Burris of Jamestown, Orange County

Anthony Burrowes was document as a resident of West and Sherlow Hundred in 1624 and at James City. Presumably, this is the same person. James Burrowes was listed at James City in 1625. In 1635, John Burrowes, age 18, was sent to Virginia onboard the ship Constance from London. On 23 August 1690 William Pollard of Chard was bound to Robert Burrus, mariner, to serve 3 years in Virginia. On 23 July 1660, Richard Bartholomy, yeoman, was bound o Alexander Burrus, mariner, to serve 7 years in Virginia.

Thomas Burris was born near Jamestown ca 1700 and died 1 Mar 1798 in Orange County, Virginia.
"Burris is another form of the names Burrows, Burroughs, Burrace and Burys. Thomas Burris...was a very wealthy man for his time as his will shows, and he was descended from a family who had been in Virginia from the earliest times...Thomas Burris served in the French and Indian War under Capt. George Mercer's company of Virginia Regiment commanded by Colonel George Washington, and fought at the battle of the Meadows in 1754, and was of the number who received the present of a Pistole from the Country as an acknowledgement of their gallant behaviour upon that occasion (see Washington papers, State Department)...he was one of the detachment that marched to Augusta some time after the defeat; and he also fought at the disastrous Braddock's Defeat in 1755. For his services in this war he received a share of the 200,000 acres of land granted under Governor Dinwiddie's plantation. He appears to have been a warrior for he fought in the Revolution also, and was granted lands for that service...." Genealogical Memoranda of the Quisenberry Family.
Thomas Burris was married to Frances Tandy, the daughter of Roger Tandy and his wife, Miss Colby, a descendant of Edward Colby of London who subscribed 12 pounds 10 shillings to the stock of the London Company for the colonization of Virginia and who himself came to this country and died in Jamestown in 1620.
"In the name of God, Amen, I, Thomas Burrus of the County of Orange and Parish of St. Thomas (Virginia), being at the present time sound in mind and memory, I thank God for the same--do hereby certify this to be my last will and Testament, in manner and form as follows:

First: After I quit this mortal life I desire my body to be decently buried with every solemnity, at the discretion of my Executors, and after paying my just debts, what then remains my will and desire is may be disposed of in the following manner, viz:

I give and bequeathto my son Thomas Burrus (first choice) 500 acres of land at Kentucky, to him and his heirs, etc.

Also, I give and bequeath to my son, William Tandy Burris, 500 acres of land at Kentucky (second choice), to him and his heirs, etc.

Also, I give and bequeath to my son, Roger Tandy Burrus, 500 acres of land at Kentucky (third choice), to him and his heirs, etc.and one feather bed, etc.

Also, I give and bequeath to my grandson, Thomas Burrus, son of Thomas Burrus, one negro boy Absalom, to him and his heirs, etc.

I give and beqeauth to my daughter, Mourning Burrus, one negro woman named Nan and all her increase; but if the said negro should die before my daughter shall be of age or marry then there shall be another likely girl under the age of ten years old be replaced to her and her heirs, etc.; and also one beast by the name of Jack, and saddle and feather bed and furniture.

I give and bequeath to my daughter, Fanny Embry, one negro girl named Sukey, and all her increase, to her and her heirs, etc.--it being part of the slaves I intend for her; also one feather bed and furniture--which said negro and bed is already delivered to her.

Also I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mildred Embry, one negro boy named Duke, also one feather bed and furniture, which said negro and feather bed is already delivered; also 10 pounds cash, to be raised out of my estate--to her and her heirs, etc.

I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Tribble, one negro girl named Agness, and all her increase, to her and her heirs, already delivered; also 10 pounds cash, already delivered.

I give and bequeath to my daughter, Jane Quisenberry, one negro girl named Dinah, and her increase, to her and her heirs, etc.; also one feather bed and furniture. Also 20 pounds cash, which portion above mentioned is already delivered.

I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Frances Quisenberry, the daughter of Jane Quisenberry, one negro girl named Violet, to her and her heirs forever.

I give to my daughter, Frances Tandy Bush, one negro girl named Alice and all her increase, also one feather bed and furiture to her and her heirs--which is already delivered to her.

Also, I desire after my wife Frances Burris' death or widowhood that the negro boy Gilbert, now in the possession of my son, Thomas Burrus, may be returned to the balance of my estate, and that there may be nine of the choice of my slaves then remaining to be equally divided between my three sons, Thomas Burrus, William Tandy Burrus and Roger Tandy Burrus, to them and their heirs, etc., and if either of my sons should die under age or before they possess their part of my estate, that their portion shall be equally divided between my sons then remaining.

I also desire that the balance of my land at Kentucky, which is 500 acres, be equally divided between my five daughters, Fanny Embry, Mildred Embry, Sallie Tribble, Jane Quisenberry and Frances Tandy Bush, to them and their heirs forever.

I give unto my daughter Mourning Burrus the land whereon I now live, at the death of my wife, Frances Burrus, to her and her heirs forever.

Also, my will and desire is that after the death or widowhood of my wife, Frances Burrus, is that the balance of my negroes then remaining, with stock and household furniture of all kinds may be equally divided between my sons and daughters above named, except one equal child's part of the last balance of negroes and household furniture and stock to be equally divided between my two granddaughters and grandson, Elijah Perry, Dicey Perry and Mary Perry, to them and their heirs, etc.

And I hereby nominate and appoint myh wife Frances Burrus executrix, and Henry Tandy and THomas Burrus, executors of this my last will and testament. As witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of October, 1788.

/s/Thomas Burrus.

Witness: Caleb Lindsay, Thomas Belt, James Daniel.

Probated and admitted to record on Monday, March 23, 1798, the Executrix and Executors named herein qualifying as such with Joseph Duncan and William Tandy Burris as their securities."
Issue: (It is believed that the children removed to their inherited lands in Kentucky).

Thomas Burris.
William Tandy Burris.
Roger Tandy Burris.
Daughter who married Mr. Perry.
Fanny Burris married Mr. Embry.
Mildred Burris married Mr. Embry.
Elizabeth Burris married Mr. Brockman.
Sarah Ann Burris, born 30 September 1753, died 15 December 1830, married in 1768 Rev. Andrew Tribble, who removed to Kentucky.
Jane Burris, born 5 Jul 1759 in Orange County, Virginia, died 3 November 1811, married on 4 December 1776 Rev. James Quisenberry.
Frances Tandy Burris married William Bush.
Mourning Burris.

Thomas Burris, patriot