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.