Mrs. Martha Digges Burwell presided over " Rustic Lodge", a plain, unpretentious abode, situated in a quiet corner of Botetourt. She was the centre and charm of her home as well as the society that surrounded her. Mrs. Burwell was by birth and marriage of the Cavalier of the Old Dominion. Reared by her uncle, Secretary Nelson of Williamsburg, she associated with the first men of the time in church and state. She was adorned in her youth by the highest circles of that polished state. She was intimate with Lord Dunsmore, the last colonial Governor of Virginia.
Lady Burwell was the friend and favorite of all who came within her gracious influences. Her society was sought and engaged by the best in the land. In conversation she was remarkable. Such notable men as General Breckenridge were often visitors at "Rustic Lodge" listening with delight and profit to her words of wisdom and instructions. At the age of ninety two she was a fine reader and her elegant rendering of the best authors would put to shame ... the high town of present day. Mrs. Burwell's name has passed away from Botetourt society with the departure of the daughter of Colonel Burwell, the last owner of "Rustic Lodge" more than thirty years ago.
Reference: "Rustic Lodge" Women's Edition, The Fincastle Herald It appears that "Rustic Lodge" was a contributed article by Letitia M. Burwell. She wrote A GIRL'S LIFE IN VIRGINIA BEFORE THE WAR, a first person narrative
published by Frederick A. Stokes Company of New York.
Pension Application for Nathaniel's Widow
Pension Application - Widow of Nathaniel Burwell: W18681
Virginia
At a Court continued and held at the court house for the County of Botetourt on Thursday the 16th day of November 1837.
On this 16th day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before the County Court of Botetourt County Martha Burwell a resident of the said County aged Eighty years and three months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July the 4th 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3rd 1837 that she was married to Nathaniel Burwell who was a Captain of the Virginia Artillery during the Revolutionary War. that the said Nathaniel Burwell entered into the service of the United States on the 8th day of September 1775. and that he continued in the said service until the close of the War. that he was attached to the Corps of Artillery commanded by Colonel Charles Harrison and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Carrington. That he served as the Capture of the Hessians [probably Battle of Trenton, 26 Dec 1776] and also at the Battle of Monmouth [28 Jun 1778]. that at the Siege of York the said Captain Nathaniel Burwell acted as the aid of General Thomas Nelson. She further declares that she was married to the said Nathaniel Burwell on the 5th day of March 1780 and that her husband the aforesaid Nathaniel Burwell died on the thirtieth day of March 1802 that she has not married since, that she was a widow on the 4th of July 1836 and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof which will accompany this declaration
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court on the 16th day of November in the year above Written
(signed) Martha Burwell
[The following two depositions were made in Louisa County VA:]
I do hereby certify that Mrs Martha Burwell (my sister) formerly of King William County but now of Bottetourt County was married to Capt. Nathaniel Burwell in march one thousand seven hundred eighty given from under my hand & seal this 12 day of August 1837.
[signed] Elizabeth Nicolson[?]
I do hereby certify that Mrs Martha Burwell (my Sister) was married to Capt. Nathaniel Burwell in March one thousand seven hundred & eighty. Capt Burwell was a most efficient Officer in the revolutionary army. Given from under my hand & seal this 12 of august 1837.
[signed] Dudley Digges
Lady Burwell was the friend and favorite of all who came within her gracious influences. Her society was sought and engaged by the best in the land. In conversation she was remarkable. Such notable men as General Breckenridge were often visitors at "Rustic Lodge" listening with delight and profit to her words of wisdom and instructions. At the age of ninety two she was a fine reader and her elegant rendering of the best authors would put to shame ... the high town of present day. Mrs. Burwell's name has passed away from Botetourt society with the departure of the daughter of Colonel Burwell, the last owner of "Rustic Lodge" more than thirty years ago.
Reference: "Rustic Lodge" Women's Edition, The Fincastle Herald It appears that "Rustic Lodge" was a contributed article by Letitia M. Burwell. She wrote A GIRL'S LIFE IN VIRGINIA BEFORE THE WAR, a first person narrative
published by Frederick A. Stokes Company of New York.
Pension Application for Nathaniel's Widow
Pension Application - Widow of Nathaniel Burwell: W18681
Virginia
At a Court continued and held at the court house for the County of Botetourt on Thursday the 16th day of November 1837.
On this 16th day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before the County Court of Botetourt County Martha Burwell a resident of the said County aged Eighty years and three months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July the 4th 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3rd 1837 that she was married to Nathaniel Burwell who was a Captain of the Virginia Artillery during the Revolutionary War. that the said Nathaniel Burwell entered into the service of the United States on the 8th day of September 1775. and that he continued in the said service until the close of the War. that he was attached to the Corps of Artillery commanded by Colonel Charles Harrison and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Carrington. That he served as the Capture of the Hessians [probably Battle of Trenton, 26 Dec 1776] and also at the Battle of Monmouth [28 Jun 1778]. that at the Siege of York the said Captain Nathaniel Burwell acted as the aid of General Thomas Nelson. She further declares that she was married to the said Nathaniel Burwell on the 5th day of March 1780 and that her husband the aforesaid Nathaniel Burwell died on the thirtieth day of March 1802 that she has not married since, that she was a widow on the 4th of July 1836 and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof which will accompany this declaration
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court on the 16th day of November in the year above Written
(signed) Martha Burwell
[The following two depositions were made in Louisa County VA:]
I do hereby certify that Mrs Martha Burwell (my sister) formerly of King William County but now of Bottetourt County was married to Capt. Nathaniel Burwell in march one thousand seven hundred eighty given from under my hand & seal this 12 day of August 1837.
[signed] Elizabeth Nicolson[?]
I do hereby certify that Mrs Martha Burwell (my Sister) was married to Capt. Nathaniel Burwell in March one thousand seven hundred & eighty. Capt Burwell was a most efficient Officer in the revolutionary army. Given from under my hand & seal this 12 of august 1837.
[signed] Dudley Digges
Mrs. Martha Digges Burwell presided over " Rustic Lodge", a plain, unpretentious abode, situated in a quiet corner of Botetourt. She was the centre and charm of her home as well as the society that surrounded her. Mrs. Burwell was by birth and marriage of the Cavalier of the Old Dominion. Reared by her uncle, Secretary Nelson of Williamsburg, she associated with the first men of the time in church and state. She was adorned in her youth by the highest circles of that polished state. She was intimate with Lord Dunsmore, the last colonial Governor of Virginia.
Lady Burwell was the friend and favorite of all who came within her gracious influences. Her society was sought and engaged by the best in the land. In conversation she was remarkable. Such notable men as General Breckenridge were often visitors at "Rustic Lodge" listening with delight and profit to her words of wisdom and instructions. At the age of ninety two she was a fine reader and her elegant rendering of the best authors would put to shame ... the high town of present day. Mrs. Burwell's name has passed away from Botetourt society with the departure of the daughter of Colonel Burwell, the last owner of "Rustic Lodge" more than thirty years ago.
Reference: "Rustic Lodge" Women's Edition, The Fincastle Herald It appears that "Rustic Lodge" was a contributed article by Letitia M. Burwell. She wrote A GIRL'S LIFE IN VIRGINIA BEFORE THE WAR, a first person narrative
published by Frederick A. Stokes Company of New York.
Pension Application for Nathaniel's Widow
Pension Application - Widow of Nathaniel Burwell: W18681
Virginia
At a Court continued and held at the court house for the County of Botetourt on Thursday the 16th day of November 1837.
On this 16th day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before the County Court of Botetourt County Martha Burwell a resident of the said County aged Eighty years and three months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July the 4th 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3rd 1837 that she was married to Nathaniel Burwell who was a Captain of the Virginia Artillery during the Revolutionary War. that the said Nathaniel Burwell entered into the service of the United States on the 8th day of September 1775. and that he continued in the said service until the close of the War. that he was attached to the Corps of Artillery commanded by Colonel Charles Harrison and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Carrington. That he served as the Capture of the Hessians [probably Battle of Trenton, 26 Dec 1776] and also at the Battle of Monmouth [28 Jun 1778]. that at the Siege of York the said Captain Nathaniel Burwell acted as the aid of General Thomas Nelson. She further declares that she was married to the said Nathaniel Burwell on the 5th day of March 1780 and that her husband the aforesaid Nathaniel Burwell died on the thirtieth day of March 1802 that she has not married since, that she was a widow on the 4th of July 1836 and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof which will accompany this declaration
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court on the 16th day of November in the year above Written
(signed) Martha Burwell
[The following two depositions were made in Louisa County VA:]
I do hereby certify that Mrs Martha Burwell (my sister) formerly of King William County but now of Bottetourt County was married to Capt. Nathaniel Burwell in march one thousand seven hundred eighty given from under my hand & seal this 12 day of August 1837.
[signed] Elizabeth Nicolson[?]
I do hereby certify that Mrs Martha Burwell (my Sister) was married to Capt. Nathaniel Burwell in March one thousand seven hundred & eighty. Capt Burwell was a most efficient Officer in the revolutionary army. Given from under my hand & seal this 12 of august 1837.
[signed] Dudley Digges
Lady Burwell was the friend and favorite of all who came within her gracious influences. Her society was sought and engaged by the best in the land. In conversation she was remarkable. Such notable men as General Breckenridge were often visitors at "Rustic Lodge" listening with delight and profit to her words of wisdom and instructions. At the age of ninety two she was a fine reader and her elegant rendering of the best authors would put to shame ... the high town of present day. Mrs. Burwell's name has passed away from Botetourt society with the departure of the daughter of Colonel Burwell, the last owner of "Rustic Lodge" more than thirty years ago.
Reference: "Rustic Lodge" Women's Edition, The Fincastle Herald It appears that "Rustic Lodge" was a contributed article by Letitia M. Burwell. She wrote A GIRL'S LIFE IN VIRGINIA BEFORE THE WAR, a first person narrative
published by Frederick A. Stokes Company of New York.
Pension Application for Nathaniel's Widow
Pension Application - Widow of Nathaniel Burwell: W18681
Virginia
At a Court continued and held at the court house for the County of Botetourt on Thursday the 16th day of November 1837.
On this 16th day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before the County Court of Botetourt County Martha Burwell a resident of the said County aged Eighty years and three months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July the 4th 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3rd 1837 that she was married to Nathaniel Burwell who was a Captain of the Virginia Artillery during the Revolutionary War. that the said Nathaniel Burwell entered into the service of the United States on the 8th day of September 1775. and that he continued in the said service until the close of the War. that he was attached to the Corps of Artillery commanded by Colonel Charles Harrison and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Carrington. That he served as the Capture of the Hessians [probably Battle of Trenton, 26 Dec 1776] and also at the Battle of Monmouth [28 Jun 1778]. that at the Siege of York the said Captain Nathaniel Burwell acted as the aid of General Thomas Nelson. She further declares that she was married to the said Nathaniel Burwell on the 5th day of March 1780 and that her husband the aforesaid Nathaniel Burwell died on the thirtieth day of March 1802 that she has not married since, that she was a widow on the 4th of July 1836 and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof which will accompany this declaration
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court on the 16th day of November in the year above Written
(signed) Martha Burwell
[The following two depositions were made in Louisa County VA:]
I do hereby certify that Mrs Martha Burwell (my sister) formerly of King William County but now of Bottetourt County was married to Capt. Nathaniel Burwell in march one thousand seven hundred eighty given from under my hand & seal this 12 day of August 1837.
[signed] Elizabeth Nicolson[?]
I do hereby certify that Mrs Martha Burwell (my Sister) was married to Capt. Nathaniel Burwell in March one thousand seven hundred & eighty. Capt Burwell was a most efficient Officer in the revolutionary army. Given from under my hand & seal this 12 of august 1837.
[signed] Dudley Digges
Inscription
Martha Digges, daughter of Dudley Digges & his wife Martha Armistead, great -great granddaughter of Edward Digges, immigrant and Governor of Jamestown, and wife of Major Nathaniel Burwell of the Revolutionary Army. Born at Yorktown, Virginia in 1757 removed to Rustic Lodge in Botetourt, where she died in February 3, 1848. A gentlewoman, kind, cheerful and affectionate to all around
her, she was beloved at home and admired abroad, A Christian character whose long life was spent in the practice of feminine virtues, her example an inspiration and her memory never to be forgotten.
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