The 1880 United States census is an important part of the answer. The significance of the 1880 United States Census, Georgia, Laurens County, enumeration district 64, page 542B, is that this is the only historical public document which identifies the location of where Joseph Burch (1758-1818) was born.

In the 1880 census record, Alfred Burch (1811-1894), a son of Joseph Burch (1758-1818) and his (2nd) wife Gilley Wilcox, identified “Georgia”, as the birthplace of his parents.

The currently stated birthplace of Joseph Burch (1758-1818) is Maryland, which was not recorded in any known historical public document.

The source of the Maryland birthplace claim was from a biographical article of E. A. (Edward Allen) Burch, (1821-1907), Jr., a grandson of Joseph Burch, recorded in:

Memoirs of Georgia: Containing Historical Accounts of the State’s Civil, Military, Industrial and Professional Interests, and Personal Sketches of Many of Its People, Vol. II (1895), by The Southern Historical Association (Atlanta, Georgia). Pages 700-701.

The specific reference from page 700 is,”The advent of Lord Baltimore [founded the Maryland colony] brought to America two emigrants, Joseph and Charles Burch, and from these are descended the large and prominent family of that name. Joseph settled in Georgia and married a Miss Edith Hargrove, a lady of German parentage but of Georgia rearing”.

Also from page 700,”After the death of his mother [Eda (Edith) Hargrove Burch], Edward Allen Burch was adopted by a cousin, Edward Burch, of Richmond County, when he was but five months old, having been born April 6, 1796.”

Here is Edward Allen Burch, Jr.’s lineage:
Grandparents – Joseph and Eda (Edith) Hargrove Burch. Eda was Joseph’s 1st wife.
Parents – Edward Allen (1796-1836) and Elizabeth (Cowart) Burch

The above 1895 quote does not offer any actual proof that Joseph Burch (1758-1818) was born in Maryland. Interestingly, there is no mention by Edward Allen Burch, Jr., of his grandfather, Joseph Burch having served during the American Revolutionary War. When did the Daughters of the American Revolution come up with Joseph Burch serving in the 2nd Maryland Regiment?

In conclusion, “Georgia” as the birthplace of Joseph Burch (1758-1818), from Alfred Burch’s entry in the 1880 United States Census of Laurens County, Georgia, appears to be the most likely birthplace for Joseph at this time.

James Allison

I am trying to identify a portrait that carries some uncertainty – one cousin thinks it’s one of the Boyds, another thinks a different family line.

I’m wondering if anyone might have an image (portrait) of either CSB Senior (1803-1839) or his son, CSB Junior (1835-1895), or perhaps you know someone who does.

Any help will be appreciated.

Charlie Bryan           bryan.charlie@gmail.com