Indian Princess in family history

[ddeans]

I would like to find more information about the Indian Princess who was relative of Mary L. Burns and her father Jacob Burns Jr. They lived in Clearfield county Pa. in the 1870's and 1880's.
Mary Lavina Burns was born in 1868 and is my great grandmother.
Is there any information in the society regarding this person....relatives have told me the search from thier end has not been successful either...thank you

[jhering]

I have the same story in my family! I have been going back with no luck. My father's grandparents lived in Allemanville, PA and came from Germany. I know it is not them. Is it a story that ws started in that area?

[markeyp]

I am also trying to track down information for my husband's family on the "Indian Princess" in their family tree - the BROWN/BLAKE branch from Clearfield County/Osceola Mills. Did all the grandparents in this area tell their children this tale as a bedtime story or were the people of this area really related to a Native-American Princess? I am detemined to find out...

[mrhoneparris]

Re: Indian Princess -
The wife of Jacob Burns Sr. was a woman of the Mohawk tribe, most decidedly NOT an Indian princess. Following his death, she lived with her son Jacob and his wife Mary in Rockton PA. Jacob died young - he had accepted payment to enlist in the Civil War in place of a draftee. As an Indian, he was not a citizen and not subject to the draft. He was at Petersburg only about a month, and was hit in the head with shrapnel, and invalided out. About 10 years later he walked in front of a train, and died.

His mother outlived him, but her white daughter-in-law was ashamed of her. She was usually to be found sitting on the porch, smoking a pipe, but would be hidden away if company came. My great-grandmother Clara Burns (d. of Jacob Jr.) said that all the grandchildren loved Granny, but were told not to talk about her. As a result, nobody knew her name. It isn't known when she died, but her daughter-in-law also died walking in front of a train.

I have some dates and details, but not here at my fingertips. If you are still looking (this posting is months after yours!) - I will find my information and let you know.

This all comes from interviews with my grandmother, Clara's daughter.

[keystone]

Jacob Burns, Sr's wife was Elizabeth Bundy, and she was most decidedly NOT a Mohawk Indian.

She was born circa 1800, the daughter of John I. and Philena (Atwood) Bundy who came from New York and settled in the Sabula area of Sandy Township, Clearfield County, PA very early. Elizabeth (Bundy) Burns died near Sabula in December of 1883. She has a very long and interesting ENGLISH ancestry.

The Mohawk indian in the Burns family was supposedly Jacob Burns, Sr's MOTHER. This is information given in Jennie Smith's Dixon's excellent book THE HILLS OF HOME, but in no way constitutes any kind of PROOF of Indian ancestry and should be given the same credibility (none) as all the other "indian in the family" stories.

I am a descendent of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bundy) Burns' son Elijah Burns. Perhaps a DNA test for all of us is in order?

[ddeans]

To mrhoneparris and keystone,
Thank you both for the info regarding the Indian lineage in our family....this is the most accurate info I have been able to obtain.
My grandmother,Clara Myrtle Kirk(Deans) had a family portrait and said to me(1980) that the little lady in there was here relation through her mother Mary Lavina Burns(Kirk) and native American. I have not been able to locate that or the " family" bible it was in....not sure which side this came from...the Burns of the Kirks.
My father was named for the Burns side...Floyd Burns Deans...
I had also requested info from a cousin who has the family lineage and he could not give me any thing other than she was Indian ann related to us through the Burns side of the family.
I also have info of the Burns lineage and the names indicated by our "keystone" cousin are accurate.
I also have a picture of Adelina Kirk(Dixon) who was my great grandfather's(Samuel Kirk) sister who lived to be 104 yrs old.
Would Jennie Smith Dixon be related to our Addie Kirk Dixon?
It is great to have been able to contact you both and get to know more of my relatives and out family lineage.
I want to let you both know that Mary Lavina's lineage has been traced back to the May Flower by someone from the Ohio area.
I have this info as well and the name of the person who did this study.
I'm not sure if this has been made aware to either of you.
As for the book ,the Hills of Home....how would I get to read this?
Again,thank you both for helping me get this matter of our native American roots resolved.
Sincerely,Donald L. Deans...

[ddeans]

To keystone and mrhoneparris... I am 59 yrs old and my lineage traced back to the Burns' is through Clara Myrtle Kirk(Deans) ...she was the daughter of Mary Lavina Burns(Kirk) and Samual B. Kirk(other cildren were Harvey,Charles,Erdie and one that passed away Arvila..not sure if that is correct name).
She was born in Clearfield Pa., 9/1902 and died 2/1989,in Cornwall,NY where I still presently reside. Mary Lavina Burns(Kirk) died in 1915 in Cornwall from after surgery complications(per a news paper obituary).
We have many pictures of Mary,Samuel and thier children that were found in thier oldest son's house,Harvey Kirk.
Also thier are pictures of the Burns relatives as well..one shows a Grant Burns.....and one a relative with a missing arm lost during the Civil War....I do not remember his name.

One of our cousins who lives near me has supplied me with many facts regarding our lineage through the Burns and Kirk sides.
He spent many years gathering info from the internet and Clearfield Historical society....
He also received info from a person living in Ohio that took the Burns side back to May Flower and to England.
Also,other of our relatives in the Cornwall area have told me about this native American heritage ,as given to them by their grandparents.....one had visited Clearfield back in early 1960's...I only know that he said he met Addie Dixon(Kirk) at that time.

I hope to hear from both of you again....our cousin doing the lineage for the past 19 years said he tried every avenue to recover what both of you had supplied. He will be very happy.
His name is Jon Morrow Jr and lives in Newburgh ,NY.
His grandfather was Mary and Samuel's oldest son...Harvey Kirk(b.1885 Clearfield Pa, d.1960 Cornwall,NY)
Again...my thanks and I hope we can continue reflecting on our family ties.
Anyway can you give me more about your backgrounds?
Do you both live in the Clearfield area?
mrhoneparris,I am very much interested in any background info regarding the Burns heritage you can supply me.
If it is easier I will supply my mailing address and you could send me the info...whichever is easier for you.
It appears my grandmother was named after your great grandmother Clara..I believe she would be Mary Lavina Burns' sister....I have that family info as well.
Sincerely,
Donald Deans

[ddeans]

To keystone and mrhoneparris..I found a geneology web site titled,"The Descendents of John Bundy" in the 7th generation part I found some interesting Burns lineage info and the following is an excerpt from that regarding Jacob Burns and his wife Elizabeth.....John Bundy(2nd generation) having married a descendent of the MayFlower settlers,James Chilton and Suzanna Furmer.....Martha Chandler.

Generation No. 1
1. John1 Bundy was born Abt. 1597 in Nottinghamshire, England, and died Unknown. He married Audrey Palmer, daughter of John Palmer and Audrey ?. She was born Bef. 1602 in probably England, and died Unknown.

Notes for John Bundy:
May have died about 1650.

The name BUNDY is said to be derived from the "Forest of Bundy" near Paris, France. The Bundy's being among the adventurers who accompanied William, The Conqueror of England; and who subsequently settled in Kent.

Child of John Bundy and Audrey Palmer is:
+ 2 i. John2 Bundy, born Abt. 1612 in Nottinghamshire, England; died 21 Oct 1681 in Taunton, Bristol Co, MA, age 69 yrs.

Generation No. 2
2. John2 Bundy (John1)1 was born Abt. 1612 in Nottinghamshire, England2, and died 21 Oct 1681 in Taunton, Bristol Co, MA, age 69 yrs. He married (1) Martha Chandler Bef. 1649 in Bristol, MA, daughter of Roger Chandler and Isabella Chilton. She was born Aft. 1622 in Leyden, Netherlands, Holland2, and died 01 May 1674 in Taunton, Bristol, MA2,3. He married (2) Ruth (Ratchell?) Gurney 09 Jan 1676/77 in Taunton, Bristol Co, MA4. She was born Bef. 1664, and died Unknown.

Notes for John Bundy:
John Bundy, first of the name to appear in America was in Plymouth Colony, Mass. on March 17, 1635 when he was apprentice to Griffin Montague, but the apprenticeship was afterwards transferred to Elder, Milton Brewster. In 1643 Bundy removed to Boston where he married Martha; but was in Taunton, Mass in 1665 and served 18 days against the Narragansett Indians. [This service makes his descendants eligible for membership in the Daughters of American Colonist, Colonial Dames of America, and Daughters of Colonial Wars.]
Generation #7
"As early as the year 1818 several families left their homes in the valley of the Mohawk, in the State of New York, came through the forests and settled in the valley of Toby Creek, a branch of the Clarion River, in Elk County, Pennsylvania. This new settlement they named Irishtown which is a mile from Centreville.

Among those who came were the families of John Bundy, Joel Carr, Slocum Carr, his brother and wife they having no children. Jacob Burns, whose mother it was said was a daughter of the tribe of Mohawk Indians. John Bundy was born in Connecticut in the year 1796, evidently married before his coming to the Mohawk Valley. His age at that time was twenty-two and his wife's surname was White. [the surname of White is believed to be incorrect] These settlers were residing in the valley of Toby Creek before the Philadelphia Land Company opened a road from the Philadelphia and Erie Turnpike at Chestnut Grove. This bridle path was constructed in 1825 and 1826 northward across Little Anderson Creek at "Viaduct" and a point near Rockton, hence north along "Laurel Ridge" and over Boone's Mountain to Toby Valley. This pioneer road was built by the company to make these lands accessible for settlement. John Bundy and others, learning these lands were for sale at easy terms and being located on high land dry and fertile, determined to visit and examine them. On the 21st of May, 1830, John Bundy selected a location lying along the east side of the road, a mile and a half north of its intersection with road leading from Toby to Bennett's Branch. John Bundy apparently was accompanied on this trip by a party consisting of his son, John I. Bundy, his two sons-in-law, Jacob Burns and William Morgan (Burns having married his daughter Elizabeth and William Morgan his daughter Philene). Accompanying them also was Zacheus Heath.
Directly south and adjoining the squatter's claim of John Bundy was the cabin and claim of Jacob Burns that he had made after leaving his first settlement on the Conway lands (afterwards). Here he cleared up some ground, girdled some trees, built a cabin, planted some apple trees and eventually sold out his improvement to Dr. William Hoyt. As previously related, he was a half-breed from the Mohawk Valley; his general features and appearance indicated this. Even the present generation, their dark complexion, straight black hair and high cheek bones, give them that peculiar type that betrays their origin. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John Bundy, also an emigrant in 1818 from the Mohawk. After a residence of about twelve years in Toby Valley, they resolved to go further into the woods. Burns and his wife accompanied his father-in-law to Hickory Kingdom in 1830. They went the farthest eastward in the woods where they built a cabin on the present Conway farm. In a short time Burns' wife, very likely desiring more company, prevailed on him to change his location nearer her sister, who had married William Morgan, and had chosen the spot where Scott Burns now resides. Jacob Burns selected a place north and adjoining ..................... where Josiah Washburn bought Burns out. This was about 1838 or 1839. Burns had resided but a short time in his new location when he moved again some five miles south along the road to Rockton and bought the squatter improvement of a man named Griffith. Here Burns added to the cleared land where he had twelve or fourteen acres of brushed and girdled timber. He also planted an orchard and had thirty or forty trees. When John Dressler purchased this improvement in the spring of 1841, Burns had a comfortable log cabin with a clapboard roof. Dressler came from Union County and after buying out Burns secured legal title to this land from the Philadelphia Land Company. Jacob Burns sold his improvements to John Dressler on the consideration that Dressler assume a bill of Wilson Morre for grain. Morre's mill was located on the highway crossing Anderson Creek, nearly a mile east of Rockton. Jacob Burns, retaining his Indian nature, was restless and could not remain long in one place. He would select a spot, clear up some land, cultivate it, plant an orchard and a vegetable garden, then sell out to the first settler who desired to locate. Burns next went beyond Anderson Creek and located on the Clearfield Mountain where he remained for a while. Believing himself crowded by advancing civilization, he made another move father on the mountain but he was now growing old and he reached the end of his life there. This place is remembered and pointed out as "Burn's Garden." He had many unique characteristics and his restless life had influenced his wife to become a match for him. He would go around with his fiddle making music for his neighbors. While he would saw away, his wife would dance to his fiddling. She remained with him to the last. She was familiarly known as "Betsy".
Some more info:
Children of John Bundy and Philena Atwood are:
+ 122 i. Elijah (Alexander?)8 Bundy, born 12 Jan 1789 in CT or Montgomery Co, NY; died 18 Jul 1845 in Fox Twp, Elk Co, PA.
+ 123 ii. Philena Bundy, born Abt. 1792 in Mansfield, Tolland, CT; died Bef. 1850.
+ 124 iii. John I Bundy, born Abt. 1794 in CT or MA; died 1866 in Trempealeau, Trempealeau Co, WI.
+ 125 iv. Elizabeth "Betsy" Bundy, born Abt. 1798 in NY; died 30 Dec 1883 in PA, age 85 year.
+ 126 v. Stephen Bundy, born 04 Sep 1804 in Canajoharie, Montgomery Co, NY; died 28 Apr 1880 in Huston Twp, Clearfield Co, PA.
+ 127 vi. Sally Ann Bundy, born Abt. 1805 in NY; died 13 May 1913.
+ 128 vii. Joseph Bundy, born 11 Jun 1805 in Canajoharie, Montgomery Co, NY; died 01 Oct 1886 in Sabula, Sandy Twp, Clearfield Co, PA.
+ 129 viii. James Freeman Bundy, born 27 Jul 1811 in NY, CT, or MA; died 23 Feb 1879.

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Here's the web site:http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/j/e/n/Eileen-M-Jenkins/GENE98-0007.html

[keystone]

Eileen Jenkins has been a wonderful resource and researcher for various families over the years, but she really excels at the Bundy family.

"As previously related, he was a half-breed from the Mohawk Valley; his general features and appearance indicated this. Even the present generation, their dark complexion, straight black hair and high cheek bones, give them that peculiar type that betrays their origin."

This was taken from McMinn's history of Hickory Kingdom, and this book is believed to have errors. It certainly doesn't constitue any kind of proof of Indian ancestry.

I see that someone has given me a -1 of Karma ;D and I suspect that this is because of my stance on the indian heritage thing. However, I would never go around calling myself partially Slovak, because I have no proof of such a heritage. I DO however, know that I am partially Italian and I can back it up with Declaration of Citizenship papers and whatnot. Not trying to be a downer, but do you see where I am going with this? I would love for the Mohawk Indian lineage to be true, as I am a direct descendent of Jacob Burns myself, but the definitive proof is going to have to come from some place other than books and family stories, I'm afraid.

[ddeans]

to "keystone"....I was not trying to fault your input regarding the Mohawk Indian lineage in the Burns ancestry...I was only showing info I read from Eileen Jenkins.....most of of our releatives in the Cornwall NY area have gotten the sanme info passed down from Mary Lavina(Burns) Kirk children and my grandmother was one of those children....

[ddeans]

To "keystone"....from your replies it appears you have an accurate documented lineage of the Burns family.....I have documented info as well ...is your info something you would be able to supply me for comparison?I would appreciate.....thanks Don Deans(great grandson to Mary Lavina(Burns)Kirk.....great great grandson of Jacob Burns Jr)

[julied1071]

Hi all! I'm searching my husband line and his great great grandfather was Winfield S. Burns. We too have heard the story about the Mohawk Indian princess and about the "book", The Hills of Home, I believe they might be referring to. I would love to hear more if any of y'all are still around.