Lucy Burwell

Lucy Burwell Berkeley (November 21, 1683–December 16, 1716) was a white American aristocrat of the Burwell family of Virginia. She is known for having been courted by Governor Francis Nicholson when she was 17 years old. When she did not return his affections, the middle-aged Nicholson threatened her family. Burwell Berkeley was among the women of the early 18th century that sought a marriage based upon her feelings of love and affection—for a man of refined manners, good character, and emotional health—over political and financial status. Nicholson had threatened her family and the man that she would marry. Philip Ludwell, a family member, interceded on her behalf and the Virginia Governor's Council asked Anne, Queen of Great Britain to remove Nicholson from his role of governor of the Virginia colony.

She married Edward Berkeley from another elite family of Virginia and they had a good marriage. She died after 13 years of marriage and five children. Her epitaph included that "She never in all the time she lived with her Husband gave him so much as once cause to be displeased with Her".

Early life Lucy Burwell, born on November 21, 1683, was the daughter of Abigail Smith and Lewis Burwell (1652-c.1710). She was probably born in Gloucester County, Virginia at the Fairfield plantation on Carters Creek. Lewis Burwell's estate was located in Gloucester County on Carters Creek, two miles upstream of Rosewell and later of King's Creek in York County, Virginia. Burwell was a member of the Virginia Governor's Council from 1702 to 1710, the year that he died. He began courting her, during which he visited her and corresponded with her.

When Lucy was about eighteen years of age, she and her father declared that Lucy had no interest in marrying Nicholson, he threatened to kill whomever she intended to marry. He became temperamental and was threatening towards the Burwell family and their allies who were among the colony's elite families. Philip Ludwell, a relative and member of the Governor's Council, interceded on her behalf with the governor, with comportment and gentility.

Nicholson's behavior, along with his unpopular policies, drove four Burwell relatives and two others to petition Anne, Queen of Great Britain for Nicholson's removal as governor. the son of Mary Mann and Edmund Berkeley of Gloucester County, married on December 1, 1703.

Lucy and her brothers and sisters married into established families in New Kent, which influenced the politics of Colonial Virginia at that time. It was Edward's second marriage. He was previously married to Mary Mason; they had no children.

Lucy and Edmund lived in Petsworth Parish in Gloucester County until 1712 or 1713 and then lived on Barn Elms plantation in Middlesex County, Virginia.