Burgess, Theodore Chalon (b. 27 APR 1859, d. ?)

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Harmony, Chautauqua, New York

Census: Date: 1860
Place: Little Valley, Cattaraugus, NY

Census: Date: 1900
Place: Hanover, Chautauqua, New York

Note: William H Wood, long a well known citizen of Titusville, has had an interesting experience as an oil producer. He came to the oil country in the spring of 1863, from Waterloo, New York. He came by way of Union City, where he visited an uncle, Mr. Wood, of the firm Wood & Johnson, manufacturers of barrels at that place, who subsequently had barrel works in Titusville, on the flats, where the radiator works now are. His first work in oil was to build a refinery on the Patterson farm, on Bull Run. His undertaking resulted favorably, and he sold his works in the summer of 1864 with a very fine profit as a whole. He then turned his attention to land speculation, was fortuante in his investments, and prosperity seemed to mark all his work for several years afterward. He operated extensively in company with the late H. L. Taylor. In September, 1867, he bought the George E. Zuver farm, two miles east of Pleasantville, and operated it for the next eight years. He drilled seventeen wells on the farm, and sold it in 1875.

Named spelled Zuber in 1860 Census
Realestate value $2,000 personal value $682

Named spelled Zeuver in 1870 Census
Realestate value $12,000 personal value $2,000

Titusville Morning Herald (Titusville, Pennsylvania) > 1866 > November > 16

Mr George E Zuver Of Pleasantville has been appointed Mail Messenger for Titusville, Pleasantville and Enterprise and will run a daily line of stages between these points.

State Of Pennsylvania/County of Venango

In the matter of the application of – George E Zuver, father of James W Zuver, late of Co. H 134th Penna. Infantry for a father’s pension. No. of Application “731916.”

Personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace for the State and County aforso which on Mar. 30th 1901, George E Zuver, aged 81 years, whose P.O. address is Pleasantville P.O., Venango Co., Pa; who having been duly sworn according to law doth depose and say: I am the surviving father of James W. Zuver late of Co. H. 134th Penna Vols. Infty. Susan Zuver was my wife and his mother. I was married to her on Apr. 7th 1842, and we lived together as husband and wife until her death in Nov. 20th 1900. Our surviving children are George Q Zuver, born Apr. 7th 1849, whose present P.O. Address is Plumer P.O., Venango Co., Pa., Mary M West, born Sept. 20th 1851, whos P.O. Adddress is Bradford, McKean Co., Pa., Lewis W Zuver, born July 17th 1854, whose P.O. Address is Pittsburgh Penna, Susan J Arnold, born March 9th 1856, whose P.O. Address is “Bruin P.O., Butler Co., Pa.,” Thomas W Zuver, born Jan. 17th 1859, whose P.O. Address is Pleasantville P.O., Venango Co., Pa., and Leander L Zuver, born Oct. 10th 1861, whose P.O. Address is Pleasantville P.O. Venango Co., Pa. None of these children or any other person or persons was legally bound to support me in the year 1900. The preacher and all the guests at our wedding on Apr. 7th 1842, are now dead. I send the testimonials of witnesses who were at the infare or reception right after our marriage, - which was held at my father’s house, - and who saw us there together as husband and wife together and have known us through many years in the same relation. This is the very best I can now do, - as there is no record of our marriage save that written by my own hand in our family bible. My son James W Zuver, upon whom his mother and my wife drew pension (Mother’s Pen. Act 319213) from Oct. 11th 1890, until her death on Nov 20th 1900 was born on July 12th 1843, and was our first born son. My wife died without a Last Will and Testament so that now I have only dower right in what belonged to her.

We were both of us assessed with $2640 worth of property in 1900 But $1800 of this is for oil wells belonging (except for loyalty) to other parties, – the owners paying under the leases the additional taxes beyond the value of the land for agricultural purposes. Our royalties from oil in 1900 were $89.01 – as the oil wells produce comparatively but little oil, and of this sum I used $26.01 in the payment of money taxes, - leaving me $63 of income in 1900 from this source. From other sources my income (and our income when my wife was yet living,) - was very slight perhaps not more than $25 more in the year 1900. I do not keep any horses and only one cow and a few chickens. I am too old and feeble to do any hard work. Our place is cut up by the lines of rods used in pumping the oil wells – so that it is worth very little now for farming purposes.

What I ask for is the transfer of the pension paid to my wife, - for both of us – to myself for the little while I have yet to live, - because I really need it and because my first born son would, were he living now, be worth manifold more to me than the gratuity from the Government, I am now asking for. The title of but 6 acres of our land was vested in me personally – all the rest belonged to my wife at her death. As assessed to us, we have about 45 acres of land, - really we only have about 36 acres and a good deal of that is wild rocky, unimproved land – I should say that it is not worth more than $20, and acre, - so that what really belongs to me by deed is worth at the outside about $120, and my dower [illegible] in the rest, the use of 1/3 or $200 a year, I mean the use of $200 a year is what my dower right is worth. Our personal property is out of style and most of it has been in use a long time and if [illegible last 2 lines]

George E Zuver [Seal]


Note :
1830 - Right of married woman to own property in her own name (instead of all property being owned exclusively by the husband) in Mississippi.
1848 - Right of married women to own property in her own name in New York.
1900 - All states now grant married women the right to own property in their own name.

Warren Evening Mirror (Warren, Pennsylvania) > 1911 > February > 11

Was Once Wealthy – It develops that George Zuver, of near Pleasantville, who died Wednesday and was buried Friday in Fairview cemetery in the boro, was at one time worth $300,000. Mr Zuver was prominent in the early oil excitement in Warren and vicinity and at Pithole and was one of the survivors of the gas explosion at Rouseville which caused the death of ten men in the early sixties. Mr Zuver was a native of Mercer County. In the Fifties he went to Pleasantville and spent the remaining of his life there and at Pithole and Oil Creek. From the earliest stages of the Oil Creek development Mr Zuver followed operations. Mr Zuver was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Surviving are these children: L. W. of Butler, G. Q. and T.W., of Pleasantville, L. L. of Tionesta, Mrs William Arnold, of Bruim, and Mrs M. M. West of Pittsburg.

(Fairview Cemetery - Pleasantville
Coordinates: 041º 35’ 42.7” N 079º 34’ 11.6” W
In Pleasantville, turn North onto Enterprise Road --Routes 227 & 27. Go about 0.1 mile and turn right on Neiltown Road. – Rt. 227. Continue about 0.2 mile to Cemetery Road and the cemetery is at the end of this street.)

Our county and its people : a historical and memorial record of Crawford County, Pennsylvania pg 406
William H Wood, oil producer, Titusville, purchased the George E Zuver farm in Sept. 1867 and operated it for the next 8 years.

No will found in Venango County for George E Zuver - email from register of wills 6-8-06

Census 1900 ancestry transcribed name spelled Beever

Census 1910 living with his son George and daughter-in-law, ancestry transcribed name Zwar

Titusville Morning Herald (Titusville, Pennsylvania) > 1871 > December > 23

The Pleasantville Fire, Further Particulars

"......Building belonging to George Zuver..."

The Charleroi Mail (Charleroi, Pennsylvania) > 1934 > June > 29

"George Zuver in Venango County who helped Col Drake build the first oil drake in Titusville"

George Zuver is mentioned in the History of Venango County (1879) as a carpenter, rig builder, farmer and oil producer in Allegheny Township. Zuver & Day, contractors, builders and lumber dealers in Pleasantville are listed in the 1872 PA Oil Region Directory. There is no record of George Zuver helping to build the Drake Well derrick. Sorry. We have photos of the Thomas Zuver family funeral November 1907 house fire victims.



Susan J. Beates, Historian/Curator II
Drake Well Museum, Birthplace of the Oil Industry 1859
202 Museum Ln., Titusville, PA 16354

ph: (814)827-1147 ext. 103; fax: (814)827-4888

Occupation: Date: BET 1860 AND 1880
Place: Farmer

Occupation: Date: 1850
Place: Carpenter

Occupation: Date: 1900
Place: Farmer

Occupation: Date: 1903
Place: Monument Sales Agent for the Monumental Bronze Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Census: Date: 1860
Place: Allegheny, Venango, Pennsylvania

Census: Date: 1850
Place: East Lackawannock, Mercer, Pennsylvania

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Pleasantville, Venango, Pennsylvania

Census: Date: 1880
Place: Allegheny, Venango, PA

Census: Date: 1900
Place: Alleghany Township, Venango, Pennsylvania

Census: Date: 1910
Place: Alleghany Township, Venango, Pennsylvania

Note: 1. 27 June 1820. Spartanburgh Dist. S. C. Anna A. M___ to Miss Elizabeth Means, Manchester, Ohio.
2. 4 March 1826. West Union. W. M. Voris to Miss Elizabeth Means, Three Mile, Ohio. [Letter in poor condition – fragments, stains.]
3. 4 March 1826. West Union. W. M. Voris to Miss Elizabeth Means, Three Mile, Ohio. [Handwritten transcript of No. 2.]
4. 30 September 1832.

“Chilicotha.” J. W. Means to “Dear Sister.” Receipt to W. M. Voris for taxes paid in Brown County, Ohio, 1845, is attached.
5. 13 April 1837. Clinton, Green Co., Ala. H. Means to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Voris, Manchester, Adams Cty., Ohio.
6. 12 December 1837. Ashland. John E Means to “My Dear Aunt.”
7. 28 January 1838. Clinton, Green Co., Ala. A. F. Barry to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Voris, Manchester, Adams Co., Ohio.
8. 15 January 1842. Red Oak. Saml. Voris to Mrs. Elizabeth Voris, Adams County, Ohio.
9. 16 January 1842. Near Manchester, Ohio. “Mother” Elizabeth W. Voris to Miss Ann C. Voris.
10. 8 October 1842.

“Wt. Union.” Jane S. W[illiamson] to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Burgess, Belpre, Ohio.

Folder 2
11. 6 May 1844.

“Near Manchester,” Ohio. J. W. Means to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Burgess, Constitution, Warren, Washington Co., Ohio.
12. 10 February 1845. “Near Manchester,” Ohio. J. W. Means to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Burgess, Constitution, Warren, Washington Co., Ohio.
13. 21 January 1846. Hanging Rock, Ohio. James W. Means to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Burgess, Constitution, Washington Co., Ohio.
14. 29 August 1846. Hanging Rock, Ohio. J. W. Means to Mrs. Elizabeth Burgess, Constitution, Washington Co., Ohio.
15. 8 June 1848. Postmarked at Galena, Illinois. Jane ___ to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Burgess, Constitution, Ohio.
16. 5 September 1848. Cincinnati. Dyer Burgess to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Burgess, Constitution P.O., Washington Co., Ohio.
17. 10 August 1850. Buena Vista. Esther Means to “Dear Sister.”
18. 30 April 1851.

Chillicothe. “Lizzie” [Cutler] to “My dear Mother.”

Folder 3
19. 29 November 1852. Yellow Medicine, Minnesota. Jane S. [Williamson] to “Ever Dear Cousin.”
20. 21 February 1853. Yellow Medicine, Minnesota Territory. J[ane] S. W[illiamson] to Mrs. E. W. Burgess.
21. 12 July 1853 Yellow Medicine, Minnesota Territory. Jane [Williamson] to Mrs. E. W. Burgess, Constitution, Ohio.
22. 29 December 1853. Yellow Medicine, Minnesota. Jane S. Williamson to “Dearest Cousin.” Also a note to Lizzie Poage.
23. 10 July 185[4?]. Minnesota Territory. [Jane Williamson] to “Dearest Cousin.”
24. 11 April 1856. Cincinnati, Ohio. Andrew W. Williamson to Mrs. Burgess. Envelope attached.
25. 13 May 1857. Ashland, Kentucky. W. Means to Mrs. Elizabeth Burgess, Constitution, O.
26. 20 September 1857. Pajutazee, Minnesota Territory. Andrew W. Williamson to “Dear cousin Betsy.”
27. 31 December 1857. Pajutazee, Minnesota Territory. “Cousin Jane” [Williamson] to “Dearest Cousin.”
28. 10 January 1860. Pajutazee, Minnesota Territory. “Cousin Jane” [Williamson] to “Dearest Cousin.”
29. 3 February 1860. Lankton Agency, Dakota Territory. Sarah A. Williamson to Mrs. Burgess.
30. 3 March 1860.

West. Fem. Sem., Oxford, Ohio. Nannie J. Williamson to “My dear Cousin.”

Folder 4
31. 24 April 1862. Pana, Illinois. “Maggie” [Voris] to “My dear Mother.” Envelope attached.
32. 9 May 1862. Ashland, Kentucky. Hugh Means to “Dear Sister.”
33. 24 October 1862. Travers des Sioux. [Jane Williamson] to “Dearest Cousin.”
34. 13 January 1871. Ashland, Kentucky. [Hugh Means] to “Dear Sister.”
35. 13 September 1871. Ashland, Kentucky. Hugh Means to “Dear Sister.”
36. 17 October 1871. Chicago. [Margaret Voris Humiston] to “My dear Mother.”
37. 9 May 1873. Athens, Ohio. Douglas Reid to Mrs. Burgess. Envelope attached.
38. 28 November 1873. Greenwood, Dakota Territory. Unsigned to “My very dear Aunt.”
39. 4 September [1875]. Marietta. “Lizzie” Voris Cutler to “My dear Mother.” Fragment.
40. 7 January 1879. Saint Peter, Minnesota. [Jane Williamson?] to “Dearest Cousin.” Envelope attached.
41. 20 October 1879. Lerna, Illinois. Written by Nannie McDonald for her mother-in-law, Nancy Means McDonald, to Mrs. E. W. Burgess, Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio.
42. 5 March [1880?].

Aiken, South Carolina. Mary W. Means to “Dear Aunt Burgess.” Envelope attached.

Folder 5
43. 5 August 1880. Saint Peter, Minnesota. Jane [Williamson] to Mrs. E. W. Burgess, Marietta, Ohio. Envelope attached.
44. 25 December 1880. Paris, [Illinois?]. J. C. Means to “Dear Cousin.”
45. 14 March 1881. Saint Peter, Minnesota. Jane S. Williamson to Mrs. E. W. Burgess, Marietta, Ohio. Note attached, dated 30 March 1881, from Mary E. Walton, Lincoln, to “Dear Grand-ma.” Envelope attached.
46. 12 February 1883. Bloomington Ferry. J[ane] S. Williamson to Mrs. E. W. Burgess, Marietta, Ohio. Attached is a letter dated 12 February 1883, from Jane S. W. to Miss Winnie Williamson. Envelope attached.
47. 21 July 1886. Intervale, New Hampshire. William Addy to Mrs. Burgess.
48. 25 January 1887. Santee Normal Training School, American Missionary Association, Santee Agency, Nebraska. A. L. Riggs to Mrs. E. W. Burgess, Marietta, Ohio.
49. 22 August _____ (between 1827 and 1842). Lac qui Parle, Minnesota. Thos. Williamson to Mrs. E. W. Voris, Near Manchester, Adams Co., Ohio.
50. Undated, probably about 1842. E. M[eans] to Mrs. Elizabeth W. Burgess (“Dear Sister”). [Possibly written by the wife of Mrs. Burgess’ brother John;.]
51. Undated. Jane [Williamson] to Mrs. E. W. Burgess. Fragment.
52. Undated.

“Lizzie” Voris Cutler to “Dear Mother.”

Census: Date: 1850
Place: Warren, Washington, OH

Census: Date: 1860
Place: Warren, Washington, OH

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Warren, Washington, OH

Census: Date: 1880
Place: Marietta, Washington, Ohio

Note: BIOGRAPHY: July 14, 1894, Portsmouth Times (Portsmouth, Ohio)
Andrew Ellison
The story of His Capture by the Indians in 1793
A New Version by Captain Nelson W. Evans - Some Interesting Reminiscences in the History of Ohio One Hundred Years Ago.

The Events in the history of the pioneers, one hundred years ago, are becoming more obscured every day. Many facts that should have been preserved have been lost, and many more are now liable to be lost, if not obtained from those living, and preserved.

Andrew Ellison was born in 1755. His father, John Ellison, a native of Ireland, was born in 1730 and died in 1806. He is interred in the Nixon graveyard, three miles south of West Union, Ohio. Andrew Ellison came to Manchester, Ohio, from Kentucky, with Gen. Nathaniel Massie, in the winter of 1790. He took up residence in the town of Manchester with his family. He located a farm on the Ohio River bottoms about 2 miles east of Manchester, and proceeded to clear and cultivate it.

The story of his capture by the Indians, given in both editions of Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio, is incorrect, and the correct and true story is given here. The story by Howe given in his edition of 1846 was copied bodily from the McDonald's Sketches published in 1838. Where McDonald got his information we do not know, but he was contemporary with General Nathaniel Massie and Andrew Ellison, though much younger.

Our sketch comes from a granddaughter of Andrew Ellison. She obtained it from her mother, who was born in 1789, the daughter of Samuel Barr, and the wife of John Ellison, Jr. Mrs. Anne Ellison obtained it of her husband, and he of his father, who survived until 1830.

For some time prior to his capture, Andrew Ellison had been going to his farm, two miles east of Manchester, in the morning and remaining at work until evening. He took his noon-day meal along in a basket. On the morning of the day of his capture, he had eaten his breakfast with his family and taken his noon-day lunch and started to his farm. Wile on his way, afoot, he was surprised by the band of Indians. The first intimation he had of their presence was the rattling of their shot-pouches, and in an instant they had him surrounded and seized. They forced him to run about a half mile to the top of a steep hill away from the traveled paths. They then tied him with thongs of buffalo hide to a tree, till they scouted about to their own satisfaction. When ready to march, they cut the buffalo thongs with a knife, took his hat and basket of provisions, and compelled him to take off his shoes and march in moccasins. They also compelled him to carry a heavy load. At night, they fastened him to a tree.

His failure to return home in the evening was the first intimation his family had of his capture. Major Beasly was the commander of the station at Manchester at that time, and not General Massie. When Mr Ellison failed to return at the usual time, his wife went to Major Beasly and asked that a rescue party be sent out at once. The major fearing an ambuscade did not deem it wise to move out in the evening, but early next morning, he took out a party in pursuit. They discovered Mr Ellison's hat and shoes, and the pieces of buffalo thongs, with which he had been tied directly after his capture.

The party determined to pursue no farther, having come to the conclusion that the Indians desired to retain Mr Ellison as a prisoner, and that if they pursued and attacked them while on the retreat, the Indians would probably kill him at once. They concluded that his chances for his return alive would be better by allowing him to escape, if he could, and so gave up the pursuit.

The Indians took him first to their Chillicothe towns, where they compelled him to run the gauntlet, and in which ordeal he was severely beaten, but he was not compelled to go through this punishment a second time, or at any other place. The Indians took him to Detroit, where a Mr. Brent, an Englishman, who heard his story and sympathized with him, bought him from the Indians who claimed to own him, for a blanket, and not $100, as stated by Howe. Mr Brant furnished him with suitable clothing, and with money for his trip home. He came from Detroit to Cleveland by water, and thence by land, afoot, to Manchester, in September 1793, and surprised his family by his appearance among them. From his capture until his return, they had heard nothing of him, nor he of them.

Andrew Ellison and his wife, Mary, were both born in County Tyrone, Ireland. About 1797, he took up a large tract of land on Lick fork of Brush creek, four miles north of West Union, and here he built a stone house, which was the pride of his time. It is said that upon its completion, he and his wife went upon the hill opposite to have a view of it, and upon the view they concluded that they had the grandest house in the country. It was modeled after houses he had seen in Ireland. It is now uninhabited, but is still standing on the west side of the pike leading from West Union to Peebles. It is standing simply because it is so well built that the present owner does not want to spend the time, labor or capital necessary to have it taken down.

It is said that Mr Ellison selected this location on account of the abundance of game in that vicinity. Within sight of the old stone house, is a celebrated deer lick, where, in December 1793, Ashael Edgington was waylaid and killed by a band of Indians under Captain Johnny.

Mr Ellison's wife died in 1824, at the age of 69, and he in 1830 at the age of 75. They are buried on the place on which the stone house is located. Mr Ellison was an extensive locator of lands, and left great quantities of it to his children. Prior to his death he divided it among his children, and gave each a list of surveys.

His daughter Margaret married Adam McCormack, his daughter Isabel marred Rev. Dyer Burgess, and his daughter Mary married Thomas Houston. His son Andrew was one of the iron masters in the Hanging Rock region and did there, and for some time his remains were exposed in an iron coffin on the river bank, in pursuance of his own request. His son John marred Anna Barr, daughter of Samuel Barr, who was killed the Indians, near what is now Williamsburg, in the Spring of 1792. Mrs David Sinton of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mrs Thomas W Means, of Hanging Rock, Ohio, and the first Mrs. Hugh Means of Ashland Kentucky were daughters of John Ellison and Anna Barr.

Andrew Ellison was 39 years of age when captured, and was one of the few pioneers who walked across the state twice, while it was a virgin forest.

Andrew Ellison was a shred Irishman. Had all the land he owned been preserved intact and without improvement, and owned by a single person, to this day that person would be fabulously wealthy.

But while Andrew Ellison could see as far into the future as anyone, we can give instance in which his judgment turned out wrong. In May 1796 congress authorized the location of a great highway between Maysville, Kentucky, and Wheeling, Virginia, by Ebenezer Zane. In the Spring of 1797 it was laid out, and as it was then a mere blazed path throught the woods, it was called Zane's trace.

Everyone expected that trace to become a great highway between the South and East, and all settlers were anxious to be near it. Andrew Ellison located his lands on Lick fork of Brush creek, and built his great stone house to be along the National highway. He expected many advantages to accrue in the future from his location near the National road.

It was a great thoroughfare for travel from the South to the East until the railroads began to be built and then its glory departed forever. The great coaches, the horsemen, the freight wagons, the droves of hogs, cattle and mules deserted it, and now it is only a neighborhood road for its entire length. The last to desert it were the mules. Till the opening of the Civil war it was used for driving mules from Kentucky to Zanesville or Pittsburg to be shipped east, but since the Civil war this useful product of Kentucky is shipped by railroad. Andrew Ellison, however, never dreamed, and could not anticipate that Zane's trace would be superceded by railroads.

Note: Census 1900 taken June 5 and 6

Event: Type: Pension
Date: 11 OCT 1890
Place: Mother's pension applied for from James William Zuver

Census: Date: 1860
Place: Allegheny, Venango, Pennsylvania

Census: Date: 1850
Place: East Lackawannock, Mercer, Pennsylvania

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Pleasantville, Venango, Pennsylvania

Census: Date: 1880
Place: Allegheny, Venango, PA

Census: Date: 1900
Place: Alleghany Township, Venango, Pennsylvania

Note: ne of the iron masters in the Hanging Rock region, and died there. For some time his remains were exposed in an iron coffin on the river bank, in pursuance of his own request

Note: Daughter of Samuel Barr, who was killed by the Indians, near what is now Williamsburg, in the spring of 1792.

Note: Sarah was the third cousin once removed from Sylvanus

Census: Date: 1850
Place: Leroy, Dodge, Wisconsin

Census: Date: 1860
Place: Fair Haven, Olmsted, MN

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Mankato, Blue Earth, Minnesota

Census: Date: 1880
Place: Mankato, Blue Earth, Minnesota

Note: 1860: Census, Troy, Miami, Ohio

1870: Census, Troy, Miami, Ohio

Occupation: Date: 1870
Place: Lawyer

Census: Date: 1850
Place: Troy, Miami, Ohio

Census: Date: 1860
Place: Troy, Miami, Ohio