26 April 1889 in Talladega County, Alabama, The deed read "in consideration of the affection which I bear toward Ambrose Burt, my former slave, who has been faithful to me since his emancipation" and gave him the south half of the northeast quarter of section 19, township 19, range 5. It was signed by both James and Frances Burt.²⁸

James Creth BURT loaned money to Eustace Pierre BURT on 22 March 1892 in Bibb County, Alabama. He needed a $1,024 advance from his father to purchase horses, mules, oxen and necessary provisions, farming tools and implements to enable him to make a crop during 1892. The loan had a due date of 1 January 1893 and was backed by the following security: one mule, mouse colored, 7 years old, named Jack; one black mule, 9 years old, named Jack; one mare mule, sorrel colored, 5 years old, named Dollie; one bay horse about 15 years old named Charlie; one yoke oxen named Ball and Berry; one white cow named Dolly; one yellow cow named Spice; one white and yellow spotted cow named Timmy; two white and black cows named Lutie and Pink; nine heifer yearlings; and his entire crop of corn, cotton and fodder made in 1892. The security would go to J. C. Burt if not paid back by the due date. The instrument was signed by E. P. Burt and by Mattie Yeager via her mark.²⁹

James Creth BURT died on 16 May 1896 in Talladega, Alabama, at age 86. He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Talladega, Alabama.

James's obituary was printed on 20 May 1896 in the Daily Advertiser newspaper, published in Montgomery, Alabama. It read:


His obituary appeared 20 May 1896 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama.


James's obituary was also printed on 29 May 1896 in the The Prattville Progress newspaper, published in Prattville, Alabama. It read:


James Creth BURT appeared in a newspaper article 3 June 1896 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama. Probate Notice-- The State of Alabama, Talladega county, Probate Court, Special Term, June 2, 1896. Estate of James C. Burt, deceased.

This day came H. M. Burt and filed in this court his petition, in writing and under oath, therewith producing and filing in this court an instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of James C. Burt, deceased, and praying for such orders and proceedings as may be proper and requisite for the due probate and record of said will in this court. It is therefore ordered by the court that the 25th day of June 1896, be set as a day for hearing testimony in proof of said instrument as such will.

It is further ordered that Mrs. F. A. Burt, who is a non-resident of this State, and resides at Los Angeles, California; John J. Burt, who resides at San Francisco, California; and Mrs. Anna H. Buckner, wife of A. H. Buckner, who resides at Sperryville, Virginia, have notice of the nature of and of the time set for hearing said petition, by publication continued for three successive weeks in the Our Mountain Home, a newspaper published in this county, a copy of which shall be sent to each of said persons, post paid, through the public mail, properly addressed, within five days after the first publication. E. H. Dryer, Special Judge of Probate.

     Frances Anne GIBSON, daughter of Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON and Martha Dandridge BALL, was born in April 1818 in Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia. She was also known as Fanny. She was a direct descendent of Charles Washington, the brother of President George Washington.

Frances married first John Mallory WELCH, son of Rev. Oliver WELCH and Elizabeth Mallory, on 6 October 1842 in Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia. The service was performed by Rev. John W. Woodville, the rector of St. Mark's Parish Episcopal Church.¹

Frances Ann returned frequently to Virginia with her father-in-law, Oliver Welch. James Mallory notes in his journal that the pair left March 24, 1844 and returned October 3rd. Along with Mary Mallory, they left again for Virginia April 12, 1847.²

John died on 8 September 1847 in Talladega, Talladega County, Alabama, of a congestive chill leaving Frances Anne GIBSON as a widow.³

Fanny appeared in a newspaper article 15 March 1848 in the Democratic Watchtower, published in Talladega, Alabama. She was listed as the administratrix of the estate of her husband, John M. Welsch, deceaed.

Frances married second James Creth BURT, son of Joseph BURT Jr. and Ann READ, on 13 February 1849 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. H. E. Taliferro performed the marriage ceremony.⁴

Frances Anne GIBSON and James Creth BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1850 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. The household was listed as James C. Burt, age 41, born North Carolina; Frances A. Burt, age 30, born Virginia; Henry Burt, age 5, born Alabama; Fanny C. Burt, age 4, born Alabama; Martha D. Welch, age 5, born Alabama; J. Tapley Burt, age 34, born Georgia; and Elizabeth Billing, age 50, born Virginia. James and J. Tapley Burt, a cousin, were listed as farmers. James' estate was valued at $7,000. The identity of Elizabeth Billing is unknown, but she was most likely a boarder (see footnote.)^5,6

Frances and James appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 June 1860 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama, the household was listed as Jas. C. Burt, age 50, farmer, born North Carolina; Francis[Frances] A. Burt, age 40, born Virginia; Henry M. Burt, age 15, born Alabama; Martha D. Welch, age 14; John Burt, age 7; Anna Burt, age 5; and Pierre Burt, age 2. James had real estate valued at $15,000 and personal estate valued at $50,000. Martha D. Welch had real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate of $16,300. All of the children, except Pierre, were attendng school.

J. C. Burt appears to have been one of the wealthiest men in Mardisville. He had about 60 slaves in eleven houses in 1860. The agricultural census listed him with 600 improved and 1100 unimproved acres, a farm with cash value of $15,000, $800 worth of farm implements and machinery, eight horses, 10 mules, 20 milk cows, 8 oxen, 50 head of cattle, and 200 swine. The value of his livestock was $3,000. He had 300 bushels of wheat, 3,000 bushels of corn, 700 bushels of oats, 100 bales of cotton, 100 bushels of peas and beans, 10 bushels of Irish potatoes, 500 bushels of sweet potatoes, 20 bushels of barley, 300 pounds of butter, and $1200 worth of slaughtered animals. This last may have been from Mr. Burt's tannery. It is believed that he also made shoes and may have supplied leather goods to the Confederacy.^7,8

Confederate soldier, John Magee, whose artillery battery passed through Talladega County between August 6 and August 8, 1862, recorded in his diary the hospitality shown the soldiers by the citizens: "Wednesday Aug. 6, 1862. Started early came 23 miles to Talladega. At a small town by the name of Mardisville, a gentleman by the name of J. C. Burt gave dinner to all who would stop. His most estimable lady, who is a Virginian, assisted by her younger sister welcomed the soldiers in-- acting as ushers from the gate to the table. The young lady's name is Miss [Susan?] Gibson from Culpepper Courthouse, Va. The old gentleman is from N. Carolina. What a difference between Alabama and Mississippi hospitality. I stayed 3 or 4 hours, had a long talk-- read poetry-- heard music on the Piano and enjoyed myself very much."⁹

Mattie Stone wrote about her mother: "There are many who remember happy days spent in the pleasant Burt home in Mardisville, where generous hospitality was ever dispensed. Wherever there was suffering and sickness, Mother's sympathetic heart drew her near, and her hands never tired of the kind deeds they were ever ready to do. She was a devoted wife and mother, a loyal friend, sincere, candid and honest. Hers was a strong character. She was bright and brave under all circumstances, encouraging those around her, and never complaining."¹⁰

On 22 April 1863 Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama, wrote a letter to her step-mother Mary Williams GIBSON in Culpeper, Virginia as follows:


Note from the newspaper article-- Frances’ quote “in the midst of life are we in death” would prove too true for the Gibson family in the coming years. Mentioned in her letter were three siblings who died soon after: Pierre Gibson, a member of the Little Fork Rangers, killed on duty in 1863; Sue Gibson, a schoolteacher in Alabama who died in 1864; and Ned Gibson who died in Culpeper in 1869. Minnie was the two year old daughter of sister Ann “Nannie” Gibson Welch, who also died young, in 1872, at around the age of 38.^11,12

Frances Anne GIBSON and James Creth BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1870 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama, the household was listed as James C. Burt, age 61, farmer, born North Carolina; Fanny A. Burt, age 51, born Virginia; and Henry M. Burt, age 25, farmer; Mattie [Margie] Burt, age 24; Anna, age 16; John, age 14; and Pierre, age 12, in school. Also in the household was Tilla Smoot, a 43 year old white housekeeper from Virginia.¹³

Frances Anne GIBSON and James Creth BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1880 in Talladega County, Alabama. The household was listed as James C. Burt, age 71, farmer, born North Carolina; Frances A. Burt (wife), age 65, born Virginia; and Emily Holliman, age 16, Domestic Servant, born Alabama. The parents of James were both born in North Carolina, while the parents of Frances were born in Virginia. The birth place of Emily's parents was not given.¹⁴

She appeared in a newspaper article 10 May 1882 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama. Mrs. J. C. Burt will shortly leave for San Jose, California, to visit her son, John Burt, Esq., a prominent lawyer of the Pacific slope. We wish her a pleasant journey and safe return.

Frances Anne GIBSON and James Creth BURT gave a tract of land to Ambrose Burt on 26 April 1889 in Talladega County, Alabama, The deed read "in consideration of the affection which I bear toward Ambrose Burt, my former slave, who has been faithful to me since his emancipation" and gave him the south half of the northeast quarter of section 19, township 19, range 5. It was signed by both James and Frances Burt.¹⁵

Frances Anne GIBSON appeared on a census, enumerated 5 June 1900, in the household of her daughter Martha Dandridge WELCH in Ward 2, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. She was enumerated as Effie Frances Burt, age 82, and born April 1818 in Virginia.

In in 1901 Frances Anne GIBSON and Martha Dandridge WELCH were listed in the Los Angeles city directory at 213 North Grand Avenue. Martha D. Stone (widow of Jordan) and Fanny E. Burt (widow of James C.) resided at that address along with Miss Fannie J. Stone stenographer with the Southern California Railroad and Jordan Stone a clerk at Coulter Dry Goods.

According to an undated remembrance of her mother, Mattie Stone said: "She came out here to California for her health, and it was not deemed wise by her physicians and friends for her to return. Her husband, Capt. Burt, died a few years ago, having lived to a ripe old age, respected in the community where he had lived for so many years."^16,10

Frances Anne BURT died on 14 September 1901 in Los Angeles, California, at age 83. She died at the home of her daughter, Mattie Stone and her death certificate reports that she had lived in Los Angeles County for eleven years.¹⁷ She was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, California.

Frances's obituary was printed in September 1901 in the Talladega Exchange newspaper, published in Talladega, Alabama.

Frances Anne BURT's obituary also appeared on 15 September 1901 in the Los Angeles Herald newspaper.

Her obituary appeared 25 September 1901 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama.

     John James BURT, son of James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON, was born on 29 September 1851 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama.^1,2 He was also known as J. J.

John James BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 2 June 1860, in the household of his parents James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. He was seven years old.^3,4

John James BURT wrote the following letter 25 May 1869 from Talladega, Alabama, to a sweeheart in Virginia:

This letter was among a selection of papers given to the Culpeper library by a descendant of James W. Green. The collection contained some items dealing with the Gibson family, to whom the Greens were related. Jonathan Catlett Gibson's home in Culpeper County was known as "Dandridge" (for his wife's maiden name). Among his children was a daughter, Frances Ann, who lived in Talladega County, Alabama with her second husband, James C. Burt. It's reasonable to assume she would have called her home Dandridge after her family home in Culpeper. And did she have a son named Johnnie? Yes, she did. John J. Burt would have been eighteen in 1869. The identity of the girl he wrote to is unknown, but he had many Gibson cousins back in Virginia.⁵

John James BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1870, in the household of James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama.⁶

John was educated at the University of Virginia, graduating with a bachelor of law in 1872. An alumni journal listed him as an attorney practicing in Bristol, Tennessee.² He moved from Alabama to San Jose, California, circa 1873. He first practiced his profession as an attorney in San Jose and later in San Francisco. His office was totally destroyed in the 1906 earthquake.

His ability as a lawyer is acknowledged in the courts in the state, and his enterprise and push as a businessman won for him the admiration of the citizens of San Benito county.⁷

John James BURT married Sarah Bell WEBB on 29 May 1876 in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. She was the daugther of Robert Webb. Her father died on the Isthmus of Panama, while in government service and in route to California to establish a United States mint at San Franscisco. He was a native of New Orleans.²

From Bishop's Directory of San Jose in 1876 John was a partner in Collins and Burt attorneys at law with William H. Collins. They were located at the southeast corner of Santa Clara and First, rooms 4-5. He was living at the southwest corner of Second and Fountain. About this same time J. J. became involved in the manufacture of lime. He started the Cienega Lime Kilns in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties in 1885. He took out the first load of lime on 1 January 1886 from a forty-barrel kiln. That grew to four large kilns in operation with a capacity of 6,000 barrels of lime per month.

In the March 1958 issue of The Western Railroader, there is an article titled "Lime Kiln Railroad; the Tres Pinos Monorail." It states that J.J. Burt built four lime kilns in Thompson Canyon. For five years, teams of horses pulled the production of these kilns to the railhead at Tres Pinos in San Benito County, California. Thinking he could cut transportation time, he persuaded Jake Heff of San Francisco to finance a private railway to move the lime. In 1891, the first trainloads of the product were shipped 12 miles to the Southern Pacific railhead and the conveyance was able to carry twice the load of a twelve horse team and wagon. The Railroad had offered Burt the steel rails and track supplies if he would just grade the right of way, but, seeing more profit potential in a privately run railway, he took on a project of his own design: He built a monorail (of sorts).

The magazine describes his system as being constructed of "4x12 planks laid flat and parallel with a replaceable 4x4 inner lining at the edges and between these liners a space of about six inches. Instead of wheels the engine and cars ran on steel rollers, two to each, and just long enough to reach from outside to outside of the 38-inch plank roadway. At the center of the rollers was a steel flange which occupied the six inch space and kept the rolling stock on the track. That flange was the undoing of the whole scheme. It chewed out the wooden track so consistently that repairs more than made up any profit." The entire affair was homemade with the engine being a steam unit from a tractor placed on a flat car. It was not very wide, owing to the need to make allowances for tight clearances. Since it burned soft coal, the engine never made much speed or power. The train was reversed by a turntable at each end of the twelve mile line. As the system was not overly reliable, the teams of horses and wagons were never done away with and operating both more than ate up all of the kilns' profits.

"On September 5, 1892, the overheated engine with its water supply dangerously low, came to Pescadaro Creek. There on the bridge Engineer Bill Maynard stopped and dropped the suction hose into the stream and started to pump. It was a thoughtless act. The cold water coming into contact with the red hot flues and crown sheet produced an explosion that killed Maynard and scattered pieces of the equipment over adjacent scenery. The fireman escaped injury." This effectively ended the operation of the Lime Kiln Railroad; its backer, Jake Heff realized "that his money was irretrievably lost and shot himself and Burt went back to practicing law." The lime kilns eventually fell to ruin and the wooden track system was sawn up and sold as lumber or was salvaged by others to frame houses and barns.⁸

John James BURT and Sarah Bell WEBB appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1880 in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. The household was listed as John J. Burt, a 27-year-old attorney, born Alabama, and his wife, Sarah B. Burt, age 29, from Louisiana. Her father was also born in Louisiana, but her mother was Canadian. The couple had a two-year-old daughter, Fannie M. Burt, born in California. They had one domestic servant, Agnus Schilling, a 15-year-old girl of German-Swiss heritage, born in Kansas.⁹

John James BURT appeared in a newspaper article 10 May 1882 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama. Mrs. J. C. Burt will shortly leave for San Jose, California, to visit her son, John Burt, Esq., a prominent lawyer of the Pacific slope. We wish her a pleasant journey and safe return.

John James BURT appeared in a newspaper article 30 November 1887 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama. John J. Burt, Esqr., of San Jose, Cal., is visiting Talladega, his old home, after an absence of about twelve years. He is a son of Capt. J. C. Burt and a brother of Commissioner H. M. Burt.

He, along with Jordan STONE and Martha Dandridge WELCH, appeared in a newspaper article 13 December 1887 in the The Wilmington Morning Star, published in Wilmington, North Carolina. "Mr. Jordan Stone, accompanied by his family, left for Talladega, Ala., where the latter will spend the winter, while Mr. Stone will proceed at once to Los Angeles, California, where he enters at once upon active and lucrative business in connection with his brother-in-law, Mr. J. J. Burt."

As of between 1890 and 1896, John James BURT lived at 266 South 2nd Street, San Jose, California, In 1890 and 1892 the San Jose City Directory listed John J. Burt as an attorney and proprietor of the Guadalupe and Ciengega Lime Works with office at Room 1 Martin Block. In 1896 he was listed as an attorney with offices at rooms 20-21 420 California Steeet in San Francisco, but his residence remained in San Jose.

According to the San Francisco City Directory of 1894 John maintained law offices in rooms 20 and 21 at 420 California Street. He was still living in San Jose. By 1899 he had moved his offices up to 530 California Street. His daughter, Frances, was working for him as his stenographer. He had also moved his residence from San Jose to San Francisco, residing at 727 Ashbury. He was still there in 1901.

John James BURT moved from San Jose to San Francisco, California, in 1895 where he had established a law office.

John James BURT appeared in a newspaper article 9 August 1896 in the San Francisco Chronicle, published in San Francisco, California. "One of the strangest locomotives ever made, perhaps, is the Burt wooden railway locomotive. It was evolved by John J. Burt, the owner of a marble quarry and lime kiln at Cienega, in San Benito county, and is employed in haulling of lime to Tree Pinos, the southern terminus of the Hollister Line of the Southern Pacific Company. For this purpose Mr. Burt built a wooden railway about twelve miles long. It rests on five-foot ties, 4x4 inches square and about two feet apart. Each rail consists of three such pieces, laid side by side, and forming a continuous wooden floor or pathway two-foot wide, except that a narrow slot is left in the center of the floor. On this floor the engine and cars travel being carried by broad centrally flanged rollers or wheels.¹⁰

As of 1897, John James BURT lived at 1721 Oak Steet, San Francisco, California. The City Directory for that year recorded John J. Burt as an attorney with his office at 415-416 Safe Deposit Building and Oak Street as his residence. His daughter, Miss Frances M. Burt, was listed as a stenographer for JJ Burt and she lived at the same residence.

John James BURT was listed in the 1900 city directory for San Francisco, California. John J. Burt, attorney-at-law, office at 530 California street, reidense at 727 Asbury. His daughter, Frances, was his stenographer.

John James BURT and Sarah Bell WEBB appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 9 June 1900 in San Francisco, California. They were living at 727 Ashbury Street. John was listed as an attorney-at-law, age 48, born Sep 1851 in Alabama. Living with him were his wife, Sarah 49, and daughters, Frances 22, Marian D. 19, Shirley 17, Henrietta 15, and Madeleine 13, and son John, Jr. 11. Also, his son-in-law, Warren Churchill, a 24 year-old bookkeeper, husband of Marian; grand-daughter, Florence Churchill, age 2 months; and a 24-year-old Chinese servant, Wong Fong. Frances was a clerk in her father's law office.¹¹

As of February 1903, John James BURT and Sarah Bell WEBB lived at San Francisco, California. At that time "Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Burt" appeared in the 1903 San Francisco Telephone Directory of the Pacific States Telephone & Telegraph Company. J. J. Burt's law office was listed at 530 California Street. The couple was also found at the Shrader Street address in the 1905 San Francisco Blue Book Directory. The same office and residence appeared in the 1902 and 1904 City Directories. The 1901 City Directory showed their residence at 727 Ashbury.¹²

In 1904 John James BURT was living in 860 Shrader Street, San Francisco, California. The San Francisco City Directory recorded him as an attorney with offices at 530 California Street. In 1907 his office was listed as 1231 O'Farrell Street, but his residence was given as Berkeley.

After his office on California was destroyed in the Great 1906 Earthquake and Fire, John had moved his law office temporarily to the southeast corner of Washington and Devisadero before locating to 1231 O'Farrell Street in San Francisco and his residence to Berkeley, across the Bay. He had suffered heavy financial losses as a result of the quake.¹³

On 27 April 1908 John died in Berkeley, Alameda County, California, at age 56 leaving Sarah Bell a widow. He was living at 3012 Grove Street (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.)^14,15 He was buried in Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California.^16,17

John's obituary was printed on 28 April 1908 in the Oakland Tribune newspaper, published in Oakland, California. It read: "BURT-- In Berkeley, Cal., April 27, 1908, John James Burt, beloved husband of Sarah Webb Burt, father of Mrs. George L. Stevenson, Mrs. F. A. Lewis, Henrietta, Madeline, and John C. Burt, grandfather of Forence Churchill and brother of Mrs. F. M. Stone and Henry Burt, a native of Alabama, aged 55 years, 7 months and 28 days.

Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service Wednesday, April 29, at 10 o'clock, at his late residence. 3012 Grove Street. near Ashby, Berkeley. Interment stricly private."^18,19,20

His obituary appeared 30 April 1908 in the San Francisco Chronicle. Friends Pay Last Tribute to Burt - The remains of John J. Burt, one of the best known attorneys of San Francisco, werre borne from his late residence, 3012 Grove street, Berkeley, to their last resting place in Cypress Lawn Cemetery yesterday morning. His death occurred suddenly on Monday. "Judge" Burt, as he was known to his friends, was a member of a prominent Alabama family, and after coming to California built up a large practice in San Jose. Fifteen years ago he removed to San Francisco and resided for the last four years in Berkeley.

Attorney Burt was prominent in the affairs of the San Francisco Bar Association. He had but recently moved his office into a downtown building on California street.

The deceased lawyer was a native of Alabama, aged 56 years. He received his education at the University of Virginia. Surviving him are his widow, four daughters-- Mrs. Dr. George L. Stevenson of Sacramento, Mrs. Marion Lewis of Berkeley and the Misses Henrietta and Madeline Burt-- Mrs. F. M. Stone, a sister, of Los Angeles.²¹

His estate was probated on 24 May 1909 in Berkeley, Alameda County, California. John died intestate. His daughter, Frances M. Stevenson, was administratrix. Inventory included $33.85 cash, real estate on Grove Street in Berkeley, near corner of Ashby Avenue including a two-story frame dwelling with seven rooms valued $3000, furniture including piano, office furniture including many law books, desk and type writer. Total value of inventory $4354.10. The inventory was dated 10 Jun 1908.

The heirs were listed as: Sarah B. Burt, widow of deceased; Frances M. Stevenson of Sacremento; Marion D. Lewis of Berkeley; Henrietta Burt, age 23, Berkeley; Madelaine Burt, age 21, Berkeley; and John C. Burt, age 19, Berkeley. Henrietta, Madelain and John resided in the house in Berkeley with their mother, Sarah. By order of the court the house was set aside as a homestead for Sarah and son John C. Burt.

     Anna BURT, daughter of James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON, was born on 12 October 1854 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama.¹

Anna BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 2 June 1860, in the household of her parents James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. She was five years old.^2,3

Anna BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1870, in the household of James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama.⁴

Anna married Aylette Hawes BUCKNER, son of John Strother BUCKNER and Lucy Ellen GIBSON, on 1 January 1877 at J. C. Burt home in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. The service was performed by Samuel Henderson, M. G.⁵

From part of a letter written by Kitty Littleton to Anna Burt Buckner 20 Sep 188_. It was written from Bloomfield, Loudoun county, Virginia: "My cousin Isabella has left this space in which she wishes me to write a few lines. I have often heared(sp) my mother (Mildred Thornton Ball) speak of your grandmother, Patsy Ball (Martha Dandridge Ball) as she was called, a nick name, who married Col. Gibson and lived at Culpeper C. H. at that time. My father and mother were married and it was there they met when on a visit to Aunt Patsy. My father was Wm. M. Thompson, who was a merchant there at the time, left Culpeper C. H. when I was very young, consequently I lost sight of my relatives there as Uncle Catlett lost his wife young and married again. There are very few of us left. I am the only one of my mother's three children living, Isabella and Ebenezer all of Uncle Charles', and Washington Ball, now living in Fauquier the only child of Uncle Fayette. The two above named, Uncle Charles, your grandmother and my mother, were all great nieces and nephews of George Washington. I have the portraits of his brother Charles Washington and his wife now in my possession. I am very glad to hear from you, for I know so very few of my mother's family. I will be pleased to hear from you any time." It was signed "Yours affectionately, C. M. Littleton."

Catherine "Kitty" Mildred (Thompson) Littleton (1822-1901) was the daughter of Mildred Thornton Ball. Isabella Ball (1819-1897) was the daughter of Dr. Charles Burgess Ball. They were both grandaughters of Burgress Ball and nieces of Martha Dandridge (Ball) Gibson, so first cousins of Anna (Burt) Buckner.⁶

Anna BURT witnessed the sale of land from Eustace Pierre BURT to Henry McKenzie BURT on 4 October 1899 in Bibb County, Alabama. The deed read E. P. Burt, "an unmarried man" of Bibb County to H. M. Burt of Talladega County, Mrs. Sarah B. Burt of San Francisco, California and Anna Buckner of Rappahanock County, Virginia for one dollar lands in Bibb County formerly owned by J. C. Burt, deceased, except for coal rights. The deed also recorded that they paid him $6,000 for 12/18th interest in J. C. Burt's lands in Talladega County, including section 17, township 19, range 5; the south 1/8 of the south half of section 8; the north half of the northeast quarter of section 19; the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 20; and more, all in the above township and range.⁷

Anna BURT and Aylette Hawes BUCKNER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 26 June 1900 in Hawthorne, Rappahannock County, Virginia. The household was listed as Aylette H. Buckner, a 50-year-old farmer, born Mar 1850, and his wife, Anna Buckner, age 45, born Feb 1855. They had been married 23 years and Anna was the mother of 4 children, all living. Also in the household were their daughter, Burtie, age 21, born May 1879; son John S., 19, born Oct 1880; son Aylette H., 14, born Jul 1885; daugther Mattie, 11, born Nov 1888; laborer Lucy Fincham, 40, white, born Feb 1860; and servant Jacob Fincham, 8, black, born May 1892. All born in Virginia. John, Aylette and Mattie were all at school.

Anna BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 10 January 1920, in the household of her son Aylette Hawes BUCKNER Jr. in Hawthorne District, Rappahannock County, Virginia. She was 65. His husband lived next door.

Anna BURT died on 21 April 1947 at Valley View in Sperryville, Culpeper County, Virginia, at age 92.⁸ She was buried in Fairview Cemetery.

     Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON, son of Jonathan Catlett GIBSON III and Elizabeth Mallory, was born on 17 November 1793 in Virginia.^1,2

During the War of 1812, brothers Jonathan and John GIBSON enlisted in Capt. John Linton's Troop of Cavalry in Lt. Col. Enoch Rennoe's 36th Regiment of Virginia Militia from 21 August 1814 to 7 September 1814 in Orange County, Virginia. Jonathan was a sergeant and his brother John was a lieutenant. They enlisted for a period of 12 days. Jonathan also served in Capt. Jos. R. Gilbert's Company of the 6th regiment of Virginia Militia.

According to the testimony of William Ross of Culpeper County on 11 Nov 1879 in support of Mary W. Gibson's pension claim, "In 1814 when I landed at Norfolk the first person I met was Col. J. Catlett Gibson, who came up to enquire after the 'Culpeper boys.' He was a member of Capt. Gilbert's company, from Prince William Co. Capt. Gilbert was a large, portly man, and a hatter by trade. We boys used to call him 'Old Man Time' because he couldn't keep time. Chas. Fenton Mercer was the major of our regiment. I don't remember the name of the colonel [Lt. Col. Daniel Coleman]. The commander in chief [at Norfolk] was Gen. [Moses] Porter a very wicked man who used to curse all militia men off the face of the earth. Col. Gibson and myself were both in same regt. called out for six months, but served only three months. We were stationed at Camp Nemo 3 miles of Norfolk. Were in Norfolk occasionally and often called out for pickett service at the Pleasure House on Lynnhaven Bay. Col. J. C. Gibson and myself were discharged on 11 May 1814." Note: Pleasure House was a Chesapeake bayside tavern in which Norfolk area sports, satirically referred to by a contemporary as "the Pleasure House crowd," gathered to gamble and drink. Even so, the long popular watering hole also served during the first two decades of the 19th century as a lookout and vantage point on the Chesapeake Bay from which military observers before and throughout the War of 1812 could spy on the hostile activities of the British naval forces in nearby Lynnhaven Bay and off Cape Henry.^3,4

At the time of his enlistment in 1814, Jonathan was described as 6 feet tall, with dark brown curling hair, gray eyes, large aquiline nose, and a decided mouth and chin.⁵

Jonathan married first Martha Dandridge BALL, daughter of Col. Burgess BALL and Frances Ann WASHINGTON, circa 1816 in Virginia. He was an attorney.

Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON bought land from Francis S. and Esther Cowne Jones in 1821 in Culpeper County, Virginia. In 1820 Francis S. and Esther (or Hetty, as she was often called) Jones began disposing of their Culpeper property, preparatory to moving to Kentucky, near Bowling Green. In 1821 they sold to Jonathan for $1127 the land on which they resided, 556 acres on the south side of Thornton Gap Road to the line of Jeffries, Norris and Gabriel Jones. Gabriel S. Jones was the witness. [Deed Bk. MM, pg. 437].

Martha died on 20 April 1822 in Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia, at age 22 in childbirth leaving Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON as a widow. She left two young children, Frances 4 and Martha a new born.^6,7

Jonathan married second Mary Williams SHACKELFORD, daughter of John SHACKELFORD and Lucy Pendleton Tutt, on 28 December 1824 in Fairfax, Culpeper County, Virginia. Parson Woodville conducted the wedding service.^8,9

According to a history of Culpepper County, during Lafayette's visit to America the Marquis was contacted at Montpelier, James Madison's home in Orange County, and invited to Culpepper. As Lafayette had made a point to visit Virginia counties where he and his men had lived and fought during the Revolution, he accepted. "His party, ex-president James Monroe among them, crossed into Culpepper County at Lightfoot's Ford on Crooked Run at mid-morning, August 22, 1825. There, the entourage met with Maj. Jonathan Catlett Gibson and his mounted fifty-man volunteer escort. Virginia Appeals Court Judge John Williams entertained the party at Greenwood, a mile from town, and while the host poured iced apple toddies, Gibson's horses paraded in the front yard."^8,10

Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON was a member of the Virginia General Assembly. In 1833 he and Capt. Ambrose P. Hill, of later Civil War fame, were appointed to go to Richmond to employ "delaying tactics" to prevent Culpeper county being divided, but they were too late and Rappahannock county was formed. in 1831.¹¹

Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON died on 9 December 1849 in Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia, at age 56. The official cause of death shown on the 1850 Mortality Schedule was "paralysis", which was probably the result of a stroke. Death came after an illness of three days.^2,12,13 He was buried on 15 December 1849 in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Culpeper, Virginia. His monument is an upright stone with a pointed top. It reads: "SACRED to the memory of J. C. Gibson, Born the 17th of November 1793, Died the 6th of December 1849 in the 67th year of his age." A separate flat marker reads: "GIBSON: Jonathan Catlett Gibson, 1793-1849. Colonel War of 1812."^14,15

The following letter was writeen by his daughter, Lucy Ellen Buckner in August 1918:

     Martha Dandridge BALL, daughter of Col. Burgess BALL and Frances Ann WASHINGTON, was born on 9 October 1799 in Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia.^1,2 She was also known as Patsy.

Martha Dandridge BALL was named an heir in the will of Col. Burgess BALL dated 8 December 1800 in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Martha married Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON, son of Jonathan Catlett GIBSON III and Elizabeth Mallory, circa 1816 in Virginia.

From part of a letter written by Kitty Littleton to Anna Burt Buckner 20 Sep 188_. It was written from Bloomfield, Loudoun county, Virginia: "My cousin Isabella has left this space in which she wishes me to write a few lines. I have often heared(sp) my mother (Mildred Thornton BALL) speak of your grandmother, Patsy Ball (Martha Dandridge BALL) as she was called, a nick name, who married Col. Gibson and lived at Culpeper C. H. at that time. My father and mother were married and it was there they met when on a visit to Aunt Patsy. My father was Wm. M. Thompson, who was a merchant there at the time, left Culpeper C. H. when I was very young, consequently I lost sight of my relatives there as Uncle Catlett lost his wife young and married again. There are very few of us left. I am the only one of my mother's three children living, Isabella and Ebenezer all of Uncle Charles', and Washington Ball, now living in Fauquier the only child of Uncle Fayette. The two above named, Uncle Charles, your grandmother and my mother, were all great nieces and nephews of George Washington. I have the portraits of his brother Charles Washington and his wife now in my possession. I am very glad to hear from you, for I know so very few of my mother's family. I will be pleased to hear from you any time." It was signed "Yours affectionately, C. M. Littleton."

Catherine "Kitty" Mildred (Thompson) Littleton (1822-1901) was the daughter of Mildred Thornton Ball. Isabella Ball (1819-1897) was the daughter of Dr. Charles Burgess Ball. They were both grandaughters of Burgress Ball and nieces of Martha Dandridge (Ball) Gibson, so first cousins of Anna (Burt) Buckner.³

In the Mercer Family of Virginia papers is a deed (unexecuted), undated, of John Francis Mercer to the children of Burgess Ball: Charles Burgess Ball, Fayette Ball, Frances Washington Ball, George Washington Ball, Martha Dandridge (Ball) Gibson, and Mildred Thornton (Ball) Thompson for 125 acres in Loudoun County, Virginia. John Francis Mercer was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.⁴

On 20 April 1822 Martha Dandridge died in Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia, at age 22 in childbirth. She left two young children, Frances 4 and Martha a new born.^5,6 She was buried in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Culpeper County, Virginia. Her marker reads: "SACRED to the memory of Martha D. Gibson, Wife of J. C. Gibson, Born the 9th of October 1799, Died in April 1822 in the 23rd year of her age."^7,5

     Col. Burgess BALL, son of Jeduthan BALL and Elizabeth BURGESS, was born on 28 July 1749 at "Bewdley" in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Virginia.

He was born four months after his father died. His grandfather, Major James Ball, provided for Burgess by devising land, in King George, Spotsylvinia and Stafflord counties in northern Virginia to Burgess, when he came of age. The Ball estate was known as "Travellers' Rest" near Fredericksburg. The land upon which Travellers' Rest sat was owned by Col. James Ball of Bewdley in Virginia in 1700. This tract was originally a portion of the massive Sherwood Forest property granted to William Ball and Thomas Chitwood in 1667. on 15 Jul 1754, Ball willed the Travellers' Rest property to his grandson, Col. Burgess Ball. Burgess Ball built a two-story brick home with dormer windows in a style popular at the time. The chimneys of this structure were unique in that they were situated so that the fireplaces were in the corners of each room instead of in the center of the wall, as was the usual design.

In its prime, the house was the center of hospitality. Legend is that there was prominently displayed the sentiment "Enter ye weary, no matter whence you came and whither you go, and have rest." Today, the site, about five miles from the Chatham Bridge near Sherwood Forest, sits deserted and radically changed due to years of excavation, its only remaining feature an overgrown and hidden old cemetery.

Travellers' Rest evolved throughout the years from a somewhat small Colonial home to a grand mansion with beautiful gardens laid out in formal patterns by an English landscape gardener.

At the end of the Revolutionary War, Ball returned to Travellers' Rest, where he continued to offer hospitality to those who visited. The government refused to reimburse Ball for his financial and personal investment in the war efforts, and soon his remaining finances vanished. His health and fortune destroyed, Ball sold Travellers' Rest to Thomas Garnett and retired to Springwood, a rustic farm in Loudoun County.^1,2

Col. Burgess BALL was listed as one of the heirs to the estate of Maj. James BALL 15 November 1754 in Lancaster County, Virginia. Item I give to my Grand Son Burgess Ball all my lands in King George, Spootsilvania and Stafford Counties during his Natural life & at his decease I give it to his child or children as he shall think fit and to their heirs.

He appointed his son James Ball, Jr. executor of his estate and guardian of his grandson Burgess Ball.³

Burgess married Mary Chichester on 2 July 1770 in St. James Northam Parish, Goochland County, Virginia.⁴

Burgess saw military service during the American Revolution beginning on 10 February 1776 in Virginia when he was recorded as captain in the 5th Virginia Continental Line. He had raised, clothed and equipped the company from Lancaster county at his own expense. He was court martialed in Williamsburg for failing to prevent a stranded brig at Willoughby's Point being retaken by the British. He was unanimously acquitted of all charges. The regiment was at the Washington's crossing of the Delaware and the Battle of Trenton on 26 Dec 1776 and at Princeton in January 1777. On 10 Feb 1777 he was promoted to major of the 5th and participated in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown in late 1777. He became lieutenant colonel in command of the 9th Virginia 17 Dec 1777. They spent the winter of 19 December 1777 to 19 June 1778 at Valley Forge as part of Brigadier Gen. Peter Muhlenberg's 1st Virginia Brigade in Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Greene's Division. They fought at the Battle of Monmouth on 28 Jun 1778. The remnants of the 5th and 9th were transferred to the 1st Virginia regiment of foot 14 September 1778. They were sent South in December 1779 and captured at Charleston, South Carolina 12 May 1780. He was paroled on 12 Feb 1781 when he retired. At the start of the war Ball was a volunteer Aide de Camp on the staff of his kinsman, life long friend and correspondent, Gen. George Washington. Preferring the action of the field he exchanged his position for the captaincy in the 5th. After the war he was awarded 7,777 acres of land for seven years service in the Virginia Continental Line. An additional 300 acres was awarded on 31 May 1811.^5,6,4

Col. Burgess BALL married secondly Frances Ann WASHINGTON, daughter of Charles WASHINGTON and Mildred THORNTON, on 7 April 1781 in Stafford County, Virginia.⁷

Col. Burgess BALL was granted land 28 May 1789 in Virginia. A warrant #252 for 500 acres of bounty land was issued on account of Burgess Ball, colonel of the Virginia line, War of the Revolution.

In 1790, the General Assembly of Virginia appointed a commission to sell certain lands of Major James Ball and to reinvest the funds obtained for his grandson, Colonel Burgess Ball. The Commission then bought Big Springs Farm near Leesburg, later known as Springwood, from Thompson Mason on behalf of Col. Ball. The property could not be sold by Col. Ball, but descended to his children.

Col. Ball, deaf from his service in the Revolutionary War, moved with his family to Big Springs soon after the conclusion of the war. Less than ten years later, he died.²

In 1795, the American portrait miniaturist, Raphaelle Peale, traveled through Virginia on his way from Philadelphia to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was engaged to paint miniatures of the gentry elite. It is thought that Peale painted a miniature of Colonel Ball at that time, probably to be presented to Frances. Gentry women are often depicted wearing such miniatures on ribbons or cords around the neck and frequently requested loved ones to sit for their portraits.⁸

Col. Burgess BALL died on 7 March 1800 in Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia, at age 50. He was buried in "Springwood," in the Ball Family Cemetery.

Col. Burgess BALL left a will probated 8 December 1800 in Loudoun County, Virginia. Col. Balls leaves his wife, Frances Ball, the use of all his estate for life or during her widowhood, with power to dispose of same among his children: Mildred Thornton, Geo. Washington, Fayette, Charles Burgess, Frances Washington, and Martha Dandridge, to each son two-ninths, to each dau. one-ninth. Should she marry she should receive L200 per annum from his executors, and the distribution, supra, should be made by Commissioners appointed by the County Courts. If a child dies before maturity the survivors to inherit that child's share. To his daughter Elizabeth Long a ring of 10 guineas value; and this from no lack of love for her, but because he had already "given her some valuable Negroes," and because she had "acquired large property by the death of her brother." To his mothers-in-law Mrs. Jane Payne and Mrs. Mildred Washington, and his friend Dr. Sims each a mourning ring of 10 guineas value. To servants Jenny $20 yearly, Miller Sam, big James and Waiting man James each $5 yearly. Intended providing for all of his negroes but incapable from illness and "possessing entire confidence in my beloved Wife, niece of the late great and good General Washington," he leaves it to her to carry out his wishes. To sisters-on-law Mildred Gregory, Hammond and Dorothea Washington each a 10 guinea mourning ring. Wife Frances Ball, Executrix and Thomas Ludwell Lee, Bushrod Washington, and Thomas Hammond, executors, to each of whom a ring of 10 guineas. Witnesses: Catherine L. Sims, Thomas Ludwell Lee, Thomas Lee Sims. Frances Ball and Thomas Swann security, and Thomas L. Lee with Geo. Lee and Geo. Carter security, qualified 1 Feb 1801, each giving bonds of $50.000. [Loudon County will book F, pg. 226]

A land patent in Ohio was issued 19 Oct 1810 for 1500 acres, surveyed 13 Mar 1795. A note on the patent said that Burgess Ball was originally entitled to the military bounty land, and that it was assigned to Frances Ball administratix and Thomas L. Lee, administrator of his estate.⁹

     Frances Ann WASHINGTON, daughter of Charles WASHINGTON and Mildred THORNTON, was born on 4 June 1763 in Stafford County, Virginia.¹

Frances Ann WASHINGTON became the second wife of Col. Burgess BALL, son of Jeduthan BALL and Elizabeth BURGESS, on 7 April 1781 in Stafford County, Virginia.¹

Frances Ann WASHINGTON was named executrix and an heir in the will of Col. Burgess BALL dated 8 December 1800 in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Frances married Dr. Francis H. Peyton on 7 April 1802 in Leesburg, Virginia. This marriage occured two years after the death of Burgess Ball. They had one child, Adelaide, born 1803, died 1805.² She was the administrator of Col. Burgess BALL's estate on 19 October 1810.³

Frances Ann Peyton died in February 1815 in Middleburg, Loudoun County, Virginia, at age 51.² She was buried in Ball Family Cemetery, Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia.⁴

     Charles WASHINGTON, son of Augustine WASHINGTON and Mary BALL, was born on 2 May 1738 in Little Hunting Creek, Stafford (now Fairfax) County, Virginia. His older brother Lawrence would later rename this location Mount Vernon. Charles was still an infant when the family moved to Ferry Farm outside of Fredericksburg.^1,2

Charles WASHINGTON was listed as one of the heirs to the estate of Augustine WASHINGTON 6 May 1743 in King George County, Virginia. He was only five when his farther died. He received a number of slaves and several tracts of land including 700 acres in Prince William County, purchased of Gabrial Adams.

His father left Ferry Farm to George Washington, which meant that Charles spent most of his childhood there. But although it was owned by George, their mother, Mary Ball Washington, ran the plantation until George Washington came of age.^3,2

Charles married Mildred THORNTON, daughter of Col. Francis THORNTON III and Frances GREGORY, in October 1757 in Virginia.⁴ In 1757, nineteen-year-old Charles had proposed to Mildred, his cousin. This caused some turmoil in both families.

Mildred's father Francis was deceased, and her mother requested some written assurance of her daughter's future well being from the head of the Washington family. 25-year-old George Washington, then residing in Mount Vernon, viewed the request for a written contract as an aspersion on his "principles of conduct."

Fielding Lewis, now his brother-in-law, worked out an accommodation with John Thornton which satisfied both families. Thornton, Charles' uncle became his niephew's legal guardian and posted a bond. John Thornton, Mildred's uncle became her guardian and also posted a bond. The wedding was then allowed to proceed.²

In 1753 Charles, by the will of Lawrence Washington of Mount Vernon, Charles's half brother, Charles received an equal share, along with his brothes Samuel and John Augustine, of certain valuable lands in Frederick county. These lands in Berkeley county, Virginia lie in what is now Jeffeson county, West Virginia. By 1759 he was of legal age and entitled to assume the management of his various properties in Frederick, Prince William, etc.³

In 1760 Charles built a home in Fredericksburg, Virginia that was later to become The Rising Sun Tavern. The tavern at 1306 Caroline Street was the only one in Fredericksburg at the time and served as a meeting place for such Revolutionary War figures as Patrick Henry and the Lees. Charles had purchased the property from Fielding's older brother, Warner Lewis, late of Gloucester County. The house on Caroline Street, where Charles lived until moving away in 1780, was the scene of visits from many friends and relatives, including his mother and George and Martha Washington.³

While not as well-known as his famous brother, Charles led an active life and was involved in civic affairs. He was a magistrate in Spotsylvania County, Virginia before the Revolutionary War, and he joined brothers Samuel and John Augustine in being some of the first signers of the "Leetown Resolve" in 1766. This was a response by residents of Westmoreland County, Virginia in protest to the British Stamp Act. By signing this Resolve, these men established themselves as serious participants in the resistance to the British Crown, which developed ten years later into the Revolutionary War.²

Charles saw military service on 21 September 1780 when he served as Lt. Colonel and colonel of the Spotsylvania County, Virginia militia during the Revolutionary War. He was comissary of the Caroline County Militia 1775-76. His son, George Augustine Washinton, served as an aide to the Marquis de Lafayette.

Charles Town, West Virginia was founded in 1786 by an act of the Virginia Legislature on land provided by Charles Washington. Charles had already made a name for himself as a signer of the "Westmoreland Resolution" in 1766 and as colonel in the Virginia militia. His brother, George Washington, had surveyed the land there in 1748 and liked it so much that he urged Lawrence Washington, his half-brother and the owner of Mount Vernon, to purchase land in the area. In 1750, an 18-year-old George Washington invested his earnings as a surveyor in 500 acres of farmland on Bullskin Run, two miles southwest of Charles Town, later enlarging his holding to some 2,300 acres. When Lawrence Washington died in 1752 he willed Mount Vernon to George and the land upon which Charles Town would be built to his 14-year-old half-brother, Charles.

In the fall of 1780 a 42-year-old Charles moved his family from Fredericksburg to what would become Charles Town and built a home he named "Happy Retreat". George Washington was a frequent guest. In 1786, on 80 acres of his adjoining land, Charles laid out the town-- naming the streets himself, some after close relatives-- and expressed the wish to donate the four corner lots at the center of town for the use of the community. Today, his mansion at the end of Blakely Street is in private hands. Recently, the graves of Charles and Mildred Washington were found on the grounds. One of the buildings on Charles Town's public square is the famous Jefferson County Courthouse, site of two notorious treason trials, John Brown in 1859 and William Blizzard of Blair Mountain fame in 1921.

George Washington mentions in his diary staying at Happy Retreat at least two times. Also Gen. Daniel Morgan, hero of the Battle of Cowpens in the Revolution, met here with Gen. Washington during one of his visits.⁵

Charles WASHINGTON was named an heir in the will of George WASHINGTON dated on 9 July 1799 in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. One of the provisions of the will was, "To my brother, Charles Washington, I give and bequeath the gold headed cane left to me by Doctr [Ben] Franklin in his will. I add nothing to it because of the ample provision I made for his issue."⁶

Charles left a will dated 25 July 1799 in Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia. To wife Mildred certain slaves, and after her death to Samuel Washington. The will was proven 23 Sep 1799.

Charles WASHINGTON died on 16 September 1799 in Charles Town, Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia), at age 61.

     Mildred THORNTON, daughter of Col. Francis THORNTON III and Frances GREGORY, was born in 1737 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

Mildred married Charles WASHINGTON, son of Augustine WASHINGTON and Mary BALL, in October 1757 in Virginia.¹

Mildred THORNTON died in 1804 in Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia.

     Augustine WASHINGTON, son of Lawrence WASHINGTON and Mildred WARNER, was born in 1694 at Bridges Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was only four years old when his father died. He inherited about 1,000 acres on Bridges Creek in Westmoreland County; his sister Mildred inherited what was called the Little Hunting Creek property.

Augustine was educated in the Appleby School, England.

When he came of age (and into his inheritance), Augustine married Jane BUTLER on 20 April 1715 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. She was an orphan, who had inherited about 640 acres from her father. The young couple settled on the Bridges Creek property. In 1718, Washington purchased land on Popes Creek, abridging his property on Bridges Creek. About 1726, he built a new house there (later called Wakefield). In the same year, he purchased the Little Hunting Creek property from his sister Mildred. This would later become George Washington's Mount Vernon estate.

In addition to his work supervising overseers and slave labor as a tobacco planter, Washington was active in the Anglican Church and in local politics. He served at various times as justice of the peace and as county sheriff.¹

After Jane's early death in 1729, Augustine married second Mary BALL, daughter of Joseph BALL and Mary MONTAGUE, on 6 March 1729/30 at Epping Forest in Lancaster County, Virginia. They had three children together: George, Betty, and Samuel.

In 1735, the family moved to the Little Hunting Creek property. The exact reason for the move is unclear, but it may have had to do with Washington's other occupation of iron mining. In 1725, Augustine entered into an agreement with the Principio Company of England to start an iron works on Accokeek Creek in Stafford County. In 1728, Washington agreed with the company to bear one sixth of the cost of running Accokeek Furnace. Little Hunting Creek was closer to the iron mine than Pope's Creek. Washington cultivated tobacco on his plantations, which was labor intensive and required the work of many slaves. By the time George Washington was born, the population of the Virginia colony was 50 percent black, most of whom were enslaved.

In 1738, a 150-acre property formerly owned by William Strother, became available for purchase. It was just across the Rappahannock River from the fledgling town of Fredricksburg, Virginia. Washington purchased it from the Strother executors. He moved his family to the plantation at the end of 1738. The new property offered easier access to Accokeek Furnace and was within a day's ride of both Little Hunting Creek and Popes Creek properties. Washington also leased a 450-acre parcel adjacent to the Strother property which he later purchased outright. Although the property included a ferry road and landing, it was not called Ferry Farm during the time of the Augustine Washington's residency.

By 1738, two more Washington children were born: John Augustine, 1736, and Charles, 1738. A sixth child, Mildred, was born on the new farm in 1739, but she died in infancy in 1740.^2,3

Augustine saw military service between 1740 and 1743 as a captain of Virginia troops during the Indian wars.

Augustine WASHINGTON died on 12 April 1743 at Ferry Farm in King George County, Virginia.² He was buried in Bridges Creek Washington Family cemetery, George Washington Birthplace National Monument, Virginia. His estate was probated on 6 May 1743 in King George County, Virginia.^4,5

After Washington's death at the age of 49, his son George inherited the former Strother property and its slaves. As he was only 11 years old, his mother Mary managed the property for him until he came of age. She lived on the property until 1772, when she was 64 and George moved her to a house in Fredericksburg across the river.

Lawrence inherited the Little Hunting Creek property and its slaves. He renamed his property Mount Vernon, in honor of Admiral Edward Vernon, with whom he had served in the British Navy during the Battle of Cartagena de Indias.

Lastly, Augustine, Jr. inherited the Popes Creek property and slaves. At his death, Augustine Washington, Sr. held a total of 64 slaves, who were assigned to the various plantations.

According to Augustine's will, if Lawrence died without children, the Little Hunting Creek property would be given to Augustine, Jr. He would then have to give Popes Creek to George. If Augustine, Jr. did not want the Little Hunting Creek property, it would be inherited by George. Lawrence had no living children when he died, and Augustine, Jr. did not want to give up Popes Creek; therefore, George Washington ultimately inherited the Little Hunting Creek property.

Lawrence Washington's widow Ann had a life interest in the Little Hunting Creek plantation. As she remarried and was not living at Mount Vernon, she leased the property to George beginning in 1754. Upon her death in 1761, George Washington inherited the plantation outright.³

     Mary BALL, daughter of Joseph BALL and Mary MONTAGUE, was born in 1708 in Lancaster County, Virginia.¹ Both of Mary's parents died during her early girlhood, and she was left to the guardianship of a friend and neighbor, George Eskridge, an attorney. A portrait painted by the English artist Middleton reveals her as a decidedly attractive woman of poise and character. In her girlhood she was extremely popular, and was frequently referred to as "the rose of Eppling Forest".

Mary married Augustine WASHINGTON, son of Lawrence WASHINGTON and Mildred WARNER, on 6 March 1729/30 at Epping Forest in Lancaster County, Virginia.^2,3

Mary BALL died on 25 August 1789 in Fredericksburg, Virginia.¹

     George WASHINGTON, son of Augustine WASHINGTON and Mary BALL, was born on 22 February 1730/31 at Pope's Creek Plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia.¹

Washington, the first-born child from his father's second marriage, had two older siblings and five younger siblings. George's father died when George was eleven years old, after which George's half-brother, Lawrence Washington, became a surrogate father and role model. William Fairfax, Lawrence's father-in-law and cousin of Virginia's largest landowner, Thomas, Lord Fairfax, was also a formative influence. Washington spent much of his boyhood at Ferry Farm in Stafford County near Fredericksburg. Lawrence Washington inherited another family property from his father, which he later named Mount Vernon. George inherited Ferry Farm upon his father's death, and eventually acquired Mount Vernon after Lawrence's death.

The death of his father prevented Washington from receiving an education in England as his older brothers had done. His education comprised seven or eight years, mostly in the form of tutoring by his father and Lawrence, and training in surveying. Late in life, Washington was somewhat self-conscious that he was less learned than some of his contemporaries. Thanks to his Fairfax connections, at seventeen he was appointed official surveyor for Culpeper County in 1749, a well-paid position which allowed him to purchase land in the Shenandoah Valley, the first of his many land acquisitions in western Virginia. Thanks to Lawrence's involvement in the Ohio Company, Washington came to the notice of the lieutenant governor of Virginia, Robert Dinwiddie. Washington was hard to miss: at about six feet two inches (estimates of his height have varied), he towered over most of his contemporaries.²

The estate, originally called Little Hunting Creek Plantation, consisted of about 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares). It descended by inheritance from John Washington, the first of the family in America, to his son Lawrence, who in turn devised it to his daughter Mildred. From Mildred it was purchased in 1726 by her brother Augustine, George Washington’s father; and in 1743, when George was eleven his father, Augustine, died; George Washington then lived with his mother, Mary, at Ferry Farm in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and visited his half-brother, Lawrence, at Mount Vernon. George inherited Mount Vernon upon Lawrence's death in 1752. Washington successfully ran and built up his Mount Vernon plantation into a large business. He divided the plantation into five farms, each of which had a separate overseer who was responsible for that farm, and also managed an active fishery where fish were caught, salted and shipped throughout the colonies and overseas. His farm shops, blacksmith and flour milling in particular, provided services to farmers in the locale. An extended community of slaves and servants that numbered about 315 people at its peak, lived and worked on Mount Vernon plantation. He increased the acreage from 2,100 to 8,000, rebuilt the simple farmhouse he inherited into a 2-1/2 story, 20-room Mansion, and designed and built all 12 outbuildings.

In 1754, at the start of the French and Indian Wars, Virginia's Gov. Dinwiddie commissioned Washington a Lieutenant Colonel and ordered him to lead an expedition to Fort Duquesne to drive out the French Canadians. With his American Indian allies led by Tanacharison, Washington and his troops ambushed a French Canadian scouting party of some 30 men, led by Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. This action is regarded as the first hostility leading to the global Seven Years' War, as the French responded by attacking Fort Necessity which Washington had erected, and the British would later send two regiments to engage with the French. Washington surrendered to the French Canadians and was released on parole, returning with his troops to Virginia, where he was cleared of blame for the defeat, but resigned because he did not like the new arrangement of the Virginia Militia.

In 1755, Washington was an aide to British General Edward Braddock on the ill-fated Monongahela expedition.] This was a major effort to retake the Ohio Country. While Braddock was killed and the expedition ended in disaster, Washington distinguished himself as the Hero of the Monongahela.] While Washington's role during the battle has been debated, biographer Joseph Ellis asserts that Washington rode back and forth across the battlefield, rallying the remnant of the British and Virginian forces to a retreat.] Subsequent to this action, Washington was given a difficult frontier command in the Virginia mountains, and was rewarded by being promoted to colonel and named commander of all Virginia forces.

In 1758, Washington participated as a Brigadier General in the Forbes expedition that prompted French evacuation of Fort Duquesne, and British establishment of Pittsburgh. Later that year, Washington resigned from active military service and spent the next sixteen years as a Virginia planter and politician.²

George married Martha DANDRIDGE, daughter of Col. John DANDRIDGE and Frances JONES, on 6 January 1759 in New Kent County, Virginia. She was the widow of Daniel Parke Custis, who she married at age 18. He was a rich planter two decades her senior. George and Martha's wedding was a grand affair. The groom appeared in a suit of blue and silver with red trimming and gold knee buckles; the bride wore purple silk shoes with spangled buckles. After the Reverend Peter Mossum pronounced them man and wife, the couple honeymooned at her home, White House Plantation on the south shore of the Pamunkey River, for several weeks before setting up housekeeping at Washington's Mount Vernon. Their marriage appears to have been a solid one, untroubled by infidelity or clash of temperament.³

Washington's marriage to Martha, a wealthy widow, greatly increased his property holdings and social standing. He acquired one-third of the 18,000 acre Custis estate upon his marriage, and managed the remainder on behalf of Martha's children. He frequently bought additional land in his own name. In addition, he was granted land in what is now West Virginia as a bounty for his service in the French and Indian War. By 1775, Washington had doubled the size of Mount Vernon to 6,500 acres, and had increased the slave population there to more than 100 persons. As a respected military hero and large landowner, he held local office and was elected to the Virginia provincial legislature, the House of Burgesses, beginning in 1758.

Washington lived an aristocratic lifestyle—fox hunting was a favorite leisure activity. Like most Virginia planters, he imported luxuries and other goods from England and paid for them by exporting his tobacco crop. Extravagant spending and the unpredictability of the tobacco market meant that many Virginia planters of Washington's day were losing money. (Thomas Jefferson, for example, would die deeply in debt.)²

George concentrated on his business activities and remained somewhat aloof from politics. Although he expressed opposition to the 1765 Stamp Act, the first direct tax on the colonies, he did not take a leading role in the growing colonial resistance until after protests of the Townshend Acts (enacted in 1767) had become widespread. In May 1769, Washington introduced a proposal drafted by his friend George Mason, which called for Virginia to boycott English goods until the Acts were repealed. Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts in 1770, and, for Washington at least, the crisis had passed. However, Washington regarded the passage of the Intolerable Acts in 1774 as "an Invasion of our Rights and Privileges". In July 1774, he chaired the meeting at which the "Fairfax Resolves" were adopted, which called for, among other things, the convening of a Continental Congress. In August, Washington attended the First Virginia Convention, where he was selected as a delegate to the First Continental Congress.

After fighting broke out in April 1775, Washington appeared at the Second Continental Congress in military uniform, signaling that he was prepared for war. Washington had the prestige, military experience, charisma and military bearing of any good military leader and was known for his reputation as a strong patriot, and the Southern States, especially Virginia, supported him. Although he did not explicitly seek the office of commander and even claimed that he was not equal to it, there was no serious competition. Congress created the Continental Army on June 14, 1775. Nominated by John Adams of Massachusetts, Washington was then appointed Major General and elected by Congress to be Commander-in-chief.

Washington assumed command of the Continental Army in the field at Cambridge, Massachusetts in July 1775, during the ongoing siege of Boston. Realizing his army's desperate shortage of gunpowder, Washington asked for new sources. American troops raided British arsenals, including some in the Caribbean, and some manufacturing was attempted. They obtained a barely adequate supply (about 2.5 million pounds) by the end of 1776, mostly from France. Washington reorganized the army during the long standoff, and forced the British to withdraw by putting artillery on Dorchester Heights overlooking the city. The British evacuated Boston and Washington moved his army to New York City.

Although negative toward the patriots in the Continental Congress, British newspapers routinely praised Washington's personal character and qualities as a military commander. These articles were bold, as Washington was enemy general who commanded an army in a cause that many Britons believed would ruin the empire. Washington's refusal to become involved in politics buttressed his reputation as a man fully committed to the military mission at hand and above the factional fray.

In August 1776, British General William Howe launched a massive naval and land campaign designed to seize New York and offer a negotiated settlement. The Continental Army under Washington engaged the enemy for the first time as an army of the newly declared independent United States at the Battle of Long Island, the largest battle of the entire war. Some historians see his army's subsequent nighttime retreat across the East River, without the loss of a single life or materiel, as one of Washington's greatest military feats. This and several other British victories sent Washington scrambling out of New York and across New Jersey, which left the future of the Continental Army in doubt. On the night of December 25, 1776, Washington staged a counterattack, leading the American forces across the Delaware River to capture nearly 1,000 Hessians in Trenton, New Jersey. Washington followed up his victory at Trenton with another at Princeton in early January. These victories alone were not enough to ensure ultimate victory, however, as many soldiers did not reenlist or deserted during the harsh winter. Washington reorganized the army with increased rewards for staying and punishment for desertion, which raised troop numbers effectively for subsequent battles.

British forces defeated Washington's troops in the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. Howe outmaneuvered Washington and marched into Philadelphia unopposed on September 26. Washington's army unsuccessfully attacked the British garrison at Germantown in early October. Meanwhile, General John Burgoyne, out of reach from help from Howe, was trapped and forced to surrender his entire army at Saratoga, New York. France responded to Burgoyne's defeat by entering the war, openly allying with America and turning the Revolutionary War into a major worldwide war. Washington's loss of Philadelphia prompted some members of Congress to discuss removing Washington from command. This attempt failed after Washington's supporters rallied behind him.

Washington's army camped at Valley Forge in December 1777, staying there for the next six months. Over the winter, 2,500 men of the 10,000-strong force died from disease and exposure. The next spring, however, the army emerged from Valley Forge in good order, thanks in part to a full-scale training program supervised by Baron von Steuben, a veteran of the Prussian general staff. The British evacuated Philadelphia to New York in 1778 but Washington attacked them at Monmouth and drove them from the battlefield. Afterwards, the British continued to head towards New York. Washington moved his army outside of New York.

In the summer of 1779 at Washington's direction, General John Sullivan carried out a decisive scorched earth campaign that destroyed at least forty Iroquois villages throughout present-day central and upstate New York in retaliation for Iroquois and Tory attacks against American settlements earlier in the war. Washington, himself, had commercial interests in Ohio; his family had an investment in the Ohio Company, which was granted 500,000 acres of land in Ohio by King George III in 1747. Washington delivered the final blow to the British in 1781, after a French naval victory allowed American and French forces to trap a British army in Virginia. The surrender at Yorktown on October 17, 1781, marked the end of most fighting.

In March 1783, Washington used his influence to disperse a group of Army officers who had threatened to confront Congress regarding their back pay. By the Treaty of Paris (signed that September), Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States. Washington disbanded his army and, on November 2, gave an eloquent farewell address to his soldiers.

On November 25, the British evacuated New York City, and Washington and the governor took possession. At Fraunces Tavern on December 4, Washington formally bade his officers farewell and on December 23, 1783, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief, emulating the Roman general Cincinnatus. He was an exemplar of the republican ideal of citizen leadership who rejected power. During this period, there was no position of President of the United States under the Articles of Confederation, the forerunner to the Constitution.

Washington's retirement to Mount Vernon was short-lived. He made an exploratory trip to the western frontier in 1784,[14] was persuaded to attend the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787, and was unanimously elected president of the Convention. He participated little in the debates (though he did vote for or against the various articles), but his high prestige maintained collegiality and kept the delegates at their labors. The delegates designed the presidency with Washington in mind, and allowed him to define the office once elected. After the Convention, his support convinced many, including the Virginia legislature, to vote for ratification; the new Constitution was ratified by all 13 states.

The Electoral College elected Washington unanimously in 1789, and again in the 1792 election; he remains the only president to have received 100 percent of the electoral votes. At his inauguration, he John Adams was elected vice president. Washington took the oath of office as the first President under the Constitution for the United States of America on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City although, at first, he had not wanted the position.

The 1st United States Congress voted to pay Washington a salary of $25,000 a year—a large sum in 1789. Washington, already wealthy, declined the salary, since he valued his image as a selfless public servant. At the urging of Congress, however, he ultimately accepted the payment, to avoid setting a precedent whereby the presidency would be perceived as limited only to independently wealthy individuals who could serve without any salary. Washington attended carefully to the pomp and ceremony of office, making sure that the titles and trappings were suitably republican and never emulated European royal courts. To that end, he preferred the title "Mr. President" to the more majestic names suggested.

Washington proved an able administrator. An excellent delegator and judge of talent and character, he held regular cabinet meetings to debate issues before making a final decision. In handling routine tasks, he was "systematic, orderly, energetic, solicitous of the opinion of others but decisive, intent upon general goals and the consistency of particular actions with them."

Washington reluctantly served a second term as president. He refused to run for a third, establishing the customary policy of a maximum of two terms for a president, which later became law by the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.²

George WASHINGTON died on 14 December 1799 at Mount Vernon in Fairfax County, Virginia, at age 68. On December 12, 1799, Washington had spent several hours inspecting his farms on horseback, in snow and later hail and freezing rain. He sat down to dine that evening without changing his wet clothes. The next morning, he awoke with a bad cold, fever, and a throat infection called quinsy that turned into acute laryngitis and pneumonia. Washington died on the evening of December 14, 1799, at his home aged 67, while attended by Dr. James Craik, one of his closest friends, Dr. Gustavus Richard Brown, Dr. Elisha C. Dick, and Tobias Lear V, Washington's personal secretary. Lear later recorded an account in his journal, writing that Washington's last words were "'Tis well." Modern doctors believe that Washington died largely because of his treatment, which included calomel and bloodletting, resulting in a combination of shock from the loss of five pints of blood, as well as asphyxia and dehydration.² He was buried in Washington Family Cemetery at Mt. Vernon, Virginia.

     Elizabeth WASHINGTON, daughter of Augustine WASHINGTON and Mary BALL, was born on 20 June 1733 at Pope's Creek Plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia.¹ She was also known as Betty. She was the younger sister of George Washington and the only sister to live to adulthood. She was the first daughter of Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington. She is considered a "founding mother" of America.

Elizabeth married Col. Fielding Lewis on 7 May 1750 in Virginia. They built a house in Fredericksburg, Kenmore House, in 1770, and owned The Lewis Store until 1776. She was buried in Western View Plantation, Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia.

Elizabeth WASHINGTON died on 31 March 1797 in Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia, at age 63.¹