Thomas M. Burgess

Thomas Mackie Burgess (June 6, 1806 – October 17, 1856) was an American politician. He served as second mayor of Providence, Rhode Island from 1841 to 1852.

Thomas Mackie Burgess
Thomas M. Burgess
2nd Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island
In office
February 1841 – June 1852
Preceded bySamuel W. Bridgham
Succeeded byAmos C. Barstow
Personal details
Born(1806-06-06)June 6, 1806
Providence, Rhode Island
DiedOctober 17, 1856(1856-10-17) (aged 50)
Providence, Rhode Island
Resting placeNorth Burial Ground, Providence
Political partyWhig
Spouse(s)Eliza Howard
Alma materBrown University
Known forMayor of Providence, Rhode Island

Early life

Burgess was born in Providence and graduated Brown University, class of 1822. After graduation, he began to study law, but abandoned this pursuit to become a successful merchant.[1]

Political career

When Providence became a city in 1832, Burgess was elected one of the original members of the Providence Common Council.[2] On the death of the first mayor, Samuel W. Bridgham, in February 1841, Burgess was elected his successor and re-elected annually until 1852.

He was mayor during the Dorr Rebellion (1841–42), a violent free-suffrage movement that promoted voting rights for all men regardless of property ownership. This was a turbulent time when Rhode Island had two separate governors vying to run the state concurrently.[2]

Railroad career

Burgess was president of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad Company.[1] And/or he served as the President of the Boston and Providence Railroad Company.[2][3]

Personal life

Burgess enjoyed spending winters in Charleston, South Carolina, where he made many lifelong friends.[1]

He married Eliza Howard of Providence in 1831.[1]

Was paralyzed by stroke about two and a half years before his death, then died of a second stroke. He died at his residence, 108 South Main Street, Providence, October 17, 1856.[1]

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gollark: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, and also COVID-19 and rioting.
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References
  1. The Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island. Providence, RI: National Biographical Publishing Company. 1881. pp. 352–353.
  2. "Mayors of the City of Providence". City of Providence website. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  3. Greene, Welcome Arnold (1886). The Providence Plantations for 250 Years. Providence, RI: J.A. & R.A. Reid. p. 103.
Political offices
Preceded by
Samuel W. Bridgham		 Mayor of Providence
1841–1852		 Succeeded by
Amos C. Barstow
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