- Per his death certificate found on Ancestry.com: His middle name is spelled Melvin, in conflict with his grave marker. He was a son of David Burns, born in Scotland, and Martha Marshall, born in S. C. He widowed at the time of his death and his spouse is not named. The informant was Mrs. W. D. Grigsby of Blaney, S. C.
Found in The State 21 November 1929: William Melvin Burns, 71, of 2412 Preston street, died at the Baptist hospital at 5:30 Wednesday morning. Though he was a native of Charleston, he had made his home during recent years with his daughter, Mrs. C. F. Wilkes, of Shandon. A man of outstanding personality, he leaves many friends throughout the state. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. C. F. Wilkes of Columbia, Mrs. W. G. Grisby of Blaney, Mrs. A. E. Croxdale of Memphis, Tenn.; three sons, Dr. D. J. Burns of Lake City, A. J. Burns of Charleston and E. G. Burns of El Paso, Texas, and one brother, A. J. Burns of Charleston. Funeral services will be held at 1 o'clock this afternoon at the McCormick mortuary, conducted by the Rev. F. Clyde Helms, pastor of Shandon Baptist church. Interment will be in Elmwood cemetery.
Note: the death certificate for son Arthur Julian Burns linked below, found on Ancestry.com, lists his parents as William Melville Burns and Lilla Gibson.
Note for his wife: Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974: Lilla Adelede Gibson, birth bat 1859, died 23 June 1915 in Mobile, Mobile, Alabama, daughter of W. A. Gibson and Mrs. Speissegger.
Note: the death certificate for his brother, Arthur Juliene Burns, who died 1935 in Walterboro, SC lists his parents as David M. Burns, born in Scotland, and Lavinia Sutcliffe, born in Charleston. Arthur is older than William, therefore, Lavinia is most likely William's mother, which is in conflict with his death certificate listing Martha Marshall as his mother.
1860 US Census for St. John's Berkley Parish, Charleston, SC: David M. Burns, 31, Lavinia A., 31, David J., 7, Arthur J., 3, William M., 1, Dorcas J. Sutcliffe, 58, Alexander Sutcliffe, 22, Lorenz Sutcliffe, 16, and William H. Sutcliffe, also 16.
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1858 - 1929 (71 years)
