The Rev. Reuben Burrow was born in Madison county, Tenn., April 8, 1812. [correction 1822]. He was reared and educated in the home of his uncle, the Rev. Reuben Burrow, D.D., and while a youth engaged in teaching. In his eighteenth year he was taken under the care of Madison Presbytery and sent with the Rev. I. S. Pickens to assist him in his labors in what was then known as the Somerville circuit. The circuit embraced several counties with numerous appointments. He entered his work with zest, and was at once acknowledged as "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." His labors truly were abundant, preaching three and four times daily at appointments far distant from each other. He was by no means strong or robust. Doubtless his youthfulness, an in contrast with the manly proportions and preaching power of Dr. Burrows, won him the title of "Little Reuben," by which he was known through life. So wide was the field and great the demand for his service that he was taxed beyond his strength until at the close of the Sunday morning sermon at Buckhead camp-meeting he fell exhausted in the pulpit and was carried from the ground. At the next fall meeting of presbytery he was ordained to the whole work on the ministry, and took joint charge of Mt. Pleasant Church in Fayette and Mt. Moriah in Shelby county.

In 1842 he was married to Miss Parmelia Murrell, a member of his congregation, who with two sons and four daughters survives him. Some few years thereafter he moved to his present homestead in Shelby county, and became pastor of New Salem. At the close of the war, in which he served with distinction, he resumed his pastoral duties with the addition of West Union, now the largest country congregation in the bounds of the Memphis Presbytery.

Two years prior to his decease he resigned the charge of New Salem, and though tendered in view of failing health and for the advantage of preaching on the railroad, the change was not satisfactory. Indeed, he confessed it to be the one mistake of his life. In his farewell sermon at West Union, on Sabbath, December 18, 1887--his theme, "The Prophet Elijah as a teacher and reformer in Israel"--he drew the parallel and said his work was done. His words were prophetic. On January 18, 1888, he closed the day of life, and with the setting sun passed out from view. A catalogue of current events running through a ministry of near a half century!

There is no record of accumulated wealth. To the worldly mind this may appear as loss, but to those who "endure as seeing Him who is invisible," it is "great gain;" for "every man shall receive a reward according as his work shall be," In work for God he was peculiar and proficient. As a man, he possessed a temperament and disposition wherein grace must have abounded to make him meet for the Master's use. When brought in full sympathy and close communion with his God, he stood a fitting representative of an angry God and a loving Christ. There were times when in his experience he himself was nothing and God and Christ were all. He was in deed and in truth a preacher of righteousness. It was a glowing tribute by one who said, "He is the only preacher I ever listened to that I believed meant what he said." Nor was he otherwise as a presbyter. Never shall I forget his response to a resolution praying "the Lord of the harvest to call, qualify, and send more laborers into the harvest." He said: "God only proposes to give as we need. He will not give more until we have made use of the present supply. If we look over the field already ripe unto harvest we shall see that he has given more than we make use of. Instead of coming with tears and lamentations to ask God to send more laborers that we may stone and starve, let us ask to make us wise to use those who stand waiting with the sickle already in their hands." He was the oldest minister in the Memphis Presbytery, having been a member since its organization, and one whom the Churches delighted to honor. The key to his success as a permanent pastor must be found, not in any vigorous system of administration, but in his love for the Master, his people, and his work. He never resorted to questionable methods or doubtful expediencies to fill the coffers of the Church, and be it said to the credit of New Salem that for the more than thirty years he went in and out before them there was never a dollar's deficit in his salary. Surely this is an instance in which God sent and the Church received. In a touching and tender tribute by an old comrade in arms the question is asked, "What of his end?" His life answers--peace! For upward of twenty-five years I had known him on the field, in the home, and in the Church of God, and when tried as silver is tried could always discover the divine image. But it was my privilege to know him on the shady and softened side of life, when in anticipation of the end, life's aspects changes. The glare of earth is mellowed by rays from the heavenly land, and its strife is hushed in the promise of rest and peace. Here his "growth in grace" was manifest. He longed to finish his course with joy and, as he said, no to be laid on the shelf. Some two weeks after his farewell sermon. I called to see him. He was just taken with his last sickness. Next day he called me to him. "Brother Inge," said he, "don't you think Providence sent you to minister to me in my affliction?" I answered, "Yes." "Tell me," he continued, "what you think of my case, and I want you to tell me the truth." I replied, "It is only a question of a few days when you will leave us. He quickly responded, "It is all right." As an echo I sang"

"'Tis all right, for the Savior is near me;
   His presence will lighten the way,
His rod and his staff they cheer me
   As I near the eternal day."

Looking at me, he said, "I trust in his grace." Turning to those around, he exhorted them to "live right, to live for God." The conversation, however, was changed by speaking of the probability of his recovery. Save a few fragmentary utterances during intervals of partial ease, these were his last words. For two weeks he endured with manly fortitude and Christian resignation the most intense suffering, when, surrounded by his family, who had come from near and far to bring their offerings of love, without sign or struggle, he ceased to breathe. I could not weep as they wept. My heart burst forth in song.

"And with him I'm not afraid to cross the tide;
 There's a light in the valley for me."

The funeral services were held at his home, from Ps. lxxxvii.6. The Lord shall count when he writeth up the people that this man was born there.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, June 14, 1888, page 2]

Buried in old Raleigh Cemetery - Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee
inscription on tombstone:
Rev. Reuben Burrow
born April 18, 1822
died Jan. 18, 1888
Dearest loved one, we have laid here
In the peaceful grave's embrace
But thy memory will be cherished
till we see thy heavenly face
Tis hard to break the tender chord
When love has bound the heart.
Tis hard so hard to speak the words,
We must forever part.

1847
No Ministerial Directory

1848
No Ministerial Directory

1849
No Ministerial Directory

1850
pp. 5, 7, 10
R. Burrow, Jr.
Commissioner to General Assembly
May 21, 1850 at Clarksville, Tennessee
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee
Served on Committee on Records of Green River Synod
No Ministerial Directory

1851
No Ministerial Directory

1852
No Ministerial Directory

1853
No Ministerial Directory

1854
Not listed in incomplete Ministerial Directory
Memphis Presbytery not in directory

1855
No Ministerial Directory

1856
pp. 5, 8, 10, 12, 30, 31
Reuben Burrow, Jr.
Commissioner to General Assembly
May 15, 1856 in Louisville, Kentucky
Served on Committee on Minutes of Missouri Synod
Served on Judicial Committee
Served on Committee on unfinished history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church-papers of H. S. Porter, D.D.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee
Memphis Presbytery not listed in Ministerial Directory

1857
p. 5, 7, 13, 70
R. Burrow, Jr.
Oakland, Tennessee
Commissioner to General Assembly
May 21, 1857 at Lexington, Missouri
Served on Committee on Records of Missouri Synod, Chairman
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1858
No ministerial directory

1859
No ministerial directory

1860
pp. 100
R. Burrow, Jr.
Oakland, Tennessee
Memphis Presbytery
West Tennessee Synod

1861
No ministerial directory

1862
No ministerial directory

1863
No ministerial directory

1864
No ministerial directory

1865
Not in limited Presbyterial and Ministerial Directory
No listing for Memphis Presbytery

1866
pp. 6, 12, 17, 25, 27, 29, 31, 34, 47, 90
R. Burrow, Jr.
Raleigh, Tennessee
Commissioner to General Assembly
May 17, 1866 in Owensboro, Kentucky
Served on Committee on the Synodical Minutes of Middle Tennessee
Served on Committee on War and Slavery
Hopewell Presbytery
West Tennessee Synod

1867
No ministerial directory

1868
pp. 9, 12, 34, 105
R. Burrow, Jr.
Raleigh, Tennessee
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee
Commissioner to General Assembly
May 21, 1868 in Lincoln, Illinois
Served on Committee on Records of the Synod of Hernando
Absent at Friday roll call-R. Burrow

1869
p. 84
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1870
pp. 6, 7, 11, 12, 15, 16, 26, 79
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee
Commissioner to General Assembly
May 19, 1870 at Warrensburg, Missouri
Served on Judiciary Committee
R. Burrow-absent at roll call Monday morning (excused)

1871
p. 79
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1872
pp. 6, 7, 15, 28, 119
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee
Commissioner to General Assembly
May 16, 1872 at Evansville, Indiana
Served on Committee on Overtures

1873
p. 96
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1874
p. 7, 9, 23, 33, 96
Reuben Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee
Commissioner to General Assembly
May 21, 1874 at Springfield, Missouri
Served on Committee on Correspondence

1875
p. 81
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1876
pp. 91, 99
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1877
pp. 86, 95
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1878
pp. 94, 103
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1879
pp. 90, 100
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee
[they used the 1878 listing]

1880
pp. 117, 127
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1881
pp. 89, 99
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee
[They used the 1880 listing]

1882
pp. 7, 9, 119, 129
Reuben Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn
[used 1880 listing]
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee
Commissioner to General Assembly
May 18, 1882 at Huntsville, Alabama
Served on Committee on Correspondence

1883
pp. 128, 137
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1884
pp. 117, 126
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1885
pp. 132, 142
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1886
pp. 161, 170
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1887
pp. 158, 168
R. Burrow
Raleigh, Tenn.
Memphis Presbytery
Synod of West Tennessee

1888
pp. 16, 158
Mortuary List - Reuben Burrow - Memphis Presbytery

1870
September 16
Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Tipton County, Tennessee
pp. 3, 11
Ministers absent - R. Burrow
R. Burrow, pastor - New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church
R. Burrow, pastor - West Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church

1872
August 23, 24, 26
New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Shelby County, Tennessee
pp. 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16
"At the request of the Moderator, Rev. R. Burrow, the opening sermon was preached by Rev. L.C. Ransom."

Ministers present - Rev. R. Burrow
Served on Committee on Divine Service
"Rev. R. Burrow, Committee appointed by the Presbytery to rent, lease or sell the property belonging to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the town of Raleigh, reported that he had received for the rent of said property for the last six months, ($27.00) twenty seven dollars."
Rev. R. Burrow-Appointed to Committee on Home Missions
Served on Committee on Theology and Literature
Rev. Reuben Burrow, pastor - New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Rev. Reuben Burrow, pastor - West Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church

1874
August 21, 22, 24
Bartlett Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Shelby County, Tennessee
pp. 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 13
"The Introductory Sermon was preached by Rev. R. Burrow, from John, 17: 20-21."
Ministers present-Rev. R. Burrow
"Rev. R. Burrow, Committee on Church property at Raleigh, made a verbal report, which was concurred in, and he was ordered to pay to the Church at Bartlett what funds he has on hand or may get from that source."
Burrow-Appointed a special Committee on Education
"The Session of the Bartlett Congregation have agreed to employ Rev. R. Burrow one-half his time for the next twelve months, commencing second Sabbath in September next.
Rev. Reuben Burrow, pastor - New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Rev. R. Burrow, pastor - West Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church