Frances Anne GIBSON

     
     Frances Anne GIBSON was born in April 1818 in Culpeper Courthouse, Virginia, daughter of Col. Jonathan Catlett GIBSON and Martha Dandridge BALL.
     Frances Anne GIBSON was a direct descendent of Charles Washington, the brother of President George Washington.
     Frances married John Mallory WELCH, son of Rev. Oliver WELCH, on 6 October 1842 in Culpeper County, Virginia. The service was performed by Rev. John W. Woodville, the rector of St. Mark's Parish Episcopal Church.¹
     Frances Ann returned frequently to Virginia with her father-in-law, Oliver Welch. James Mallory notes in his journal that the pair left March 24, 1844 and returned October 3rd. Along with Mary Mallory, they left again for Virginia April 12, 1847.²
     Frances married second James Creth BURT, son of Joseph BURT Jr. and Ann READ, on 13 February 1849 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama. H. E. Taliferro performed the marriage ceremony.³
     Frances Anne GIBSON and James Creth BURT appeared on the census of 1 June 1850 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama, along with Henry McKenzie BURT, Fanny Cattell BURT, Martha Dandridge WELCH, Joseph Tarpley BURT and Elizabeth Billing. His household was listed as James C. Burt, age 41, born North Carolina; Frances A. Burt, age 30, born Virginia; Henry Burt, age 5, born Alabama; Fanny C. Burt, age 4, born Alabama; Martha D. Welch, age 5, born Alabama; J. Tapley Burt, age 34, born Georgia; and Elizabeth Billing, age 50, born Virginia. James and J. Tapley Burt, a cousin, were listed as farmers. James' estate was valued at $7,000. The identity of Elizabeth Billing is unknown.⁴
     Frances and James appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 2 June 1860 in Mardisville, Talledega County, Alabama,, the household was listed as Jas. C. Burt, age 50, farmer, born North Carolina; Francis[Frances] A. Burt, age 40, born Virginia; Henry M. Burt, age 15, born Alabama; Martha D. Welch, age 14; John Burt, age 7; Anna Burt, age 5; and Pierre Burt, age 2. James had real estate valued at $15,000 and personal estate valued at $50,000. Martha D. Welch had real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate of $16,300. All of the children, except Pierre, were attendng school. J. C. Burt appears to have been one of the wealthiest men in Mardisville. He had about 60 slaves in eleven houses in 1860. The agricultural census listed him with 600 improved and 1100 unimproved acres, a farm with cash value of $15,000, $800 worth of farm implements and machinery, eight horses, 10 mules, 20 milk cows, 8 oxen, 50 head of cattle, and 200 swine. The value of his livestock was $3,000. He had 300 bushels of wheat, 3,000 bushels of corn, 700 bushels of oats, 100 bales of cotton, 100 bushels of peas and beans, 10 bushels of Irish potatoes, 500 bushels of sweet potatoes, 20 bushels of barley, 300 pounds of butter, and $1200 worth of slaughtered animals. This last may have been from Mr. Burt's tannery. It is believed that he also made shoes and may have supplied leather goods to the Confederacy.^5,6
     Confederate soldier, John Magee, whose artillery battery passed through Talladega County between August 6 and August 8, 1862, recorded in his diary the hospitality shown the soldiers by the citizens: "Wednesday Aug. 6, 1862. Started early came 23 miles to Talladega. At a small town by the name of Mardisville, a gentleman by the name of J. C. Burt gave dinner to all who would stop. His most estimable lady, who is a Virginian, assisted by her younger sister welcomed the soldiers in-- acting as ushers from the gate to the table. The young lady's name is Miss [Susan?] Gibson from Culpepper Courthouse, Va. The old gentleman is from N. Carolina. What a difference between Alabama and Mississippi hospitality. I stayed 3 or 4 hours, had a long talk-- read poetry-- heard music on the Piano and enjoyed myself very much."⁷
     Frances Anne GIBSON and James Creth BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1870 in Mardisville, Talladega County, Alabama,, the household was listed as James C. Burt, age 61, farmer, born North Carolina; Fanny A. Burt, age 51, born Virginia; and Henry M. Burt, age 25, farmer; Mattie [Margie] Burt, age 24; Anna, age 16; John, age 14; and Pierre, age 12, in school.⁸
     Frances Anne GIBSON and James Creth BURT appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1880 in Talledega County, Alabama. The household was listed as James C. Burt, age 71, farmer, born North Carolina; Frances A. Burt (wife), age 65, born Virginia; and Emily Holliman, age 16, Domestic Servant, born Alabama. The parents of James were both born in North Carolina, while the parents of Frances were born in Virginia. The birth place of Emily's parents was not given.⁹
     Frances Anne GIBSON and James Creth BURT gave a tract of land to Ambrose Burt on 26 April 1889 in Talladega County, Alabama, The deed read "in consideration of the affection which I bear toward Ambrose Burt, my former slave, who has been faithful to me since his emancipation" and gave him the south half of the northeast quarter of section 19, township 19, range 5. It was signed by both James and Frances Burt.¹⁰ She died on 14 September 1901 in Los Angeles, California, at age 83. She died at the home of her daughter, Mattie Stone and her death certificate reports that she had lived in Los Angeles County for eleven years.¹¹ She was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, California.
     Her obituary appeared September 1901 in the "Talladega Exchange" under the heading, "Asleep in Jesus" and written by B. F. Coulter.
     "Mrs. Frances Ann Burt fell asleep September 14, 1901, in Los Angeles, California, at the home of her daughter Mrs. M. D. Stone, aged 83 years and 5 months.
     She had the distinction of being the nearest living relative of the First President of the United States, General George Washington. In early life she was married to Mr. Mallory Welsh, at her home in Culpepper, Virginia, and they at once moved to Alabama, where Reverend Oliver Welsh had preceded them, and bought large tracts of land.
     His children settled around him, forming a large and influential community. Oliver Welsh was one of the best known and beloved men of the state and one of the oldest pastors. His pastorate covered a period of about forty years. Among his congregation were is children, grand and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Burt was baptized by him, and was a devoted member of Alpine Baptist Church of Talladega.
     Some time after the death of her first husband she was married to Captain James Burt, of Mardisvillle, and there are many who remember well the pleasant 'Burt Home' of that place and its happy household, where friends were ever welcomed and hospitality dispensed. It was a typical southern home of antebellum days. Five of the children of that home are living-- the Honorable H. M. Burt, of Talladega, Alabama; Eustace Pierre Burt, of Bibb County, Alabama; Attorney J. J. Burt, of San Francisco, California; Mrs. Buckner, of Sperryville, Virginia; and Mrs. Stone, of Los Angeles, California.
     Mrs. Burt was a daughter of Colonel Catlett Gibson and Martha Dandridge Ball Gibson, of Culpepper, Virginia, and her grandfather was Colonel Burgess Ball, of the Revolutionary Army. Her grandmother was Frances Washington, a niece of General Washington. She was a devoted wife and mother, a loyal friend, sincere, candid, honest, sympathetic, uncomplaining; a truly strong, noble character. She enjoyed the brightness that fell into her life and was brave under all circumstances, always having words of cheer for those around her.
     Her husband, Captain Burt, highly esteemed where he lived, preceded her to the grave a few years ago. Her last conscious act was to gather the family at her bedside and have her son, J. J. Burt, read the 14th chapter of John, the first Bible lesson taught them in childhood and her comfort at the close of her beautiful life. A noble type of Christian womanhood, she sweetly rests. 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.'
     Her daughter, Mrs. Stone with whom she lived, was untiring in her devotion, and most tenderly did she and her children render every possible service. Her funeral services were largely attended and many beautiful floral offerings tenderly laid upon her coffin, after which she was gently placed in her resting place until the glad resurrection morn.".