THOMAS JAY BURGESS.
Thomas Burgess, a member of an old and highly respectable family
in England, came to this country in 1640, locating in Rhode Island.
He was principally noted for benevolence and charity, richly earning
the title of "Goodman" Burgess. Among his earliest descendants may
be mentioned George Burgess, D. D., Bishop of Maine, and the famous
Tristam Burgess, the "Eagle Eye" of Rhode Island, one of America's
greatest orators, the opponent of Randolph in many a contest in the
Halls of Congress and one whose name will ever stand high on the
tablet of fame in his native State. A portion of the family moved to
Connecticut, where, in 1800, William Burgess was born. At six years
of age, he moved with his parents to Central New York, locating in Herkimer
county, where he grew to manhood, marrying in his nineteenth
year Lois Harding, members of whose family had already moved to
Kentucky; and in time connecting their name indissolubly with the history
of that State. They raised a large family, seven sons living to
manhood. In 1852, he with his wife and sons Lewis and Rush moved
to Virginia, where he became interested in building the plank road from
Petersburg to Boydton, purchasing from Mrs. Goodwyn a large
plantation on Hatcher's Run, and erecting thereon large grist and saw
mills, his sons Clark and John moving down shortly after their completion
and uniting with him in business. These mills together with all
other buildings were totally destroyed during the war, and the
land torn up and rendered almost valueless by forts, breastworks,
etc., for it was here that the "Battle of Hatcher's Run," or "Burgess'
Mill," was fought. At the close of the war his son Clark rebuilt the
place and restored it to its former usefulness. Here they spent nearly
all the remaining years of their long lives; they now rest with their
sons, David, William, John and Lewis (who was killed in battle), in old
Blanford Cemetery.
Clark Burgess was born in Herkimer county, New York, June 1, 1827;
in his twenty-third year was married to Gertrude A. Walker, of the
same county. He engaged in agriculture for a brief period, sold out,
and moving to Richfield Springs, opened a general merchandise store,
having business in Virginia at the same time. The war coming on, he
remained at Richfield Springs and Herkimer until the close, when he
discontinued business at the North, and moved his family to Virginia,
where he rebuilt the old place on Hatcher's Run, and still lives enjoying
the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
Thomas Jay Burgess, son of Clark Burgess, and his wife, Emily A.,
was born in Herkimer county, New York, August 12, 1854. His early
childhood was spent at the North and in Virginia, where after the war
he removed with his parents, living with them until his twenty-fourth
year, on the old place at Hatcher's Run. Becoming tired of country life
he determined to study dentistry. Commencing with Dr. Sherman,
near Petersburg, but remaining only a short time with him, he then
went to Fredericksburg, Virginia, as a student of Dr. Jas. F. Thompson;
from there, after a short time spent at home, he went to Saginaw City,
Michigan, and engaged work in the office of Dr. W. P. Morgan. During
his stay in Michigan, he took one year's course at the Dental School of
the University, and the next year graduated at the Philadelphia Dental
College. He commenced practice in Petersburg, Virginia, May 1, 1882,
and has been very successful, enjoying a large and lucrative practice.
He was married on the 4th of January, 1888, to Mary Stuart Moore,
daughter of the late Dr. Jno. R. Moore, of Ringwood, North Carolina,
Rev. Matthew H. Moore, a brother of the bride, officiating.
