2181. Henry Amsden," b. in Granby, Province of Quebec, Dec. 11, 1890; 2182. Clarence Thomas," b. Dec. 3, 1892; 2183. Paul Theodore," b. in Framingham, Mass., Dec. 1, 1894.

SENECA BRAGG BURR,' [2082] OF THOMASVILLE, GA.,

m. Fannie McLendon, of Griffin, Ga., in 1860.

Chil.:

2184. Hugh Emmett," d. in 1863; 2185. Eva Leila," d. in 1865; 2186. Mary Leila," b. 1867, d. 1887; 2187. Seneca B., Jr.," b. 1869; 2188. Fannie Clifford," b. 1872.

Mr. Burr, following the footsteps of his father, early engaged in newspaper work, having published the Macon Journal and Messenger, the Griffin Middle Georgian, Fort Valley Mirror, and more recently the Thomasville Times.

WALTER HUDSON BURR,' [2107] OF TORONTO, CAN.,

m. to Miss Blanche Boswell (dau. of Jacob A. and Mary Gilmore Boswell of Columbus, O.) at Toronto, June 5, 1890. One dau.:

2189. Delphine Boswell," b. Apr. 13, 1898.

DORCHESTER BRANCH.

R

REV. JONATHAN BURR.

EV. JOHNATHAN BURR, the founder of the third, or Dorchester branch of the family, was a clergyman of culture, piety, and rare eloquence, whose fame was in all the churches, and whose lineage and history are given in detail both by Gov. Winthrop and in the pages of that quaint and famous biographer, Rev. Cotton Mather.

He was born in the parish of Redgrave, County of Suffolk, England, in 1604 (see Mather and Savage), and according to an entry in the parish register of Redgrave, was baptized Aug. 12, 1604, as son of Joseph Burr.* He was entered at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in 1623 and grad. in 1627. At this period in his career "the death of his father called him into the country much sooner than he would have gone" (that is, he desired to continue in post-graduate study at the university). Here he taught school for a while, then preached at Horniger, near Bury, in Suffolk, and afterward for several years at Rickingshall. This living was in the jurisdiction of the famous Archbishop Laud.

Unfortunately for Mr. Burr-in one sense-he had adopted far more liberal opinions than pleased that zealous prelate, and not being able to preach there as his conscience demanded, he determined, after a long struggle, to emigrate to America, then a common refuge for persons in like difficulties. Accordingly, early in 1639, he sailed for the New World with his wife Frances, and three children-Johnathan, John, and Simon †; and on his arrival in Boston, proceeded at once to Dorchester, where we find him signing the (Presbyterian) church covenant in December, 1639.

*For this information I am indebted to Rev. R. D. Wilson, Rector of Redgrave, Eng. The researches of Dr. Chauncey R. Burr establish the fact that he was the son of Richard Burre, who was bapt. at Great Canfield, 1553, as son of Symonde Burre, of Great Canfield. Rev. Jonathan was bapt. Apr. 12, 1604, was B.A. Benet College, Cambridge, 1624, and M.A. 1627.

Dr. Chauncey R. Burr is of opinion at this writing (1901) that Simon Burr was a cousin, and not the son, of the Rev. Jonathan, but is not so certain of the fact as to wish to state it over his own signature.

His piety, zeal, and eloquence were soon discovered by the church, which invited him to settle with them as a colleague of their then pastor, Rev. Richard Mather, an eminent preacher, and, if we mistake not, the grandfather of Rev. Cotton Mather.

He accepted the call, but before being ordained, a difficulty in regard to some points of doctrine arose between him and his colleague, Mr. Mather, the precise nature of which is stated by Gov. Winthrop as follows: "The church of Dorchester being furnished with a very godly and able Pastor, one Mr. Mather, and having invited to them one Mr. Burr, who had been a minister in England, and of very good report there for piety and learning, with intent to call him also to office, after he was received a member in their church and had given good proofs of his gifts and godliness to the satisfaction of the church, gave him a call to office, which deferring to accept in the meantime, he delivered some points savoring of familism, wherein the church desiring satisfaction, and he not so free to give it as was meet, it was agreed that Mr. Mather and he should confer together, and so the church should be informed wherein the difficulty lay.

"Accordingly Mr. Burr wrote his judgment on the points in difference in such manner, and terms, as from some of his propositions, there could be no other gathered but that he was erroneous; but this was again qualified in other parts as might admit of a charitable construction. Mr. Mather reports to the church, the errors which might be collected, without mentioning the qualifications, or acquainting Mr. Burr with it beforehand.”

When this was published Mr. Burr disclaimed the errors, and Mr. Mather maintained them from his writings, whereupon the church was divided, some joining with the one, and some with the other, so that it grew to some heat and alienation, but all in vain. In the end they agreed to call in help from other churches, so this day there was a meeting at Dorchester, of the Governor and ten of the elders of neighboring churches, and after four days spent they gave in their judgment, which was in effect that both Mr. Mather and Mr. Burr had “cause for humility," and advised a reconciliation.* This advice was heeded, and in Feb., 1640, he was settled as colleague with Mr. Mather. Shortly after, Aug. 9, 1641 (before reaching the maturity of his powers), this good man died, according to Dr. Harris, of Dorchester, from a debility following small-pox.

In regard to Mr. Burr's personal traits and habits, many interesting facts are given by Rev. Cotton Mather, in Book III. of his Magnalia Christi, and they are here presented as of interest to the family. "This gracious man was indeed a very humble man, and his humility carried him even to dejection of spirit. Once preaching abroad he was instant in

*See Winthrop's History of New England, vol. ii., p. 27.