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I haven't done any significant research on David since
he isn't from my line. However, he appears to be the son of David
and Anna (Grover) Burnham of Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts.
If so, he was born in 1765 and died in Gloucester on September 16,
1830, per his pension file. Also, according to his pension file,
David married Martha Perkins of Ipswich on February 7, 1787.
The following reference in Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors
in the War of the Revolution Volume 2 page 874, appears to refer to
the same individual: "Burnham, David, Ipswich. Return of men raised agreeable
to resolve of Dec. 2, 1780; enlisted March 16, 1781; enlistment, 3 years;
also, Private, Capt. John Pray's co., Col. Joseph Vose's (1st) regt.; muster
roll for May, 1781, dated West Point; also, muster roll for June, 1781,
dated Phillipsburgh; reported on command at Verplanck's Point; also, muster
roll for July, 1781, dated Phillipsburgh; reported on command at New Windsor;
also, muster roll for Aug., 1781; also, muster roll for Oct. and Nov.,
1781, dated York Huts; also, muster rolls for Jan. and Feb., 1782, dated
Huts, 1st Brigade, and sworn to at West Point."
This pension file was photocopied by staff at the Maine
Archives and
transcribed by Laura Black Boldebook, July 29, 1999.
War Department
Pension Office
August 25 1838
Sir,
I have examined the claim of Mrs Martha Burnham widow of David
Burnham, deceased, and have placed her papers upon our files. It
appears that David Burnham, her late husband, served three years in Col.
Vose's Regiment from March 1780.
The proof as to the marriage is not satisfactory, and for this
reason, I cannot admit the claim.
I am, respectfully,
Your obt servant
J L Edwards
William Fenson Esq
Gloucester,
Massachusetts
I hereby certify that David Burnham and Martha Perkins both of Ipswich,
were joined in Marriage by the Reverend John Cleaveland then of Ipswich,
February 7th 1788 as appears by the records of Marriages in the town of
Ipswich.
Ebenezer Burnham Town Clerk of Ipswich
Envelope postmarked Gloucester and addressed to:
Hon. John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Boston.
We Aaron Day and GeorgeClark Junr of Gloucester in the County of Essex
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age depose and say,
That we were well acquainted with David Burnham, a Revolutionary pensioner,
who resided in said Gloucester in 1829 and 1830; and died here on the 16th
day of September in the year 1830, leaving a widow named Martha Burnham
who has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband, David
Burnham, and has not since intermarried (?).
Aaron Day
George Clark - jr
Essex, ?? September 24th, 1838.
Then Aaron Day and George Clark made oath to the truth of the foregoing
declaration by them subscribed. I certify that I knew David
Burnham above named; was his Attorney in 1829 and 1830 to receive his pension
money; and have knowledge that the above deposition is true; and that he
was a native of Ipswich in this County.
William Fenson, Justice of Peace
Gloucester, 24th September, 1838
Hon. John P. Bigelow
Secretary for this Commonwealth
Sir,
Enclosed are the documents to prove the claim of Martha, widow
of David Burnham, who served 3 years from 1780 in Capts. Pray + Bensons
companies in Col. Joseph Voses Regiment, for $50 agreeably to Resolve of
the Legislature of March 1838 and 1835. If her afidavit is required,
please return the papers for that purpose.
J.L. Edwards says, "The proof as to the marriage is not satisfactory".
This is one of the vexatious whims of the Pension Office: I first
proved the marriage from a Family record which was "not satisfactory";
and have since proved it by the Town Clerk, which is satisfactory.
Respectfully your ob. serv.
William Ferson
Copyright 1999 by Laura Black Boldebook
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