Experience (Fitz Randolph) Burdick (1852 - 1906)

Born 10 Jul 1852 in Bone Creek, Ritchie, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Leon DeLoss Burdick — married 9 Aug 1887 (to 29 Nov 1906) in Deruyter, Madison County, New York State, United States of America

Died 29 Nov 1906 at age 54 in New Auburn, Sibley, Minnesota, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Thomas Randolph [send private message]

Biography

Experience Fitz Randolph, or 'Perie' as she was usually called, was a remarkable woman. She was born in Bone Creek in Ritchie County, Virginia (present day West Virginia) in 1852, the first-born daughter of Asa Fitz Randolph and Marvel Maxson. She grew up on the family farm, where her father also had a tannery. She did well in school and after finishing grade school, she taught for a couple of years in schools in the area, both in Berea and in nearby settlements, before going to college at Alfred University in Alfred, NY, studying there from 1874 to 1879. She returned to teach, which included teaching her own siblings at one point. Her family was also part of a strong Seventh Day Baptist community in the area, and religion had become increasingly important to her. Although there were no women preachers at the time, she decided when she was about 30 years old to start preaching and to prepare for the ministry. While her church elders made a statement supporting her intentions in 1883, she certainly faced resistance. Her family seems to have supported her, though, and she returned to Alfred University in 1882-1885 to obtain a Bachelor of Divinity, and was ordained in 1885 as the first woman Seventh Day Baptist minister. She actively pursued her new calling, moving around the country to serve different SDB communities. She started in the DeRuyter, NY area where she met and married Leon DeLoss Burdick in 1887. He was 20 years old and 14 years her junior at the time, but already very academically and religiously oriented, and Experience helped him to prepare for the ministry as well as supporting him as he continued his studies at Alfred University and Union Theological Seminary of Columbia University, NY. They had one child together. They lived at different times in Alfred, NY, Stow Creek, NJ, and New Auburn, Wisconsin. In 1906, Perie suffered a stroke and passed away in New Auburn, MN. She is buried in the High Island Cemetery there.

Children:

1. Genevieve, 1892- , m. Arthur Leland Penny, 13 Jun 1921, West Hampton, LI, NY

• In her "History of Ritchie County", Minnie Kendall Lowther devotes 3 pages to describing Perie's life and achievements (pp. 630-634). The chapter is entitled "The Younger Men's Calendar" and provides biosketches of leading men in the county, but the author makes the point of including Perie as the final and only biosketch as a woman.

• Several studies of gender in religion have documented Perie's path-breaking call to the ministry. See, for example:
  • Patricia A. Bancroft's article on "Chosen by God: women pastors on the frontiers of the seventh day baptist denomination"
  • Pamela R. Durso's paper on "She-Preachers, Bossy Women, and Children of the Devil: A History of Baptist Women Ministers and Ordination"
  • Bill J. Leonard, Baptists in America. 2005. Columbia University Press. Chapter on Women in Baptist Life, p. 210.

• The Corliss Fitz Randolph book listed under Sources below contains a picture of Perie on the page across from p. 220 which is posted here in good faith that it is no longer under copyright given it is 95 years past the date of publication in 1905.

This profile is a collaborative work-in-progress. Can you contribute information or sources?

Surname note

In this Fitz Randolph family, Fitz appears to have been used by all family members in the family where Experience is a child as their middle name as if part of their surname: In some censuses and birth records, the family is recorded using FitzRandolph or Fitz Randolph. The current consensus is therefore to use the surname Fitz Randolph as Last Name at Birth for Experience, her siblings and father. Please don't hesitate to contact the profile manager if you think this decision should be reviewed!

• 1850 Census: Family listed simply as: "John Randolph"
• 1860: Other names on page list only middle initial, except for Asa Fitz Randolph, Marvil Fitz Randolph (with the Fitz added) and Experience Fitzrandolph. Other family members use initial, e.g. Calferna F. Randolph
• 1870: Family name listed as 'Fitz=Randolph Asa' (whereas other families use initial after the given name, e.g. 'Martin Marcus E.'
• 1880: Fitz treated as middle name for Asa only. i.e. 'Randolph Asa Fitz' and 'Randolph Marvil'
• 1900: Treated as middle name: 'Randolph Asa F.'
• Birth records: usage varied from 'Fitz Randolph' as family name, to no mention of Fitz or even the initial 'F'.
• In her History of Ritchie County, Minnie Kendall Lowther refers to the family as the FitzRandolph's and Asa as Asa FitzRandolph, but then refers to them as Mr. and Mrs. Randolph, reflecting the inconsistent treatment of the name

Sources

Rev. John Fitz Randolph. (1939). Dr. John LaForge Fitz Randolph of Salem, W.Va.: His Ancestry & Descendants. Mimeograph, S.D.B. Parsonage, Milton Junction, Wisconsin. Name: Experience Fitz Randolph; Birth: 10 July 1852, Bone Creek, (W)Va; Death: 29 Nov 1906, New Auburn, Minn.; Spouse: Leon D. Burdick; Marriage: 9 Aug 1887, DeRuyter, NY; Occupation: SDB minister; Education: Alfred Univ., Alfred, NY.

Louise Aymar Christian and Howard Stelle Fitz Randolph.

• (1950). Fitz Randolph Genealogy: The Descendants of Edward Fitz Randolph and Elizabeth Blossom: 1630-1950. 222 pp.
• (1955). Supplement to the Fitz Randolph Genealogy with addition and corrections. Edward Brothers Inc.: Ann Arbor, MI, 44 pp.
• Entry: 623 (i). Same info as above.

Oris H. F. Randolph. (1976). Edward Fitz Randolph Branch Lines, Allied Families and English and Norman Ancestry: A Family Genealogy, 860-1976. Edwards Brothers Inc.: Ann Arbor, MI. 694 pp. Entry 1434, p. 336. Nickname: Perie; Occupation: also a teacher.

Corliss Fitz Randolph. (1905). A History of the Seventh Day Baptists in West Virginia including the Woodbridgetown and Salemville churches in Pennsylvania and the Shrewsbury church in New Jersey. The American Sabbath Tract Society, Planfield, NJ. This book can be viewed online or downloaded at Archive.org, accessed 30 Oct 2014.

• 7 Jul 1883: The Ritchie SDB Church approves Sister Experience F. Randolph's decision to prepare herself for the ministry
• 1889, Rev. Experience R. Burdick represented Central Association at major South-Eastern Association conference.
• Listed among students from West Virginia matriculated at Alfred University: 1874-1875,

Alois Preston Fitz Randolph's autobiography, accessed 28 Aug 2015; provides details about Asa's family life and places where he lived and farmed. The autobiography was prepared for publication and is maintained by a son of Harry Vernon Lewis at Lewisathome.com. Chapter 1: "Of the nine [surviving children], Perie was the most noted; she became a Seventh Day Baptist preacher. She married when she was 35 to Leon B. Burdick, whom she educated and made a preacher. They had one daughter." Chapter 3: "Father ... sent some of us to Perie, who was teaching at Otter Slide." When Preston was 8 years old, circa 1880. Chapter 5: Tells story about Asa's response to a perceived insult at church; and Perie as a teacher judging a case involving his brother.

Minnie Kendall Lowther. 1911.History of Ritchie County. Wheeling, W.Va.: Wheeling News Litho Co., Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from Microsoft Corporation.

• For a description of the Asa Fitz Randolph family, see Chapter 'Otterslide Settled', p. 259-260.
• For a biosketch of Perie Fitz Randolph Burdick, see Chapter 'The Younger Men's Calendar', pp. 630-634.

Brown, Walter Leroy. The Maxson family (Albion, NY 1954). Entry no. 2117, p. 119.

Residence in West Virginia

"United States Census, 1860," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHM3-4QS : accessed 29 August 2015), Experience Fitz Randolf in household of Asa Fitz Randolf, [Blank], Ritchie, Virginia, United States; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing p. 131, household ID 878, NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 805,374. Census date: 13-14 Aug 1860. Name: Experience Fitz Randolf; Gender: Female; Age: 8; Race: White; Race (Original): [Blank]; Birth Year (Estimated): 1852; Birthplace: Virginia; HOUSEHOLD (ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE): Asa Fitz Randolf, M, 27, Farmer, Real estate value: 1800, personal estate: 375; Virginia; Marval Fitz Randolf, F, 28, Virginia; Experience Fitz Randolf, F, 8, Virginia; attended school; Calferna T Randolf, F, 6, Virginia; Emily T Randolf, F, 3, Virginia; Virgil Fitz Randolph, M, 0 (6/12), Virginia.

"United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZ41-RPZ : accessed 29 August 2015), Experience Fitz in household of Randolph Asa Fitz, West Virginia, United States; citing p. 17, family 116, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,197. Census place: Union Township, Ritchie County, WV; Post Office: Harrisville, WV; Census date: 22 Jun 1870. Name: Experience Fitz; Gender: Female; Age: 17; Race: White; Race (Original): W; Birth Year (Estimated): 1852-1853; Birthplace: Virginia; Page Number: 17; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Randolph Asa Fitz, M, 37, Virginia, now West Virginia; Farmer, Real estate value: 3000; personal estate: 850; Mariel Fitz, F, 37, Virginia, now West Virginia; Keeping house; Experience Fitz, F, 17, Virginia, now West Virginia; attended school; Calfurnia Fitz, F, 15, Virginia, now West Virginia; attended school; Emsy Fitz, F, 12, Virginia, now West Virginia; attended school; Virgll Fitz, M, 10, Virginia, now West Virginia; attended school; Elsworth Fitz, M, 7, Virginia, now West Virginia; Alva Fitz, M, 3, West Virginia; Clora Fitz, F, 0 (8/12 Sept), West Virginia. Enumerator: WE Davis, recorded name as "Fitz=Randolph Asa". "Mariel" can be easily read as 'Marvil'. Nearby are John N Bee and TFH Davis families.

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6TW-DSV : accessed 29 August 2015), Experience Randolph in household of Asa Fitz Randolph, Union, Ritchie, West Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district 149, sheet 350C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1413; FHL microfilm 1,255,413. Census location: Union District (west side). Census date: 9 Jun 1880. Name: Experience Randolph; Gender: Female; Age: 27; Marital Status: Single; Race: White; Race (Original): W; Occupation: At home; Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Dau; Birth Year (Estimated): 1853; Birthplace: Virginia, United States; Father's Birthplace: Virginia, United States; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia, United States; Household (Role Gender Age Birthplace): Asa Fitz Randolph, Self, M, 47, Virginia, United States; Marvil Randolph, Wife, F, 47, Virginia, United States; Experience Randolph, Daughter, F, 27, Virginia, United States; Calferna Randolph, Daughter, F, 25, Virginia, United States; Euizy Randolph, Daughter, F, 24, Virginia, United States; Ellsworth Randolph, Son, M, 17, Virginia, United States; Cleora Randolph, Daughter, F, 11, West Virginia, United States; Alvas P Randolph, Son, M, 8, West Virginia, United States; Delvinas Randolph, Son, M, 3, West Virginia, United States; Alva Randolph, Son, M, 14, West Virginia, United States; Virgil Randolph, Son, M, 20, Virginia, United States.

Residence in New York, New Jersey, Minnesota

"New York, State Census, 1892," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQS7-BT8 : accessed 29 August 2015), Perie R Burdick, 1892; citing Alfred, E.D. 01, county offices, New York; FHL microfilm 501,959. Name: Perie R Burdick; Event Date: 16 Feb 1892; Event Place: Alfred, E.D. 01; Age: 40; Gender: Female; Birthplace: United States; Birth Year (Estimated): 1852; Citizenship Status: Citizen. Household members: Leon D. Burdick, m, 25, US cit; Perie R. Burdick, F, 40, US cit; Cleora F. Randolph; F, 23, US cit.

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9NB-8GZ : accessed 29 August 2015), Perie R Burdick in household of Leon D Burdick, Stow Creek, Cumberland, New Jersey, United States; citing sheet 4B, family 89, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,961. Census date: 14-15 Jun 1900. Name: Perie R Burdick; Gender: Female; Age: 48; Marital Status: Married; Race: White; Race (Original): W; Relationship to Head of Household: Wife; Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Wife; Number of Living Children: 1; Years Married: 13; Birth Date: Jul 1852; Birthplace: Virginia; Marriage Year (Estimated): 1887; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother of how many children: 1; HOUSEHOLD (ROLE GENDER AGE BIRTHPLACE): Leon D Burdick, Head, M, May 1867, 33, married; yrs married: 13; New York; parents' birthplace: NY; Preacher; Months unemployed:0; Perie R Burdick, Wife, F, July 1852, 48, married, yrs married: 13; children born:1; living:1; Virginia; parents' birthplace: Virginia; Genevieve C Burdick, Daughter, F, Dec 1892, 8, New York; parents' birthplace: F:NY; M:Virginia. Rented house. Both can read, write, speak English.

"Minnesota State Census, 1905," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SPQ7-2HH : accessed 29 August 2015), Perie R Burdick, New Auburn, Sibley, Minnesota; citing p. 216, line 89, State Library and Records Service, St.Paul; FHL microfilm 928,813. Census date: 6 Jun 1905. Name: Perie R Burdick; Gender: Female; Age: 53; Race: White; Birthplace: West Virginia; Birth Year (Estimated): 1852; Father's Birthplace: West Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia; Page: 216. Address: New Auburn. Household members: Leon D. Burdick, m, 38, w, NY; parents' birthplace: NY;  ; Perie R. Burdick, F, 53, w, WVa; parents' birthplace: WVa;  ; Genevieve Burdick, F, 12, w, NY, parents' birthplace; F:NY; M:WVa; Period of residence in state for all: 8 months

University records

Alfred University, Herrick Memorial Library, University Archives, Alfred, NY. (Laurie McFadden): Email to Tom Randolph, dated 18 Sep 2015. Name: Experience 'Perie' Fitz Randolph; Home address: Berea, West Virginia; Dates registered: Sep – Dec 1874; Dec 1874 – Mar 1875; Mar – Jun 1875; Sep – Dec 1875; Dec 1875 – Mar 1876; Apr – Jun 1876; Sep – Dec 1877; Dec 1877 – Mar 1878; Apr – July 1878; Sep – Dec 1878; Dec 1878 – Mar 1879; Apr – July 1879; Mar – Jun 1880; Sep – Dec 1882; Dec 1882 – Mar 1883; Apr – July 1883; Aug – Nov 1883; Dec 1883 – Mar 1884; Mar – June 1884; Aug – Nov 1884; Dec 1884 – Mar 1885; Degrees: A.B. (Bachelor of Arts (Classical Course);1879); B.D. (Bachelor of Divinity (Theology Course); 1885); 1886 alumni catalog lists her degrees as A.M., B.D.

Death

• Death: "Minnesota, County Deaths, 1850-2001"
  citing Death, multiple county courthouses, Minnesota.
  FamilySearch Record: QPHZ-ZNVH (accessed 18 September 2022)
  FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9DL-F374 Image number 00328
  Perie Randolph Burdick death 29 Nov 1906 (age 54), daughter of Asa Fitz Randolph & Marbel Maxson, in New Auburn, Sibley, Minnesota, United States.

Name: Perie Randolph Burdick

Sex: Female

Age: 54y 4m 19d

Race: White

Marital Status: Married

Occupation: Minister of the Gospel

Residence: New Auburn, Minn

Length of residence: 2 yrs

Death Date: 29 Nov 1906

Death Place: New Auburn, Sibley, Minnesota, United States

Death Place (Original): New Auburn, Sibldy, Minnesota, United States

Birth Date: 10 Jul 1852

Birthplace: West Virginia

Father's Name: Asa Fitz Randolph

Father's birthplace: West Virginia

Mother's Name: Marbel Maxson

Mother's birthplace: West Virginia

Burial: New Auburn

Cause of death: apoplexy

Event Type: Death

Document Number: 18

"Minnesota Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FD6F-Q57 : accessed 29 August 2015), Perie Randolph Rev. Burdick, 29 Nov 1906; citing New Auburn V Sibley, Minnesota, reference ; FHL microfilm 2,117,560.

Name: Perie Randolph Rev. Burdick;

Gender: Female;

Death Date: 29 Nov 1906;

Death Place: New Auburn V Sibley, Minnesota;

Age: 54; Birth Date: 1852;

Father's Name: Asa Fritz Randolph;

Mother's Name: Mabel Maxsin.

Entry for Experience Fitz Randolph Burdick (accessed 30 Aug 2015) notes cause of death as "apoplexy" and references Minnesota Death Certificate, Minnesota State Historical Society Page: 1906-48-2019.

FindaGrave Memorial #31391701 accessed 29 Aug 2015. Name: Rev Experience (Perie) Fitz Randolf Burdick: Birth: Jul. 10, 1852; Death: Nov. 29, 1906, Minnesota, USA; Burial: High Island Cemetery, New Auburn, Sibley County, Minnesota, USA; Inscription: "Mother, Rev. Experiance (Perie) Fitz Randolf Burdick, July 10, 1852; Nov. 29, 1906; She .??..about .??.." Photo: yes.