Born 1747 in Henry County, Virginia; died 1 November 1829. Held a Revolutionary War pension record (R 6770); served under Capt. Joseph Martin’s unit under Gen. Christie. He and three brothers took the Oath of Allegiance in 1777 at Martinsville, Henry County, Virginia. His wife, Mary Ellen Roach Burns (1746-1829), died just 47 days after him.
Appears in: Burns Rivers Cemetery.
Notable descendants:
- Alexander Abner “Alex” Burns II (1786-1852) and Jonathan Burns I (1790-1857) - sons, confirmed via Find a Grave (previously no children were documented for this family).
- Great-grandchildren, born after 1850 (confirmed via Find a Grave): Jonathon Claiborne Burns (1853-1938), Wiley Alfred Burns (1855-1937), and Rose Alice Burns (1871-1931), via grandson Calvin Alexander Burns; Mary Jane Burns Jones (1850-1939), Matilda Ann Burns Jones (1853-1931), and Alpha Ann Burns Ashley (1858-1911), via grandson Alford Eli Burns.