Rufus Morgan Burgess (abt. 1827 - 1900)

Born about 1827 in Tennessee, United States

Husband of Anna (Butler) Burgess — married 31 Dec 1864 in El Dorado, California, United States

Husband of Caroline Josephine (Burris) Monroe — married 1893 in Coloma, El Dorado, California, United States

Died 27 Jul 1900 at about age 73 in El Dorado, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Janice Sutherland [send private message]

Biography

Rufus Burgess is a part of US Black heritage.

Rufus Burgess is Notable.

Rufus was born a slave in 1827 in Tennessee.^[1] Rufus came to California with his parents and their owner, Robert Bell of Louisiana, about 1850. They were given their freedom soon after they arrived.

Rufus' father briefly engaged in gold mining which enabled him to purchase a parcel of farmland. He was also able, in 1851, to send for his wife and son, 22 or 23 year old Rufus Morgan Burgess who had both been sold to a slave owner in Kentucky.^[2].

Rufus was a blacksmith and his shop was located where the Grange Hall currently stands in Coloma. He was also a member of the Methodist Church.

In 1850 Rufus was living in Weaverville, California.^[3]

Rufus married Anna Butler 31 Dec 1864 in El Dorado, California.^[4]

In 1880 Rufus and Anna are living in Coloma, California.^[5]

Rufus Morgan is buried in Pioneer Cemetery in Coloma, California.^[6]

The death of Rufus Burgess was reported in the Mountain Democrat on Aug 4 1900: "Rufus Burgess died at this home in Coloma.... at the age of 73 years. Mr Burgess was one of the best known colored men in the county, highly esteemed by all and an honest, industrious citizen. He was a pioneer resident of Coloma; he owned and operated the blacksmith shop for many years. Deceased leaves a wife and 3 young sons to mourn his loss...."^[7]

Children:

• Marion Burgess b. 1894
• Rufus Burgess b. 1896
• Edgar M Burgess b. 1899

The Burgess family is working with the California Park's Deparment regarding land that Rufus' family owned in Coloma that was taken to create part of the Marshall Gold Discovery Site in Coloma.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVS-D5C5 : 16 December 2021), Rufus Morgan Burgess, ; Burial, Coloma, El Dorado, California, United States of America, Pioneer Cemetery; citing record ID 5469341, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
2. ↑ California State Library Foundation. Bulletin Number 133. 2021
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M491-MZ6 : 20 December 2020), Rufus Burgess, El Dorado, California, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
4. ↑ "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLHL-Z2J : 17 August 2022), Rufus Burgess and Anna Butler, 1864.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6GR-63P : 13 January 2022), Rufus M. Burgess, Coloma, El Dorado, California, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
6. ↑ Coloma's Cemeteries. A List of Pioneer Burials. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historica Park. Coloma Pioneer Cemetery Committee. Gold Discovery Park Association. 1989. page 2
7. ↑ The Mountain Democrat June 17, 2020 page B2
8. ↑ ABC10 News Feb 2022

• California State Parks Pays Tribute to PIoneering African Americans.