Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. I, Part 26

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 858

USA > New Hampshire > Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. I > Part 26

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(I) Thomas Bickford was a farmer, shoemaker and tanner, and lived in Epsom. At one period of his life he was a prosperous and successful man, but most of his property was spent before his death. He married Olive Haynes, and they had seven children: Jolin, Mehitable, Samuel, Nathan, Daniel, Olive and Dearborn.

(II) Nathan, fourth child and third son of Thomas and Olive (Haynes) Bickford, was born at the old Bickford homestead near the present village of Grossville, Epsom, December 2. 1797, and died in 1879, aged eighty-two years. He grew up on the farm until thirteen years of age, when he went to serve an apprenticeship with a clothier named Currier at Epsom. He finished his appren- ticeship at the age of nineteen and went to Boston, where he remained until his twenty-third year, when he returned to Epsom and purchased a cloth- ing and carding mill on Suncook river. He was

successful in this business, which he carried on for more than twelve years, and then leased his mill and engaged in the lumber business, rafting logs down the Suncook and Merrimack rivers, and carry- ing on a trade of considerable magnitude. In 1830 he had bought a farm adjacent to his mill, and afterward did a considerable amount of farming. After a time he abandoned the lumber business and gave his entire attention to the farm to which he made several additions. He was highly esteemed by his townsmen, by whom he was elected to po- sitions of trust. He was selectman, and held minor town offices for many years. He was a member of the New Hampshire legislature in 1836, and through- out a long and busy life he retained the implicit confidence and sincere respect of those who knew him. In politics he was an advocate of the prin- ciples of the Free Soil party up to the formation of the Republican party, when he joined that or- ganization and affiliated with it until his death. In religious belief he was a Free Will Baptist, and contributed liberally to the support of this church, of which he was a charter member, one of seven. He was a just man, believed in the neces- sity of education in religious as well as secular matters, and generally assisted many beneficent enterprises. He married, May 12, 1823, Eliza W. Dickey, of Epsom, who was born in 1807, and died in Epsom in 1893. in the eighty-seventh year of her age. She was the daughter of Robert and Hannah (Osgood) Dickey, of Epsom. Five children were born to them: Susan G., Salina O., Eliza A., Mor- rill D. and Alfred P. The last named was born in 1846, on the old home farm in Epsom. where he now resides. He married Elizabeth Goss, and five sons were born to them-William P., Nathan A., Alfred G., Harry M., and Jolin G .- all of whom are now living.

(III) Morrill D. Bickford, fourth child and eldest son of Nathan and Eliza W. ( Dickey) Bick- ford, was born on his father's farm in Epsom, Oc- tober 3, 1836. He got his education in the public schools of Epsom and Pembroke Academy, and at the age of eighteen began the active work of a busy life. He was brought up to the lumber busi- ness, which under his father's supervision he throughly learned, and in which for many years he was actively engaged. He owns a small farm in Epsom, where he has resided for several years. He built a dwelling in Gossville, and in 18SI erected a residence on his home farm. He has always been a stalwart Republican, and was elected to represent the town of Epsom in the state legislature in 1885. In religious belief lie is a Free Will Baptist. He married, November 28, 1862, Eliza J. Hoyt, burn in Northwood, December 30, 1840 daughter of Morrill Hoyt of Epsom. Two children were born to them-Susie A., born in 1866, died in 1897, aged thirty-one years: Addie E., born in 1868, died in 1903, aged thirty-five years.

BURNHAM This is one of the early New England names, of English origin, among the foremost in New Hamp- shire (both in point of time and importance), and distinguished in military annals from the earliest colonial period. Not only in military but in civil affairs it has been pre-eminent, and has furnished leading agriculturists, merchants, clergymen, edu- cators, jurists and legislators to this commonwealth. The name was established in England in the time of William the Conqueror. In the conquest of Eng- land this ruler was accompanied by Walter le Ventre, who was made a lord in 1080, and received

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the Saxon village of Burnham as a part of his estate. At this time he assumed the name of Walter de (of) Burnham, and the estate continued to be held by his descendants until after 1700. The ancient seat, "Burnham Beeches," is mentioned in one of Tennyson's poems.

(I) The first whose line has been continuously traced to descendants now in New Hampshire was Robert Burnham, born 1581, at Norwich, Norfolk county, England. He married Mary Andrews, in 1608, and had seven children, including three sons who came to America, namely: John, Robert and Thomas. They were minors at the time of arrival 1635, and are supposed to have come under charge of their maternal uncle, Captain Andrews, com- mander of the ship "Angel Gabriel," which was wrecked on the Massachusetts coast. Perhaps they had not intended to remain, but set out as mariners. They settled in Ipswich, where Thomas became very prominent, taking part in all public affairs. (Fur- ther mention of Robert and Thomas, with descend- ants, appears in this article.)

(II) Deacon John, son of Robert and Mary (Andrews) Burnham, was born 1618 in Norwich, and was seventeen years old when he came to Massachusetts. At nineteen he joined the Pequot expedition, for which the town granted him eight acres of land in 1639. He became an extensive land- holder, and was a highly respected citizen. He was one of the original members of the church at Che- bacco, organized August 12. 1683, and was one of its first deacons. August 13, 1094, the bounds of his property adjoining the common were settled by a committee appointed by the town, and it was found that he had not encroached as reported. He died November 5, 1694. His children were: John, Josiah, Ann and Elizabeth.

(III) Deacon John (2), son of Deacon John (1) Burnham, followed the occupation of farming. He died in 1716, leaving a large family. His farm was at Chebacco (now Essex), and he received a concession for building a grist mill on the Chebacco river in 1693. His wife's name was Sarah, and their children were: John, Thomas, Jonathan, Robert, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth and Hannah.

(IV) Deacon John (3), son of Deacon John (2) Burnham, occupied a similar position in the town and church of Chebacco to those held by his father and grandfather. He was made a deacon in 1732, and was allowed the use of the school pasture in 1734, being the schoolmaster. He mar- ried (first) Ann, daughter of Captain Thomas Choate. She was born May 22, 1691, and died August 15, 1739. He married (second), in 1740, Mrs. Elizabeth Goodhue. His children, all born of the first wife, were: John, Samuel, Jeremiah, Ann, Mary, Abigail, Sarah and Nehemialı.

(V) Samuel, son of Deacon John (3) and Ann (Choate) Burnham, was married in Ipswich, No- vember 17, 1743, to Martha Story, and had nine children, namely : Samuel, Martha, Sarah, Jolin. Ebenezer, Hannah, Susannah, Elizabeth and Jabez.

(VI) Deacon Samuel (2). eldest child of Samuel (I) and Martha (Story) Burnham, was born October 5, 1744, in Ipswich, and was married there November 27, 1766, to Mary Perkins. About 1770, after two of his children were born, he settled in Dunbarton, New Hampshire, where several of his kindred and townsmen located between 1,65 and 1770, and cleared up a farm, becoming one of the most substantial citizens. He was a deacon of the church, much respected, and died April 4. 18II, in his sixty-seventh year. He was spoken of by his pastor, Rev. Dr. Harris, in his funeral

address, as "a wise, safe and very valuable counsel- lor." Following is an extract from the sermon : "He was a man of sound judgment and of tenacious memory; moderate and grave in his natural de- portment ; a kind husband, a tender parent, an oblig- ing neighbor, a useful citizen, kind to the poor, and a friend to mankind. * * He was one of * the main pillars in the church. He did much, and prayed fervently, for its peace, good order and en -. largement. The doctrines of grace were his theme. He contended earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, and he contended not in vain." His widow survived him more than seven years. She was born May, 1745, and died in October, 1818. Professor Noyes, of Dartmouth College, said of her: "She was a woman of very uncommon ex- cellence. Her spirit seemed imbued with a most ardent love of God, of souls and of heavenly things. She seemed to have but very little to do with this lower world. Her tears and prayers and warm exhortations made a deep and abiding impression on all the family, that she was supremely devoted to their spiritual welfare." All of the thirteen children were present at the funeral of the father. The records of Dunbarton show that one Samuel Burnham paid ten pounds one shilling for rent of a floor pew in the church in 1789, and another paid five pounds twelve for a gallery pew. These are supposed to have been Deacon Samuel (2) and his eldest son, Samuel (3). His children were: Samuel, Jacob Perkins, William, Elizabeth, Abraham, Mary, Jolın, Sarah and Susannah (twins), Martha and Hannah (twins), Bradford and Amos Wood. The first was the first college graduate in the town. He fitted for college "on the plow beam," and finished at Dartmouth in 1795. He was the first principal of the Academy at Derry, and died in 1834, aged sixty-seven years .. Abraham graduated at Dart- mouth in 1804, became a Doctor or Divinity, was pastor at Pembroke forty-two years, and died 1852, aged seventy-seven. John graduated in 1807, was a lawyer and scholar, and died 1826, aged forty-five. Amos Wood, the youngest, graduated at Dartmouth 1815, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1818. He was the first preceptor of Pembroke Academy, and was pastor of the church at Rindge until dismissed at his own request, after a service of forty-six years.

(VII) Bradford, sixth son and twelfth child of Samuel (2) and Mary ( Perkins) Burnham, was born February 14, 1787, in Dunbarton, where he resided and was a progressive and successful farmer upon the ancestral homestead, and died August 28, 1865. He was married, March 3. 1814, to Han- nah Dane, daughter of Thomas Whipple. She died July 10, 1847. Their children were: Henry L., Fannie L., Hannah D., William B., Mary E., Abi- gail D., Abraham, an infant ( died at twelve days ), Ann H. and Louisa WV. (Mention of William and descendants occurs in this article.)

(VIII) Henry Larcom, eldest child of Brad- ford and Hannah D. (Whipple) Burnham, was born November 25. 1814, in Dunbarton, where he was a farmer and one of the most useful and intel- ligent citizens. He was a man of sterling integrity. and excellent disposition. Henry Putney said he knew of no man of such character, ability, and real natural strength. He served as county commis- sioner, representative in the state legislature, as as senator and high sheriff. lle was a constant attendant at the Congregational Church, and was liberal in its support. He died April 30, 1803, in Manchester, surviving by only eight days his wife, who passed away April 22. He was married, March

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28, 1842, to Maria A. Bailey, daughter of Josiah and Sarah (Kimball) Bailey, of Dunbarton.

(IX) Henry Eben Burnham, United States senator from New Hampshire; only child of Henry L. and Maria A. (Bailey) Burnham, was born November 8, 1844, in Dunbarton. He prepared for college at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, and entered Dartmouth College at the age of seventeen years, in 1861. Four years later he graduated with the honors of his class, and had already demon- strated those powers of mind and character which were bound to develop his subsequent successful career.

Senator Burnham began his study of law in the office of Minot and Mugridge, in Concord, and was subsequently associated as student with Hon. E. S. Cutter, then of Manchester, finishing his prepara- tion under the direction of the late Judge Lewis W. Clark, at Manchester. He was admitted to the bar in April, 1868, and at once commenced the practice of his profession in Manchester. To this he brought an exceptional ability, trained by long and careful study, and his unceasing industry made him a useful and successful advocate, so that he quickly gained reputation and profitable clients. The in- crease of his business caused him to admit partners in his practice, and in time he became the head of the firm of Burnham, Brown, Jones & Warren, one of the strongest at the New England bar.

As judge of probate for Hillsborough county from 1876 to 1879 he served his fellows faithfully and acceptably, but the demands of his large private practice caused him to resign the station. How- ever, his distinguished talents and undisputed probity made him a desirable agent for the trans- action of public business, and he was elected to the state legislature in 1873 and 1874. In 1889 he was a delegate in the convention called to revise the state constitution, and was again called to legis- lative service in 1900. In that year he became a candidate for the office of United States senator, and was triumphantly elected after a trying cam- paign, in which other able men were contestants. He took his seat March 4, 1901, and by his con- servative and sound position on public questions has shown himself well qualified for the post. Though a comparatively new member in a body of conserva- tive traditions and dominated by the shrewdest and most able minds of the nation, he preserves the credit and honor of his native state. When the late Senator Platt of Connecticut gave up the chair- manship of the committee on Cuban relations to succeed the late Senator Hoar on the judiciary com- mittee, Senator Burnham took the Connecticut statesman's place. He is also a member of the committees on agriculture, claims, forest reserva- tion, pensions and territories. He has made thorough investigation of the subjects coming be- fore these committees, and few men in the national legislature are better qualified to discuss and judge of conditions in the territories. His interest in the White Mountain reservation bill has drawn him near to every lover of his native state, and his activity during the discussion of the statehood bill in 1903 attracted attention throughout the coun- try. The Boston Herald said of him in a recent issue : "Scholarly and dignified, Senator Burnham enjoys the confidence and respect of every one with whom he comes in contact. He is a very hard worker in committees, and probably no other mnem- ber of the senate is more constant in his attendance. His speech for the statehood bill clicited marked commendation, and his thoroughness in obtaining all the information possible on matters in which he

is interested inspired the greatest respect on the part of his colleagues." He was re-elected for the term of six years, beginning March 4, 1907.

Mr. Burnham is deeply interested in the Masonic and other fraternal bodies. He is affiliated with Washington Lodge. No. 61, of Manchester, in which he has passed the chairs; with the superior bodies including the Consistory, and is an honorary thirty- third degree member, Scottish Rite. In 1885 he was elected grand master of the Masonic jurisdic- tion of New Hampshire. He is also a prominent Odd Fellow, and has passed the chairs in the sub- ordinate bodies.

Mr. Burnham was married October 22, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth H. Patterson, of Manchester. She was born January 19, 1850. in Candia, New Hamp- shire, only daughter of John Duncan and Hannah (Eaton) Patterson (see Patterson). John D. Pat- terson was born April 13, IS21, in Londonderry, and his wife was born April 7, 1823, in Candia. He died June 12. 1897. They have one son, Will- iam Wallace Patterson, born September 29, 1847, in Candia. Mr. and Mrs. Burnham are the parents of three daughters: Gertrude Elizabeth, born January 28, 1876, in Manchester, was married. October 14, 1903, to Charles Maurice Baker, of Manchester ; Alice Patterson, born February 9. 1878, was married, October 18, 1899, to Aretas Blood Carpenter of Manchester : Edith Duncan Burnham, born March 16, 1885. in Manchester, resides with her parents.

(VII) William, second son and fourth child of Bradford and Hannah D. (Whipple) Burnham. was born August 25, 1820, in Dunbarton, and died in that town April 2, 1899. He was educated at Pembroke Academy, and taught school a short time in Bow and the neighboring towns. He was principally a farmer throughout life, and was engaged to some extent in lumbering. During and about the time of the Civil war he was a selectman several years, and represented the town in the legislature in 1872.

Mr. Burnham married (first), Harriet P. Kim- ball, and their children were: Emma M., married Clinton .D. Grant. of Goffstown; and Mary A. He married (second), Asenath Hoyt, of Weare, and they were the parents of William, who died young. Mr. Burnham married (third), Martha J. Hoyt, sister of his second wife, and two children were born of this union: Walter H., and Abraham Lincoln. The mother of these children died in August, 1904.

(VIII) Abraham Lincoln, second child of Wil- liam and Martha J. (Hoyt) Burnham, was born April 15, 1865, on his father's farm, on the day of the foul assassination of the Martyr President, whose name was given to him. The greater part of his life life was passed in Dunbarton, and his educational opportunities were limited, he being his father's principal assistant in tilling the farm, from a very early age. This homestead property he subsequently purchased, and in addition to caring for it he is en- gaged to some extent in lumbering operations, his property containing a good growth of timber. He gives little attention to politics, but has served as selectman. He married (first), October 2, 1888, Nellie A., daughter of John H. Bishop, of Groton, Massachusetts, and they had two children: Philip H. and William B., who are of the fifth generation who have lived upon the Burnham farm. The mother of these children died November 19, 1894. Mr. Burnham married (second), Alice E. Webster, of Methuen, Massachusetts. The Burnham homestead ' is one of the famous properties of this region. Upon it is an old oak tree measuring nineteen feet in cir- cumference which Mr. Burnham's grandfather re-

Heury E. Burnham.

WILLIAM BURNHAM.

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membered as a small sapling. From a point on this farm may be seen land in every county in New Hampshire, and the distant mountains of Massachu- setts.

(II) Robert (2), second son of Robert and Mary (Andrews) Burnham, was born in England in 1014. and came to America in company with his brothers, as above related. He settled in Dover, where he was an active citizen, and died at the home of his brother Thomas, in Chebacco in 1691. The record of his will and settlement of estate are found at Salem, Massachusetts. He married Frances Hill, and they have five children: Robert (died young), Elizabeth, Samuel, Jeremiah and Robert.

(III) Samuel, second son and third child of Robert (2) and Frances (Hill) Burnham, had a son James, but there is no record of births or deaths or other facts concerning Samuel,

(IV) James, son of Samuel, had four sons : Samuel, Nathaniel, Joshua and James. There is no record of his wife, the mother of these sons.

( V) Nathaniel, second son of James Burnham, was born in Dover, in 1719. He married Mehitable Colbath, of Newington, and their children were: George, Enoch, Temperance, Joseplı, Abigail, Dud- ley, Susanna and James. The father died in Feb- ruary, 1797, at Somersworth, New Hampshire. His wife died June 17, 1794.

(VI) George, eldest child of Nathaniel and Mehitable (Colbath) Burnham, was born Novem- ber 8, 1742, and died March 25, 1805, in New Dur- ham, New Hampshire, where he was a pioneer settler. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and served as ensign under Washington. He married Sarah Rogers and had children: Mehitable, John and Sally.

(VII) John, only son of George and Sarah (Rogers) Burnham, was born December 15, 1774. and was reared in New Durham, where he died January 23, 1854. He married, January 18, 1796, Martha Berry, of New Durham, and their children were; Betsey, Experience, George, Lydia, Polly, Martha, Sarah, Joseph and Hannah.

(VIII) George (2), eldest son and third child of John and Martha ( Berry) Burnham, was born April 18, 1803, in New Durham. He was a builder by occupation, and was very successful in this work in various towns in New Hampshire and Massachu- setts until 1855. In March of that year with two of his sons, George and Henry, he removed to Freeport, Illinois. In the fall of that year he sold his home in Farmington, New Hampshire and re- moved his entire family to Illinois. The following two years were spent in Sterling and Morrison, Illinois, and in Lyons, Iowa. 1857 he moved to Comanche, lowa. where he built a residence and continued to occupy it dur- ing the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife died from injuries received in a great tornado which swept over that section, Sunday afternoon, June 3, 1860. More than two hundred people lost their lives in that disaster. Mrs. Burn- ham died the same evening, and her husband lingered until Tuesday, the fifth of June following. Their bodies were brought to New Durham, New Hamp- shire, where they now rest in the same grave in the family burying ground. It was the oft-expressed desire of Mr. Burnham that he might rest when he fell asleep, in the old orchard on what is now known as the Davis farm. It was also his desire and frequently expressed that he might pass away when "Sally" did. He was married in 1827 to Sarali Davis, daughter of John Davis of New Durnham, the ceremony being performed by Elder Joseph

Boody. She was born March 29, 1809. They had six children, namely : Charles F., George W., James M., William H., Albina J., and Hanmah (changed to Isabel ).

(IX) Charles F., eldest child of George (2) and Sarah (Davis) Burnham, was born January 28, 1828, in New Durham, and died September 28, 1894, in Farmington. He was a carpenter and shoemaker, and his life was passed in these occupations in Farm- ington and New Durham. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Farmington Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was mar- ried, May 15, 1858, to Betsey Tufts, daughter of David Tufts of Meaderboro, New Hampshire. They had three children : Ronello De Witt, Florence Ade- laide and Alice Carrie.

(X) Ronello DeWitt, only son of Charles F. and Betsey ( Tufts) Burnham, was born October 5, 1859, in Farmington, New Hampshire, and there grew to manhood. He completed the courses of the public schools in that town, graduated from the high school. In 1884 he went to Rochester, New Hamp- shire, was employed four years by S. F. Sanderson in a drug store, and subsequently opened a drug store of his own which he has since successfully conducted. He is an active member of the con- munity, in which he exercises considerable influence. He is a Republican in politics, and represented' ward six of Rochester in the state legislature in 1905-6. He is a member of Humane Lodge, No. 21, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is also affiliated with Temple Chapter, Royal Arch Masons., and with Palestine Commandery, Knights Templar. He is also a member of Oriental Council, Royal and Select Masters, and of Alleppo Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. He is a member of Motolinia Lodge, No. IS, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Burnham is a thorough believer in the broad and fraternal principles of these orders, and is a willing contributor to their noble work.

He was married, November, 1885, to Mary Etta Twombly, and they have daughters-Florence MI., born February, 1888, and Alice J., May, 1890. The elder is now a student at Plymouth, New Hampshire.

In 1644, Robert Burnham went to Boston, and soon after his marriage to Frances Hill. In 1654 he was one of the company organized to purchase and settle the town of Dover, New Hampshire, and there he passed the balance of his life. His children were : Robert, who died in his sixteenth year, Samuel, Elizabeth, Jeremiah and Robert. The re- cords of this family in and about Dover do not seem to have been well preserved. The first, now known in the line herein followed was Paul Burn- ham, who resided in that part of Dover which is now Durham, New Hampshire.

(VI) Jacob, son of Paul Burnham, was born October 20, 1748, in Durham, New Hampshire, and died April 30, 1838, in Nottingham, same state, on the border of Northwood. Early in life he settled in Nottingham, where he cleared out a farm in the wilderness and became a prosperous citizen. He was of liberal religious faith and was a Federalist in politics. He married (first), in 1773-4, Lydia Burnham, born May 13. 1749, died May 19, 1784. IIe married (second), Mary McDaniel, of Barrington, New Hampshire, born July 3, 1768, died October 30, 1818. His children are briefly noted as follows : Anna, born March 5, 1775, died at the age of thirty years, February 1, 1805; Drucilla, born December 4. 1777, dicd young; Sarah, born March 29, 1780, mar- ried Paul Davis and lived in Nottingham: she died March 19, 1847 ; Susanna, born May 29, 1782. was the wife of Benjamin Magoon, and died April 25. 1838.

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Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. I, Part 26

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 858

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 858