From a book called "Life and Times in Hopkinton, N. H. in three parts"
by C. C. Lord published 1890

Page 319
Thomas Burnham was a native of Ipswich, Mass., and with Ruth Cavis, his wife, came to Hopkinton toward the close of the
last century, and settled on the easterly slope of Putney's hill, by the road leading directly from the village to the hill. The house
now stands on the estate of the late Ignatius W. Fellows. When Mr. Burnham came to Hopkinton, his wife took along a lilac
bush, which was planted by the roadside at her new home. The bush now extends several rods by the side of the road. It is
said that this bush was the source of all the common lilacs in the town.

There were at least four children of Thomas and Ruth Burnham. They were Thomas, born October 18, 1794; John, born
October 30, 1796; Abraham, born September 27, 1800; Lucy, born April 22, 1804.

Thomas Burnham was a privateer under Capt. Leach, of Salem, Mass., during the Revolution.

Mr. Burnham died June 12, 1823, aged 68; his wife died May 24, 1851, aged 86. Their graves are in the old cemetery on
Putney's hill.
 

From a book called "Life and Times in Hopkinton, N. H. in three parts"
by C. C. Lord published 1890

Page 319
Thomas Burnham, son of Thomas Burnham and Ruth Cavis, was born October 18, 1794. He was for years a resident of
Contoocook. >From 1836 to 1840, he was clerk and treasurer of the town of Hopkinton.

In 1831, when a post-office was first established in Contoocook, Thomas Burnham became the post-master.

Mr. Burnham died August 24, 1840, aged 46. Martha Tucker, his wife, died March 8, 1887, aged 90 years and 6 months.
 

From a book called "Life and Times of Hopkinton, N. H. in three parts"
by C. C. Lord published 1890

Page 319, 320, 321
John Burnham, a citizen prominently identified with the history of Hopkinton, was a son of Thomas Burnham, being born
October 30, 1796. Previously to 1814, he spent his life as a farmer's boy, then entering the military service, under Capt. Silas
Call, in Lieutenant-Colonel John Sreel's regiment, stationed for the defence of Portsmouth. An older brother having been
drafted for the service, John enlisted as a substitute. Borrowing a gun from a neighbor, he went to Portsmouth on foot. At
Epping he stopped at a tavern for the night, but the next morning the landlord refused pay from a youth on his long way to serve
his country. After leaving the military ranks, he determined to pursue the medical profession; preliminarily to regular study, he
obtained employment in the Massachusetts Medical Hospital, Boston. As often occurs in the experience of young men, a
subsequent reflection changed his mind. He returned to Hopkinton and entered into farming occupations again. About this time
he lived a year with Abram Brown.

In 1823, he began the manufacture of lumber, sawing clapboards in what was then the old scythe factory in Contoocook. In
1826, or thereabouts, he went into partnership in the lumber business with Abram Brown. They bought woodland, cut the
timber, and turned it into lumber. They purchased an old saw-mill, and fitted it up for the manufacture of boards, ship-timber,
and various kinds of stuff. In 1835, they added a grist-mill. In 1844, Joseph Barnard became a member of this firm, whose
business was for years a leading feature in the manufacturing enterprise of the town. Mr. Brown died in 1852, and the business
was conducted by the two remaining members of the firm, till the death of Mr. Burnham in 1867.

Mr. Burnham was more or less of his life actively engaged in politics, being an ardent Democrat. In 1846 and 1847, he
represented his town in the state legislature. He was also a member of the constitutional convention in 1850, and senator in
1860. and the year following.

The death of the subject of this sketch occured on the 12th of April, 1867. His funeral took place in the New Church or
Swedenborgian house of worship, and was conducted with Masonic honors. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev.
Abiel Silver of Salem, Mass. A large attendance of the citizens of the town was present.

Mr. Burnham was thrice married. In 1829, December 8, he married Miss Susan E. Wadleigh, of Sutton. She died October 2,
1836; his second wife was Miss Betsey Whittier, of Boscawen, whom he married December 8, 1840. She died June 29,
1853. His third wife was Adeline S. Davis, of Warner, whom he married March 7, 1854. His first wife bore him three sons:
James M., born January 4, 1831; John F., born February 10, 1833; Edward D., born August 8, 1835.
 

From a book called "Life and Times of Hopkinton, N. H. in three parts"
by C. C. Lord published 1890

Page 321
James M. Burnham, the eldest son of John Burnham and Susan E. Wadleigh, was born in Hopkinton, January 4, 1831. He was
educated at Hopkinton Academy, and studied law in the office of Morrison & Stanley at Manchester. In 1859, he was a
member of the New Hampshire house of representatives; in 1863, a member of the superintending school-committee of
Hopkinton; in 1865, he was again in the house of representatives; in 1871, he was door-keeper of the house of representatives.
He is now in the treasury department of the U. S. government at Washington, occupying a position in the second auditor's
department.

James M. Burnham married Emma F. Marston, of Deerfield, August 23, 1860. She is a daughter of Enoch R. Marston and
Mary Ann Bartlett. They have two sons,--Walter M. and John C.
 

From a book called "Life and Times of Hopkinton, N. H. in three parts"
by C. C. Lord published 1890

Page 321
John Ferdinand Burnham, the second son of John Burnham and Susan E. Wadleigh, was born in Hopkinton, February 10,
1833. He was educated at Hopkinton academy, and devoted a portion of his early life to teaching. He afterwards followed the
occupation of a farmer and lumberman at Contoocook. In 1864 and 1865, and also in 1872 and 1873, he was a selectman. In
1882, he moved to West Randolph, Vt.

Mr. Burnham married Satira W. Peabody, of Antrim, May 12, 1858; she died November 22, 1869. They had four children--
Herbert Byron, Susie Wadleigh, Addie Leona, Mary Ella. His second wife was Frances E. Richmond, of West Randolph, Vt.,
whom he married September 15, 1872. They have one child, --Clara Blanche.
 

From a book called "Life and Times of Hopkinton, N. H. in three parts"
by C. C. Lord published 1890

Page 321, 322
Edward D. Burnham, third son of John Burnham and Suan E. Wadleigh, was born August 8, 1835. He was educated at
Hopkinton academy, and was for years a miller, lumberman or farmer. In 1875, he was a member of the executive council of
New Hampshire. He married Georgia D. Davis, of Contoocook, by whom he had four sons,-- Nathan D., Fred T., Frank P.,
and Charles D. Mr. Burnham died March 30, 1887.
 

From a book called "Life and Times of Hopkinton, N. H. in three parts"
by C. C. Lord published 1890

Page 322
Abraham Burnham, son of Abraham (Should read son of Thomas?) Burnham and Ruth Cavis, was born in Hopkinton,
September 27, 1800. He resided on the old homestead at the time of his death, February 28, 1853, he being 52 years old. He
was a captain of the militia. In 1838, he was elected a member of the state house of representatives, but it is said his modesty
prevented him from assuming the duties of the office. He married Elizabeth Cross, daughter of Moses Cross, of Hopkinton, but
had no children.
 

From a book called "Life and Times of Hopkinton, N. H. in three parts"
by C. C. Lord published 1890

Page 322
Christie W. Burnham, the son of Samuel Burnham and Sally P. Sargent, was born in Bow, September 19, 1832. He resided in
Bow till 1841; in Manchester , till 1860; in Hamilton, N. Y., till 1863; in Hopkinton, till 1871; in Valley Falls, R. I., till 1874; in
Hinsdale, till 1876, in Stanton, Mich, till 1882; since then till the present time he has resided in Pawtuxet, R. I.. He is a
clergyman. He was educated at Madison University and Hamilton Theological Seminary. He was ordained pastor of the Baptist
church, Hopkinton, October 14, 1863, remaining till the last Sunday in August 1871. In 1868, he was a member of the
superintending school-committee of Hopkinton. He has also served in the same capacity in Hinsdale, Cumberland, R. I., and
Manistigue, Mich. He has held different clerical positions in associations of his church.

Rev. Mr. Burnham married Frances A. Works, daughter of Almon Works and Sarah H. Kilgore, of Manchester. They have
children-- Samuel Bradford, Almon Christie.

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