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By WAYNE F. BALDWIN
Rappahannock News
Contributing Writer
On Saturday, June 28,1997 descendants of the late Gabe and Florence Foster Burke met at 11 a.m. at the 4-H center in Harmony Hollow near Front Royal, Warren County for their first family reunion.
A committee collating the event consisted of Mary Burke Owens, Janet Burke Alther, Helen Burke Smoot and Cecil Burke Baldwin.
Sherry McGhee kept everyone informed with what, when and were on the internet by her web site. She also provided an information booklet which was distributed at the reunion.
I was invited as a guest, although my sister had intermarried into this family.
There were already connections way before this date, by other marriages, and by relationship. I’ve conceded to a request from family members to write an article for their local newspaper covering the event.
I feel that I’m not the best choice but will endeavor to present some form of narrative.
The family of Gabe (a.k.a. Gabriel) Burke and his wife Florence Foster consist of twelve children whose ages range from seventy-seven to forty-seven.
Three are deceased; i.e., Moses, Violet and Charles Lewis. Six of the nine living were present, who were: Helen Smoot, Cecil Baldwin, Mary Owens, William Burke, Paul Burke and Janet Alther.
With these brothers and sisters, their off-spring, grandchildren, friends and other relations, there were approximately 75 in attendance.
There was a banquet of many extraordinary dishes, much to drink and no small conversation.
After lunch, the younger set and some young-at-heart enjoyed a game of softball.
Now folks who know me, know I don’t go to reunions or family gatherings unprepared.
Since I was a descendant of a Burke I carried along my own research materials hoping perhaps to learn something myself. Family connections
and background
The connection mentioned goes back,a couple of generations. Gabe Burke’s father, Charles Lewis Burke (18721952) had married in 1896, Bessie Ora Jenkins (18771939).
Incidently they were parents of fourteen children. Charles Lewis Burke’s father was Gabriel Burke (18511914) who was married in 1872 to Mary Elizabeth Jenkins (1841-1918).
All three of these generations are buried in the Masonic Cemetery at Washington, Va. Gabriel Burke the elder was a son of Simpson Burke and his wife, Elizabeth Weakley, who were married in Rappahannock
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