Burris Family of Newcomerstown
Veteran’s History Project
by Mitch Wise
mitchlwise@tusco.net
The following is a family history study of the Jeremiah Burris family of
Newcomerstown, Ohio. The purpose behind this study was to create a
historical newspaper article for the Newcomerstown News for the Veteran’s
Day issue in November 2005. I am not personally related to this family.
Italicized words are my own to help clarify the information provided.
AFTER 38 YEARS
The Remains of Jeremiah Burris are Brought Home and Interred
NEWCOMERSTOWN NEWS, NEWCOMERSTOWN, OHIO
JANUARY 24, 1900
About 38 years ago a chapter of local history was begun which was just
finished yesterday. The chapter began with the opening of the civil war and
closed with the closing of the grave in the Newcomerstown cemetery over the
remains of Comrade Jeremiah Burris of Co. B, 80th O.V. I. (Ohio Volunteer
Infantry)
In October, 1861, John A. Burris of this city (Newcomerstown), and his
father, Jeremiah Burris, enlisted in Co. B., 80th O.V.I. On the 28th day of
August, 1862, while encamped at Camp Sullivan, near Jacinto, Miss. The elder
Burris died of disease actually falling from his feet and aspiring. This
camp was considerable distance from the railroad and as it was only a few
days previous to the battle of Corinth it was necessary to bury the remains
in camp.
The body was therefore taken in the woods, just in front of the camp, and
the son and friends performed the last rites over it and gave it burial
there. The son at the time procured a large wine bottle and writing an
inscription on a piece of paper, inserted it in the bottle and buried the
same at the head of the grave as a means of identification at some future
date.
Last October, Mr. Burris, accompanied by his brother, Lee, of Columbus, went
to Missippi (Mississippi) and endeavored to locate the grave. They found the
camp almost obliterated with trees of many years growth covering it. The
spot was located however, and they spent several days searching for the
grave. They were unsuccessful at the time, and after digging over a large
area they left and returned home. Near the place they were digging resided
an old soldier by the name of J. C. Yarber, and he promised to continue the
hunt for the remains, and the gentlemen left their addresses.
This man’s efforts were rewarded and last week word was received that he had
discovered the grave and that it was within forty yards of where they first
began digging.
The remains were shipped to columbus by express were brought to this city
Saturday night, accompanied by Lee T. Burris and wife, L. F. Shull, wife and
son of Columbus, and G. W. Burris, another son of Gahanna, O. Tuesday
afternoon the remains were reinterred in the Newcomerstown cemetery, and now
rest by the side of those of his wife (Margaret Pope).
ANOTHER VETERAN CALLED BY DEATH
NEWCOMERSTOWN NEWS, NEWCOMERSTOWN, OHIO
FEBRUARY 1, 1922
The death of John A. Burris which occurred at his home in Newcomerstown,
Tuesday evening, January 24th, marks the passing of an honored veteran of
the Civil War, a man of sterling qualities and a citizen whose activities in
civic matters earned him a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout this
section.
He was a Republican in politics and stood high in councils of his party,
having had the opportunity at different times during his life of serving the
public in various capacities, among which were County Commissioner, Mayor
and Postmaster of Newcomerstown.
He had been a member of the Methodist Protestant church and S. M. Neighbor
Post G.A.R. for years, and was a charter member of the Odd Fellows order.
For many years he succeeded himself from year to year as superintendent of
the M. P. Sunday-school, and filled many official positions in all three
societies.
John Andrew Burris was a native of Coshocton county, Ohio and was born Aug.
12, 1846. He was the son of Jeremiah and Margaret (Pope) Burris. Mr. Burris
enlisted in Co. B, 18th O.V.I. (discrepancy – should be 80th O.V.I.) Oct. 4,
1861, and was discharged in August, 1865.
On October 4, 1871, he was married to Josephine Gardner of this city. To
this union, were born four children, two of whom are living, Mrs. Lena B.
Yingling and Miss Anne J. Burris, both of Columbus, Ohio. The deceased
children are Charles and A. Burris, both of whom died in infancy.
October 11, 1900 he was united in marriage with Kathryn Louise Rabe of
Lancaster, O. Two children were born as a result of this union, Mary Kathryn
of the home and John Jr. of Columbus.
Besides the wife and the four children who survive, he leaves two sisters
and two brothers – Mrs. L. F. Shull and Mr. I. V. Burris of Lutz, Fla., Mrs.
W. W. Norris and Mr. L. T. Burris of Westerville, O.
Funeral services were held from the late home on East Canal st. Friday
afternoon, conducted by Rev. l C. Momberg assisted by Rev. M. L. Oliver.
Mitch Wise
Newcomerstown
Thanks for all the hard work on the 80th!
I also found out that George W. Burris also fought for Co. B. He was Jeremiah Burris's older son and J. A. Burris' brother.
He joined the 80th August 7th, 1862 and mustered out in 1865 in Washington D.C. He, evidently, had some connection with Otterbein College. He is listed on a monument at that college. I found the following information on the Otterbein website.
George Washington Burris (or G.W. Burress) was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Burris on December 1, 1840. He was born and raised in Delaware and Coshocton counties. Before enrolling in the army in 1862, George worked on the family farm. At the age 22, he entered the army for a term of three years service. He became a solider in the 80th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company B, organized at Camp Meigs, near Canal Dover in Tuscarawas County. He enrolled in the army along with his father, Jerermiah and his brother John. Both his father and brother served for almost a year before George joined them at Camp Sullivan. During George's tenure in the war, his regiment took part in several conflicts, including battles at Corinth, Raymond and Jackson, Mississippi, the siege of Vicksburg, and battles at Salkahatache, SC, and Bentonville, NC. He completed his military career during Sherman's March to the Sea. He was mustered out on May 29, 1865 in Washington, D.C. by the War Department. During the war, the highest rank he reached was corporal.
Upon returning from the war, George married Mary E. Coder on February 21, 1867 in Coshocton County. In 1869, they had a son named Landon. According to the 1870 census on Linton Township, George owned real estate valued at $600 and his personal estate was worth $200. During the 1870s, he worked as a store clerk and his wife worked as a homemaker. In addition to their son Landon, I believe Mary's younger sister Tammy may have lived in their home as well. George died on October 2, 1911. He is buried in Burnside Cemetery located in Genoa Township. At some point GW Burris was affiliated with Otterbein College. Although his name appears on the monument in front of Towers, his name does not appear on the roster of students. This leads me to believe that he was neither a student or a faculty member. It is possible that he was employed by the university, but again I was unable to locate any information that substantiates this claim.
Bibliography
Coshocton County. Marriage Records 1811-1930. Coshocton Public Library.
Ohio Census Report 1870. Linton Twp. Coshocton County. Microfilm. Big Walnut Library. Series 11. Roll 85.
Ohio Death Certificate # 52890. Microfilm. Ohio Historical Society.
Roster of Soldiers: Civil War 1861-1865. Volume 6. Microfilm. Ohio Historical Society.
Whitelaw, Reid. Ohio in the War-Volume II. Cincinnati: Wilstach & Baldwin, 1868.
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