The early census records are included because of possible connections:

1790 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Subdivision not stated, p. 131, col. 2, line 28
Series M637, roll 8

James BURNS
Free white males of 16 years and upwards, including heads of families: 1
Free white males of 16 and under: 2
Free white females, including heads of families: 2
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1790 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Subdivision not stated, p. 133, col. 1, line 26
Series M637, roll 8

James BURNS
Free white males of 16 years and upwards, including heads of families: 1
Free white males of 16 and under: 0
Free white females, including heads of families: 2
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1790 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Subdivision not stated, p. 113, col. 2, line 17
Series M637, roll 8

Arthur BURNS
Free white males of 16 years and upwards, including heads of families: 1
Free white males of 16 and under: 0
Free white females, including heads of families: 1
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1800 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Allegheny Twp. p. 123, line 28
Series M32, roll 40

John BURNS
Males: 3 (<10); 1 (16-26); 1 (45+)
Females: 1 (<10); 1 (16-26); 1 (45+)
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1810 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. -- Allegheny and Tyrone Townships scanned, no Burns located
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1820 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Tyrone Twp., p. 79, line 2
Series M33, roll 104

James BURNS
Males: 2 (<10); 1 (26-45)
Females: 2 (<10); 1 (26-45)
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1820 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Antis Twp., p. 43, line 15
Series M33, roll 104

Mary BURNS
Males: [none listed]
Females: 1 (26-45); 1 (45+)

[Antis Township is adjacent to Tyrone Township - ed.]
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1830 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Antis Twp. p. 64, line 25
Series M19, roll 166

Moly BURNS
Males: [none]
Females: 1 (<5); 1 (20-30); 1 (60-70)
3 total in household

[Probably "Molly", and possibly the same individual shown as "Mary" in the 1820 census above - ed.]
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1830 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Antis Twp. p. 64, line 18
Series M19, roll 166

James BURNS
Males: 1 (<5); 3 (5-10); 1 (10-15); 1 (40-50)
Females: 3 (<5); 2 (5-10); 1 (15-20); 1 (30-40)
13 total in household

[Presuming Thomas Burns to have been born about 1815 (remember: contrary to the 1811 date supposedly from his tombstone), he could have been the single 10-15-year-old in the above entry - ed.]
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1830 PA Census: Bedford Co. Woodberry Twp. p. 151

John BURNS
Males: 1 (5-10); 1 (30-40)
Females: 2 (<5); 1 (5-10); 1 (30-40)
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1840 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Shirley Twp. p. 129, line 31
Series M704, roll 462

William BURNS
Males: 1 (60-70)
Females: 1 (20-30); 1 (50-60)
3 total in household
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1840 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Borough of Shirleysburg p. 135, line 30
Series M704, roll 462

Nancy BURNS
Males: [none]
Females: 1 (30-40)
1 total in household
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1840 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Borough of Williamsburg p. 26, line 7
Series M704, roll 462

Aron BURNS
Males: 1 (5-10); 1 (10-15); 1 (50-60)
Females: 1 (5-10); 1 (15-20); 1 (50-60)
6 total in household
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1840 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Barree Twp. p. 92, line 6
Series M704, roll 462

James BURNS
Males: 1 (<5); 1 (20-30)
Females: 1 (<5); 1 (20-30)
4 total in household
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1840 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Antis Twp. p. 402, line 15
Series M704, roll 462

Mrs. BURNS
Males: 1 (<5); 1 (5-10); 1 (10-15)
Females: 1 (10-15); 1 (40-50)
5 total in household
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1840 PA Census: Huntingdon Co. Antis Twp. p. 402, line 12
Series M704, roll 462

J. BURNS
Males: 1 (<5); 1 (5-10); 3 (15-20); 1 (50-60)
Females: 1 (<5); 1 (5-10); 3 (10-15); 1 (15-20); 1 (50-60)
13 total in household

[Probably James Burns from 1820 and 1830 - ed.]
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1840 PA Census: Bedford Co. Greenfield Twp. p. 344

John BURNS
Males: 3 (5-10); 1 (15-20); 1 (40-50)
Females: 1 (40-50)

Edward BURNS
Males: 2 (5-10); 1 (20-30)
Females: 2 (10-15); 1 (30-40)
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1840 PA Census: Bedford Co. North Woodbury Twp.

Scanned line by line and there were no individuals with the surname Burns anywhere in the township.
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THOMAS BURNS in BEDFORD & BLAIR COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA TAX ASSESSMENT RECORDS

1842 PA Tax Assessment: Bedford County, North Woodbury Township
BURNS Thomas, not found

1843 PA Tax Assessment: Bedford County, North Woodbury Township
BURNS Thomas, not found

1844 PA Tax Assessment: Bedford County, North Woodbury Township
BURNS Thomas, valuation $12, county tax .10, state tax --

1845 PA Tax Assessment: Bedford County, North Woodbury Township
BURNS Thomas, valuation $12, county tax .10

[Note: North Woodbury Township, Bedford County became part of Blair County at its formation in 1846.]
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1846 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, North Woodbury Township
BURNS Thomas, occupation, 1 cow

1853-1856 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, North Woodbury Township
BURNS Thomas, not found

[Note: A portion of North Woodbury Township was formed into Taylor Township in 1856.]

1856 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Taylor Township
BURNS Thomas, Forgeman, Occupation, 1 cow

1857 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Taylor Township
BURNS Thomas, "Gone", occupation, 1 cow

1858 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Taylor Township
BURNS Thomas, not found

1859 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Taylor Township
BURNS Thomas, not found

1860 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Taylor Township
BURNS Thomas, (Forgeman), occupation, 1 cow

1861 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Taylor Township
BURNS Thomas, not found

1863 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
no BURNS individuals were listed

1864 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, B[lack] Smith, occupation, lot, 1 cow

1865 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Forgeman, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1866 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Forgeman, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1867 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Forgeman, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1868 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Forgeman, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1869 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Forgeman, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1870 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Forgeman, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1871 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Forgeman, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1872 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Forgeman, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1873 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Forgeman, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1874 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Laborer, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1875 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Laborer, House & Lot, occupation

1876 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Laborer, House & Lot, occupation

1877 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Laborer, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1878 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Laborer, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1879 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Laborer, House & Lot, occupation, 1 cow

1880 PA Tax Assessment: Blair County, Freedom Township
BURNS Thomas, Laborer, "Dead"
BURNS Catharine, House & Lot, 1 cow
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Of possible interest, in Greenfield Township for the year 1846, are listed:

Burns, Edward (total value $62)
Burns, John (total value $212)
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1850 PA Census: Blair Co. North Woodbury Twp. p. 58b, lines 19-25
Series M432, roll 755, dwelling 62, family 62, 16 August 1850

Thoms. BURNS, age 36, Forgeman, b. Penna., cannot read or write
Cathn., age 28, b. Penna.
Saml., age 10, attends school; James M., age 7, attends school
Elizabeth A., age 5, attends school; George W., age 3
Michael M., age 4/12
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1860 PA Census: Blair Co. Taylor Twp. P.O. Spangs Mills, p. 510, lines 12-21
Series M653, roll 1078, dwelling 365, family 365, 14 June 1860

Thomas BURNS, age 47, Forge Man, $50 Personal Estate, b. Penna.
Catharine, age 36, b. Penna.
Samuel, age 18; James, age 16; Elizabeth, age 14, attends school
George W., age 12, attends school; Michael, age 11, attends school
Mary C., age 7, attends school; William, age 4, Duna B., age 1
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Blair County, PA Deed Book O, p. 504 [abstract]

Nancy Hammond, Edwin Hammond & Susan his wife, of South Pittsburg, Allegheny Co., the parties of the first part,
to Thomas Burns, of Blair County, the party of the second part,
9 March 1864

The parties of the first part, for $250 paid by Thomas Burns, the party of the second part, for land in the town of East Freedom in Juniata Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania, on Johnstown Street, consisting of 32 perches, the same plot which is marked on the plan of said town as number 14, which had been conveyed by Edwin Hammond to Joshua Hammond his father (now dec'd) and to the said Nancy Hammond his mother.
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1870 PA Census: Blair Co. Freedom Twp. P.O. Martinsburg, p. 298a, lines 20-26
Series M593, roll 1310, dwelling 129, family 129, 24 June 1870

Thomas BURNS, age 58, Forgeman, $250 Real Estate / $100 Personal Estate, b. Penna., cannot read or write
Cathern, age 50, Keeping House, b. Penna., cannot read or write
George, age 21; Micheal, age 19; Mary, age 17, attends school
William, age 14, attends school, cannot read; Christ, age 9, attends school
_____________________________________

Greenlawn Cemetery, Roaring Spring, Blair Co. PA

THOMAS BURNS | DIED | JAN. 20, 1880 | AGED | [remainder illegible]
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Larry D. Smith: 150th Anniversary History of Blair County, Pennsylvania; Closson Press, 1935 Sampson Drive, Apollo, PA, 1997.

Extracts from chapter on Taylor Township, pp. 619-621.

Dr. Peter Shoenberger built the three Maria Forges between 1828 and 1832 along Halter Creek just south of the McKee Gap. The first of the forges, Upper Maria, was built in 1828. Middle Maria was constructed circa 1830 and Lower Maria in 1832.

The basic difference between an iron furnace and a forge is that the furnace was utilized in the initial production of iron from the raw material of iron ore. The forge, on the other hand, was used to refine the iron produced in the furnace. Pigiron from a furnace would be transported to the forge where it would be reheated to a molten state. Any impurities in the pigiron would be slaked off the surface of the molten iron. After the molten iron was removed from the forge and allowed to cool it would be pounded by a "tilt hammer". A series of repeated heatings and hammerings would temper the iron while forcing any impurities from it.

An iron forge could be used to initially produce the pigiron if a furnace was not nearby. In many cases this was probably necessary. In the region of Bedford and Huntingdon Counties which would become Blair there were quite a number of furnaces and forges, and the product of one furnace might supply the production of more than one forge. There are no records extant to indicate how the Maria forges were supplied with pigiron. It is possible that one of the forges was actually operated as a furnace. At the time of the Maria forges' construction, the nearest iron furnaces were the Springfield Furnace near Williamsburg and the Rebecca Furnace in Huston Township. As the years went by, and the iron industry expanded through the region, the Maria Forges were supplied by iron produced at Sarah Furnace in the vicinity of Sproul. The iron ore came from the Bloomfield Mines in the vicinity of Ore Hill.

The Lower Maria Forge was constructed near the site of an early log grist mill. Africa's History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties, Pennsylvania states that the log grist mill was owned and operated at "an early date" by a man named Tracy. That individual was Mathew/Matthias Tracey who appeared, for the first time, in the 1796 Woodberry Township tax assessment as the owner of one grist mill.

The Maria Forges were closed about the year 1860. There are no records to confirm this date, but the evidence that the Rodman Furnaces were erected and began operating in the year 1862 would suggest that the Maria Forges had been discontinued prior to that date.

There were two new iron furnaces constructed on the sites of the old Maria Forges. The firm of Rickettson, Knapp & Company erected the Rodman Furnace No. 1 near the site of the Middle Maria Forge in 1862. The quality of the ore coming from the Bloomfield Mines was the enticement for the company. After nearly thirty years of operation the Maria Forges were probably nearing the point where they would have to be rebuilt.

The Rickettson, Knapp & Company revitalized the area's economy through the Civil War period by producing very high quality iron. It was used in the manufacture of the famous Rodman Gun, the largest cannon produced to that date. The immense size of the cannon produced during the Civil War was made possible by a technique of casting the gun around a water-cooled core perfected by Captain T.J. Rodman. Because a high quality iron was needed to manufacture cannon by Rodman's method, iron ore from the Bloomfield Mines was selected. The furnaces constructed by Rickettson, Knapp & Company were built specifically to process the Bloomfield iron ore for the manufacture of the Rodman cannon, which explains the name of Rodman Furnace. The area and small village surrounding the furnace became known as Rodman.

The Rodman Furnace No. 1 produced about thirty-five tons of pig-iron per week when it was first put in blast. During 1870/1 it was enlarged, and the production increased to 625 tons per month. In 1871/2 Charles Knapp and Company erected Rodman Furnace No. 2 in the vicinity of the other furnace. Production was halted temporarily in the year 1873 by a panic in the economy, but later the iron industry revived and the two Rodman Furnaces continued to produce high quality iron. In the first years of the 1880s the furnaces were purchased by the heirs of John W. Duncan and operated under the name of the Blair Iron and Coal Company until 1885. The furnace structures were demolished and the village faded into obscurity. A few houses stood in the area into the early and mid-1900s, but they were eventually purchased and demolished by the New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company.

In the year 1855 the new township [Taylor] was formed [from the western section of North Woodbury Township and a small piece of Huston Township] and the first tax assessment was taken the following year. The Taylor Township 1856 tax assessment included the following residents:

Thomas Burns [amongst many others but he was the only Burns]
Christin Hanley, David Hanley, John Hanley, Elizabeth Hanly, Samuel Hanly [in-laws of Thomas Burns]

Many of the abovenamed residents worked as laborers at the local iron furnaces and forges. The men who were specifically listed as "forgeman" included:

Thomas Burns
David Hanley
[amongst others]
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Definition of the term "Forgeman" as shown at http://www.vagenweb.org/shenandoah/blackfordiron.html

Forgeman - Reheated the pig iron and hammered it using a water-driven hammer weighing several hundred pounds. This broke up the structure of the cast iron and had the effect of refining the metal by mechanically forcing impurities toward the ends (a high degree of skill was required to make that happen), so that the impure ends could be cut off and not used. Also forged shapes such as rods. A very dangerous job in the days before safety glasses, hearing protectors, and machine guards. Usually worked at a forge which was associated with a furnace but which was not at the same location.
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p. 666: Rodman Cemetery is a small cemetery located on a knobby ridge of the Dunnings Mountain on the Appleton Papers Inc., property and overlooking the site of the village of Rodman. The cemetery was started as a private farm graveyard and grew over the years to include a number of families. The earliest burial in the cemetery, according to tombstone inscriptions, was that of Lucy Dunlap who died on 11 February, 1819. The majority of burials occurred through the 1840s to 1880s.

NOTES:

At the formation of Blair County, in 1846, Thomas Burns was taxed as a resident of North Woodberry Township. No real estate property was assessed, only 1 cow, and his occupation. In 1850, the Thomas Burns family was enumerated in the census of North Woodbury Township. He listed his occupation as "Forgeman". In 1855, Taylor Township was formed from the western part of North Woodbury Township, and the Thomas Burns family was enumerated in 1860 as part of the newly-named region, Taylor Township. He listed his occupation as "Forge Man". By 1870, the Thomas Burns family was enumerated in adjacent Freedom Township, to the west of Taylor Township, and he once again listed his occupation as "Forgeman".

In the 1850 census enumeration of North Woodbury Township, Blair County, there were no Burns families other than the family of Thomas Burns. In adjacent Huston Township to the north, there was an Enock Burns, age 65, with wife Kesiah, 63, and apparent son George, age 27, all born in Maryland. In all census enumerations, Thomas Burns indicated his state of birth as Pennsylvania. Still further north, in Woodbury Township, lived several Burns individuals who indicated their place of birth as Ireland. There were a fair number of Burns families and individuals living still further north in Antis Township, north of Altoona. In Bedford County to the south of Blair County lived a fair number of Burns families, many concentrated in the area of Napier Township in western-central Bedford County, and an Irish Burns family living in Middle Woodbury Township.

Thomas Burns buried a young son at the Rodman Cemetery, described above. Given Thomas Burns' stated profession as "Forge Man" we conclude that he likely worked at the forges described above, resided in the vicinity of Rodman, and laid his son David Burdine BURNS (30 Jul 1859 -- 16 Nov 1860) to rest there.
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