James Burress

Male 1807 - 1883  (~ 76 years)


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  • Name James Burress 
    Born Apr 1807  Montgomery Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 07 Jun 1883  Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Virginia, Deaths and Burials Index, 1853-1917
      Name: James Burres
      Birth Date: abt 1807
      Death Date: 7 Jun 1883
      Death Place: Head Waters of Clinch, Tazewell, Virginia
      Death Age: 76
      Race: White
      Gender: Male
      FHL Film Number: 2048586

      Tazewell County Death Register 1872-1896; June 7, 1883

      Place of Death: Tazewell County, Virginia
      Name of Deceased: James Burress
      Race: White
      Sex: Male
      Age: 76
      Date of Death: June 7, 1883
      Place Head: Waters of Clinch
      Cause of Death: Cancer
      Name of Parents: Not Stated
      Birth Place: Not Stated
      Occupation: Farmer
      Consort Of Married:
      Name of Informant: Neighbors and Children
      Relation of Informant: Friends and Children
      Commissioner of the Revenue G.F. Perry
      Date Record: Files Between 1883 and 1896
    Buried Burress Cemetery, Grapefield Bland Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • CENSUS RECORDS

      1830 United States Federal Census
      Name: James Burriss [James Burress]
      Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Tazewell, Virginia
      Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
      Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
      Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
      Total Free White Persons: 2
      Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 2

      1850 United States Federal Census
      Name: Jas Burress [James Burress]
      Age: 43
      Birth Year: abt 1807
      Birthplace: Virginia
      Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
      Gender: Male
      Family Number: 632
      Household Members:
      Jas Burress 43
      Frances Burress 42
      Wm Burress 18
      Thos Burress 16
      Jas R Burress 12
      Geo Burress 7
      Jno W Burress 2
      Rebecca J Burress 6
      Julia A Burress 4

      1860 United States Federal Census
      Name: James Burris
      Age in 1860: 58
      Birth Year: abt 1802
      Birthplace: Virginia
      Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
      Gender: Male
      Post Office: Tazewell Court House and Baptist Valley
      Household Members:
      James Burris 58
      Francis Burris 50
      Margaret Burris 15
      Wesley Burris 13
      Wiley Burris 10
      Benjamin Burris 7

      1870 United States Federal Census
      Name: James Bump [James Burress]
      Age in 1870: 56
      Birth Year: abt 1814
      Birthplace: Virginia
      Home in 1870: Clear Fork, Tazewell, Virginia
      Race: White
      Gender: Male
      Post Office: Burkes Garden
      Household Members:
      Polly Cox 35
      Jefferson Cox 16
      Artemisa Cox 13
      Emiline Cox 11
      George E Cox 8
      Norman Cox 3
      James Burress 56
      Benjamin Burress 16

      1880 United States Federal Census
      Name: James Burress
      Age: 65
      Birth Year: abt 1815
      Birthplace: Virginia
      Home in 1880: Clear Fork, Tazewell, Virginia
      Race: White
      Gender: Male
      Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
      Marital Status: Married
      Spouse's Name: Polly Burress
      Father's Birthplace: Virginia
      Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
      Occupation: Farmer
      Household Members:
      James Burress 65
      Polly Burress 45
      Benjamin Burress 22
      Emily Burress 19 [Daughter-in-law]
      Virginia A. Burress 2
      George B. Cox 16 [Stepson]
      Norman Cox 12 [Stepson]

      DEEDS

      Source: Tazewell Deeds, Book 8, Page 266

      Date: 16 July 1844

      James Burress Indenture/Deed July 16, 1844

      This Indenture, made the sixteenth day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty four between James Burrass (sic) and Franky, his wife of the County of Tazewell and State of Virginia of the one part and George P. Thompson of the same County and State of the other part, witnesseth: that whereas the said James Burrass is justly indebted to George W. Browne in the just and full sum of nineteen dollars and forty six cents, the payment of which with interest the said Burrass is willing and desirous, effectually to assure and secure to the said Browne. This Indenture therefore witnesseth, that the said Burrass and Franky, his wife, as well in consideration of the premises aforesaid as of one dollar to him in hand paid by the said Thompson, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the said James Burrass and Franky his wife, have granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant bargain and sell unto the said George P. Thompson, all the right, title, interest and claim of them, the said James Burrass and Franky, his wife, in and to the real estate of Alexander Neel, deceased, the said Franky being a daughter of said Alexander Neel and as such entitled to the eighth part of his estate, with all the appurtenances. To have and to hold the said interest in said parcel of land, with all the appurtenances unto the said Thompson and his heirs, to the sole use and behoof of the said Thompson and his heirs, and the said James Burrass and Franky his wife, for themselves and their heirs, the said right, title and interest in the said parcel of land, with all the appurtenances to the said Thompson and his heirs against the claim of them the said James Burrass and Franky his wife, and their heirs, and all other persons whomsoever shall, will and do by these present warrant and forever defend, in trust, never the less, that if the said James Burrass, his heirs, executors or administrators, do and shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid to the said George W.G. Browne, his heirs or assigns the said sum of nineteen dollars and forty six cents on or before the 16th day of December next together with the expenses of drawing and recording this indenture and the tax thereon, then and in that case, this indenture, and everything herein contained shall become void and of no effect; But if the said Burrass shall fail to pay the said sum of money or any part thereof, on or before the said 16th day of December, next, then it shall be lawful for the said Thompson, and full power and authority is hereby given him to proceed to sell the said interest and claim in said parcel of land with all the appurtenances, so soon after the said 16th December next as he may be requested by the said Browne, at public auction for ready money, to the highest bidder, at Tazewell Court House, having previously advertised the time and place of sale at least twenty days by advertisement affixed for that space of time to the front door of said Court House and the proceeds of such sale after paying thereout all the expenses attaining the execution of this trust including a commission of 5 percent on the amount of sale to the said trustee for his trouble in executing the same shall be applied by the said Thompson towards the discharge and payment to the said Browne of the aforesaid sum of nineteen dollars and 46 cents, with interest on so much of said sum with interest as may remain unpaid, and in further trust, that until such sale shall be made it shall be lawful for the said Burrass and wife, and their heirs, to hold and occupy the said granted interest in said land and premises and to take and receive, the rents, issues and profits thereof to their own proper use and benefit, and also, that the said Burrass his heirs, executors, or administrators, will pay and discharge all taxes, impositions, assessments and other charges, whatsoever which may or shall become chargeable thereon, during his or their possession thereof. And the said Thompson doth covenant on is part, that he will faithfully execute the trust hereby reposed in him. In testimony whereof, the parties hereunto have to these presents set their hands and affixed their seals, the day and year first in this indenture written.

      His mark, James Burrass (seal)
      G.P Thompson (seal)

      Virginia : In the Clerk's office of Tazewell County Court , July 16, 1844.
      James Burrass and George P. Thompson parties to the within deed personally appeared before me in my said office, and acknowledged the said deed to be their act and deed and the same is admitted to record. Teste. J.E. Chapman, D.C.

      --------------

      Source: Tazewell Co. Va, Book 8 Page 463

      Date: 23 Sep 1845

      Franky Burress Indenture/Deed September 23, 1845

      This indenture, made this twenty third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five between James Burrass (sic) and Franky, his wife of the county of Tazewell, and state of Virginia of the one part and George W.G. Browne of the other part, witnesseth: that the said James Burrass and Franky, his wife for and in consideration of the sum of forty dollars current money of the United States to them in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, do grant, bargain and sell unto the said George W.G. Browne, all their right, title and interest in a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the county of Tazewell on the Muddy fork of Wolf Creek, which formerly belonged to Alexander Neel, and in which as the daughter and heir of said Alexander Neel, the said Franky is entitled to one eighth part with all the appurtenances: To have and to hold the said interest in said tract or parcel of land with all the appurtenances unto the said George W.G. Browne, and his heirs, to the sole use and behoof of him the said BrownE and his heirs. And the said James Burrass and Franky his wife for themselves and their heirs, do covenant, with the said George W.G. Browne, that they the said James Burrass and Franky his wife the said interest in said parcel of land, with all the appurtenances unto the said George W.G. Browne, and his heirs, against the claims of them the said James Burrass and Franky his wife, and every other person or persons whatsoever, shall warrant and will forever defend. In witness, whereof the said James Burrass and Franky, his wife have hereunto subscribed their names and affixed their seals the day and year first above written.

      Her Mark, Franky Burrass (seal)

      Tazewell County , to wit:

      We, Erastas G. Harman and William Cox, Justices of the Peace in the County aforesaid, in the state of Virginia, do hereby certify that Franky Burrass wife of James Burrass, parties to a certain deed, bearing date on the 23rd day of September 1845 and hereunto annexed, personally appeared before us in our County aforesaid, and being examined by us privately and apart from her husband, and having the deed aforesaid fully explained to her, the said Franky Burress, acknowledged the same to be her act and deed and declared that she had willingly by signed, sealed and delivered the same, and that she wished not to retract it. Given under our hands and seals this 23rd day of September 1845.

      E.G. Harman. JP
      William Cox, JP

      -------------

      Source: Tazewell Co Va, Book 15, page 110

      Date: 9 Nov 1872

      James Burress Homestead Exemption November 9, 1872

      This deed of Homestead made the 9th day of November 1872 by James Burress of the County of Tazewell and State of Virginia . Witnesseth: That the said James Burress hath and doth by these present declare his intention to claim free from levy, seizure, garnish or sale for any debt whatsoever except in such cases as the law especially subjects the same, the following personal property to wit:

      1 cow valued at $25.00
      7 head of hogs valued at $15.00
      130 bushels of corn valued at $65.00
      1 lot corn fodder valued at $10.00
      Household and kitchen furniture valued at $40.00

      To have and to hold to myself and household according to the provisions of an act of general assembly of Virginia known as the "Homestead Act" approved June 2, 1870. Witness my hand and seal they day and year above written. James Burress (seal)

      COURT RECORDS

      Source: Tazewell County 1832-1844; Page 243; Tuesday, April 24, 1838

      The Commonwealth VS. James Burriss (No. 1)
      On an indictment for breach of peace

      The Commonwealth VS. James Burriss (No. 2)
      Same

      The attorney for the Commonwealth, with the assent of the court, saith that he will not further prosecute in these causes.

      -------------

      [Note: Unsure what the case was about, but it was delayed from 29 Aug 1847 to 27 Sep 1849 at which point both sides decided to drop the charges. Given the distance to travel to the court house and/or to the lawyer's office for each of these continuances was more than likely an aggravation for James Burruss and Wysor Adkins. In the end, it was more convenient and less costly for them just to forget the lawsuit.]

      Source: Court Records Tazewell County Law books; 1844-1859

      Burress VS. Adkins (Case)

      Law Book 1844-1859; Page 87

      Thursday, August 29, 1847


      James Burrass, Plaintiff VS. Wysor Adkins, Defendant - Case

      On the motion of the plaintiff by his attorney, it is ordered that the monsciet (?) obtained against him in the office in the cause be set aside, and that he have leave to file his declaration therein, and thereupon he filed the same accordingly; and the cause is remanded to rules for further proceedings to be had therein.

      William Burrass, Plaintiff VS. James Burrass, Defendant - Case
      On the motion of the plaintiff by his attorney, it is ordered that the monsciet (?) obtained against him in the office in this cause be set aside, and that he have leave to file his declaration, and thereupon be filed the same accordingly; and the cause is remanded to rules for further proceedings to be had therein.


      Law Book 1844-1859; Page 108 and 109

      Thursday, September 30, 1847

      James Burrass, Plaintiff VS. Wysor Adkins, Defendant - Case
      On motion of the defendant by his attorney, who pleaded "not guilty" to which the plaintiff by his attorney replied generally, the judgment obtained against him in the office is set aside; and the trail of the issue is deferred till the next term.

      William Burrass by &c., Plaintiff, VS. Wysor Adkins, defendant - Case
      On the motion of the defendant by his attorney, who pleaded "not guilty" to which the plaintiff by his attorney replied generally, the judgment obtained against him in the office is set aside, and the trail of the issue deferred till the next term.


      Law Book 1844-1859; Page 126

      Wednesday, April 26, 1848

      James Burrass, Plaintiff VS. Wysor Adkins, Defendant
      This day came again the parties by their attorneys and the defendant by his attorney filed a special plea in writing, to which the plaintiff by his attorney replied generally, and the cause is continued til the next term.

      William Burrass, by &c. Plaintiff VS. Wysor Adkins, Defendant
      This day came again the parties by their attorneys and the defendant by his attorney filed a special plea is writing, to which the plaintiff by his attorney replied generally. And the cause is continued till the next term.


      Law Book 1844-1859; Page 143

      Wednesday, September 27, 1848

      William Burrass, by &c. Plaintiff VS. Wysor Adkins, Defendant - Case
      On motion of the defendant in these causes, and for reasons appearing to the court, it is ordered that these causes be severally contained till the next term at the costs of the respective defendants.


      Law Book 1844-1859; Page 176

      Thursday, September 27, 1849

      James Burrass, Plaintiff VS. Wysor Adkins, Defendant
      William Burrass by &c. Plaintiff VS. Same, Defendant
      Ordered that these causes be dismissed, the parties having agreed the same.
    Person ID I22218  Master File
    Last Modified 13 Jan 2014 

    Father Micajah Burress,   b. ca 1777, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Jul 1852, Russell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 75 years) 
    Mother Rachel McCoy,   b. ca 1779, Montgomery Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 05 Jun 1855, Pike Co. KY Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 76 years) 
    Married 20 Oct 1795  Montgomery Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Annals of southwest Virginia, 1769-1800
      Mongtomery County VA, Minutes of the County Court 1777 to 1800

      1795 Oct 20 Groom: Michajah Burress Bride: Rachel McCoy
      Miniter: Edw Morgan

      Virginia, Marriages, 1660-1800
      Name: Rachel Mccoy
      Spouse: Micajah Burrus
      Marriage Date: 13 Oct 1795
      Marriage Location: Montgomery County, Virginia
      [Note: this could be for the marriage bond, not when they were married.]


    Divorced
    • They separated between 1840 and 1850. Unsure if they had actually divorced. Rachel was living with her daughter in Pike Co. KY in 1850. By 1850 Micajah was living with Elizabeth Francis. In 1849 Micajah and Elizabeth were in court and fined for lewd behavior. After the estate sale in 1852 after Micajah's death Elizabeth is referred to the "Widow Burress."

      Since Rachel died in 1855, if Micajah married Elizabeth, he would have been a bigamist. More than likely Micajah and Elizabeth may have said they had married, but didn't in order to avoid more charges of lewd behavior of living together without being married.

      The 1850 Russell Co. Census shows Micajah and Elizabeth had children ages 12 to less than one year. Perhaps his affair with Elizabeth led to Rachel's moving in with her daughter in Pike County.

    Family ID F10244  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Mary Frances (Franky) Neel,   b. ca 1808, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1860, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 53 years) 
    Children 
     1. William H. (Billy) BURRESS,   b. Abt 1832, Tazewell Co VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 28 May 1903, Pounding Mill, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 71 years)
     2. Thomas J. Burress,   b. ca 1834, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1880, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 47 years)
     3. George Washington Burress,   b. Mar 1837, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 07 Aug 1916, McDowell Co. WV Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 79 years)
     4. James R. Burress,   b. ca 1838, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1865, Bland Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 27 years)
     5. Margaret Burress,   b. ca 1845, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location
     6. Julia Burress,   b. ca 1846, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location
     7. Rebecca Jane BURRESS,   b. ca 1844, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1880, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 35 years)
     8. John W. Burress,   b. ca 1848, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 02 Jan 1920, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 72 years)
     9. Wiley Burress,   b. ca 1850, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location
     10. Benjamin Rush Burress,   b. 30 Sep 1857, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 01 Apr 1937, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years)
    Last Modified 3 Jul 2013 
    Family ID F10155  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Polly Cox,   b. ca 1833, Floyd Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married 05 Nov 1871  Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Tazewell County Marriage Register 3; Page 34; Line 80

      Husband's Name: James Burress
      Husband's Age: 58
      Husband's Birthplace: Montgomery County, Virginia
      Husband's Residence: Jeffersonville, Virginia
      Husband's Condition: Widowed
      Husband's Father: Micajah Burress
      Husband's Mother: Rachel Burress
      Husband's Occupation: Farmer
      Wife's Name: Polly Cox
      Wife's Age: 38
      Wife's Birthplace: Floyd County, Virginia
      Wife's Residence: Jeffersonville, Virginia
      Wife's Condition: Widowed
      Wife's Father
      Wife's Mother
      Marriage Date: 15 November 1871
      Marriage Place: Tazewell County, Virginia
      Performed By: William H. Kelly
    Last Modified 3 Jul 2013 
    Family ID F10235  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart