Notes to Family

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2nd American Burgess Generation

I am naming the generations starting with the first American Burgess, Samuel.

Samuel and Eleanor's first born son, Joseph Burgess, was born in 1689 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

On July 3, 1718, Joseph married Hannah Wilson (born 1689). Joseph and Hannah had six children, Daniel Burgess, Joseph Burgess, Thomas Burgess, Sarah Burgess, John Burgess and Tacy Burgess. Joseph died in 1746 at the age of 57. Hannah is believed to have died sometime after 1752.

3rd American Burgess Generation

Our line continued on through Josesph and Hannah's child, Joseph. Joseph was born May 3, 1733. He married Deborah Fisher, who was born on January 5, 1733. Joseph and Deborah had six children, Jonathan Burgess, born May 20, 1760, Jesse Burgess born on October 3, 1762, Thomas Burgess born on March 21, 1764, John Burgess born on August 8, 1769, Daniel Burgess born on March 8, 1771 and Grace Burgess born on January 13, 1776 when Deborah was 43 years old.

Joseph Burgess died on October 21, 1811 at the age of 78. Deborah died June 27, 1822 at the age of 89.

4th American Burgess Generation

Our line continued through Thomas Burgess, the child of Joseph and Deborah. Thomas was born on March 21, 1764. Thomas married Elizabeth Hendricks who was born in November of 1769.

Thomas and Elizabeth had eight children. Elizabeth born September 26, 1801, Joseph born October 9, 1803, Jesse born November 8, 1805, Moses born on April 28, 1807, Mary born on February 1, 1809, Tacy born on September 5, 1811, Martha born on September 5, 1811, and John born October 13, 1813. Tacy and Martha were twins.

Thomas Burgess died on September 5, 1836 at age 72. Elizabeth's date of death is not known.

5th American Generation

Our line continued through Jesse Burgess, child of Thomas and Elizabeth. Jesse was born on November 8, 1805. On March 17, 1829 Jesse married Elizabeth Harvey who was born on February 11, 1811. Jesse and Elizabeth had five children. Mary Emily Burgess born January 10, 1830, Thomas born on July 17, 1833, Martha Ann born January 12, 1836, Mahala born March 16, 1839 and William H. Burgess born March 8, 1842.

I do not yet know the dates of death for Jesse or Elizabeth. Our line will continue through William Harvey Burgess. William Harvey Burgess is the first of the our line to make his home in the south.

The Burgess Family Comes to America

In 1685 Samuel Burgess, born in 1662 in England, came to America. In 1684 Samuel had married Eleanor, whose maiden name we do not yet know. The same year they arrived here Samuel and Eleanor purchased property in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Deed is recorded in Deed Book A-1, Pages 10-11, Bucks County. The property, consisting of about 200 acres was bought for Ten Pounds Fifteen Shillings with an entailement of two English Silver shillings to be paid to John and Thomas Rowland on the first day of January - forever.

Samuel and Eleanor had six children that are recorded. Joseph Burgess, born in 1689, Samuel Burgess Jr., born in 1691, Sarah Burgess, born July 29, 1691 (speculation is that Samuel Jr., and Sarah were twins) John Burgess, born in 1695, Daniel Burgess, born 1696 and Priscilla Burgess, born October 30, 1696 (again there is speculation that Daniel and Priscilla were twins). The other possiblity is that Sarah and Priscilla were adopted by Samuel and Eleanor. Women often died in childbirth or shortly after leaving children who could easily follow them if a woman with an already nursing child did not take them. This is rank speculation however, happily our line descends from Joseph Burgess, the first born, so we do not have to be too concerned with this issue. However,if you care to investigate this I would love to know what you come up with. All six children lived long enough to marry.

After a fruitful life, Samuel died in 1714 at the age of 52. Eleanor's date of death is not known.

Quaker Blood

It appears that the Burgess clan were solidly Quaker from the start. I do not know if Samuel Burgess, the first Burgess in our line to come to America, was born a Quaker or converted. If Samuel's father was a Quaker he was probably converted after hearing George Fox, the founder of the movement. From there on, the family was Quaker, and only married Quakers (about 90% sure), until WH Burgess's daughter married a Tinker, who I do not believe was Quaker (again only 90%).

I have been asked if the Burgess family was religious. The answer is yes. That said, Quakers did not then, and do not now, believe much of what passes for Bible Belt religion. I will post information on Quakers from time to time but I urge you, if you are one of this family line, to do your own research on Quaker belief and practice.