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.]

1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 81
Dwelling 258, Household 258
Burke, Ann, 35, female, value of real estate $20,000, born in Virginia
Burke, Thomas, 21, male, manager, born in Virginia
Burke, Mary, 12, female, born in Virginia, in school within the year
Burke, John, 3, male, born in Virginia
Burke, James, 2, male, born in Virginia

On 12 June 1856, Robert G. Haile jr married Mary Susan Burke in Essex County, Virginia. He was 24, single, born in Essex County and living there, a farmer, parents Robert G. Haile and Elizabeth B. Jones. She was 18, single, born in Essex County and living there, parents James Burke and Susan M. Younger. The minister was Wm A. Baynham. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 1, page 4.]

“Robt. G. Haile & Molly Burke daughter of [blank] was married June 12th 1856” [Haile Family Bible, published by Kimber and Sharpless, Philadelphia, 1824, in possession of Charlotte Frischkorn, Richmond, Virginia, 1995.]

In the 1860 census, Mollie is enumerated with her father-in-law:
1860 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 24
Dwelling 220, Family 214
Haile, R. G., 72, male, farmer, value of real estate $25,000, value of personal estate $122,431, born in Virginia
Haile, M. T., 22, female, born in Virginia
Haile, L. E., 3, female, born in Virginia
Haile, Susan E., 1, female, born in Virginia

“Aunt Mollie wife of Capt. R. G. Haile departed this life at Adams Spring Essex Co Va Ap. 13th 1910” [Haile Family Bible, published by Kimber and Sharpless, Philadelphia, 1824, in possession of Charlotte Frischkorn, Richmond, Virginia, 1995.]