A brief bio. . .

Burrel Banister’s father died when he was only 9 years old. While undocumented by this writer, it is said by some researchers that he was never mentioned in his father’s will. Was it because of his young age at the time, or if true is there any known reason for it now more than 2 centuries later? When Burrel reached the age of reasoning, he left Virginia for South Carolina never to return, which could be another reason he may not receive a share of an inheritance.

When Burrell left Virginia, he departed with a man named Thomas Banister, but no information has been located on him that I have found. According to one source Thomas was reportedly a veteran of the Revolutionary War, so he would have been at least 15 to 20 years older than Burrel, but little else is known about him. Was he a relative? Perhaps an uncle or older cousin. If any reader of this can answer that question I would welcome hearing from you. Please share your information and documentation in the “Edit” tab in the upper right corner of this memorial and I will include appropriate information in this bio.

Shortly after settling in Abbeville County, South Carolina Burrel married Margaret Blades there at the age of 19. They migrated to Georgetown, Scott County, Kentucky along with many other family members about 1805, and are said to have remained there around 5 years. About 1810 they migrated once again to Brookville, Franklin County, Indiana Territory, but their stay there this time was brief. About 1812 they reportedly went to Hamilton County, Ohio to escape conflicts with local Indians, but they returned to Franklin County around 1815. They were subsequently found in Bartholomew County, Indiana about 1818, then back to Franklin County by 1820, Delaware County by 1821, and Jennings County from 1833 to 1837. Burrel Banister died in Jennings County, Indiana on at the age of 57 on 7 February 1837.