Rev. 26 Dec. 2005, Gen. 240

 

DESCENDANTS OF ABSOLOM GRAVES BURK AND MARGARET ELIZABETH SMITH OF IN & KS

 

 

GENERATION 1

 

Absolom Graves Burk (1) was born 22 Nov. 1819 in Dearborn Co., IN, and died 17 July 1894 in Crawford Co., KS.  He married Margaret Elizabeth Smith on 12 Sept. 1850 in Pike Co., IL.

He was a son of Thomas Burk (b.c. 1785) and Dorcas Rice (b.c. 1790 in Boone Co., KY), married about 1818 in Boone Co., KY.

It may well be that Absolom Graves Burk was not descended from a Graves ancestor, but was only named for Absolom Graves, a prominent Baptist preacher of the time[1], who lived in Boone Co., KY.  The ancestry of his father is not presently known, but his mother was a daughter of William Rice and Eleanor Dennison.  No Graves ancestry has been found yet.  (R‑1)

Children – Burk

  2.  Thomas Alvin Burk, b. 17 Aug. 1851.

  3.  Drasilla (or Drusilla?) Ann Burk, b. 20 Dec. 1853.

  4.  Emily Jane Burk, b. 1 Dec. 1856.

  5.  Lucy Olive Burk, b. 23 March 1859.

  6.  Mary Alma Burk, b. 21 May 1862.

  7.  Martha Isabelle Burk, b. 21 Sept. 1865.

  8.  Charles Ervin Burk, b. 22 Aug. 1867.

 

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[1] The following section is for an Absolom Graves who was descended from Capt. Thomas Graves (genealogy 169) via Thomas2, Thomas3, John4, John5, Isaac6, Absalom7 b. 1768.

Absalom (or Absolom) Graves (527) was born 28 Nov. 1768 in Culpeper Co. (now Madison Co.), Va., and died 17 Aug. 1826.  He married Felicia White, daughter of John White and Polly ‑‑‑‑‑‑, on 18 Dec. 1789 in Orange Co., Va.  She was born 20 Nov. 1771, and died 19 Feb. 1851 at their home in Boone Co., Ky.  She is said to have led a very devout and charitable life.  They moved from Virginia to Kentucky with the rest of his parents' family.  He was prominent in civil life before 1810, when he was ordained a minister in the Baptist Church.  He became distinguished throughout Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.

The following is extracted from a sketch of this remarkable man (as quoted by John Card Graves), "written by Rev. A. C. Graves of Lebanon, Ky., who had studied and become perfectly familiar with his character."  "In early life, there was about Absolom Graves a manliness and fascination which won the respect of all classes and foreshadowed the patriarchal position he was to occupy in the world.  He was studious, devoting his leisure hours to self-improvement, and became the best educated young man in his community.  His fitness for civil responsibilities was soon recognized and he was made Clerk of the Quarter Sessions in 1779, the year after Boone Co., Ky. was formed.  He held that position until 1805, when the Circuit Court was formed and he was made clerk, which office he held until just before his death in 1826.  He was ordained to the Christian ministry in 1812, and was Pastor of the Bullittsburg Baptist Church for many years, and the author of the hymn book entitled "Graves Hymns".  He was known as an exemplary man and his life was a blessing to the world."

Speaking of him, Rev. John Taylor says, "Perhaps the Gospel of the Saviour never came better recommended by human character."  It was said of him by one who knew him well, "He was a model for any man.  He was the most upright, perfect man I have ever known in my life."  He was a prosperous man and accumulated a comfortable property.  He erected the first two-story brick house built in Boone Co., Ky., which, somewhat remodeled, was still standing back from the bluffs which overlook the Ohio River opposite the mouth of the Miami River which divides Ohio and Indiana around 1900.  (R‑915)

Children - Graves

+1361.  Willis Graves, b. 12 Oct. 1790, m(1) Kitty Johnson, m(2) Sophia Conn, d. 11 Nov. 1834.

+1362.  Polly Graves, b. 22 March 1792, m. Jeremiah Cave, 1808, d. 28 June 1867.

            1363.    Nancy Graves, b. 29 Dec. 1793 (Madison Co., Va.), m(1) Richard Cave (son of Rev. Richard Cave and Elizabeth Craig), 1810, m(2) Robert Willis.  Richard Cave was born 1790, and died 20 July 1818 in Boone Co., Ky.  Robert Willis was born 7 April 1784 and died 23 June 1844.

            1364.    Elizabeth Graves, b. 28 Sept. 1799, m. Absolom Graves, 5 March 1816, d. 12 Nov. 1858.  For descendants, see #1353.