Private Isham Burks (1759-1839)

Isham was born in Botetourt Co in 1759 (formed from Amherst Co. VA in 1769). He enlisted in the year 1779 or 1780 in the Company of Captain Adam Wallace, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Abraham Buford and Lieutenant Colonel Haws, "in the line of the State of Virginia on the Continental establishment". While a soldier for COL Buford, he survived the battle referred to as the Waxhaw Massacre, in North Carolina. Isham served in the Virginia Continental Line and after the war became an early settler in Kentucky and Missouri. He died on 21 Aug 1839 in Boone Co, MO.

In May 1780, Isham was a soldier in COL Buford's force consisting of 380 Continental infantry of the Virginia Line, a detachment of Colonel Washington's cavalry, and two six-pounders. Lord Cornwallis dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Banistre Tarleton with 170 British cavalry and 100 infantry set to pursue Buford. By mounting his foot soldiers behind cavalrymen, Tarleton rode 105 miles in 54 hours and caught up with Buford on Monday, 29 May 1780. The initial attack, however, was directed against the American right and rear and there was little protection for his infantry against a cavalry charge. The Virginians stood firm and turned the charge, but a few minutes later the evidence of the collapse of his rear made Buford realize that further resistance could only result in the slaughter of his men. He therefore hoisted a white flag and ordered his men to ground their arms. Tarleton chose to ignore the flag of surrender. The Americans were overrun by the Tory cavalry, who, "commenced a scene of indiscriminate carnage never surpassed by the ruthless atrocities of utmost barbarous savages...not a man was spared...for fifteen minutes after every man was prostrate [Tarleton's men] went over the ground plunging their bayonets into every one that exhibited any signs of life....". The Virginians lost 113 killed; 150 were so badly wounded they could not be moved, and altogether, 203 were captured. The story of "Tarleton's Quarter" spread throughout the rebellious colonies and he became a symbol of British brutality.12

Isham Burks survived, and continued to serve in the line of the State of Virginia on the Continental establishment after the battle until he returned to Virginia. He was then attached to the troops commanded by Colonel William Davis until his term of enlistment was up, when he was regularly discharged. After his discharge, Isham Burks lived in Botetourt County. In 1781, Isham Burks married Elizabeth Rowland. About 1782, Isham left VA for Burkesville, Mercer Co, KY. Isham left KY in 1818 or 1819 with "about 31 children and grandchildren", for Alabama and ended his life in Boone County, MO. Isham and Elizabeth Burks raised a large family. Their children were:

1. Charles b. 11 Oct 1780, Botetourt Co. VA, d. 20 Dec 1791, m. Anna Thurman 1804
2. Sarah (Sally) b. 15 Jul 1781 Botetourt Co. VA, m. George W. Sexton, 18 May 1789
3. Elizabeth (Betsey) b. 27 Feb 1786 KY, d. 17 Jun 1822 m. James Gilliland
4. Robert Rowland b. 6 May 1789 d. 20 Dec 1791, died in infancy
5. Nancy Ann b/ 23 Jul 1791 KY, m. Elias Fletcher 1808, Cumberland Co, KY
6. Isham, Jr. b. 8 Nov 1794, d. May 1840 m. Amy Young 11 Jul 1813
7. John, murdered in Alabama on the 23rd of July 1822
8. William, m. Sallie Frost
9. Mahala b. 3 Dec 1802, m. Rowland Frost
10. Wesley b. 27 May 1806, m. Agnes Wright in Boone Co, MO, 20 Dec 1827
11. James Payne b. 29 May 1808 Boone Co, MO, m. Martha Newman, Calloway Co, MO