Elizabeth Grace BAKER

     Elizabeth Grace BAKER, daughter of Willis Perry BAKER and Mary "Polly" Pittman, was born on 26 July 1818 in Wilkinson County, Georgia.^2,3 She was also known as Elinor Elizabeth.

Elizabeth married Joseph John BURT, son of Joseph BURT Jr. and Ann READ, on 17 January 1836.¹

Elizabeth Grace BURT witnessed the sale of land from her father, Willis Perry BAKER, to Stephen Richard BURT on 4 September 1838 in Autauga County, Alabama. The deed stated that Willis P. Baker of Muscogee County, Georgia for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which he had towards his daughter, Elizabeth G. Burt, the wife of Joseph J. Burt "for love and affection", and for the sum of one dollar paid by Stephen R. Burt, bargained and sold to Stephen R. Burt a female negro slave called Feby about 15 years old along with all increase. The deed also included two tracts of land: the east half of the southeast quarter of section 13, township 19, range 17 and the west half of the southeast quarter of section 13, township 19, range 17. This land would be in present day Elmore County, north of Millbrook. Baker imposed a condition that Stephen Burt let the property remain in the possession of his daughter, Elizabeth G. Burt, so long as she shall live and upon her death the property was to be divided equally between her bodily heirs. He demanded that his son-in-law, Joseph J. Burt, not be "given in any manner whatever the least degree of ownership."⁴

Elizabeth Grace BAKER and Joseph John BURT were living on 28 July 1845 in Lafayette, Chambers County, Alabama, when Joseph wrote to his brother, James C. Burt, in Mardisville, Talledega County. In the letter he spoke of a drought that was making farming difficult, but stated that "I still trust in a higher power that we will not parish." He described his health as being "very feeble", but was improving. Apparently James had written to him requesting that he "come to court", but gave no explanation as to the reason. Possibly something to do with their father's estate. He closed by saying, "Elizabeth and myself join in sending our love to you all."

Elizabeth Grace BAKER and Joseph John BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 10 September 1850 in Summerville, Chattooga County, Georgia. The household was listed as J. J. Burt, 36, farmer, real estate valued at $2,000, born North Carolina; Elizabeth G. Burt, 31, born Georgia; Flavious J. Burt, 14, born Georgia; Mary A. Burt, 12, born Georgia; Willis P. Burt, 8, born Alabama; Charles Burt, 6, born Alabama; Elizabeth Burt, 4, born Alabama; John P. Burt, 2, born Texas; and James R. Burt, one month old, born Georgia. Flavious, Mary and Willis were attending school.⁵

Elizabeth sold a tract of land to William H. Edwards on 20 May 1854 in Chattooga County, Georgia. Elizabeth, whose residence was listed as Meriwether County, for $700 sold 160 acres of lot 58 in the 6th district and 4th section. Witnesses were A. Finley and Thomas Walton, justice of the peace.⁶

Elizabeth Grace BURT bought land from Willis Perry BAKER on 12 September 1854 in Chattahoochee County, Georgia. The price was $3,000 which Mr. Baker stated he intended to give to the said" Elizabeth G. Burt, his daughter. The 810 acres were located in the 10th District and contained lots 130, 141, 142, and 143. Witnesses were Sarah Jane Howell and Thomas W. Howell, JP. This land was in the upper corner of the county near the Marion county border, northeast of Jones Mill and south of King's Mill.⁷

The first tax digest found for Cussetta, Chattahoochee County, listed Elizabeth in District 1107 of that county.

Elizabeth Grace BURT mortgaged her land with John Morris and Thomas DeWolf on 13 September 1858 in Chattahoochee County, Georgia. She paid $10 and signed two promissary notes, the first for $535 due 28 Dec 159 and the second for sum of $570 due 25 Dec 1860. The land was the same 10th district lots that she had received from her father. Witnesses were Joseph Caswell and Morgan Knox, JP.⁸

Elizabeth Grace BAKER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 25 July 1860 in Cusseta, Chattahoochee County, Georgia. The household was listed as E. G. [Elizabeth] Burt, age 42, a farmer, with real estate valued at $2,025, and personal property valued at $8,700; F. J. [Flavious Joseph], age 23; Willis, age 17; John, age 13; Jas. [James], age 10; and Eunia, female, age 8. Living next door was her daughter Mary Ann and husband, Shirley Palmer.⁹ That same year, Mrs. Elizabeth G. Burt was included in an October 22nd list of patrons of Chattahoochie County schools with four children ages 6-18. That would be Willis, John, James and Eunia.¹⁰

Elizabeth Grace BAKER appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 12 July 1870 in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia. The household was listed as Elizabeth Burt, a white female, age 52, whose occupation was keeping house. She was born in Georgia and had real estate valued at $1,400 and personal property valued at $1,000. Also in the household were James Burt, age 20, who was attending school; Eunia Burt, age 18 and John Burt, age 22, whose occupation was listed as lawyer. With him were his wife, Fannie Burt, age 18, and children, John, age 5, and William, age 3. Everyone in the household was born in Georgia.¹¹

Elizabeth Grace BAKER sold a tract of land to Thomas DeWolf on 8 April 1871 in Chattahoochee County, Georgia. Elizabeth, who was living in Talbot county, sold to Mr. DeWolf of Muscogee county the same 810 acres in district 10 that she had gotten from her father in 1854.¹²

Elizabeth Grace BAKER moved from Georgia to Robertson County, Texas, circa 1872.

Elizabeth Grace BAKER appeared on a census, enumerated 2 June 1880, in the household of James Reid BURT and Pauline Jane Rutherford in Robertson County, Texas.¹³

Elizabeth Grace BAKER died on 11 May 1888 in Texas at age 69.³