----- Original Message -----
From: <burge(a)compuage.com>
To: <INCLARK-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 9:31 AM
Subject: Burge
I'm looking for any info. on William Burge that it is said that
was in Clark Co. IN as early as 1785. There were other Burge's later, John, Robert,
James, Isaac, as well as several females. Were these the ch. of William? Does anyone have
recds. this early about the families in very earlly Clark Co.? Thanks, Nancy
Hi Nancy,
Clark Co, Indiana was formed in 1801 out of Knox. Knox Co, IN, was
formed in 1790 from the Northwest Territory. It would be hard to tell you where to find
records in 1785. I do know that from 1778 to 1784, what is now Clark Co, IN, was part of
a vast area called "Illinois County, Virginia". In 1784 the Federal Government
took all this area away from Virginia and called it the Northwest Territory. You might try
land records in present day Clark Co, IN. You will not learn when he bought property but
the sale might be there. Better yet a land settlement when he died.
Very early settlers of Clark Co, IN, were soldiers of George Rogers Clark. Virginia
gave "Illinois Grants" to George Rogers Clark's men for their military
service. I have a 3-great grand uncle, James Robertson, who died in Clark County in 1808.
He left a Will which was hotly contested. George Rogers Clark vouched for the will.
Opponents claimed that the "Illinois Grant" was no longer valid.
Be warned that the Clark County Courthouse has been flooded at times and not all
records survive. I hope some of this helps,
Don