Thomas M. Burgess
| Thomas Mackie Burgess | |
|---|---|
 Thomas M. Burgess | |
| 12th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island | |
|
In office February 1841 – June 1852 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel W. Bridgham |
| Succeeded by | Amos C. Barstow |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
June 6, 1806 Providence, Rhode Island |
| Died |
October 17, 1856 (aged 50) Providence, Rhode Island |
| Resting place | North Burial Ground, Providence |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse(s) | Eliza Howard |
| Alma mater | Brown University |
| Known for | Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island |
Thomas Mackie Burgess (June 6, 1806 – October 17, 1856) served as second mayor of Providence, 1841–1852.
Early life
Burgess was born in Providence and graduated Brown University, class of 1822. After graduation, he began to study law, but abandoned this pursuit to become a successful merchant.[1]
Political career
When Providence became a city in 1832, Burgess was elected one of the original members of the Providence Common Council.[2] On the death of the first mayor, Samuel W. Bridgham, in February 1841, Burgess was elected his successor and re-elected annually until 1852.
He was mayor during the Dorr Rebellion (1841–42), a violent free-suffrage movement that promoted voting rights for all men regardless of property ownership. This was a turbulent time when Rhode Island had two separate governors vying to run the state concurrently.[2]
Railroad career
Burgess was president of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad Company.[1] And/or he served as the President of the Boston and Providence Railroad Company.[2][3]
Personal life
Burgess enjoyed spending winters in Charleston, South Carolina, where he made many lifelong friends.[1]
He married Eliza Howard of Providence in 1831.[1]
Was paralyzed by stroke about two and a half years before his death, then died of a second stroke. He died at his residence, 108 South Main Street, Providence, October 17, 1856.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 The Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island. Providence, RI: National Biographical Publishing Company. 1881. pp. 352–353.
- 1 2 3 "Mayors of the City of Providence". City of Providence website. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
- ↑ Greene, Welcome Arnold (1886). The Providence Plantations for 250 Years. Providence, RI: J.A. & R.A. Reid. p. 103.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Samuel W. Bridgham |
Mayor of Providence 1841–1852 |
Succeeded by Amos C. Barstow |
 | ||