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 85
Dwelling 339, Household 339
Gouldman, Joseph, 31, male, merchant, value of real estate $2,000, born in Virginia
Gouldman, Fanny, 21, female, born in Virginia
Gouldman, Patty, 1, female, born in Virginia
Pendleton, Robert, 20, male, clerk in store, born in Virginia
Burke, Robert, 18, male, salesman, born in Virginia
Merntisbeyen, Stephen, 22, male, tailor, born in Germany

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 25 November 1858, Robert Burke was married to Cornelia Thompson in Trigg County, Kentucky. He was 26, single, born in Essex County, Virginia; she was 21, maiden, born in Trigg County, Kentucky. The clerk wrote “Good Match” as a note. [Trigg County, Kentucky, Marriage Register 1852–1914.]

1860 U.S. Census, Town of Cadiz, Trigg County, Kentucky
Page 186, Dwelling 1362, Family 1362
Burke, R., 29, male, merchant clerk, $4,500 personal estate, born in Virginia
Burke, Carolia J., 22, female, born in Kentucky
Burke, Bettie J., 9/12, female, born in Kentucky

1870 U.S. Census, Town of Cadiz, Trigg County, Kentucky
Page 4, Dwelling 32, Family 32
Burke, Robert, 37, male, white, esquire, $1,000 real estate, born in Virginia, eligible to vote
Burke, Cornelia, 22, female, white, keeping house, born in Kentucky
Burke, Bettie J., 10, female, white, born in Kentucky, attended school
Elliott, Willie A., 36, female, white, schoolteacher, born in Virginia

1880 U.S. Census, Town of Cadiz, Trigg County, Kentucky
Page 37
Burke, Robert, white, male, 48, married, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia
Burke, C. J., white, female, 42, wife, married, keeps house, born in Kentucky, both parents born in Kentucky
Burke, Bettie, white, female, 20, daughter, single, at home, born in Kentucky, father born in Virginia, mother born in Kentucky
Burke, Thompson, white, male, 4, son, born in Kentucky, father born in Virginia, mother born in Kentucky