Joseph Burch Descendants and researchers,
The following documents how Joseph Burch (1758-1818) of Georgia was incorrectly assigned Revolutionary War military service.
American Revolutionary War service was not attributed to Joseph Burch (1758-1818) of Georgia, until about 1959. Before 1959, no Burch researchers had mentioned American Revolutionary War service for Joseph Burch. In her book, Birch, Burch Family in Great Britain and America, Vol. II, with Addenda of; Families Allied to Burch Family of Georgia, Alabama, Florida and other States (1959), Marilu Burch Smallwood stated on page 51:
“Joseph Burch 250 acres of land, Certificate 1019, Col. Elijah Clarke (Voucher) – no date, but account of Bounty Land Certificates issued to persons claiming as Refugees or Citizens, by resolve or act of the 19th to 20th , Aug., 1781, by his honour Gov. Houston in the year 1784” (See pages 25-26 of “Receipts for Georgia Bounty Grants” by Ruth Blair.)
However, from the above Ruth Blair source, Marilu B. Smallwood misidentified Joseph Burks as Joseph Burch. The actual document was assigned to Joseph Burks. Joseph Burks and Joseph Burch were two separate individuals.
In her research, Marilu B. Smallwood mixed Burch, Burks, etc., claiming they were all part of the same family. I do not know of any genealogists who would do this today.
Based on Marilu B. Smallwood’s reference from her book, individuals began to join the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
About 1960, Allen Eugene Burch (national number 87009), joined the SAR through Joseph Burch (d. 1818). Allen E. Burch used the above reference from Marilu B. Smallwood as proof for membership. For the DAR, Vienna Burch McVay (national number 146306), submitted a supplemental application (an application in addition to one's original membership ancestor) for Joseph Burch (1758-1818). Vienna Burch McVay died in 1962.
At some point after 1960, the above stated Marilu B. Smallwood claim of American Revolutionary War service for Joseph Burch (1758-1818) was found to be invalid. Later, this invalid proof was replaced with Joseph Burch of the 2nd Maryland Regiment military service.
This situation looks like an attempt to keep the Joseph Burch lineage line open for membership in the DAR and SAR, where no actual proof ever existed.
In 2017, the original enlistment record of Joseph Burch of the 2nd Maryland Regiment was located in the Maryland Archives. The signature mark of Joseph Burch of the 2nd Maryland Regiment was an "X?". This signature mark does not match the known signature mark of Joseph Burch (1758-1818) of Georgia. Joseph Burch of Georgia had a signature mark of "IB". They appear to be two separate individuals.
Also, no one who ever joined the SAR or DAR appears to have been aware of the difference in the signature marks of Joseph Burch of the 2nd Maryland Regiment and Joseph Burch who died in Georgia.
Best regards,
James Allison
