Lucy Burns

Lucy Burns was the mother of Jessie Wright and Mary Belle Garrison. She was born a slave in 1840 in Rockbridge County, VA. Her slave owner was Richard Jordan Wright and the father of her son Jesse Wright.

Richard Jordan Wright died in 1858 when Jesse was 1 years old. In his will he stated that Jesse was to serve his nephew until the age of 21. At that time, Jesse would be emancipated. However, Mary Belle Garrison (Lucy's) daughter was born in 1860 in Braxton County, WV. Somehow Lucy and her two children made their way to Braxton County, WV. Did they escape? Were they sold to another slave owner? Were they emancipated?

In the 1880 Census, Lucy is living with her husband Kemp Burns in Braxton County, WV. They have 4 children between the ages of 4 and 12. At this point, her son Jesse Wright is 23 years old and her daughter Mary Belle Garrison was 20 years old. Kemp Burns worked as a farmer and Lucy kept house.

Lucy Burns was last seen in the US Census in 1910 at age 70. She was living with her daughter Charity Burns and Charity's children. She was widowed and living in Braxton County,WV. She was a washerwoman and she owned her house.