A Search for Levi Burns of Rutherford County, North Carolina

Part 4

 

A Bertie County Connection ?.

 

The only hard information I have on the birth of Levi Burns I is from the 1850 mortality schedule,  stating  he was born in 1774 in North Carolina.  He is not in the 1790 Rutherford County Census.  He   first appears in Rutherford County in the 1800 census, 1-m 0-10, 1-m 16-26, 1-f  0-10, 1-f 16-26. Also in the 1800 Rutherford County census is Francis Burns, 1-m 0-10, 1-m 16-26, 2-females 10-16, 1-female 26-45. Using the 1790 census index, I find A #11 Levy Burns head of a household in Bertie County, North Carolina, 2-males  over 16 with 9 slaves,(Note no adult female. No wife I  1790),  and John Burns #11, 1-male over 16, 4 females, with 20 slaves.  In the 1800 Bertie County Census is #34 John Burns 1-male 0-10, 1-male 26-45, 4-females  0-10, 1-female 26-45 with 9 slaves and #34 Richard Burns 2-male 0-10, 2-male 10-16, 1-male 45+, 1-female 10-16, 1-female 45+. Levy is not in the 1800 Bertie Co. Census. Richard is probably the head of the "elder family" of the group.

 

(SPECULATION ALERT!)

It appears that A Levy Burns was in Bertie County in 1790, 2-males over 16, no females, and nine slaves.

(Levi I would have been 16). He is head of a household, sharing a household with John Burns, who is listed as 1-male over 16, 4-females, and twenty slaves. Age 16 is a little young to be head of household and slave owner. In the will of Andrew Burn; 10 Feb 1781, Aug Term 1781: "Sons John, James, and Levi Burn, daughters Mary and Ann Burn, Captain Christopher Clark to take son Levi's estate in charge, sons John and James Exrs. Test;  Charles Hodgson, Andrew Burn Jr., Richard Gill." Levi would be 7 years old when his Father Andrew Burns died, the youngest son in the family. He may have inherited land and slaves, but per his fathers’ will the assets would be managed by Captain Christopher Clark.

 

In 1790 there are no females listed in the Levy Burns household.  John Burns is married with three daughters and 29 slaves, probably an older brother or uncle. A quick surmise would be;  Between 1790 and 1800 Levi Burns I gets married and receives his inheritance. He sells his land and 9 slaves to finance his move to Rutherford County just before 1800. Between 1790 and 1800 John Burns goes from 20 slaves to 9, and Richard Burns moved into the John Burns household with a wife, four sons, and a daughter.  Richard Burns is 45+.

 

 

        HEADS OF FAMILIES, EDENTON DISTRICT, BERTIE COUNTY N. C. 1790

 

 FWM 16 and up, FWM under 16, FWF, all other free, slaves

 

Armistead, Anthony   1  0  1  0  13

Abington, Littlebury   1  1  0  0  16

Burn, John                   1  0  4  0 29

Barns, Thomas            1  0  0  0  0

Barns, Cader               2  3  4  0  0

Burn, Levy                  2  0  0  0  9

Barns, Henry              1  2  5  0  0

Barns, Solomon          1  2  3  0  0

Barns, Thomas           1  4  3  0  6

 

 

Barns, John                 1  3  3  0  4

Burns, John                 1  1  3  0  8

Burn, James                1  2  3  0  18

Burns, John                1  0  4  0  20

Barns, William           1  6  4  0  0

Collins, David           1  1  3  0  0

Collins, Josiah           1  3  3  0  2

Collins, Luke             4  2  1  0  20

Collins, Thomas        2  0  2  0  13

Levy I born 1774.

 

John born between 1755 - 1774. His children basically the same age as Levy's, probably Levy's brother. Richard probably born bef. 1755 (45+ in 1800).

 

Levi DUNNING b.3 Oct 1797 Bertie Co., NC, d. 16 Apr 1853 Trigg Co., KY, m. Jennett Moore CARNEY, daughter of William W. CARNEY and his wife Catherine MOORE of Bertie Co. Levi was a son of Hardiman DUNNING and his wife Winifred SHOLAR, son of Shadrack DUNNING and his wife Mary BARNES, daughter of John BARNES Jr. Hardiman DUNNING, Shadrack DUNNING, William W. CARNEY and Cader BARNES, brother of Mary, were in the 1803 tax book of Bertie Co. In 1805, all were in the tax book of Christian Co., KY.
1745 Andrew and John Burns appear in Bertie Co. records.

 

1752 Shadrach Barns born abt. 1752, son of Richard Barns, wed Hannah Turner abt. 1775.

         (Note; See separate page for history of “a”  Shadrach Barns.)

 

1757 John Burn in 1757 Bertie Co. tax list.

 

1757 Andrew Burn in 1757 Bertie Co. records.

 

1762          James Keeter sells land in Bertie Co. to John Burns.

 

1769 William Burns on grand jury, 4th Tuesday in July 1769, Tryon County.

 

1770 Robert Burns on petty jury Tryon Co. Saturday after 4th Tuesday in July 1770.

 

1770 Deed of sale Jacob Garber to Barnet Barns.

 

1770 Deed of sale from George Cox to Joseph Green proved by Francis Barns dated 7 Sep 1770

          Wednesday after the 4th Tuesday of Jan 1771 Tryon Co.

 

1770 Deed of sale Robert Barns to James Allen 24 Ap 1771 300 acres Wednesday after the 4th Tuesday of 

          Jan 1771 Tryon Co.

 

1770 Deed of sale, John Barns and wife Rachel to Barbar Burns dated 2 Jun 1770 81 acres, Tryon Co.

          Friday after 1st Tuesday in April 1770.

 

1771 Robert Barns to James Allen 300 acres 24 Apr 1771.

 

1771           Will of John Burn

          "Daughter Janet Stewart, son Andrew, daughter Margaret, brother Andrews daughter Nancy Burn,

            brother Andrew Burn Exr. Test; Ed Razor, Louisa Worley, Ann Read."

 

1772 Deed of sale Barnett Barns to Matthew Porter.

 

1779  Will of Alexander How; 20 Oct 1779, Feb Court 1780.

          "Wife Mary, children John, Sidney, Sarah, Elizabeth and Thomas How,. Wife, Col. John Hardy of 

          Pitt Co., N. C., Luke Collins and Humphrey Hardy Exrs. Test; John King, Humphrey Hardy." (Note;  

          Elizabeth may  be Mary Elizabeth).  (Note; Will of Elizabeth Collins Burns refers to "Aunt Sidney

          Burn and  Uncle John  Burn.”)  (Note; James Burn wed Sarah How in  1784, William Gray Bondsman.  Bertie Co.)

 

1779 Will of Alexander How; 20 Oct 1779, Feb Court 1780.

         "Wife Mary, children John, Sidney, Sarah, Elizabeth and Thomas How,. Wife, Col. John Hardy of Pitt Co., N.C., Luke   Collins

         and Humphrey Hardy Exrs. Test; John King, Humphrey Hardy." (Note; Elizabeth may be Mary Elizabeth).  (Note; Will of

         Elizabeth Collins Burns refers to "Aunt Sidney Burn and Uncle John Burn”.    (Note; James Burn wed Sarah How in 1784,

         William Gray Bnd. Bertie Co.)

 

1780 A different Levy Burns in 10th Pennsylvania Regiment. (My Levi Burns 6 in 1780).

 

1780  Francis Burns born 1774-1784

 

1781 Will of Andrew Burn; 10 Feb 1781, Aug Term 1781.

         "Sons John, James, and Levi Burn, daughters Mary and Ann Burn, Captain Christopher Clark to take

           son Levi's estate in   charge, sons John and James Exrs. Test;  Charles Hodgson, Andrew Burn Jr.,

          Richard Gill."

 

1786 Will of Andrew Burn; 6 Aug 1786, Aug Term 1786.

         "Nephews Joseph and Miles Hopkins, cousins Levy, Ann Burn, John, James, and Jane Burn and     

          Luke Collins   Exrs. Test;   Nancy Hopkins, Thomas Ashburn."

 

1787 Bertie Co. Census;  ( Levi I would be 13 ).

               James Burns 1-m 21-60, 1-m -21 or 60+, 2-females, 11-slaves. (Francis Pugh’s Company).

               Ben Bourn 1-m 21-60, 5-m -21 or 60+, 3-females (Captain Moores District).

               Henry Barns 1-m 21-60, 3-m -21 or 60+, 6-females, 1-slave (Captain Freemans District).

               Solomon Barns 1-m 21-60, 2-females. (Captain Freemans District).

 

Records of Estates, Bertie County, North Carolina, 1788-1800

(228) JOHN HOWE

Inventory Feb. 4, 1789 by Luke Collins. Account of sale Feb. 28 and March 9, 1789 of property in the Indian Woods. Buyers:
Luke Collins
Lamb Hardy
John Pippin
Mark Morgan
Cader Hunter
George Capehart, Jr.
James Burn
Mary How
James Hews
Levy Burn
John Williams
David Curry
Michael Capehart
John Oxley
Wilson Liscomb
William Pugh
David Gaskins
Charles Jacocks
Jonathan Standley
Thomas Lackey
James Ryan
Thomas Pugh
George Lockhart
William Griffin
John Campbell
Benjamin Rhodes
Jesse Everett
Nathan Jenkins
George Dawson
Alexander Hopkins
Reuben Knight
Edward Watson
William McGlohan
John Capehart
Jehu Nicholls
Thomas Trotter
James McLean
Thomas Newborn
Thomas Pugh, Jr.
James Churchwell
John Lenox
George Capehart
Josiah Rasor
Daniel Hopkins
Jeremiah Fleetwood
William Fleetwood
Davis Meredith
John Burn
Elizabeth Brinkley
George Hews

Inventory Aug. 17, 1790 by Luke Collins. Division of estate May 18,1791, with equal money paid to John Burn, James Burn, Elizabeth Howe and Thomas Howe. Petition (Apr. 24, 1817) by Sidney Burn, stating Alexander Howe died leaving certain property to his widow Mary Howe for her lifetime and the remainder of his property to his children John, Thomas, Elizabeth, Sarah and Sidney Howe. The widow Mary Howe died testate in 1814 with William Sutton as her exr., but he died before he could divide her estate. Administration on her estate was then granted to Edmond Fleetwood. The said John Howe (son of Alexander) died intestate and without issue, and administration on his estate was grtd. to John Peck. The said Elizabeth Howe (daughter of Alexander) married George McKenzie, who went "beyond the seas" and "is supposed to be dead" and left Moses Gillam as her (?) admr. Thomas Howe (son of Alexander) died leaving his widow Elizabeth Howe as his admrx., and she married secondly to William Sutton. The only child of Thomas Howe was Mary Howe. Sarah Howe (daughter of Alexander) married first James Burn and second Jeremiah Devan.


 

1803 Will of Sarah Devan; 11 May 1803, Aug Term 1803.

         "My husband Jeremiah Devan, daughter Elizabeth Burn, my Fathers estate at the death of Mrs. How, 

           son Levi  Burn,   husband Exrs."

 

1811 Will of Elizabeth Collins Burn; 18 Oct , Feb Term 1812. "My father-in-law Jeremiah Devan, cousin

          Colin McKenzie, cousin Mary How, Aunt Sidney Burn  and her daughter,  uncle John Burn, cousins

          Nancy, Susan,  and Sally  Burn, brother Levi Burn, friend  Mary L. Harrimond, Mrs. Mary L.  

          Harrimond, Mrs. Margaret Devan, friend Sarah Crook, cousins Nancy and Sally Burn, Jeremiah

          Devan Exrs. Test; Baldy Ashburn,  Geo.  L.  Ryan."

 

 

 Now it appears we could have;

 

           Andrew Burn ----- ?  (Collins?)                       Jeremiah Devan ----- ?

                                    |          d. bef 1811?                                                |

    ------------------------------------------------                                  --------------

    |            |           |               |          |            |                                |

 John    James   Levy I      Mary   Ann     Elizabeth  -----  ?? Devan

                        b. 1774                            Collins              (d. Bef 1811)

                             |                                  Burns

                     Levy Burns II                              |        

                     m. Druscilla Green

                     in 1842

 

 

                                BERTIE COUNTY UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE

 

1781   Will of Andrew Burn; 10 Feb 1781, Aug Term 1781. "Sons John, James, and Levi Burn, daughters Mary and Ann Burn,  Captain Christopher Clark to take  son Levi's estate in charge, sons John and James Exrs. Test;  Charles Hodgson,   Andrew Burn Jr.,   Richard Gill."

 

1782  Rutherford Co. tax list, 2nd Co. William Barns 1-2-2 and William Barns 1-0-4.

 

1784  James Burn wed Sarah How in 1784, William Gray Bondsman. Bertie Co.

 

1786   Will of Andrew Burn; 6 Aug 1786, Aug Term 1786.  "Nephews Joseph and Miles Hopkins, cousins Levy, Ann Burn,   John, James, and Jane Burn and  Luke Collins Exrs. Test; Nancy Hopkins, Thomas Ashburn."

 

1787 Bertie Co. Census;

         James Burn  1M 21+ to -60, 1M -21, 2F, 11-slaves. Bertie Co. Pughs Company.

         Benjamin Burns  5M -21 or 60+  1M 21-60  3F  Bertie Co., Moores District.

         Henry Barns  3M -21 ot 60+  1M 21-60   6F  1-slave  Bertie Co. Freemans Dist.

         Jacob Burns   1M -21  1M 21-60  1F  2-slaves Bertie Co

         Solomon Barns   1M 21-60  2F  Bertie Co. Freemans Dist.

         Ben Bourn 1M 21-60, 1M -21 or 60+, 3-F

 

1790 Bertie Co. Census;   

         #11  Levy Burns  2M 16+, 9-slaves.Bertie Co. Edenton District.

         #11  John Burns  1M 16+,  4F,  20-slaves. Bertie Co. Edenton District.

         John Burns  1M 16+  1M -16  3F  8-slaves. Bertie Co. Edenton District.

         John Burns   1M 16+  4F  29-slaves. Bertie Co. Edenton District.

         (Note; The John living with Levy did not go to Bertie Co., at least not by 1800 when Levi did.

 

 

1790  Bertie County:

Barns, Cader.............................2-3-4-0-0

Barns, Henry.............................1-2-5-0-0

Barns, John..............................1-3-3-0-4

Barns, Solomon.......................... 1-2-3-0-0

Barns, Thomas............................1-0-0-0-0

Barns, Thomas............................1-4-3-0-6

Barns, William...........................1-6-4-0-0

Burn, James..............................1-2-3-0-18

Burn, John...............................1-0-4-0-29

Burn, Levy...............................2-0-0-0-9

Burns, John..............................1-0-4-0-20

Burns, John..............................1-1-3-0-8

 

Cader Barns         2M 16+     3M -16        4F                                 Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

Henry Barns        1M 16+     2M -16        5F                                  Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

James Burns        1M 16+     2M 0-16      3F              18-slaves    Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

John Barns           1M 16+     3M -16        3F               4-slaves     Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

#11 John Burns   1M 16+                          4F             20-slaves     Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

#11 Levi Burns   2M 16+                                              9-slaves.   Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

John Burns          1M 16+     1M -16  3F                      8-slaves.    Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

John Burns          1M 16+                         4F              29-slaves.    Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

Solomon Barns   1M 16+      2M -16       3F.                                 Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

Thomas Barns     1M 16+     4M -16        3F                6-slaves.    Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

Thomas Barns     1M 16+.                                                              Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

William Barns     1M 16+     6M -16        4F                                  Bertie Co. Edenton Dist.

 

1792 Barbara Barns wed Pleasant Chitwoord, Rutherford Co.

 

1795  Will of Jonathan Barnes; 7 Aug 1795, 12 Jan 1896

          "Wife and Exr.: Elizabeth. Sons; Samuel, Benjamin. Wit; Benjamin Taylor, Jesse Taylor.

 

1799  James Barnes wed Elizabeth Crook, 18 Ap 1799 William Crook bondsman.

 

1800 Bertie Co. Census;

         #34 John Burn  1M 0-10  1M 26-45  4F 0-10  1F 26-45  9-slaves

         #34 Richard Burn  2M 0-10  2M 10-16  1M 45+  1F 10-16  1F 26-45

 

1800  Rutherford Co. Census;

           #97 Levy Burns  1M 0-10  1M 16-26  1F 0-10  1F 16-26. Rutherford Co.

            Francis Burns  1M 0-10  1M 16-26  2F 10-16  1F 26-45. Rutherford Co.

 

1802  Will of Luke Collins; 25 Feb 1802, May Term 1802.

         "Wife Margaret, her sister Harriett Jordan, son William, John and Edward Watson (sons of sister

           Sarah Watson), Thomas How, (son of sister Molly How), sister Williamson, niece Sarah Devan

           (daughter of sister Elizabeth How), Prudence Watson and Elizabeth Church, (daughters of sister

           Sarah Watson), John Watson, Edward Watson and Thomas Sutton Exrs."

 

1803  Benjamin Burns wed Susannah Smith 7 Ap 1803. Charles Darby, Henry Guin wit. Rutherford Co.

          (Note; See separate item on Benjamin Burns.)

 

1803  Will of Sarah Devan; 11 May 1803, Aug Term 1803.

          "My husband Jeremiah Devan, daughter Elizabeth Burn, my Fathers estate at the death of Mrs.

           How, son Levi Burn,   husband Exrs."

 

1804  Nancy Burns born

 

1807 Benjamin Barns buys 50 acres in Rutherford Co. from John Cook.

 

1809   Will of James Barnes; 4 Sep 1809, Aug Court 1811.

           "Sons John and James, wife Elizabeth, sons Joseph, Benjamin and William Sumner Barnes, daughter

             Patsy Palin Barnes, daughter Elizabeth Barnes. Test; Benjamin Newsom, Moses Speight."

 

1809   Christopher Burns wed Margaret Gordon, John Gordon wit. Rutherford Co.

          (Note; Christopher son of John Burn b. 1763 Va. d. 1852.)

 

1810  Benjamin Burns buys 50 acres in Rutherford Co.

 

1810 Rutherford Co. Census;

          Levy Burns       1M 0-10, 1M 10-16, 3F 0-10, 1F 10-16, 1F 16-26.

          Fanny Burns     1M 0-10, 2F 16-26, 1F 45+.

          Benjamin Burns  1M 26045, 2F 0-10, 1F 26-45.

 

1811 Will of Elizabeth Collins Burn; 18 Oct 1811, Feb Term 1812.

         "My father-in-law Jeremiah Devan, cousin Colin McKenzie, cousin Mary How, Aunt Sidney

         Burn and her daughter, uncle John Burn, cousins Nancy, Susan, and Sally Burn, brother Levi

         Burn, friend Mary L. Harrimond, Mrs. Mary L. Harrimond, Mrs. Margaret Devan, friend Sarah       

         Crook, cousins Nancy and Sally Burn, Jeremiah Devan Exrs. Test; Baldy Ashburn, Geo. L. Ryan."

 

1812 Will of Jeremiah Devan; 2 Sep 1812, Nov Term 1812.

         "Wife Margaret Devan, Joseph Blount, Elizabeth Bryan (daughter of William), daughter-in-law

          Mary Lee Harrimond, property from will of Elizabeth Collins Burn, eldest daughter of William

          Sutton, wife and William Sutton Exrs."

 

1817 July. Returns of  Settlements of Estates, Lincoln County N. C.;

         Page 89, Return of  estate of Joseph Burns by John Cline, his guardian.

 

1817 October. Returns of  Settlements of Estates, Lincoln County N. C.;

         Page 101. Report of committee to settle estate of Joseph Burns with John Cline, guardian.

 

1817 John Burns wed Deide Smart 1817 (Rutherford Co.). Levy Burns, Thomas Smart bondsmen.

         (Note; Deide daughter of Joseph Smart Sr. and Elizabeth White. Their daughter Elizabeth wed

         Jesse Rogers.)

 

1818 October. Returns of  Settlements of Estates, Lincoln County N. C.;

         Page 145.  Return of estate of Joseph Burns, minor, by guardian John Cline Sr.

 

1819 January Returns of  Settlements of Estates, Lincoln County N. C.;

         Page 151 Return of estate of Hannah Burns dec'd by Jacob Burns, admin.

 

1821 Levi Burns Sr. witnesses a deed from James Shearer to Benjamin Loveless.

 

1822 Elizabeth Burns wed Isaac Rogers, Joseph Brady bondsman. Rutherford Co.

 

1823 Elizabeth Burns wed Abraham Cook. Jacob Burns wit.

 

1823 James Burns wed Sally Green 22 Feb 1823, John Burns bondsman, Isaac Green wit.

        Rutherford Co. (Note; She daughter of Shadrach Green (b. 1760) and Mary Gage. They

        had son Shadrach Burns. Family moved to Francois Co, Farmington, Missouri.) (Note;

        Another records shows marriage in Bertie Co.)

 

1826 Edward Hawkins enters land 140 acres on the waters of Webb Creek and Puzzle Creek adj.

          John Burns and the widow Webb and his own land 20 Oct 1826. Patent #34.

 

1829 John Burns receives 200 acre State Land Grant Rutherford Co.

 

1829   Leuraney Burns wed John Rogers 6 Mar 1829. John Rogers, John Burns bondsmen. (Rutherford Co.). Isaac  Craton Wit.

 

1829 John Burns wed Mary Hamblin, James Burns bondsman. Rutherford Co.

 

1829   John Burns wed Deddie Smart 1 Dec 1829. Levy Burns, Thomas Smart bondsmen, D. Dobbins wit. 

          (Rutherford Co.)

 

1830  Rutherford Co. Census;

          John Burns    1M 5-10  1M 20-30  2F 0-5  2F 5-10  1F 15-20

 

1830 William Barns wed Clara Odom.

 

1830 Died in Buncombe Co, John Burns, aged 109 or 110, native of Ireland. (b. abt. 1720.)

 

1834  Will of Margaret Devan; 25 Nov 1834, Nov Tern 1835.

           "Niece Eliza Jordan, nephew Alfred Jordan, niece Clarissa Goodman, nephews Jno. P. Jordan and

           George R. Jordan, nephew Jno. J. Ryan, Miss Rebecca Powers, Margaret Peck (daughter of Jno. Peck

           of New York), Mary Elizabeth Outlaw (daughter of George and wife Mary Eliza), niece Mary Eliza

           Outlaw (wife of George), Elizabeth Burn for use of Sarah Burn (now Peterson), George B. Outlaw

           Exr." (Note; George Outlaw wed  Mary Askew.)  (Note; See 1749 will of George Paterson.)

 

1834 Charles A. Barns wed Sarah Stark Rutherford Co.

 

1835  Will of John Watson; 12 Jun 1835, Nov Term 1838.

           "Wife Mary, sons Thomas C. Watson and Edward C. Watson, grand-sons Thomas E. Watson and

           William R. Watson (sons of William Watson), my interest in lands formerly belonging to Luke

           Collins, Mrs. Margaret  Devan also has a life interest in them, daughters Sally Carter, Mary Cooper,

           Nancy and Prudence Watson,  son William's children, viz: Thomas Edward, William Robert, and

           Evaline, Jona S. Tayloe and sons Thomas  and Edward Exrs. Test; Sol. Cherry, W. H. Pender."

 

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