| 2. | Thomas Burgess was born about 1776 in King George Co, Virginia; died in 1840 in of, White Co, Tennessee. Other Events and Attributes:
- Census: 1830, White Co, Tennessee
Notes:
A Tennessee Pioneer
In 1793, Thomas Burgess (1756-1840) a probable veteran of the Revolutionary War, was paid his final veterans compensation for service in the war for independence. Instead of payment with money, then in short supply for the new government, he was paid with a land grant dated 1793, recently acquired from the Creek Indians. The purchase originally became a part of North Carolina known as Washington County, later to be organized as the State of Tennessee. The Burgess Grant and other settler's grants in the area subsequently known as White County from which Putnam County was partitioned commenced the opening of the few early settlers, including our ancestor, Thomas.
He and his wife, Mary Hunter (a relative of Daniel Boone), while pioneering this natural wilderness, previously occupied only sparsely by Native Indians, became the beginning of our branch of a large family from England who had already been a part of the American colonies for over a hundred and fifty years prior to the Revolution.
During almost 200 years since the original settlement of the region, the family has spread out geographically as well as philosophically and politically. The Civil War, in particular, was a tragically divisive period for our family and many other events in the course of our family growth during the pioneering and developing days have left us fragmented.
Now is the time to place the past in its proper perspective. Honor it for its significance to our present position - Use it as it can better serve our future.
Early in 1976, the "Burgess Historical Association" was created as a non-profit organization to serve as a perpetual entity to identify and preserve our family unit, to unify and acquaint the family members with their heritage and to become a vehicle for the future family expression. Extensive family research has disclosed that most Burgesses in the Upper Cumberland Region of Tennessee are descendents of Thomas and Mary Hunter Burgess. Descendents, when all are identified, will exceed 5,000 in number. Family tree diagrams have been developed and are in the process of further extension and verification.
The National Bi-Centennial Celebration appears as a timely point for us to honor our common ancestor, Thomas, who participated directly in the events being celebrated. July 4th, 1976, the significant date in the birth of our nation, also appeared to be a most appropriate date for the first Burgess reunion. July 4th, 1976. The site selected for the reunion, Burgess Falls, a natural scenic landmark now owned by the State of Tennessee, was previously owned by William Simpson Burgess and Winfield Scott Burgess, grandsons of Thomas and Mary. It appears as the most appropriate natural location of a permanent nature to have the first meeting and to remain as our symbolic rallying point. For this reason, 1 1917 painting of the falls by Dawson Morgan was adopted as our association symbol.
It is the purpose, objective and hope of the Association that the descendents of Thomas and Mary Hunter Burgess will join through this entity in enlarging the scope of our awareness and pride in our family's unique position in the total American scene, from its early and continued development through its present enlarged participation. We can, as a family unit, play a continuing vital role in the strengthening the faith and confidence in all family units which make up our country, many of which enjoy deep roots similar to ours. This reunion can acquaint us, inspire us and launch the Association as a positive force for the future.
The above information is directly from the "Burgess History, A Tennessee Pioneer" book written by James Z. Burgess.
http://www.burgesshistory.com/tennesseepioneer.html
Census:
Name: Thomas Burgess
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): White, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 7
Thomas married Mary "Polly" Hunter about 1778. Mary (daughter of Charles Hunter and Mrs. Eva (Rosannah) Hunter) was born about 1755; died after 1800. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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1804 - 1873 (69 years)