Generation 7
I am seeking information on the family of Revolutionary War Veteran GURDIN BURNHAM and his family. Gurdin was born 13 Feb 1756 in East Hartford, CT.

Generation 8
Gurdin's parents were MOSES BURNHAM [b: 1723; d: 29 Dec 1798] and NAOMI ANDERSON of Hartford Co., CT. Gurdin's siblings were: Nathaniel, Naomi, Moses, Roderick, Hezekiah, Theodore, Mary A., Ward, Ward, Betsey.

Generation 9
Moses Burnham's parents were RICHARD BURNHAM [b: 6 July 1692, East Hartford, Hartford Co., CT ; d: 11 Feb 1754] and ABIGAIL EASTON who married 5 May 1715. Moses' siblings were: Elisha, Aaron, Ezra, Abigail.

Generation 10
Richard Burnham's [Jr.] parents were RICHARD BURNHAM [b: 1654 of Podunk, CT; d: 1731] and SARAH HUMPHRIES [b: 6 Mar 1659; d: 28 Nov 1726] who married 11 June 1680. Richard's siblings were: Sarah, Rebecca, Mercy, Martha, Esther, Charles, Michael, Susannah.

Generation 11
Richard Burnham's [Sr.] parents were THOMAS BURNHAM [b: 1617; d: 24 June 1688, Hartford, Hartford Co., CT] and ANN WRIGHT. Thomas was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. He left Gravesend, England in 1635 for America via the Barbados. Thomas settled in Hartford where he worked as a lawyer. He married his wife Anna [b: 1620, England; d: 5 Aug 1703, Hartford, Hartford Co., CT] in Hartford in 1639.

==1756 [13 Feb] Gurdin Burnham was born in East Hartford, Hartford Co., CT.

==1768 [abt] Martha Cahoon was born, "of Wayne, KY" [IGI record].
[Wayne Co., KY was formed 1800, from parts of Pulaski and Cumberland counties. Part of present day Clinton Co. included in Wayne, until formed from Wayne and Cumberland in 1835.]

==1775 [12/15 May] Gurdin Burnham enlisted for 8 months, served as a Drummer under Captain George Pitkin.

==1776 [Jan] Gurdin re-enlisted for 12 months, served under Captain Holdridge.
==1776 [June] Gurdin ignited fireship and was badly burned, taken to the headquarters of General George Washington, to whom he reported on the disaster, and by whom he was ordered to return home to recuperate.

==1777 [June] Served on the ship "Alfred" under Elisha Hinman, on which he had numerous adventures, including being almost burned to death when his ship blew up under attack. He was taken as a prisoner to Martinico where he was exchanged.
==1777 [1 Aug] Gurdin returned to father's home in East Hartford, Hartford Co., CT to recuperate from wounds.

==1779 [Summer] Gurdin re-entered service on the brig "Nancy" commanded by William Burke. He was eventually taken prisoner, placed on the British prison ship "Felicity," and later exchanged.

==1783 The Revolutionary War ended, Gurdin sailed to West Indies

==1783-1786 [abt] Lived in Charleston, SC about 3 years [pension].

==1786-1789 [abt] Gurdin lived in NC 2-3 years [pension].

==1789-1792 [abt] Gurdin lived in Powhatan Co., VA about 3 years [pension].

==1792-1794 [abt] Gurdin lived in East Hartford, CT at his father's house for 2 years and 4 months [pension].

==1794 [abt] Gurdin lived in Powhatan Co., VA about 1 year [pension].

==1795 [abt] GURDIN BURNHAM married MARTHA CAHOON in Buckingham Co., VA [IGI record] and lived there about 3 years [pension], until 1798.

==1798 [abt] Gurdin Burnham lived in Campbell [Courthous?], VA about 1 year [pension].

==1799 [abt] Gurdin Burnham lived in Fincastle, Botetourt Co., VA about 2 years [pension].

==1800 [28 Oct] Naomi Burnham [a daughter] was born in Wythe Co., VA. Likely she was named after Gurdin's mother and older sister.

==1801 [abt] Gurdin Burnham lived in Preston's Ironworks on Cripple Creek in Wythe Co., VA about 3 years [pension].

==1804 [abt] Gurdin Burnham lived in Rye Valley at the head of the Holston river in Wythe Co., VA about 2 years [pension].
==1804 [abt] Mary Ann Burnham [a daughter] born in VA.

==1806 [abt] Gurdin Burnham lived in Wayne Co., KY about 10-12 years [pension].

==1808 [15 June] Jordan Burnham born [Bible Record] in TN [Census record, possibly wrong]. Jordan died 15 Sept 1837 [Bible Record] in Sugar Creek, Vigo Co., IN. [IGI record indicates that Jordan Burnham [a son?] was born 1791 [date likely wrong] in Short Mountain District, TN.]
==1808 Hezekiah Burnham born in Wayne, KY, son of Gurdin and Martha Burnham [IGI record].

==1808-1810 [in this period and perhaps earlier] a G. George Burnham appears on several tax lists of Wayne Co., KY [according to a researcher there].
Although there are no Burnham deeds in Wayne Co. Deed books of this period, there are a couple of references in later books to "Burnham's corner," and "Daugherty's and Burnham's line" in transactions involving the N. side of the Cumberland River.

==1817 [abt] Gurdin Burnham lived in Knox Co., TN for 3 years and 6 months [pension].
==1817 [8 March] Alexander Burnham born in Knox Co., TN, son of Gurdin and Martha [IGI record].
[Another IGI record indicates that Alexander was Jordan Burnham's son {which I believe is incorrect}. It goes on to say that Alexander was born 8 Mar 1817 in Short Mountain District, TN and died 9 Jan 1866 in Sugar Creek Township, Vigo Co., IN., and that he is buried in New Hope Cemetery there. It also indicates that Alexander Burnham married Cynthia Scurlock.
Short Mountain appears on modern maps in the following places [among others]: Wayne Co., KY [pop. area--Parnell]; Blount Co., TN [summit--Tallassee; summit--Kinzel Springs]; Sevier Co., TN [summit--Richardson Cove].

==1820 a GEORGE G. BURNHAM household appears in the census of Wayne Co., KY [p. 92] as follows--Males: 1 (45+up), 2 (10-16), 1 (under 10); Females: 1 (45+up), 2 (16-26), 1 (10-16).
==1820 [13 Apr] ORREN BURNHAM [spelled "Burnem"] [a son] married POLLY HOOD in Knox Co., TN. [IGI]

==1821 [19 Dec] NAOMI BURNHAM [a daughter] married ENOCH HUSSONG in Wayne Co., KY.
==1821 [abt] Gurdin Burnham moved to Vigo Co., IN [pension].

==1823 [16 April] MARY ANN BURNHAM [a daughter] married ROBERT CRUZE in Knox Co., TN. [My lineage is traced through this couple.]
==1823 [10 May] SALLY BURNHAM [a daughter?] married ANDREW HOOD in Knox Co., TN. Sally was born in KY. This couple appears in the 1850 census of TN. They also appear in the History of Parke & Vigo Counties by H. W. Beckwith [p. 450] as the parents of Sarah Malone who married 3 Dec 1872 Lemuel Longhead a noted farmer, whose family had been in Vigo Co. since 1835.

==1826 [9 Feb] HEZEKIAH BURNHAM [a son] married SUSANNA HUSSONG in Knox Co., TN.

==??An IGI record indicates: ALEXANDER BURNHAM [a son?] married CYNTHIA SCURLOCK in TN, date not known. Their children were:
James Alexander Burnham [b: 31 May 1845, Vigo Co., IN; d: 15 Apr 1931, Clay City, Clay Co., IN; b: Greenwell Cemetery, Clay City.
Mary E. Burnham [b: abt 1838, IN]
Sylvanis (U) Burnham [b: abt 1841, IN]
Albert Caldwell Burnham [b: 17 Oct 1843, Sugar Creek Twp, Vigo Co., IN]
Harriet Burnham [b: abt 1846, IN]
William T/S? Burnham [b: abt 1847, IN]
Charlotte [Lottie] Burnham [b: abt 1850, IN]
John Burnham [b: abt 1859, IN]
Annie Burnham [b: abt 1855, IN; d: 1873]
Callie Burnham [b: abt 1857, IN]

==1830 Gurdin Burnham appears in Vigo Co., IN census, p. 91
==1830 John Cruze appears in this census right beside Gurdin Burnham. John was a brother of Robert Cruze who married Mary Ann Burnham in 1823 in Knox Co., TN
==1830 Enoch Hussong appears in Vigo Co., IN census, p. 91
==1830 Hezekiah Burnham appears in Vigo Co., IN census, p. 90.
==1830 Oron Burnham appears in Vigo Co., IN census, p. 91.
==1830 No Burnhams in Tennessee census.

==1832 [15 Mar] JORDAN BURNHAM [a son?] married SALLY ANN IRELAND in Vigo Co., IN. She was the daughter of Alexander Ireland and Isabella Davis. [Family tradition says Jordan and Sarah {b: 28 Oct 1810} came from Selby Co., KY, near Louisville.] Their children were:
--Alexander Marion Burnham [b: 29 May 1833, Sugar Creek Twp, Vigo Co., IN; d: 6 July 1882, Round Timbers, Baylor Co., IN]--m: Sarah Ann Brooks 15 Mar 1860 in Hidalgo, Jasper Co., IL.
--Mary Jane Burnham [b: 6 Sept 1834, Vigo Co., IN; d: 21 June 1837, Vigo Co., IN]
--Martha Isabelle Burnham [b: 29 Aug 1836, Vigo Co., IN; d: 3 Oct 1861]--m: Burnham McColloch before 1860. Martha is found in 1850 Sugar Creek Twp census living with Alexander and their mother Sarah Ray, who had remarried.
==1832 [May] Gurdin Burnham moved to Vigo Co., IL.

==1833 [3 June] Gurdin Burnham testified for his Pension Application in Edgar Co., IL. [near Vigo Co., IN]
[SEE PENSION APPLICATION BELOW]
==1833 [29 July] HEZEKIAH BURNHAM [2nd marriage?] married CHARLOTTE RAY in Vigo Co., IN.

==1835 Gurdin Burnham and his wife moved to Vigo Co., Indiana "in which State they had three sons and a daughter living...nor is his residence in 1840 stated." [From 1927 letter to Mrs. Joseph T. Hanna, Fort Wayne, IN--in anticipation of erecting monument there?--from Commissioner Winfield Scott re: Gurdin Burnham Pension claim].
==1835 [10 Sept] Hezekiah Burnham purchased 40 acres of land in Vigo Co., IN--SWNE, Sect 34/, Township 12-N, Range 10-W.
==1835 [2 Nov] Orren Burnham purchased 3,989 acres of land in IL [Coles Co.?]--Section SENE, Sect 06, Township 11n.

==1837 [18 Mar] Gurdin Burnham purchased 40 acres of land in Vigo Co., IN--NESE, Sec 34/, Township 12-N, Range 10-W.
==1837 [18 Mar] Orren Burnham purchased 40 acres of land in Vigo Co., IN--SWNW, Sec 34/, Township 12-N, Range 10-W.
==1837 [15 Sept] Jordan Burnham died [Bible Record] in Vigo Co., IN.
==1837 [10 Oct] Orren Burnham purchased 4,000 acres of land in IL [Coles Co.?]--Section NENE, Sect 32, Township 13N.
==1837 [7 Nov] Orren Burnham purchased 160 acres of land in Vigo Co., IN--SW, Sec 34/, Township 12-N, Range 10-W.

==1839 [1 Feb] Hezekiah Burnham purchased 40 acres of land in Vigo Co., IN--SESE, Sec 35/, Township 12-N, Range 10-W.
==1839 [11 Oct} Gurdin's wife Martha Cahoon is said to have died--location unknown.

==1840 Alexander Burnham appears in the Sugar Creek Twp, Vigo Co., IN census, p. 436.
==1840 Neize Burnham appears in the Sugar Creek Twp, Vigo Co., IN census, p. 436.
==1840 Orren Burnham appears in the census of Coles Co., IL [p. 191] as follows--Males: 1 (40-50), 1 (15-20), 1 (10-15), 1 (5-10); Females: 1 (40-50), 1 (15-20), 1 (10-15), 1 (5-10). This family appears to be living in the section of Coles Co. which is now Cumberland Co. The family does not appear in the 1850 Coles Co. census, nor are there Burnham marriages in that county in that early period.

==1841 [25 May] Hezekiah Burnham purchased 37.45 acres of land in Vigo Co., IN--NENW, Sec 3/, Township 11-N, Range 10-N.

==1844 [16 Oct] Gurdin Burnham said to have died--location unknown.
[Response from DAR in Fort Wayne, IN, source unknown--though death assumed not to have happened in Allen Co., IN, despite presence of a monument there naming Gurdin.]

==1846 [7 Apr] SARAH ANN BURNHAM married WILLIAM RAY in Vigo Co., IN. Presumably, this Sarah was the widow of Jordan Burnham.
==1846 [10 Sept] MILLY M. (Amelia F.) BURNHAM married JAMES JUNIOR in Vigo Co., IN.

==1849 [10 Apr] Alexander Burnham purchased 37.36 acres of land in Vigo Co., IN--SWNE, Sec 3/, Township 11-N, Range 10-W.

==1850 HEZEKIAH BURNHAM appears in Sugar Creek Township, Vigo Co., IN census, p. 215 [13 Nov], as follows: Hezekiah Burnham 42, Waggon Making, value 800, b: KY; Charlotte Burnham 32, b: IL; Jordon Burnham 19, b: IN; Emily Burnham 15, b: IN; Alexander Burnham 13, b: IN; Louisa J. Burnham 10, b: IN; Naoma Burnham 8, b: IN; Lee Burnham 6, b: IN; Mary Burnham 3, b: IN; Baby Burnham 1/12, b: IN. Indiana
==1850 SARAH (BURNHAM) RAY appears in Sugar Creek Township, Vigo Co., IN census, p. 202A [12 Nov], as follows: William Ray 62, Farmer, value 1,500, b: TN; Sarah Ray 39, b: KY; William Ray 20, Farmer, b: IN; George Ray 3, b: IN; Frances J. Ray 1, b: IN; Alexander Burnham 17, Laborer, b: IN; Martha J. Burnham 13, b: IN.
==1850 ALEXANDER BURNHAM appears in Sugar Creek Township, Vigo Co., IN census, pp. 204B, 205A [13 Nov], as follows: Alexander Burnham 28, Farmer, value 300, b: TN; Cynthia Burnham 28, b: TN; Mary E. Burnham 12, b: IN; Sylvanis Burnham 9, IN; Albert Burnham 7, b: IN; James Burnham 5, b: IN; Harriet Burnham Harriet 4, b: IN; William G. Burnham 3, IN; Charlotte Burnham 5/12, b: IN.
==1850 JOHN H. BURNHAM [not known if son or not?] appears in the Harrison Township, Vigo Co., IN census, p. 235B: John 52, b: KY, Magistrate; Jane 50, b: KY; Samuel W. 26, b: KY, Clerk; James P. 21, b: KY, Clerk; Jane B., 18, b: KY; Joanna 14, b: KY; Henry C., 11, b: KY; Lesley C., 9, b: KY.
==1850 AMELIA F. (BURNHAM) JUNIOR appears in Honey Creek Township, Vigo Co., IN census, as follows: James Junior 28, Farmer, b: KY; Amelia F. 23, b: TN; Sarah E. 3, b: IN.
==1860 A. M. BURNHAM appears in Sugar Creek Township, Vigo Co., IN census,p. 262.

==1928 [22 Sept] Monument to Revolutionary War Veterans who died in Allen Co., IN includes the name of Sgt. Gurdin Burnham.
It is a bronze plaque on a boulder with flag pole in the yard of the Swinney Homestead, West Jefferson Boulevard, Fort Wayne. I have learned, however, from the local DAR organization there that Gurdin's name was placed there mistakenly as he did not die in Allen Co. The boulder and marker may be moved to a Veteran's shrine on the O'Day Road in the future.

JOSHUA BURNHAM [B: 19 FEB 1789, NC] and his wife ELIZABETH ELLIOTT [b: 9 Nov 1791, possibly Grainger Co., TN] who were married 20 Apr 1807 in Grainger Co., TN. Their children are said to have been:
James W. [b: 8 Mar 1815, OH; d: 20 Mar, 1893]
Ann [b: 21 May 1808, possibly Grainger Co., TN; d: Sept 1818]
Ivy [b: 7 Apr 1810, possibly Grainger Co., TN; d: 1847]
Sarah [b: 19 July 1812, OH?]
Abraham E. [b: 10 Dec 1817, IN; d: 5 May 1887]
Harvey [b: 9 Jun 1820, In; d: 29 Feb 1844]
Orpha [b: 5 Feb 1823, IN]
Nehemiah [b: 25 Dec 1825, IN; d: 21 Mar 1847]
Matthew [b: 26 Mar 1828, IN; d: 4 Mar 1881]
William [b: 27 Oct 1830, IN; d: 25 Mar 1878]
Ira [b: 11 May 1833, IN; d: 1 April 1918]
Perry Clinton [b: 21 Apr 1838, IN; 17 Jan 1911]

The following Clinton Co. records appear to be from this family:

==1840 [5 Mar] Abraham E. Burnham married Lidia Nelson in Clinton Co., IN.
===1840 [6 Aug] Orpha Burnham married Harrison Hodgen in Clinton Co., IN.
==1840 Abraham Burnham appears in the Clinton Co., IN census, p. 381.
==1840 Ira Burnham appears in the Clinton Co., IN census, p. 381.
==1840 Joshua Burnham appears in the Clinton Co., IN census, p. 311.
==1847 [22 May] Matthew Burnham married Mary Spray in Clinton Co., IN.
==1847 [22 Sept] James Burnham married Jane Fenton in Clinton Co., IN.
==1849 [14 Jul] William Burnham married Lucinda McKinsey in Clinton Co., IN.
==1850 William N. Burnham appears in Kirklin Twp, Clinton Co., IN, p. 418.
==1850 James Burnham appears in Jackson Twp, Clinton Co., IN, p. 443.
==1850 William Burnham appears in Jackson Twp, Clinton Co., IN, p. 452.
==1850 Matthew Burnham appears in Jackson Twp, Clinton Co., IN, p. 456.
==1850 Joshua Burnham appears in Jackson Twp, Clinton Co., IN, p. 456.

We John Burns a Clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal Church residing in the county of Edgar and State of Illinois and John Knight labourer residing in said county and State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gurdin Burnham who has subscribed & sworn to the above & foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be 77 years of age, that he is [respected?] & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Burns who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal Church resident in the said county & State last named above, that John Knight who also has signed the same is a resident of the said last named county & state and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
{signed} Henry G. Smith, Joseph [M/W]atkins, Hall Sims

I, Milton K. Alexander, clerk of the county Commissioners court for Edgar county in the State of Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Gurdin Burnham for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & [private?] (no judicial seal being yet provided) this third --- day of June ----Anno Domini 1833
{signed} M. K. Alexander Clerk

The above named M. K. Alexander is known to me to be Clerk of the County Commissioners in the Court of Edgar County. — his certificate and attestation is in due form according to the laws of this state.
{signed} John M. Robinson, [Commi?] Ill June 18, 1833