John Burt of Wake County was probably the son of John Burt who died in 1780 in Chatham County.
The earliest deed referring to both John Burt Jr. and Sr. is in 1771 in Chatham County; since John Burt Jr. would have to be at least 21 years old, this suggests that he was born about 1750 or earlier. One source claims that he was born in Virginia [2].
The following deeds referring to John Burt Jr. are found in Chatham County: [1]
Deed Book A, p. 49 - 6 Nov 1771 - John Burt, Junr. to Wm Ragland of Northampton Co. - 25 pds. - 10 a. on the upper side of Buckhorn Creek. Joins Wm. Ragland.
Signed: John Burt
Wit: Adlai Ogburne, John Kinchen, Robt. Rutherford
Deed Book A, p. 71 - 4 Feb. 1772 - John Burt, Junr. to John Burt, Senr. - 55 pds. - 200 a. on the Upper side of Buckhorn Creek on the North side of Cape Fair River - joins Enoch Lewis.
Signed: John Burt, Jr
Wit: Richd. Cheek, Malichi Fike
Deed Book A, p. 250 - 7 Jan 1774 - Wm Hill of Edgcomb Co. to Frederick Cobb of Chatham Co. - 66 pds. - 208 a.
Signed: William (H) Hill
Wit: John Burt Senr., John Burt Junr.
John Burt witnessed the following deed in Wake County in 1785:
Wake Co. Deed Book G, p. 25 [11]
Etheldred Jones of Wake Co. to Richard Holland of Nash Co., N. c., Feb. 12, 1785, for 70 pds. specie two tracts of land in Wake Co. on the north side of Holley Spring Branch: (1) 200 acres on said Branch adjoining Samson Holland, granted to said Samson Holland by the State of N. C. by deed dated 1780; (2) 200 acres adjoining the first tract and Holland, granted by patent to Etheldred Jones. Wit: Hardy Sanders, John Burt, Wm. Jones.
John Burt was living in Wake County by 1790, when the following household composition was recorded [3]:
The wife of John Burt has been reported to have been Priscilla Senter [2]. Nothing more is known about Priscilla and she must have been deceased before John wrote his will.
John Burt is said to have served as a private in the NC militia. [2]
Presumably, after the death of his father John Burt (referred to as Sr.) in 1780, this John Burt, previously recorded on deeds as Jr. then changed to Sr. (probably when his own son John BURT was old enough to sign documents) as noted on the following deeds:
Wake County Deed Book Q, p. 222 [11]
William Love of Wake Co. to Valentine Austin of same, Nov. 24, 1798, for 50 pds. a tract of 100 acres on the west side of Neals Creek adjoining Jesse Jones, said Love, and William Jones. Wit: John Burt, John Burt, Junr.
p 424 - Warrant #161 30 May 1802 Burwell Lashley Entered 10 A. of vacant land in Wake Co. on the waters of Great Branch on the south side, joining lines of Lewis Lashley, Sr. and John Burt, Sr. [4]
p 444 - War.#280 30 Nov 1805 John Burt, Jr. entered 60 A. in Wake Co. on the Waters of little White Oak Creek, joining lines of John Burt, Sr. and Burwell Attley? (Uttley?) [4]
p 457 - Richland Creek Entries
#357 - 24 Nov 1807 Edwin Holding entered 60 A. in Wake Co. on waters of little White Oak Creek, joining lines of John Burt, Sr. and Burwell Utley. [4]
[And what appears to be the same deed and tract:]
Wake Co. Deed Book K, p. 298 [4,11]
State of NC grant #853 to Edwin Holding 6 Jan 1810, a tract of 58 acres on the waters of Little White Oak Creek adjoining John Burt, Sr., Burwell Utley, Mark Barker, and James Huckabee. Entered 24 Nov 1807.
(Note: Little White Oak Creek is in western Wake County; it flows southwest into White Oak Creek).
On 18 August 1822, John Burt made his will, as follows [9]:
In the name of God Amen I John Burt Being in Sound mind and memory Blesed be God do Publish this my last will and testament in manor and form Following to wit First I give and bequeath unto my son John Burt one negro boy by the name of Emrow I give and bequeath unto my son Hardy Burt one negro boy by the name of Green which negro is now in his persesion I give and bequeath unto my son Alfred Burt three negroes to wit Ephram [M?]erady Baltimore Together with the land and plantation where I now live Containing three Hundred and fifty Acres more of less Also one other tract of land containing four Hundred Acres which land I purchased of Hopson Adjoining the Above land Also One Bed and furnature I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Nash one negro by the name of Frank I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Salley Hunter one negro girl by the name of Sinthy and her Increase which negro is now In her persession I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Polly Christian five Shillings I give unto Patience Simons Two Hundred Dollars as a compensation For her servises It is my will and Desire after my Deth For my Executor to pay all my just debts sell the resedue of my estate and Equally divide the same between all my sons and daughters Except Salley Hunter I give five Shillings as a bar Against Any further recovery out of my estate and Lastly I Appoint Thomas Barham my sole Executor Of this my Last will and testament and wish it to be received by all as such as witness I have hereunto set my hand And affixed my seal this 10th day of August 1822.
Signed Sealed and Acknolledged
In presence of
Young [?]on[a?]s Burt
Darling Jones
Signed: John Burt [S?orJ?]r
Wake County May Term 1824
The [within?] last will and testament of John Burt Senr. was duly proven in open court by the oath of Young Burt Witness [unto?] and ordered to be recorded. B. [J.?] [?] C. C.