Elisha Burton was born on November 7, 1743, and was one of the earliest settlers of Norwich, Vermont, where he owned a grist mill. He married a woman named Susanna in 1767; their children included Levi, Elisha, and Stephen. Following Susanna's death, he married Sarah Cogswell, with whom he had 7 surviving children: Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Polly, John Bennie Clark, Harvey, and Fanny. He married Mercy Bigelow Loveland after the death of his second wife. He died on May 3, 1819.
John Bennie Clark Burton was born in Norwich, Vermont, on April 10, 1789. He worked as a farmer until his death on May 9, 1862. He and his wife, Susan Loveland (1792-1864), had five children: Joseph, Edward, Eliza, Julia Ann, Susan Lovina, and John Perkins. Joseph was born on November 25, 1814. In September 1834, he moved to Upper Alton, Illinois, where he married Elizabeth Elwell (1818-1888). Joseph's brother Edward joined the couple in Illinois in 1838.
From the guide to the Elisha Burton ledger, Burton, Elisha ledger, 1811-1858, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)