This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/yAH.2ACIB/218.1.1 Message Board Post: What I have is documented with court records. I had found it strange that there were no Burneys in the territorial census or tax lists of the area, so it is entirely possible that this family was there for a very short time. In 1813 and 1814 the area was considered the "eastern frontier" of the MS territory and was the scene of the Creek War which included the massacre at Fort Mims, the biggest Indian massacre in American history. Many people, especially newcomers fled went on to the safer, more settled portion of the territory around Natchez and environs. I am sure they could have gone on to Louisiana just as well. Chances are this is the same story, not "remembered" accurately. The court documents give no details about the victim other than the murder occurred on Dec. 27, 1814. The murderer was Bob, a slave belonging to Thomas Bassett, a longtime resident of the territory. He was convicted, escaped, but was eventually hanged for the offence in March of 1815.You know how family stories change through the years, !8! 60 is a fairly long time after the event.