Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-08-09
Venerable And Esteemed Resident
Passes Away at Her Home on
Wilkes Street.

Mrs. Martha Jel1ersoh
Burke, relict Of the late ' sa
W. Burke, of this city, olea
about seven o'clock last h'gn.
at her home on Wilkes street after
a long period of failing health. lne
decline of her physical powers was
so gradual that her many relatives
and friends had reason to hope ina:
she would live for some time still
notwithstanding her great age pu'
the extreme heat of the latter par
of the summer weakened her SO mueh
that she had no further strength TO
resist the forces of dissolution.
Mrs. Burke was one of the few re-
manning links with the early history
of the republic, and the leaders who
stood up for its liberties, and "h"
were prominent in laying the tounda-
tions on which its prosperity rests.
She was the daughter OF the iate
Nicholas Phillip Trist and Virginia
jefferson Randolph, his wife. Mrs
Trist was daughter of Thos. Mann
Randolph, sometime Governor OF W.
ginia, and Martha Jefferson, who was
daughter of Thomas Jefferson, the
illustrious "author Of the Declaration
of independence and the founder 0!
the University of Virginia. ;" Mrs.
Burke was, therefore, granddaugh-
ter of Mr.. Jefferson, and was born
at Monticello" on the Sth of May,
1926, about two months before MIR.
Jefferson's death on the 9TH Of July
in that year. She was the last per-
son who was born at Monticello. "
Her early life was rich in associations
and interesting events. She was
educated first at St. Sevan in Brit
tany, and afterwards in the city Of
Paris, France. During the consul
ship of her father in Cuba she lived
at his home about three miles from
Havana. Her father was sent as
minister plenipotentiary TO Mexico
during the trouble between that
country and the United States and
was successful in concluding the i'm
portant treaty of Gaudaloupe and
Hidalgo in the year 1913 during the
presidency Of Mr.. Polk. Her
fathers name is the only name
signed to the treaty which was rati-
fled by Congress against the wishes
of the administration.
Mrs. Burke was married to MIR.
John w. Burke in the year 1853, and
since that time had been a resident
of this city. She was lady of the
old school, of great dignity-courtly
il her manner, and of rare culture.
But the graces and loveliness of her
character reflecting the spirit of
Christ in everything, made her be-
loved of all who knew her, or came
into touch with her life.
Her connections with the
early history of the country and her
close acquaintance with so many who
were prominent in it's political and
social life made her intercourse and
conversation with her friends and
all others, who had the privilege of
knowing her, most delightful and in
forming.
In her life she adorned the gospel
Of her Lord and Master Christ and
was a commitment of old Christ
Church for many years She leaves
large circle of relatives and friends
to mourn their loss and who will
ever remember her with thankfulness
as a high, noble and gracious influ-
ence in their lives.
She leaves the following children:
Her steps0n, Mr.. Julian T. Burke. a
member of the banking house of
Burke and Herbert; Miss Fanny NJ.
Burke, Mr.. Harry R. Burke with
his brother, member of the firm of
Burke ard Herbert; Miss Virginia R.
Burke, Mrs. Ellen Burke Eddy, Of
Plainfeld, N. j., and Mr.. Edmund
j. Burke, whose home is in Boston.
Mass. It will be remembered that
her eldest son, Nicholas P. 7.
Burke, died in this city eight Years
ago. His widow, Mrs. Jane Rey-
no1ds RI1rEe now resides with hor