Frances J. Burnett

Frances J. Burnett was born on September 24, 1859, in Georgia, the daughter of Joseph B. Burnett and Drucilla Henson. Before Frances’ birth, Drucilla had been married to William Caton, with whom she had three children: Samuel Pride, Edward George, and Mary Elizabeth. After William’s death, Drucilla married Joseph Burnett sometime after 1845, and the couple had four children together: Madison T., Frances J., Laura, and Jane Burnett. Samuel and Edward adopted the Burnett surname following their mother’s remarriage. Frances is my half 3rd great aunt, our shared ancestor being her mother, Drucilla Henson.

By June 26, 1860, the blended Burnett–Caton household was living in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia. Joseph worked as a miller and held a personal estate valued at $100. Drucilla’s older children—Samuel, Edward, and Elizabeth—were still at home. Samuel, then a young farmer, held a small estate valued at $30. Frances, an infant at the time, was the youngest in a household that included her parents, her brother Madison, and her older half‑siblings. Sometime between 1860 and 1862, the family relocated to Newton County, Georgia, where they remained throughout the 1860s.

Frances grew up during the Civil War, a conflict that deeply affected her family. Her two older brothers, Samuel and Edward Burnett, both served in the Confederate Army, and each was taken prisoner—Samuel in Virginia in 1864, and Edward twice, first in 1862 and again in 1864. Both young men endured harsh conditions in Union prison camps before eventually returning home.

On September 22, 1870, the Burnetts were living in Conyers, Newton County. Only two children remained in the home: Frances (12) and Laura (10). Joseph continued working as a miller, while Drucilla kept the household. The Burnetts lived next door to the family of John M. Overton, brother‑in‑law to Frances’ half‑brother Samuel, who had married Millicent “Virginia” Overton. Other Overton relatives—including Abijah and Elizabeth Overton and Elizabeth Wooley—lived nearby. I descend directly from Abijah and Virginia Overton, linking my family to Frances’ through both the Henson and Overton lines.

On December 25, 1875, Frances married James T. Harrison, son of Asa Harrison and Mary A. E. Taylor, in Gwinnett County. Rev. G. J. Bagwell performed the ceremony. Over the next 15 years, Frances gave birth to 12 children: Garland Winfield, Charles “Charley” S., Georgia Savannah (“Georgie” or “Vanie”), Effie P., Felix P., Joseph “Joe” B., Emily Ophelia, Maggie L., William “Willie” V., and three unnamed children who died young.

Marriage license for Frances and James

On June 18, 1880, the Harrisons lived in the Harbins District of Gwinnett County. James farmed while Frances managed the home. Their sons Garland (3) and Charles (1) were their only children at the time. Frances’ brother Samuel, his wife, and their eight children lived next door. Sometime after 1880, Frances’ mother Drucilla died. Around 1893, her father Joseph remarried a woman named Elizabeth, and in 1894, Frances’ half‑brother Edward died and was buried at Almand Cemetery in Conyers.

On June 25, 1900, Frances and James were living in the Cains District of Gwinnett County. They had been married 23 years, and Frances had given birth to 10 children, with 9 living. James continued farming, assisted by sons Garland, Charles, Felix, and Joseph. Frances, James, Charles, Georgia, and Felix were recorded as literate; Effie, Joseph, and Emily were not. James’ widowed mother Mary (72) lived with them. Next door lived Frances’ father Joseph and his second wife Elizabeth, who reported having borne five children, four living—though it is unclear whether any were Joseph’s, which would make them additional half‑siblings to Frances.

The Harrisons remained in the Cains District through at least April 1910. Frances had now borne 12 children, nine still living. She and James had been married 34 years. James and their son Garland worked the home farm, while Felix and Joseph labored alongside them. The youngest child, William, was 16. Six adult children still lived at home, ranging from ages 18 to 29. All could read except Felix, and Georgia, Felix, and William were unable to write.

Frances’ husband James died on July 7, 1916, and was buried at Hog Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery in Dacula. When their son Felix registered for the World War I draft in September 1918, he listed Frances—then living in Winder, Barrow County—as his nearest relative.

Frances died on August 26, 1919 in Winder. The physician listed the primary cause of death as acute dilatation of the heart, meaning her heart suddenly enlarged and failed. The secondary (contributory) cause was chronic endocarditis, a long‑term inflammation of the heart’s inner lining that weakened it over time. Together, these show that her long‑term heart disease eventually led to a fatal heart failure. Frances was buried at the old Hog Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery in Dacula with her husband on August 28. Her death certificate listed her parents as Joe Burnett and Drucilla Henderson—a slight error, as Drucilla’s maiden name was Henson. Frances’ son Charles served as the informant.

Photo by Toni McCall, Find A Grave
 member 46868460

References

• Asa Harrison, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Edward G. Burnett, U.S., Civil War Service Records (CMSR) - Confederate - Georgia, 1861-1865
• Felix Harrison, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918.
• Frances Burnett, J. B. Burnett, Georgia, U.S., Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Francis Harrison, Certificate of Death no. 10276, Commonwealth of Georgia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, State Board of Health, 1919.
• Fulton and Campbell Counties, Georgia, Cemetery Records, 1857–1933. 
• Knox County, Tennessee, Marriage Records 1792–1900, image 112, FamilySearch.
• Samuel P. Burnett, Georgia, Confederate Pension Applications, 1879–1960.
• Samuel P. Burnett, U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861–1865.
• U.S. Federal Census, Cains District, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1900, 1910.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 407, Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Harbins, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1880.
• U.S. Federal Census, Hog Mountain, Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Federal Census, Subdivision 163, Conyers, Newton County, Georgia, 1870. 

George Cleveland Burnett

George Cleveland Burnett, son of Edward George Burnett and Frances “Fannie” Rice was born November 1885 in Covington, Newton County, Georgia. The Burnett family was a large one with 10 children. I can document 8 of them by name—Captain Charles Burnett, Richard Clifford Burnett, Maggie Burnett, William Clarence Burnett, Claud Young Burnett, Ida Burnett, George Cleveland Burnett, and Cornelia “Nealy or Neal” Ann Burnett. The 9th and 10th children can be documented but not named via the 1900 Gem Creek, District 85, Newton County, Georgia census record that shows Fannie had 10 children, 8 of which were living.

This has been a hard family to research, beginning with George’s father, Edward. Edward’s last name was actually Caton, not Burnett. After much research many years ago by a group of Burnett relatives, we came to the conclusion that Edward’s father, William Caton, died or divorced his mother Drucilla Henson just prior to 1850. Around 1854 or 1855, Drucilla married Joseph Burnett and they moved to Gwinnett County, Georgia. At least two of Drucilla’s three children with William Caton changed their last name to Burnett, Edward and his brother Samuel Pride Burnett. Samuel is my 2nd great grandfather. If you’re interested in reading about the name change, click here. 

George and I are 1st cousins 3x removed. Our nearest common relatives are William Caton and Drucilla Henson. 

George was just eight years old when he lost his father Edward who died in Conyers, Rockdale County, Georgia on April 18, 1894. Edward was buried at Almand Cemetery there in Conyers.

On June 25, 1900, 14-year-old George lived with his family in Gum Creek, Newton County, Georgia. His widowed mother was a farmer on a rented farm. There were four children living in the home—Clarence, Ida, Cleveland, and Nealy (Cornelia). Clarence was working as a farm laborer and both George, who was enumerated as Cleveland, and Cornelia were at school. It was noted that Fannie, Clarence, and Ida were able to read, write, and speak English. George’s brother Richard (enumerated as Clifford) lived next door with his wife Mary and daughters Fannie and Katie.

On April 27, 1910, George lived with his brother Richard and his family on Hammonsville Road in the Gum Creek neighborhood of Newton County. George was a farm laborer on a home farm, most likely helping his brother work his farm. George was unable to read or write. Richard and his wife Mary had six children—Fannie M. Burnett, Katie Bell Burnett, Metz Burnett, Ray Burnett, Charles Burnett, and Billie Burnett.

George enlisted in the U.S. Army for a period of three years at Ft. Slocum in New York on November 9, 1910. He stated that he was born in Newton County, Georgia, was 25 years old, and a farmer. George had blue eyes, medium brown hair, a ruddy complexion, and was six foot one and a half inches tall. He was discharged on November 8, 1913 at Fort Mason, “once known as the San Francisco Port of Embarkation, US Army, in San Francisco, California.” If I’m reading the paper trail correctly, at the age of 28, George re-enlisted in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio on July 16, 1914. At the time, he lived in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia so I’m not sure why he would have re-enlisted in Ohio. By December 1917, he was serving as a Mess Sergeant. On June 18, 1919, George served with the Quartermaster Corps, “the U.S. Army’s oldest logistics branch.” He received an honorable discharge on July 8, 1920 upon the abolition of the Regular Army Reserve following the passage of the National Defense Act of 1920. 

George's World War I service card

George apparently remained a part of the Organized Reserve until his death of tubercular meningitis in St. Louis, Missouri on November 8, 1921. At the time, he was a soldier at Jefferson Barracks, “a training and recruitment station for soldiers heading to Europe,” there in Missouri. At age 35, George never married. He was buried in the Burnett family plot at Almand Cemetery in Conyers on November 11. On June 2, 1932, the Conyers Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy filed an application for a military headstone. It was to be delivered to George’s brother Clarence who lived in Conyers. 

Application for Headstone

The stone was shipped in late September and reads:

[it has a cross above his name]

GEORGE C.

BURNETT

GEORGIA

MESS SGT. Q.M. CORPS

NOVEMBER 8, 1921

References

• Fort Mason; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Mason.
• Garrett, Franklin Miller, Cemetery Record Atlanta and Vicinity, v. 8, 1874–1932, George C. Burnett, p. 179, Georgia, Fulton County records from the Atlanta History Center, 1827-1955; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89H1-L8FN?i=181&cc=2125026&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQL2J-9XQ9.
• George C. Burnett, Applications for headstones for U.S. military veterans, 1925-1941; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GP8V-23H?i=2363&cc=1916249&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AVHZ4-SKX.
• George C. Burnett, Missouri State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no. 30392, Missouri, Death Certificates, 1910-1969, Missouri Digital Heritage; https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1921/1921_00032862.PDF.
• George C. Burnett, WWI Statement of Service Summary Cards, CLM-396.
• National Defense Act of 1920; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Defense_Act_of_1920.
• Quartermaster Corps (United States Army); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartermaster_Corps_(United_States_Army).
• U. S. Federal Census, Enumeration District 110, Rockdale County, Georgia, 1880.
• U. S. Federal Census, Gum Creek, District 1249, Newton County, Georgia, 1900.
• U. S. Federal Census, Subdivision 96, Newton County, Georgia, 1870.
• U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914.
• U.S. Federal Census, Gum Creek, District 140, Newton County, Georgia, 1910.
• United States Army Reserve; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Reserve.

52 Ancestors - #25: Samuel Pride Burnett (week 9)

Samuel Pride Burnett, son of William Caton and Drucilla Henson, was born on August 31, 1841 in Blount County, Tennessee. He was the first child of three—Samuel Pride, Edward George, and Mary Elizabeth. We believe the children later took the last name of Drucilla’s second husband, Joseph Burnett. Drucilla and Joseph had two additional children—Madison and Francis. Samuel is my second great-grandfather.

I’ve blogged about Samuel’s 1850 and 1860 whereabouts in his mother’s sketch so won’t repeat. You’ll find details here.

Shortly before turning 20, Samuel joined the Confederate Cause on August 24, 1861 when he enlisted in Atlanta as a private in Company F, Georgia 24th Infantry Regiment (also known as the Gwinnett Independent Blues). He lived in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia at the time. On April 28, 1863, Samuel appeared on a register of the Medical Director’s Office in Richmond, Virginia. On May 8, 1863, he was admitted to General Hospital No. 21 in Richmond with a complaint of debility. I had no clue what “debility” was so as I often do, Googled it. According to Merriam-Webster is it the state of being weak, feeble, or infirm. I’m sure by this time in the war many soldiers had a complaint of debility. Samuel was 22 years old—way too young to be in such a physical state. He wasn’t alone though I’m sure. Samuel returned to duty on May 14, 1863. Less than a month later on June 8, 1863, he mustered out of the 24th Regiment when he transferred to Company E, 3rd Battalion, Georgia Sharpshooters as a private. He was captured on August 16, 1864 by General Sheridan in Virginia during the Battle of Front Royal. Union forces sent him to the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, DC on August 21, 1864. Samuel was transferred to Elmira Prison Camp in Elmira, New York on August 28, 1964; arriving there on August 29. Conditions at the prison were poor and many died. Thankfully Samuel survived prison camp and the war which officially ended on May 9, 1865. He signed an Oath of Allegiance to the United States at Elmira on July 7, 1865, when he was released on July 27, 1865. He returned home to Stone Mountain, Georgia, a different man I’m sure. The Oath of Allegiance noted that Samuel’s complexion was fair; his hair dark; eyes grey; and his height 6’, 3”.

Samuel married Millicent Virginia Overton, daughter of Abijah Overton and Elizabeth Ann Rhodes, on August 23, 1866 in Newton County, Georgia. Samuel’s bride was of Cahaba Creek descent. She went by Virginia or Jinnie. Together they had 14 children—John William, Thomas Terrell, C. B. Annbelle, Abijah Winkfield, Oscar Lee, Mathew E., Laura J., Frances Elizabeth, Mattie Lou, Benjamin Franklin, Virginia O., Joseph Benjamin, Mollie M., and one unknown to me but recorded in census records.

On July 28, 1870, Samuel, Virginia, and their sons John and Thomas lived in Covington, Newton County, Georgia. Samuel was a farmer. Virginia was enumerated as Lily V. Burnett and she was keeping house.

Samuel appears on the Georgia Property Tax digest for the years 1873 – 1877 living in District 476 of Rockdale County.

By June 18, 1880, the Burnett’s have a full house with eight children, the oldest being 12 years old. They lived in the Harbins District of Gwinnett County, Georgia. Still a farmer, Samuel now has his oldest sons John and Thomas working on the farm beside him. Virginia is enumerated as Millie V. Burnett.

Samuel appears on the Georgia Property Tax digest for the years 1883 – 1887 living in the Buncombe District of Loganville, Walton County.

On May 7, 1900, Samuel filed an Indigent Pension Application in Walton County, Georgia. He stated that he had lived in the state of Georgia since 1850; was born August 1841 in Blount County, Tennessee; and was not present with his company when it surrendered at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. He stated that he filed for the pension on the grounds of infirmity and poverty—he was in feeble health and not able to earn a support by his own or any kind of labor. He owned no property. He further stated that he was supported during 1898 and 1899 by the help of his family and by what little he could do trying to farm, earning about $65. He had a wife and six children that had no means of support working on rented land. They had no homestead. This was his first application for a pension. T. K. Mitchell of Lawrenceville witnessed the application stating that he had known Samuel for 40 years. Mr. Mitchell and Samuel fought together in the Gwinnett Independent Blues during the Civil War. Drs. A. M. Brooks and Luke Robinson examined Samuel and stated that he was not able to work from the effect of internal hemorrhoids of five years standing producing great pain. He had extreme nervousness, his eye sight was failing rapidly, and his general health was undermined from age and labor.

On June 6, 1900, Samuel and his family lived in the Buncombe District of Walton County. Son Abijah and his wife Eugenia lived next door. The census record shows that Samuel and Virginia had been married for 34 years. They’ve had 14 children, two of which have died. Samuel was a farmer. There were still six children in the home, ranging in age from 11 to 20 years.

1900 Soundex Cards for the Samuel P. Burnett family

 

Samuel filed an Indigent Soldier’s Pension Application on January 28, 1902 in Walton County. Walton County’s Ordinary R. C. Knight signed a petition stating that Samuel’s constitution was completely broken down and that he was not able to do anything. Samuel owned no property. He gave W. A. Wright of Atlanta Power of Attorney to receive his pension check on his behalf. He filed again in Walton County on February 12, 1903. Samuel again gave W. A. Wright Power of Attorney to receive his pension check on his behalf. Samuel renewed his Indigent Soldier’s Pension application on February 8, 1904 in Walton County. R. C. Knight signed a petition stating that Samuel, age 63, had always lived in Georgia (although we know this is not the case), was a farmer who had served for three years in Company F of the 24th Regiment of Georgia, and that he was old and in feeble health. He filed an Indigent Soldier’s Pension application again in 1905 in Walton County. The record is undated but R. C. Knight witnessed a Power of Attorney form on January 14, 1905 which assigned Samuel’s check to be sent to W. A. Wright, Ordinary for Walton County at Monroe, Georgia. His application stated that he had always lived in Georgia. His physical condition was “old and in feeble health, not able to earn a support.” His property consisted of “nothing,” and he earned “nothing.” The next Indigent Soldier’s Pension Application was filed in Walton County on February 21, 1906. R. C. Knight again signed a petition stating that Samuel was old and in feeble health, not able to earn a support. W. A. Wright continued to have Power of Attorney to receive his pension checks. The last Indigent Soldier’s Pension Application that I find was filed in Walton County on January 22, 1907. R. C. Knight again signed a petition stating that Samuel was old and in feeble health making him unable to work. Samuel owned no property. Mr. Knight stated that Samuel had lived in Georgia all of his life. He hadn’t of course, but maybe at this stage in his life it felt that way.

On April 25, 1910, the family lived in the Broken Arrow District of Walton County. As 68 years of age, Samuel had put his hoe down and was no longer farming—the enumerator listed his occupation as “none.” His daughter Lula M. (age 27) and son Joseph B. (age 22) still lived at home.

Virginia died on January 10, 1916 in Georgia. She was buried at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Loganville, Walton County, Georgia. Later that year on November 28, 1916, Samuel’s oldest child John died in Liberty Grove, Lawrence County, Tennessee. He was buried at St. Truitt Cemetery in Liberty Grove.

On February 13, 1920, a widowed Samuel now lived with his son Thomas in the Walker District of Greene County, Georgia. At age 78, he was enumerated as a farm laborer on a home farm. On this day, three generations of my direct line lived in the same household—Samuel (my second great-grandfather), his son Thomas (my great-grandfather), and Thomas’ daughter Florrie (my grandmother). Thomas’ son Luther and his wife Etta Bell lived next door.

Samuel died on September 2, 1926 in Monroe, Walton County, Georgia. He was buried at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Loganville beside his wife Virginia. His death certificate listed him as being divorced (a mystery to me). An Application for Pension Due Deceased Pensioner in the amount of $100 was filed which covered funeral expenses of $95. The E. L. Almond Company of Walton County handled the burial arrangements.


Burnett family plot at Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Loganville, Georgia

52 Ancestors - #19: Drucilla Henson (week 3 - a tough woman)

The week 3 theme for the 2015 edition of the 52 Ancestors challenge is a “tough woman.” After spending time pondering which of my female ancestors fit the theme I finally decided that I would blog about Drucilla Henson, my third great-grandmother. Drucilla has been a tough woman to research because we haven’t been able to locate all of the necessary records required to track her and her family. A timeline has been pieced together using the records we’ve found along with speculation on the missing pieces.

Taking a look back, in late 2000 my sister and I were just getting started on our Burnett(e) line. We knew our great-grandfather was Thomas Terrell Burnette. The family Bible listed his parents as Samuel P. Burnette and Virginia Overton. We started our research by looking at the Ancestry.com message boards and quickly found a woman looking for Samuel and Virginia. A week or so later we discovered a man doing the same thing. That soon followed with two more researchers—all with the same goal. We were scattered across five states—Virginia, Georgia, Maine, Alabama, and Tennessee. For the most part, each of us could document our direct lines and were aware of Samuel and Virginia, but didn’t know much more. We shared what we knew, compared notes, and then set out to do more research. I offer here details found in records as well as our speculation.

In my Family Tree Maker file, I have Drucilla Henson listed as being born on January 22, 1818 in Knox, Tennessee. Her parents were William Henson and Charity Charlotte. I sourced this information based on an email from one of the researchers. Unfortunately, I don’t know where he got this info and he died a couple of years ago. The same researcher recalled stories being passed down that Burnett was not the original family name. He was told it might have been Cain, Caton, or Katon. He was also told that Samuel may have assumed the name of the family he lived with ... or he may have been an orphan. He recalled his grandmother telling him that somewhere back in the line a widow married a Burnett and the children assumed the name. Based on this information, he searched Georgia and Tennessee records and found a Knox County marriage record for a Drucilla Henson who married William Caton on September 26, 1840 in Knox County, Tennessee.


Knox County, TN marriage record for William Caton and Drucilla Henson

On October 3, 1850, the enumerator recorded Drucilla (age 31) living in Knox County with two children—Edward G. (age 6) and Mary E. (age 4), both born in Tennessee. On November 27, the enumerator recorded Samuel Caton (age 9, born in Tennessee) living in Blount County with Lucinda Hitch. What happened to William Caton? Did he die? Did he divorce Drucilla prior to the 1850 census? And who was Lucinda Hitch?


1850 Knox County, TN census record for Drucille, Edward, and Mary Caton

1850 Blount County, TN census record for Samuel Caton living with Lucinda Hitch

On June 26, 1860, the enumerator recorded Drucilla (age 38, born in Tennessee—issue with age here) in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia, married to Joseph Burnett (age 35, born in Virginia). Joseph’s occupation was Miller. The children in the home all had the surname Burnett:

• Samuel, age 18, born in Tennessee
• George, age 16, born in Tennessee (as in Edward George)
• Elizabeth, age 15, born in Tennessee
• Madison, age 4, born in Georgia
• Francis, age 1, born in Georgia

Note the 11 year age gap between Elizabeth and Madison.


1860 Gwinnett County, GA census record for Drucilla, Joseph, and family

It’s assumed that Drucilla married Joseph B. Burnett about 1854 or 1855 and then moved to Georgia. It’s also assumed that Samuel left the Hitch household in Blount County and went back to live with his mother after she remarried. And finally, it’s assumed that Samuel, Edward, and Elizabeth changed their last name from Caton to Burnett after Drucilla married Joseph.

Sometime before 1864, the family moved to Newton County, Georgia where Joseph was listed in the “1864 Census for Re-Organizing the Georgia Militia.” On April 6, 1867, Joseph was recorded in the Newton County “Georgia, Returns of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath Books, 18671869.”

On September 22, 1870, Drucilla and Joseph lived in Conyers, Newton County, Georgia. Drucilla was “keeping house.” Only two children lived in the home now—Francis J. (age 12), and Laura S. (age 10, born in Georgia). Laura was born after the 1860 census. The family lived next door to John M. and Jane Overton and six houses from Abijah and Elizabeth Overton. John and Abijah Overton were brothers. Drucilla’s son Samuel would eventually marry Millicent Virginia Overton, daughter of Abijah and Elizabeth Overton. It’s fun to figure out how and/or where people meet.


1870 Newton County, GA census for Drucilla, Joseph, and family. John M. Overton lives next door.

Joseph is recorded in the Georgia Tax Digest (1872 – 1875). He lived in the Harbins District of Gwinnett County. The record shows that he had two of his own children living in the home between the ages of 6 and 18. Joseph is recorded in the Georgia Tax Digest (1873 – 1877). He lived in District 476 of Rockdale County. It’s not clear in either record what the exact tax year was.

On June 15, 1880, Drucilla and Joseph lived in District 476 of Rockdale County. The enumerator recorded two daughters living in the home—Laura (age 18—another age issue) and Jane (age 16).


1880 Rockdale County, GA census record for Drucilla, Joseph, and family. Last record found.

I don’t find anything for Drucilla and Joseph after the 1880 census. It’s like they dropped off the face of the Earth. I assume they’re buried in Gwinnett, Newton, or Rockdale Counties since that’s where they lived after moving to Georgia but really have no clue. So many questions – what happened to William Caton? Why was Samuel living with Lucinda Hitch and how was she connected to the family? When and where did Drucilla and Joseph marry? Did the Caton children change their last name to Burnett legally? Are we totally off-base in our speculation? I need to track down more records—death, marriage, etc. to try to answer some of these questions. It’s on my list. Drucilla is definitely one of the toughest problems in my tree.

By the way, group research can be so much fun. Each person brings something different to the table. Try it sometime if you haven’t done so already. We had a ball and made new friendships along the way.