1770. Fri Oct 9 1863: History of Windham. Genealogy. XLI.

Abbreviations--b for birth, m for married, d for died, dau for daughter, chil for child or children, chh for church, W for Windham, Wil for Willimantic, Mans for Mansfield, Hamp for Hampton, Chap for Chaplin, Scot for Scotland.

BURNHAM Family (Hampton.)

The name is variously written, Birnam, Burnam, Birnum, Burnham, &c., and is very probably an ancient Scotch name.

"From Birnam wood to Dunsinane,"
in Macbeth perhaps has reference to the original name. The earliest of the name in New England settled in Ipswich, Mass., and Hartford, Conn.

John Burnham was at Ipswich in 1638, aged 22. Thomas, probably brother of John, was of Ipswich 1647, where he married and had a family, as did his son Thomas. There was a Thomas Burnham of Hartford, an early settler who removed to Windsor and left a family. Descendants of him are very numerous.

EBENEZER BURNHAM, the first Windham (now Hampton) settler and the common ancestor of the Windham County Burnhams, was from Ipswich, but we have not been able to connect him with either of the early families there, though we have no doubt he belonged to one of them. If a descendant of Thomas it is a little singular that the name Thomas does not occur in any of the early generations of the Hampton family.

EBENEZER BURNHAM, of Ipswich, bought of Richard Andrus, for [English pound sign]350, one hundred acres of land, on both sides of Merrick's Brook, Feb. 6, 1733-4, (1734 as we now reckon.) This we suppose to be the farm known as the original Burnham homestead (though we are not certain), situated about one-fourth of a mile north-west of the Burnham meeting-house in Hampton. It may be stated that the immediate descendants of Ebenezer Burnham settled in the vicinity of "Howard's Valley," in the south part of Hampton, where they lived for several generations and where a number of the descendants may still be found.

EBENEZER BURNHAM, the settler, was married and all his children were born before he came to Windham. The name of his wife was Dorothy, but her maiden name is not found. He was b. about 1692, and d. in Windham, (2d Society, now Hampton,) March 10, 1746, aged 54, according to his grave-stone in the south burying-ground, Hampton. Dorothy, his widow, d. June 26, 1760, aged 63, which would make the date of her birth about 1697. He and his wife united with the Hampton church in 1734. His will is dated Feb. 28, 1745-6. The following extract from it will show how carefully and liberally he made provisions for his wife:

"I give to my dearly beloved wife Dorothy one half of my new dwelling house and the improvement of half of my orchard, the time of her life, and also order that my executor find her two good cows and a horse and keeping them for her, winter and summer, during ye time of her life: also yearly during her life eight bushels of Indian corn and four bushes of Ry and two bushels of wheat and one bushel and a half of good malt, and a 140 lbs of good poark and 50 weight of good beef and two bushels of Turnips and half a bushel of beans, and also in the season Green Beans that is necessary for her, and also in time of sickness to provide for a doctor and also a nurse to look after her, and also find her with Rumin and melasses needful for her during the time that she remains my widow, and also that she shall have the benefit of a garden spot of land convenient for her and also ye privilege to keep a hog at ye door--also sufficient fire wood fit for ye fire, and my executor shall make up ye apples into Cydar that belongs to my wife. I also give to my wife my movable estate in the house. Also my executor to provide 10 lbs. wool and 20 lbs. flax for my wife during the time of her widowhood."

[The provisions above are similar to those found in the wills of other well-to-do settlers in this part of the town during that period. Because rum is named it must not be inferred that there was intemperance. It was then a rare beverage, used as a luxury or in case of sickness. One or two quarts is named in some wills as the quantity to be supplied to the widow for a year. Cider was used more freely and the settlers lost no time in planting an orchard. Beer was also used to some extent, but at this period we have good reasons for believing there was very little intemperance.]

The children of Ebenezer Burnham (probably by wife Dorothy) as named in his will, were:

I. Joseph, b. about 1723, m. 1st Lucy Bennett, dau. of William, Dec. 11, 1758. He was admitted to the church in Hampton Feb. 23, 1746. He d. Nov. 5, 1792, aged 69. Lucy, his wife, d. Nov. 8, 1788, aged 64. They are both buried in the south burying ground in Hampton. In his will, Sept. 15, 1791, he names wife Sarah and alludes to his 1st wife, so it seems he was married a second time, but maiden name of wife and second marriage not found. He gave 50 silver dollars to the ecclesiastical society in Hampton. As no children are named in his will and none found in the record it is presumed he had no issue.

II. Dorothy, m. Capt. Wm. Hebard, Oct 16, 1750, and had a family.

III. Joshua.

IV. Andrew.

V. Ebenezer, b. about 1722, according to record of death.

VI. Isaac, b. about 1729.

The above children are given in the order named in the will, but it would appear doubtful if that was the order of the birth of all of them.

JOSHUA BURNHAM, son of Ebenezer, the settler, m. Abigail Mainard, April 19, 1740, and had the following children recorded in Windham:

1. Sarah, b. Sept. 3, 1742.

2. Joshua, b. March 1, 1745-6.

3. Abigail, b. Jan. 18, 1747-8.

4. Dorothy, b. Sept. 10, 1741.

5. Lucy, b. Sept. 10, 1741.

His record then disappears.

ANDREW BURNHAM, son of Ebenezer, the settler, m. Jane Bennett, dau. of William, May 11, 1757. He d. 1787. His wife survived him. He lived in Hampton. Their chil. were:

1. Andrew, b. Jan. 15, 1760.

2. William, b. March 5, 1764.

3. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 27, 1765.

4. Sarah, b. Sept. 28, 1767, d. May 31, 1827.

5. Adonijah, b. July 25, 1770.

6. Mercy, b. April 29, 1772.

7. Rufus, named in will, and Jonathan Clark says he m. Eunice Martin, went to Vermont and was deranged.

8. Enoch, named in will.

EBENEZER BURNHAM, son of Ebenezer Burnham, the settler, m. 1st Martha Hebard, dau. of John, Jan. 1, 1745-6. She d. April 10, 1783, aged 60 or 62, m. 2d Elizabeth ____, who survived him. Chil., all by 1st wife:

1. Hannah, b. Nov. 27, 1746, m. Nathaniel Coburn and went to Vermont.

2. Ebeneaer, b. Feb. 17, 1747-8.

3. John, b. Dec. 20, 1749.

4. Josiah, b. March 21, 1753.

5. Daniel, twin of Josiah, b. March 21, 1753.

6. Mary, b. Sept. 14, 1755, m. Elijah Greenslit, of Hampton.

7. Eleazer, b. Aug. 2, 1757, probably d. young.

8. James, b. Aug. 21, 1759.

9. Jedediah, b. Dec. 12, 1761.

10. Eilphaz, b. March 17, 1764.

ISAAC BURNHAM, son of Ebenezer, the settler, probably settled in Ashford, though both he and his wife are buried in Hampton. He m. Eunice Holt, dau of Zebediah, march 22, 1747. Their children were:

1. Jacob, b. April 19, 1748, d. April 20, 1749.

2. Sarah, b. Aug. 21, 1750.

3. Joseph, b. April 1752. It is said he m., settled in Tolland, Ct., where recently he had descendants living.

4. Eunice, b. Aug. 26, 1754.

5. Clarissa, b. March 24, 1760.

6. Roswell, b. Nov. 15, 1761.

7. Isaac, b. March 8, 1765.

8. Tryphosa, b. Aug. 21, 1767.

Isaac Burnham sen., above, d. Oct. 14, 1807, aged 77. Eunice his wife d. Feb. 16, 1776, aged 44. They were both admitted to the Hampton church, Nov. 16, 1766.

1771. Fri Oct 9 1863: Putnam's Wolf Den.

There are few persons who have not heard of this place so noted in the history of that celebrated man, Gen. Israel Putnam, one of the greatest heroes of the Revolution, as being the place where he acted a part long to be remembered. The den is situated in Pomfret, Conn., on a steep hillside, on the edge of a valley, which is covered by a heavy growth of timber. As you approach the place and get a sight of the entrance you almost think it is the work of art, rather than of nature, so regular is the entrance, being three feet wide by two feet high. The passage was originally about fourteen feet long, but within a few years it has closed up so it is impassible. One who has not seen this place can form no idea of the amount of courage displayed by Putnam in his encounter with the wolf. The den being situated as it was in the midst of a dense forest, miles away from any human habitation, in the dead of winter, the close proximity to her ladyship, made it anything but pleasant. Putnam was a man not frightened by trifles, as was shown by his signrl success.

Until a year ago the building to which the wolf was carried after death was standing, and the nail on which she hung, was pointed out to visitors.

About one hundred feet to the east of the den is the celebrated "Goat Rock," as it is called. This rock is a large projecting shelf, thirty feet in thickness and weighing one hundred tons. It is said that fifty persons can stand in a shower under the shelf formed by the "Old Goat" and not get wet. It is a place of great resort by the young of the surrounding towns, who go there to have picnics, fish fries, &c., &c. A few years ago on the 4th of July, a romantic couple were married on the top of this rock, in the presence of a large assembly of relatives and friends. Nimrod.

1772. Fri Oct 9 1863: Joseph P. Chapman, son of Enoch C. Chapman of Norwich, who has been missing since Sunday evening, was found Saturday evening in the cove near the planing mills, drowned. He was taken ashore and a jury impanelled, who rendered a verdict of "Accidental Drowning while laboring under a temporary aberration of mind."

1773. Fri Oct 9 1863: A Lawyer's Caveat. Wm. H. Harding, a lawyer of Lee, Mass., had the misfortune of having his marriage published in the Berkshire Eagle. To this he. Lawyer-like, takes exceptoins. In a caveat to the editor, he says:

The report of my marriage which I find in your issue of the 27th inst. is not quite correct. First, on the 20th day of July, 1863, I kept close company with my law books; Second, I was never in Lebanon Springs in my life; Third, I never, to my knowledge, saw or heard of the Rev. E.T. Hunt; Fourth, the young lady mentioned as the bride is the wife of my brother; and Fifth, I never was married in my life at all--I never came within gunshot of marriage--I never wanted to get married--and finally, I never expect to get married. With the above exception your item is all correct.

1774. Fri Oct 9 1863: They drink tea in Russia as soon as the boiling water is poured on it, whilst we allow it to stand until it becomes as black as one's hat and as bitter as hops. The gentlemen mostly drink tea in tumblers, without any milk, sometimes adding a slice of lemon, while the ladies take it in cups, adding any amount of cream. The slice of lemon is also common along the Mediterranean, especially before going to bed. They say it prevents the tea from producing wakefulness.

1775. Fri Oct 9 1863: Mr. Mason, the confederate minister, has left England in disgust on account, it is stated, of the refusal of Earl Russell to hold intercourse with him. Little regret is expressed by the public journals, and some of them indulge in sarcastic remarks. There is nothing further in regard to the steam rams, only they are being rapidly completed and it is not at all certain but they will yet be allowed to sail or slip away under some pretext. Public opinion in England appears to be steadily growing in our favor and the Confederate cause is evidently losing ground. A great emancipation meeting has been held at Leeds, expressing satisfaction that our war was shaping itself for the destruction of slavery, and applauded the English government for detaining the rebel war vessels.

1776. Fri Oct 9 1863: The War.

The war news of the week may be included in a small space. From Chattanooga we have nothing of importance to report. Gen. Rosecrans holds his own and although the rebels are in force in front and making cavalry raids in his rear, yet they have not ventured to attack him and he is confident he can hold his position. Considerable reinforcements have reached him and more on the way. It is now no secret that some 20,000 men from the Army of the Potomac are en route to join him, probably to be under the command of Gen. Hooker. Active operations may be resumed and another battle occur in the vicinity of Chattanooga at any time. The rebels are striving to flank him, and have succeeded in getting a party in between him and Nashville, and have destroyed the railroad bridge below Murfreesboro.

Gen. Burnside seems to have secure possession of East Tennessee and is in communication with Rosecrans.

A division of rebel cavalry 4,000 strong under Wheeler were defeated and driven ten miles by our forces in Kentucky the other day.

From the Army of the Potomac we have nothing of interest. A division of Lee's army is said to be this side of the Rapidan, while the main body is on the south side occupying a strong position which they are fortifying. Guerrillas are troublesome between Washington and Fairfax and seem to have matters pretty much their own way.

From Charleston there is no news, though it is said Gen. Gilmore is preparing a dose of Greek fire for the rebel city.

1777. Fri Oct 9 1863: National Thanksgiving.--The president has issued a proclamation, inviting all citizens of the United States, whether at home, on the sea, or in foreign lands, to observe the last Thursday of November (the 26th) as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to God. It is presumed that the Governors of the loyal States will generally appoint the same day, so that the National and State Thanksgivings will coincide, and be celebrated together.

1778. Fri Oct 9 1863: Annual Town Election.--The election on Monday resulted in favor of the Republican Union ticket by 144 majority. It is substantially the same as last year. The whole number of votes cast was 284.

It was voted to hold all the town electors meetings in Willimantic thereafter, and to remove the records here as soon as the first of December.

The following are the officers elected:

For Assessors: Calvin Robinson, John G. Clark, E.L. Burham.

Board of Relief: Justin Swift, Don F. Johnson, H. S. Walcott.

Town Clerk and Treasurer: William Swift.

Registrar: William L. Weaver.

Selectmen: Horace Hall, F.M. Lincoln, E.E. Burnham.

Constables and Collectors: A.B. Adams, S.G. Byrne.

Constable: Andrew Frink, Jr.

Grand Jurors: Abel Clark, John S. Smith, Harden H. Fitch, Asher P. Smith, Joseph B. Spencer, Mason Lincoln.

School Visitors: Dr. O.B. Lyman, 3 years, E.P. Brown, 3 years, Eliphalet Huntington, 3 years, L.H. Clark, 2 years, Henry W. Avery, 1 year.

Treasurer of School and Town Deposit Fund: John G. Clark.

1779. Fri Oct 9 1863: A Windham County Boy.-- We learn from the Wisconsin State Journal that A.P. Carpenter, (a brother of J.H. Carpenter, Esq., formerly of Willimantic, now a resident of Madison, Wis.,) has recently been appointed 1st Lieutenant of the 2d regiment of U.S. colored troops. Young Carpenter was born in Eastford, near the birthplace of Knowlton and Lyon, and if we mistake not was, for a time, a resident of Willimantic with his brother. On the President's call for 75,000 men he enlisted in the 1st Minnesota Regiment, which was changed to a three year's regiment, and has participated in all the campaigns, battles and hard service, of that veteran and most gallant regiment, which has inscribed on its flag the names of twenty battles, including those of Bull Run, all those of the Peninsula, Fredericksburg, Antietam, and Gettysburg, in all of which young Carpenter participated, except the first battle of Fredericksburg, when he was in hospital. He has passed through all those battles besides a number of skirmishes without being seriously wounded though "scratched" several times. He has by faithful and soldierly conduct earned his Lieutenancy and will without doubt make a valuable officer.

As he is a fair specimen of a Windham county boy of the better sort, like many that have entered the army from this section, we take pleasure in making this "honorable mention," knowing that many of the readers of the Journal, who knew him and his family, will be glad to hear so good a report of his career.

1780. Fri Oct 9 1863: Capt. Homer B. Sprague of the 13th Connecticut regiment, and formerly of Hartford has been appointed Colonel of the 3d Louisiana (colored) regiment of volunteers.

1781. Fri Oct 9 1863: Rev. John Morris has resigned his commission as chaplain in the 8th regiment, to accept the editorial chair of the Connecticut War Record. He has shown himself a brave man in several well contested battles, and was one of the forlorn hope who volunteered to lay pontoons in front of Fredericksburg. As editor of the work named, he is peculiarly fitted, possessing ripe scholarship and a perfect knowledge of war matters.

1782. Fri Oct 9 1863: At a consultation of doctors in Memphis, on the 16th, it was agreed that Gen. Grant's injury was a contusion and a concussion of the hip joint. His complete recovery may be somewhat slow, but is confidently predicted.

1783. Fri Oct 9 1863: Marriages

In Willimantic, September 27, by Rev. Mr. Bradford, Mr. Elijah Scranton, of Plainfield and Mrs. Sophia Martin of Willimantic.

1784. Fri Oct 9 1763: Deaths

In Lisbon, October 5, Mrs. Jane Walden, widow of the late Silas Walden, aged 80 years.

In Scituate, R.I., September 25, at the residence of her grandfather, of diptheria, Annett Thurber Card, only daughter of Dr. D.C. and Hanah T. Card, of Willimantic, aged 3 years, 11 months, and 20 days.

In Camp Parole, Annapolis, Md., of typhoid fever Seth S. Chapman, of Chaplin, Ct., a member of Capt. Bowen's company, 18th regiment, C.V., aged 44. His remains were brought to Chaplin for internment.

In Willimantic, October 6, Mrs. Dolly Blish, aged 65.

In New South Wales, May 21, 1863, Mr. John Motley, aged 53 years.

In Meriden, October 5, Mrs. Mary Motley, aged 48.

At Annapolis, Md., August 22, Corporal Edwin S. Taber, Co. G, 13th Regiment, C.V.

He was engaged in the battle at Winchester, June 15th; was that day, it being his birthday, 44 years of age. He was wounded in the arm, while loading his gun, was taken prisoner, and afterwards was taken sick with a fever. He partially recovered, was taken to Richmond, was again taken sick with measles, took cold which brought on congestion of the lungs leading to a fatal termination. He was afterwards paroled and taken to Annapolis and died (Aug 22.) the same day after his arrival there. Testimony comes from his company that he was highly respected and much beloved by his fellow soldiers, and that his misfortune and death was, by them deeply lamented.

Corporal Taber was a native resident of Woodstock, Conn., a farmer, and was esteemed by all who knew him as an honest, upright, Christian man. Besides friends, brothers and sisters, he leaves behind to mourn their loss, a beloved wife and two children. He was a kind husband and a tender father and as such his loss is deeply felt.

His body at present rests in the Soldiers Burying Ground, numbered 349, a pleasant spot near the city of Annapolis, but will ere long be exhumed to have a resting place with his kindred at home in his native land.

1785. Fri Oct 9 1863: All persons owing Dr. Wm. Bennett on book accounts are hereby noticed that immediate payment must be made to S.H. Kimbel, or they will be preceded against according to law. Wm. A. Bennett.

1786. Fri Oct 9 1863: Oh, My!--Miss Dr. Harriet N. Austen, of Dannsville, N.Y., has come out in favor of ladies riding on horseback astride. The present styles of riding, she says, is unsafe, ungraceful, unhealthful, and unnatural.

1787. Fri Oct 9 1863: Fifteen major and brigadier generals fell in the battles before Chattanooga, fighting against the government to which they owed allegiance. The following is a list of the killed: Maj. Gen. Hood, mortally wounded; Brig. Gen. Preston Smith, Brig. Gen. Wolford, Brig. Gen. Walthal, Brig. Gen. Ben Harding Helm, Brig. Gen. Deshler. The wounded were as follows: Maj. Gen. Gregg, Maj. Gen. Preston, Maj. Gen. Claiborne, Brig. Gen. Adams, Brig. Gen. Brown, Brig. Gen. Hunn, Brig. Gen. Benning, Brig. Gen. John Helm, Brig. Gen. John. C. Brown.