Thomas Burke

Sudbury was settled starting about 1638 by a handful of hearty souls. Their names are listed in the book, "The History of Sudbury, Massachusetts, 1638 - 1889." I didn't see anyone with the last name of "Burk" listed among the first settlers. However, there is a Richard Burk mentioned on page 257 (1676). Thomas was born in Sudbury, son of Richard Burke and Mary Parmenter. His parent's marriage was recorded in Sudbury vital records: Burke, Richard and Mary Parmenter. June 24, 1670. MR Previous to this marriage record, according to a family history written on the subject of Richard Burke and his descendants (The Burke and Alvord Memorial), nothing is known about Richard. He was probably born about 1640 (where?) and owned land in both Sudbury and Stow. He bought land in Sudbury in 1670 and in Stow in 1685. His family is listed on page 14 and 15, including six known children: Richard, John, Joseph, Mary, Jonas, and Thomas. After his father's death, Thomas was mentioned in a document where he received his land inheritance from his father. The above-referenced book lists in detail in Appendix A documents related to his father Richard's estate. Five siblings can be found in Sudbury vital records: BURK/BUCK Richard, s. Richard and Mary, Apr. 16, 1671. MR Joseph, ch. Richard and Mary, Apr. 1, 1676. MR Mary, ch. Richard and Mary, Sept. 25, 1680. MR Jonas, s. Richard and Mary, June 11, 1683. Thomas, s. Richard and Mary, Nov. 1, 1686. MR Although Thomas is not listed here, he is listed in The Burke and Alvord Memorial on pages 18 and 19. This source supplies a birthdate of 1 November, 1686, as well as a death date of 29 April 1753. According to this source, his wife was Mercy Parmenter, daughter of Benjamin and Thomasine Rice, and they had at least two children: Mercy and Thomas. His marriage record can be found in Sudbury vital records: Burk, Thomas and Marcy Parminter, May 1, 1718. The following birth records can also be found in Sudbury vital records: Burk, Marcy, d. Thomas and Marcy, Mar. 23, 1718-19. Burk, Thomas, s. Thomas and Mercy, June 13, 1727. His wife's dead can also be found in Sudbury vital records; Mercy, w. Thomas, June 25, 1761. At one point, the family likely moved to Stow. The following death records can be found in Stow vital records: Burk, Thomas, husband of Marcey, 29 April 1753. Burt, Marcey, widow, 25 June 1761.