Surnames: Burke County, 1850.
by Lisa Y. Henderson
The following surnames are found among free people of color in the 1850 census of Burke County: BOYCE, BUNCH, CHAVES, COOPER, CRANLEY, CRISP, HARDY, HAYDEN/HEYDEN, MATHIS, McNEILL, MILLER, MITCHELL, PAYNE, POWELL, RAYNE, REED, RODES, SCOTT, SHADD, SHADE, SISK, THOMAS, TUCKER, UNDERWOOD and YORKE.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 
I didn’t know there was a such thing as Burke County until this past week. Been a long time since I took NC history.
I’m really interested in some of these surnames. Many show up in my 23 & Me relatives list, but I can’t figure out how I’m connected to them.
I’m enjoying learning more about western NC as I’ve researched for this blog. I (and all my FPC lines) are from the eastern part of the state. Please let me know if you ever figure out your 23andme connections!
I am researching the Dixon family and believe they were in the Lenoir City area at that time. Is this a name you’ve run across at all?
The only Lenoir City I know of is in Tennessee. I have done some minor research of TN free people of color who originated in NC, but not the Dixon family. Best wishes in your search!