Martin Ross BURT

     
     Martin Ross BURT was born on 17 October 1804 in Halifax County, North Carolina, son of Joseph BURT Jr. and Ann READ.
     Martin Ross BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1810, in the household of Joseph BURT Jr. and Ann READ in Halifax County, North Carolina.¹
     Martin Ross BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1820, in the household of Joseph BURT Jr. and Ann READ in Halifax County, North Carolina.² He arrived with his parents in Autauga County, Alabama, in 1822. They traveled in covered wagons down the Old Federal Road to Montgomery and crossed the Alabama River on a ferry. The family settled near Old Washington.
     Martin Ross BURT purchased a government land patent 8 May 1827 in Autauga County, Alabama. This land was located in the east half of the northeast quarter of section 6 of township 17, range 20. The 78.65 acres on County Road 80 (Durden Road) contains the site of the Burt Cemetery. It was purchased from the Cahaba Land Office.^3,4
     Martin married Delilah A. GRIFFIS on 12 February 1830 in Autauga County, Alabama. The couple rode from their wedding to their new home in a special gig (wagon) built by his brother-in-law, Thomas Coleman. It was the first of it's kind built in Autauga County and created quite a stir in the community.⁵ Martin and Delilah settled in in Prattville after their marriage and Martin became wealty as a cotton buyer for his thread factory. He produced thread for the Daniel Pratt cotton mill to make cloth. He also owned several large farms.
     Martin Ross BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1830 in Autauga County, Alabama,, the household was listed as one male age 15-20 [Henry Coleman?], one male 20-30 [Martin], and one female age 15-20 [Delilah]. Henry Coleman, Martin's nephew, is thought to be living with him at this time. Living nearby was Joseph Burt.⁶
     Martin Ross BURT purchased a government land patent 15 April 1835 in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama. This 39.32 acres purchased from the Cahaba Land Office was located off County Road 80 (Durden Road). The legal description is the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 6, township 17N, range 16E.⁷
     Martin purchased a government land patent 10 April 1837 in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama. The 39.33 acres is located in northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 5, township 17N, range 16E. This is just north of Prattville on the west side of Upper Kingston Road, just short of the turn off to Prattville High School.⁸
     Martin Ross BURT purchased a government land patent 20 May 1837 in Dallas County, Alabama. He purchased two parcells of land, the first was 79.93 acres located in the east half of the southeast quarter of section 26, township 15N, range 8E. The second involved 80.45 acres in the west half of the northeast quarter of section 35, township 15N, 8E.⁹
     Martin purchased a government land patent 7 August 1837 in Dallas County, Alabama. The four lots of land purchased were all located in section 25, township 15N, range 8E. First, was 127.90 acres of west half of southeast quarter. Then another 127.90 acres of east half of southwest quarter. He also bought 31.975 acres of northeast quarter of southeast quarter and 63.95 acres of west half of southwest quarter.¹⁰
     Martin purchased a government land patent 9 August 1837 in Lowdes County, Alabama. This plat of land contained 80.675 acres in the west half of the southwest quarter of section 24, township 13N, range 13E.¹¹
     Martin Ross BURT purchased a government land patent 14 August 1837 in near Deatsville, Autauga (now Elmore) County, Alabama. On this date Martin purchased five plats of land at the Cahaba Land Office. They included 148.625 acres of southeast quarter, 148.625 acres of Northeast quarter, and 74.31 acres of east half of northwest quarter all of section 24, township 19N, range 17E. Also, there was 160.30 acres in southwest quarter of section 19 and 80.15 acres in west half of southeast quarter of section 18 of township 19N, range 18E.¹²
     Martin Ross BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1840 in Autauga County, Alabama.¹³
     Martin Ross BURT was named executor and an heir in the will of Joseph BURT Jr. dated on 30 November 1840 in Autauga County, Alabama.¹⁴
     Martin Ross BURT witnessed the probate of the estate of Joseph BURT Jr. on 18 January 1841 in Autauga County, Alabama. For a total of $1,215.75. The estate included four lots of books, saddle bags, rifle, shotgun, bedstead, arm chair, watch, chest, a Negro man, and a Negro Woman. On 20 January 1841 Martin R. Burt approved the appraisel and administered the sale of the property. James C. Burt purchased three lots of books, the saddle, rifle, shotgun, chair, watch, bed, and Negro man. S. R. [Stephen R.] Burt bought one lot of books, some tools, and a bedstead. M. R. [Martin] Burt bought some books and bags[?]. J. Burt bought one trunk. The total sale amounted to $1,398.91.¹⁵
     Martin Ross BURT witnessed the probate of the estate of Joseph BURT Jr. on 17 October 1842 in Autauga County, Alabama. $172.37 1/2 each was distributed to the following heirs: Nancy Coleman, Thomas Coleman in right of his wife Martha, Barrett Vincent in right of his wife Elizabeth, Stephen R. Burt, Martin R. Burt (administrator), Henry Hunt in right of his wife Sarah, James C. Burt, and Joseph J. Burt.¹⁶
     Martin Burt was known to have built at least two houses-- one of these known as the "Rice Place". As their family increased, Martin and Delilah built a large house on Lower Kingston Road in 1850. The house, which still exists, had a wide hall, two large rooms on each side, two smaller rooms on the front porch for visitors, a large back porch, dining room and kitchen. They had fifteen children, nine girls and six boys. The stairway to the upper floor, where the girls slept, was in Martin's bedroom, so he could count them as they retired. The boys and visiting beaux slept in the two small front porch rooms. Built of heart pine, the house is listed on the Alabama Register of Historic Places.
     Martin Ross BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 22 October 1850 in Huddleston Beat, Autauga County, Alabama,, the household was listed as Martin R. Burt, 45, Farmer, $10,000 real estate, born NC; Delila A., 35, born SC; John, 19, farmer; Thomas, 16, farmer; Mary A., 13; Sarah J., 11; Margarett C., 9; Harriett E., 9; Henry C., 5; Laura H., 4; Martha D., 3; and Susan R., 6/12. All the children were born in Alabama.¹⁷
     Autauga County historian Shadrack Mims in discribing the area northwest of Prattville along what is presently Lower Kingston Road states that "after crossing Autauga Creek the first farm you came to belonged to Charles Booth, then Thomas Smith, then Thomas Coleman who had a mill on a creek two miles west of Prattville. Further on was the farm of Martin R. Burt who married Miss Griffice. She was a Methodist and the whole family joined." Martin Burt was discribed as an "industrious, thrifty, moneymaking man of good character. His children all did well".¹⁸
     Martin purchased a government land patent 2 February 1852 in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama. This 40.10 acre plot of land lies where present day Upper Kingston Road crosses Breakfast Creek, a little south of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. The legal description of the land is the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 30, township 18N, range 16E.¹⁹
     Martin Ross BURT and Delilah A. GRIFFIS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1860 in Kingston P. O., Autauga County, Alabama,, the household was listed as M. R. Burt, 55, planter, $12,000 personal property, $50,000 real estate, born NC; Delila, 46, born SC; Sallie, 21; Margaret, 19; Henry, 15, student; Frances, 14; Martha, 12; Susan, 10; Ellen, 8; and Willie, 5. All of the children were born in Alabama.²⁰
     At the end of the War Between the States the Yankees confiscated all of Martin's cotton-- the yard on the east side of the house had several hundred bales. He was ruined financially and had to sell his home and after living at several different places, moved to a two-story house at Allenville.
     Martin Ross BURT died on 29 June 1870 in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama, at age 65.²¹ He was buried in the Burt Family Cemetery.
     Mr. Burt made no will, but trusted Merrill Pratt, Sr. to divide his property. Each child recieved about $500 and Mr. Pratt took a large farm as his payment-- the White Hill Farm on the Booth road.