Mary Anna (Ledford) Burelson (abt. 1785)

Born about 1785 in North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Simeon Burleson — married 10 Apr 1805 in Rutherford County, North Carolina

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Wahl Barkes [send private message] and Jim Burleson [send private message]

Biography

Mary Anna Ledford was born about 1785 (see research note re: Birth Year) in North Carolina (see research note re: Birth Location) to uncertain parents (see research note re: Parents).

Mary married Simeon Burleson on 10 April 1805 in Rutherford County, North Carolina^[1]. Simeon was born about 1785 in North Carolina, probably to Thomas Burleson and Margaret Jane Greene.

In the 1810 U.S. Federal Census, Simeon's family was living in Burke County, North Carolina^[2] (see research note re: Early Censuses). Including Simeon, his household consisted of six individuals:

Age Range	Birth Year	Gender	Count	Relationship	Name
16 - 25	1785 - 1794	M	1	Self	Simeon
16 - 25	1785 - 1794	F	1	Wife	Mary
0 - 9	1801 - 1810	M	1	Unknown	Unknown (see research note re: Unknown Male in 1810 and 1820 Censuses found on the profile of Simeon Burleson)
0 - 9	1801 - 1810	F	3	Daughter	Unknown ("Mary"), future wife of Reuben Young
				Daughter	Elisabeth, future wife of Jesse Black
				Daughter	Nancy, future wife of Jacob Slagle

In the 1820 U.S. Federal Census, Simeon's family continued to live in Burke County, North Carolina^[3] (see research note re: Early Censuses). His household now consisted of twelve individuals (eleven family members and one enslaved person):

Age Range	Birth Year	Gender	Count	Relationship	Name
26 - 44	1776 - 1794	M	1	Self	Simeon
26 - 44	1776 - 1794	F	1	Wife	Mary
19 - 25	1795 - 1801	M	1	Unknown	Unknown (see research note re: Unknown Male in 1810 and 1820 Censuses found on the profile of Simeon Burleson)
10 - 15	1805 - 1810	F	3	Daughter	Unknown ("Mary"), future wife of Reuben Young
				Daughter	Elisabeth, future wife of Jesse Black
				Daughter	Nancy, future wife of Jacob Slagle
0 - 9	1811 - 1820	M	3	Son	Frederick
				Son	Aaron
				Son	Thomas
0 - 9	1811 - 1820	F	2	Daughter	Rachel, future wife of James Gage and Wilson McKinney
				Daughter	Martha, future wife of Isaac Wilson
0 - 13	1807 - 1820	M	1	Slave	A slave, probably named Joseph

In the 1830 U.S. Federal Census, Simeon's family lived in Burke County, North Carolina^[4] (see research note re: Early Censuses). His household consisted of ten family members and two enslaved persons:

Age Range	Birth Year	Gender	Count	Relationship	Name
40 - 49	1781 - 1790	M	1	Self	Simeon
40 - 49	1781 - 1790	F	1	Wife	Mary
15 - 19	1811 - 1815	M	1	Son	Aaron
15 - 19	1811 - 1815	F	1	Daughter	Probably Rachel. Her husband James Gage has not yet been found in 1830. Rachel's infant daughter, Nancy Gage, is probably also in this household.
10 - 14	1816 - 1820	M	1	Son	Thomas
10 - 14	1816 - 1820	F	1	Daughter	Martha, future wife of Isaac Wilson
5 - 9	1821 - 1825	M	2	Son	Jonathan
				Son	Malcolm
0 - 4	1826 - 1830	F	2	Daughter	Jane, future wife of Hampton Garland
				Granddaughter	Probably Nancy Gage, child of daughter Rachel and her first husband, James Gage
10 - 23	1807 - 1820	M	1	Slave	A slave, probably named Joseph
0 - 9	1821 - 1830	F	1	Slave	A slave, probably named Mary

Simeon and Mary had at least eleven children together (see research note re: Children):

1. Unknown Daughter "Mary" (Burleson) Young b. ~1805 d. Bef. 1830^[5]
2. Elisabeth (Burleson) Black b. ~1807 d. ???^[5][6]
3. Nancy (Burleson) Slagle b. ~1809 d. ???^[5]
4. Frederick L. Burleson b. ~1811 d. 1881^[5]
5. Rachel (Burleson) (Gage) McKinney b. ~1813 d. ???^[5][7]
6. Aaron Burleson b. ~1815 d. ???^[5]
7. Thomas Burleson b. ~1817 d. Bef. 1890^[5][8]
8. Martha (Burleson) Wilson b. ~1819 d. 1875^[5][9]
9. Jonathan Burleson b. ~1822 d. ???
10. Malcolm McCurry Burleson b. ~1824 d. 1904^[10]
11. Jane (Burleson) Garland b. ~1826 d. 1896

It seems likely that Mary's husband, Simeon, passed away in June 1840 in Yancey County, North Carolina^[5] (see free space page Probate for Estate of Simeon Burleson). Simeon's household was not enumerated in the 1840 U.S. Federal Census (see research note re: Early Censuses). Mary was enumerated in Yancey County, North Carolina, in the household of son Aaron, the oldest son still living at home in 1840^[11].

Age Range	Birth Year	Gender	Count	Relationship	Name
40 - 49	1791 - 1800	F	1	Mother	Mary
20 - 29	1811 - 1820	M	1	Self	Aaron
15 - 19	1821 - 1825	M	2	Brother	Jonathan
				Brother	Malcolm
10 - 14	1826 - 1830	F	2	Sister	Jane, future wife of Hampton Garland
10 - 23	1817 - 1830	M	1	Slave	A slave, probably named Joseph
10 - 23	1817 - 1830	F	1	Slave	A slave, probably named Mary

There is a probate entry on 23 July 1840 in Yancey County, North Carolina, where the dowry for Mary, widow of Simeon Burleson, was described. The settlement of Simeon's estate was accepted by the court in Yancey County, North Carolina on 4 January 1845^[5].

In the 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Mary was enumerated in the household of son, Malcolm McCurry, in Yancey County, North Carolina. Also in the household were Malcolm's wife and their three children^[12].

It seems plausable that Mary survived to be enumerated in the 1860 U.S. Federal Census (see research note re: 1860 Census), but this is not confirmed.

Neither a death record nor evidence of a burial have been located yet for Mary Anna Ledford (see research note re: Death).

Research Notes

Birth Year

A birth record for Mary has not yet been located. An estimate for her birth year can be made by looking at census records:

• In the 1810 U.S. Federal Census^[2], Mary was 16 - 25 years old, therefore born 1785 - 1794.
• In the 1820 U.S. Federal Census^[3], Mary was 26 - 44 years old, therefore born 1776 - 1794.
• In the 1830 U.S. Federal Census^[4], Mary was 40 - 49 years old, therefore born 1781 - 1790.
• In the 1840 U.S. Federal Census^[11], Mary was 40 - 49 years old, therefore born 1791 - 1800.
• In the 1850 U.S. Federal Census^[12], Mary was 61 years old, therefore born in 1789.

Assuming that her age was accurately captured in each of those census years, there is no birth year that would fit all of the census records. On the other hand, if you assume that the 1840 census understated her age (perhaps she should have been 50 - 59 years old instead of 40 - 49 years old), then a birth year of 1785 - 1790 would align with all of the pre-1850 censuses, and a birth year of 1789 would align with all censuses 1810 - 1850. A birth year of 1789 would make her 16 years old at the time of her marriage - adjusting her birth year back to 1785 would make her 20 years old at the time of her marriage. Choosing 1785 is an arbitrary choice that aligns with the census records and her being a bit older when married.

Also note the unknown male living in Simeon's household in 1810 and 1820 (see research note re: Unknown Male in 1810 and 1820 Censuses found on the profile of her husband, Simeon). His relationship to Simeon is unknown. It is possible, but seems unlikely, that he was son of Simeon and Mary - he was likely born before Simeon and Mary were married.

Birth Location

On 31 August 2023 the birth location for this profile was set to Yancey County, North Carolina. A source supporting this specific county within North Carolina has not yet been located. Also, Mary's birth was well before the year in which Yancey County was established. Yancey County was established in 1833, using land from Burke and Buncombe counties. In turn, Buncombe was established in 1791, using land from Burke and Rutherford counties^[13]. Without some form of record to better pinpoint which county Mary was born in, a guess for her birth location would be either Burke or Rutherford county. Based on the sources available at this time, however, a broader birth location of North Carolina seems appropriate.

Parents

A source that identifies Mary's parents has not yet been located. Other researchers often indicate that her father was Frederick Huey Ledford Sr.. Her mother is sometimes indicated to be Margaret McCurry but also sometimes simply Unknown.

Early Censuses

The connection of early census records to Mary's husband, Simeon, and their children, are educated guesses. Other records provide estimates of the ages of Simeon's family, which can be used to map individuals to the age categories by gender that are used in early census records. For more details on searches used to increase confidence that the early census records noted above in the biography are likely to be for the family of Simeon and Mary, see the research note re: Early Censuses that is on the profile of Simeon Burleson.

Children

Analysis of early censuses supports that Simeon and Mary had at least eleven children. Simeon's estate settlement supports the existance of eight of his children. The three youngest children, however, were not referenced in his estate settlement^[5].

• Jonathan - A source supporting Jonathan as a son of Simeon and Mary has not yet been located. It is frequently assumed by other researchers that the Jonathan Burleson who married Nancy Garland was the son of Simeon and Mary.
• Malcolm - In the 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Malcolm's household includes an elderly woman named Mary. This is assumed to be his widowed mother, Mary Ledford^[10].
• Jane - A source supporting Jane as a daughter of Simeon and Mary has not yet been located. It is frequently assumed by other researchers that the Jane Burleson who married Hampton Chrisenberry Garland was the daughter of Simeon and Mary.

1860 Census

Searching the 1850 U.S. Federal Census for "Mary Burleson" residing in North Carolina returns 19 matching records:

• 8 males with middle initial "M".
• 11 females with first name Mary:
  • 8 who were born after 1830.
  • 3 who were born before 1805:
    • Mary Burlison, born in North Carolina about 1803, living in Buncombe County with her presumed six children, possibly a widow.
    • Mary Burleson, born in North Carolina about 1795, living in Yancey County with her presumed husband, four children, and one grandchild.
    • Mary Burleson, born in North Carolina about 1789, living in Yancey County, apparent widow and mother of head-of-household, McCurry Burleson. This record is for Mary Ledford, and is attached as a source to this profile^[12].

Performing the same search on the 1860 U.S. Federal Census returns 16 matching records:

• 4 males with middle initial "M".
• 12 females:
  • 1 female with first name Mira, born in 1857.
  • 1 female with first name Nancy (and middle initial "M"), born in 1817.
  • 8 females named Mary or Polly who were born after 1830.
  • 2 females named Mary or Polly who were born before 1805:
    • Polly Burlison born in North Carolina about 1803, living in Buncombe County with her presumed five children and two grandchildren, possibly a widow.
    • Mary Burlison, born in North Carolina about 1788, living alone in Yancey County.

Comparing the results of these two searches yields the following conclusions:

1. The Mary Burlison born about 1803 living in Buncombe County in 1850 is the same person as Polly Burlison born about 1803 living in Buncombe County in 1860. This person is not a match for this profile.
2. There are two Mary Burleson's living in Yancey County in 1850 that could be the same person as Mary Burlison living in Yancey County in 1860. One of the 1850 Mary's in Yancey County is Mary Ledford, described in this profile. Could the 1860 Mary also be Mary Ledford?
   • The 1860 Mary was enumerated with gender of "M". This was probably a simple mistake by the enumerator.
   • The 1860 Mary was born about 1788 in North Carolina. This was one year different than the birth given for Mary Ledford in the 1850 census.
   • The 1860 Mary was living alone, but adjacent to the household of Jonathan Burleson, a presumed son of Mary Ledford.

Searching the 1870 U.S. Federal Census returns 20 matching records, but none of the matches were born prior to 1825.

Death

On 31 August 2023 this profile indicated that Mary had passed away on 21 August 1850 in Yancey County, North Carolina. Her profile at FamilySearch (FamilySearch Person: L41N-HLY) also indicated these death details. These death details, however, are likely not accurate. The date of 21 August 1850 happens to be the exact date the 1850 census worker visited the household of Mary's son, Malcolm McCurry Burleson, in Yancey County. Mary was enumerated that day as part of that household^[12]. It is also plausible that Mary was still living when the 1860 U.S. Federal Census was enumerated (see previous research note re: 1860 Census). Thus far there are no sources that support Mary's death occurring on 21 August 1850 (or any date, for that matter).

Sources

1. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q28R-JQ5B : 22 July 2021), DGS #007740371, Image #609, Simeon Burleson and Mary Ledford, 10 Apr 1805; citing Rutherford, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm 2,447,752.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "United States Census, 1810", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH26-6SY : Thu Jul 20 23:25:05 UTC 2023), Entry for Simon Burlison, 1810.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "United States Census, 1820", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLX-7ZG : Thu Jul 20 23:13:59 UTC 2023), Entry for Simeon Burlison, 1820.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} "United States Census, 1830", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5M-JB2 : Thu Jul 20 17:11:04 UTC 2023), Entry for Simeon Burlison, 1830.
5. ↑ ^{5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10} FamilySearch; United States, North Carolina, Yancey County, Probate Records; Probate records, 1855-1938, Catalog #151993 (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/151993); Record of wills, 1838-1935; DGS #4779747; Will Book Volume #1, Pages 103-108; Images 59-62 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-LGCH-4JT?i=58&cc=1867501&cat=151993); Settlement of the estate of Simeon Burleson. For more details see the freespace profile Probate for Estate of Simeon Burleson.
6. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q215-5KVT : 21 July 2021), DGS #102155825, Image #145, Jesse R Black and Elisabeth Burleson, 25 Mar 1824; citing Burke, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .
7. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q215-G2X7 : 21 July 2021), DGS #102155825, Image #566, James M Gage and Rachel Barteson, 25 Nov 1827; citing Burke, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .
8. ↑ "United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8S3-5TV : 8 March 2021), Thomas Burleson, 1890; citing NARA microfilm publication M123 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 338,254.
9. ↑ "A Reminiscent History of the Ozark Region". Goodspeed Brothers, 1894. Page 342, Martha (Burleson) Wilson wife of I. C. Wilson, deceased 1875.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} "United States Census, 1850", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4BG-C4B : Thu Oct 05 08:17:47 UTC 2023), Household #375, Family #390, Line #28, Household of McCurry Burleson, 1850.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} "United States Census, 1840", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHYJ-PBL : Thu Jul 20 19:17:17 UTC 2023), Entry for Aaron Burleson, 1840.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3} "United States Census, 1850", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4BG-CH3 : Thu Oct 05 08:17:47 UTC 2023), Household #375, Family #390, Line #33, Entry for Mary Burleson in household of McCurry Burleson, 1850.
13. ↑ “State and County Maps of North Carolina.” MapofUS.org. Years: 1791, 1832. Accessed 31 Aug 2023. https://www.mapofus.org/Virginia/