NameWilliam Burke
ResidenceEssex County, Virginia
Documentation
William Burke is mentioned in the 1787 will of his father.
From undated petition in loose papers from Burke vs. Chenault:
John Burke died sometime about the year 1787, leaving Richd, Ann, Edmund, Susanna, Wm, Judith & Thomas Burke his only children. Will dated 12 Feb 1787. Will proved in 1788. Susanna his widow. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 32, 1823, paper 32-I-33.]
On an undated statement in a case of Thomas and William Burke vs. Henry Purkins as administrator of the estate of John Griggs, Susannah and Ann Birk of lawful age stated that Wm .;and Thos Burke.; paid money to Jno Griggs.;, etc. Signed Susannah her x mark Birk, Ann her + mark Birk. 17 March 1788. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery item 5-I-80.]
On 3 January 1791, Susanna Burke in her own right and as guardian to Richard, Ann, Edmund, Susanna, William and Judith Burke children and coheirs of John Burke decd late husband of Susanna sold to John Chenault of the parish of Southfarnham and County of Essex, administrator of the estate of John Burke. The land of John Burke had been put up for auction; John Chenault was the highest bidder at £270 current money of Virginia. Signed Susanna her X mark Burke. Witnesses: James Burk, James Webb, Eliza Hay, Lewis his x mark Burke. Ordered recorded 17 January 1791. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 33, pages 288–289.]
On 29 March 1830, a William Burke provided a deposition in the case of the murder of George Crow by Benjamin Boughan: William Burke on oath deposes and says, that he was present, on the evening of the 15th Instant about the time that the said Crow was stabbed, that he saw the Prisoner advance upon the said Crow; that he Crow pushed the Prisoner off several times, that Crow then carried the Prisoner off several yards, but returned towards the Tavern himself, upon which the Prisoner followed him Crow and a scuffle ensued, and shortly after the said Crow came towards the Deponent, and exalimed that he had been stabbed—The Prisoner then came out of the crowd towards the Deponent in a slooping attitude, with a knife in his hand, and he the Deponent was alarmed, and seised the Prisoner and asked him if he meant to stab him, the Deponent, and the Prisoner replied that he did not, for that he knew who he the Deponent was—Upon this the Prisoner left the company and was taken in custody by Mr Taylor; that he thinks that the Prisoner was intoxicated but knew very well what he was about[.] [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 47, page 24.]