Roane County, West Virginia - Biography of Willis BURDETT ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** The records for this work have been submitted and compiled by Donna Tivener, E-mail address: dtivener@kosinet.com. Submitted June 1998, can be copied for genealogy not to be sold. ********************************************************************** WILLIS BURDETT. Greenbrier/Monroe, Roane County West Virginia William Burdett, born about 1755 Va. d. 21 May 1839 Wolf Creek, Monroe Co. (W)Va., he is said to be the son of James & Elizabeth Burdett, who settled at Flat Top Mountain Va. or Culpepper Co. Va. William moved to Monroe County shortly after the Rev. War. Built a log house on Wolf Creek. William married Sarah Cornwell about 1782. William Burdett,married first to Sarah CORNWELL, she b. 1762 Va. died 17 Feb. 1817 Monroe Co. Va. d/o Edward & Francis WOLFE Cornwell. William was in the militia during the War of 1812. He was found on the 1787 Tax List in Greenbrier Co. Va., the 1810,1820,1830 census of Monroe Co. Va. The children of this union were as follows: Issue: Isham, b. 1783 d. 1863-7 Monroe Co. m. Nancy Shumate on 2 Dec. 1805; Elizabeth, b. abt 1784 d. 5 Aug. 1812 Monroe Co. m. Tolison Shumate on 2 Jan. 1798 Greenbrier Co.; Willis, b. 26 Aug. 1786 d. 12 Mar. 1866 Roane Co. WV. m. Nancy Boone, on 17 Feb. 1807 Monroe Co.; Margaret, b. abt. 1788 , m. William Walker, on 12 Sept. 1805 Monroe Co. Miles, b. betw 1780-90 m. Jane ? Legg 12 May 1815 Monroe Co.; Rachel, b. 23 Jun. 1793 d. 1 Oct. 1861, m. John Keeney, 30 Nov. 1812 Monroe Co.; Giles, b. abt. 1793 he is a possible nephew of William, not a son; Ruth, b. 1797 d. 24 Sept. 1831 Monroe Co. m. James Robinson, 17 Mar. 1818 Monroe Co.; Archibald, b. 11 Mar. 1797 d. 14 Jan. 1860 Putnam Co. WV. m. Rhoda Shumate, 13 Mar. 1819 Monroe Co.; (Above children born in Greenbrier now Monroe Co.) William Jr., b. 1804 Monroe Co. d. 7 May 1861 WV. m. Sarah Ann Young, 13 Jan. 1825 Kanawha Co. WV.; Alexander, b. 24 Sept. 1802 Monroe Co., d. 24 Jan. 1863 Va. m. Mary Lively Hill, 15 Sept. 1823 Monroe Co.; Elijah, b. 2 Nov. 1805 Monroe Co. d. 7 Feb. 1875 Va. m. Margaret Hopkins, 8 Jul. 1834 Jackson Co. Va.; John, b. abt 1785, Sarah Cornwell, d/o Edward & Francis Wolf Cornwell, died 17 Feb. 1817 Monroe Co. William then married a second time to Jane Scott on 5 Sept. 1818 Monroe Co. Issue: Lewis, b. 1818 Monroe Co. d. betw. 1861-65, m. Hannah Hedrick, 28 Jul. 1846 Kanawha Co. Va.; Harvey, b. 1823 Monroe Co. died young; David Clarkson, b. 29 Jun. 1824 Monroe Co. m. Susan Burns. (1) Mary Burdett, b. ca. 1779 Va.,m. 23 Jul. 1803 Monroe Co. Va. to Henry RAYBURN/RAYBURN/RAEBURN/REABURN. Mary died in Mason Co. Va. in 1820, Henry b. 1780, d. 15 Dec. 1837 Mason Co. Va. s/o Henry. Issue of Mary & Henry Rayburn: Elizabeth, Joseph, Henry, Burdett, James H., William Alexander, Unknown Daughter, b. 1815. (It is said by descendants of Henry that he married after Mary's death to Elizabeth "Betsy" BARNETT on 23 Dec. 1824 and had at least nine or possibly eleven children by Elizabeth. Their issue: John, James, Ruth, Henry, Bennett, Thomas, Bird, Griffin, Margaret, Mary Rayburn. (2) Isham Burdett, b. 1783 Greenbrier Co. Va., d. 1863-67 Monroe Co. Va., m. Nancy SHUMATE, on 2 Dec. 1805 Monroe Co. Nancy b. 1788, d. 1886 Va. d/o Daniel Shumate > Issue of Isham & Nancy Burdett: Madison, Lewis, Jackson, Elizabeth, Amelia, Anne E., Malinda Jane, Caroline Virginia. (have sheets) (3) Elizabeth Burdett, b. 1782-84 Greenbrier, Co. Va. d. 5 Aug. 1812 Monroe Co. Va. m. Tolison SHUMATE, on 2 Jan. 1795 Greenbrier Co. Va. Tolison, s/o Daniel & Milicent Callison (Joseph Whited of WV. says she was Elizabeth Ellison, b. 27 Feb. 1775, d. 6 May 1861 - Tolison , m/2 to Nancy Green in 1813.) Issue of Elizabeth & Tolison Shumate: Sally, Peggy, Parkinson, Polly, Milly, Nancy, Anderson Shumate. (4) John Burdett, b. abt 1785 Greenbrier Co. Va., d. 1836 Jackson Co. Va. m. Eleanor SWOPE, 29 Jan. 1805 John Burdett was a school teacher at Reedy, Roane Co. WV., but moved to Jackson Co. WV. where he passed from this life. Eleanor Swope the d/o Joseph Swope, the only one of his name in Monroe Co. Va. he married Catherine Sullivan in Monore Co. they had fourteen children. One of their sons, Joseph Swope Jr. was captured by Cornstalk, spent nine years with the Pawnee Indians, released by the treaty after Battle of Point Pleasant, Joseph Jr. b. 11 Aug. 1751 Augusta Co. Va. (have history of the Swope family) (Have sheets) Issue of John & Eleanor Burdett: Sarah "Sally", Joseph Thorton, Elizabeth, James Ellison, John Milton, Charles, William Preston, Archibald, Jonathan Alexander, George Washington, Thompson C., Abraham Dickson, called "Old Dick". (5) Willis Burdett, subject of our sketch. (6) Margaret Burdett, b. ca. 1788 Greenbrier Co. Va., m. William WALKER, 12 Sep. 1808 Monroe Co. Va. William Walker, s/o John Walker of Ireland. Issue of Margaret & William Walker: Macklin, Sarah, Elizabeth, Oliver Burdett, Delilah, Robinson, James Madison, William Patterson, Malinda, Wallace, Mary Jane, Parkinson, Anna, Angeline Walker. These children listed by some descendants: Eli, William, and Felix Harvey Walker. (Have sheets) (7) Miles Burdett, b. betw 1780-90 Greenbrier Co. Va. d, betw. 1840-1850 Fayette Co. Va., m. Jane LEGG, 12 May 1815 Monroe Co. Va. (8) Rachel Burdett, b. 23 JUn. 1793 Greenbrier Co. Va., d. 1 Oct. 1861, m. John David KEENEY, 30 Nov. 1812 Monroe Co. Va. by Rev. John Alderson. The issue of Rachel & John Keeney: Maria, Alexander, Caroline, David J., Anne Eliza, Lewis M. Keeney. (9) Giles Burdett, b. abt. 1793. married Sarah DUNBAR (He is sometimes listed as a son of William and Sarah Cornwell Burdett or a nephew. A Giles Burdett who lived in Nicholas County, was said to be the brother of William Burdett) John Burdett a son of Giles Burdett (Brother of William), was born 1795 Va. d. 1882, m. 1815 Va. owned 100 acres at "Peter's Creek Road", Nicholas Co. Va. ca. 1824 he married to Lydia CURRY. Giles also had at least one daughter, Mariah Burdett, who married to Clair French on 31 Aug. 1830, Witt. Isaac French and Andrew F . French. Giles Co. Va. In Greenbrier Co. Va. 1860 census: A Archibald Burdett, wife Elizabeth; Robert C., wife Elizabeth; John C. wife Mary A..; C.H. Burdett (Calvin H.) wife, Barbara (Curry). In 1880 there was John C. wife Mary A. Joseph, wife Dicia. 1870 there is John Burdett, Sr. wife Mary A. (This is Mary A. Lynch) and John Sr. s/o John & Lydia Curry Burdett. also Robert C. wife Elizabeth B. she is also a Curry. (10) Ruth Burdett, b. abt 1796 Greenbrier Co. Va., d. 24 Sep. 1831 Monroe Co. Va. m. James ROBINSON, 17 Mar. 1818 Monroe Co. Va. (11) Archibald Burdett, b. 11 Mar. 1797 Greenbrier Co. Va. d. 14 Jan. 1860 Putnam Co. Va. buried Mt. Moriah Cemetery. He married, Rhoda SHUMATE, 13 Mar. 1819 Monroe Co. Va. Rhoda b. 21 Mar. 1797 Greenbrier Co. Va. d/o Daniel Shumate of Rich Creek Va. Issue of Archibald & Rhoda Burdet: Rufus, Claudius, Caroline, Mary, Martha, John, Nancy, Elizabeth, Preston, Lewis, William Daniel, James Albert, Burdett. (Have sheets) (12) William Burdett, Jr., b. 1804, Monroe Co. Va. , d. 7 May 1861, m. Sarah Ann YOUNG, 13 Jan. 1825 Kanawha, Co. Va. (Some descendants say that William married Nancy STEWART res. Clay Co. WV. married in Monroe Co. 13 Sep. 1832 and names these children: Nancy F., Louisa, J.R., J. M., William H. Burdett. Another says married 2nd. on 6 Jan. 1841 to Elizabeth THOMAS and had these children: Elizabeth, Lydia, George A., John, Andrew J., Joseph A., Rosettam Burdett.) Issue of William & Sarah Ann Young Burdett; Miles, Willis, Luther Rice,William Harvey Burdett. (have sheets) Wiiliam Burdett and wife Sarah found in 1850 census Kanwaha Co. WV. age 49 farmer, wife Sarah, age 46, children: Caroline, 14, Willis, 12, William H. 9, Harriett, 5, Luther R. age 2. all born Va. (13) Alexander Burdett, b. 24 Sep. 1802 Monroe Co. Va. , d. 24 Jan. 1863 Buried Mt. Moriah Cem. Putnam Co. WVa., m. Mary Lively HILL, 15 Sep 1823 Monroe Co. Va. Mary born 1803 Va. d. 30 Dec. 1872 Putnam Co. WV. (Monroe Co. marriage record shows Alexander Burdett & Polly Hill, 15 Sep 1823.) Alexander in 1840 & 1850 census Monroe Co. and in 1860 Putnam Co. Va. Issue of Alexander & Mary Hill Burdett: Elizabeth Ann, Lucy Jane, James Robertson,Sarah, Emmeline, Eliza/Elizabeth, Mary, William Alexander, James F., Caroline Hill, Luther Powell, Toliver, & Lee Burdett. (Have sheets) (14) Elijah Budett, b. 2 Nov. 1805 Monroe Co. Va., d. 7 Feb. 1875 Va. , m, Margaret HOPKINS, 8 Jul. 1834 Jackson Co. Va. Margaret, d/o Lawrence Hopkins, b. 1749 Rhode Island, m. 1795 Bath Co. Va. to Mary JORDAN. they lived on Mill Creek. John House pg. 301 stated Lawrence Hopkins b. R.I. in 1760, was a Rev. War Vet. and married Mary Jordan of Pendelton Co. Va. the d/o Capt. William Jordan of Continental Army, and lived on Mill Creek, about 1830. Lawrence & Mary Hopkins children: Nancy, Robert, F.A.C.(son) Hopkins. Issue of Elijah & Margaret Hopkins Burdett: Morgan Webster, Elizabeth Ann, Sarah Jane, William C., James Monroe Burdett. (Bonnie Beckham a descendant of Elijah, states that Margaret Hopkins, d/o Lawrence, b. 1749 R.I. and his wife Jane or Jean McDOWELL. (Have sheets) (Sources: Tax, Land, Census Records; A History of Roane Co. WV. by Wm. Bishop; Unplublished writings by John House. Census, Marriages, Death records.) William Burdett, Sr. ( 1755-1839) married second Jane SCOTT, b. ca. 1798, d. ca. 1840, d/o James & Catherine SULLIVAN Scott. William removed to Wolf Creek, Monroe Co. Va. after he married Jane on 5 Sep. 1818. Children of this union were as follows: (1) Lewis Burdett, b. ca. 1819 Monroe Co. Va. ,d. betw 1861-65, m. Hannah HEDRICK, 28 Jul. 1846 Greenbrier Co. Va. by Rev. S. Butt. Hannah Hedrick, b. 2 Apr 1826 Greenbrier Co. Va. d. 1885 WV. d/o Moses & Isabel (Newton) Hedrick. In marriages by Norma P. Evans, a Lewis J. Burdett married Susanna SCOTT, pg. 98 Vol. 1. Hardesty's WV. Counties. Lewis found in 1850-60-70-180 census Fayette Co. Va. Mountain Cove. (2) Harvey Burdett, b. 1823 Monroe Co. Va. (Some believed he was married to Sarah Elizabeth Burdett, 9 Nov. 1849 Kanawha Co. Va. Other researchers say he died young, and that he Harvey found in census is another Harvey. (He was not mentioned in his father's will of 1836) (3) David Clarkson Burdett, b. 29 Jun. 1824 Sinks Grove,Monroe Co. Va. m. Susan P. (NEWELL) Burns, prior to 1853 Kanawha Co. Va. David married 7 Mar. 1853 Monroe Co. Va. Susan born 25 Mar. 1826 Union, Monroe Co. Va. David found in 1850 census Greenbrier Co. and 1860 Fayette Co. Va. and in 1870 Jackson Co. WV. He lived on Elk River, Big Sandy Dist. In 1880 David and Susan were living with their son William and his wife Rebecca, their other son, Franklin also living with Williiam. Issue of David & Susan Burdett: William Lewis, Franklin Greer, Mary M.A., (Source: From A History of Monroe Co. WV. by Morton. WV. County census; Unpublished writings of John House, 1929; History of Monroe Co. WV. Marriage records, Death Records.) William Burdett's Will dated 2 March 1836. I William Burdet of the County of Monroe and State of Virginia, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the manner as folows: First, it is my will and desire that all my past debts be paid. Second, I give and bequeath to my wife Jane Burdet all my estate, both real and personal of whatsoever kind and description it may be after the payment of my just debts for and during her natural lifetime and to her sole use during that time. Third, I will and bequeath to my two sons David Clarkson and Lewis, at the death of my wife all my estate of whatsoever kind or description it may be both real and personal to be theirs forever after that event all my older children having left me and having hertofore received their full proportion of my estate therefore I will and bequeath them twenty five cents each to be paid by my Executor. I do contitute and appoint my friend Matthew Scott Executor of this is my last will and testament; revoking and dis annulling all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd. day of March 1836 Signed Benjamin Martin signed, published and declared by this Benjamin Martin as his last will and testament in our presence who at his request have signed the same as witness thereto (signed) William X Burdet (seal) his mark Acknowledged in the presents of John Hutchinso Jr. (seal) George W. Hutchinson (seal) William Ellison (seal) E. Sims (seal) Monroe County-June term, 1839. The Last will and testament of William Burdett, deceased was presented court and proved by the oath of John Hutchinson, Jr. and George W. Huntinson subscribing witnesses thereto and the same is ordered to be certified to the County of Fayette there to be recorded A copy teste John Hutchinson Jr. eme At Fayette County August Court 1829 Willis Burdett, b.26 Aug. 1786 Monroe Co. Va., d. 12 Mar. 1866 Reedy, Roane Co. WV., he was the first of the name of Burdett to come to Reedy it must have been prior to 1823, for his first child, Margaret J. Burdett, m. to Silas B. Seaman on 11 Jan. 1823 Wood Co. (Now Roane Co.) West Va. History of Roane Co. by Wm. Bishop (1929) pp. 461, says that Willis came to Middle Fork of Reedy prior to 1823. Willis lived his entire life in Roane Co. WV. John House in his writings publ. 1929 stated that Willis came to Reedy, Roane Co. to the next settlement above Chancey, he settled by the creek just back of where John Lester now lives, some think he came before Chancey, but there is no authentic date given. John House also stated that Willis's grandfather was called William (Bishop says James), and that he came from England to Fauquier Co. Va. between 1720 and 1740. His wife was Sarah Cornwell. (Here is where House made his mistake, Sarah Cornwell and William Burdett are the parents, not grandparents of Willis) he also says that his wife was a descendant of the hero, Daniel Boone. (This is also not correct. unless Sarah Cornwell is also a descendant of Daniel Boone. Nancy Boone, wife of Willis Burdett is the great niece of Daniel Boone, not a direct descendant.) He goes on to say that Willis came to this place about 1820, and lived for time in a little cabin on the Wilt or Milt Seeman/Seaman place on Right Reedy. He lived at the Old Billy Hardman place, above where Martin Argabrite moved about 1837. John House also states that William Burdett, Sr. had ten sons, and five daughters viz: Elijah, Willis, John, William, Isham, Miles, Archibald, Alexander, Lewis, Clark, Rachel, Margaret and others. Issue of Willis & Nancy Boon Burdett: (1) Margaret, b. 19 Dec. 1809 Monroe Co. d. 25 Jan. 1890 Jackson, Co. WV. m. Silas B. SEAMAN, s/o David Seaman and his wife, Elizabeth BOARD, a sister of Patrick Board, who married Mary Keiser, which is also an ancestor of this writer. David Seaman, s/o Wilbert & Mary Seaman. Issue of Margaret & Silas Seaman: David W., Moses A., James D., Margraet J., Thomas P., Caroline, Nancy E., Juleann J., Henry C., Rosetta, (2) Jessie Anderson Burdett, b. 16 Jan. 1812 Monroe Co. Va. d. 6 Oct. 1834 Jackson Co. Va. (The first grave in the Roach graveyard on Middle Fork...John House.) (3) John Washington Burdett, b. 7 Nov. 1816 Monroe Co. Va. d. 27 Oct. 1891 Wood Co. WV. m. Margaret ANDERSON, b. 2 Jun 1818 Wood Co. Va. d. 25 Sep 1891 Wood Co. WV. d/o Joel & Elizabeth (WELSH) Anderson, Joel s/o Peter Anderson. John & Margaret married 13 Jun. 1838 Wood Co. Va. (Wood Co. Marr. Bk. I. marr. by Fetus Hanks.) John Washington Burdett was a Stonemason. In the 1850 Wood Co. census, his brother (My ancestor) Lovel Clarkson Burdett was living with him and Margaret. Issue of John W. & Margaret Burdett: Mary Ellen, Julia Ann Cooper, Peter Anderson, Alexander Anderson, John William, Mounce Pennybaker, Elihue Monroe, Arthur Boreman, Lewis Camden, Thomas Benton, & Josephene Burdett. (Have sheets). (4) William Burdett, b. 7 Apr. 1817 Greenbrier Co. Va. d 7 Sep 1873 in Parsons, Labette, Kansas, he married Elizabeth DOOLITTLE, b. 13 Sep. 1824 Jackson Co. Va., d. 13 May 1875 Kansas. (In 1860 census living in Roane Co. and had two sons, and nine daughters, they lived at Spencer, WV. They moved to Clay Co. MO. after 1869. Issue of William & Elizabeth Burdett: Nancy E., Susan, Margaret J., Sarah F., Isabel Rebecca, Henrietta, Moses W., Emmazetta, Louise M., Willie A. Burdett. (5) Elihue Burdett, b. 7 Apr 1825, d. 13 Sep 1885 Belleville, Wood Co. WV. buried Crook Creeks Cem. Belleville, WV. (Burdette Bible says that he died 3 Sep 1885.). Elihue married Nancy CAMPBELL, b. 8 Aug. 1827 Belleville, (W)Va. d. 11 Mar. 1914, the d/o John Campbell. Elihue and Nancy married on 10 Feb. 1845 Jackson Co. Va. Nancy lies next to Elihue in Crook Creeks Cem. Elihue Burdett was a shoemaker. Issue of Elihue and Nancy Burdett: Saralen, William Park, Alcindia, Elihue Jr., Henry A. Wise, Lewis VanCooney, Letishia L., Nancy L., Maryvel or Mary Bettie, Charley, Georgia Norman Burdett. (have sheets & some pictures) (6) Elizabeth R. Burdett, b. 21 Jul. 1832 Wood Co. Va. d. 7 Nov. 1834 Roane Co. VA. age 5 yrs. (7) Sally or Sarah Burdett, b. 16 May 1830, d. 20 Feb. 1908 Jackson Co. WV. buried Anderson Cem.. Sally married Barnes B. SMITH, b. 28 Dec. 1828, d. 21 Jan. 1907 buried Anderson Cem. he s/o James Smith, born Maryland, and his wife Agnes BAILEY, b. New York. Sally and Barnes Smith married 6 Apr. 1848 Wood Co. Va. Their issue: James L., Elizabeth F., Sarah E., Henrietta, Rebecca, Willis Grant Smith. On the 17 Dec. 1808 in Monroe Co. Va. Willis Burdit and John Boon signed a marriage bond. The bond reads as follows: Know all men by these present that we Willis Budit (his name hand written) and John Boon (his name hand written) are held and firmly bound unto John Tyler (hand written), Esquire, Governor of Virginia and his successors, for the use of the commonwealth, in the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, to which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and adminstrators jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed and dated this 21st.(hand written) day of December (hand written) 1808. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas a marriage is shortly intended to be solemnised between the above bound Willis Burdit and Nancy Boon, daughter of the above bound John Boon. (hand written from Willis to Boon) of Monore County, if therefore, there shall be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage, then the above condition to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Signed, Sealed and delivered} Willis Burdett (his signature) (Seal) John Boon (his signature) (Seal) Isaac Huntchison, C.M.C. (his signature) STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA COUNTY OF MONROE, TO-WITT: I, Harold C. McDonald, Clerk of the County Court of Monroe County, do hereby certify that the foregoing and herto annexed writing is a true copy of a Marriage Bond as found of record in this office in File NO. 2 - Jacket 825. Given under my hand this 25th. day of October, 1965 Harold C. McDonald (his signature) Clerk. Many of Willis Burdett's descendants still live in Roane County today. Submitted by 3rd. great granddaughter, of Willis Burdett, Donna Tivener, Mansfield, Ohio. You can find more on the Burdett/Burdette family and other West Virginia Families on my Home Page: I only have a small part of my Burdett family on my home page. If you would like more information please e-mail me. < dtivener@richnet.net > http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/t/i/v/Donna-M-Tivener/index.html