Harrison Genealogy Repository

Notes

Burks Lineage: The name Burks is both Irish and English. "Family History" claims the Irish origin, and says the Burks family was one of the Trives of Galway. It is said the name was originally deBurgo; Burgo a form of the German "Burgh" meaning "fortified place," and could refer to one who lived in a village. There are many differenct spellings of the name: deBurgh, Birk, Bourke, Burge, Burke, Burk et cetera. They are known for love of adventure, generous hospitality, and an abundance of Irish wit.

The progenitor of our family is John Burks of Arnolds Valley, Rockbridge Co., VA whose line of desent goes back to Samuel Burks. With Samuel's marriage to Mary Davis, the line is traced directly to the Indian Chief, Powhatan, whose Indian name is Wahunsonacook.

Samuel Burks (circa 1675-1756), parents unknown, m. Mary Davis (1685-1770), the dau, of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Hughes Davis. "The Cabells and Their Kin" states they were "the ancestors of the Burks family of Virginia", and he was of "Hanover". He owned much land, both by Patent and purchase. His will is recorded in Albemarle Co. Will Book 2 p. 23:

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN: I Samuel Burks of Saint Annes Parrish, county of Albemarle, being of sound mind and memory do make and declare this to be my last will and testament...First, I give to my son John Peartree Burks...my negro boy named Prince...to my daughter Mary Smith...my negro girl named Lyddia...to my beloved wife Mary Burks during her natural life the use of the following slaves now belonging to me...Toby, Frank, Nan, Phillis, Tom, Simon, Flora, Bess, Sammy, Will and Lucy...to my wife Mary Burks...the use of all my houses and lands...the use of all my personal estate not already disposed of...after my wife's decrease the tract of land whereon I now live containing six hundred acres* shall be sold...money arising from the sale...distributed in the following manner...to my daughter Elizabeth Cabell** one shilling sterling money...to my son Samuel Burks...one shilling sterling money...my son Richard Burks...one shilling sterling money, the residue of the said money shall be equally divided between my son (*3) John Peartree Burks, Charles Burks and my daughter Mary Smith and my Grandson Samuel Burks...it is my will that my wife shall have all the uses of my lands and of the slaves and the rest of my personal estate...during her life. I desire she may be undistured in that possession and...if any person or persons on any pretense whatsoever shall endeaver to disturb or molest her in her said right he, she or they shall be deprived of all benefit of this my will except one shilling sterling money and the rest of his or her legacies...shall be vested in my said wife...

Lastly, I do appoint my said wife Mary Burks and my friend John Smith, Jnr. Executors of this my last will and testament. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6th day of October in the year of Our Lord 1755. His Samuel X mark Burks (L.S.). Signed, sealed and published in the presence of Sameul Hopkins, Jos. Thompson and William X Moore (his mark)

*Court records show that July 9, 1770 the 600 acres in Albemarle Co., on the north side joining the Rivanna River, 200 acres of which were granted to Samuel by Patent date Sept. 28, 1732, and 400 acres by Patent date June 5, 1754 were sold for 100 pounds to Obediah Smith, husband of Samuel dau, Mary.

**Elizabeth m. Capt. William Cabell (1699-1774) circa 1726. She died September 21, 1756.

*3 Did the scribe omit a from son, thus not showing Charles was the son of Samuel

AT A COURT HELD FOR ALBEMARLE COUNTY THE 12th DAY OF FEBRUARY ONE THOUSAND SEVEN-HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX.

The Last will and Textament of Samuel Burks, deceased was presented in Court by Mary Burks...Certificate for obtaining a probate...granted her, giving security on which she with John Lewis, Thomas Sanders and John Bibee entered into...for the due and faithful performance of the said will. Teste: John Nicholas, Clk

Although Samuel Burks was "of Hanover", there are no Hanover Co. records of that period to prove it. The records were destroyed by fire in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. It is said after records were lost in the Revolution, Hanover sent the remainder to Richmond for protection during the Civil War; Richmond burned and Hanover Court House was spared.

There has to be a lot more research on Samuel. Although other researchers state he was the immigrant, this I question and feel he probably was a son of John Burk and a Mary Partree/Peartree who came into the colonies quite early. I have not found a marriage, but too many of the family used the name "Partree/Peartree" to ignore this possibility. Of course, this is my own opinion on the name.

Indication that parents of Samuel Burks is possibly John/Mary Partree Burks.

Samuel Burks came from England to Hanover Co VA then New Kent County. He and Mary Davis were the ancestors of the Burks of VA.