Burwell family of Virginia facts for kids

The Burwells were an important family in the early days of the Colony of Virginia. They were part of the First Families of Virginia, which were the wealthy and powerful families who settled in Virginia and played a big role in its history. Many Burwells married into other leading families. This made them very influential in Virginia's government and society.

The family was closely connected to the Fairfield Plantation in Gloucester County, Virginia. Many Burwells also built and ran other large farms, called plantations, in Virginia and North Carolina. Some of their old homes are still standing today. For example, Lewis Burwell III built the main house at Kingsmill Plantation in the 1730s. Later, Carter Burwell built Carter's Grove nearby. Nathaniel Burwell built Carter Hall around 1795. Some places, like Burwell's Bay in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, are named after the family.

Many Burwells fought in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. They also served in Virginia's government for a long time. A notable member of the family in the 20th century was Lewis Burwell Puller, also known as Chesty Puller. He became a famous war hero and a Lieutenant General in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Where the Burwells Came From

The Burwell family of Virginia originally came from England. They lived in a place called Harlington, Bedfordshire. Their home there is now known as Harlington Manor.

Lewis Burwell I: An Early Settler

Maj. Lewis Burwell (1621–1653) was born in England. He came to Virginia and became a wealthy farmer, owning about 7,000 acres of land. In 1650, he married Lucy Higginson. Her family had also moved to Virginia.

Lewis and Lucy had one son, also named Lewis. Maj. Lewis Burwell died when he was only 33 years old. The early Burwells lived at Carter's Creek and later at Fairfield Plantation. Maj. Lewis Burwell was buried at Abingdon Church in Gloucester County.

Lewis Burwell II: A Leader in Virginia

Hon. Lewis Burwell (1652-c.1710) was the son of Maj. Lewis Burwell. He managed several plantations. He also served in the House of Burgesses, which was Virginia's law-making body. He was the first of six men with the same name to do so.

He bought Kingsmill Plantation in 1693. He also served on the Governor's Council, which advised the governor of Virginia. He was a governor of the College of William and Mary in 1702. He lived in Gloucester County and died around 1710. "Burwell's Bay" is named after him because he owned a lot of land there.

Lewis Burwell II had many children with his first wife, Abigail Smith. Some of his children married into other important families like the Bassetts, Harrisons, and Carters. He also had children with his second wife, Martha Lear.

Lewis Burwell III: Building Kingsmill

In the 1730s, British Colonel Lewis Burwell III (1698–1743) took over Kingsmill Plantation. He built a large mansion and gardens there. He also became the customs inspector for the James River. His inspection station, called Burwell's Landing, had a tavern, store, and ferry.

By 1740, the Burwell families owned most of the land between the James and York Rivers. This Lewis Burwell married Elizabeth Armistead. They had two sons, Lewis Burwell (1716–1779) and Armistead Burwell (1718–1754). His son Lewis Jr. continued his father's work as a naval officer. His grandson, Nathaniel (1750–1802), became a Major in the American Revolutionary War.

His second son, Armistead Burwell, served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. His great-grandson, William A. Burwell, became a secretary for President Thomas Jefferson. He was the only Burwell to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Lewis Burwell: Acting Governor of Virginia

During his time as acting governor, Lewis Burwell helped create the Fry-Jefferson map of Virginia.

Lewis Burwell (1711–1756) was a very important member of the family. He served as the acting Governor of Virginia for a year, from November 1750 to November 1751. He also served in the House of Burgesses. His mother was Elizabeth Carter, whose father, Robert "King" Carter, owned a huge amount of land.

After his father died, Lewis Burwell took control of his family's plantations, which were about 5,000 acres. He married Mary Willis, and they combined their lands to create a 7,000-acre plantation. He quickly became a leader and was named to the governor's council. During his time as acting governor, he helped create the famous Fry-Jefferson map of Virginia.

Lewis Burwell: A Wealthy Landowner

Lewis Burwell (1737–1779+) was the eldest son of the acting Governor Lewis Burwell. He became one of Virginia's richest men. He inherited 7,000 acres in Gloucester County, including Fairfield Plantation, where he lived. He also owned about 5,000 acres in Prince William County.

He served as a justice of the peace and sheriff for Gloucester County. He was also a delegate to the House of Burgesses from 1769 to 1776. He voted for independence and helped create Virginia's first constitution. He married Judith Page, who also came from a First Family of Virginia.

Carter Burwell: Building Carter's Grove

Carter Burwell (1716–1756) was the younger brother of the acting Governor Lewis Burwell. He inherited land from his grandfather, "King" Carter. He built the famous house at Carter's Grove in the 1750s. This estate was about 1,400 acres.

Carter Burwell represented James City County in the House of Burgesses. He married Lucy Ludwell Grymes. Carter and Lucy lived in their new house for only six months before Carter died in 1756. They had two sons, Nathaniel Burwell (1750–1814) and Carter Burwell Jr. (1754–1775), and three daughters.

Nathaniel Burwell: From Carter's Grove to Carter Hall

Colonel Nathaniel Burwell (1750–1814) took over Carter's Grove in 1771. He grew tobacco, corn, and wheat using enslaved labor. He married Susanna Grymes and they had eight children. After her death, he moved to Frederick County, Virginia.

With help from General Daniel Morgan, he built Carter Hall (Millwood, Virginia). His son, Nathaniel Burwell (1779–1849), would manage Carter Hall and serve in the Virginia House of Delegates. Carter's Grove stayed in the Burwell family until 1838.

William A. Burwell: A Friend of Jefferson

William A. Burwell (1780–1821) was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. After college, he moved to Franklin County, Virginia, where he ran a plantation using enslaved labor. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates.

He became a close friend and private secretary to President Thomas Jefferson. He was the only Burwell to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served several terms until his death in 1821. His old plantation house, the Burwell-Holland House, is now a historic site. Another family home, Avenel, is also a historic site.

William M. Burwell, William A. Burwell's son, was the last Burwell to be elected to the Virginia General Assembly. His daughter, Letitia M. Burwell, wrote books about life in Virginia before the Civil War.