The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: VA
Qualifying Service: Captain / Patriotic Service
Author: James Edward Mitchell
James Burton was born at the family home during 1751, the eldest son of May Burton, Sr. (1722- d. 22 Jun 1801) and Hannah Medley (1724-1801), who was a daughter of John Medley (whose 1763 will was probated at Court in Culpeper) and wife, Eleanor Combs. Among James’ surviving siblings included brothers, Ambrose, May, Jr., Joseph, John, William and, sisters -Mary and Frances.
The family tract was mapped, Burtonville, Orange County, Virginia (VA) portion of the 24,000 acre Octonia Grant tract found along the Rapidan River that belonged (1722) to King George of Great Britain.
Ensign James Burton, 2nd (VA) Continental Rgt., between Apr and Nov 1776; Lieut, same Rgt between May 1777 and Dec 1778; mustered as Lieut, Mar 1779 (VA) Convention Army Guard Rgt for Orange County, assigned Albemarle Barracks outside, Charlottesville, VA; guarded the Hessian Troops of British Gen’l Burgoyne’s surrender, 7 Oct 1777 after battle of Saratoga. James Burton was identical with Pension S.48412. His (VA) Rgt. Cont. Army was one of the 15 VA Rgts that formed the Continental Line, 6 Nov 1776.
James resigned his commission on 22 Dec 1778 from Orange, to Guard Convention prisoners held at Albemarle barracks –Charlottesville between 1779-80. James married at Orange, VA on 19 Jan 1779, Elizabeth “Betsy” Goodridge (1740-1799). His death, recorded at Orange Co., VA on 21 Aug 1829.
His name appears with Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution: Alphabetical Register by John H. Gwathmey, Richmond, Virginia 1775-1783, Baltimore Genealogical Publ., Co., Inc., 1979; and, originally publ., at Richmond, VA, 1938, pg 115, “Burton, James, Ensign 2, CL Nov 6, 1776; 2nd Lieut Mar 11, 1777; 1st Lieut. May 4, 1778; resigned Dec 22, 1778; Captain VA Convention Guards 1779-80; died 1829. Awarded 2,666 acres.” His brother May Burton, Jr. appears listed alphabetically on the same pg 115, “Burton, May Jr., Captain, Orange, oath May 24, 1780; 1st Lieut. 1779; appointed Ensign in Capt White’s Co. Aug 28, 1777.” Another, brother Ambrose Burton appears listed same source, pg 114, “Burton, Ambrose, Ensign, Capt Johnson’s Co., oath Oct 23, 1777. Of Orange, E.”
Also, view source, Roll of Officers of the Regiment of Guards for the Convention Prisoners, [5 November 1779]: see, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-03-02-0159
James and brothers including May, Jr., received instruction from Anglican Church pastors at St. Thomas parish’s [Old Orange Church, a (1760) chapel size Episcopal congregational] source, Head, Descent of Henry Head (1695-1770) in America compiled (1948) by Idress Head Alvord, a Quintin Publication, Orange Park, FL32065, Head Genealogy, May Burton, Jr m. 29 Sep 1776 Sarah (Sallie) Head of ‘Rock Hill’ home built by Sarah’s father Captain Benjamin Head, Sr., at the confluence of Elk Run and the north-bank of the Rapidan River pgs 37-8
Before the days of the Revolution, St. Thomas Parish, Orange County had within its boundaries 3 churches; The Pine Stake Church, the Middle or Brick Church; and, the Old Orange Church. The former two chapels disappeared after the Revolution began, local families were disaffected Patriot Whigs by the surnames: [Ambrose, May Burton (Jr.) Joseph & Wm. Burton]; Richard & Wm. Cave; Francis & Jonathan Cowherd; Jas. Early; Joseph Edins; Thomas Fortson; Lewis Gaar; brothers, Benjamin Head (Jr.) James & Wm. Head; brothers, John, Richard & Thomas Lamb; (Wm.) Medley; (John & Robert) Miller; (Francis) Powel(l); (John) Rucker; (Francis, James & Wm.) Taylor; (John, Thomas, Richard & Jeremiah) White; (John) Wilhoit and (John) Williams, et al; see, Patriots of the Upcountry, Orange County in the Revolution by William H. B. Thomas, 1976, publ by Orange County Bicentennial Commission – Legislative Petitions, pg 126-7.
Revolutionary War combined service: James Burton’s brother, Ambrose was an Ensign in Capt Johnson’s Co., mustered and gave an oath 23 Oct 1777, Orange Co., VA. A younger brother, May, Jr., identical with Pension Appl. W.4141, appeared recorded as Capt., Orange County, oath administered on 24 May 1780; 1st Lieut during 1779; appointed Ensign in Capt (Jeremiah)_White’s Company on 28 Aug 1777, also, pg 115. Idress Head Alvord wrote, May Burton, Jr., as did his father, May Burton, Sr. and brothers (Wm., Ambrose, and James, our subject) served in the American Revolution. *May Burton, Jr. served as an Ensign, 1777 in Capt Jeremiah White’s company; as 2nd Lieut 1778 in Capt Benj. Head’s company; as 1st Lieut 1779 in Capt Rob’t. Miller’s company; and was commissioned a Capt May 25, 1780. In 1781 he served 2 months in Col Mathew’s (VA) Rgt. and in that year he received 13 bayonets from Quartermasters, 3rd (VA) Rgt. Larson’s [sic: (Robert) Lawson’s] Bgde. Sgt William Burton b. 1755 d. 14 Oct 1852 mustered (1775) into Capt Joseph Spencer’s company, ‘Culpeper Minute Bttn.’, some 300 men commanded by Col Lawrence Taliaferro of Orange; source(s) Orange Co., VA Minute Order Book 2, 28 May 1778, pgs 86-87 and, Patriots of the Upcountry, Orange County VA in the Revolution, Thomas, pgs 25-6.
James Burton’s death was recorded at Orange Co., VA on 21 Aug 1829. James and possibly his wife logically were buried at the private Burton Family cemetery at Burtonville, VA and mapped officially as Greene County, Tax Map location 40-A-5. The writer with 2007 permission from the Lamb Family dairy farm, owners physically surveyed and photographed the tract patent Burton cemetery and viewed two upright headstones of May Burton, Jr. and wife, Sarah Head, a daughter of Capt Benj. Head, Sr., (1731-1803) who built “Rock Hill.” See: Find A Grave Memorial # 143953834 designated as May Burton Jr (1752-1829). https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2573038&CScnty=2841&
Although, only 6 Burton family members are proven buried here, perhaps as many as a dozen family including James and wife, Elizabeth Goodridge Burton have headstones that disappeared since the rages of Virginia’s Civil War days.
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