The Burton Line (Noble Side)

One of my favorite parts of genealogy research is tracing back our long-established American family lines until I finally reach the immigrant ancestor. I love that I have early colonial ancestors on both my maternal and paternal sides (in the Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Virginia colonies). These families helped shape our country. They braved rough seas and were greeted by harsh winters. They held strong religious convictions. They fought for what they believed in. They lived, loved, married, and raised their families through the constantly changing backdrop of the American colonies, and later the first states. Most of all, they survived- and for that we of course are all grateful!

As much as I love seeing our ancestors become established in early American through my research, there is something so satisfying about finally finding that immigrant ancestor- the one who started it all! Perhaps out of a need for adventure, perhaps out of economic hardship, or even because of religious conviction. Whatever the reason, they decided to move to the New World and forever changed the course of their family line.

On my maternal grandfather's side, Richard Burton was that man.

Born in 1580 in the Newcastle neighborhood of London (no longer in existence), Richard was one of the earliest settlers of the Virginia colony. The colony had existed since 1607, but in 1634 the British divided Virginia into 8 divisions. One of these divisions was Henrico, where Richard decided to settle. The division was named for Henricus, a Virginia city settled in 1611 that was abandoned in 1622 due to Powhatan aggression. The original lines of Henrico County or Division extended along the James River, encompassing much of Richmond, and as far west as Charlottesville.

A reenactment takes place at Henricus Historical Park. 

The original county seat of Henrico was at Varina farms, the alleged home of Pocahontas and John Rolfe. It was the rector of Henrico Parish, Rev. James Blair, who first drew up plans for a college, later prompting the British government to grant a charter for the second college in the colonies, William & Mary. Obviously, a lot of history took place here. And from Richard Burton, seven generations of Burton families remained in Henrico County.

Around 1820, Andrew Burton decided to move to Kentucky. He wed Susannah Shockey in 1823, at the age of 25. They had a house full of children and settled in Morgan, where census records state that Andrew was a farmer. At this time in Kentucky, the population was still 57% English, though the number of Scots, Irish, German, French, and Welsh immigrants was on the rise. Andrew's wife was proof of this; the origin of the surname 'Shockey' is German.

Andrew was special not only because he was the first Burton to leave Virginia, but because the move apparently did him good. Andrew lived to be 100 years old according to census records. Andrew is John Noble's third great grandfather. Richard Burton, our British immigrant ancestor, is John Noble's 11th great grandfather.

WHERE TO GO:
Henrico County: It still exists today, but it is not as large as the original division was. The country seat is the state capital, Richmond. Visit the Henrico Tourism History site.

Henricus Historical Park: http://www.henricus.org/

Morgan County, KY: Unfortunately hit hard by a tornado in 2012, the once charming town of West Liberty (the county seat) is now in a serious rebuilding period.