Person:George Burson (1)

Earl Smith's book: The Burson Bunch George Burson was supposedly the first American ancestor of the Burson family of Springfield Township. George and his wife, Hannah moved to America in 1684 and settled in the neighborhood of Abington, Montgomery Co., Pa. George became a member of the Abington Monthly Meeting of Friends. He also became affiliated with George Keith in his schism of 1692, and was disowned by the Abington Meeting, but was later reinstated. George and Hannah moved late in life to a tract of land on the Schuylkill River in Gilbert's Manor, a few miles from Valley Forge, where he died in 1715. This land was acquired from William Penn who received the land from a debt that was owed him by the King of England, through his father. His will dated Nov. 26, 1715 was probated Feb. 11,1716. His will, in Book D, Number 13 or 61 is on file in the City Hall of Philadelphia, Pa. This info is also found on WFT - Vol. 3 Ped# 809 Two books that were used as reference: "Burson Story" by Eleanor Burson and " The History of the Burson Family" by John C. Burson.

---History of Bucks Co VOL 3 by Davis pages 614-615 states that the Bursons were instrumental in building Quakertown and the Richland Meeting. Research into Quakertown and Richland reveals that George would have already been established at Gwynedd MM (but it is possible he could have lived near Quakertown as well). --- From Charles Burson's web site, The Original Bursons. He first settled in Springfield Township (Chester Quarterly), Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He became a member of Abington Monthly Meeting of Friends in the neighborhood of Abington in Montgomery County. He located in life on a tract of land in Gilbert's Manor a few miles from Valley Forge. In Early Pennsylvania Land Records by Egle, vol. XIX, "George Burston (Burson) desires to purchase 2, 3, or 400 acres of land in the Proprietors Manor of Gilbert's which is granted @ 25 pounds per c. to be paid within three months after location with the usual g't rent 1 sp c. Warrant dated 19th March and signed November 20th 1713" min BKH p. 541 Here he died in 1715. his Will, dated November 26, 1715, was probated Februrary 11, 1716. It provided for his wife, Hannah, and his six children, his land being devised to his sons, James, Joseph, William and George, who were named his executors. A record of his immigration to America in 1682. A record of his living in America in 1682-1709 as he is listed in "Lawmaking and Legislators in Pennsylvania, A Biographical Dictionary", Vol. 1 1682-1709. George Burson identified as an original "Keithian" (followed George Keith in his schism of 1691/1692) who had been a Friend in Abingto ---from LDS records

This article is on the internet, written by Sharman Ramsey at www.southern-style.com: The history of the Bursons in this country must focus on the religious impetus which compelled them to come to America. I quote from the Genealogical and Personal History of Bucks County , Pennsylvania written by W. H. Doren in 1905: "Bucks County cherishes with faithful affection the names of her founders and pioneers, and when, as sometimes occurs, their descendants have migrated from their ancestral home and amid other scenes and different surroundings have maintained and increased the traditional reputation of the race, the old country still follows their fortunes and rejoices in their success. Such has been the case with the Burson family, which traces its history through the following generations. Joseph Burson "(brother of George, the progenator of this branch of southern Bursons)" was born in London, England, and was a member of the Society of Friends. In order to escape persecution to which the followers of George Fox were then subjected, he emigrated with his wife to Pennsylvania in 1681, and made his home in Bucks County, where he became a landowner. He was one of the founders of Quakertown and assisted in organizing the Richland Meeting." The family remained Quaker until Joseph moved to South Carolina, when he became a Reverend in the Baptist religion. The Bursons in Wilcox County helped build the Methodist Church and maintained the church rolls until the death of Elliece Burson Williams Tucker. A copy of these rolls remain with the family.

Wills: Abstracts, Book D : 1714 - 1725/6: Philadelphia Co, PA

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN; THIS THE twenty-six day of Nov in the year of our Lord 1715, I, George Burson, in Gilbert's Manor in the County of Philadelphia and Province of Pennsylvania, yoeman, being very weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God. Therefore, calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die do make and ordain this, my last Will and Testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and return my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body, I return it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my Executors. Nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give, devise, and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. IMPRIMIS, I give and bequeath to Hannah, my dearly beloved wife all the moveables to be used upon the plantation as long as they keep together with all priviliges within doors and without doors, as if I was there, myself, having authority over my children as long as she remains my widow. Likewise, one hundred acres of land upon the upper part of the Estate for her lifetime uncultivated land for her proper use. ITEM 2, I bequeath for my wife the privilige of killing or selling of the moveables if need requires. Provided it be for the good and proper use of the family. ITEM 3, I bequeath unto my daughters, Ann Burson and Mary Burson, twenty pounds to each of them within seven years after my decease. And case of mortality the longer liver to have forty pounds. ITEM 4, I give and bequeath unto my sons, William Burson and George Burson, three hundred and forty acres of land as is computed beginning at the upper line extending by Skool Hill side of the lower line to be equally divided as followeth as my two sons, James Burson and Joseph Burson, whom I have appointed my two Executors shall find fit and in case of mortality to fall to the longest liver. ITEM 5, I give unto my well beloved son, James Burson, a tract of land, as my deed and gift doth mention, and my little chest as legacy and, likewise my carpentor tools, I give unto my two eldest sons, James Burson and Joseph Burson, equally divided betwixt them. ITEM 6, I give unto my son, Joseph Burson, one grant of land in Gilbert's Manor as my deed and gift doth mention bearing date with my will and likewise one shilling to fulfill the law. ITEM 7, I constitute my best beloved sons, James Burson and Joseph Burson, and ordain them my only and sole Executors jointly and severally of this my last Will and Testament, all and singular my lands by him freely to be possessed and enjoined and I do hereby utterly disavow revoke disannul all and every other former testament and will bequeathed and testifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testamen IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have here unto set my hand and seal this day and year above written. George Burson (SEAL) Signed, sealed, published and declared by said George Burson as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us subscribers viz. Joseph Richardson, Andres Cromer, Joseph Wells, Elizabeth Richardso 13th day of November 1716