Person:Henry Burr (1)

He was the original immigrant to New Jersey as early as 1682. They had several children. One daughter, Elizabeth, was the mother of John Woolman, the most distinquished American minister of the Society of Friends during the period of the French and Indian War. Another daughter, Martha, became the mother of Colonel Timothy Matlack, the "Fighting Quaker" of the American Revolution, whose portrait hangs in Independence Hall, and to whom the citizens of Philadelphia presented a silver urn in commemoration of his gallant defense of the city. A grandson, son of Henry Burr, was Joseph, father of Keziah, wife of Governor Richard Howell of New Jersey and of Lieutenant William Burr. Lieutenant Burr's daughter was the wife of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. A son Joseph was the grandfather of Joshua Burr, of Vincentown, who married Mary E. Newbold, descended from Michael Newbold, Justice, Burlington, 1701. Henry Burr was a friend of William Penn and accompanied him on his last voyage to this country. Proof Burr family book, Will of Henry Burr. July 31, 1738, for five pounds Henry Burr conveyed to his son Joseph a certain farm called by the name of Peach Field, with the dwelling house, outhouses, fencings, orchard gardens and all and every the improvements upon ye said farm and plantation said henry Burr purchased of Helena Skene who was empowered by her husband John Skene to grant as is shown by an indenture under the hand of John Skene bearing date June 10th, 1695, and entered upon the records in Burlington, which land John Skene purchased of Edward Billing.

Will of Henry Burr

I Henry Burr of the Township of Northampton, County of Burlington, in the Western Division of the Province of New Jersey, being in good health, perfect in mind and memory, thanks be to God therefore, Calling to mind the Mortality of my Body, do make this my last Will and Testament, yt is to say principally and first I recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors. And as touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me withal, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner.

Imprimis, I give unto my son, John Burr, the sum of twenty shillings and no more. Item - I give unto my son Joseph Burr the sum of ten shillings and no more, they being already endowed out of my estate. Item - I give unto my negro woman Mary my following particulars, viz., the Bed whereon she generally lodges with the Bedstead and furniture thereunto belonging, one cow, one iron kettle, pot, pot-hooks and trammel, one linnen wheel, one woolen wheel, and the dung hill fowls belonging to the place, all the provision yt is left in the smoke house after my funeral and the appraisement, both the eatables and drinkables.

The remaining part of my estate after my just debts and funeral charges and legacies above mentioned are paid, I give and bequeath to my five daughters, namely, Elizabeth Woolman, Mary Lipincott, Sarah Haines, Rebecca White and Martha Whitlock, to be equally divided among them share and share alike. Lastly I appoint my two sons-in-law, Samuel Woolman and Caleb Haines, executors of this my last Will and Testament,. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written (29th day of October, 1742).

His Henry X Burr mark signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of us, Thomas Shiner, Ruel Elton, John Woolman.

The will was admitted to probate at Burlington, June 11, 1743 by Joseph Rose, Surrogate, which was about the date of Henry Burr's death. It will be observed that although a man of wealth and prominence he was unable to write, and made his mark in signing the will. This is not strange, as few people in that day except lawyers and clerks possessed that accomplishment. Family tradition says that he was a friend of William Penn's and accompanied him on his last voyage to this country. (Source: Ileta Anderson)