Source: A history of middle New River settlements and contiguous territory By David Emmons Johnston

Pp. 386-387

BURKE FAMILY.

The Burke family of the New River "Valley were among the early settlers west of the Alleghanies, having descended from James Burke, who came with the Draper's Meadow settlers in 1748. James Burke was the discoverer of that most magnificent body of land now in Tazewell County, Virginia, knowD as Burke's Garden (but called by the Indians "Great Swamp"). It is said that he discovered this lovely spot in 1753 and removed thither in 1754, and in the fall of 1755 was driven away by the Indians. He had a family, and among his sons was Captain Thomas Burke, who became a very prominent man in the Indian border wars, and commanded a company of troops, which was at one time stationed at Hatfield's fort, on Big Stony creek. One of his daughters, Mary, married Colonel Christian Snidow, another, Rebecca, married Andrew Davidson. He had a son, William, who at one time was the owner of the Red Sulphur Springs property, in Monroe County, and several of his family emigrated to the west at an early date. The Horse Shoe property in Giles County, granted to James Wood, subsequently became the property of Captain Thomas Burke, and finally that of Colonel William H. Snidow, his grandson.

pp.453-455

Colonel Christian Snidow, when quite a young man, was a lieutenant in Captain John Floyd's company, and did service in Barger's, Snidow's and Hatfield's forts, and in scouts and skirmishes with the Indians. His father-in-law, Captain Thomas Burke, born 1741 and died 1808, and whose wife's given name was Clara, was also a Captain in the Indian wars, and at one time in command at Hatfield's Fort. Colonel Christian Snidow was for long years a Justice of the Peace, in both Montgomery and Giles Counties; was Sheriff of Giles County, and frequently represented the same in the House of Delegates of Virginia. Among his descendants were some of the best and bravest soldiers in the Confederate army.