ANYONE INTERESTED IN THIS MESSAGE I'M FORWARDING? HOPEFULLY SOMEONE WILL FIND USEFUL INFO. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [ma-rooters] BURRILL - Lynn, Essex Co. MA - History of Lynn Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2002 16:55:06 EDT From: Farns10th@aol.com Reply-To: ma-rooters@listserv.genexchange.com To: ma-rooters@listserv.genexchange.com 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." Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Subject: Ebenezer Burrill - Biographical Sketch Source: History of Lynn, Mass. by Alonzo Lewis & James R. Newhall, Boston, 1865. p.492 Ebenezer Burrill, a younger brother of "the beloved Speaker," was quite eminent in his day, and distinguished as Honorable Ebenezer Burrill. He was born at Lynn on the 13th day of July, 1679, was a son of John Burrill, known as Lieutenant John Burrill, who was a son of George Burrill, the first of the name who settled here (Lynn), and who came in 1630. Ebenezer Burrill married Martha Farrington, and settled at Swampscott on an estate given him by his father. The house in which he lived is still standing (1865) on the beautiful grounds of E. R. Mudge, Esq., a few rods from his stone villa. And the writer may be pardoned for remarking that his inquiries regarding the Burrill family have been somewhat minute, partly from an individual pleasure in tracing family connections, as both his grandmothers were granddaughters of the subject of this sketch, one a daughter of his son Ebenezer and the other a daughter of his son, Samuel Burrill. Mr. Ebenezer Burrill had ten children, viz: 1. Ebenezer Burrill Jr. (called Esquire), born Feb 6, 1702 who married Mary, daughter of General Mansfield. Their children: 1. John b. Feb 24, 1705 2. Martha b. April 21, 1707 3. Theophilus b. May 21, 1709 4. Mary b. July 31, 1711 5. Eunice b. Oct 27, 1713 6. Lois b. Aug 7, 1715 7. Samuel b. April 1, 1717 8. Sarah b. April 15, 1719 9. Lydia b. Feb 25, 1721 It would be interesting to follow somewhat at large the family connections of Mr. Burrill, if space did permit. It was his sister, Sarah, who married John Pickering of Salem and be- came grandmother of the Hon. Timothy Pickering. His son Ebenezer Burrill, distinguished as Ebenezer Burrill, Esquire, was town clerk seventeen years and a Representative twelve years. He, the son lived in the house still standing at the northeast corner of Boston and Federal streets, [Lynn] and there it is related, on one occasion, had the honor of the Governor's presence at dinner, while a couple of iron cannon on Water Street, continued to belch forth their respects. His son Samuel Burrill was a Representative during the Revolution, and a member of the Convention for forming the State Constitution. His grandson, James, son of Ebenezer, Esq. while a young man set up business as a tin plate worker at Providence, R.I., became a prominent citizen, and was one of the original members of the Providence Association of Mechanics and Manufacturers, an association which still (1865) continues to flourish, and he was chosen its president in 1797, holding the office till 1809. He likewise respresent- ed Providence in the General Assembly in 1797. And this James Burrill was father of the Hon. James Burrill who was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of R.I. in 1816, and who was soon afterward distinguished as a U.S. Senator for that state, dying at Washington on Christmas day, 1820. Joseph Burrill another son of Ebenezer Burrill, Esq., and grandson of the subject of this sketch, settled at Newport, R.I. He was a tin plate worker, and it was of him that his brother James learned his trade preparatory to commencing business for himself in R.I. And the family of this Joseph Burrill was one of greast respectibility. The wife of Hon. Henry Wheaton, LL.D., was a grandaughter of his. One or two of the leading Salem families were connected with the Burrills, who were facetiously styled the royal family of Lynn. Micajah Burrill who resided on Essex Street and died near the close of 1863, having been buried on the 10th of December, the very day on which he would have entered his hundreth year, was a grandson of Theophilus Burrill, the 3d son of the patriarch whom this sketch commemorates. Mr. Ebenezer Burrill died the 6th of September 1761. The inscription on his modest grave stone is unassuming, compared with many on the tablets of that day, which are too often airy and high sounding. But the dead should not be held responsible for the absurdities written above them p.494 He was a remarkable man for sound judgement, benevolence, and activity in all useful enterprises, was six times chosen Representative, and was a Counsellor in 1731 and 1746. In 1732 he was entrusted with the settlement of important business with the Indians at Casco Bay. He possessed a large estate in lands, and was able to provide well for his numerous family. The inventory of his estate indicates that he lived in very respectable style, and among his personal property may be found enumerated one negro slave named Caesar. In looking up the facts regarding the Burrills, I found that many of the family themselves had but a confused idea of their ancestry. A kind of confusion, however, by no means peculiar to this family, arising, perhaps in a great measure, from the intermingling of names. A recapitulatory line or two may, hence be given: Lieutenant John, or John Burrill Sr., was the first Burrill born in Lynn, and was a son of George, the early settler. Honorable John, or, John Burrill Jr., and Honorable Ebenezer Burrill (the subject of this sketch), were brothers, and sons of Lieut John. Ebenezer Burrill, Esq., was a son of the Hon. Ebenzer Burrill. George Burrill, Lieut. John Burrill and the Hon. John Burrill lived at Tower Hill; Hon. Ebenezer Burrill lived at Swampscott; Ebenezer Burrill, Esq. lived on Boston Street, corner of Federal Street, Lynn. James Burrill who settled in R.I. and was father of of the U.S. Senator, was a son of Ebenezer Burrill, Esq. John Burrill, another son of Ebenezer Burrill, Esq, was father of Ebenezer Burrill who settled in New York, and died there in 1839 and whose body, in accordance with his dying request, was brought to Lynn and buried in our Old Burying Ground; he, the last named John, was also father of Thompson, who died here in 1842. The grave stones of these worthies together with those of several other old members of the family, may be found in the south- eastern part of the burial place just named. Considering what has been said in this brief sketch regarding family connections, a single remark of a general nature, in closing, may not be inappropriate. How few realize the important effect of marriage upon the destinies of mankind. The greatest results, social, political, and religious, flow from the quiet operation of the matrimonial connection. Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth ----- List Admin - ma-rooters-Owner@listserv.genexchange.com MA GenExchange: http://www.genexchange.org/state.cfm?state=MA USGenExchange: http://www.genexchange.org/us.cfm Mailing Lists: http://www.genexchange.org/maillistform.cfm