Georgia Biographies Hon Edmund Burke File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Winge barbarawinge@yahoo.com http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Georgia Table of Contents: Adiel Sherwood, GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, Washington City, Printed by P. Force, 1837, p. 259-260. HON. EDMUND BURKE Hon. Edmund Burke was born at Carlow, in Ireland, in 1730. He was a warm advocate in Parliament, for the resistance which the Colonies were making against the oppressive enactments of the mother country. In 1777, when our Constitution was framed, seven counties were named, and chiefly after those members of the Brisith Parliament who were friendly to the Colonies. Rev. George White, M. A., HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF GEORGIA, New York, Pudney & Russell, Publishers, 1854, pp. 282-284. (Reprinted 1968, Heritage Papers, Danielsville, GA) BURKE COUNTY, GEORGIA This County was laid out as St. George's Parish in 1758, and the named changed to Burke, in honour of Edmund Burke, the great champion of American liberty, in 1777. In 1793, a part was added to Screven; and in 1798, a part to Jefferson. The Savannah River separates this county from South Carolina, and the Ogeechee River from Emanuel. Briar Creek flows through its whole length. WAYNESBOROUGH is the seat of justice. It is 80 miles east of Milledgeville. Incorporated in 1812. A famous battle took place at the Burke County Jail in 1779, between the British and the Americans. (Submitted by Barbara Walker Winge, barbarawinge@yahoo.com) Note: Adiel Sherwood, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, Washington City, Printed by P. Force, 1837, pp. 255-256. APPENDIX: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES "The author conceived that a short biographical sketch of the individuals after whom the several counties were named, would furnish an instructive and pleasing appendage to his topographical work... Acquainted with the intimate friends of some of the 'venerable dead,' he has been furnished with sufficient materials to enlarge on their character... There are in the State ninety counties (book printed in 1837, presently in 2001, there are 159 counties)..." ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============