Thomas Bonner Burge

Craig Miles: There is much confusion surrounding this Thomas Burge, I feel and a same named English man also with a wife called Mary. Hardly surprising with such common names!

If the commentary below is correct, Thomas' parents met and married in Virginia which makes it extremely unlikely that he himself was born and married in London so I have removed these details and tried to separate this Thomas from this Thomas Thomas Bonner Burge and this Mary Mary Burge.

Thomas appeared on a Charles City county militia roster in 1702, just before Prince George County was separated from Charles City Co. He was still a resident of Westover Parish in 1702. His unit was a troop of dragoons commanded by Joshua Wynne. Thomas married by 1700 when his oldest son was born. He married at least twice; both wives being named Mary. Thomas Burge,Jr.,was born May 31, 1720 according to records in the Bristol Parish (VA) Registry.

In April 1712 Thomas secured 196 acres of newly opened land on Jones Hole Swamp, a marshy creek a few miles south of Petersburg, VA--paying 20 shillings for the property. Five years later, he purchased an adjoining 126 acres for 16 shillings. These properties were near the headwaters of Jones Hole Swamp, which is now a part of Dinwiddie County. In Sep.,1739, Thomas acquired another 200 acres of land adjacent to his earlier grants. Until he moved to Jones Hole Swamp, Thomas Burge was a member of the Westover Parish and attended Merchant's Hope Church, which still stands. When he moved to Jones Hole Swamp, he changed his membershi to the Bristol Parish. He left a will at Prince George Co., VA, written 20 May,1751 and presented by his widow, Mary, to the court on 14 April, 1753, Prince George Co., VA.

excerpted from "Ancestry of Sarah Burge (1760-1802), Wife of Reuben Harrison, Mother of All His Children." found online at Ancestry.Com hosted by Rootsweb

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Thomas B. Burge is believed to be born between 1672 and 1676, son of John Burge. John arrived in VA unmarried. Between 1673-1677, John married Mary Hillman, a widow, but we're not sure if Mary was the mother of Thomas. Thomas possibly had a brother, William, who was born before 1696. On 13 Jun 1727, Thomas was named as administrator of the estate of William Burge. The estate was small, therefore William may have been young when he died and a younger brother of Thomas. Thomas had a son named William who was still living and named in his will written 1751.

John died in VA, date unknown but his estate sale was held 9 May 1693.

Thomas appeared on a Charles City Co. Militia Roster in 1702, just before Prince George Co. was separated from Charles City Co. He was still a resident of Westover Parish in 1702. His unit was a troop of dragoons (mounted infantry) commanded by Joshua Wynne, and names included on the roster were Parham, Raines, Vaughan, Hill and Tatum, family names later found in Prince George Co. and associated with the Burges. This was the only time Thomas appeared on any militia roster.

Thomas married by 1700 when his oldest son was born. He married at least twice; his first and last wives being named Mary - maiden names unknown. When he died in later 1751 or early 1752, he had 17 living children - all named in his will. Mary was documented 31 May 1720, upon the birth of their son, Thomas Burge, Jr., in the Bristol Parish Registry. Between that date and 1746, the Parish register lists three other births to the couple; however, there were several others. The last time Mary's name appeared was when she presented her husband's will in court in April 1762.

Thomas first appeared in land records in March 1712, where he was identified as a former tenant of Robert Munford on 430 acres 'near Jordans, between Deep Bottom and Curetons Bottom.' In April 1712, Thomas secured 196 acres of newly opened land on Jones Hole Swamp, a marshy creek a few miles south of Petersburg, VA - paying 20 shillings for the property. He was almost 40 years old at this time. Five years later, he purchased an adjoining 126 acres for 16 shillings. These properties were near the headwaters of Jones Hole Swamp, which is now a part of Dinwiddie County. In Sep 1739, Thomas acquired another 200 acres of land adjacent to his earlier grants and possibly more property. On March 6, 1726, Thomas and Mary leased 100 acres of land to their son, John Burge, for one year of Indian corn per year. This gift of land to John may indicate he was married at the time.

Until he moved to Jones Hole Swamp, Thomas Burge was a member of the Westover Parish and attended Merchant's Hope Church, which still stands today. When he moved to Jones Hole Swamp, he changed his membership to the Bristol Parish.

When Thomas died around 1750-51, he was survived by 17 living children, ranging from adults to one not yet six years old. He married Mary May (see #9) on 8 Jul 1697 at London, England; a Thomas Burge married Mary May on 8 Jul 1697; 1st wife, had 7 children of his 17 children. He married Mary _____ Burge II circa 1724? He died before 14 Apr 1752 at Prince George Co., VA; when will was probated.

He lived at Bristol Par., Prince George Co., VA. He in 1638 a Richard Burge arrived in VA; in 1663 John, Thomas, Mary, and William Burge arrived in VA; and in 1678-79 a Thomas and Mary Burge arrived. Relationship of these to our family unknown between 1638 and 1679 at VA Colony. He left a will on 20 May 1752 at Prince George Co., VA; written 20 May 1751 and Mary presented his will to the court 14 Apr 1752, Prince George Co., VA. The wording of his will indicates he was married more than once. Marvin Burge states that it was common practice of the period for a man during his lifetime to settle most of his inheritance to his adult children, and upon his death, those adult children inherited only a nominal sum because they had already received their inheritance. Of Thomas' heirs, the first seven listed had already received their portion of his inheritance - the will allowed six of those one shilling more.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF THOMAS BURGE OF PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, VA, WRITTEN 20 MAY 1751, PRESENTED TO PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, VA COURT ON 14 APRIL 1752. (THIS WILL WAS FOUND IN AMELIA CO., VA)

'IN THE NAME OF GOD, I, Thomas Burge of Bristol Parish in the County of Prince George, being sick and weak of body but sound mind and memory, thanks be to God for the same, but calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following:

First and principally I recommend my soul to almighty God that gave it and my body to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner by my executors, hereafter named and as touching by worldy estate wherewith it hath pleased almighty God to bless me within the life, I give and dispose of in the following manner.

Imprimis: I give and bequeath to my son, John Burge, one shilling Sterling besides what I have formerly given him.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Richard Burge, the use of fifty acres of land during his life joining the land whereupon he now lives while I have laid off to him already and after his decease I give the said fifty acres of land to William Burge, son of Richard Burge, to hold to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, William Burge, one shilling Sterling beside what I have formerly given him.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Thomas Burge, one shilling Sterling beside what I have formerly given him.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Rains, one shilling Sterling beside what I have formerly given her.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Parham, one shilling Sterling beside what I have formerly given her.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Lucy Taylor, one shilling Sterling beside what I have formerly given her.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, James Burge, the Plantation whereon I now live and the land joining the same, beginning at a corner hickory, from thence to a hickory in Bonner's line, thence down Bonner's line to Jones Hole Swamp, only I reserve to my loving wife, Mary Burge, the thirds of the same during her natural life and after her decease, I give the said land and Plantation to my son, James Burge, and his heirs forever. But if my son, James, should die before he comes to the age of twenty-one years old, then I give the said land and Plantation to my son, Alexander and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Nathanile Burge, one tract or parcel of land being at the same corner hickory where my son, James Burge begun, running along Bonner's line to my Cart Road, to a corner, thence down a line to a branch of Warwick Swamp, from thence down a line across a level to a branch of Jones Hole Swamp, running down the same to the old line. I give the said land to my said son Nathaniel Burge, and to his heirs forever. But, if my son, Nathaniel should die before he comes to the age of twenty-one years old, then I give the said land to my son, Woodde, and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Frederick Burge, all the remaining part of my land to hold to him and his heirs forever. But, if my son, Frederick Burge, should die before he comes to the age of twenty-one years old, then my desire is that the land given him be equally divided between my two younger sons, Alexander Burge and Woodde Burge, and to hold to them and their heirs forever.

All the rest of my estate of Negroes and all other things of what nature and quality whatsoever, my will and desire is that it be equally divided between my loving wife, Mary Burge and my children, hereafter named: Martha Pittillo, Priscilla Burge, James Burge, Nathaniel Burge, Amey Burge, Martha Burge, Frederick Burge, Woodde Burge, Alexander Burge and Sarah Burge.

I do constitute, make and ordain my loving wife, Mary Burge and John Chambliss, executors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all other former testaments confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.' In witness -

It remains a mystery to family researchers why Thomas did not provide for guardianship for his eight minor children upon his death. Mary and her younger children possibly shared the plantation with James. The two younger sons, Woodde and Alexander did not inherit land and later moved westwardly.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/161559031/thomas-b-burge There is a record of a Thomas Burge being born to John Burge and his wife Mary in 1675 – christened September 30, 1675, London, England. A record has also been found of a Thomas Burge being married to a Mary May on July 8, 1697, in London, All Hallows, London Wall, England. These two Thomases are believed to be the same

A Thomas Burge , as well as a John Burge , a Mary Burge and a William Burge arrived in the Virginia Colony in 1663. A Thomas and a Mary Burge also arrived in 1678 and 1679. A Richard Burge arrived in 1638.

Thomas possibly had a brother, William, who was born before 1696. On 13 Jun 1727, Thomas was named as administrator of the estate of William Burge . The estate was small, therefore William may have been young when he died and a younger brother of Thomas. Thomas had a son named William who was still living and named in his will written 1751.

Thomas married by 1700 when his oldest son was born. He married at least twice; his first and last wives being named Mary - maiden names unknown. When he died in later 1751 or early 1752, he had 17 living children - all named in his will. Mary was documented 31 May 1720, upon the birth of their son, Thomas Burge II., in the Bristol Parish Registry. Between that date and 1746, the Parish register lists three other births to the couple; however, there were several others . The last time Mary's name appeared was when she presented her husband's will in court in April 1762. Thomas first appeared in land records in March 1712, where he was identified as a former tenant of Robert Munford on 430 acres 'near Jordans, between Deep Bottom and Curetons Bottom.'

Thomas appeared on a Charles City Co. Militia Roster in 1702, just before Prince George Co. was separated from Charles City Co. He was still a resident of Westover Parish in 1702. His unit was a troop of dragoons (mounted infantry) commanded by Joshua Wynne, and names included on the roster were Parham, Raines, Vaughan, Hill and Tatum, family names later found in Prince George Co. and associated with the Burges. This was the only time Thomas appeared on any militia roster

Thomas appeared on a Charles City Co. Militia Roster in 1702, just before Prince George Co. was separated from Charles City Co. He was still a resident of Westover Parish in 1702. His unit was a troop of dragoons (mounted infantry) commanded by Joshua Wynne, and names included on the roster were Parham, Raines, Vaughan, Hill and Tatum, family names later found in Prince George Co. and associated with the Burges.

This was the only time Thomas appeared on any militia roster.

GEDCOM Source

@R850838881@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=115337401&pi...

• Reference: GenealogieOnline Family Tree Index - SmartCopy: Jun 16 2020, 19:25:52 UTC

There is a record of a Thomas Burge being born to John Burge and his wife Mary in 1675 – christened September 30, 1675, London, England. A record has also been found of a Thomas Burge being married to a Mary May on July 8, 1697, in London, All Hallows, London Wall, England. These two Thomases are believed to be the same

A Thomas Burge , as well as a John Burge , a Mary Burge and a William Burge arrived in the Virginia Colony in 1663. A Thomas and a Mary Burge also arrived in 1678 and 1679. A Richard Burge arrived in 1638.

Thomas possibly had a brother, William, who was born before 1696. On 13 Jun 1727, Thomas was named as administrator of the estate of William Burge . The estate was small, therefore William may have been young when he died and a younger brother of Thomas. Thomas had a son named William who was still living and named in his will written 1751.

Thomas married by 1700 when his oldest son was born. He married at least twice; his first and last wives being named Mary - maiden names unknown. When he died in later 1751 or early 1752, he had 17 living children - all named in his will. Mary was documented 31 May 1720, upon the birth of their son, Thomas Burge II., in the Bristol Parish Registry. Between that date and 1746, the Parish register lists three other births to the couple; however, there were several others
.
The last time Mary's name appeared was when she presented her husband's will in court in April 1762. Thomas first appeared in land records in March 1712, where he was identified as a former tenant of Robert Munford on 430 acres 'near Jordans, between Deep Bottom and Curetons Bottom.'

Thomas appeared on a Charles City Co. Militia Roster in 1702, just before Prince George Co. was separated from Charles City Co. He was still a resident of Westover Parish in 1702. His unit was a troop of dragoons (mounted infantry) commanded by Joshua Wynne, and names included on the roster were Parham, Raines, Vaughan, Hill and Tatum, family names later found in Prince George Co. and associated with the Burges. This was the only time Thomas appeared on any militia roster

Thomas appeared on a Charles City Co. Militia Roster in 1702, just before Prince George Co. was separated from Charles City Co. He was still a  resident of Westover Parish in 1702. His unit was a troop of dragoons (mounted infantry) commanded by Joshua Wynne, and names  included on the roster were Parham, Raines, Vaughan, Hill and Tatum, family names later found in Prince George Co. and associated with the Burges. 

This was the only time Thomas appeared on any militia roster.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 14 2023, 14:21:25 UTC