Based on DNA matches between myself, Kathy Alvis Patterson, and at least four of the children of William Spencer BURD, I have posited that this man was probably the father of Nancy (Burd?) Harper, the wife of Hance Harper, Jr.
William Spencer Burd was say about 1742. He was living in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, at the time of the Revolutionary War. His wife was Elizabeth, possibly surnamed Brooks or Harper. He moved to Barren County, Kentucky, by 1810 with a large group of family and others, including Hance Harper.
Three records for Revolutionary War service in South Carolina may be for the same man. One was in Roebuck’s unit.
In 1790 William Bird was in Spartanburg Co SC, 3/2/5, four houses away from Robert Harper, 1/4/4, who was next to John Brooks, 4/3/2/2.
The 1810 census for Barren Co KY lists 3 “Bird,” 6 Brooks, and 5 Amos households on the same page as the Hance Harper and Matthew Harper households, plus one Turpin (and two Durbin), two Reynolds and one Goodman. Specifically, the order taken on August 30th is Wm Bird, James “Elbird,” James Brooks, John Brooks, Hance Harper, Wm Amos, and James Amos.
William Spencer Burd had at least five sons and two daughters, in addition to a likely daughter Nancy, also called Rhoda. These were:
James Luther Burd, born ca 1770, called “James Elbird” in 1810,
William Spencer Burd, Jr., born around 1770,
Robert Harper Burd,
John Burd,
Matthew Burd,
Sarah Burd,
and Mary Burd.
Typical of references I have found on the Internet is this post from the old Genforum site:
William Spencer BURD, SC to KY, 1750-1822, by Judy Lawler January 07, 2002:
“Looking for any information on my 5GGrandfather, William Spencer BURD, b. abt 1750 in Spartanburg, SC d. 1822 in Barren Co., KY. Married Elizabeth BROOKS. William served in the Revolutionary War under Col. Brandon. Had four sons: James, William S., Robert Harper, and Matthew. Does anyone know William Spencer BURD’s parents or siblings?”
[more biographical details to follow when I find them]
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