Within a year of his father's death, his mother Rachel Terrell Burruss married Thomas Hackett. Rachel and Thomas Hackett had at least five children. The Burruss and Hackett children grew up more as real brothers and sisters, than half siblings. The Hackett children were:
Chiles Hackett who married Mary Wortham;
Garrett H. Hackett who married Sophia Trevillian;
Pleasant Hackett who married Lucy Ragland;
Mary Hackett who died 6-24-1830; and
Frances Hackett who married William Redd.
Rachel Terrell Burruss Hackett died Febrary 17, 1787 shortly after her daughter Frances Hackett was born.
It was specified in his father's will that Thomas Burruss and his brothers were to be educated in a manner that would make them fit "to do county business". From Thomas' letters which have survived, we know this wish was carried out. We do not know if he received his education in boarding school or at home with tutors.
His father was one of the first Baptist preachers in Caroline County. Thomas, a lay minister, would also preach the gospel in his father's church, then named Mt. Carmel. Some of his journals have survived. Thomas was a devote Christain, and no doubt his faith sustained him when lesser men became overwhelmed by the adversities, uncertainties, and hardships of life in Caroline County. Feeding, clothing, and educating a family of twelve children had to have been a constant concern for him. Thomas was respected for his intelligence, serenity, faith, and ability to endure and achieve where others failed.
At the age of 21, Thomas married Knelly Bibb on December 25, 1793. The Rev. Andrew Broaddus performed the ceremony. Rev. Broaddus and members of his family would preach the gospel in Caroline County for many years. Knelly Bibb was the daughter of Charles Bibb and Eleanor Woolfolk. Knelly may have been a nickname for Eleanor.
Thomas and Knelly had nine children before her death in 1816 or 1817. Their children were: (Click on Names Below)
1. Charles E. Burrus
2. Rachel Terrell Burruss
3. Lucy Burruss born 1800 married George Robinson on 2-25-1824
4. John Burruss
5. Mary C. Burruss born September 3, 1804 and John M. Boulware on December 25, 1823
6. Thomas J. Burruss born February 19, 1807 died December 18, 1879
7. Frances Cornelia Burruss
8. Agnes Burruss born March 20, 1811 and married Mr. Ryan
9. Samuel Harris Burruss born January 2, 1816
At the age of 46, Thomas was married second, to his cousin, Sarah Chiles, the daughter of William and Sarah Chiles. Thomas and Sarah had three children, before her death on May 20, 1829. Their children were:
10. William Burruss born c. 1819
11. Virginia Louise Burruss born c. 1820married William S. Blank March 25, 1845 in Richmond, Va.
12. Elizabeth P. Burruss
Thomas was a successful farmer and businessman in Caroline County. He evidently suffered from an adominal hernia. After attending to business in town one evening, Thomas fell entering the front gate to his home. From descriptions of his death, it seems apparent that the fall perforated his hernia, causing a bowel obstruction. Without the surgery that is available today, his death was unavoidable. Thomas knew he was dying, and his brother Henry was called so he could write his will. His half brother, Chiles Hackett, some of his children, and his man servant Tom, were close to Thomas Burruss during his last 56 hours. Thomas Burruss died March 6, 1824. There was a publication of his death in the Richmond Enquirer newspaper, where he was called Captain Thomas Burruss. His military record, if any, has not been researched by this author.
His brother Henry and son Charles E. Burruss were executors of his estate.
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