Hi ! Tommy, Great to hear from you again. Your theory's make a lot of sense and may have been the cause of both Burwell and young Issac's death. The way the family story goes is that Burwell had been working in the field (Aug being probably the hottest month) and when he arrived home, he started to "romp" with the kids.He apparently over exerted himself and was soon gasping for breath. Burwell is thought to have had a heart attack. The son Issac was supposedly well enough to attend the burial the next day and was whittling on a stick causing the flakes to fall into the grave. When he was asked by his mother (Della Mariah (Reeves) Irwin to stop, he replied, "Don't worry, papa won't feel a thing and I will soon be with him". Sometime later he laid down on a bed and his mother covered him with his special blanket. According to family lore he never awoke. It seems strange that all this could happen in two days, but the death dates are recorded in a family bible. The story comes from Ora May De Ford, a grand-daughter of Burwell's. If the story is true, I would assume that young Issac may have died of heart-break. Dave Chandler - [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) In a message dated 3/31/2005 3:30:51 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Hi Dave, I read your note on the Reeves List. I had no reason to know but a couple of things popped in my mind. If the young Isaac Curtis was working with his father in Aug 23 in the field he could have had like a heat stroke and just lived one more day. I suppose he could have been desolate or felt he could have prevented his father's death and been led to take his own life. But they must both have been working in very hot weather. Maybe Walter can clear it up for you. I just felt I needed to speak up. My best, Tommie Smith