Thomas BURTON "of Cobbs"  (c.1634 - January, 1684/5)

The name of Burton is found everywhere in England. So it is almost impos-
sible to pin down the exact location where Thomas and and his brother John 
were born. It is by origin, a place name, signifying "burgtun" or "borough-
town". The two main lines of Henrico County Burtons begin with Thomas and 
John Burton; who in in 1656 acquired the 350 acre plantation of "Cobbs" on 
the north bank of the Appomattox River and just to the west of the Bermuda 
Hundred tract. "Cobbs" was originally patented to Ambrose Cobbs of York 
County in 1639, and was located in a part of Henrico County which later 
became Chesterfield County.

Whether these two men, who each left behind him upon his death, sons to 
found a line of sturdy planters and pioneers, were immigrants to Virginia, 
or as seems more probable, the sons of an earlier Burton, remains unproved.
The James River divided the families of Thomas Burton "Of Cobbs" and John 
Burton of "Longfield".

Thomas and his descendants lived exclusively of the south side of the 
James in Bristol, and later, Dale Parishes. The territory was to form 
parts of Amelia and Prince George counties, and all of Chesterfield County.
The existing records for Henrico County begin in 1677, and the first 
mention of Thomas' name occurs on the Tax List of 1679. The list was 
officially called "An account of ye several fortye Tythables, and was 
authorized on 25 April 1679. His name appears between Richard Ligon and 
William Baugh, probably his closest neighbors.

On 1 Jan 1685 he divided his estate of "Cobbs" into four 100 acre parcels 
and deeded each of his four sons one parcel. His wife received letters of 
estate administration from the court on 1 Feb 1685. The inventory of his 
belongings was returned by the appraisers on 1 April 1686. No will has 
ever been located.

Sources:
"Burton Chronicles of Colonial Virginia", pp.33-40, Francis Burton 
Harrison, 1933. 1979. 1996.
"Colonial Wills of Henrico County, Virginia", Part One, 1677-1737, pp.13, 
14, Benjamin B. Weisiger III, Richmond, VA., 1976.
"Henrico County, Virginia Deeds 1677-1705", p.32, Benjamin B. Weisiger III,
Richmond, VA, 1986.
"Burton Families", Series I, p.59, A. Maxim Coppage, Walnut Creek, CA. 
May, 1969.
"ibid.", p.82, December, 1969.
"ibid.", Series IV, p.161, Summer, 1989.
"W&MCQ"(1), Vol.XXIV, No.1, p.131, July, 1915, "Henrico County, Virginia:
Beginnings of its families", William Clayton Torrence.