Parents: Henry Clay and Matilda Eleanor (DeHart) Burnett.
Husband of: 1. Louisa Candora (Byrd) Burnett, 2. Mary Elizabeth (Ray) Burnett. Married: 9 JAN 1881 in Macon County, North Carolina.

James and Elizabeth lived in the Burningtown-Tellico section of Macon, County, NC for several years. In 1888 James purchased 359 acres of land on Rattlesnake Creek in Swain County, NC for the sum of $300.00 and moved his family to Swain County.The entire family moved with all of their belongings in a oxen drawn wagon. Roads were not good in any of the area at that time, but High Lonesome Bluff looked especially dangerous because of the narrowness and steepness of the roads. James made all of his family get off of the wagon and walk because of the danger getting past the Bluff. Arriving at their new home site, they cleared land for corn and wheat. Then came the pastures and they also planted apple and peach orchards. In addition, they raised cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks and geese, the forest was full of deer and small game for meat. There was a small creek near by that was full of speckled trout that emptied into the Little Tennessee River where catfish were easy to catch. In 1907, James then purchased land near Almond by the rail depot and started a mercantile business and served as postmaster for a number of years. He boarded in Almond and would ride a mule back home on the weekends. The family remained on Rattlesnake Creek until 1926 whenn those that remained at home moved to Almond. The business did well and "Dad Burnett" as he was fondly called by young and old alike, remained in business until he had to leave Almond because of the building of the Fontana Damn. After selling his property to the TVA, James and Elizabeth bought property in Skyland on Long Shoals Road in Buncombe County, NC where they lived with their 2 unmarried daughters, Louada and Genevieve.

Parents: Henry Clay and Matilda Eleanor (DeHart) Burnett.
Husband of: 1. Louisa Candora (Byrd) Burnett, 2. Mary Elizabeth (Ray) Burnett. Married: 9 JAN 1881 in Macon County, North Carolina.

James and Elizabeth lived in the Burningtown-Tellico section of Macon, County, NC for several years. In 1888 James purchased 359 acres of land on Rattlesnake Creek in Swain County, NC for the sum of $300.00 and moved his family to Swain County.The entire family moved with all of their belongings in a oxen drawn wagon. Roads were not good in any of the area at that time, but High Lonesome Bluff looked especially dangerous because of the narrowness and steepness of the roads. James made all of his family get off of the wagon and walk because of the danger getting past the Bluff. Arriving at their new home site, they cleared land for corn and wheat. Then came the pastures and they also planted apple and peach orchards. In addition, they raised cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks and geese, the forest was full of deer and small game for meat. There was a small creek near by that was full of speckled trout that emptied into the Little Tennessee River where catfish were easy to catch. In 1907, James then purchased land near Almond by the rail depot and started a mercantile business and served as postmaster for a number of years. He boarded in Almond and would ride a mule back home on the weekends. The family remained on Rattlesnake Creek until 1926 whenn those that remained at home moved to Almond. The business did well and "Dad Burnett" as he was fondly called by young and old alike, remained in business until he had to leave Almond because of the building of the Fontana Damn. After selling his property to the TVA, James and Elizabeth bought property in Skyland on Long Shoals Road in Buncombe County, NC where they lived with their 2 unmarried daughters, Louada and Genevieve.