Individual Details

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The first documented Burleson in the South was Aaron, who received a crown grant 15 Dec 1749 in Lunenburg County, Virginia, in an area which became part of Bedford County just a few years later. His land was on both sides of the Little Otter River. Aaron also appears on a 1748 tithe list in Lunenburg County, with 1 tithe. Jonathan Burleson appears on the same list, with 1 tithe. By 1749 John Burlinson shows up. Then in 1752, Jonathan appears as head, with John listed in his household, for a total of 2 tithes. Aaron does not appear in 1752 and whether his absence is due to incomplete lists, or to his moving away, we can not say.

In Bedford County, Virginia, order book lA and lB, 1754-1761, we find Jonathan and John Burleson in trouble with the authorities for refusing to assist a Constable in the execution of his office. And again, for causing a riot.

Apparently, they objected to the actions of the Constable and were very vocal about it. The trait of opposing authority, vehemently, in the face of a perceived injustice or wrong is once more recorded in the courts.

Later, in Howard County, Missouri, 28 May, 1822 the State of Missouri indicted Edward Burleson (son of James, son of Aaron "II") for inciting a riot. The reason for said riot was not stated, but whatever the cause, we suspect some Burleson temperament was involved. Still later, in Hardeman County, Tennessee, 1828 and 1829, the same Edward, his brother Joseph and their father, James Burleson, defended themselves in court following an indictment for a riot. They did have to pay a fine. One does wonder what caused them such excitement that would lead them to riot. All three moved to Texas, where they made outstanding contributions to that state's history, and none were known for unreasonable behavior.

Family tradition has given us certain names of the 7 sons and 5 daughters of Aaron "I". We have no proof, one way or the other, although, curiously, the surnames of his traditional married daughters are nearly the same as the surnames of the married daughters of Daniel & Elizabeth Burleson Shipman, named in his will dated 8 Nov 1798 Warren Co., KY. Daniel Shipman's will named his daughters: Sarah Harrington, Anna Lee, Lucy Gage, Phoebe Crawford, Rebecca Cisco, and Mary Johnson. Of course, proof of Elizabeth Burleson's marriage to Daniel Shipman has not been found, either, although family tradition is strong in this regard, reinforced by other clues.

Jonathan Burleson and his son (?) John clearly were both of age by 1749 Virginia, and one would expect both of them to have had families. As a matter of fact, it is not outside the realm of possibility for Jonathan to have been the father of Aaron "II" AND John as well. We note that John and Sarah Holliday Burleson of Suffield had a son Jonathan born in Suffield 11 June 1704. So far, we have found no further information on him, unless he is the Jonathan Burleson found in 1749-1761 Virginia.

[My Note: Possibly a different Aaron...he could not have been both in Georgia and in Cumberland Co NC where he had land in 1761. We are dealing with two different Aarons!] By 11 September, 1757 Aaron Burleson is recorded on the Savannah River, in St. Paul Parish, Georgia, and he received a crown grant there 1 May 1759. It is likely that the 1749 Virginia crown grant and the 1759 Georgia crown grant were to the same Aaron Burleson for whom an administration was recorded in Wilkes County, Georgia December, 1783. Family tradition has said that Aaron Burleson "I" died in NC in 1763 but there appears to be no evidence to support this tradition.

Aaron Burleson is found, October of 1761, on Richland Creek in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and also on Dunham's Creek. James Burleson was in Anson County, North Carolina in October, 1779, when he signed a petition. Numerous Burlesons, including Aaron, appear in other early North Carolina records, but with little in the way of clues as to their parentage. We do thank heaven for those Burlesons who left wills or deeds naming their children. Otherwise, proving our lines would be hopeless.

North Carolina Land Grant Files, No. 354; Ancestry.com
Cumberland County. Aaron Burleson, 150 acres, Grant 150 issued 22 Apr 1763.
Entry 129 on 20 Oct 1761, Book 15, P. 507. Description: On Richland Creek beginning at John Cooper's lower corner and thence down both sides of the Creek for complement. Surveyed 26 Sep 1762.

Death

1763

Buncombe County, North Carolina

Spouse	Sarah [Burleson] ( - )
Child	John Burleson (1729 - 1775)
Child	Isaac Burleson (1750 - 1810)
Child	Jesse Burleson (1751 - 1822)