(1853-1944)
« return to database listThe youngest of the twelve children of Robert and Anna Burwell, Richard Spotswood was born in Hillsborough, NC on July 8, 1853. Known to the family as Little Dee or Dee, he was only four years old when the family moved to Charlotte to explore better opportunities.
Richard attendedDavidson College, graduating in 1875 before preparing for the ministry at Union Theological Seminary at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia from 1875-1878. He was licensed to preach by the Orange Presbytery in New Bern, NC in April 1879, the only child of Robert and Anna to take up the ministry.
Richard held the pastorate in numerous churches across the country beginning in Missouri then going to Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama before returning to North Carolina in 1910 where he was first at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Gaston County and finally at Hopewell Presbyterian in Mecklenburg County.
In 1884, at the age of 31 he married Sarah Julia Blair in Texas. The couple had two children, but only one, daughter Mattie Edmund, would make it to adulthood. His first wife died sometime before 1897 when he married his second wife, Blanche Franklin.
He retired from the ministry in 1925 at the age of 72. In 1936 Queens-Chicora College celebrated its Founders Day, honoring Robert and Anna Burwell who started Charlotte Female Institute which would evolve into Queens. Richard gave the key-note address at the event.
Richard Spotswood Burwell died on November 6, 1944 of pneumonia at the age of 91. He was buried near his family in Elmwood Cemetery.
Richard was called Dee.
Richard Spotswood Burwell was born on July 8, 1853, in Hillsborough, NC. He was born at the Burwell School [1]. He died on November 6, 1944.
, Frances Armistead Burwell (1838-1856) , Mary Susan Burwell (1832-1859) and Virginia Isabella Burwell (1851-1867). and Virginia Bridges (1832-1859) .