Burt, James

The following data is extracted from Chesterfield, Cheshire County, New Hampshire History.

James Burt, the paternal grandfather of Samuel Burt, sailed from London, England, April, 1635, for the Barbadoes, in the "Falcon deLondon," Thomas Irish, master. He was in Newport in 1639; surveyor in Taunton, in 1645; and one of a company making the "Dighton purchase"that year. He took the oath of fidelity in 1657, and was entitled to divisions of land. His will was proved March a, 1681. His wife, Annie, died August 17, 1668. Richard, his brother, was one of the forty-six persons who made the "Taunton Purchase," in 1637, to be "eight miles square, liberal measure." He died previous to October 26, 1647; on that day his minor son, Richard, chose his uncle, James Burt, for his guardian, and the court at Plymouth confirmed his choice. The mother of these brothers was said to have danced for expression of joy, on setting foot upon American soil. The ancestral Burts were men of clear, strong minds, determination and physical courage. Many of them were pillars in the different churches to which they belonged, and were honored and wealthy men. Henry' is still held in rememberance as a man of superior judgment, whose voice, when any local question agitated every voter, was said to carry the town. Three or four generations of them are buried in Oakland cemetery, Taunton, Mass. Samuel Burt⁵ (Henry⁴, Thomas³, James², James¹,) was born in Taunton, Mass., November 20, 1760. He married Olive, daughter of George and Alvia Lincoln, born December 19, 1761, and in 1787 settled in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, near the southeastern line. His brother, Henry⁵, married Sally Short, from the same place, and his sister Elizabeth married - Strobridge, settling upon either side of him, Mr. Strobridge's farm being in Chesterfield, near the Westmoreland line. The descendants of Henry still live upon the same farm. Mrs. Strobridge left no children. She cherished her family name, and was a Christian woman. She died February, 1852. Samuel Burt first lived in a small log house. He carried his grain to mill on his back, on foot-paths, over the hills. As a substantial man he kept pace with growth and improvement. He possessed a keen sense of justice, was faithful in his obligations, thinking more of the inner sense of right than "praise of man." His pure and unselfish life led him to a tranquil old age, made more pleasurable to his friends by reason of his industry, good eyesight, and ardent love of reading and recounting the scenes of his youth. To his descendants the memory of him is a "benediction." He died November 3, 1850. Mrs. Burt, from families of worth, was an energetic,, practical woman, and very anxious for the welfare of her descendants. She died July 26, 1843. Their children were Naomi, Samuel, Willard and Betsey.

Source: Chesterfield, Cheshire County, New Hampshire History

  Go Back