Title: David Burford Papers

Date/Date Range :   1814-1864

Extent: 0.5 linear feet

Abstract:

This collection documents David Burford's political and business activities between 1814 and 1864, including his service in the Tennessee State Senate (1829-1835) and his involvement in the slave trade. Interested researchers may also wish to consult UTK-MS-0935: David Burford Papers, 1814-1855 and UTK-MS-0797: James K. Polk Letter, 1841 for more information on Burford and his activities.

Call number: MS-1027

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

This collection is property of the University of Tennessee Special Collections Library.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], David Burford Papers, MS-1027. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of five folders.

David Burford was born to Daniel and Elizabeth Hawkins Burford on November 5, 1791 in North Carolina. Little is known of his early life, except that he attended only six months of school and that he was apprenticed to a tanner as a young man.

The date of the Burfords' move to Tennessee is a matter of conjecture, but the Reverend Daniel Burford was the first register of Smith County, Tennessee in 1799. In the War of 1812, David Burford served as a second lieutenant in the 7th Regiment of the US regular army and commanded a post at Carthage, Tennessee. From 1814 to 1815, he was the acting quartermaster at Fort Pickering. After the war, he was awarded the rank of major in the state militia.

On September 16, 1825, David Burford married Elizabeth Watkins Alexander, daughter of Richard and Nancy Alexander. The Burfords were to have eight children: Robert Allen, Bettie Hawkins, Jonathan, Daniel, Mary Ann, Frances M., Clarissa, and Alice. David Burford worked as a journeyman tanner and established his own tanyard in Carthage. He later became associated with Robert Allen in the mercantile business and then with Robert S. Chester in the tobacco trade. He eventually turned to farming and raising stock and moved to Dixon Springs, in Smith County, Tennessee, where he was to spend the rest of his life.

After establishing himself as a farmer, Burford became involved in politics and in the slave trade. As a speculator in the slave business, he developed a lengthy relationship with Jourdan M. Saunders of J.M. Saunders and Co., agents for the infamous slave trading enterprise of Franklin and Armfield of Alexandria, Virginia. Burford was elected sheriff of Smith County in 1825 and was re-elected in 1827. He represented Smith and Sumner Counties in the Senate from 1829 to 1835. He was elected Speaker of the Senate during the 20th General Assembly. In 1860, Burford was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held in Charleston, South Carolina, where he supported Andrew Johnson as the party's presidential candidate. In 1861, Burford was nominated candidate to the state convention to consider secession, although the convention was never held. Although he did not belong to a particular congregation, Burford felt himself to be a devoted Christian. He died on May 23, 1864 in Dixon Springs and is buried in his family's cemetery.

This collection documents David Burford's political and business activities between 1814 and 1864, including his service in the Tennessee State Senate (1829-1835) and his involvement in the slave trade. Interested researchers may also wish to consult UTK-MS-0935: David Burford Papers, 1814-1855 and UTK-MS-0797: James K. Polk Letter, 1841 for more information on Burford and his activities.

• Burford, David Morgan, 1791-1864.
• Slavery -- Tennessee.
• Smith County (Tenn.) -- History.
• Tennessee -- Politics and government -- 1820-1858.