Thomas Mackie Burgess (June 6, 1806 – October 17, 1856) was an American politician. He served as second mayor of Providence, Rhode Island from 1841 to 1852.
Thomas Mackie Burgess | |
|---|---|
 Thomas M. Burgess | |
| 2nd Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island | |
| In office February 1841 – June 1852 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel W. Bridgham |
| Succeeded by | Amos C. Barstow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 6, 1806 Providence, Rhode Island |
| Died | October 17, 1856 (aged 50) Providence, Rhode Island |
| Resting place | North Burial Ground, Providence |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Eliza Howard |
| Alma mater | Brown University |
| Known for | Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island |
Early life edit
Burgess was born in Providence and graduated Brown University, class of 1822. After graduation, he began to study law, but abandoned this pursuit to become a successful merchant.[1]
Political career edit
When Providence became a city in 1832, Burgess was elected one of the original members of the Providence Common Council.[2] On the death of the first mayor, Samuel W. Bridgham, in February 1841, Burgess was elected his successor and re-elected annually until 1852.
He was mayor during the Dorr Rebellion (1841–42), a violent free-suffrage movement that promoted voting rights for all men regardless of property ownership. This was a turbulent time when Rhode Island had two separate governors vying to run the state concurrently.[2]
Railroad career edit
Burgess was president of the Providence, Warren and Bristol Railroad Company.[1] And/or he served as the President of the Boston and Providence Railroad Company.[2][3]
Personal life edit
Burgess enjoyed spending winters in Charleston, South Carolina, where he made many lifelong friends.[1]
He married Eliza Howard of Providence in 1831.[1]
Was paralyzed by stroke about two and a half years before his death, then died of a second stroke. He died at his residence, 108 South Main Street, Providence, October 17, 1856.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e The Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island. Providence, RI: National Biographical Publishing Company. 1881. pp. 352–353.
- ^ a b c "Mayors of the City of Providence". City of Providence website. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
- ^ Greene, Welcome Arnold (1886). The Providence Plantations for 250 Years. Providence, RI: J.A. & R.A. Reid. p. 103.
