| Jacob Burruss, Sr. 1681-1755 Caroline County, Virginia Jacob Burruss, Sr was born abt 1681 in New Kent County, Virginia, in that portion which later became King and Queen County, before finally annexed into present day King William County, Virgnia. His father was John Burruss and his mother may have been Martha Beckingham Burruss. Because his name did not appear in either the King and Queen or King William County Quit Claim Rolls for 1704, it was assumed he was not of age (21). On December 20, 1703, after the death of his father, John, Thomas Burruss deeded 100 acres in King William County, to Jacob Burruss (1). Thomas was Jacob's eldest brother. Brother Thomas also deeded additional acreage to Jacob Burruss on March 20, 1705 (2) By March 25, 1725, Jacob Burruss, Sr., had moved to the western portion of King William County, where he patente 400 acres of land. The acreage was described as being adjacent to the land of John Hawkins and Ranger's Path. (3) When Augustine Moore patented 6950 acres of land in 1725, it was described as being on the north side of the North Anna River, and on the north side of the north fork of Polecat Swamp, adjacent to the land of JACOB BURRUSS. From these deeds the location of his plantation can be determined. Today if would be south of Cedar Fork Road (601) and east of Route 1. Originally the property was in King William County, in that portion which became Caroline County, in 1727. It was here, in the St. Margaret's Parish of Caroline County, that Jacob Burruss raised his family, and where later generations of his descendants lived. Jacob Burruss, Sr. was a well-respected member of this newly formed County. He served as a juror, and the Caroline County Order Books show he provided security to post bonds for numerous residents and neighbors in Caroline. He was a man of financial means, if the courts accepted his bonds. His brother Charles Burruss often posted bonds with Jacob. In early Caroline County, land owners were responsible, and took turns constructing and maintaining the roads adjacent to their property. Jacob Burruss was the Supervisor of Road in 1733, the first year such duties were recorded (4) On March 25, 1735, Jacob Burruss patented 400 acres of land in Hanover County for 40 shillings. (5) This land was described as lying on both sides of Hichory Creek, adjacent to the land of George Brock, Colonel Symes and John Aylett. Exactly how much land Jacob owned cannot be determined, but from existing records we know at one time, he owned property in at least three counties. His neighbors included some of the most prominent families in Caroline County, including the Carr and Minor families, as well as the Terrells, Hawkins, Hacketts, Moores, and others. Jacob's homeplace was close to Golansville, an area with a large concentration of Quaker families. Quakers were the only religious group, allowed in Virginia beside the Established Church of England. Jacob Burruss was a leader in the community. He appraised the estates of his neighbors, served as a witness to numerous wills, of some of prominent men such as the 1738 will of Thomas Carr. (8) Thomas Carr was the grandfather of Dabney Carr who married Thomas Jefferson's sister, Martha. Thomas Carr's great-grandson, Stanwyx Hord, married Justinana Burruss, the granddaughter of Jacob Burrus, Sr. The Caroline County Court house was some distance from Jacob's home. Only gentlemen of means and financial security, could afford the luxury of community involvement. Men like Jacob, were aided by slave labor, enabling them to leave their plantations in service to the community. Like most of the larger land owners, Jacob Burruss owned slaves. Tobacco was a major crop, but it was also labor intensive (7). The surname of Jacob's wife isn't certain. Some researchers think it's Bibb, and others Redd, based soley on circumstantial evidence. We know from his will, her name was Mary, his dearly beloved wife, to whom he left one third of his property, real and personal. His will survived and from this document we know the names of his children. His will in its entirety is here. On February 13, 1755, Richard Harris presented and proved the Last Will and Testament of Jacob Burruss, Sr. An inventory of his estate was returned to the Caroline Court on February 15, 1755 and on a motion, Robert Fleming Bibb was ordered to annex his estate (9) The children of Jacob Burrus, Sr and wife Mary are: Jacob Burruss, Jr - 1714 who married Martha Harris Henry Burrus circa 1716 who married Elizabeth Terry William Burruss b.c. 1718 (nothing more known) Justinana Burruss 1720 married Robert Fleming Bibb Thomas Burruss 1721 married Sarah Martin Charles Burrus, Sr. 1722 married Sarah Woolfolk Ann Burruss 1726 married Jonathan Johnson Mary Burruss 1730 (nothing more known) In a history of Nathaniel Burruss (a Jacob Burrus descendant) who married Margaret Dey, Jacob is said to have arrived in the colony of Virginia in 1714. The story has been repeated in several publications, one being "Makers of America, Biographies of Leading Men of Thought and Action, the Men who Constitute the Bone and Sinew of American Prosperity and Life, edited by Leonard Wilson, Published by Johnson, in 1916. The original text located at the University of Virginia, which was digitized Nov 28, 2007. Since 1916, the true history of Jacob Burruss has oft times been incorrect, from undocumented sources, one being just named. Sadly when a fact appears in print, it often times becomes history. With the death of Jacob Burruss, Sr., Caroline County lost one its first pioneers. Many generation of his descendants made Caroline County, and other places in Virginia their home. My Burruss history continues through to Jacob's son, Jacob Burrus, Jr. If you would like additional information on the lineage of Jacob Sr's other children, please email me. cgmaxwell@aol.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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| 1. King William County Records, Book 1, page 155 2. King William County Recrods, Book 1, page 290 3. Virginia Land Patent Book 12, page 366 4. A Hisstory of Caroline County, T. E. Campbell, page 117-118 5. Virginia Patent Book 17, page 28 6. Minor Family Papers, Library of Virginia Archive #25839 7. Caroline County Order Book, January 13, 1740 8. Louisa County Chancery Suit, Davis vs Burruss 1767 (Will) 9. CCOB pt 2, pages 26, 28, 46 RETURN TO BURRUS FAMILY HISTORY RETURN HOME GO TO JACOB BURRUSS,JR FAMILY HISTORY |