John Burt Sr. was apparently living in Chatham County when it was formed from Orange County in 1770, since he is found on many deeds there during this time period [3,4]. (Note: Maps place the land in these deeds near the intersection of present-day Wake/Chatham/Harnett County borders. Nearby is a tiny community named Burt, which is a few miles southwest of Holly Springs in Wake County, North Carolina).
Deed Book A, p. 71 - 4 Feb. 1772 - John Burt, Junr. to John Burt, Senr. - 55 pds. - 200 a. on the Upper side of Buckhorn Creek on the North side of Cape Fair River - joins Enoch Lewis.
Signed: John Burt, Jr
Wit: Richd. Cheek, Malichi Fike
Deed Book A, p. 250 - 7 Jan 1774 - Wm Hill of Edgcomb Co. to Frederick Cobb of Chatham Co. - 66 pds. - 208 a.
Signed: William (H) Hill
Wit: John Burt Senr., John Burt Junr.
Deed Book B, p. 7 - 14 Feb 1775 - William Cheek to Richard Cheek Junr. - 10 pds. - 630 a. on White Oak Creek and Buckhorn Creek.
Signed: William Cheek
Wit: John Burt Senr., Richard Burt
p. 379 - 10 July 1780 - Frederick Cobb to John Burt - 200 pds. procklemation money the old way - 280 a. - beginning at a sweet gum by the river side -- to a sweet gum on an island of the river.
Signed: Fedrick Cobb
Wit: Richard Worthen, John Wommack
p. 394 - 10 Aug 1780 - John Burt Senr. to Richard Burt, his son - I the said John Burt Senr. do give unto Richard Burt after my dest. a certain tract of land containing 210 a. on Buck Horn and Cape Fear River - being part of a larger survey - joins Griffises line, Raglands - through the Plantation between the dwelling House and Kitchen.
Signed: John Burt Senr.
Wit: Richard Worthen, James Avent
p. 398 - 30 March 1780 - State of North Carolina to Richard Worthan - 50 sh. for every 100 a. - 300 a. on the North side of Cape Fear River - joins John Burt and Frederick Cobb.
Signed: Rd. Caswell
J. Glasgow, Sec.
p. 410 - 10 Aug. 1780 - John Burt Senr. to his son Joseph Burt - Good causes and considerations - 250 a. on Buck Horn Creek - joins Richard Burt.
Signed: John Burt Sen.
Wit: Richard Warthen, James Avent
John Burt's parents are not known, although there is speculation (based on several pieces of evidence) that he could have been John Burt born in 1716 in Gloucester County, Virginia, who was the son of John and Grace Burt. This is suggested in part from similar naming patterns: John Burt of Chatham County had sons John, Richard, and Joseph Burt, as did John and Grace Burt and their son Joseph Burt. Secondly, the sons of John and Grace Burt - John, Richard and Joseph - arrived in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, in the 1740s. John Burt sold most or all of his land in Edgecombe and moved to Granville County. There he bought and sold land and appears to have established an ordinary house (tavern). (See John Burt in the North Carolina Burt timeline for details and references). During the 1750s, a John Burt (probably the same man) appears in Orange County records and sells land in Granville County. Since Chatham County was formed from Orange County in 1770, it is therefore plausible that John Burt originally in Edgecombe was in Chatham County by 1772. Thirdly, a grandson of John Burt of Chatham County (John Burt who married Delia Lane) was found in Morgan County, Alabama by 1830, along with children of William Burt Sr. (believed to be the son of Richard Burt of Halifax County).
John Burt made his will on 12 October 1780 [1]. In it he named his wife [Franciana?] [5], his four sons John, Richard, Joseph and Young Burt, and his daughter Elizabeth [Ollifor?]. He appointed James Johnson and John Burt as his executors. The will was proved at the November 1780 Court in Chatham County:
In the name of God amen I John Burt of the County of Chatham and State
of North Carolina being Weak in body but of Sound and disponding mind
and Memory do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner
and form Following to Wit
Item I Give and bequeath unto my Loving wife [Franciana?] Burt 1 horse
at &
price in the old way 3 Cows and Calves 3 Yews 2 Sowe and all
household property she brought with her on provisen her sons gives her
one negro Wench or Fellow during her Life. If they refuse to Comply my
will and desire is that the above given property may be divided Equally
Among my Children also 1 Cotten wheal I also Send her 1 negro named
Hannah I give her 12 Barrels of Corn 600 of [potatoes?]
Also the Land whearon I Live during her Life or widowhood and after her
Deth or marrage to be Equally divided Among my Children.
Item I Give and bequeath unto my son Richard Burt 1 negro boy named Gabe
to him his heirs and assigns forEver.
Item I Give and bequeath unto my son Jos [the s was superscripted] Burt
1 negro Girl named Cloe to him his heirs and Assigns ForEver.
Item I Give and bequeath unto my daughter Elisabeth Ollif one negro
Wench named R[uth?] To her her heirs and assigns ForEver
Item I Give and beqqueath unto my son John Burt 1 Waggon to him his
heirs and assigns forever
Item I Give and bequeath unto my Four sons John Burt Richard Burt Jos.
Burt and Young Burt and Elizabeth Ollif to them Their heirs and assigns
ForEver all the Whole of my Property that I am Posset of that I Have not
bequeath Already.
I Do hearby Nominate Constitute And appoint James Johnson and John Burt
Executors to This my Last Will and Testament in Writing whear[of] I have
hearunto set my hand and Affi[xed?] my seal This Twelfth Day of Oct 1780
Sign Sealed and
Delvord in Presnce
Major Till[is?]
Daniel Barfield
John Burt
Chatham Novem. Court 1780
Proved in open court by oath of Daniel Barfield and or[dered?] to be
recorded. Alin [Alex.?] Clark CC
"In The Name of God amen November in the year 1791 This being my Last will and Testement I Do Hear By Lend to My Be Lovid Wife Morening Burt All I perssess in During Her Life or Widdowhood But My Negroe Jack and him to Be Sold By my Exct'r Mr. Peter Quales and my Brother Young Burt and The money put to Intrest. Wit: John Dillard Benjeman Drummose (his mark) Jurat Richard Burt Chatham County February Sessions 1792 This will was duly proved in Open Court by the oath of Benjamin Drummond and ordered to be R[ecorded?] [?] John Ramsey CCAlthough none were mentioned in his will, there were children listed in his household when the 1790 census was taken in Chatham County: