James Burns
Monument Marks Lone Grave

Source:
Nashville Journal,
Nashville, Illinois
9 May 1912

Monument Marks Lone Grave A monument to mark the resting place of James Burns, one of the pioneers of Washington County, was erected last week. James Burns, who was born in the native country of the poet Robert Burns, in Scotland, in 1744, died in 1832 at the home of Mr. Cherry, a relative, living on what is known as the Wickline farm, about four miles southeast of Nashville, now occupied by Stout McCoy. Mr. Burns, called "Grandsir" by his relatives and friends, was a tailor by trade and died at the age of 88 years. He personally selected the place where he wished to be buried, a lonely spot in the woods near the creek on top of a fifty-foot bluff on the Wickline farm. It is the only grave in the neighborhood and its whereabouts were all but forgotten by all except Fritz Stiehl, step-father of Geo. Wickline, with whose assistance Hedges Spencer two years ago located and marked the grave. Marquis L. Burns, a great- grandson of James Burns, during his visit here last fall viewed the grave and purchased a monument from H.F. Reuter which last week was erected under supervision of Hedges Spencer, great-great-grandson of James Burns, in honor of the memory of his ancestor. Roy Horatio, the son of James Burns, is buried in the Reid graveyard three miles southwest of Nashville. A grandson, Capt. Jas. Burns, and a great-grandson, John C. Burns, rest in the Odd Fellows cemetery here. The children of Wm. Burns, the barber, are the sixth generation of the Burns family to live in Nashville. The following are the living great-grandchildren of James Burns, the pioneer, who came to Illinois in 1829 from Tennessee: Marquis L. Burns of Lawton, OK., Henry C. Burns of Senste, Tex., and Mrs. Mary J. Spencer of Nashville.

C o r r e c t i o n The article speaks of the son of James Burns being Roy Horatio Burns. I have many documents of my "Uncle Horatio" and the name Roy was never used, but as he was a prominent preacher in the Washington-Clinton Co. area, most often he was referred to as Rev. Horatio Burns. I think was an error in the actual article.                                                                         Alan Alsup

James Burns           Known as : Grandsir ( pronounced : "Grand Sire" )           Born : 1744 in Frederick County, Virginia           Son of : James, Sr. & Mary Burns           Married : Jane McCormick           Military : Revolutionary War Virginia Militia 1771 - 1773 = Private 1774 - 1777 = Sergeant 1778 - 1779 = Lieutenant 1780 = Captain Occupations : Baptist Preacher Tailor Tanner of Leather Glove Maker           Died : 1832 in Nashville, Washington County, Illinois           Burial : About four miles south of Nashville in a lone grave           Tombstone reads : "Gransir" James Burns Died 1832 Aged 88 Yrs