“Ann B. Burke was born Decr. 14th 1814” [Burke Family Bible, Library of Virginia #44415.]

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 1 October 1857, Robert Burke of Cadiz, Kentucky, sold to Ann B. Burke of the County of Essex and State of Virginia. For $300, Robert Burke conveys his interest in land allotted to the said Ann B. Burke as dower, she being the widow of James Burke, deceased, who was father to the said Robert Burke, it being 61-1/5 acres, more or less. Signed Robert Burke. Certified by Albert S. Dabney, clerk of the court of Trigg County, Kentucky. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 51, pages 112–113.]

On 10 January 1873, Ann B. Burke of the County of Essex deeded to John W. Burke of the same. The said Ann B. Burke being justly indebted to the said John W. Burke and J.C.B. Burke her children in a considerable sum of money (not now ascertained) as their late Guardian — the amoiunt due the said J.C.B. Burke having been so arranged between the said John W. Burke and himself, as that the said John W. Burke should have the benefit of the same — the said Ann B. Burke in consideration of the premises, grants unto John W. Burke a tract of land lying in Occupacia Township in the said county containing 264 acres more or less, bounded by the lands of Robert M.T. Hunter and the dower lands of the said Ann B. Burke widow of the late James Burke decd, the lands of Robert H. Faver, and on the East by the main road leading from Loyds to Hunters Mill, this being same land that was allotted to Robert Burke in the division of the Real Estate of his deceased father James Burke decd and which tract of land above mentioned was conveyed to the said Ann B. Burke by Robert G. Haile Jr and Mary Susan his wife by deed dated the 29th April 1862, and the said Ann B. Burke doth also grant unto the said John W. Burke one fifth of of sixty & one fifth acres land land adjoining the above named tract of lands, which he conveyed to Ann B. Burke by deed dated 1st day of October 1857. Signed Ann B. Burke. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 52, pages 592–593.]