Eustace Pierre BURT

     Eustace Pierre BURT, son of James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON, was born on 19 December 1858 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama.¹

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 2 June 1860, in the household of his parents James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Talledega County, Alabama. He was two years old.^2,3

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1870, in the household of James Creth BURT and Frances Anne GIBSON in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama.⁴ He moved from Talladega County to Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, circa 1880 where he operated a farm and grist mill. After that mill was burned he moved a few miles further north to the Cedar Grove community. There he operated a large farm with a steam operated grist mill and saw mill.

He appeared in a newspaper article 19 March 1880 in the The Southern Signal, published in Prattville, Alabama. "A good miller with a small family can find employment at Burt's mill, Bibb county."

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared in the household of Simon Ward on a census enumerated 10 June 1880 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, the household was listed as Simon Ward, a black male, age 62, blacksmith, born Alabama; his wife Malisia, black female, age 27, farm laborer; son Thomas, age 12, farm laborer; daughter Allice, age 6; daughter Sauna, age 3; son Walter, age 1; and Eustice Burt, white male, age 22, farmer, born Alabama. Eustice's father was born in North Carolina, while his mother was born in Virginia. Waynell Burt Welsh, granddaughter of Eustace Burt, recalled that Pa Burt often menioned Simon and Malisia Ward and loved them dearly. He called them "Uncle Pete and Aunt Malisia", and he would eat breakfast with them on Sundays. He had a real fondness for "Aunt Malisia's" wonderful golden fried fish and biscuits.⁵

From the January 5, 1882 issue of the Bibb Blade: "Burt's Mill on Schultz Creek, two miles above Scottsville, was burned on the night of the 29th. About thirty bushels of corn were in the mill, which it is supposed were stolen and the mill set on fire to hide the theft. The saw and grist mills were both burned. Loss not known."⁶

Eustace married Emma HOLLIMAN on 18 February 1884 at the Presbyterian Church in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. A wedding annoucement appeared in the 20 February 1884 edition of Our Mountain Home: "Married-- At Mardisville, in this county, on Monday, the 18th inst., Mr. E. Pierre Burt and Miss Emma Holliman, Rev. F. L. Ewing officiating. Mr. Burt is the youngest son of Mr. James C. Burt, of our county, and one of those thorough-going and progressive young farmers in which our county takes special pride. The bride is a young lady of rare accomplishment and is a treasure worthy of the gallant knight who has won his way to her heart and hand in the tourniment of love."

The marriage of Eustace and Emma ended suddenly and under mysterious circumstances, however they never divorced. The pair remained friends and communicated throughout the remainder of their lives. Eustace returned to Bibb County alone, though he soon became involved in another relationship.^7,8

Eustace married Martha Jane YEAGER, daughter of George Wesley YEAGER and Arrie KEADLE, circa January 1885 in Cedar Grove, Bibb County, Alabama. Mattie was very attractive with dark hair and eyes.⁹

Eustace Pierre BURT borrowed money from James Creth BURT on 22 March 1892 in Bibb County, Alabama. He needed a $1,024 advance from his father to purchase horses, mules, oxen and necessary provisions, farming tools and implements to enable him to make a crop during 1892. The loan had a due date of 1 January 1893 and was backed by the following security: one mule, mouse colored, 7 years old, named Jack; one black mule, 9 years old, named Jack; one mare mule, sorrel colored, 5 years old, named Dollie; one bay horse about 15 years old named Charlie; one yoke oxen named Ball and Berry; one white cow named Dolly; one yellow cow named Spice; one white and yellow spotted cow named Timmy; two white and black cows named Lutie and Pink; nine heifer yearlings; and his entire crop of corn, cotton and fodder made in 1892. The security would go to J. C. Burt if not paid back by the due date. The instrument was signed by E. P. Burt and by Mattie Yeager via her mark.¹⁰

After the death of Mattie Yeager, Eustace adopted her daughter, Linnie Ross YEAGER, circa November 1892 in Bibb County, Alabama. His children had urged him to adopt Linnie and they welcomed her into the family and treated her as a sister.

Glover Medders writes, "My grandma Martha died when my uncle Irby, who was the youngest of the three children, was two years old. She was buried in the Vernon Cemetery, Bibb County, in an unmarked grave... She would have been born in the 1850s or 60s. Grandpa Burt was left with the three children. I was told that he had a mistress for several years until the girls were old enough to cook and keep house. He was raised in Talledaga County, where his father had a large plantation and a number of slaves.

He and his brother Henry came to Bibb County and bought a large amount of land. None of their heirs own any of the land now, but they still own mineral rights to 1800 acres of it.

Grandpa Burt was tall in stature, wore a handlebar mustache and had gray-hair as far back as I can remember. He took a daily newspaper that was delivered by the mail carrier, traveling by horse and buggy, until some time in the 1920s. He had more education than anyone I knew at that time. He named my second sister Eustace, my fifth sister LaMoyne and the sixth and youngest sister LaShawn.

There is one little story which I remember well. On the way to meet the mail carrier, he had to pass our house and he never failed to stop, going or coming, most of the time. One day he got his paper and was slowly walking along looking at it as he came into our yard. He had given us all a nickname, and mine was Josh. When he saw me, he called out, 'Hey, Josh, something bad has happened. A big ship has sunk and a lot of people drowned.' I thought that was awful-- until he showed me the picture with the paper turned upside down! Of course the ship looked upside down, with a lot of upside down people on the deck. Then he righted the paper and had a big laugh on me! All of us kids loved Grandpa Burt."¹¹

Eustace loved music and purchased an early disc grammaphone which he later traded for a newer model. It still remains in the Burt family home in West Blocton.

Eustace sold a tract of land to Henry McKenzie BURT, Anna BURT and Sarah Bell WEBB on 4 October 1899 in Bibb County, Alabama. The deed read E. P. Burt, "an unmarried man" of Bibb County to H. M. Burt of Talladega County, Mrs. Sarah B. Burt of San Francisco, California and Anna Buckner of Rappahanock County, Virginia for one dollar lands in Bibb County formerly owned by J. C. Burt, deceased, except for coal rights. The deed also recorded that they paid him $6,000 for 12/18th interest in J. C. Burt's lands in Talladega County, including section 17, township 19, range 5; the south 1/8 of the south half of section 8; the north half of the northeast quarter of section 19; the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 20; and more, all in the above township and range.¹²

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 11 June 1900 in Precinct 2, Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, the household was listed as Eustace P. Burt (Head), born December 1857; Nettie N. Burt (dau.), Nov 1885; Minnie M. (dau.), May 1887; Irby L. (son), May 1892; Foy Williams (house keeper) and William M. Williams (son of house keeper), age 3. Eustace was a widower, born in Alabama, while his father was born in North Carolina and his mother in Virginia. Living next door was Linnie Yeager with her uncle, James Frank Yeager.¹³

He appeared in a newspaper article 2 April 1908 in the The Blocton Enterprise, published in West Blocton, Alabama. "Mr. E. P. Burt was in town Saturday with a fine lot of butter and eggs. He paid The Enterprise a pleasant call and renewed his subsription to the paper."

He appeared in a newspaper article 3 September 1908 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. Mr. E. P. Burt has sold his gin to Mr. A. D. Belcher, who is figuring on putting in a new wheel and developing more power.

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 27 April 1910 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as E. P. Burt, a 52-year-old farmer and his 17-year-old son, Irby, farm laborer. Eustace was listed as divorced. They lived on Burt Creek Road.

He appeared in a newspaper article 11 July 1917 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama. "E. P. Burt of Blocton was in the city Sunday to visit H. M. Burt." There were only mentions over the years of Eustace returning to Talladega to visit family.

Eustace Pierre BURT was the registar at the draft board for the World War I draft registration of Charlie McCoy WATTS on 12 September 1918 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹⁴

Eustace appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1920 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, the household was listed as Pierre E. Burt, age 62, living alone. Living in the next house was his son, Irby.¹⁵

Eustace Pierre BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1930 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as E. Pear Burt, age 72, a farm owner. He owned his home and could read and write. His occupation was farm overseer. He said that he and his father were born in Alabama and his mother was born in Virginia. Living next door was his son, Irby.¹⁶

Eustace Pierre BURT died on 11 July 1938 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 79. He was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

His obituary appeared 28 July 1938 in the The Centreville Press, published in Centreville, Alabama. "In Memory of Mr. Eustace Pierre Burt." The article read, "Mr. E. P. Burt of West Blocton, age 80 years, 6 months, 23 days, passed away at the home of his son, Mr. I. L. Burt, July 11, 1938. He had been in declining health for the past few years, but was confined to his bed only three weeks. His suffering was severe at times, but he was kind and patient until death. Everything that kind and faithful hands could do was done but to no avail. He had always been a good neighbor and friend to everyone, and was loved by all who knew him. His grandchildren always loved him dearly. They were with him during his illness and stood by him until God called him away. The love he had for his grandchildren, also great grandchildren, no one could express, and he was always happy to be with them.

He leaves to mourn his loss, one daughter, Mrs. J. W. Daniels, one son, Mr. I. L. Burt, who was with him until his death; two sisters, Mrs. Anna Mattie Stone of Glendale, California; nineteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, also a host of relatives and friends. Burial in Scottsville cemetery with Brown-Service in charge."

The family sent a card of thanks, "We wish to express our thanks and appreciation to each and everyone for their kindness and help shown us during the illness and death of our beloved father and grandfather. We especially thank Mrs. J. W. Medders, also Mrs. W. R. Young of West Blocton and Mrs. W. T. Woods of Brent for their beautiful floral offering". Signed-- Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Burt and family.