Burgess Family in England

These records were compiled from several sources.

The Burgess family goes back to the 16th century. Generations of Burgess's were born, married and died at Chirton in Wiltshire, and nearby Patney. William Burgess came to Australia in 1853. The census in 1801 recorded a population of 130 in Patney.

Historically the Burgess family were officials in the village - "churchwarden, overseer of roads and highways, Tythingman, jurors and other village posts of importance ..." according to records of the Manor House in the early 1600s. It is not clear if the Burgesses lived in the Manor House (pictured below).

Side view of Manor House
Front View of Manor House
Barn at Cherington Farm

The name Burgess is a common name. It was given to a freeman of a borrough (enclosed village or town) who owned land. A Burgess had the right to represent the Borough in parliament. Our Burgesses started off as 'Bridges' then turned into 'Burges' and 'Burgis' and one record shows Michaell is noted as 'Burye'.

Chirton, also known as Cherington in the Doomsday book, means "farm by the church". A little church was completed and consectrated in Chirton in 1170 on St John the Baptist's Day during the reign of Henry 11. St John's is pictured below left.

St John the Baptist Church
Back of St John's

Below are the generations directly connected to ours. However there is further material avaiable some of the siblings and their descendants.

First Generation: Michaell Burgess

Birth

The first known Burgess was Michaell Burgess. There is no record of where he came from. Michaell's occupation was Yeoman/farmer.

Marriage

Michaell married An Hichman in Chirton in 1613.

Children

1. Martha Burgess
2. Anne Burgess
3. Edythe Burgess
4. Micheall Burgess see Second Generation
5. Henry Burgess
6. Richard Burgess

Second Generation: Micheall Burgess 1616-1686

Birth
Michaell Burgess born 1616 in Chirton and baptised in Chirton.

Marriage
Michaell married Anne. His occupation was also Yoeman/farmer.

Children

1. Anne Jane Burgess
2. Alice Burgess
3. Margaret Burgess
4. Mary Burgess
5. Micahell Burgess see Third Generation
6. Henry Burgess
7. Richard Burgess

Death
Michaell died 1686 in Chirton aged 70.

Third Generation: Michaell Burgess 1652-1714

Birth

Michaell Burgess was born December 10th 1652 in Chirton.

Marriage

He married Margaret.

Children

1. John Burgess see Fourth Generation
2. Micheal Burgess
3. Mary Burgess
4. Grace Burgess
5. Richard Burgess
6. Francis Burgess
7. Margery Burgess

Death

Michaell died 1714 in Chirton aged 62.

Fourth Generation: John Burgess 1679-1760

Birth

John Burgess was born December 10 1679 in Chirton.

Marriage

He married Bridget Wells in 1705.

Children

1. Elizabeth Burgess
2. John Burgess see Fifth Generation
3. Thomas Burgess
4. Michael Burgess
5. Bridgett Burgess (nb. perhaps this child died in infancy)
6. Bridget Burgess

Death

John died in 1760 aged 81 in Chirton.

Fifth Generation: John Burgess 1716-1756

Birth

John Burgess was born in 1716 in Chirton.

Marriage

He married Jane Tubb in 1745.

Children

1. James Burgess
2. John Burgess see Sixth Generation
3. Elizabeth Burgess
4. Stephen Burgess
5. William Burgess
6. Michael Burgess married Sarah (who was buried 15th December 1798)

Death

John died 1756 aged 40 in Chirton.

Sixth Generation: John Burgess 1746-1824

Birth

John Burgess was born Dec 26th 1746 in Patney. The census in 1800 showed the Burgess's to be farmers and servants to others. The poor, simple farmers and yoemen of those times constantly battled for survival. Farm workers were very poor and thin. They were able to keep a pig, have a small garden and cultivate a row of potatoes. It is not clear if our Burgess's were the bosses or the workers.

Marriage

He married Lucy Palmer in Patney, Wiltshire, on June 3rd 1770. Lucy was the daughter of James Palmer and Elizabeth Bradfield. She was christened March 27th 1750. The marriage was conducted by Charles Gibbon, Curator and witnessed by Stephen Ackerman and Edward Drewett.

Children

1. James Burgess born August 12th 1770, baptised August 19th
2. John Burgess born May 17th 1772, died 1862 in Allington Wiltshire. Click the link to John and descendants
3. Elizabeth Burgess baptised October 25th 1774
4. Stephen Burgess born 1777, died March 24th, 1854 Patney. Click link for Stephen and descendants
5. William Burgess born February 27th 1780 married Ann Burden, died December 12th 1823, click link to see descendants
6. Michael Burgess born June 9th 1782, died 1827 Patney, see Seventh Generation
7. Sarah Burgess baptised April 20th 1786, buried 1798, aged 12
8. Mary Burgess baptised November 29th 1789

Death

John died August 12th 1824 aged 77 in Patney. Lucy was buried July 26th 1796 aged 46.

Seventh Generation: Michael Burgess and Elizabeth Pinchen, Alice Robbins

Birth

Michael Burgess was baptised on June 9th 1782.

Marriage to Elizabeth

He married his first wife Elizabeth Pinchen 15th April 1807.

Children and Descendants of Michael and Elizabeth :

  1. Sarah Burgess born 1807. Her child's father was apparently Goddard of Wedhampton.
    1. James Burgess, baptised 22nd January 1826, married Ann.
  2. Isaac Burgess, born 1811 in Patney, married to Mary Anne Ferris on the 8th Judy 1833 at Chirton. He was an agricultural labourer and died March 1897. Children of Isaac and Mary:
    1. Michael Burgess, born 1833 Patney, married Mary. He died 1873. Child of Michael and Mary:
      1. Elizabeth Burgess, born 1854
    2. Stephen Burgess, born 29th July 1835
    3. Geoge Burgess, born 24th September 1837
    4. Abel Burgess, baptised 5th January 1840, died 5th January 1840, buried 30th November 1840
    5. Levi Burgess, born 6th June 1841

Marriage to Alice

He married his second wife Alice Robbins, from Compton Bassett, on 2nd August 1814.

Children and Descendants of Michael and Alice

  1. William Burgess born 1815 in Patney, died 1886 in Harrow, Victoria Australia. Click link to see William and descendants
  2. John Burgess, born 1821 and married Sarah Stone (daughter of John Stone) on the 27th June 1846. He died in 1902. Children of John and Sarah:
    1. Charles Burgess, born 1847, married to Susan Hillier (daughter of John Hillier) on 5th April 1873. He was a labourer and died 27th January 1908. Children of Charles and Susan:
      1. Sarah Ann Burgess, born 1873, married John James North on the 6th June 1891
      2. Charles Henry Burgess, born 1874, married Sarah Ann Ellis (daughter of Henry, labourer) on the 13th December 1902. He worked as a platelayer and died 20th February 1934.
      3. James Burgess, born 19th December 1875 and died 22nd April 1876 aged 5 months
      4. Alice Rose Burgess, born 1888, married Charles Hiscock ( of All Cannings, son of Johathon Hiscock) on the 10th November 1910.
    2. Jane Burgess, born 1849, married William Giddings on the 13th February 1872
    3. Emily Burgess, born 1853, worked as a servant. She married to Maurice Ferris 18th December 1880.
    4. Frederick Burgess, born 1855 and married Charlotte Dyke (a servant, daughter of John Dyke, labourer) on the 23rd October 1884. He died 10th November 1928. Children of Frederick and Charlotte:
      1. Alice Maud Burgess, married Robert Boyd on the 18th February 1909
      2. Eleanor Burgess, born 1888, married William Carey (son of Joseph Carey) on the 10th August 1915
    5. Demon Burgess, born 1858
    6. John Burgess, born 1860, married Emma White (daughter of Thomas White, a collier) on 3rd April 1893. John worked as a groom. Children of John and Emma:
      1. Ethel Burgess, baptised 1st June 1884
      2. Olive Francis Burgess, baptised 11th October 1885
      3. Ellen Burgess, baptised 2nd October 1887
      4. Minnie Burgess, baptised 3rd November 1889
    7. Thomas Burgess, born 1862
    8. Sidney Burgess, born 1866
  3. Jane Burgess, baptised 28th October 1827

Death

Michael was buried aged 49 on July 1st 1827 in Patney.
St Swithins Patney
Patney