Isabel M. Burk, "Belle"

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindAGrave URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135258741
• FindAGrave ID: 135258741
• FamilySearch ID: LTN4-ZQH
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LTN4-ZQH

Notes:

From 1910 US Census:

Name: Belle M.
Immigration year: 1870 (same as Lawrence)
Age: 57
Birthplace: Canada
Years Married: 38
Children born: 3
Children living: 1
Mother's birthplace: England
Father's birthplace: Canada

Laura Smart notes:

"The fourth of five children of Erastus Joseph Burk (1867-1897) of Darlington, Durham, Ontario and Matilda Turner Burk (1822-1905) of Tavistock, Devon, England. Belle's younger brother was Dr. Frederic Lister Burk, who was a journalist in San Francisco and started what is now known as San Francisco State University."

(Research):California Select Marriages:
Name:     Isabella M. Burke
Gender:     Female
Marriage Date:     10 Sep 1872
Marriage Place:     Placer, California
Spouse:     Lawrence W. Coster
FHL Film Number:     1513369
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=60241&h=59888&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=sJc183&_phstart=successSource

Isabel married Lawrence H. Coster on 10 Sep 1872 in Placer, California, United States. Lawrence was born in 1843 in England; died on 1 Sep 1915 in Loomis, Placer County, California, USA; was buried in Sacramento City Cemetery, Sacramento, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Lawrence Henry Coster was born on 1 May 1874 in California, United States; died on 13 Nov 1948 in Alameda, California, United States.
2. Belle Coster was born in Aug 1883 in California, United States; died on 19 Sep 1883 in California, United States; was buried in Sacramento City Cemetery, Sacramento, California, USA.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Lived in: Coloma, CA
• Occupation: Darlington Township, Durham County, Ontario, Canada; Farmer with his mother
• Occupation: California; successful Fruit Grower
• FamilySearch ID: KHYL-LNC
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KHYL-LNC
• Occupation: 1858, Blenheim, Kent County, Ontario, Canada; General Store Owner
• Alt. Death: Bef 1872

Notes:

From Evening Sentinel, Santa Cruz, CA 27 May 1897

"Erastus Burk, aged 81 years, died at Mountain View as a result of injuries received while riding a bicycle."

From History of Bowmanville, Part 3:

"In this country families do not remain long in one place. Among all the numerous descendants of the Burk connection on the mail side of the family, there are only three remaining among us. Mr. Marvin Burk , our energetic townsman, the venerable Harvey W. Burk, ex M. P., and Mr. Erastus J. Burk who owns and cultivates a large acreage of the paternal land."

From Jan McEachran:

"The Erastus in "Notes of Farm Life", he was son of John Burk II and grandson of John Burk the Pioneer. Erastus farmed in Darlington Township, Durham County, and moved to Blenheim sometime before 1858 as he is mentioned in the Blenheim Business Directory at this time as owning a General Store. He married Mathilda Turner. In 1869, he sold or turned over this store to his son-in-law, Nathan Stevens, and his daughter, Ada(Burk). Erastus and Mathilda moved to California wher he became a successful fruit grower. Erastus was born in Darlington, Township, Durham County, Ontario, Canada in 1816."

From ivclb1 (Ancestry.com)

Erastus Burk - was born Feb. 29, 1816 in Canada near Lake Ontario. He managed his mother's farm after his fathe's death in 1832. He married Matilda Turner in 1842. In 1852, he started store keeping in Morpeth, Ontario. Just after leaving the farm, he decided to go to the States, sold out everything. While in St. Louis Mo., he took sick and decided to return to Canada. Again in 1869 he left Canada. This time he located in California at Loomis, Placer Co., later moving to Leong Garden, then respectively to Sacramento, Berkeley and finally Mountain View where he died in May 25, 1897. Erastus and Matilda Burk celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1893 - all children being present. Matilda Burk nee Turner died Sept. 1905 at Mountain View. Their children were Ada Jane, Eunice Mirrette, Mary Julia, Isabella Maude, Frederic Lister.

Ada Jane Burk - was born Mar. 14, 1843 (1844) near Bowmanville, Canada. She married Nathan H. Stevens in 1867. They lived in Chatham with the exception of one year in California.They had nine children; Rollin; Harry; Fred; Joaquin, Lloyd; Douglas; William; Grace; Starr.

Eunice Mirette, - was born August 1844 in Canada. She married Archibald Campbell and lived in Chatham, later in West Toronto, where she died in 1924. They had seven children; Maude, Helen, Mabel, Neil, Archibald, Douglas, Norman.

Mary Julia, - was born in Canada, April 20, 1850. In 1871, she moved to California, married Benjamin Franklin Gates in 1876. She lived in Mountain View, died April 23, 1922. They had one daughter Mabel.

Isabella Maude, - was born in Canada, Sept. 10, 1852. She moved to California with her mother in 1870, married Lawrence Henry- Coster, an Englishman, in an alabaster cave near her father's ranch in El Dorado Co.. They later resided in Sacramento and Mountain View, She died in 1915. They had one son Lawrence. Two daughters died in infancy.

Frederic Lister - Was born Sept. 1 1860 in Canada. He moved to California in 1870 with his mother making his home in California thereafter. He married Caroline Frear in 1898, died in 1924. They had four sons Frear, Dean, Norval and Du Bois.

(Research):Ontario death record of Ada Jane Burk lists his birthplace as "New York State"

Coloma, CA was one of the original California gold rush towns.  http://www.visit-eldorado.com/historical.asp . It sits in El Dorado county which was formed in 1850.

From eldoradocounty.org: El Dorado County, at the heart of California's Gold Rush country, connects Sacramento, California's capital, with the State of Nevada. Geographically, El Dorado County is located on the western slope of the mountain range known as the Sierra Nevada, sometimes shortened to "the Sierras."
Our western border with Sacramento County is characterized by its rolling foothills. Travelling eastward, the elevation increases, first gradually to Placerville, our County Seat, at an elevation of about 2,000 feet, then more rapidly through the mountains; the peaks of some of these mountains exceed 10,000 feet in elevation. Lake Tahoe, at an elevation of 6,500 feet, is on the eastern border that we share with the State of Nevada.

Within our borders are great rivers, lakes, gold mines, historic towns, breathtaking scenery, a business friendly climate, and an incredibly diverse community offering a multitude of opportunity.


I originally had Erastus as the son of David F. Burk, but changed him after receiving the email below which then matched Peggy Doyle's tree on rootweb.

This email from Jan, is a reaction to the Burk descendancy I sent her.

From: shawjan@sympatico.ca [mailto:shawjan@sympatico.ca]
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 11:24 PM
To: jhowell@jhowell.com
Subject: Re: Children of Fred J. Thatcher and Mabel Irene McKinlay

As I go thru I will show you what discrepancies I have. Dont know which are correct.

The Erastus in "Notes of Farm Life", he was son of John Burk II and grandson of John Burk the Pioneer. Erastus farmed in Darlington Township, Durham County, and moved to Blenheim sometime before 1858 as he is mentioned in the Blenheim Business Directory at this time as owning a General Store. He married Mathilda Turner. In 1869, he sold or turned over this store to his son-in-law, Nathan Stevens, and his daughter, Ada(Burk). Erastus and Mathilda moved to California wher he became a successful fruit grower. Erastus was born in Darlington, Township, Durham County, Ontario, Canada in 1816.

He married Mirrette, daughter of the late Erastus Burk, of Coloma, Cal., in 1871.

Erastus married Matilda Turner on 13 Jun 1842 in Darlington Township, Durham County, Ontario, Canada. Matilda (daughter of John Turner and Mary Gubbins) was born on 1 Jul 1822 in Tavistock, Devon, England; was christened on 14 Aug 1822 in Brook Street-Independent, Tavistock, Devon, England; died on 21 Sep 1905 in Mountain View, Santa Clara Co., CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Moved: California; to
• FamilySearch ID: 9QXC-Z5Z
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/9QXC-Z5Z
• _HASHTAG: Immigrants
• Alt. Birth: 1820, Tavistock, Devonshire, England
• Alt. Birth: Abt 1825, England

Notes:

Ellen Smart email to JSH 13 May 2020 notes:

"We found it fascinating that Matilda was 19 when she left Tavistock for Darlington.  She married Erastus Burk less than a year later.  We wonder what her connection to Darlington was before she left Tavistock, why she went to Darlington, and how she and he met."

(Research):Laura Smart's tree on Ancestry.com (see url below) has Matilda's parents as John Turner (1784 - 1872) & Mary Gubbin (1778 - ?).  She has a photo of Eliza Turner marked (Great Great Aunt, and her son John Maunder hymm composer), and linked to her mother Anne (1775 - ?)  She has a photo of Ann labeled "Great Great Grandmother Anne Turner born 1775". PROBLEM: only 9 years between Anne's birth and her son John Turner's birth??

Also, Matilda (b. 1822) when her mother Mary Gubbin (b.1778) was 44 years old.

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/70035390/family?fpid=30266453486&usePUBJs=true

I've placed her birth year Cir 1825 by looking at the group photo that includes her and her daughter Eunice Mirrette Burk -- there appears to be at least a 20 year age difference.

Photo: Matilda Turner Burk and family

_HASHTAG:
Immigrant

Notes:

Married:
Possibly married in Leeds, ON abt 1842

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Schoolteacher, farmer, and justice of the peace.
• FamilySearch ID: K41C-CQC
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/K41C-CQC
• Lived in: 2 Oct 1794, Port Darlington, Ontario, Canada; Arrives from New York state with his father at age 9
• Lived in: 1807, Darlington Township, Durham County, Ontario, Canada; Starts a farm with his wife Jane

Notes:

From the Web pages of Graham Stewart:

THE BURKS OF DARLINGTON TOWNSHIP
A SHORT HISTORY
OF THE FAMILY BURIED IN THIS CEMETERY

The John Burk buried in Lot 24, Broken Front Concession, Former Township of Darlington was nine years old when he landed with his father at Port Darlington on October 2, 1794.

With the Burks were Roger Conant and John Trull, all United Empire Loyalists, eager to live under British rule and share in land grants offered by Governor Simcoe.

John Burk, the son, was born in Kitereen Creek (can't find this - JSH), Orange County, New York State on January 25, 1785. He was 46 years-old when he died of typhoid fever. On the gravestone John Burk Esq. it is hard to detect the line on the 4, however, he really was 46 not 16 years old.

John Burk helped his father bring the family's belongings by ox-cart and boat from New York State to Port Darlington. His mother, brothers and sisters travelled overland to reunite the family and all immediately began the difficult task of clearing the land to build a homestead. The first houses were log shanties along Barber's Creek, surrounded by uninhabited forest.

The father John Burk worked very hard at providing the necessities of life for his family and other settlers. He built the first grist and saw mill (where Vanstone's Mill now stands in Bowmanville) and established the first general store and the first inn. Land in Darlington Township also attracted John Burk and he acquired over 1,000 acres.

On December 28, 1807 the young John Burk married Jane Brisbin of Whitby. That year John Burk the father, deeded the west half of lot 23 and lot 24 to his son John. The farm had been purchased from John Small in 1798 for L125. The newlyweds began clearing the land in 1807 and establishing their farm and family.

John and Jane had thirteen children including Ezra, a bachelor preacher, Clarissa Shurtleff, Sara Huffman and Eliza Williams - all buried in this cemetery. Darius Williams, Eliza*s husband, and son Ezra, are also buried here as is Marsana Shurtleff, Clarissa*s daughter. Manda Cowles and her daughter Nellie are also buried here and the relationship to the Burks is unclear.

John Burk was well-educated and like his father he was a schoolteacher, a farmer and a justice-of-the-peace. A religious man who sometimes preached and taught Sunday School, John Burk also disliked war and refused to fight in 1812, for which action he was imprisoned for a few weeks.

John died in 1832 of typhoid fever, while building a large frame house on his farm.

Jane, who was buried beside her hasband, lived on to 1866. She and her son Erastus farmed this land until 1852 when the property was sold and Erastus moved away.


Preserving the memory
by Harry Douglas Stewart

When Hydro purchased this farm in 1971 the cemetery was neglected. A fence was placed around the graves to protect them and the cemetery remained untouched while the huge hill of earth was built behind it to the east.

The long term plan for the use of this land area is for recreational purposes. Hydro had proposed to the Town of Newcastle to level and landscape the land and preserve the brick house in a municipal

From Jan McEachran:

"The Erastus in "Notes of Farm Life", he was son of John Burk II and grandson of John Burk the Pioneer. Erastus farmed in Darlington Township, Durham County, and moved to Blenheim sometime before 1858 as he is mentioned in the Blenheim Business Directory at this time as owning a General Store. He married Mathilda Turner. In 1869, he sold or turned over this store to his son-in-law, Nathan Stevens, and his daughter, Ada(Burk). Erastus and Mathilda moved to California wher he became a successful fruit grower. Erastus was born in Darlington, Township, Durham County, Ontario, Canada in 1816."

From "History of Bowmanville", pub. 1905, by Mr. Jas. B. Fairbairn, Post Master

"I now refer to the Burkes one of the first families who came into the wilderness, hewed out a home for themselves on the shore of Ontario, and were closely identified with and had a good deal to do in the succeeding expansion and growth of the business both of town and townships. One of the sons of John Burke the pioneer, remained on the homestead, owning the 400 acres of land, they having built a fine large frame house there at a very early period. The Burke family were noted through all this section for their kindness and hospitality. From the very earliest period after they were surrounded with the ordinary comforts of a farm house, the result of their own skill and toll, the door was ever open and help bestowed upon every poor struggling settler who came to them for assistance and though through lapse of time and changing conditions it is seldom thought of, still there are some even yet of the descendants of those who were helped, who speak o them with gratitude."

(Research):Set this John to be Erastus' father based on email from Jan McEachran 6 Nov 2003, and based on Peggy Doyle's tree http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=DESC&db=mdoyle&id=I0260

John married Jane Brisbin on 28 Dec 1807 in Darlington Township, Durham County, Ontario, Canada. Jane (daughter of John Brisbin) was born in Nov 1790; died in 1866; was buried in Burk Pioneer Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Lived in: Whitby, Ontario, Canada
• FamilySearch ID: K41P-HN4
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/K41P-HN4

Notes:

From the web page of Graham Stewart:

John and Jane had thirteen children including Ezra, a bachelor preacher, Clarissa Shurtleff, Sara Huffman and Eliza Williams - all buried in this cemetery. Darius Williams, Eliza*s husband, and son Ezra, are also buried here as is Marsana Shurtleff, Clarissa*s daughter. Manda Cowles and her daughter Nellie are also buried here and the relationship to the Burks is unclear.

Notes:

Married:
Twenty-eighth December, 1807 married, John Burk, Junior, of Darlington, to Jane Brisbin, of Whitby, with the consent of her sister and brother-in-law. Present John Burk, Senr., David Stevens, and David Burk.

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: M6Q7-DB8
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/M6Q7-DB8

Notes:

Occupation listed as "butcher" on the Devon baptism record for his daughter Matilda.

John married Mary Gubbins. Mary was born in 1779 in Bayton, Cornwall, England; died after 1861 in Devon, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: M6QW-S91
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/M6QW-S91

Notes:

See attached sources.

(Research):1851 Census of England says she was born Bayton, Cornwall, England.  I had her previously listed as born in Poundstock, Cornwall.  They are close to each other and to Tavistock, with Bayton being the closest to Tavistock.

Ellen Smart email to JSH 13 May 2020 notes: "We understood from Mollie that Elizabeth Orchards and Richard Gubbin were Mary's parents, but I think that whoever told Mollie had it wrong, or she didn't remember exactly."

Notes:

Married:
There are two boys named John (John #3 and John #4 below) whose parents are listed on original documents as John and Mary Turner, baptised by W. Rooker, in the same church register, in Tavistock, Devon.

John #1 Turner - possible father of John #2
John #2 Turner - husband of Mary, listed as father of John #3 and
John #3 Gubbins - b.5 Nov c 18 Nov 1817 (the "s" is clearly visible in the record)
John #4 Turner - b. 20 Jan 1819 c.4 Feb 1819

Soome possibilities:

John (#3) Gubbins Turner died young - His parents (John #2 and Mary) re-used his name for John #4 as was common in that era. Following the British Isles naming convention, John #2 Turner's first son should be named after his father - John #1.  One problem with this theory is that a John Gubbins Turner with the same birth date as John #3 Gubbins was transported to Australlia and died there in 1888.  One problem with this theory is that John #4 Turner was not listed as John Gubbins in the christening book.  Perhaps an omission, or by design to differentiate, but an anomaly either way since the parents and the minister were the same.

John (#3) Gubbins Turner was adopted - His biological mother possibly died when he was born, and perhaps his father (a Gubbins), was dead or unable to provide care.  Mary and John #2 would have reason to adopt him if John #3 Gubbins was Mary's nephew, possibly the son of her brother and his deceased wife. One additional point  supporting the adoption theory is Elizabeth "Eliza" Turner was b. 20 Nov 1816 slightly less than one year before John #3 Gubbins was born. It's somewhat unusual for births to be this close even at that time.  Subsequent children were more spaced out.  This theory is compatible with John #3 Gubbins dying in Australia in 1888.

John (#4) - was John #2 and Mary's first biological son.  In this case "John #4 Turner" was not re-used, it was required by convention that he be named after John #1.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Lived in: Orange County, New York
• Moved: Genesee County, NY
• Moved: Newton (Elmira), NY
• FamilySearch ID: LW7R-JV2
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LW7R-JV2
• Moved: 1783, Northumberland Co., PA
• Moved: Spring 1794, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Excerpt from a letter to Josia (Jesse) Burk to his nephew David F. Burk (see references for full text of letter transcribed by Flora M. Campbell):

"he was the eldest of 5 sons.  He married my mother in her sixteenth year, and shoe bore hime twelve children, ten of whom were raised to men and women.."

"I will try to give you a history of Father's [John Burk] general exodus from the time he left Orange Co. New York, till he landed in Canada on the Beach, about a mile above Barber's Creek.

Father's first move was from Orange Co. New York to Northumberland Co. on the west branch of the Susquehanna. He moved in April 1783. My father moved to Genesse Co. New York. For the first move he made splits out of black ash, and a basket at each end, so that the baskets hung on each side of the horse, and your uncle John rode in one basket and your father in the other, and Mother on the same horse with Polly behind her. The other horse was loaded with what furniture he could carry.

His next move was to a place called Newtown on the Chemung branch of the North Branch of the Susquehanna in New York State. It is now called Elmira.

My father was a very ingenious man, cold turn his hand to almost anything, pretty well fitted for a new country but there was not much to be made here, more than just a living, so his next move was for Canada, in the spring of 1794.

Before he left, that winter, he killed twenty-two bears, and I heard him say the money he got for the skins did him more good than any he ever got...."

From "Father of the Burk's in America" by Harry Douglas Stewart:

The day of opportunity came for the Burks when John Graves Simcoe, Governor of Upper Canada, offered to Americans who remained loyal to the Crown free grants of land in the newly surveyed township of Darlington. The first of the Burk family to respond to the offer was the oldest son John, followed one year later by our great-great grandfather James. I now quote from the “History of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Site and its Original Settlers”.

"The first actual settlement of the Darlington site took place in 1794. This settlement was induced by a land bounty by Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe, proclaiming free land to those who wanted to settle in the area. Among the first families to settle in this area was that of John Burk, who with his wife and three sons, David, John and Samuel, moved to lot 13 concession I and lot 13 broken front. John*s younger brother James followed and moved into lot 16 concession I and broken front. Both brothers received their deeds for their property in 1798. This first settlement—by the Rurk brothers had a great deal to do with the succeeding expansion and growth of business in the area."

All of the notes that follow were found on Graham Stewar's web page -- I do not know who wrote them, so here is an opportunity to thank the many researchers who gererously give their time and efforts so we may all benefit! :

John and Sarah lived in Orange County, New York to Northumberland County, on the West Branch of the Susquehenna unti 1783. He moverd in April 1783 to Genesee County, New York. For the first move he made splits out of black ash and a basket at eachend, so that the baskets hung on each side of the horse, and son John rode in one basket and Josiah in the other, and Sarah(Williams)Burk on the same horse with Polly behind her. The other horse was loaded with what furniture it could carry.

According to Josiah's letter they moved in 1783 to Genesee county, New York near Elmira,New York taking with them the children already born by 1783. The next move was to a place called Newton on Chemung branch of the North Branch of the Susquehenna in New York State. Now called Elmira.

They came to Canada in Spring of 1794 settling on lot 13 con. 1 broken bront of Darlington Township, Durham County, Ontario, Canada. Refer to Josiah's letter and the map following for details.

In 1786, John received a land grant of 600 acres in Bowmanville,Ontario,Canada.

John Burk's Mill-Darlington Township, Durham County, Ontario

The first grist mill on Barber's Creek was built by John Burk in 1805 on the spot where VanStone's Mill is now. John built a sawmill also. The stream was an excellent source of water power. So the records say that the first store in Bowmanville was a Burk Store, and it may have been that provisions were shared.

The first Inn was doubtless John's. this old license 1807 - from the Ontario Archives proves the establishment. Keeping an Inn was a responsible undertaking in the early days.

The Trail of the Black Walnut

Dr G Elmore Reaman, Professor and Dean of Men, Waterloo College, University of Western Ontario

"Mention should be made of settlers whose background was definitely Puritan. Let us take two famlies to illustrate - the Conants and the Aylesworths. Roger Conant may have been a Quaker, for he refused to join the patriot army, although two of his brothers did. Disposing of his land, he set out from the vicinity of Boston in 1777, with $5000 in gold, in a covered wagon drawn by two horses and followed by an ox team drawn by a cart laden with household goods and farm implements.

"Leaving the family at Geneva, Roger Conant came on to Canada arriving at the locality afterwards called Darlington, County Durham, Ontario, in october, 1778. The first Crown grant of land to Roger Conant was made December 31st, 1778. It consisted of Lots 28,29,30, and 31, 1st Consession, darlington County Durham - in all about 1200 acres. After building a house on his land and probably clearing some portion of it, he returned to Geneva."* he brought his family over in 1794. John Burk and John W Trull with their families accompanied him."**

* Conant, Thomas: Upper Canada Sketches, p. 57. Manchester, William Briggs, 1898

**Reaman, Dr Elmore: The Trail of the Black Walnut, pp 170-171, Toronto, McClelland and Stewart, 1957

From a Burke Family History:

(I received this doccument from my grandmother, Maxine Rivette Kruse, daughter of Daisy Burke Rivette)
John and his brother James Burk recieved their land grant from the British crown in 1798. James came to Canada in 1796. Their brother Luke recieved his land in 1803. John sold his land and returned to the United States in 1816. Luke sold his land in 1808. Pioneer":

His first move was from Orange Co. to Northumberland Co, on the west branch of the Susquehanna river (April 1783). Then on to Newton (now called Elmira) on the North branch of the Susquehanna in NY state. John had been a schoolmaster but was capable in many ways. His next move was to Ontario attracted by Gov. Simcoe's proclamation offering free land to settlers. Land was expensive in settled US areas and to go further west into indian lands was forbidden.

The winter before he left, he killed 22 bear and sold their skins. In 1794, John arrived with his family at Newark, Upper Canada. There he was told to proceed to Darlington township that had been surveyed

He landed at Barber's (Bowmanville) Creek on the north shore of lake Ontario in october 1794. They put up a shelter and trapped during that winter. Next march, John went to the Bay of Quinte and got 11 barrels of flour for the skins.

We have copy of his petition for land dated 1796,. He obtained Lot 13, Con 1 and Lot 13 Broken Front, a total of 400 acres just where West Bowmanville is to-day. Later he was joined by his brother James.

According to, He then built Darlington's first grist and saw mill where Vanstone's Mill now stands. He also opened the first general store and then an inn (In 1824, Charles Bowman purchased the store). He also acquired over 1000 acres of land in addition to his initial grant in 1798. Today, much of the Burk land forms the Darlington Provincial Park as well as the Darlington generating site.

Ironically, Darlington's first citizen did not live out the rest of his days in Bowmanville. In 1820, he sold his store and returned to the USA in West Virginia. Before he died, John returned to Bowmanville on horseback twice to visit his family.

Notable family members include Durham MP William Harvey Burk and Bowmanville lawyer John Burk-Simpson.

Ref gives pictures of the dedication of the Burk Pioneer cemetery on the site of the Darlington generating station and mentions Paul Burk, who still resides in Oshawa.
Heads of Families- Clarke & Darlington Townships 1811-1812

Roger Bates, Joshua Z. Cozens, Richard Lovekin, John Hartwill, Ebenezer Hartwill, Henry Kale, Francis Lightheart, James H. Wilson, Cornelius Degroot, Augustus Barber, Norris Karr, John Burk Sr., Seth Hamlin, James Burk, Josia Burk, John Burk Jr., John Karr, David F. Burk, Alexander Fletcher, William Borland, Jeremia Conant, Eliphelet conant, John Pickel, Waterman A. Spencer, Samuel Marvin, John Vorse, William Smith, David Stevens, Joseph Berden, Thomas Conant, Peter LaPint, John Peter Young, Priskile Godra

1812 Addends
Adna Bates, James Bates, John Wilson, Nathan Bratt, Franics Roberts, Mark Burtch, Peter Degroot, John Dingman.

Source: Kindred Spirits Newsletter, Whitby-Oshawa Branch of the OGS.

He was the eldest of five sons. He married my mother in her sixteenth year, and she bore him twelve children, ten of whom were raised to men and women, six sons and four daughters, whose names are as follows: Thy own name is Josiah Burk, John, David, Thomas, Samuel, and Timothy. The daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Sara, and Joana.

Above taken from:http://www.iro.umontreal.ca/~vaucher/Genealogy/PS01/PS01_122.HTM

schoolmaster

From the Stowe notes:

In another spot they list John as being born in 1754
recieved their land grant from the British crown in 1798.

I have about ten generations of information on the Burks beginning in 1791 in Limerick, Ireland. Once they came to the USA, John Burk was arrested for treason in the Revolutionary War and later given land in Canada as a British Loyalist.

From the Ontario Genealogy site - Durham history
In the early history of Darlington, we find that Mr. John Burk, John W. Trull, and Roger Conat, were the pioneers, and first settlers of this Township. They emigrated together, with their families, from the United States to Canada, in the year 1794, and on the 2nd day of October, they landed from their boats on the beach of Lake Ontario, one mile west of Barber's Creek, now Port Darlington.

HISTORY OF BOWMANVILLE

Part 2.

By Mr. Jas. B. Fairbairn, Post Master

Somewhere about 1840 the place had grown to quite an extent, the settlement of Darlington had proceeded at a rapid rate, the town keeping pace with it. The principal business places at that time were on the western hill, there were three or four stores, a large tavern and cooper shop. The Methodist church was then also on the hill. To go back a little, Mr. Coleman states and I think, correctly, that the first store was opened by Lewis Lewis, who remained in business for four years. He then sold to Charles Bowman. This he says was in 1824. From the time the first hut was erected till then, the increase was very slow, as a census taken by Mr. Simpson, probably in 1825, shows 118 persons all told, there being only one house on the north side of the road.

As for the Indians, I do not think they were very numerous along the shore of Lake Ontario, between Toronto and the Bay of Quinte. There is no evidence to show that such was the case. In the shape of relics such as arrowheads, etc. as comparatively very few have been found. I suppose this is accounted for as their favorite hunting grounds lay farther north among the smaller lakes and rivers. I have been told that an Indian burying ground was found on Liberty St., at least some remains were discovered, indicating that the sand knoll has been used for burial purposes, at some remote period. This was not far from Mr. John Medland's present residence. I do not know that any other has every been discovered in Darlington. I have never heard from any source of them known to the early settlers nearer than Scugog lake. A few scattered bands of the Rice Lake Indians perhaps did some hunting in the summer time up and down our creeks but they never interfered with the white people appearing quite harmless and kindly disposed. About 1838 I remember quite a number were camped in wigwams on the brow of the hill near Mr. Mark D. Williams' residence. They came from the west, the Humber region and although the older inhabitants used to tell romantic tales about them, such existed only in the vivid imaginations of the rehearsers.

I now refer to the Burkes one of the first families who came into the wilderness, hewed out a home for themselves on the shore of Ontario, and were closely identified with and had a good deal to do in the succeeding expansion and growth of the business both of town and townships. One of the sons of John Burke the pioneer, remained on the homestead, owning the 400 acres of land, they having built a fine large frame house there at a very early period. The Burke family were noted through all this section for their kindness and hospitality. From the very earliest period after they were surrounded with the ordinary comforts of a farm house, the result of their own skill and toll, the door was ever open and help bestowed upon every poor struggling settler who came to them for assistance and though through lapse of time and changing conditions it is seldom thought of, still there are some even yet of the descendants of those who were helped, who speak o them with gratitude.

Mr. David Burke was a highly religious man and did much active work in the church with which he was connected. He had appointments in different parts of the country and before there were any settled clergymen he did a good deal to try and elevate the moral condition of the people. He could have had but few early advantages in the way of education, but notwithstanding this drawback, he was quite a noted figure among his compeers.

A true story and a good one is told of an occurrence in connection with the rebellion of 1837. After Ben Lett left the country and a reward of £500 stirling was offered for his capture, dead or alive, the whole community was on the qui vive and the extreme party were so anxious for his arrest that any tidings of his whereabouts were eagerly sought after. It was while this public tension was at its height that the following took place. Mr. Simpson then in management of the Bowman business, had gotten a number of Roman Catholic Irishmen from Ops to work on the mill dam which had been carried away by the spring freshets. Mr. Burke being short of hands in the hay harvest, got one of the men to go to the farm to assist. He was put to work in a field by himself. In the meantime a brilliant idea struck young David who was at home and he determined to have a little fun at the expense of the raw Irishman, dressed appropriately for the occasion and armed with an old blunderbuss, he suddenly dropped down on the man from Ops who was evidently taken aback by the apparition of an apparently armed desperado.

Mr. Dave told him that he was Ben Lett and that the heard they were very anxious to make him a prisoner and invited him to undertake the job, finally making him promise on his sacred honor that he would never reveal the fact, but when he got uptown among his friends he told as a great secret what he had encountered. It became whispered around from one to another until it reached the ears of the authorities. They fully believed that the notorious rebel was being harbored by Burke's. Dr. Low who at that time lived in Whitby and was in command of a troop of Militia was instructed to take steps for his capture.

So one night while Mr. Burke and family were enjoying their usual repose, totally unconscious of any impending danger, were suddenly aroused some time in the early morning by violent knocking and urgent demands for admittance. After hurriedly dressing and reaching the door he was surprised to find the premises completely surrounded by a military guard and the officer in charge told him that hey were creditably informed that Lett was about the place. To this Mr. Burke at once gave denial, he knew nothing about him or his whereabouts. They made a most rigorous search, going through barns, stables and cellars and at last gave up the chase. It had rained during the night and the troopers made a pretty sorry show. Mr. Burke gave them a hearty breakfast and bid them good-bye. The true inwardness of the performance did not come out till some years afterwards.

Softansilk - gale: Burk John Milford 88 Discharged from or deserted from service before 1/1/1780.

(Research):Orange Co. NY is near New York City: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyorange/

Moved:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nygenese/

Moved:
Just south of the New York state border is the West Branch Susquehanna basin - see: http://www.srbc.net/gis/view.asp?img=image/140b.jpg.  Northumberland County is north of Harrisburg, PA.

John married Sara Williams about 1778. Sara (daughter of David Williams and Unknown) was born about 1763 in Orange County, New York; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Lived in: Orange County, New York
• FamilySearch ID: 9S2X-5HY
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/9S2X-5HY

Notes:

"She had three brothers and one cousing that were taken and sent to the British when they lay in New York City and all four died of smallpox."

(Research):See attached sources.

Notes:

Married:
"He married my mother in her 16th year"

J. married Anne. Anne was born in 1775; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: G7V4-9HH
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G7V4-9HH