Thomas M. Burgess

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]

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]

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]

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]

• Thomas M. Burgess at Find a Grave
• Mayors of the City of Providence