Mary (Covill) Burgess (abt. 1716 - 1771)

Born about 1716 in Harwich, Barnstable, Province of Massachusetts Bay [uncertain]

Ancestors

Wife of Thomas Burgess — married 28 Jul 1742 (to 17 Dec 1771) in Harwich, Barnstable, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Descendants

Died 17 Dec 1771 at about age 55 in Harwich, Barnstable, Province of Massachusetts Bay

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Biography

Mary Covill was born about 1716 based on her age 55 at death in Dec. 1771,^[1] the daughter of Ephraim and Mercy Covill.

She married Thomas Burgess on 28 July 1742 in Harwich, Barnstable, (then) Province of Massachusetts Bay.^[2]

Her father, Ephraim Covell of Harwich, yeoman, made his will dated 14 Jul 1749, proved 10 September 1753. He made bequests to his wife Mary Covell, four daughters Thankfull Nickerson, Sarah Nickerson, Mercy Burge, and Mary Burge. To his daughter Mary Burge he gave a parcel of land adjacent to that of her sister Thankful Nickerson, his dwelling house and barn, and his right in any land in the township of Harwich. He gave to her and her husband Thomas Burge his cart and wheels, plows, etc.^[3]

"Mrs. Mary Burges" died on 17 December 1771 in Harwich, in her 56th year, and was buried in the Harwich Centre Cemetery.^[4] A photograph of her gravestone can be viewed at Find A Grave: Memorial #94567843.

Children:

1. Nathaniel, b. ca. 1742
2. Thomas, b. ca. 1746
3. Jonathan, b. 1748
4. Covill, b. say 1750
5. Stephen, b. 1752
6. Mary, b. say 1755
7. Phillip, b. bef. Oct. 1757

Harwich Port lies on the south side of the town . It owes much of its growth to the fisheries and the coasting trade. There are many yet living who remember when the houses were few in num- ber and far apart. Records show that for many years before 1753 the territory upon which the village stands was held by Ephraim Covel, who lived near Grass pond; but at which date, he being dead, it was in possession of his daughters, viz.: Thankful, wife of Edward Nickerson; Sarah, wife of Benjamin Nickerson; Mercy, wife of Samuel Burgess; and Mary, wife of Thomas Burgess. Three of the above — Thankful, Mercy and Mary — were at that time living upon the tract, though not in what is now the village.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Findagrave.com Memorial #94567843
2. ↑ Louise H. Kelley & Dorothy Straw, Vital Records Town of Harwich, Massachusetts 1694-1850 (Harwich, MA: Harwich Historical Society, Inc., 1982), p. 92.

   "July 28 1742 Then Thomas Burge & Mary Covil both of Harwich ware Married in Harwich p Revd Nathl Stone."

3. ↑ Barnstable County Probate records, 1686-1894,Vol. 9:12
4. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 04 October 2018), memorial page for Mary Covill Burgess (1715–17 Dec 1771), Find A Grave: Memorial #94567843, citing First Congregational Church Cemetery, Harwich, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, USA ; Maintained by James Mayfield (contributor 47870338). (Includes gravestone photo)

   "Mrs. Mary Burges, wife of Mr. Thomas Burges, who died Decr. 17, 1771, in the 56 Year of her age."

5. ↑ Deyo, Simeon L., History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, (New York : Blake, 1890), "Town of Harwich "p. 855