Submitted by a Decendent of; John Neer Burnham
In my records I have some photocopied pages from the family Bible for Lyman Burnham and Mary Elizabeth Neer that I'm sure will benefit some people: (the Bible was passed down through John Neer Burnham and he updated his parents and one brother's death information) In addition to basic information from the Bible, note the family's migration pattern...
Transcribed below:
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Births:
Lyman Burnham, Born Jan 21st, 1824 in Linesborough, N.H.
Mary Elizabeth Neer, Born Apr 16th, 1830 in Dearfield, N.York
Charlotte Ann Burnham, Born May 14th, 1849 in Florence N. York
William Calvin Burnham, Born Feb 8th, 1851 in Florence, N.York
James Elon Burnham, Born March 21st, 1853, in Florence NY
Eugene Everette Burnham, Born Nov 5th, 1855 in Florence N. York
Charles Sumner Burnham, Born Jan 1st, 1858 in Oneida, ILL
John Neer Burnham, Born Oct 4th, 1860 in Sparta, ILL
Edward Arthur Born Jan 27th, 1863 in Sparta, ILL
Minnie Eva Born May 9th, 1864 in Sparta, ILL
Margrett Elizabeth Born Sept 6th, 1865 in Sparta, ILL
Lily Mariah Born May 20th, 1869 in Mason T.S., Taylor C. Iowa
Ralph Carr Burnham, Born Sept 2nd, 1871 in Mason T.S.
Deaths:
Eugene Everett Burnham, Died Aug 23d, 1856 in Oneida, Knox Co. ILL
Edward Arthur Burnham, Died Feb 5th, 1863 in Sparta, Knox Co. ILL
Minnie Eva Died Aug 20th, 1864 in Sparta "
Lily Mariah Died Sept 27th, 1869 in Mason T.S.
Ralph Carr Died Oct 5th, 1871 in Mason Ts. Sp.
{different handwriting for the last three listings}
Lyman Burnham Died June 11th 1874 in Mason TsP
James Elin Burnham Died Aug 13th 1882 in Mason TsP
Mary Elizabeth Burnham Died aug 5th 1911 in Wichita, Kans
Marriages:
Lyman Burnham & Mary Elizabeth Neer, Was Maried Jan 20th 1848 by,
Revr Peter Gardner in Florence NY
Charlotte Ann Burnham was Married to James Whetstone in Mason T.S.
Taylor Co Iowa Dec 24th, 1868
Finally, in the front cover of the Bible (which, incidentally dates back to 1849!) there are two obituaries pasted:
"Asa A. Burnham Dead"
After a long illness Asa A. Burnham died at his home in Mason township
on Monday, January 27, 1902. The funeral services were held at the M.E.
church in New Market on Wednesday morning at 11 o'clock conducted by Rev.
Menoher? and the remains were laid to rest in the Memory cemetary. Mr.
Burnham was born in New Hampshire, August 1, 1821. In 1855 he moved to
Illinois and in 1868 to Iowa where he has resided ever since. He leaves
a wife and four children. Frank, William, Mrs. Daniel Pace?, who reside
in Mason township, and Mrs. Redrup of Crestou?. Mr. Burnham was a man liked
by all. To the family and relatives is extended the sympathy of the entire
community.
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In this town, 15th ?ult., Miss Lois J. Burnham, aged 20 years, five
months and 20 days. She indulged a hope in Christ during a season of special
religious interest last winter, and, together with other young converts,
united with the Baptist Church early in the spring. In the death of this
youthful disciple and member we have met with a great loss, but what is
our present loss is her
everlasting gain. During her long and lingering sickness, she manifested
great resignation and patience, never being heard to complain or murmur.
She clung to life, however, she wished to live, but when told she could
not, she cheerfully and calmly looked for and waited the approach of that
messenger who should release her from pain, and separate her from her loved
ones "that she might be with Christ, which was far better." Shortly before
her speech failed, she requested her father to read to her from the precious
word of God. A portion of Rev., descriptive of heaven, was read, to which
she listened with rapt attention. At its close she looked up to her father
with a smile, and exclaimed, "Father, that is heaven! I am going there,
father, and you are going there too." And she has gone there, and,
"Yet again we hope to meet her,
When the day of life is fled,
Then in heaven with joy to greet her
Where no farewell tear is shed."
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End of transcription.
Those researching this family may find it interesting to note a few
other findings from census data and grave listings
during this time:
-James Elin married a Melissa and had a son William b. 1879. Melissa died 28 Mar 1881 and is buried in Memory cemetary. When James died in 1882, son William apparently went to live with his uncle William Calvin Burnham as he is listed with this family in later Iowa census.
-Charlotte Ann had a son Arthur, b. 1871 by husband, James Whetstone listed in the family Bible, but in a later census, she is married to Wilson Hutchinson and had two children with him, Charles and Dillie.
-Parker and Hannah Burnham are listed with Lyman and Mary in the 1870
Iowa census
(Parker had just died in June that year at age 77 making his birth
around 1893)