Burson - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Burson's in Texas

OnitaPatrick — 2012-04-23 18:33:38Z

I remember well all the people you named in your post. My dad
Ernest C. Burson was C.M. Burson's brother. I have been in contact with Ron Burson who is R.G.'s son. He told me he has a sister too. I did not know those children. Ruby was the one who lost all her children but I think Raby lost some of hers too. I live in the Dallas metroplex.

Re: Burson's in Texas

tammaleigh1 — 2012-04-23 04:09:28Z

Pauline is my great-aunt and R.G is my great-uncle. C. M. Burson is my great grandfather.

C. M. Burson married Oma Pate in the early 1900s and had six children that lived to adulthood. There was at least one child that died prior to their first birthday and there may have been more.

Their children are: Ruby Burson-?, Raby Burson-?, R. G. Burson, James Frank Burson (my grandfather), Pauline Burson-Newsome, and C. M. "Jack" Burson. Either Ruby or Raby married into the Ward family. Which ever married into the Ward family had several children that were removed from her custody and adopted out when they were young. I have met one or two of her daughters.

James Frank married Mary Johnston in November of 1939 and had five children: James Frank Burson, Jr., Lonnie Dane Burson, Sammy Ray Burson, Larry Glenn Burson and Beverly Ann Burson-Nichols (my mother).

Pauline Burson-Newsome married Oren Newsome and had two children: Fleta Newsome-Smith and Hazel Newsome-Newland.

Sammy passed away in September in 2003 and Larry passed away in April of 2006.

James Frank and Pauline both remained in the Cass County area after they married. R. G. lived in Mineral Wells and Jack mostly lived in the Dallas area, but came back to Cass County later.

James and Mary had 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren before they passed in the mid-90s. Pauline and Oren had 3 children and Jack had 2 children. I cannot recall how many children R. G. or the other two girls had because we were not close to them.

Re: Permelia Burson (c.1831-c.1897) dau. of Elisha (1795-1846?)

jroth35 — 2012-03-10 20:56:31Z

Rev John E. Canon (one n) born October 30, 1857, married Scloma C. Meders. Buried New Friendship Church, Union Grove, Alabama. Madison Burson, Bushby's Regiment and Elizabeth Burson also buried in cemetary.

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

mmfan40 — 2012-01-12 20:47:11Z

Opps sorry, I can also send you a copy of the pictures I have the Benjamin and Macage's head stones.

Merrilee Burson

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

mmfan40 — 2012-01-12 20:45:57Z

Hello Dewey,

I would be happy to share anything I have with you. So you also have the last name of Burson, can you tell me what your father, grandfather and great grandfather's names are so I can place with in my family tree.

Also, if you want to send me your address I would be happy to take a copy of the 3 books I mentioned and mail them to you.

hope to hear back from you
Merrilee Burson

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

fdburson127 — 2012-01-12 17:07:32Z

Merrilee Burson if you are willing I would line to get pictures of the grave stones for Ben and McCage and any info from books that tell about them Thank you, Dewey Burson fdburson1@msn.com

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

Terisha1 — 2012-01-11 22:57:30Z

Post the names of any siblings mentioned in these books and I'll be happy to check again. The Burson Hosiery Company was well known, but I don't remember who founded the company.

One point I feel compelled to make: family stories often turn out not to be factual. What happens is that generations are compressed. This happened in my family with a Great-Aunt whom we spent considerable time interviewing. Everything she told us about her life, checked out. She was reasonably accurate about her parents' lives. But, she was totally and completely wrong about her grandparents and further back. By this time, she was deceased so she never learned about her errors. I know she thought she was reporting accurately what had been told her her; alas, she was not. So, don't be surprised if you find generation compression. Right now I'm working with a family line where an article published in 1896 turns out to have been incorrect. To be honest, if people had really thought about it, they would've figured out that virtually no one lived in the late 1700s to be over 100 while STILL witnessing wills, buying property, etc. Obviously, a generation had been omitted.
Regards,
Terisha

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

mmfan40 — 2012-01-11 22:30:03Z

Thank you so much for checking, we do greatly appreciate it. I do have pictures of Benjamin and Macage's head stones. I am almost thinking that Benjamin might have been a middle name. I do have the original book's buck eye prairie and three rivers county folk, events of early Iowa pioneer life, where both Macage and Benjamin are mentioned in several sections. My mother tells me that my father used to say that they were also related to the founders of the Burson Hosery company. That I am now checking out. Thank you again for checking.

Merrilee Burson

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

Terisha1 — 2012-01-11 15:49:00Z

First of all, there is no "Columbia" County in Ohio; the proper name is Columbiana. Of the 121 Bursons who lived in that county and are in my database, the only Benjamins I have in my database were either born in 1795 (not THE one as he remained there), one b. c 1851 and another b. 18 Jan 1852. This means either I don't have the child in question listed OR there's an error. I also ran a report on the 53 Bursons I had in Iowa. Although Bursons migrated there from PA as well as OH, I didn't find him either.

I've tried looking at several of the Burson males old enough to be his father who migrated to Iowa, but so far I cannot find any for whom I don't have verification of their "suspected" children by census records. I then ran a report on the 32 Bursons in my database who lived in Oregon; no joy either.

I finally went to my Burson Mysteries File (a compilation of all those Bursons whose descent I couldn't prove). In Iowa, I discovered I had Macaga who was enumerated as head of household in 1860 with a 16 year old son, Oliver, among others. Within my notes on cemetery records, I found Benjamin Burson, d. 30 Aug 1855, age 43 years 10 mo. 4 days (b. c26 Oct 1811) and Macage Burson, wife of Benjamin, died 30 Mar 1879, born c 11 Mar 1801. She died at the age of 78 years, 19 days. These records are in Warren County, Iowa.

I then went to my notes on Burson mysteries in Ohio, specifically Columbiana County. I found a note from a trip to the FHL, which I hadn't followed through on, about probate administration for a John Burson. I don't know why I didn't move from the index to Columbiana County Probate Book 4, page 247. This is probably another dead end as the index only mentioned heir Caleb Whitacre, but it should've been checked. I have several mystery Bursons in my notes (meaning I couldn't tie them definitively to proven Burson males). Some left wills, but none contain a child with the name Benjamin. To be absolutely certain I had nothing (alas), I scanned all the other counties in Ohio for which I had a mystery Burson of either gender.

Here's what you have to understand. There were other Burson males who migrated to this country long, long after George, the emigrant Quaker. They settled in the north originally, but one family of them moved in North Carolina where, again, alas, unwary researchers have made the giant assumption that they were descendants of George. Wrong. This family can be easily tracked back to its origins. So . . . . I just can't help you about Benjamin. Whereas it's true that I haven't heavily worked the Burson line for a couple of years, I was reasonably thorough when I did (wills, probate admin, deeds in some cases, and census). I'm very sorry I could not help because I really expected to be able to do so. Let me give you a piece of advice: always track as many siblings of your various ancestors as possible. Many times, I've found proof through these lines (remember, it's often the women who keep the family records so what you seek may be under their married name).

And, as far as I know, absolutely NONE of the Burson males within my current database had Indian ancestry. If you have a male direct line descendant, you can verify with with DNA testing.
Regards,
Terisha

Re: Bursons of VA

mmfan40 — 2012-01-10 23:44:14Z

Hello,

I am looking for information on my great great grandfather Benjamin Burson, here is what I have and know.
My great great grandfather is Benjamin Burson born abt 1811 in Columbia Couty, Ohio, and married Macage Thomas born 1801 and married october 1833 in Iowa, they had 5 children, one being my great grandfather Oliver Burson b 1841 and married Hannah Sprenkle in 1870, they had 11 children one being my grandfather, Denton O Burson b. 1879 d 1921, he was married twice, second to my grandmother mrytle prink, and my fathers name is Milton O. Burson sr. We are having troubles tracing the parents of Benjamin Burson, we have been told that he could be part indian. If you have any information on this line or need some of my information it would be greatly appreciated. thank you, Merrilee Burson

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

mmfan40 — 2012-01-10 23:32:49Z

Hello,
I am a burson and live in oregon, My great great grandfather is Benjamin Burson born abt 1811 in Columbia Couty, Ohio, and married Macage Thomas born 1801 and married october 1833 in Iowa, they had 5 children, one being my great grandfather Oliver Burson b 1841 and married Hannah Sprenkle in 1870, they had 11 children one being my grandfather, Denton O Burson b. 1879 d 1921, he was married twice, second to my grandmother mrytle prink, and my fathers name is Milton O. Burson sr. We are having troubles tracing the parents of Benjamin Burson, we have been told that he could be part indian. If you have any information on this line or need some of my information it would be greatly appreciated. thank you, Merrilee Burson

Frank Ray Burson

gwendowlyn — 2011-10-09 03:19:45Z

I finally broke through my gg-grandfather's first wife's line. I'm looking for relatives of Frank Ray Burson, b. 15 June 1908/Pittsburgh, PA d. September 28, 1985.Hendersonville, NC. He married Claire Heyden (1909-1998). As far as I can tell, they may have had at least two children: Donald and Ray Heyden Burson.

Frank Ray Burson's parents were Cecil Burson and Hazel Ray. Hazel Ray's parents were Lillian Moore and Franklin Ray. Lilian Moore was my gg-grandfather's 1/2 sister, with George Washington Moore (Wayne County, OH) their father.

Bursons of VA

KOwen1814 — 2011-09-12 15:24:22Z

Jim, Zack Lyle Burson, Jr, and Lillian Dixon had no children.

Re: Bursons of VA

KOwen1814 — 2011-09-12 15:21:41Z

Jim, Zack Lyle Burson, Jr, (1927-2002) was the only son of Zachariah Lyle Burson (1897-1928) and Eva Louise Littrell. Lyle married Lillian Dixon. She was from Abingdon, VA, I think. Her father was Charles T. Dixon. Lyle died of something related to Alzheimer's. I have called Lillian. I have written Lillian. I went to Salem to visit a cousin. She told the cousin if he showed me where she lived, she would haunt him forever. She went out of town that weekend. I think there is a secret in that line, but the harder I pressed, the more resistance I got, so I stopped. My email is bup-bup@juno.com. Kim Owen

Re: Bursons of VA

Jennifer_Squiers — 2011-09-11 23:33:36Z

The Bursons had a huge family in Virginia. Look for "The Burson Index" by C.M. Marsteller. The family goes back to the early Quaker days in PA. Many migrated west to Ohio, then to Michigan and points west. You might start with original colonist George Burson about 1684 I believe and work your way toward present day. I have tons of info if you want.

Re: Bursons of VA

123jt191 — 2011-09-11 18:24:32Z

Zachariah Lyle Burson is my 6C2R. Do you have his spouse's maiden namd and did he have any offspring? If so I would like to converse further.

Thank you

Jim Townsend

Bursons of VA

KOwen1814 — 2011-09-10 15:51:32Z

My maternal grandmother was a Littrell from the Roanoke/Salem, VA, area. Her brother, Bob Littrell married Daisy Richardson. They had one daughter, Eva Littrell. Eva married the son of the Reverend Zachariah Burson, Zach Burson. They had one son, Zachariah Lyle Burson. I have tried to get Lyle's widow to discuss that part of the family with me to no avail. The Rev. Burson has an elaborate gravemarker. His namesake had no marker until Lyle put one on the grave w/just the initials.

Re: Burson Family - GA to TX

mariebebber — 2011-09-10 10:13:47Z

I am a member of the Burson Family ,I live in Memphis Tenn, From Virginia, John Burson, Charles Edward Burson1, Grandfather -Major Burson, Ethel Burson, Martha Burson, I think German Decent, Colette Burson, Sherry Burson,Charles Edward Burson2, Brenda Kaye Burson

Re: LOOKING for William Mahlon Burson, Sr

JuneAnderson342 — 2011-08-27 02:40:04Z

Haha! I surely did. And I have found more info on him, I think, since then. This was your grandfather's father,and my understanding from those who should know is that he was one more great guy. Hmmm...somewhat like your grandfather! I've always loved that man! My mother's baby brother. Cousin June

P.S.--Glad to have you on ancestry.com!

Re: LOOKING for William Mahlon Burson, Sr

jacob_w_burson — 2011-08-26 21:04:10Z

My granddad's name is William Mahlon... Wait a minute... June, you posted this 10 years ago!

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

Terisha1 — 2011-08-22 00:52:15Z

Send me a couple of your Burson names with dates and locations, if possible, because I have followed some of the Bursons to Washington state, as well as Oregon.

Re: Joseph Burson m. Mary Polly Plaster

rccarlover71089 — 2011-08-22 00:16:50Z

Hi, I just found out that Mary Plaster and Joseph are my gr-gr-gr-gr-gr-gr grandparents. My mother is a direct descendant. I would love to know anything you know or if you need anything i would love to share what i know and point you in the burson direction.

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

rccarlover71089 — 2011-08-21 23:57:47Z

I can give you some things on my side but thats about it. My side does currently reside in Indiana Illinois Ohio and did live in Ohio and migrate west.We also have tons southward and in Washington state. Ill contonue shearching on my database of information because im still gathering from the stubborn family. Ill keep updating to further up here

Permelia Burson (c.1831-c.1897) dau. of Elisha (1795-1846?)

CharlesSims41 — 2011-08-21 23:40:19Z

seeking help regarding Parmelia Burson and her husband, John Cannon, and their children.
Not proven, but appears Permelia and John married about 1849 in Randolph County, Alabama.

From the 1850 census beat 4 - Randolph County, Alabama:

John Cannon, age 23, born GA.
Permelia Cannon, age 19, born GA. - nee burson
Georgeanna Cannon, age one month, born AL.
male; Major R. Morrison, age 30, born TN.
female; Catherine Morrison, age 25, born AL. nee Burson?
male; Wm. W. Morrison, age 10, born AL.
female; Permelia Morrison, age 8, born AL.
female; Mary Morrison, age 5, born AL.
male; Robert Morrison, age 1, born AL.

Note, several internet postings give Georgeanna's name as Margarett Cannon. However, the 1850 census clearly lists her name as Georgeanna Cannon.

The 1860 census for P.O. Rockdale, Randolph County, Alabama as follows:

John Cannon, age 35, born GA.
Permelia Cannon, age 30, born GA. - nee burson
female; Jane Cannon, age 7, born AL.
male?; George A. Cannon, age 9, Born AL.
female; Mary A. Cannon, age 2, Born AL.

No proof, but is reported that John Cannon died during the Civil War. This seems likely as he is not enumerated in the 1870 census with Permelia and the children.

1870 census - Fox Creek, Randolph County, Alabama as follows:

Milton Smith, age 24, born AL.
Georgia A. Smith, age 19, born AL. - nee Cannon
male; William Smith, age 2, born AL.
male; John Smith, age four months, born AL.
male; John Cannon, age 10, born AL.
female; Decie Cannon, age 15?, born AL. - (age 12)
female; Permelia Cannon, age 39, born - ? - nee burson

Note: Mary Ardecy "Decie" Cannon was born 7 March 1858 in Randolph County, Alabama and died 31 January 1899 at or near Union Grove, Marshall County, Alabama and is buried in the Union grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
She married James Flanders Thompson on 22 February 1872 probably in Randolph County, Alabama.
Ref. the 1900 census for Oleander, Marshall County, Alabama.
James Flanders Thompson was born 10 Sept. 1851 in Fayette County, Georgia and died 22 March 1909 at Forrest City, St. Francis County, Arkansas and is buried in the Hughes Cemetery at Caldwell, St. Francis County, Arkansas.

I've not yet found Permelia Cannon in the 1880 census, but have seen it reported that she died abt. 1897 at or near Union Grove, Marshall County, Alabama. If so, she may be buried in an unmarked grave in the Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Am also inclined to beleive that John and wife, Permelia Cannon, had a daughter, Laura Ann Cannon, born 18 June 1862 in Randolph County, Alabama. She, Laura Ann Cannon, age 7, born in AL. is enumerated in the 1870 Clay County, Alabama household of my great great grandfather, Clayborn Sims.

Thanks to all for reading my posting and any help.

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

Terisha1 — 2011-08-21 16:14:50Z

I should have added that the northern branch of George's descendants did, indeed, migrate to Ohio, Illinois and Indiana before many of them went further westward. The southern branch headed toward Georgia, etc, with some in Tennessee, etc..

I have 62 Bursons living at one time in Illinois, the earliest being Silas, born c1792, Jonah S., born c 1806 and Joseph, b. 1811. The latest death date I have is Schuyler Dewey, who died in 1969.

Re: Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

Terisha1 — 2011-08-21 16:07:29Z

George Burson emigrated from Scarborough, England (although this was not his original home) to Montgomery County, PA in 1684 where he married. Most of his immediate descendants migrated westward. Only one, William Burson, remained in Montgomery County. Alas, I have no information on any of his descendants if he had any. You have to provide a lot more information to learn from which branch you might possibly descend.

Emma Burson related to Indiana/ Illinois Burson Family?

rccarlover71089 — 2011-08-04 13:38:16Z

Hey,

My mother was doing some book perusing for the area of Lycoming County, PA and found the name Emma Burson who died in 1969?(1963) and was buried in Montgomery, PA (?). I did some personal research and found Emma C. Burson in the Cedar Run Cemetery up near Renovo, PA but no one in the Montgomery Area. I was told from my family that our family was never from Pennsylvania but I have this hunch that somewhere in the line of my family through the travel across the country from the coast of NJ, NY, etc to Illinois that some of the family stayed in Pa. Does any one have anyone from Illinois and Indiana in their tree? Specifically of Batman/ Burson? I do know they are from England but I dont have all of the details.

Re: William Worth Burson, Physician

MMPPeura — 2011-05-24 20:07:59Z

William Worth Benson, born 31 May 1888 in Chicago, IL, was the son of Samuel Weaver Burson and Mildred M. Ring, the grandson of James Burson and Nancy Weaver. I assume you are the son of William W. Burson, born 24 Dec 1911. For further info contact me at haleru58976@mypacks.net.

Re: William Arthur Burson

fdburson127 — 2011-05-05 18:19:10Z

I would need more info on Lula May to know if I have info on her. Dewey Burson fdburson1@msn.com please email me

Re: William Arthur Burson

littlebabysister24 — 2011-05-03 03:47:52Z

I was just curious if you had found anything about Lula Mae Michaels? This would have been my great grandmother on the Burson side. I would be interested in any further information you have on this side of the family.
Thanks,
Megan Lucas (Burson)

Burson Family Casey, Illinois

rccarlover71089 — 2011-04-17 20:30:36Z

Any information on any Bursons in Casey Illinois prior to 1940

Re: Burson's in Texas

OnitaPatrick — 2010-11-01 13:30:26Z

Mike, If you are not familiar with the names of Pauline and R.G. Burson, you are probably not any kin to my dad's side of the Bursons.

Re: Burson's in Texas

dballard65 — 2010-11-01 11:04:07Z

Not familiar with those names. Would you mind please using my direct personal email? mkburson@gmail.com .THANKS!!!!

Re: Burson's in Texas

OnitaPatrick — 2010-10-31 22:11:10Z

Mike, What is your connection to Pauline & R.G. Burson?

Re: Burson's

bigd_79 — 2010-10-30 22:26:26Z

Hi Mike,
Yes, you have found me. I've got to admit that I do not recall a mike, however I have come across so many in my researching that I just can't remember all of them. Please refresh my memory.
J. Dee Dickerson
bigd_79@hotmail.com

Re: Burson's

dballard65 — 2010-10-30 19:51:18Z

Hey boy, I found you!!! This is Mike

Re: Burson's in Texas

dballard65 — 2010-10-30 18:04:01Z

Yes, this is Mike Burson, I think Karen Scott may have referred you to me. (dballard is my sister). My personal email is mkburson@gmail.com . Thanks

Re: Bursons in Texas

KARENSCOTT281 — 2010-10-30 03:35:24Z

HIS EMAIL IS---mkburson@gmail.com

Re: Burson's in Texas

OnitaPatrick — 2010-10-29 22:32:47Z

Pauline Burson-Newsome and R. G. Burson were both first cousins of mine. My grandfather was Elisha Albert Burson. Charlie M. Burson was his son and the father of Pauline & R.G.
I have just recently started to research the Bursons.

George W. Burson grave in Grapeland, TX

jennamorrison71 — 2010-10-05 14:13:52Z

George Washington Burson, b.Jul 27, 1833 in AL (parents: Enoch Burson and Mary Harrington) was my great great grandfather and there has always been a question surrounding his past before he married my great great grandmother, Naomi Rebecca Benson because they married and raised their family in Washington County, AR but when G.W. died, he was buried with other Bursons (and I have no idea how they are related to us) in Grapeland, TX. Naomi lived another thirty something years after his death on Aug 20, 1882, so I can only guess that perhaps he was married and had a family before her? There are headstones nearby for Miles Samuel Burson and Blanch Burson who are the right age to have been other children of his, and an E.M. Burson next to him....perhaps a first wife? Anyone have any information to help me solve this puzzle?

Re: BURSON Daisy E 1869-1930

LEGGS2172 — 2010-09-29 19:07:17Z

MY DAD HAS BEEN DEAD FOR 10 YRS. AND HIS FATHER LAST NAME WAS BURSON HE WAS BORN IN 1921 IN ALABAMA, SNOWHILL ORPINEAPPLE IT WAS CALLED BACK THEN, HIS MOTHER DIED IN 1976 AND ALL I KNOW IS THAT SHE WAS LIVING ON A PLANTATION AND HAD A CHILD BY THE SON OF THE PLANTATION OWNER AND HIS LAST NAME WAS BURSON.... AND MY GREAT GRANMOTHER TOLD US BEFORE SHE DIED THAT THEY(MY FATHER'S FATHER WAS LOOKING FOR HIM

Leon S. Burson in Amarillo TX 1943

drbrownlee — 2010-07-22 00:52:47Z

Leon is pictured in the yearbook of the 422nd Technical School Squadron at Amarillo Army Air Field in Amarillo, Texas. The 422nd produced mechanics and technicians to maintain the Flying Fortresses. I'm not kin but thought this might help someone researching family.

BURSON Daisy E 1869-1930

t42MountOlivet — 2010-04-16 13:38:57Z

BURSON Daisy E 1869-1930

I photographed this gravestone in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas. Feel free to use this picture for your personal records. This is one of the 212,975 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com

If you know more about this person please reply here instead of contacting me because this is most likely not my family.

Re: Martha BURSON marries Ephraim Murray

KOwen1814 — 2010-04-04 14:50:46Z

In obituary of Reverend Z. L. Burson, d.11 Sep 1894, it states "his immediate relatives of Bristol are the families of J. B. Thomas (married to his sister Angeline) and Mrs. Murray (Martha J.) his sister, she being the only surviving member of the Burson family, abt 68 YO. (Martha married Dr. Ephraim Murray on 15 Apr 1852 in Washington County, TN.)

Link to Book

KOwen1814 — 2010-04-04 14:36:41Z

Link still dead. What gives????

Re: Burson

fdburson127 — 2009-11-24 01:35:52Z

I do not have a silas born in georga for that date range but if you have your fathers name and date of birth and place I may be able to find him. fdburson1@msn.com

Burson

Perri301681 — 2009-11-21 00:01:21Z

I am a Burson as well. The only thing I know is my grandfather name was Silas Burson and he was born in GA around 1900-1908. If anyone can help me I will truly appreciate it. Thanks.

Lucinda Emmaline Burson

szalipski — 2009-10-02 01:21:08Z

I think I have a picture of her. Does anybody else have a picture that I can compare it to? I'm not sure if it's her or not. If so, my email is szalipski@yahoo.com. Thanks.

Re: help in finding my ancestry burson

fdburson127 — 2009-08-25 17:56:52Z

I need your father and grandfathers birthdays and yours. I may have you in my data base email me at fdburson1@msn.com. Sincerely Dewey Burson

Re: help in finding my ancestry burson

JOHNNIEBURSON — 2009-08-25 12:10:44Z

HI I am a Burson I am from Ohio do not know much about my family other than my dad and grandpa my dad is Leslie Burson my grandpa was william burson is there any info you can share with me.