William Washington BURT

     William Washington BURT, son of Zacheus BURT and Elizabeth BURT, was born on 11 October 1812 in Warren County, Georgia.¹ He was a farmer.

He was probably one of the 2 males under age 10 listed in the household of his father, Zacheus BURT, in the 1820 Federal Census of Capt Thomas Bustins District, Putnam County, Georgia. He lived first in Warren County, Georgia, later in Putnam County, and on 13 December 1830, he bought over 200 acres in the 17th District (formerly Muscogee County) from Thomas Mahone. Later he moved to Salem in Russell County (now Lee County), Alabama in 1835. He was a prosperous farmer and very active in the community; gave the land for the Methodist Church and cemetery. He was a member of the Salem Masonic Lodge.²

William married first Jane Ellizabeth LESEUR on 15 December 1839 in Salem, Russell (now Lee) County, Alabama. She was the daughter of Samuel LaSeuer of Salem.^3,4

In 1836 Benjamin Meadors donated land in the Southwest quarter of section 33, township 20, range 28 (now Lee County), for the benefit of "Halawakee Academy." The log structure was razed and a new school house built in 1849, by trustees Wm. H. Griffen, Marshail J. Thompson, W. W. Burt, and Clark Aldridge.⁵

William Washington BURT and Jane Ellizabeth LESEUR appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 8 June 1850 in Salem, Russell County, Alabama. The household was listed as William Burt, age 37, and his wife, Jane, age 35. They had real estate valued at $4,000. Living with them were their children, Mary 10, Emily 8 and William 3. Also in the household was Abner Pitts, 28, born Georgia.

William Washington BURT became a member of the Salem Masonic Lodge number 99 in 1853 in Salem, Alabama.

William Washington BURT was listed as William Marshall BURT I's and Amanda D. Booth's neighbor in a census on 1 June 1860 in in Beat 4 (Salem), Russell County, Alabama. With him were his wife Jane and three children.⁶

William Washington BURT and Jane Ellizabeth LESEUR appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1860 in Salem, Russell County, Alabama. The household was listed as W. W. Burt, male, age 47, farmer, born Georgia; J. E. Burt, female, age 44, born Georgia; E. H. Burt, female, age 17, born Alabama; and S. W. Burt, male, age 8, born Alabama. William W. Burt had real estate valued at $12,000 and personal property valued at $48,000. Living next door was William's cousin William M. Burt.⁷

Jane died in 1863 in Salem, Russell County, Alabama, leaving William Washington BURT as a widower.³

William married second Amanda D. Burt on 15 June 1864 in LaGrange, Troup County, Georgia. She was the widow of his double cousin, William M. Burt. The marriage ceremony was performed by W. Y. Pruitt, minister of the Gospel.^8,9

William began military service at age 51 on 13 August 1864 when he enlisted in the Russell County Reserves, a home guard company commanded by David Read.

William Washington BURT and Amanda D. BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 August 1870 in Salem, Lee County, Alabama. The household was listed as W. W. Burt, a 50-year-old farmer born in Georgia, and A. D. Burt, his 45-year-old wife born in Georgia. He had real estate valued at $5,000 and personal property valued at $2,000. Living with them were S. W. Burt, 19, works on farm, and R. E. Burt, 16, both born in Alabama.¹⁰

William left a will dated 24 June 1878 in Lee County, Alabama. The will begins "I, W. W. Burt of the State and county aforesaid..." Heirs listed are his wife, Amanda D. Burt, and two children, S. W. Burt and Mary Pruitt, wife of R. W. Pruitt. His executors were "my son S. W. Burt and R. W. Pruitt." Witnesses were S. H. Pitts. T. W. Scott, and T. F. Murphy. The will was written 24 June 1878, proven and recorded 9 September 1878.¹¹

William Washington BURT died on 28 January 1888 in Salem, Lee County, Alabama, at age 75.¹ He was buried in Salem Methodist Church Cemetery.