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Erastus Williams Burnham

Born: South Windsor, Connecticut, United StatesAmerican

Searched as “Erastus Burnham”

b. 1834 or 1851 · South Windsor, Connecticutd. 1921American · “citizenship USA” · American Offshore Whaling Crew Lists, New Bedford Whaling Museum,…
birth recorddeath recordmarriage 1855military service4 books · 6 pagesno newspaper match
12
relatives
7
sources
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You selected Civil War Veteran (Union / Confederate) and New Englander. Likely Deep New England and maritime.

Inferred means a record supports it. Possible is a hint you can dismiss. You selected is what the search was asked to follow. A heritage is not put on a person without that selection or a record.

Military / Veteran

  • Civil War Veteran (Union / Confederate)

Regional

  • Deep New Englander
  • New Englander

Occupation

  • Maritime / shipping

Step 1
Identity

Step 2
Vital records

Step 3
Family

Step 4
Archives

Step 5
Report

Step 5 of 5 · Report

lineage assembly. Citations on every claim. An uncited sentence stops the report. Step note: the previous stage took 31ms.

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Parents & spouse's parents
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Erastus Williams Burnham

Born: South Windsor, ConnecticutAmerican

b. 1834 or 1851 · South Windsor, Connecticut

d. 1921 · place unknown

American

1834–1921

Settle the conflict · 80 cr

Erastus W. Burnham

Born: South Windsor

b. 1810 · South Windsor

d. 1854 · place unknown

✓ birth ✓ death ✓ 1 book

Dive deeper · 40 cr

Emeline Parsons

Birthplace unknown

b. 1813 · place unknown

d. —

✓ birth ✓ marriage ✓ 1 book no death record

Dive deeper · 40 cr

Owen Devine

Birthplace unknown

b. before 1805 · place unknown

d. —

✓ 1 book no birth record · no death record

Dive deeper · 40 cr

Mary Devine

Birthplace unknown

b. 1832 · place unknown

d. —

✓ birth ✓ marriage ✓ 1 book no death record

Dive deeper · 40 cr

Chas. Lee Burnham

Birthplace unknown

b. 1858 · place unknown

d. —

✓ birth ✓ 1 book no death record

Dive deeper · 40 cr

Erastus D. Burnham

Born: South Windsor, Connecticut

b. 1871 · South Windsor, Connecticut

d. —

✓ birth ✓ 2 books no death record

Dive deeper · 40 cr

Emeline M. Burnham

Birthplace unknown

b. 1860 · place unknown

d. —

✓ birth ✓ 1 book no death record

Dive deeper · 40 cr

Agnes C. Burnham

Birthplace unknown

b. 1862 · place unknown

d. —

✓ birth ✓ 2 books no death record

Dive deeper · 40 cr

Henry E. Burnham

Birthplace unknown

b. 1864 · place unknown

d. 1864 · place unknown

✓ birth ✓ death ✓ 2 books

Dive deeper · 40 cr

Frederick A. Burnham

Birthplace unknown

b. 1866 · place unknown

d. —

✓ birth ✓ 2 books no death record

Dive deeper · 40 cr

Owen W. Burnham

Birthplace unknown

b. 1857 · place unknown

d. —

✓ birth ✓ 1 book no death record

Dive deeper · 40 cr
You & spouse
  • Erastus Williams Burnham

    Born: South Windsor, ConnecticutAmerican

    b. 1834 or 1851 · South Windsor, Connecticut

    d. 1921 · place unknown

    American

    1834–1921

    Settle the conflict · 80 cr
  • Mary Devine

    Birthplace unknown

    b. 1832 · place unknown

    d. —

    ✓ birth ✓ marriage ✓ 1 book no death record

    Dive deeper · 40 cr
Parents & spouse's parents
  • Erastus W. Burnham

    Born: South Windsor

    b. 1810 · South Windsor

    d. 1854 · place unknown

    ✓ birth ✓ death ✓ 1 book

    Dive deeper · 40 cr
  • Emeline Parsons

    Birthplace unknown

    b. 1813 · place unknown

    d. —

    ✓ birth ✓ marriage ✓ 1 book no death record

    Dive deeper · 40 cr
  • Owen Devine

    Birthplace unknown

    b. before 1805 · place unknown

    d. —

    ✓ 1 book no birth record · no death record

    Dive deeper · 40 cr
Children
  • Chas. Lee Burnham

    Birthplace unknown

    b. 1858 · place unknown

    d. —

    ✓ birth ✓ 1 book no death record

    Dive deeper · 40 cr
  • Erastus D. Burnham

    Born: South Windsor, Connecticut

    b. 1871 · South Windsor, Connecticut

    d. —

    ✓ birth ✓ 2 books no death record

    Dive deeper · 40 cr
  • Emeline M. Burnham

    Birthplace unknown

    b. 1860 · place unknown

    d. —

    ✓ birth ✓ 1 book no death record

    Dive deeper · 40 cr
  • Agnes C. Burnham

    Birthplace unknown

    b. 1862 · place unknown

    d. —

    ✓ birth ✓ 2 books no death record

    Dive deeper · 40 cr
  • Henry E. Burnham

    Birthplace unknown

    b. 1864 · place unknown

    d. 1864 · place unknown

    ✓ birth ✓ death ✓ 2 books

    Dive deeper · 40 cr
  • Frederick A. Burnham

    Birthplace unknown

    b. 1866 · place unknown

    d. —

    ✓ birth ✓ 2 books no death record

    Dive deeper · 40 cr
  • Owen W. Burnham

    Birthplace unknown

    b. 1857 · place unknown

    d. —

    ✓ birth ✓ 1 book no death record

    Dive deeper · 40 cr

The record, in order

birth to death · every line carries its source

EventdocumentedErastus Burnham

He served on the police force in Hong Kong, China, in 1853.

“He served on the police force in Hong Kong, China, in 1853”

Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · page not located

MilitarydocumentedErastus Burnham

When the Civil War broke out he enlisted, January, 1862

“When the Civil War broke out he enlisted, January, 1862”

Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · page not located

MilitarydocumentedErastus Burnham

Burnham, Erastus W., South Windsor, Jan. 5, 1864, Mustered out Sept. 25, '65, Washington, D. C.

“Burnham, Erastus W. South Windsor, Jan. 5, 1864 Mustered out Sept. 25, '65, Washington, D. C.”

Adjutant-General's Office · page not located

EventdocumentedErastus Burnham

He received his education in the public schools of his native district.

“He received his education in the public schools of his native district”

Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · page not located

EventdocumentedErastus Burnham

His religious affiliation was with the Second Advent Church, of South Windsor.

“His religious affiliation was with the Second Advent Church, of South Windsor.”

Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · page not located

EventdocumentedErastus Burnham

At seventeen he went to sea, shipping on a whaling vessel for three years.

“when seventeen years of age went to sea, shipping on a whaling vessel for a period of three years.”

Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · page not located

EventdocumentedErastus Burnham

He learned the trade of moulder in a brass foundry in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

“learned the trade of moulder in a brass foundry in Holyoke, Massachusetts.”

Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · page not located

EventdocumentedErastus Burnham

After the war he purchased a tobacco farm at South Windsor, Connecticut, which he managed for sixteen years.

“he purchased a tobacco farm at South Windsor, Connecticut, which he managed for sixteen years.”

Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · page not located

EventdocumentedErastus Burnham

He was severely wounded in the battle of the Crater, at Petersburgh.

“was severely wounded in the battle of the Crater, at Petersburgh.”

Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · page not located

EventdocumentedErastus Burnham

He entered the employ of Wood & Keeney, in their paper mill, and later the Parsons Paper Mills.

“he entered the employ of Wood & Keeney, in their paper mill, and subsequently for a time he was employed in the Parsons Paper Mills.”

Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · page not located

MilitarydocumentedErastus Burnham

Burnham, Erastus W., Dec. 28, Discharged.

“Burnham, Erastus W. " Dec. 28, Discharged.”

Adjutant-General's Office · page not located

Photos · 6 found

His entry, p. 367
documentedHis entry, p. 367Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8Internet Archive scan · public domain (published 1916)
Page naming him, p. 368
documentedPage naming him, p. 368Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8Internet Archive scan · public domain (published 1916)
Page naming him, p. 172
documentedPage naming him, p. 172Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, vol. v.1Internet Archive scan · public domain (published 1884)
Page naming him, p. 195
documentedPage naming him, p. 195Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, vol. v.1Internet Archive scan · public domain (published 1884)
His entry, p. 233
documentedHis entry, p. 233Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, vol. v.1Internet Archive scan · public domain (published 1884)
Page naming him, p. 6
documentedPage naming him, p. 6Adjutant General's OfficeInternet Archive scan · public domain (published 1861)

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Read the 10 newspaper pages already found

1 search returned 10 newspaper pages that have not been read.

You'll need to ask

Civil War pension file — National Archives

His service is documented (Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, vol. v.1, p. 233). If he or a widow applied for a pension, the full file holds sworn affidavits about the household, who was alive and where — often 40 to 100 pages. Ask for the full file, not the index card.

Ask for: Full pension file (NATF Form 85D)

Cite: Erastus Williams Burnham; the First Regt. Connecticut Heavy Artillery

Read the draft
To: National Archives and Records Administration

Dear archivist,

I am researching Erastus Williams Burnham and would be grateful for copies of: Full pension file (NATF Form 85D).
Identifying details: Erastus Williams Burnham; the First Regt. Connecticut Heavy Artillery.

Please let me know any fee before copying, and whether you prefer a request by post or email.

With thanks,
[your name]
[your address]

Connecticut State Library, Hartford

His regiment was raised in Connecticut (Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, vol. v.1, p. 233). The state holds the service records; the regimental descriptive books give age, height, eye colour, occupation and birthplace at enlistment.

Ask for: Service record and regimental descriptive book entry for the First Regt. Connecticut Heavy Artillery

Cite: Erastus Williams Burnham

Read the draft
To: Connecticut State Library, Hartford

Dear archivist,

I am researching Erastus Williams Burnham and would be grateful for copies of: Service record and regimental descriptive book entry for the First Regt. Connecticut Heavy Artillery.
Identifying details: Erastus Williams Burnham.

Please let me know any fee before copying, and whether you prefer a request by post or email.

With thanks,
[your name]
[your address]

New Bedford Whaling Museum / Mystic Seaport

The crew list places him on a whaling voyage (American Offshore Whaling Crew Lists, New Bedford Whaling Museum,…). The shipping articles and the logbook for that voyage name ports, dates and often the crew's conduct.

Ask for: Shipping articles and logbook

Cite: Erastus Williams Burnham

Read the draft
To: New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library; Mystic Seaport Museum Collections Research Center

Dear archivist,

I am researching Erastus Williams Burnham and would be grateful for copies of: Shipping articles and logbook.
Identifying details: Erastus Williams Burnham.

Please let me know any fee before copying, and whether you prefer a request by post or email.

With thanks,
[your name]
[your address]

Second Advent Church, South Windsor

His religious affiliation is documented (Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8, p. 368). Church registers often predate civil registration and record baptisms, marriages and burials.

Ask for: Membership rolls, baptisms, marriages and burial records

Cite: Erastus Williams Burnham

Opens your email with the request written. Add the archive's address.

Read the draft
To: Second Advent Church, South Windsor

Dear archivist,

I am researching Erastus Williams Burnham and would be grateful for copies of: Membership rolls, baptisms, marriages and burial records.
Identifying details: Erastus Williams Burnham.

Please let me know any fee before copying, and whether you prefer a request by post or email.

With thanks,
[your name]
[your address]

Sources

7 cited · 37 searched · 8 queries

Cited— these produced claims

American Historical Society. Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, biographical--genealogical;, vol. 8. New York, Boston [etc.] The American historical society (inc.), 1916-[2(5])

Internet Archive · encyclopediaofma08amer

31 claimsdeathmarriagemilitary ×5event ×24
Name appears on 2 pages
  • p. 367 · entry“(VII) Erastus William Burnham, son of Erastus W. and Emeline (Parsons) Burnham, was born at South Windsor, Connecticut, April 28, 1834, and died in that place, April 11, 1921. He received his education in the public schools of his native district, and when seventeen years of age went to sea, shipping on a whaling vessel for a period of three years. He served on the police force in Hong Kong, China, in 1853, and saw Commodore Perry's fleet on its memorable voyage to Japan in 1854, when the "open door" was secured in”↗
  • p. 368 · mention“receiving a daily wage of $1,873/2. He remained there from 1883 to 1899, at which latter date he was receiving $3.50 per day. He finally decided to again make a radical change and returned to South Windsor, where he engaged in farming and tobacco growing and con- tinued thus to the time of his death. He was a member of the First Hose Com- pany, in Holyoke, and took an active in- terest in the public affairs of the various communities in which he lived. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public, in Manche”↗

Burnham, Roderick H. (Roderick Henry). Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, the emigrant : who was among the early settlers at Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. America, and his descendants, vol. v.1. Hartford, Connecticut : Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co. Print, 1884

Internet Archive · genealogicalreco01burn

20 claimsbirthmarriage ×3military ×3event ×13
Name appears on 3 pages
  • p. 172 · mention“61. Erastus Burnham, (son of David™, gdson of David1* , grgd son”↗
  • p. 195 · mention“158 Erastus W., b. Apr. 28, 1834, m. May 15, 1855 Mary Devine, d.”↗
  • p. 233 · entry“Erastus W. Burnham served in the First Regt. Connecticut Heavy Artillery, in the Rebellion.”↗

American Offshore Whaling Crew Lists, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Nantucket Historical Association, and Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc. (CC BY 4.0), crew entry AE061341029, Hannibal : 1851-1854, list dated 1851-Jun-21

Whaling History (New Bedford Whaling Museum, Nantucket Historical Association, Mystic Seaport Museum) · AE061341029

10 claimsbirth ×3militaryevent ×6

Connecticut. Adjutant-General's Office. Catalogue of Connecticut volunteer organizations : (infantry, cavalry, and artillery,) in the service of the United States, 1861-1865, with additional enlistments, casualties, &c., &c., and brief summaries, showing the operations and service of the several regiments and batteries. Hartford : Brown & Gross, 1869

Internet Archive · connecticutvolorg00catarich

4 claimsmilitary ×4

Erastus Burnham - CAO: Powered by ArcLight and hosted at Western CT State University Search Results. https://archives.library.wcsu.edu/caoSearch/catalog?q=Erastus+Burnham (retrieved 2026-10-27)

archives.library.wcsu.edu

3 claimsmilitaryevent ×2

Connecticut. Adjutant General's Office. [from old catalog]. The Twelfth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. Hartford, Press of the Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co., 1889

Internet Archive · twelfthregimentc00conn

1 claimmilitary
Name appears on 1 page
  • p. 6 · mention“Barker, John Barnes, William H. Bartlett, Thomas Barrett, Edward S. Bell, William E. Bidwell, Henry E. Billings, Oscar N. Bishop, Austin Brookman, James Brown, John W. Burke, John Burnham, Erastus W. Carlan, John Clark, Dallas Clark, William H. Coats, Henry Constantine, Charles J. Cook, John (colored) Cooley, James R. Curry, Phillip Daley, James Dickinson, Samuel Donehue, John”↗

Family story recorded with the pass for Erastus Burnham

Family

1 claimevent

Searched— leads, by where we looked

Books5 queries · 25 hits · 15 relevant · 10 read

“"Erastus Burnham" "Heavy Artillery" South Windsor”

“"Burnham, Erastus W." Twelfth Connecticut”

Newspapers1 query · 10 hits · 1 relevant · 0 read
Crew lists2 queries · 2 hits · 0 relevant · 0 read

“Erastus Burnham”

“Erastus W. Burnham”

Read the report

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