Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1457, Edward Burks, Ga.
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(3—1776)
SERVICE Ga.
Burks, Edward
Elizabeth
NUMBER R. 1457.
CONTENTS
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Declaration &c. Elizabeth Burks for pension act of July 1838 &c.
J. J. Coombs Atty
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State of Georgia Telfair county S. S. In ordinary
On this 13th day of November AD 1857 personally appeared before the Subsciber ordinary in and for the county and State aforesaid Elizabeth Burks aged 88 years a resident of Telfair county who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the acts of Congress passed 7 July 1838 – 3d March 1843 – 17th June 1844. 2d February 1848, 29 July 1848 and 3d February 1853: That she is the widow of Edward Burks deceased late of said County who was a soldier in the Revolution previous to the expulsion of the British from the State from 1st August 1781, until after the evacuation of Savannah on 11 June 1782, That h Said husband was in the Company of State troops. originally commanded by Captain Ross. Subsequently by captain Rains and Lieutenant Frazieur or Frazer and was honorably discharged but if he received a written discharge it is lost or Mislaid: She further declares that she was married to the said Edward Burks in the year 1787; that her husband the aforesaid Edward Burks died on the 25th day of December 1835 who has not again married but is now his widow and further declares She has no record of her marriage and death of her husband
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year first above written before me
J. McDearmid ordinary
Elizabeth Burks her mark X
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Judge Certificate
State of Georgia Telfair County s.s. In Ordinary
It is hereby Certified that satisfactory evidence has been presented to me, by the annexed certificates of the Secr of the Executive Department at Milledgeville, & the testimony of John Fletcher, whose affidavit is also annexed, that Edward Burks volunteered in the company commanded originally by Capt Ross Subsequently by Captain Rains & Lieutenant Frazieur or Frazier, Georgia State Troops from the time passing an act on the 20th August 1781 to the evacuation of Savannah on 11 July 1782 & afterwards until the total expulsion of the British from the State. that the Said Edward Burks married Elizabeth Fletcher whose Declaration is prefixed in 1787 or about 1790 & that her said husband died on the 25th day of December 1835 leaving the Said Elizabeth his widow, who has not again married but is now his widow.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official Seal this 13th day of November AD. 1857
J. McDearmid ordy Telfair County Ga
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REJECTED
[crossed out: Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.]
1457 Om
P. O. Elizabeth Burks Widow of
Service: Edward Burks
Enlisted: REJECTED, 18
ischarged: _, 18
plication filed: _, 18
eges: _
e-enlisted: _
Attorney: _
P. O. _
_ Recognized. _ Contract.
_ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _, 18  .
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No. 15.496.
Elizabeth Burks, wid: of Edward.
Geo:
J. J. Coombs, Dec. 16/51
" " " July, 15/58
Same Sept. 23/58
Jas. Taylor, Oct. 30/58
1457
Act, 38
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Washington, Sept. 20th 1858;

Sir:
Enclosed please find additional evidence in support of the claim of Elizabeth Burk, widow of Edward Burk, decd. of Georgia, for pension under 2d section of the Act of 1838. &c

I trust this evidence will be satisfactory in compliance with your letter of the 15th July last.

Very respectfully
Your obt sevt
J.J. Coombs

Geo C. Whiting Esq
Commr of Pensions
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Washington, Nov. 30, 1857,
Sir:
Enclosed please find the application of Elizabeth Burks, of Georgia, widow of Edward Burks, decd for pension under the act of 1838, &c.
The enlosed letter of the Secy of the Executive Department of Georgia refers to two cases in which pensions have been allowed upon the same kind of evidence as to service. I know nothing about the cases referred to, but presume you will examine them before acting upon this case
Very respectfully Your obt servt
J. J. Coombs
Geo C Whiting Esq Commr of Pensions
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Comr. of Pensions Sumter So: Ca. October 26th 1858
Dear Sir,
It is 12 mos. ago Since I made an application No 284.708 in name of Elizabeth Burks for Bounty Land under the act 3 March 1855 and you wrote me 17 December 1857 that the Same would be favorably considered, when her claim for Pension was allowed; the evidence to remove the Suspension of that claim was furnished Mr. Coombs months ago; and I have been repeatedly called on Since for her Land warrant, which please attend to. I am your ob: Servant
= James Taylor :
See about pen: & B. L; Cases.
Boynton
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Wish Mr Boynton would look into this case again with the reference given J M Coombs & See me now – July 10/58
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Washington, July 9th 1858

Sir: 

I respectfully ask for a re examination of the claim of Elizabeth Burks of Georgia, widow of Edward Burks, deceased, for pension under the Act of 7th July 1838.
I respectfully refer you to the case of Mary Hadden, widow of William, of the same State, which was allowed about one year ago, for 10 months and 21 days of service, on evidence identical in every respect, with the evidence filed in this case, so far as the question of service is concerned. The cases are in this respect precisely alike, and no man can deny that service is proved in the one case and not in the other. In the case of Mrs. Hadden an allowance was made (and I think correctly made) for 10 months, 21 days service. I claim the same allowance for Mrs.
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Burks - and claim the benefit of all documents filed in Mrs. Hadden's case leaving upon the question of service. 
Mrs. Burks' marriage to Edward Burks the soldier, his death, and her continual widowhood, are all proved by the testimony of John Fletcher, on file in this case - which I presume was overlooked on the former examination.

Very respectfully
Your obt servt
J.J. Coombs

Geo C. Whiting Esq
Commr of Pensions
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Know all men by these Presents,
THAT I, Elizabeth Burks of Telfair county Georgia, Widow of Edward Burks deceased who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution, do hereby constitute and appoint James Taylor of Sumter, South Carolina & J. J. Coombs or either of them my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my name, to prosecute against the Government of the United States, before any department thereof, any and all claim or claims I have to arrears of pay or pension money, under any Act or Acts, Resolution or Resolutions of the Congress of the United States, and especially the Acts, 4th July, 1836, 7th July, 1838, 3d March, 1843, 17th June, 1844, 2d February, 1848, and 29th July, 1848, as well as the more ancient Acts of 18th March, 1818, 15 May, 1828, and 7th June, 1832. Said Attorney is moreover authorized in my name to demand at any department of the said Government, a re-consideration of any decision hitherto or hereafter to be given touching my interests, and to obtain from any department or the archives thereof, any and all information or evidence, of whatever character, relating to, or in any wise bearing upon the claim or claims we hereby seek the investigation of. Said Attorney is moreover authorized to do any thing and all things necessary to carry out the foregoing purposes, and to receive the certificates of pension or other character of drafts or evidences of the amounts due me, and to appoint one or more Sub-Attorneys, to confer upon him or them all the powers therein conferred upon him, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may do, by virtue of these presents. Hereby countermanding and revoking all powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given for prosecuting said claims.
WITNESS my hand and seal, this 26th day of October 1857.
D.M. McRae
Elizabeth Burks her Mark X LS
State of Georgia Telfair County
BE IT KNOWN THAT ON THE 26th day of October 1857 before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in & for County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Elizabeth Burks subscriber to the foregoing power of Attorney, and acknowledged the signing, sealing and delivery of the same to be her own voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes herein set forth. In testimony whereof I do hereunto subscribe my name.
Wm. L. Rogers J.P.
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27 May 1857
B: B. deGraffenrid
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Milledgeville Geo May 27th 1857.
James Taylor Esq Sumter. So. Ca.
Dear Sir:
Enclosed you will find the certificates in the case of Edward Burks, as a Citizen in the Revolution. These certificates are very clear I think in showing the amount of service – but to some of a like character sent to the commissioner of Pensions, a year or more ago, the objection was raised that they were not the best of evidence as they did not show the length of service. This point was raised by the Commissioner I apprehend because of a want of evidence of the exact time of the "evacuation of the British from Savannah" as there has been considerable discussion in the papers (see Savannah papers of last year about the summer) upon this point – That point was established however by a copy of a letter (the original of which is in the Executive Department here) which was forwarded to the Commissioner of Pensions or to the Hon Alexander H. Stephens at Washington City – who was prosecuting the Case of William Haddin or his widow, of Jefferson or Burke County, I do not now recollect which – This is one of the cases to which I referred you, wherein a pension was obtained upon one of these certificates. as I know the party who obtained the services of Mr Stephens in this case. You will observe that the petition calls for Two hundred & Eighty seven & a half acres, whilst the certificate calls for 250, this is easily explained by reference to the act of the Legislature of Geo. of 25th Feb 1784 – sec 14. where an additional 15 acres to every 200 acres was granted in lieu of exemption from taxation. Both of the cases to which I referred were conducted by Mr Stephens during the last year, I do not recollect the names of both, but Mrs Hadden is now enjoying her pension. I know in that case no rolls were shown – neither oral testimony of service – I herein acknowledge the receipt of the fee—
Yours &c
B. B. deGraffenried
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State of Florida Gadsden county s. s.
On this 31st day of August 1857 before the Subscribing Justice of Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid personally appeared John Fletcher aged 92 years aresident of Said county who being duly sworn according to law upon his oath declares that he was long and intimately acquainted with the late Edward Burks of Georgia, who was Notoriously Known and reputed to have volunteered in the company commanded originally by Captain Ross – subsequently Captain Raines and Lieutenant Frazieure or Frazer Georgia State troops, which company was Stationed for a considerable period in Bullock county – originally Effingham or Scriven counties near Savannah during the Revolution and Subsequent to the expulsion of the British; He further declares that the Said Edward Burks married one Elizabeth Fletcher on or about the year 1790. who, from his personal Knowledge of this deponent lived together as husband and wife and was So reputed, untill the Said Edward Burks departed this life on or about 1835 or 7 leaving the Said Elizabeth his widow, who has not again married, but continues the Widow of the Said Edward Burks and is now residing in Telfair county Georgia; This declarant further Swears, that he has no interest in any claims to which Said Widow may be entitled to recover for the Services of her Said husband or in the prosecution of the Same
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day and year first above written; and I certify that the affiant is arespectable person and a credible witness, and that I have no interest in Said claims:
Zabud Fletcher Justice of the Peace
John Fletcher x
over
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State of Florida Gadsden county
I R. C. Lestor clerk of the Circuit Court of Gadsden County State aforesaid [crossed out: in and for] Said county do hereby certify that Zabud Fletcher whose genuine Signature appears to the within affidavit, is and was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace, in and for Said county duly commissioned and (authorised) qualified: In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said court this third day of September – 1857:
R. C. Lestor, Clk.
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State of Georgia Telfair County
Personally appeared before the Subscribing Justice of the Peace in & for Said County & State this 9th day of September AD 1858 Reuben Harralson aged 82 years – a resident of Telfair County, who being duly Sworn according to Law Says that he was personally acquainted with Edward Burks for about forty years was born in about three miles of where he resided, & Knew him well until he died in the year 1825. as near as I can remember. I Knew his wife also, the Same length of time & Know her now to be the Widow of the said Edward Burks, Knows that she & the said Edward were married in the year 1787. from the fact that my Fathers second marriage was in the Same year. of which I now have the Record. her name before her marriage was Elizabeth Fletcher. I also Know of my own personal Knowledge that the Said Edward Burks was several years in the service during the Revolutionary war. under Captain Ross Rains & others. & in the Indian Wars. belonged to the State Troops & was stationed for a length of time in Bullock County Georgia, for which Service the Said Edward Burks Earned a Certificate or grant for 250 acres of Land from the State
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all of which comes under my own personal Knowledge. besides often hearing him Speak of it;
He further Swears that he never heard of any other Edward Burks being in said Service. or receiving the 250 acres of Land as aforesaid & that he Knows Elizabeth Burks who is now prosecuting her claim for Pension & Land warrant to be the widow of the Said Edward Burks & that Said Burks did die about the year 1825. he thinks in the month of December.
He further Swears that he has no interest directly or indirectly in the claim of the Said Elizabeth Burks
Reuben Harralson his mark X
Attest D M McRae Jas. S. Kinchon
Georgia Telfair County ss.
The foregoing affidavit was sworn to & subscribed before me on the day & year above written & I certify that I Know the affiant to be a credible person. & that I hav no interest in the claim of Elizabeth Burks
A Campbell J.P.
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State of Georgia Telfair County ss
I John F McRae clerk of the Superior Court for the County & State aforesaid hereby certify that Archibald Campbell whose name appears to the foregoing certificate was at the time therof an acting Justice of the Peace in & for Said County & State & duly authorised to administer oaths for general purposes (duly commissioned & sworn) & that all his Official acts are entitled to full faith & credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Signed my name & affixed my Seal of Office this 9th day of September AD. 1858.
Jno F. McRae Clk
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State of Georgia. R. C. 1st Battalion
This is to certify, That Edwd Burks hath steadfastly done his duty, from the time of passing an Act at Augusta, to wit, on the 20th of August, 1781, until the total Expulsion of the British from this State; and the said Edwd Burks cannot, to my knowledge or belief, be convicted of plundering or distressing the Country; and is therefore, under the said Act, entitled to a Bounty of Two Hundred and Fifty Acres of good Land, free from taxes for ten years.
Given under my Hand, at Savannah this 2d Day of Feb'y 1784.
Jas McNiel Col,
Two hundred and fifty acres of land Georgia. [No 277]
These are to certify, That Edward Burks as a Citizen &c is entitled to two hundred and fifty acres of land as a Bounty, agreeable to an Act and Resolve of the General Assembly, passed at Augusta the 2d August 1781. as per certificate James McNiel Col.
Given under my Hand at Savannah, the 24th Day of February in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty four.
E Houston
Attest. D. Rees. Secty.
State of Georgia.
To the Honourable the President and the Members of Council, now sitting in Augusta for the purpose of granting Lands in the two new Counties of Franklin and Washington The Petition of Edward Burks
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a Citizen of the State aforesaid, Sheweth, That your Petitioner is entitled to two hundred and eighty seven and one half acres of Land, as a Bounty for his services, pursuant to the Certificate hereunto annexed: That your Petitioner is desirous of taking up the said Lands in the County of Washington.
May it therefore please your Honourable Board to grant your Petitioner Two hundred and eighty seven and one half Acres of Land in the County of Washington on the right aforesaid, and on his complying with the Terms mentioned in the late Land Act; and your Petitioner will pray.
Edward Burks:
I do hereby appoint & impower Jas. McNiel to act as my attorney and call on his honor the Governor for a certificate of the Bounty Land which the State of Georgia is due me for my serviss in the Revolution—as witness My hand and Seal this 8th of Jany 1784.
Edward Burkes L. S
Jesse Barnett
John Culbreath
Executive Department. Milledgeville, Georgia.
I, B. B. deGraffenried, Secretary of the Executive Department of the State of Georgia, do certify that the above and foregoing pages contain and are true copies of the originals of file in this office.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of the Executive Department, at the Capitol in Milledgeville, this 27th day of May, Eighteen hundred and fifty seven.
B. B. deGraffenried, Secty Ex Dept
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Head Quaters Sharon 11 July 1782 4 O clock P. M.
Dear Sir:
Mr Wallace this moment from Town announces the Evacuation of Savannah the last of the troops left it about two hours since.
Inclosed is the order of the day – I shall see it take place this evening; permit me to congratulate your honor and the Legislature on the occasion and to assure you that I am with sincere esteem
Your most obt & very Humble Svt
Anty Wayne
The Honorable John Martin Esq Gov &c &c &c.
Head Qarters Savannah 11th July 1782.
The Light Infantry company under Captain Packer to take post in the Center works in front of the town, placing sentries at the respective gate ways & sally ports to prevent any person going out or entering the lines without written permit, until further orders
No insults or depredations to be committed upon the persons or property of the Inhabitants on any pretext whatever; the Civil authority only will take cognizance of the criminals or defaulters belonging to the State if any there be.
The Merchants and Traders are immediately to make out an exact and true Invoice of all goods wares or merchandize of every species, dry–wet or hard respectively belonging to them or in their possession with the Original Invoices to
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who will select such articles as may be necessary for the army and for the public uses of the state; for which reasonable profit will be allowed, no goods or mercandize of any Kind whatever to be removed, secreted, sold or disposed of until the public and army are first served, which will be the soonest possible after the receipt of the Invoices &c &c
N. B.
Orders will be left with Capt Parker for the immediate admission of the Honble Executive Council and the Honble Members of the Legislative with their officers and attendants
Executive Department Milledgeville Georgia.
I, B. B. deGraffenried Secretary of the Executive Department of the State of Georgia do hereby certify that the above and foregoing pages are true copies of the originals of file in this Department.
Given under my Hand and seal of the Executive Department at the Capitol in Milledgeville this fifth day of June Eighteen Hundred and fifty seven,
B. B. deGraffenried Secty Ex Dept