William Burgess (abt. 1622 - abt. 1686)

Born about 1622 in England [uncertain]

Husband of Elizabeth Robins — married after 1651 in Anne Arundel County, Province of Maryland [uncertain]

Husband of Sophia (Scarborough) Burgess — married about 1659 in Anne Arundel, Maryland

Husband of Ursula (Puddington) Moore — married 1664 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Descendants

Died about 24 Jan 1686 at about age 64 in Anne Arundel County, Province of Maryland

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Biography

William Burgess was a Maryland colonist.

Origin

William Burgess' birthplace and year of birth has not been proved. His name appears among the court records of Lower Norfolk County several times between 1645 and 1650. Deborah Glascock claimed land for transporting William Burgess to the Virginia colony at a court held 16 DEC 1645. Other entries of 1650 have his name as a witness on documents or receiving payments for unnamed services to the colony. ^[1]

Property

William Burgess was part of the migration of Puritans from Lower Norfolk County, Virginia in 1650 that settled in Anne Arundel County. He settled with his brother-in-law, Richard Beard on the south bank of the South River about 3 miles from the mouth. William set up as a merchant trading tobacco with the city of Bristol, England with a fleet of ships he owned. About this time he brought 150 servants to settle in this area and used their transportation to claim land.^[2]

The Maryland Archives patent index shows that he used Lord Baltimore's patent process to claim a total of 600 acres in Anne Arundel County before 1658. ^[3] William also purchased land from others. A deed dated 22 JUL 1674 shows the purchase of 800 acres in 4 separate tracts located in the Herring Creek area of the county from the sons of George Wells with a total cost of 30,000 lbs. of tobacco. ^[4] In NOV 1683 William Burgess donated some of his land at South River to be considered as the site for a town.^[5]

In a deed dated 22 JUL 1674 William Burgess purchased 3 large tracts of land in the Herring Bay area of Anne Arundel County from George Wells. William is identified with the prefix captain and called a merchant in the deed. The tracts included in the sale were named: Moreley's Lot 300 acs., Benjamin's Choice 280 acs. Benjamin's Addition 40 acs. and Bednall Green 180 acs. for a total of 800 acres and a cost to William of 30,000 lbs. of tobacco. ^[6]

Major Events

The proceedings of the Maryland Council contain the written order from Charles Calvert regarding the appointment of William Burgess as a militia captain. A shorted version of the order reads:

Charles Calvert to Capt. William Burges, Greeting, Whereas diverse foreign Indians have lately committed murders and outrages upon the people of this Province, I thought fit to raise a number of men. I repose confidence in your fidelity, courage and experience in martial affaires, so appoint you commander in chief under me of all the forces so raised in St. Marys, Kent, Charles, Calvert and Anne Arundel County against the said Indians to make war and pursue and by god's assistance to vanquish, kill and do all things as any commander in chief ought to do. I have herewith sent or shall from time to time send you Given at St. Marys under my hand and Seal this 6th day of June 1665, Charles Calvert. ^[7]

In 1682 William Burgess served on the council of the Lord Proprietary that met to settled land disputes. ^[8] Court records show Burgess, in partnership with Thomas Taylor and Samuel Chew, appear to have lost a court case brought against the men by Henry Hooper and were forced to pay damages of 45,950 lbs. of tobacco in damages. ^[9] By 1682 the settlement of Wm. Burgess & Thomas Taylor was assigned as a legitimate place to trade with Indians by the General Assembly. ^[10] By 1682 Col. William Burgess was serving in the Upper House of the Maryland General Assembly.^[11]

Marriage & Family

Primary sources indicate the presence of two wives for William Burgess. His first wife was named Elizabeth Robins There is recorded among the deeds of Northampton County, Virginia the marriages of both Richard Beard and William Burgess of Providence in the Province of Maryland on 25 AUG 1657 in a land deed approved by their wives, Rachell and Elizabeth, the daughters & heirs of Edward Robins, Merchant of Northampton (alias Accawmacke). ^[12] At the time of his death William was married to a woman named Ursulah who appears to be the mother of his last named seven children. She was likely the sister of Nicholas Painter who left large legacies of land to six of the children of William Burgess in his will, and the will was witnessed by Ursulah Burgess. ^[13]

William Burgess names 11 children and four grandchildren in his will. The last group of seven children appear to be those of the wife, Ursulah, named as his executor:

1. Edward b. abt. 1656 with children: William & Elizabeth
2. George b. abt. 1658
3. Susannah b. abt. 1660 wife of Nicholas Sewell with children:Charles & Jeanne
4. William b. abt. 1668
5. John b. abt. 1670
6. Joseph b. abt. 1672
7. Benjamin b. abt. 1674
8. Charles b. abt. 1676
9. Elizabeth b. abt. 1678
10. Ann b. abt. 1680
11. Susannah b. abt 1682 (does he have 2 dau. with this name?)

Tombstone Inscription

"Here lyeth ye body of Wm. Burgess Esq who departed this life on ye 24 day of Janu Anno Domini 1686, Aged about 64 yrs. Leaving his dear beloved wife Ursuhla [sic] and Eleven children, viz: seven sons and four daughters and 8 grandchildren. In his life time he was a member of His Lordships Counsell of Estate, One of his Lordships deputy Governours, a Justice of ye High Provincial Court, Collon [Colonel] of a Regiment of the trained Guards and sometime Generall of all the Military forces of this [Maryland] Province. His loving wife Ursulah his Execut. in testimony of her true respect and due regard to the worthy deserts of her dear departed husband, hath erected this Memorial."^[14]

Abstract of Will

I William Burges of South River in the province county of Annarrundell in the Province of Maryland being weak in body . . .

• to my son Edward Burges the sum of 5,000 lbs. of tobacco in casque to be paid within 1 year after my decease provided that he shall make equal division and delivery to my executor of one moiety or half part of all the horses, mares & colts that belonged to the estate of George Puddington dec. and of the produce & increase thereof otherwise I give to the said Edward five shillings and no more.
• to William and Elizabeth the children of my son Edward Burges £5 in money a piece to be paid at age 21 or marriage whichever shall first happen and in case either of them die before they accomplish the said age the survivor to have the other part.
• to my son George Burges the sum of 5,000 lbs. of tobacco in casque to be paid to him within 1 year after my decease.
• to my son William Burges £200 in money.
• to my son John Burges £200 in money
• to my son Joseph Burges £200 in money
• to my son Benjamin Burges £200 in money.
• to my son Charles Burges £200 in money to be paid to them at their respective lawful ages of 21 years and if either or any of my five sons, William, John, Joseph, Benjamin or Charles should die before they accomplish their respective ages of 21 then their portion to be equally divided among the sons surviving.
• to my daughter Elizabeth Burges £300 in money
• to my daughter Ann Burges £300 in money
• to my daughter Susannah Burges £300 in money the respective portions to be paid to my daughters at age 16 or date of marriage, and if either of my daughters should die before they accomplish their respective ages then their portion to be equally divided among the daughters surviving.
• to my daughter Susannah, the wife of Maj. Nicholas Sewell the sum of £5 in money and my seal ring of gold and to my grandson Charles Sewell £5 in money, and my granddaughter Jeanne Sewell £15 in money to buy her a piece of plate.
• to Richard my carpenter £5 in money to be paid one month after the expiration of his term of servitude.
• to my son William Burges the plantation where I now dwell on South River together with 800 acres which I purchased of George Wistall and one part whereof is a town called London provided my wife Ursulah shall and may possess and enjoy until my son William is 21 years and during the term of her natural life.
• to my son William Burges that tract called Burgesses Choice in Baltimore County near the land of Col. George Wells containing 450 acres.
• to my son John Burges 4 tracts called Moreley’s Lot, Benjamin’s Choice, Benjamin’s Addition, Bednall Green lying on Herring Creek containing 800 acres.
• to my son Joseph Burges 3 tracts of land I purchased of Richard Beard near South R. Called West Puddington & Beard’s Habitation containing 313 acres.
• to my son Benjamin Burges my plantation called Bessenston being near the Ridge I lately purchased of Thomas Besson containing 300 acs. Also that tract of land called Burgesses Choice lying near the head of the South R. Containing 400 acres.
• to my son Charles Burges that tract of land lately purchased of Vincent Lowe lying at the head of the Sassafras R. In Cecil County formerly granted to Nicholas Painter since dec. containing 1,600 acres, also that tract lately purchased from Vincent Lowe on the south side of the Susquehenna R. In Balto. County containing 400 acres.
• if any of my sons: William, John, Joseph, Benjamin, or Charles shall die before they accomplish lawful age of 21 their land to be divided among the survivors.
• whatever not previously devised to my wife, Ursulah, and to have the education and tuition of my sons, William, John, Joseph, Benjamin and Charles , and my daughters Elizabeth, Anne and Susannah and the use and custody of their portions during their minority. In case Ursulah shall marry sufficient surety must be made and in case she refuse my supervisors hereafter named shall take unto their custody the said legacies.
• I appoint my wife, Ursulah to be my sole executor and my friends, Maj. Nicholas Sewell, Maj. Nicholas Gassaway and Capt. Henry Hanslop supervisors and to each the sum of £5 in money to dispose of at pleasure. Signed 11 JUL 1685.^[15] (This will is very difficult to read. If anyone sees errors in the abstract, please make corrections).

William was buried on his plantation and his grave was still on this land in 1908 when it was mentioned in a book of historic graves in Maryland. The Burgess tombs were in good repair and being maintained by the land owner. They probably moved since this book was written.^[16]

Research: There two alternate possible times and places for his birth:

ABT 1622 Marlborough, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom. William Burgess was born 15 April 1622 in Wiltshire, England. He was baptized 2 Jul 1626 at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England. ^[17]

ABT 1622 Truro, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

1622 Cornwall, England^[18] (Yates gives the location as Wales, Cornwall, England, which is obviously incorrect).

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30662407/william-burgess

1. ↑ Walter, Alice Granbery "Lower Norfolk County, Virginia Court Records" Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing 1994
2. ↑ Berkley, Henry J. "Londontown on South River, Anne Arundel County", MD, Maryland Historical Magazine Vol. 19 pg. 135, Baltimore, Md 1924 [mdhs.maryland.gov [1]
3. ↑ MSA Patent Index[2]
4. ↑ Anne Arundel Deeds Liber WT 1 folio 110
5. ↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. 7, pg. 465[aomol.maryland.gov]
6. ↑ Anne Arundel Deeds Liber WT 1 folio 110
7. ↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. 3, pg. 523-524 [aomol.maryland.gov]
8. ↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. 17, pg. 122 [aomol.maryland.gov]
9. ↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. 57, pg. 574 [aomol.maryland.gov]
10. ↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. http://guide.msa.maryland.gov/pages/series.aspx?ID=S13947, pg. 382 [aomol.maryland.gov]
11. ↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. 7, pg. 338 [aomol.maryland.gov]
12. ↑ Northampton County Deeds Liber 5 folio 466
13. ↑ Prerogative Court Wills Liber 4 folio 56
14. ↑ Ridgely, Helen W. (Helen West), and National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Maryland. Historic Graves of Maryland And the District of Columbia, With the Inscriptions Appearing On the Tombstones In Most of the Counties of the State And In Washington And Georgetown. (New York: The Grafton Press, 1908.) Chapter 1, p 12 (Hathitrust.org, Full view, Image 48)
15. ↑ Prerogative Court Wills Liber 4 folio 242 [msa.maryland.gov https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/stagser/s500/s538/000000/000009/pdf/msa_s538_000009.pdf
16. ↑ Ridgely, Helen W. "Historic Graves of Maryland & the District of Columbia" New York: Grafton Press 1909 [GoogleBooks.com]
17. ↑ Sloan Twigs and Branches. Wardrumplayersloan. An Ancestry.com. http://person.ancestry.ca/tree/22787460/person/1373495117/facts. Accessed Dec 22, 2016
18. ↑ Yates

See Also: Maryland Families Burgess