Individual Details

Thomas Burnham

(1617 - June 28, 1688)

Thomas Burnham wa born about 1617 and d. at Podunk 28 Jun 1688. He was settled in America by 1657 when he was a freeman. In 1662 he defended Abigail Betts asking for justice according to the law. The courts didn't hang Abigail but did censure Thomas and perhaps ended his legal career. He has lots of land records and deeds. His will was written up by friends under oath that Thomas had dictated the will to them.

Events

Birth1617England
Arrival1635
Marriage1640Ann Wright
CivilMay 21, 1657Freeman - Connecticut, British America
Civil1660Podunk - Hartford, British America
Civil1662Hartford, British America
Will1688Hartford, British America
DeathJune 28, 1688Hartford, British America
OccupationLawyer
BurialAncient Burying Ground, Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Families

SpouseAnn Wright (1620 - 1703)
ChildAnna Hannah Burnham (1644 - 1722)

Notes

Marriage

Thomas's wife was most likely Ann Wright daughter of Captain Richard Wright. Most recent research is in The American Genealogist 67:32-46.

Civil

At a General Court of Election 21 of May 1657 Were made free before the Court those whose names are underwritten: Tho Burnham

Civil

Attorney for Abigail Betts, she called Jesus Christ a bastard, Thomas defended by proving English laws, not colonial Puritan laws governed the colonies. She was freed, he was kept from practicing law again, he had displeased the (Puritan) Court.

Will

Thomas's will and estate spent some time in the courts. His widow and son in law William Mann disagreed on the terms

Burial

Burial place is a maybe, there's no photo, no burial details.

Endnotes

1. (2008). || Volume 1 page 251.

2. Connecticut. The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut transcribed and published in accordance with a resolution of the general Assembly under the supervision of the secretary of state with occasional notes and an appendix. Hartford: Brown and Parsons, 1850, Volume 1 page 297.

3. (2009). || Volume 67 page 32-46.

4. (1884). || Page 31.

5. (1904–6). || Volume 1 Page 418 Thomas Burnham.

6. (1884). || Page 31.

7. (1884). || Page 58 Part 2, Records of Thomas Burnham Sen'r Courts Abigail Betts.

8. , "FindAGrave.com," online database, Find a Grave ( http://www.findagrave.com : accessed ), .