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Erastus Williams Burnham
Born: South Windsor, Connecticut, United StatesAmerican
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Erastus Williams Burnham
Born: South Windsor, ConnecticutAmerican
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Mary Devine
Birthplace unknown
Parents & spouse's parents
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Erastus W. Burnham
Born: South Windsor
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Emeline Parsons
Birthplace unknown
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Owen Devine
Birthplace unknown
Children
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Chas. Lee Burnham
Birthplace unknown
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Erastus D. Burnham
Born: South Windsor, Connecticut
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Emeline M. Burnham
Birthplace unknown
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Agnes C. Burnham
Birthplace unknown
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Henry E. Burnham
Birthplace unknown
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Frederick A. Burnham
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Owen W. Burnham
Birthplace unknown
The record, in order
birth to death · every line carries its source
Crew entry gives birthplace South Windsor, CT, residence South Windsor, CT.
“born South Windsor, CT, residence South Windsor, CT, citizenship USA, age 18”
American Offshore Whaling Crew Lists, New Bedford Whaling Museum,…
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
Married May 15, 1855 Mary Devine.
“married May 15, 1855 Mary Devine;”
Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, vol. v.1 · page not located
On May 15, 1855, Erastus William Burnham married Mary Devine.
“On May 15, 1855, Erastus William Burnham married Mary Devine”“On May 15, 1855, Erastus William Burnham married Mary Devine”
Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · p. 368 ↗↗
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
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
Crew list gives citizenship USA.
“citizenship USA, age 18, height 5 ft 6 in, skin Light, hair Light”
American Offshore Whaling Crew Lists, New Bedford Whaling Museum,…
Erastus W. Burnham served in the First Regt. Connecticut Heavy Artillery, in the Rebellion.
“Erastus W. Burnham served in the First Regt. Connecticut Heavy Artillery, in the Rebellion.”“Erastus W. Burnham served in the First Regt. Connecticut Heavy Artillery, in the Rebellion.”
Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, vol. v.1 · p. 233 ↗↗
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
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
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
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
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
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
He again enlisted, in the First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and served to the end of the war.
“he again enlisted, this time in the First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and served to the end of the war.”“he again enlisted, this time in the First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, and served to the end of the war.”
Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · p. 367 ↗↗
He was discharged on account of disability, in July of the following year.
“but was discharged on account of disability, in July of the following year.”“but was discharged on account of disability, in July of the following year.”
Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · p. 367 ↗↗
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
Burnham, Erastus W., Dec. 28, Discharged.
“Burnham, Erastus W. " Dec. 28, Discharged.”
Adjutant-General's Office · page not located
He died in that place, April 11, 1921.
“and died in that place, April 11, 1921.”“and died in that place, April 11, 1921.”
Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, vol. 8 · p. 367 ↗↗
Photos · 6 found






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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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
Name appears on 3 pages
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
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
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
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
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
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Searched— leads, by where we looked
Books5 queries · 25 hits · 15 relevant · 10 read
“"Erastus W. Burnham"”
- Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, the emigrant : who was among the early settlers at Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. America, and his descendants1884 · Internet Archiveread
- Midnight in America : darkness, sleep, and dreams during the Civil War2017 · Internet Archiverelevant
- Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, biographical--genealogical;1916 · Internet Archiveread
- Encyclopedia of Massachusetts, biographical--genealogical1916 · Internet Archiveread
- Real estate record and builders' guide [electronic resource]1888 · Internet Archiverelevant
“"Erastus Burnham" South Windsor”
- Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, the emigrant, who was among the early settlers at Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. America, and his descendants1884 · Internet Archiverelevant
- Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, the emigrant : who was among the early settlers at Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. America, and his descendants1884 · Internet Archiveread
- Midnight in America : darkness, sleep, and dreams during the Civil War2017 · Internet Archiverelevant
- The Burnham family; or, genealogical records of the descendants of the four emigrants of the name, who were among the early settlers in America1869 · Internet Archiveread
“"Burnham, Erastus W." Connecticut Heavy Artillery”
- History of the First Connecticut Artillery : and of the siege trains of the armies operating against Richmond, 1862-18651893 · Internet Archive
- 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 batteriesInternet Archiveread
“"Erastus Burnham" "Heavy Artillery" South Windsor”
- Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, the emigrant, who was among the early settlers at Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. America, and his descendants1884 · Internet Archiverelevant
- Genealogical records of Thomas Burnham, the emigrant : who was among the early settlers at Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. America, and his descendants1884 · Internet Archiveread
- Midnight in America : darkness, sleep, and dreams during the Civil War2017 · Internet Archive
- The Burnham family; or, genealogical records of the descendants of the four emigrants of the name, who were among the early settlers in America1869 · Internet Archiveread
- A genealogical and historical record of the descendants of John Pease, Sen.1869 · Internet Archive
- A genealogical and historical record of the descendants of John Pease, Sen.1869 · Internet Archive
- A genealogical and historical record of the descendants of John Pease, Sen., last of Enfield, Conn.1869 · Internet Archive
“"Burnham, Erastus W." Twelfth Connecticut”
- Catalogue of the Twelfth and Thirteenth regiments Connecticut volunteers1862 · Internet Archive
- The Twelfth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-18651889 · Internet Archiveread
- Catalogue of Connecticut volunteer organizations1864 · Internet Archive
- 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 batteriesInternet Archiveread
- Catalogue of Connecticut volunteer organizations1864 · Internet Archive
- History of the First Connecticut Artillery : and of the siege trains of the armies operating against Richmond, 1862-18651893 · Internet Archive
- The history of ancient Windsor1976 · Internet Archive
Newspapers1 query · 10 hits · 1 relevant · 0 read
“"Erastus W. Burnham" Holyoke · 1880–1921”
- Image 2 of The Republican journal (Belfast, Me.), February 25, 19091909 · Chronicling America
- Image 6 of Evening times-Republican (Marshalltown, Iowa), October 12, 19081908 · Chronicling America
- Image 6 of St. Johnsbury Caledonian (St. Johnsbury, Vt.), August 14, 19071907 · Chronicling America
- Image 6 of Deseret evening news (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]), May 21, 18901890 · Chronicling America
- Image 8 of St. Johnsbury Caledonian (St. Johnsbury, Vt.), August 26, 19081908 · Chronicling America
- Image 7 of The wageworker (Lincoln, Neb.), May 4, 19061906 · Chronicling America
- Image 5 of St. Johnsbury Caledonian (St. Johnsbury, Vt.), July 20, 19101910 · Chronicling America
- Image 12 of Springfield weekly Republican (Springfield, Mass.), May 25, 18941894 · Chronicling Americarelevant
- Image 9 of Vermont phœnix (Brattleboro, Vt.), June 8, 19001900 · Chronicling America
- Image 7 of Orleans County monitor (Barton, Vt.), December 30, 19081908 · Chronicling America
Crew lists2 queries · 2 hits · 0 relevant · 0 read
“Erastus Burnham”
- Erastus W. Brunham · Hannibal : 1851-18541851 · Whaling crew lists
“Erastus W. Burnham”
- Erastus W. Brunham · Hannibal : 1851-18541851 · Whaling crew lists
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