| Thomas Burruss History 1772-1824 Caroline County, Virginia |
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| Thomas Burruss was born in Caroline County, Virginia on September 2, 1772. He was the second son born to the Reverend John Burruss and his wife, Rachel Terrell. At the time of his birth, his maternal grandparents, David Terrell and Agatha Chiles were both deceased. His fraternal grandfather, Jacob Burruss would live until 1778. Thomas was only six years old when his father died in April 1778, and when his grandfather Jacob Burruss, Jr. six months later in November 1778. It is doubtful he remembered much if anything about them. His mother, Rachel Terrell Burruss married Thomas Hackett, a Quaker, on May 29, 1780. Rachell was herself, a Quaker, was excommunicated, when she married 'out of faith' to John Burruss. If she returned to the Quaker meeting house when she married Thomas Hackett, isn't known. Rachel and Thomas Hackett had five known children. Because Rachel's children were so young when their father died, the Hackett and Burruss children grew up together more as real brothers, than half siblings. The Hackett children were; Chiles Hackett who married Mary Wortham Garrett H. Hackett who married Sophia Trevillian Pleasant Hackett who married Lucy Ragland Early Hackett who died in his youth. Rachell Terrell Burruss Hackett died February 17, 1787 at the age of 37, shortly after the birth of a child that did not survive. When John Burruss, Thomas' father died, he specified that his sons were to be educated in a manner that would make them fit 'to do county business'. From the Burruss letters which have been saved by family members, we know this wish was carried out. We do not know if Thomas received his education in boarding schools operated by private tutors, but the manner in which he was able to communicate, the language he used to express himself, is evidence that he received an education in a place other than home. Thomas Burruss' father was one of the first Baptist preachers in Caroline County. Thomas followed in the father's footsteps at Mount Carmel Church. He was a lay minister. From church records we know he was a deacon called on to conduct church business. Thomas was a devote Christain, and no doubt his faith sustained him when other men would have been overwhelmed by the adversities, uncertainties, and hardships of life in Caroline County in the early 1800's. Feeding, clothing, and educating a family of twelve children, and his slave family, had to have been a constant concern. Thomas was respected for his intelligence, serenity, faith, and ability to endure and achieve where lesser men failed. At the age of 21, Thomas married Knelly Bibb on December 25, 1793. The Reverend Andrew Broaddus performed the ceremony in Mount Carmel Church. Reverend Broaddus and members of his family would preach the gospel in Caroline County for many years. Knelly Bibb was the daughter of Charles Bibb, and Eleanor Woolfolk. Knelly may have been a nickname for Eleanor. Thomas and Knelly had nine children before she died about 1816. Their children were; Charles E. Burruss who married Lucy Cheadle Hargrave Rachel 'Fannie' Terrell Burruss who married William Emmerson Flippo Lucy Burruss who married George Robinson John Burruss who married his first cousin Margaret 'Peggy' Burruss, Priscilla M. Luck, & Eliza Parsons Hargrave Mary C. Burruss who married John Bouleware Thomas J. Burruss who married Mary E. Gentry Frances Cornelia Burruss who married Richardson Henley and her first cousin David Nelson Burruss Agnes Burruss who married William E. Ryan Samuel Harris Burruss who married Elizabeth Goin At the age of 46, Thomas Burruss married second to his cousin, Sarah Chiles, the daughter of William and Sarah Chiles. Sarah gave birth to three children before her death on May 20, 1829 at the age of 35. Their children were; William M. Burruss who died in his youth Virginia Louise Burruss who married William S. Blank Elizabeth 'Betty' P. Burruss who married her first cousin Richard Henry Burruss Thomas Burruss was successful farmer and gentleman in Caroline County. He evidently suffered from an adominal hernia. After attending to business in Bowling Green (county seat) one evening, Thomas fell entering the front gate leading to his home. Often homes were fenced to protect the flowers and grass planted around the house from livestock in the pasture. From the description of his death (family letters) it seems apparent that the fall perforated his hernia, causing a fatal bowel obstruction. Without the surgery that is available today for such conditions, Thomas' death was unavoidable and his suffering great. The attending physican was not hopeful for survival. Obviously aware of his fate, he called for his brother Henry Burruss so he could write his will. Most of his children, his man servant Tom, his brother Henry Burruss, and half brother Chiles Hackett were at his bedside during his last 56 hours. Thomas Burruss died March 6, 1824. The Richmond Enquirer newspaper recalled the death of Captain Thomas Burruss. Thomas had served in the 1812 war. In his will, Thomas named Henry Burruss and his son Charles E. Burruss executors of his estate. RETURN HOME RETURN TO BURRUSS FAMILY HISTORY |