Edward Slocum Burling in NYC (1792-1826)

I recently learned about the vast resources of the New York Public Library's Digital Collections through my friend and colleague Kristin.  With a day off from work and some time to focus on my own family research this week, I thought I might take a look and see if I could find anything related to my ancestors who lived in New York City....and Bingo! I did indeed.

Edward Slocum Burling (1741-1831)  and wife Kezia Hunt (1742-1804) (my 4x great-grandparents) lived in the city following the American Revolution.  They lived in various communities in Westchester County before residing in Manhattan.  Later they would return to Westchester.

During the American Revolution, we know that ESB was a member of the Westchester Militia under the command of Joseph Drake.  He was at Frog's Neck and West Farms during a portion of his 1776 enlistment.  This was a critical time, because the British forces occupied Manhattan, Long Island, and much of the surrounding area. (suggested reading of David McCullough's 1776) One of the only documents that confirms his service that has been found is a payroll log at the National Archives.  Even more intriguing is the fact that his brother-in-law, Charles Vincent, was providing information to the British, thus there is a loyalist in his family and probably someone we might label a "spy."  Ultimately Vincent and his wife, Hannah Burling would retreat with the British and settle in Nova Scotia. Need to do some more sleuthing on that story soon!

Immediately following the Revolution, ESB was able to purchase land that had previously been owned by Tory families that had fled. Evidence of his outlook on civic duty begins to emerge at this time as well.  He served as an assessor, elected as a supervisor and justice of the peace.  Prior to the creation of the U. S. Constitution, he would represent Westchester County in various state assemblies for New York.

Certificate, 31 May 1797, Thomas Addis Emmet Collection,
MssCol 927, Identifier: b11868616

From 1792 to 1826, ESB resided in New York City where he continued his public service.  He held the office of associate judge, customs inspector, and revenue officer.  However, it was in 1797 that we find the he was elected to represent the citizens of NYC on the City's Assembly.  A document found on the NYPL's digital collections site is basically a certification of his election, along with several other individuals.  But what I find fascinating is seeing the names of these others along side my ancestors name....including names like DeWitt Clinton and Aaron Burr.  Not to forget that the document was created and signed by then Mayor Richard Varick.  This just blows my mind to know that my ancestor would have known, worked with, and perhaps argued with these leaders that I have learned about throughout my education.  Just one more example of how family history and genealogical research can make our nations history come alive in very personal ways.

ESB and Kezia were the parents of eleven children:

-Gilead Burling (1762)
-Rebecca Burling Moriarty (1765)
-Ebenezer Burling (1766) (my direct line, whose son Henry Burling migrated to Michigan in the 1830s)
-Sarah Burling (1767)
-Jeremiah Burling (1767)
-Elizabeth Burling Waning (1769)
-Susannah Burling (1771-1778)
-Lydia Burling (1772)
-Thomas Burling (1775)
-Deborah Burling Bernard (1779)
-Anne T. Burling Bennett Pintard (1783)

Many thanks to Kristin Britanic for pointing me to the NYPL site and to Jane Thompson-Stahr for her excellently and professionally researched books entitled, The Burling Books: Ancestors and Descendants of Edward and Grace Burling, Quakers [1600-2000].