History of the Burnett Family

My 6x great-grandfather.

William Burnett was a farmer, and also a man of education and business ability, for he was Factor, or Land Steward, to Sir Robert Burnett of Leys, 7th Baronet, and probably to his predecessor as well. In this position he had charge of the Crathes estate, which at that time comprised some 12,000 acres, including the town and church of Banchory, a mill and other auxiliaries, to say nothing of more than 140 tenants. ¹

The position of Factor was frequently held by lawyers, by younger sons, and sometimes by heirs. It was a position of some importance and dignity in the community. ¹

My 5x great-grandfather.

Born 1 August 1788 to William Burnett and Helen Leighton.

In August, 1816, at the age of twenty-eight, Robert Burnett married Amelia Shirrefs, daughter of Rev. James Shirrefs, D.D., Senior Minister of Aberdeen, and established his residence at 11 Nelson St., Edinburgh. ¹

Robert's ambition was to be a lawyer, and, after receiving a suitable preliminary education, he was apprenticed first to James Gibson, Esq., and afterwards to William Gardener, Esq., advocates in Aberdeen. Subsequently William Gardener removed to Edinburgh and became a Writer to the Signet, and Robert went with him. ¹

Having completed his apprenticeship he was in due time admitted to the bar and became an advocate of King's Bench, and later a Writer to the Signet himself. ¹

My 5x great-grandmother. Wife of Robert Burnett.

Amelia Shirrefs was born 14 August 1797, and spent her girlhood at Friendville, Deeside Road, Aberdeen. This was the name given by her father, Rev. James Shirrefs, D.D., to the small estate where he and his family took up their residence in 1803. ¹

She immigrated to the United States some time after 1841 and eventually settled in Port Ewen, NY. She died there on 23 June 1886 at the age of 89.

My 4x great-grandfather.

Son of Robert Burnett and Amelia Shirreffs. He was a successful actor in the mid 1800s.

My 3x great-grandfather. Son of James G. Burnett.

Born in New York City in 1843. Enlisted in the US Navy in 1861 and served on the USS Coeur de Lion during the Civil War. In 1865 he married Martha A. Tyler from Boston. One of their daughters, Henrietta, married Leonce Charles Testut Sr. in 1888.