Sam, I read your comments on Blackburn name associations with interest. It has always been assumed by my line of Blackburns that William's (b. Va. abt. 1764) wife Sarah was a Burton based on the fact that one of his sons was named William Burton and William Burton named one of his sons likewise. I've also noticed that the middle initial B. is used in several of the older Blackburn names. I know this isn't evidence but, like you, after years of searching I'll try anything. It's also interesting that that one of William's descendants named a son William Preston but he only lived to the age of 2 years. I have a copy of a letter written in 1880 by my William's youngest son, Eli Augustine, which states that his father was raised in Virginia - but no location. He also stated that his father was the first Blackburn to settle in what is now Wilkes County, NC and that he lived here until he died (sometime after 1850). Don