This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------38432B9BC2CA8D2179668264 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-user-defined Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Forwarding this from another list for Burrill descendents: --------------38432B9BC2CA8D2179668264 Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Received: from lists5.rootsweb.com by newport.ntcnet.com (8.8.8/1.1.8.2/13Jul95-1105AM) id NAA0000238030; Fri, 22 Feb 2002 13:14:13 -0500 (EST) Received: (from slist@localhost) by lists5.rootsweb.com (8.10.1/8.10.1) id g1MIA3Z19855; Fri, 22 Feb 2002 11:10:03 -0700 Resent-Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 11:10:03 -0700 X-Original-Sender: Farns10th@aol.com Fri Feb 22 11:10:03 2002 From: Farns10th@aol.com Message-ID: <e5.140f5df2.29a7e36f@aol.com> Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 13:09:51 EST Old-To: GenMassachusetts-L@rootsweb.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL 5.0 for Windows sub 138 Subject: [GM-L] George Burrill family of Lynn, Mass & John Burrill b. 1658 Resent-Message-ID: <m2jnwD.A.B2E.7lod8@lists5.rootsweb.com> To: GenMassachusetts-L@rootsweb.com Resent-From: GenMassachusetts-L@rootsweb.com X-Mailing-List: <GenMassachusetts-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/21816 X-Loop: GenMassachusetts-L@rootsweb.com Precedence: list Resent-Sender: GenMassachusetts-L-request@rootsweb.com X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 Subject: John Burrill Jr. 1658 - 1721 Biographical Sketch Source: History of Lynn, Mass. by Alonzo Lewis & James R. Newhall, Boston, 1865. p. 489 The individual whose name was John Burrill was one of the most eminent men in the colony for many years. He was born at Lynn, on the 18th of November, 1658, and was the son of John Burrill, distinguished as Lieutenant John Burrill, who was a son of George Burill, who came to Lynn in 1630. (see p.115 below) Mr. Burrill lived on the south side of Boston street, on the western slope of Tower Hill. On the 28th of July, 1680, he married Mary Stowers* of Chelsea. Mr. Lewis (author) says, "He gained a reputation which few men who have since filled his station, have surpassed. The purity of his character and the integrity of his life, secured to him the warmest friendship of his acquaintance, and the unlimited confidence in his native town. He was affable in his manners, and uniformly prudent in his conduct. His disposition was of the most guarded temperance. He willingly continued in the House many years, when he might have been raised to a more elevated office; and his thorough acquaintance with the forms of the legislation, the dignity of his deportment, and the order which he maintained in debate, gave to him a respect and an influence, which probably no other Speaker of the House ever obtained. Governor Hutchinson, in his History of Massachusetts, compares him to the celebrated William Pitt, Speaker of the English House of Commons." (actually that was not what the Governor said, see below)* The following extract from a letter of Hon. Timothy Pickering, dated Washington City, Feb 28, 1809, and addressed to Ebenezer Burrill at New York, is sufficient on this point. And it will be perceived that the distinguished writer of the letter himself alludes to his relationship to the Lynn Burrills: "I received last evening, your favor of the 25th. If you are from Lynn, in Massachusetts, no doubt we are on one side descended from the same stock. My paternal grandmother was Sarah Burrill, whose brothers were: John Burrill of whom Gov. Hutchinson in his History of Mass., takes distinguished notice; he was Speaker of the House of Representatives *and is compared with the celebrated Sir Arthur Onslow, the most eminent Speaker of the House of Commons. Secondly, Theophilus Burrill, who, I believe had no children. Thirdly, Ebenezer Burrill, from whom you may be lineally descended." Besides the three brothers named by Mr. Pickering there were Thomas and Samuel Burrill. Mr. Burrill was a Representative in the General Court for twenty-two years, was Speaker of the House ten years, and Counseller in 1720, remaining in the office till his death. He was also Town Clerk thirty one years. These facts are quite sufficient to show that the public had an abiding confidence in his ability and integrity. He was likewise a man whose advice and assistance was much sought for among his neighbors. He was ever ready to counsel and, if need be, assist in a more substantial way, as he was blessed with considerable means. He died of small pox on the 10th of December 1721, leaving no children. His grave stone may still be seen in the Old Burying Ground near the west end of the common. The Boston News Letter of Monday, December 18, 1721, contained the following notice, under date, Lynn, December 11, 1721: "The last night the Honorable John Burrill, Esq., one of His Majesty's Council and one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the County of Essex, died of the small pox in the 62nd year of his age. He had been for many years Speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives and behaved himself in that chair with great integrity, modesty, and skill; having a just and equal regard to the honor of the government and the liberty of the people so that he was highly esteemed and beloved by both. He was a man of true and exemplary piety and virtue, endowed with a very clear understanding, solid judgement, and sound dis- cretion. And God made him a great blessing not only to his town and country, but to the whole province. Isaiah iii. "For behold, the Lord God of hosts doth take away from Judah the stay and the staff - the judge - and the prudent - the honorable and the counsellor." Mr. Burrill was an active member of the old church of Lynn. His early years were passed under the teachings of the godly Whiting, and through the long pastorate of Mr. Shepard, his serene presence adorned the santuary. He was liberal in his contributions; and in his will, made four days before his death, occurs this item: "I give and bequeath to the Church of Christ in Lynn, forty pounds towards ye furnishing of ye table of the Lord." And upon several articles of the consecrated plate may be seen engraved the Burrill Coat of Arms. Engraved on his tombstone: "Alas! Our patron's dead! The country - Court The Church - tears, all echo the report; Grieved that no piety, no mastering sense, No counsel, gravity, no eloquence, No generous temper, gravitating to Those honors, which they did upon him throw, Could stay his fate, or their dear Burrill save >From a contagious sickness and the grave. The adjacent towns this loss reluctant bear, But widowed Lynn sustains the greatest share; Yet joys in being guardian of his dust Until the resurrection of the just. p.115 George Burrill lived on the western side of Tower Hill. He was a farmer and had 200 acres of land. He was one of the richest of the planters. His wife was named Mary and both he and she died in 1653. His children were: 1. George 2. Francis 3. John (Lieutenant) George Burrill Jr. removed to Boston and was a cooper. He married Deborah Simpkins, and died July 5, 1698. His children were: 1. George Burrill b. Feb 13, 1654. 2. Samuel Burrill b. Jan 10, 1656. 3. Sarah Burrill who married John Souther. Francis Burrill's wife was named Elizabeth and he had children: 1. Elizabeth Burrill b. Dec 1, 1655. [married Benjamin Farr]* 2. James Burrill b. Dec 21, 1657 3. Joseph Burrill b. Dec 18, 1659 4. Mary Burrill who died young, was born May 16, 1661 5. Lydia Burrill b. June 13, 1663 6. Hannah Burrill b. Mar 19, 1665 7. Mary Burrill, who lived but ten days, was born Feb 7, 1668. 8. Deborah Burrill b. July 23, 1669 and died the next month. 9. Moses Burrill b. April 12, 1671. 10. Hester Burrill b. b. Jan 15, 1674. 11. Sarah Burrill b.April 11, 1676 and died in infancy. 12. Samuel Burrill who also died in infancy. John Burrill married Lois Ivory May 10, 1656 and had children: 1. John Burrill b. Nov 18, 1658 - subject of biography, above. 2. Sarah Burrill b. May 16, 1661 and died Dec 27, 1714. 3. Thomas Burrill b. Jan 7, 1664. 4. Anna Burrill b. Sept 15, 1666 5. Theophilus Burrill b. July 15, 1669. 6. Lois Burrill b. Jan 27, 1672. 7. Samuel Burrill b. April 20, 1674. 8. Mary Burrill b. Feb 18, 1677. 9. Ebenezer Burrill b. July 13, 1679 10. Ruth Burrill b. May 17, 1682. The last named John Burrill, he who was born Nov. 18, 1658, became quite distinguished for his talents and for skill as a presiding officer of the General Court. He died in 1721. His brother Ebenezer Burrill was also conspicuous as a public man, and known as The Honorable Ebenezer Burrill. He died May 16, 1661. Sarah Burrill b. May 16, 1661 married John Pickering the eminent statesman and intimate friend of George Washington. The Honorable James Burrill, LL.D., who was made chief justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island in 1816 and was afterward distinguished as a United States Senator from that state, was a great-great grandson of John known as Lieut. John Burrill, and youngest son of the first George Burrill. Other conspicuous descendants of this early settler will be named elsewhere. The Burrill family was formerly called the royal family of Lynn in view of the many famous persons connected with it. Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth Subject: FARR, Joseph (whose mother was also a Stowers - Elizabeth Stowers who married George Farr, a first settler of Lynn, Mass.) Source: History of Lynn, MA by Annals of Lynn, MA 1685 by Alonzo Lewis & James R. Newhall, Boston, 1865. p.281 The following singular deposition is transcribed from the files of the Quarterly Court, and is dated 1 July, 1685: 11 The deposition of Joseph Farr, and John Burrill,junior, testifieth and saith), that they being at the house of Francis Burrill, and there being some difference betwixt Francis Burill and Benjamin Farr, and we abovesaid understanding that the said Benjamin Farr had been a suitor to *Elizabeth Burrill, the daughter of Francis Burrill, and he was something troubled that Benjamin had been so long from his daughter, and the said Francis Burrill told the said Benjamin Farr that if he had more love to his marsh, or to any estate of his, than to his daughter, he should not go into his house; for he should be left to his liberty; he should not be engaged to any thing more than he was freely willing to give his daughter, if he had her; and this was about two days before they was married." 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