Willis Burt

Willis Burt was born February 13, 1797 in Cumberland Cty., NC to Joseph and Mary (Polly) Holt Burt. He married Rebecca Womack in NC. About 1825 they, along with at least one child, Alfred b 1824 in NC, traveled from North Carolina to Tennessee. Another son, John Gaston, was born in Bedford County TN in 1826. Then on to the next county, being Franklin. Here Willis and Rebecca would remain for the rest of their days.
Willis Burt was a farmer. He owned land, and bought and sold land. He owned slaves. According to the tax records, he did well. He owned and farmed the land where he lived, and owned land he did not farm in another district.His wife, and youngest daughter, Sarah, died two days apart in 1852. I've always imagined from an outbreak of Cholera in the area, but I don't know that was it. He married Elizabeth Rogers February 4, 1853. Only seven months after the death of Rebecca and Sarah. They were married for 22 years. Willis led a long life, and was apparently active until the end. He was involved in a lawsuit when he died. Willis can be found over and over in the old court records of Franklin County, along with his sons and brother, Frederick. Willis died September 29, 1875 in Franklin Cty. TN, and is buried in Hinkle Cemetery between his daughter, Sarah and first wife, Rebecca.

The graves of Sarah, Willis and Rebecca Burt in Hinkle cemetery,
Franklin county, TN

The researchers of the Burt family of the Southeastern United States on the web have done an excellent page on Willis Burt as well as his ancestry and descendants. I hope you will look at it. If you have connecting Burt roots their pages are a MUST SEE.

The Children of Willis and Rebecca Womack Burt

Son - Unknown name, b ca 1818

Martha Burt b: Abt. 1820; m. John Simpson

Afred Burt b: December 11, 1824 in North Carolina d: January 1911 in Seminole Cty OK . He married Lucinda Franklin b: May 19, 1832 in Bedford Cty. TN d: August 04, 1906 in Seminole Cty OK m: December 22, 1848 in Franklin Cty. TN

More about Alfred and Lucinda Franklin Burt and their family

John Gaston Burt b: April 28, 1826 in Bedford Cty. TN d: January 02, 1916 in Coffee Cty. TN . He married Araminta Payne July 31, 1855 in Franklin Cty TN

He married Jane Norvell October 05, 1874

He married Tennesee Yant December 05, 1882. She died March 14, 1897.

He married Annie Brazil Babb August 04, 1898. She died December 20, 1924.

If you connect through John Gaston Burt you will be delighted to find his Confederate Soldier's Pension Application on file in Nashville. Also, you will find Annie's Widow's Application as well.

Census for 1870 Franklin County, TN
Decherd Post Office Pg 5
Burt:

Gaston 42 Farmer 1500 1000 T
Araminta 30 At Home T
Adelia 13
Susan 8
Araminta 4
Edwin 1

Mary Jane (undocumented) Burt b: Abt. 1827 in TN married Spencer (S.C.)Rogers m: May 10, 1848 in Franklin Cty. TN.

I have not documented Mary Jane (aka Jane M.) is the daughter of Willis and Rebecca, but believe it is most likely, because:

She was not the daughter of William Burt in Franklin County, TN. We have his will, and all his children are named.
She was not the daughter of Frederick Burt, as he had no daughters.
She was not the daughter of Henry Burt, as he already had a daughter named Mary on the 1850 census, 2 years after this Mary's marriage.
The census shows there to be another daughter within this age bracket listed with Willis Burt (1830, 1840 Franklin County TN)
A reference made in a letter to Lucinda, Burt, wife of Alfred Burt, son of Willis from her daughter Belle Burt Grisham written about 1901, asking how "Uncle" Doc Rogers was, that she heard he was ailing.
On the 1860 census, John L. Rogers was living with Spencer Rogers and this was the son of Elizabeth Rogers Burt, wife of Willis.

The 1860 Franklin County, TN - Marble Hill Post Office, Dist.6 Pg 109

Rogers:
S.A. 37 Farmer
Jane M. 34
Nancy B. 10
James 8
William B.
Sarah 3
John L. 20 Farmer
Burt James J. 31 NC

notes: I suspect this S.A. (Spencer) Rogers is the son of Elizabeth Rogers Burt, the second wife of Willis. His wife, Jane M. is believed (not proven) to be the daughter of Willis Burt. The John L. Rogers listed here is believed to be the son listed with Elizabeth Rogers on the 1850 census. James J. Burt listed here was believed to be the son of Frederick Burt, brother of Willis. However, the birthplace and age do not coincide with when Frederick came to TN. That would have been 1825. So, further checking is indicated.

William Burt b: Abt. 1829 in TN married Mary (unkn).

The 1870 Franklin County, TN District 14, page 24 :

Burt:
William, 40 Farmer 880 T
Mary, 28 K Hous
Thomas 2 T
Narcissa 1 T

Malenda Burt b: Abt. 1830 in TN married John Dougherty August 19, 1852 in Franklin Cty. TN

Joseph G. Burt b: Abt. 1832 in TN married Nancy J.M. Harsley or Haisle or Hayslip August 23, 1857

Nancy Burt b: Abt. 1835 in TN married John Keller 1853.

Sarah Burt b: August 1837 in TN d: September 09, 1852 in Franklin Cty. TN . She is buried in the Hinkle Cemetery next to her mother and father.

Willis Burt married Elizabeth Rogers February 04, 1853 in Franklin Cty. TN