Burwell was one of seven children born to William Boykin and Elizabeth Bryant. He was born in Southampton County, Virginia, but moved with his parents to Camden District, S.C., c. 1755.
On 3/26/1756, a conveyance was made to William Boykin by Ann Sinnexon, formerly Ann Duyett, of 300 acres in Fredricks Township, adjoing lands of Benjamin McKinnie, near Town Creek(Bk. R-R, p. 369). This land plus other acreage secured by Burwell became the family plantation.
He was an eminently successful planter and acquired a great deal of choice land. In c. 1773 he acquired 400 acres in grants; in 1776 he bought land, the Town Creek tract, to be known as Fredericksburg Town, amounting to 1050 acres, from Major Pierce Butler of Charleston, S.C. for L7300. This surrounded his father's settlement, extending from Town Creek to the lower side of Swift Creek; including the mill on latter stream, now the property of the estate of the late Lemuel Whitaker Boykin II; Hickory Ridge, Swamp, and Stoney Hill plantations.
Burwell also drew grants of land for military service during the Rev. War. He had served, 30 days of military duty as 1st Lt. of Mounted Rangers, in his brother Francis Boykin's Co; and he supplied provisions and forage for the continental troops. His service extended from 1775 to 1783.
He was elected by the District Eastward of Wateree River to serve in the eighth General Assembly (1789-1790). Locally, he served in the following positions: (1774-1775) Vestryman of St. David's (Greg's Old Cheraw, p. 227); in 1795, commissioner to approve of securities offered by the sheriff of Camden District; in 1797, he wa included in a list of persons given exclusive right to open a canal from Pint Tree Creek to the town of Camden; in 1778 and 1779, he served as road commissioner (St. David's journal, P.31).
Burwell married twice, they were both daughters of William Whitaker, a descendant of the Whitaker family of Jamestown, Va., whose member Rev. Alexander Whitaker, the Prophet, baptized Pocahontas, (painting of occasion in rotunda of U.S. Capital) and later performed her wedding ceremony; the first wife, Elizabeth Whitaker, a daughter of Catherine Wiggins Whitaker, was born 9-07-1760, died 10-02-1887 and married in 1782. The second wife, Mary Whitaker, a daughter of Mary (Lenoir ) Whitaker, was born 12-03-1776 and died 10-07-1838, and married in 1792.
From the History of the Boykin Family by Dr. Edward M. Boykin: In 1812 Burwell Boykin built his home "Mt. Pleasant", south of Camden, S.C., in the sand hills. This old country-house was kept by Burwell's widow Mary as a home for her own large family, and a center of hospitality for relatives and friends. The country behind it for sixtymiles was a forest of primeval pine and oak, abounding with deer and other game. The horse, horn, hound and chase held sway, rooms filled with guest; there was plenty everywhere, and enough for all. Her large family of sons living with her, made it sort of an Osbaldistone hall, save the hard drinking, that could not be, for a true high hearted woman held the reins, and a mother and sisiter's influence was over it all. Neighboring estates where occupied by relatives and friends of similar taste and prusuits:the Canteys, Chesnuts, Whitakers, Langs, McRaes, Deas, Hopkins, English and Ancrums. Those were as feudal times touched with chivalry and romance. And a deer hunt in July, or a fox-hunt at Christmas was like a Highland gathering.
Burwell died at his plantation in August 1817.
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