The Burgar/Burgess families in Shetland

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George and David Burger in Court 1678, living in Dunrossness.

In 1678 a George Burger and a David Burger, along with many others in Dunrossness, are summon for plundering the ship, Saint Fransisco of Bergone, in Quendall Bay in February 1678. ⁵¹

Gardie01.Doc (4/67) in the Shetland Record Office taken from the Gardie Papers, Gardie House, Bressay. 

Summons by the procurator fiscal for plundering the wrecked ship Saint Fransisco of Bergone, Quendall Bay in February 1678 were the following:

James Isbister, Malcome Showan, James Taylour, Gawne Gadie, Edward Nicolsone, Hew Walter, John Leslie, James Leslie, Magnus Mainland, Thomas Wildege, William Rosie, Arthour Tulloch, George and John Irvings, John Johnson elder and younger, Laurence Johnsone, George Sinclair, Thomas Yowng, Edward Cromartie, Malcolm Irvings elder and younger, Laurence Stensgarth, Arthur Irving, Alexander Garioch, Runold Barnetsone, Gilbert Leask, Robert Spence, William Johnsone, George [_Burger_], James Lawghtone,      John Leask, Thomas Haye, George Barnesone, James Smyth, Adam Bairnson, George Cragie, John Moir, Thomas Williamsone, Adam Irving, Nicoll Broune, Adam Leslie, John Kirknes, William Sinclair, Andrew Garioch, William Halcrow, Hendrie Jamesone, Hendire Blackbeard, Thomas Donaldsone, Hendrie Sinclair, Johne Sutherland, David [_Burger_], James Hendriesone, Magnus Mansone, Thomas Jamesone, Gilbert [blank] in Caniag (?), William [blank] there, George Gilbertsone, Ninian Johnsone, Hendire Gilbertsone, Patrick Johnsone, Litster, Patrick Smith, Gilbert Jamesone, James and Lawrence Leasks, Hew Mansone, William Fuctoune, James Nisbet, Hendrie Smith, John Stout, Johne Leask, Edward Sinclair, Thomas Smyth, James Wilsone, William Peace and Lawrence Smith,

The lack of trees on Shetland meant that driftwood was very important. It could be turned into furniture and other items.  A ship on the rocks was a real bonus.  The whole area would be involved in scavenging what they could from the rocks.  This would include the cargo as well as the ships timbers.

Although there is no proof, it is possible that this David Burger is the son of David Burger who died in 1664.

See David Burger who died in 1664

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