Thomas Burgess was born about 1603 in Truro, co. Cornwall, England. Joe Burgess lists as about 1602. He was a Massachusetts Deputy between 1642 and 1668. He was a Member of Militia in 1643. He signed the following will on 4 Apr 1684.

WILL OF THOMAS BURGESS.

The orthography slightly amended.
I, Thomas Burgess, Senr., of Sandwich, being through God's goodness full of years, and waiting for my change, and yet having my understanding remaining with me,--blessed be God,--and also through God's great goodness being possessed of a competent outward estate, do now on serious consideration make this my last Will and Testament, touching the disposal of my estate after my dear wife and myself be decently buried, and all necessary charges defrayed, and all debts paid, the remaining part I give as followeth:

Item. I give unto my eldest son, Thomas Burgess, of Rhode Island, five pounds out of my movable estate, to be paid by my executors after our decease.

Item. I give unto my son, Jacob Burgess, upon good consideration, all my house-lot, dwelling-house, barn and out-houses, all my upland on both sides of the cartway, all that belongs to my homestead dwelling. I also give him all my meadow that I have lying below Michael Blackwell's dwelling-house on both sides of Scussett river, for him my said son Jacob Burgess to enjoy, use and possess during his natural life; and after his decease I give the said dwelling-house, barn and all the forementioned lands, both upland and meadow, to his son Thomas Burgess, my grandson, to him and his heirs forever. But if my said grandson die without heirs, then my will is that the said house and lands above-mentioned shall return to the next heir of my son, Jacob Burgess. I give also to my said son, Jacob Burgess, all my land lying near and adjacent to Thomas Tupper's lands below the cartway, having Mr. Freeman's land on the western side. These I give to him upon this condition, that he, my said son Jacob Burgess, pay or cause to be paid unto my grandson Thomas Burgess, son of my son John Burgess, ten pounds in good pay, to be made to him my grandson, at twenty-three years of age.

Item. I give unto my son, Joseph Burgess, the first and second lots that adjoin his other lands near his house, if my said son accept of them so as to pay unto my son, John Burgess, five pounds; but if my son Joseph refuse said lands upon such terms, as to pay said five pounds as aforesaid, then my will is that said land return to my son, Ezra Perry, and that he perform the condition,--I mean by two lots, those lots that were once * * *; then I give them: I give to my said son, Ezra Perry, all my other lands that lie above the said two lots, for him to enjoy forever, the which lands I bought of Mr. Edward Freeman, Jr.

Item. I give to my dear wife all my movable estate, to be at her own disposing at her decease. I mean chattels of all sorts that I may have.

And I do appoint and ordain my son, Ezra Perry, and my son, Jacob Burgess, to be my Executors to see this my last Will performed, as I witness under my hand and seal, this fourth day of April, 1684.

THOMAS BURGESS.
Witness--
Thomas Tupper,
Martha Tupper--


He died in Sandwich, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts, the date given as follows:

   13 Feb 1685 
   23 Feb 1685 
   27 Feb 1685

He was buried on 23 Feb 1685 in Old Town Cemetery, Sandwich, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. His estate was probated on 5 Mar 1685. He was married to Dorothy Waynes in 1628 in Chester-le-Street, Tanfield, co. Durham, England.

Dorothy Waynes was born between 1605 and 1608 in Earls, Barton, co. Northampton, England. She died on 27 Feb 1687 in Sandwich, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. Long says 1677. She was buried in Old Town Cemetery, Sandwich, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. Children were:

i. Thomas Burgess Jr. was born about 1627. He died about 1687 in Newport, Newport Co., Rhode Island.
ii. John Burgess.
iii. Elizabeth Burgess was born about 1629. She died on 26 Sep 1717 in Sandwich, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts.
iv. Jacob Burgess was born between 1631 and 1636. He died on 17 Mar 1719 in Sandwich, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts.
v. Joseph Burgess was born in 1637 in Sandwich, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. "Plymouth Families..." says 1639. He died in Aug 1695 in Rochester, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.