History:  Columbia County.  Biographical Sketch of Maj. Moody Burt, 
Reminisces of Dr. H. R. Casey
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	 This file was contributed by: Stephanie Harrison
                                  info@conquestmusic.com 

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Articles written for the Columbia Sentinel in 1883.

Permission granted by the Columbia County News and transcribed by 
Stephanie Harrison.

The articles were written in 1883 by Dr H. R. Casey for the Columbia 
Sentinel. He writes about many of the early pioneers of Columbia County 
who arrived in Georgia in the late 1700's and early 1800's.

Names mentioned in this article:  Major Moody Burt, Howard & Susan 
Burt, Hon Armstead Burt, Mrs William Wilkins, Judge Archer Avery, 
Ambrose Avery Sr, 

May 24, 1883
In 1874 I was induced by many personal feelings toward the deceased
when in life, as well as the suggestion of friends, to write a short
biographical sketch of Major Moody Burt. I will here call from that
article a few paragraphs.

I do not propose to write his obituary now nor do I intend this as a
biography but simply to give some of the most salient points in the
character of a man who filled so large a space in the public eye. To
the people of Columbia Co his name is familiar as household words.
Maj Burt was the son of Howard and Susan Burt and was born in Edgefield
county, (then district) S.C. in 1810. He died at his residence on the
22nd of July 1874. He was double cousin to the Hon Armstead Burt, a
distinquished member of Congress from S.C. in the earlier and better
days of the Republic.

Maj. Burt came to Georgia when he was 10 years old. He settled in this
country and went to work as a tiller of the soil with little help from
his parents. Indeed, such was their limited means that they were unable
to give their children a liberal education. But Moody was full of vim
of good native intellect, sound judgement and iron will.  In 1832 he 
married Mrs William Wilkins, daughter of Judge Archer Avery and sister 
of Ambrose Avery Sr. He began life with little or no property. From his 
wife he inherited some property, however, upon which I think was 
considerable encurabance. The first few years of his life in Columbia 
county were spent in District No 6 near the Georgia Railroad.  A few 
years afterwards, he moved to District No 3 where he resided up to
the time of his death. 

He was a very successful planter under the old dispensation This is 
proven by the fact that the results of the war emancipated for him some 
125 slaves. This in connection with the fact that he was an economist, 
that his house was a "Liberty Hall" to his many friends, some of whom 
called from a distant to see him shows that the earth must have yielded 
him a good return. Friends came and tarried, for it was difficult for 
them to get away so warm a welcome as was always in their hearts 
appeared in their faces and was manifest in all the surroundings of the 
two well-to-do people, for Mrs Burt always extended to her husband's 
friends such strong evidence of welcome as to preclude any 
embarrassments about their stay whether long or short.

I said Maj Burt was a liberal man. Hundreds of facts could be
enumerated to substantiate this. His name with a liberal donation was
recorded in every act of a public character. His hands were always open
to deeds of charity. I do not think I hazzard anything in saying that
Maj Burt's charities were in excess of any man's in the entire county. 
He was not only able but willing to give. He gave to the poor and
clothed the naked. In verity he was one of nature's noblemen, capable
of doing a deal of good and he did it to the full extent. of all
requirements. I knew him for about 30 years and therefore I write of
what I know and feel and what I say is not fulsome praise, for I merely
put on paper what every man, woman and child in this neighborhood will
endorse and in paying this tribute of respect to the memory of this
good and true citizen. I am but giving a correct pen portrait of the
man whom to know was to admire. I do not now remember ever to have
heard him utter an oath or speak harshly of any one. The milk of human
kindness flowed in a continous stream from his big heart in which there
was not a drop of gall or bitterness for any human being. If his tongue
could not praise it was chained in silence.