Thomas Burnham (1617 – June 24, 1688) was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. A lawyer and landowner, he arrived in the American Colonies in 1637, and lived most of his adult live in Connecticut. He was among the earliest puritan settlers in Connecticut, living in Podunk and finally settling in Hartford, Connecticut. He purchased most of the land covered by the current towns of South Windsor, Connecticut and East Hartford, Connecticut. He was the first American ancestor of a large number of Burnhams. He died in Hartford at age 71.
Burnham sailed from Gravesend, England on November 20, 1635. According to records, he "imbarqued for the Barbadoes, in the Expedition, Peter Blacklee, Master, took the oath of Allegiance and Supremacy, Examined by the Minister of the town of Gravesend." He arrived near Hartford, Connecticut in 1637 and started practice as a lawyer.
He successfully defended Abigail Betts who had been accused of witchcraft, but by "saving her neck" the Puritan authorities prohibited Burnham from further practice of the court.[1]
In 1659 he purchased from Tan-tonimo, Chief sachem of the Potunke Native Americans, a tract of land now covered by the towns of South Windsor and East Hartford, on which he afterward lived, and a part of which is still in possession of his descendants. He held this land under a deed from Tanto-nimo, and later in 1661, by a deed from six of the latter's successors and allies, by which they renounce "all our right and title in those lands aforesayd unto Thomas Burnam and his heirs."[1]
The possession of this land led to endless lawsuits, supported by the government, and it was ordered to be divided. Burnham refused to give it up, however, and the contest continued for many years. It resulted finally in the appointment in 1688, at a town meeting of the inhabitants of Hartford, "of a Committee in behalf of this town, to" treat with Thomas Burnham, Senior, upon his claim to the lands on the East side of the Great River." He erected a house on these lands at Potunke, which was one of five, on the east side of the Connecticut, to be fortified and garrisoned during the Indian war of 1675. In 1649-56-59-60, he appears as plaintiff in court, and usually argued his own cases.
Before his death he had divided the greater part of his estate among his children by deed, with the condition that it should remain in the family.
He married Anna Wright Burnham (1620 - August 4, 1703) in Hartford in 1639. The daughter of Captain Richard Wright, she was born in Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut and died in Hartford at the age of 83. Their children were all born in Hartford:
The descendents of Thomas Burnham have been noted in every American war, including the French and Indian war.[3]