Thomas
Burge was born circa 1628 in Prob. England.
1 He was the son of
Thomas Burge , Sr. and
Dorothy (?).
1 As of 8 November 1648, Thomas was also known as Thomas Burgis.
2 Thomas married first,
Elizabeth Basset, daughter of
William Bassett , Justice of Peace and
Elizabeth (?), on 8 November 1648 at Sandwich, Barnstable Co., MA, New England.
3,4,5 As of 7 May 1661, Thomas was also known as Thomas Burge , Jr..
6 Thomas Burge , Jr. posted a bond in the amount of 100 pounds, along with Ezra Perry [his brother-in-law] for fifty pounds, and his father , Thomas Sr., who posted fifty pounds, to guarantee the appearance of Thomas Jr. at the General Court to be held in Plymouth the "first Tusday in June next, to answare for a fact of vncleanes comitted by him." On 7 May 1661 at Court Of Assistants, Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA, New England.
7 He appeared before the court for to answer for the crime of Adultery. A transcription of the record follows:
Thomas Burge, Juni
r, being bound ouer to the Court to answare for an act of vncleanes comitted by him with Lydia Gaunt, hee was sentanced, according to the law, to bee seuerly whipt, which accordingly was enflicted whiles this Court was in being, and a 2
cond time to bee whipt att Sandwich, att the discretion of M
r Hinckley, on the first Munday in July next after the date heerof; and as concerning the capitall letters to be worne according to the law, it is for the psent respited vntill the Court shall descerne beter of his future walkeing.
And wheras Elizabeth, the late wife of the said Thomas Burge, did vrgently sollicite the Court for a diuorse, the said Thomas burge manifesting little dislike therof, and some if theire relations concurring therin, the Court, considering the nature of the fact, together with the pticulars mencioned, did see cause to graunt the said Elizabeth her desire, and therfore doe heerby declare, that henceforth they, the said Thomas and Elizabeth, are not to bee reputed husband and wife each to other, but are cleared of theire marriage bond, and are fully and clearly divorced; furthermore, the Court doth allow and determine, that the said Elizabeth, the late wife of the said Thomas Burge, shall haue and enjoy one pte of three [one-third] of all his estate, viz, lands, goods, and chattles, as her proper right foreuer; as alsoe, the said Thomas Burge consenting thervnto, att the same time the Court did allow her an old cotten bed and bolster, a pillow, a sheet, and two blanketts, that were with the paire of sheets, with some other smale thinges that are in Willam Bassetts hands, to the value of forty shillings. On 10 June 1661 at The General Court, Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA, New England.
6 He and Elizabeth
Burge were divorced on 10 June 1661 at General Court, Plymouth, Plymouth Co., MA, New England, This union produced no known children, and a divorce, being granted this date, is reputedly the first in Plymouth Colony, on the grounds of adultery, for which Thomas was whipped and forced to fofeit one third of his net worth.
8 Thomas married second,
Lydia Gaunt between 10 June 1661 and 1668 After Thomas' divorce from Elizabeth, he married Lydia Gaunt and they removed to Newport, RI., where their son, Thomas "III" was born, and who's youngest son, Nathaniel
4, eventually returned to Plymouth, then Duxbury. More information regarding this line is available upon request.
9 Thomas Burge died circa 1687 in Newport, RI, New England.
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