William K. Burroughs

William K. Burroughs (1782-1836) was an American stonemason, Lighthouse builder and keeper.

William K. Burroughs is best known as the younger brother of lighthouse builder and keeper Elzy Burroughs. Both men were likely born in Stafford County, Virginia. At about the age of 18, young William arrived in Mathews County, Virginia to assist his brother Elzy and other brother John Burroughs in the construction of the New Point Comfort Lighthouse at the southern tip of the county.

During construction, William apparently met and fell in love with Lucretia ("Luky") Armistead, a native of the New Point Comfort area.

In 1806, William was appointed the second keeper of Smith Point Lighthouse at Smith Point, Virginia. This appointment coincides with a Federal contract won by his brother Elzy to move and rebuild that lighthouse farther inland due to severe erosion at its original location.

After his stint at Smith Point Light, William and wife Luky ultimately settled permanently in the New Point Comfort area, where they raised six children, at least five of whom lived to adulthood. Their descendants live in the New Point Comfort area to this day.

ee also

[http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=bburroug&id=I237 Burroughs Family Genealogy] [http://www.newpointcomfort.com/history/history_html/lh_history.html History of New Point Comfort Lighthouse]