(1841-1864)
« return to database listRobert Burwell was the third son of Robert Burwell and Margaret Anna Robertson, who founded the Burwell School. He worked as a clerk and fought in the Civil War.
Robert Turnbull Burwell was born November 30, 1841, the 6th child of Robert and Anna Burwell. He may have received his early education at home from his mother, or attended one of the boys’ schools in Hillsborough. Rob was described by his brother John as a “brave, high-strung man, having perhaps more energy and fire in his make-up than any of the boys of our family.” Anna mentioned in her journal at one point that she didn’t know what to do to help Robert manage his temper.
At the age of 14, Robert was sent away to Cub Creek School in Virginia where his brother Armistead attended and his brother John taught. His high-strung nature was evidenced when he was forced to return to school in Virginia after being home for Christmas holidays. His mother wrote in a letter to his sister Fanny in January 1856, “poor Robert did hate to leave home, his eyes were so swollen from crying when I first saw him yesterday morning that I almost made me cry to look at him, but it is all for the best, these privations of home comforts do boys good.”
It is unknown if Robert attended college, but by the late 1850s he was working as a clerk for the North Carolina Railroad. At the age of 20, in 1862, he enlisted in Company B of the NC 43rd Infantry. Initially he was detailed back to work for the railroad after enlistment, but within a year he was serving on the battlefield and in June 1864 he was wounded in the foot. He eventually returned home and was nursed by his mother and siblings for many months, however on March 18, 1865 Robert succumbed to his injury and died.
Robert Turnbull Burwell was born on November 30, 1841, in Burwell School. He died in 1864.
, Frances Armistead Burwell (1838-1856) , Mary Susan Burwell (1832-1859) and Virginia Isabella Burwell (1851-1867). and Virginia Bridges (1832-1859) .