John owned about 200 acres on the South side of Route # 642 in Henry Couny, VA. on Burgess Creek.
His home was not too far from the cemetery.
===
John served in 2 units during the Civil War. At the beginning he enlisted as a Sergeant 1st Class on 08 June 1861 in Company A, 42nd Infantry Regiment Virginia. Promoted to Full Lieutenant 1st Class on 15 September 1861. He lost the election to be captain of Co.A, and was released to serve as justice of the Peace in Henry Co., which he did for about 2 years.
===
He then returned to active duty in the 10th Virginia Cavalry and served through the end of the War.
(The earliest document showing this is a entry on a receipt roll for clothing from Dec. 1864)
===
Tradition is, at the end of War he provided all of his freed slaves with an acre of land.
John founded and preached at the Primitive Baptist Church in Ridgeway, VA.
When he died in 1914 at age 82, his obituary stated "His long and useful life was lived simply and unostentatiously, but the strength of his convictions and earnestness of purpose made its impression upon all who came within the circle of his acquaintance"
===
His 3rd wife was Mary Dalton Foster, with whom he had 10 children. She died in Bluefield, W.V. at age 99.
===
Johns' 1st wife was Susannah Ziegler she is reportedly buried in the Burgess graveyard, near Ridgeway on the Gravely Nature Preserve near him.
===
His 2nd wife was Elizabeth Davis and she died in Henry County, VA.
===
1900 Census, ED 56, Ridgeway town, Henry County, VA.,#240:
(all last name Burgess, and all born in VA.)
John H. Burgess, 68 married 32 years
Mary D. 56
Elen C. 20
John A. 18
Hurbed P. 15
Posey L. 12 (female)
===
1910 Census, Ridgeway, Henry County, VA.,#19:
J.H. Burgess 78
M.D. 66
J.A. 28
N.B. 27 b.Ohio (female) dau.-in-law
E.C. 2 b.VA (female) grand daughter
===
John H. (Henry) Burgess - Deed Jan 1910
THIS DEED made this January ____ 1910, between John H. Burgess and Mary D. Burgess his wife, parties of the first part and John A. Burgess party of the second part, WHITNESSETH: that the said parties of the first part, for a valuable consideration, subject to the terms and conditions herein expressed, both hereby grant, deed, and convey with general warranty of title unto the said party of the second part, a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Henry and State of Virginia, about 3-1/2 miles East of the town of Ridgeway, which includes the home house of said John H. Burgess and all of the tract known as the Polly Burgess dower, and all of the land lying South of the public road leading from Long Island Ford road to the bridge at the mouth of Marrowbone Creek where it empties into Smith's River, on the conditions that the said John A. Burgess and his wife Florence B. Burgess, are to remain with, provide for and take care of said John H. Burgess and Mary D. Burgess during the terms of their natural life, and said home house hereby conveyed is to be the house of single daughters of said John H. and Mary D. Burgess so long as said daughters shall remain unmarried and so desire and neither of the parties to this deed shall be responsible for any debts contracted by the other, unless expressly consented to by the part to be so charges. Witness the following signatures and seals this the day and year first above written.
J.H.Burgess (SEAL)
Mary D.Burgess (SEAL)
Signed by Jno. A. Burgess, and Jno. H. Burgess
I.M.F.Perry Justice of Peace certified that John and Mary acknowledge deed on 28 March 1910.
Recorded by Clerk of Court for Henry County 13 July 1910.