From "The Elberton Star"; July 26, 1900

CAPTAIN T. C. BURCH, SR., DEAD.

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After a Long Illness a Venerable Gentleman Passes Away.

On Sunday, the day set apart by the Father Almighty as a day of rest, the spirit of Captain

T. C. Burch, Sr., took its flight to rest forever with the redeemed ones on the celestial shore.

Captain Burch's death was not unexpected. He has been confined to his room since

February, since which time his life has been slowly but surely ebbing away until the end came at 9 o'clock Sunday morning.

Captain Burch was born in this county sixty-eight years ago, and was a man who was favorably known by all our citizens.

In 1856 he was married and has lived to rear a large family of ten children, the names of whom we give below: Mr. J. L. Burch, of Texas; Mrs. J. M. Carlton, Mt. Carmel, S. C.;

Dr. J. J. Burch, Double Branches, Ga.; Miss Bell Burch, T. C. Burch, Jr., H. M. Burch and W. L. Burch, of Elberton. His children and good wife were constant attendants at his bedside, and although they did all in their power to relieve his suffering he was doomed and met the last enemy death – as only a brave Christian can.

When the civil war broke out Captain Burch was among the first to answer his county's call, and at the cessation of hostilities have risen to the rank of staff officer. He was as brave and fearless as a lion, but always kind and considerate to the men under him.

He joined the Methodist church forty-two years ago, and for fifteen years was the teacher of class fifteen, a class which educated a young lady and did other numerous charities.

He was beloved by his pupils, who gave their hearty co-operation in the work. He was always a regular attendant at church, Sunday school and prayer meeting until his health failed him, and was an ardent church worker.

Captain Burch was a man who possessed a high moral standing, was a brave soldier, a good citizen, a kind neighbor, a Sunday school teacher and a trustee of the church at the time of his death, a good Mason, a kind husband, an indulgent father, a faithful member of the church and a man who has not lived his allotted number of years in vain.

The funeral services were conducted at the house at 9 o'clock Monday, at which time,

Rev. S. R. Belk conducted his funeral. His brother Masons then took charge and intered his body at the cemetery with Masonic honors.