Last revised: 02 Jan 2010
Burket Rager,
Sr.
(abt. 1745 - abt. 1815)
Burket Rager, Sr. was born about 1745 in Berks Co. PA, his
family moved from PA to VA about 1750 where they appear in
Augusta, Frederick, and Berkley Co., VA records. In early
records, his surname was spelled REAGER.
He served as a Capt. in Col. William Darke’s 4th VA
Regiment and was present at the siege and surrender at
Yorktown in 1781. Burket migrated to present day Jefferson
Co., KY about 1786 where he appeared in their records; then
moved to Nelson Co., KY where he is in their records
between 1790-1792; and then to present day Hardin Co., KY
by 1795. He had moved to Logan Co., KY by 1800. On 19 Jul
1800, Burket bought land in Logan Co., KY from Reason
Bowie. Reason Bowie was the father of Jim Bowie, founder of
the Bowie knife and a hero of Texas Independence who died
at the Battle of the Alamo. That land is reported to be the
birth place of Jim Bowie.
Burket Rager, Sr. died about 1815 in Logan Co., KY.