On 21 December 1801, John Jones and Erasmus Jones were bound $1,000 for John Jones’s guardianship of Elizabeth, Nancy and James Burke, orphans of James Burke. [Essex County, Virginia, Guardian Book 3, pages 111–112.]

John Jones, the guardian of Nancy, Betsey and James Burke, submitted their accounts for 1801 and 1802 on 21 February 1803. [Essex County, Virginia, Guardian Book 3, page 131.]

In 1808, Nancy Burke, the widow of James Burke, and Betsey and James Burke the only children of James Burke, decd., infants by Nancy Burke their next friend, complained against John Jones, the administrator of James Burke’s estate. That James Burke died intestate about 1801 in the County of Essex, that James had another daughter named Nancy who died intestate and an infant in 1807. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 12, Item 12-I-31.]

The valuation and division of the slaves belonging to the estate of James Burke decd. Widows Dower: Sarah, Prince, and Tom, total £153:6:8. Lot No. 1 to Betsey: Lucy and Child George. Lot No. 2 to James: Rose and Humphrey. Lot No. 3 to [blank]: Peggy. All three lots equal, with cash, £102:4:5. Contains original signatures of Ann Burke and Elizabeth Burke. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 12, Item 12-I-32.]

An undated bill of complaint in Essex County states that Rickard Burke died in March 1801, leaving a widow Ann (still alive at the writing of the bill); son John Burke, who died about February 1803, testate, who appointed Thomas Barton executor; son Thomas Burke, who died about February 1802, testate, never married; son Martin Burke, died 1806 intestate, estate administered by Ben H. Munday; son Lewis Burke; daughter Barbara Burke, who married John Chenault and died in 1807; daughter Mary Burke, who married Richard Meador; daughter Nancy Burke, who married Caleb Gatewood and had an only child named Lucy Gatewood, who married William Howard; son William Burke, who died during his father’s lifetime leaving a daughter Polly Burke; and son James Burke, who died in his father’s lifetime leaving children Betsey, Nancy and James Burke. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 32, 1823, Item 32-G-38.] The bill was answered by John Jones, Ann Burke, and Richard and Mary Meador and sworn to on 22 September 1807, confirming by and large the facts in the bill of complaint. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 32, 1823, Item 32-G-32.] A decree settling the case was issued by Essex County court the same day. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 32, 1823, Item 32-G-36.] The decree settled the estate by giving one-eighth portions each to: Richard Meador and Mary his wife; Thomas Barton executor of John Burke; Ben H. Munday, administrator of Martin Burke; Lewis Burke; William Howard and Lucy his wife; Polly Burke; Betsy, Nancy and James Burke; John Chenault. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 32, 1823, item 32-G-33.]

On 17 July 1809 (date recorded), Lewis Booker was bound as security for Hundley and Lewis Moody in three obligations payable to Nancy Burke, widow, and Betsey Burke and James Burke, children of James Burke deceased. Bonds amounting to £87-5 became due 17 April 1810. Hundley Moody and Catharine his wife indemnify Booker by parcel of land 37 acres bounded by the land of Hundley Moody which lately belonged to John Boughan and was recovered by Boughan from John Chenault. by land of Rickard Burke deceased and by land of Carter Croxton and by main road leading from Piscataway Old Mill bridge to Tappahannock and being that part of the tract with land held by John Chenault which was not recovered from his by the said John Boughan and which has since been conveyed by John Chenault (or by Stephen Chenault agent) to said Hundley Moody. Signed Hundley Moody. Witnesses: James Allen, John Jones, Lewis Dix. Recorded 17 July 1809. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 37, pp. 512-514.]

On March 21, 1810, a petition was presented to chancery court in Essex County, “Humbly complaining shew unto your worships your orators & oratrices Wm Burke and infant under the age of twenty one years by John Jones his next friend, Polly Burke daughter of Martin Burke an infant under the age of twenty one years by Andrew Monroe her next friend, Polly Burke daughter of Wm Burke an infant under the age of twenty one years by John Martin her next friend and Betsey & James Burke infants under the age of twenty one years by John Jones their next friend, that Rickard Burke formerly of Essex county died seised in fee of a tract of land situated in south Farnham parish & Essex county containing about 271 acres, having made & publishing his testament & last will & writing by which he devised to his wife Ann Burke during her life his whole estate real & personal & after devising some Kentucky land he devised all the remainder of his estate, real & personal, to be equally divided among all his children John, Thomas, Martin, James & Lewis Burke, Barbara Chenault & Molly Meador & lent to his grand daughters Lucy Gatewood & Polly Burke an equal part of his estate real & personal & if they should dye without heirs their respective portions should go to the survivors, as will appear by an office copy of the same recorded in this court hereto annexed as part of this bill; that the testator’s son Thomas died in his life time & without having been married whereby the devise in his favor became void, and his sons John & Martin also died in the lifetime of the testator’s widow who died in Jany 1810; that his said son John left a will whereby he devised his interest in the said land in Essex county to your orator Wm Burke, his son, as will appear by the said John Burke’s will recorded in this court; that Martin Burke died intestate and your oratrix Polly Burke is his only child & descendant living. that James Burke died intestate in the lifetime of his Father Rickard and your orator & oratrix James & Betsey Burke are his only children & descendants living; that your oratrix Polly Burke, mentioned in the will of the testator as his granddaughter, is the only child & descendant of the testator’s son Wm who died in the testator’s lifetime; and the testator’s grand daughter mentioned in his will by the name of Lucy Gatewood was the only child & descendant living of a daughter of the testator who died in his life time, which said Lucy Gatewood intermarried with Wm Howard jr after the testator’s death…” Hundley Moody had purchased some of this land, and the petitioners seek division of the land. The case was finally settled in 1822 with division. [Essex County, Virginia, Box 138 D&W, 1820–1821, Folder N.]

In 1820, James Burke was taxed for one white male above the age 16 and no slaves. [Essex County, Virginia, 1820 Personal Property Tax Book.]

James Burke was mentioned in the 18 June 1835 will of John H. Brizendine: “I give to my friends Albert G ONeale and James Burke Six Hundred dollars in trust for the use benefit, support and mainteance of Judith Wares daughter Emily, during her life, and after her death to her child or children if any, and if none then to my friend James Burke”… “the ballance of my estate both real and personal I give to my friend James Burke & his heirs forever”. Albert ONeale and James Burke to be executors. The will was proved on 20 June 1836. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 49.]

On 20 November 1835, James Burke was named executor of the will of Sarah Munday. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 25, pages 220–221.]

On 20 June 1836, Albert G. Oneale and James Burke were bound in the penalty of $7,000 for their execution of the will of John H. Brizendine. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 46.]

James Burke was mentioned in the 1 May 1837 will of his father-in-law, William Younger, proved 20 May 1839. “4thly I give and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Stokes the Wife of Benjamin Stokes during her life the following property to wit two negro Women Cloe & Suckey the other half of my Land one Cow & Calf & the property she now has in possession to wit one bed & Furniture & my Gig & Harness; also one fourth part of the balance of my Estate after paying my just debts &c for her sole & seperate use and benefit and to be in no way liable for the payment of any debt or debts which the said Benjamin Stokes may at this time owe or may hereafter contract & subject in any manner whatsoever to the marital rights of the said Benjamin Stokes and at the death of my said Daughter I give all the property above named to the equally divided among her children & I do hereby constitute and appoint James Burke trustee to manage the property hereby given to my Daughter Elizabeth Stokes … lastly I appoint James Burke & Richard Motley Executors to this my last Will”. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 380–381.]

On 20 May 1839, James Burke, Benjamin H. Munday, and Mourning Johnston were bound in the penalty of $2,000 for James Burke’s execution of the estate of William Younger. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 381–382.]

On 30 May 1839, sales of the estate of William Younger, deceased, were made by James Burke, executor. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 434–437.]

In 1839 (date and month blank), Robert Munday, Sally Munday, Elizabeth Stokes and James Burke were bound, that is the said Robert Munday and Sally Munday to the said Elizabeth Stokes and James Burke in the sum of five hundred Dollars, and the said Elizabeth Stokes and James Burke to the said Robert Munday and Sally Munday in the like sum of five hundred Dollars. The condition of this obligation is such that whereas William Younger in his last Will bearing date the first day of May 1837 and of Record in the County Court of Essex give to his daughter Sally Munday the Wife of the above bound Robert Munday one half of his Land, and to Elizabeth Stokes Wife of Benjamin Stokes in Trust with the above bound James Burke dureing her life the other half of his land, and the said Robert Munday, Sally Munday, Elizabeth Stokes and James Burke Trustee as aforesaid, in order to have an equal division thereof have mutually chosen Benjamin H Munday and Edward Powers to divide said land agreeable to quantity and quality and allot to each one their portion. If all parties stand to abide by the division, then this obligation to be void. Signed Robert Munday, Sarah her x mark Munday, Elizabeth her x mark Stokes, James Burke. Witnesses: Thomas Munday, James Powers, J. W. T. R. Walsh. Ordered recorded on 17 March 1840. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 451.]

The estate of William Younger, deceased, in account with James Burke, executor, from 1839 to 1840 was ordered recorded on 17 August 1840. Includes distributions to Susan, Waller, William, David and Mary Elliott; James Burke as trustee for Elizabeth Stokes; James Burke and Susan his wife who was Susan Younger; and Robert Munday and Sally his wife who was Sally Younger. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 500–503.]

On 21 September 1840, Albert G Oneale, James Burke and Edward Powers were bound in the penalty of $9,000 for Albert G Oneale’s adminsitration with the will annexed of Hannah Neale. [Essex County, Virignia, Will Book 24, page 507.]

On 19 February 1849, Edward Powers, William Blackburn, Robert Munday, and George H. Vanness were bound for Edward Powers’s administration of the estate of James Burke deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 26, page 387.]

In the late 1840s, orators and oratrice Thomas M., Robert, Mary Susan, James and William Burke, infants by William Blackburn their next friend, complained to the Chancery Court. That they are the only children of James Burke, and that Ann B. Burke is his widow. To fulfill a contract not recorded before James Burke’s death. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 41, item 41-F-19.]

James Burke was listed as the father of Mary Susan Burke in her 12 June 1856 wedding to Robert G. Haile. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 1, page 4.]