In recognition of the upcoming 250th celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the DAR America 250! Committee of the Botetourt County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is placing a spotlight on members’ Patriot ancestors who helped the country achieve American Independence. David Burcham is a Patriot ancestor of member Susan Hays.
David Burcham was born in Pennsylvania, where he married Rebecca VanVactor in what was to become Washington County before he enlisted in their militia in 1780. His pension application of 1843 tells us that after signing up for six months under Captain David Rubles, he traveled to Red Stone Fort on the Monogahela River, not far from where George Washington served with the British in 1854-1855. Crumrine’s History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (1882) reveals that relations between the Native Americans and the settlers in this unsettled area (the Pennsylvania and Virginia borders were fluid at this time) were still strongly influenced by the British. David and several others “belonging to the company” were chosen to serve as spies and render “all the information that he could.” After this period he reenlisted in 1781 and served under Captain Robert Sweany and Colonel Wallace. He remembered serving as a guard at Enlow Station (near Wheeling, W.Va.).
After the war, David returned to Washington County, Pa., to the township of Bethlehem, where tax records show that he farmed 70 acres. The 1788 tax list is the last that shows his name. The 1800 census in Washington County, Ky., shows his arrival there, but he didn’t stay long; feeling a westward pull, he continued to Hardin County, where the 1810 census shows him living in Elizabethtown.
David’s will, written in 1842, leaves his daughter “Elenor” Hays part of some land that he owns in Hickman County, along with several of her sisters. Other children were left parcels of the 300 acres that he owned in Hardin County. He also left “ownership” of five enslaved people, Peggy, Easter, Jack, Jim and James, to his son Benjamin. David’s pension application wasn’t written until a year later. The will was not filed for probate until December 1847. He may be buried somewhere on the farm that belonged to family members in Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Ky.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political organization open to any woman who has lineage to a Patriot who contributed to the success of the American Revolution. Founded over 125 years ago, it is focused on service to the community and fosters Patriotism, Education and Service. If you are interested or have questions about joining the chapter, pcontact Membership Chair Emily Talbot-Guillote via email at eptg1019@gmail.com, or Registrar JoElla John, jjohnregistrar@gmail.com.
~ Botetourt County DAR Chapter
