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     William Potter was born on 23 February 1738 in Cranston, Providence Co., Rhode Island.¹ He was married first, by James Harris, Justice, to Mary Burlingame, daughter of Stephen Burlingame and Mary Burlingame, on 25 October 1761 in Cranston, Providence Co., Rhode Island.^2,1 He married second Mary Steere on 28 December 1777.¹ He married third Deborah Seamans on 4 November 1792.¹ He died on 11 July 1798 in Scituate, Providence Co., Rhode Island, at age 60.¹
     He was a farmer in Scituate, Providence Co., Rhode Island.¹ He and his first wife Mary had the following known children: William (b 2 August 1763, d 2 June 1767), Mary (b 23 July 1766, d 20 April 1842), Asahel (b 9 January 1768, d 26 September 1848), twins Phebe (b 7 November 1771, d 10 September 1772) and Sarah (b 7 November 1771, d 6 June 1810), William Jr. (b 27 June 1774, d 23 February 1861), Caleb (b 24 December 1775, d 2 February 1800).¹

     Roger Burlingham was born say 1635 in Kent Co., England.^1,3,4 According to the Burlingham Manuscript, he married Mary Lippitt, daughter of John Lippitt and Martha (?), on 3 October 1663 in Warwick, Rhode Island. However, Jacox says that the "most recent information from Nelson Burlingame" names Roger's wife as Mary Barlingstone, William Barlingstone's daughter, not his widow Mary (Lippitt) Barlingstone, and Doherty agrees.^1,4,3 He died on 1 September 1718 in Mashantatack, Providence Co., Rhode Island.^1,3
     He was also known as Roger Burlingame, an apparent corruption of the original English name Burlingham. After he came to Rhode Island, his name appears in both forms. Over time, most family members adopted the name Burlingame.¹
     It should be noted that the birth date given for him, especially online, is most likely incorrect. According to the Nelson Burlingame manuscript, he was born in 1620 and originally married Jacolyn Huntingdon about 1646 in England, and they had a son Roger Jr., born 1648 in Coventry, England. Jacolyn died about 1650 in England. The son Roger Jr. married Mary Elizabeth (--?--), who was born in 1651 in England. She died giving birth to an unnamed son on 8 July 1672 in Mashantatack, Rhode Island, who also died the same day. Roger Jr. died on 10 February 1678 in Mashantatack.
     The Burlingame Manuscript goes on to say that Roger Sr. had enlisted in the British army at age 16 (about 1636), serving in his uncle Roger Burlingham's regiment, and eventually became a captain. His company was sent to America, landing at Boston, Massachusetts, on 10 May 1650. Soon thereafter he resigned his commission and went to Connecticut, intending to buy a farm and send for his wife Jacolyn and son Roger Jr. in England, not knowing that Jacolyn had died.⁵
     However, based on his military service in 1697 and the dates of his early land purchases (see below), in the Burlingame Genealogy Henry Allen Burlingame suggests a birth date of about 1638 on the assumption that he was under 60 in 1697, since the normal age range for military service eligibility at that time was from 16 to 60.⁶ Doherty and Jacox also say he was born about 1638. Even if we assume the upper age limit of 60 wasn't always enforced, a birth date of 1632-1638 seems more likely than 1620. If true, this would also mean that he couldn't have joined the British crmy in 1636, married Jacolyn Huntingdon in 1646, had a son in 1648, or come to America as a captain in the British army in 1650.⁷
     Jacox also hints that Roger Burlingham's father may have been George Burlingham. As noted in both Jacox and the Nelson Burlingame manuscript, Hotten's The Original Lists of Persons of Quality lists George Burlingham, age 20, as a passenger on the merchant ship Bonaventure, leaving London for Virginia 2 January 1634.⁸ Both also say there are no further records of him. However, Jacox says that according to family tradition, he married, and most of his family was killed by Indians, with only a son named Roger and an unknown daughter surviving.
     On 16 February 1656 Roger Burlingham and Thomas Griffian bought 100 acres of land on the east side of "the brooke called misticke" in Pequot (now New London), Rhode Island, from Peter Blatchford for £40. The property was sold on 1 March 1659 to William Thompson, and on 14 March 1659 Thompson filed a complaint against a "Thomas Burlingham," charging him with gathering the crops on this farm. But, there is no other record of a Thomas Burlingham at this date. It may have been Thomas Griffian, named Burlingham by mistake.¹
     On 23 June 1662, and again on 13 May 1663, he bought land from the Cooweeseette Indians. The site of his home is "about one and one-half miles northwesterly from the Oak Lawn Depot, Cranston, Rhode Island." He built a 2 1/2 story "Mansion House" about 1666, measuring about 35 by 60 feet.¹
     On 7 March 1663, Tollarton Harris testified in court that on 12 July 1662 he saw Samuel Gorton, George Goff, Roger Burlingame, and Ebenezer Moone mowing the grass on the property of W. Field and W. Harris, near a place called Toskeonke on the north side of the Pawtuxet River. Similar testimony was given by Andrew Harris. Roger Burlingame, along with Thomas Ralph and John Harrud, claimed that they had been granted the property, totaling 4000 acres, by the Cooweeseette Indians on 6 June 1662. Field and Harris claimed that they had been granted the property by the King.
     The court found in favor of Field and Harris, and ordered Burlingame and the others to leave the land, and pay 10s damages. They did not leave, however, and the town sergeant put off enforcing the verdict, knowing that the community favored Burlingham and the others.
     On 1 May 1670, T. Harris testified that on 21 April 1670 he and the general sergeant went to Harrud's home to execute the verdict, and were turned away at gunpoint. Harrud was supported by about 15 men, including John Weeks Sr. and Jr., Edmund Calvery, Roger Burlingame, and Benjamin Barton. Eventually, Burlingame, Harrud, and Ralph won out, partly due to Harris's death.¹
     On 25 September 1671 Roger Burlingham, Thomas Ralph, and John Harrud were authorized by the General Assembly to set the tax rate and levy the assessments for the town of Mashantatack. In October 1671, they were ordered to levy a tax of 40s on the townspeople, as their share of £200 levied on the Rhode Island colony.¹
     On 6 October 1682 Roger Burlingham "of Mashantatack" purchased land in Warwick, Rhode Island, from Abel Potter. Later that day Roger Burlingham "of Warwick" sold the land to his son John.¹
     On 6 September 1684 he deeded his homestead in Mashantatack, totaling about 83 acres, to his son Peter, reserving a lifetime lease. (Jacox and McPherson both put this date as 6 September 1704, and the land at 50 acres).^1,9,10 On 15 March 1708 he deeded an additional 15 acres of land to Peter, to the west of the homestead in Mashantatack, including some iron ore beds.^1,9,10
     He was elected to the General Assembly from Warwick on 6 May 1690, but was not accepted by the assembly because of questions about his legal residence, and hence the legality of the election. The questions arose from his purchase and sale of land in Warwick on 6 October 1682, in which he claimed residency in Mashantatack in one deed and in Warwick in the other. The Assembly declared he was from Mashantatack, not Warwick.¹ He was elected constable in Providence, Rhode Island, on 7 June 1697, and to the town council on 6 July 1698.⁹
     On 24 April 1697 he was one of 21 men in Providence who were ordered by a Council of War to take 10 men each, to search for the Indian enemies, and if possible to expel or kill them. If the Indians were too strong, however, he was to warn the inhabitants.^11,9
     He and his family were Quakers, and up until about 1711, they held their meetings at his mansion house in Mashantatack.¹²
     His will was dated 28 November 1715 in Providence. The witnesses were John Burton, Mary Burton, and Peter Robards. It was proved 13 September 1718, and his son Roger and sons-in-law Thomas Arnold and Amos Stafford were named as overseers. His wife Mary was named as executrix, but since she had died, his son John took over.
     His estate was valued at £199 13s 8d on 10 September 1718, and included a mare, three cows, three yearlings, a calf, two sheep, two swine, an old sword, clothing, scales, cash, etc. In his will he left his movable estate to his wife Mary. At her death, this was to be divided equally between his daughters, and his granddaughters Freelove Burlingame (of his son Roger), Frances Gorton, and Deborah Hazzard. He left 50 acres of land to his son Roger and his grandson John Burlingame, and the rest of his land to his son Thomas. He also left 20s each to his sons John, Thomas, and Roger.^1,13

     Mary Lippitt was born on 3 March 1643 in Providence, Rhode Island.¹ She married first William Barlingstone on 23 March 1661.¹ According to the Burlingham Manuscript, she married second Roger Burlingham, son of Thomas Burlingham and Elizabeth Howard, on 3 October 1663 in Warwick, Rhode Island. However, Jacox says that the "most recent information from Nelson Burlingame" names Roger's wife as Mary Barlingstone, William Barlingstone's daughter, not his widow Mary (Lippitt) Barlingstone, and Doherty agrees.^1,2,3 She died on 5 July 1718 in Mashantatack, Providence Co., Rhode Island, at age 75.¹

     John Lippitt was born in 1597 in England.¹ He married Martha (?) before 1635 in England.¹ He died in 1667 in Warwick, Rhode Island.¹
     There is some contradictory information in various references on the identification of John Lippitt's wife. Bolton implies that this John Lippitt married Ann Green, by saying that the Moses Lippitt who married Mary Knowles and died 6 January 1703 was the son of John Lippitt and Ann Green. But Beckwith says that Ann Green (or Grove) was the wife of this John's son John Lippitt. And Burlingame says that this John's wife was named Martha.^1,2,3
     He and his wife Martha emigrated from England in 1635, settling in Salem, Massachusetts.¹ They lived in Salem from 1635 to 1638.¹
     In the fall of 1638 they moved to Providence, Rhode Island, having joined Roger Williams and his followers.^1,2 He was 6th in a list of 52 who had lots assigned to them in Providence in 1638.^1,2 On 27 May 1640 he signed an agreement in Providence containing proposals for a form of government.² In 1647 he was part of the committee from Providence that met in Portsmouth, along with others from Portsmouth, Newport, and Warwick, to organize a government.^1,2
     Soon after 1647 he and his wife Martha moved to Warwick, Rhode Island.¹ He was elected to the Town Council there in 1648.¹ In 1655 he was included in a list of freemen in Warwick.²

     Martha (?) married John Lippitt before 1635 in England.¹
     She and her husband John emigrated from England in 1635, settling in Salem, Massachusetts.¹ They lived in Salem from 1635 to 1638.¹ In the fall of 1638 they moved to Providence, Rhode Island, having joined Roger Williams and his followers.^1,2 Soon after 1647 they moved to Warwick, Rhode Island.¹

     William Barlingstone married Mary Lippitt, daughter of John Lippitt and Martha (?), on 23 March 1661.¹ He "drowned while fishing in the Bay" about 4 May 1661.¹

     John Burlingame was born on 1 August 1664 (Beckwith says 8 January) in Warwick, Rhode Island.^3,2,4 He married his first cousin Mary Knowles Lippitt, daughter of Moses Lippitt and Mary Knowles, on 19 November 1688 in Warwick, Rhode Island.^3,4 He died on 24 June 1719 in Warwick, Providence Co., Rhode Island (Jacox says in Cranston).^3,5
     On 6 October 1682 John Burlingame bought land in Warwick, Rhode Island, from his father.¹
     When his brother Peter died on 2 December 1712, John Burlingame, as the oldest brother, acquired the property in Mashantatack, Providence Co., Rhode Island, that had been given to Peter by their father Roger Burlingham. He kept the house and 50 acres, and on 23 December 1712 divided the rest between his brothers Thomas and Roger, under the condition that they be equally responsible for providing for their parents, if that became necessary.³ On 1 January 1713 he deeded his homestead in Cranston, Providence Co., Rhode Island, to his son John.³
     On 18 March 1719 he sold 60 acres of land in Mashantatack, and the mansion house built by his father, to Samuel Gorton, son of Capt. Benjamin Gorton, for £390.⁶
     He was named executor of his father's will, dated 28 November 1715 and proved 13 September 1718, since his mother Mary, who had been named executrix in the will, had died. He was left 20s.^1,7

     Mary Burlingame was born about 1669 in Mashantatack, Rhode Island.^3,4,2,5 She married Amos Stafford, son of Samuel Stafford and Mercy Westcott, on 19 December 1689 in Warwick, Rhode Island.^6,2 She died on 14 October 1760 in Warwick, Kent Co., Rhode Island.⁶
     She and her family were Quakers, and her husband Amos became one about the time of their marriage.⁶ She was named in her father's will, dated 28 November 1715 and proved 13 September 1718, and received a share of the movable estate.^1,7

     Jane Burlingame was born about 1672 in Mashantatack, Rhode Island.³ She married first John Potter, son of John Potter and Ruth Fisher, about 1691.^3,2 She married second her deceased husband's brother Edward Potter, son of John Potter and Ruth Fisher, on 27 December 1711.^3,2 She died after 1718 in Warwick, Providence Co., Rhode Island.³
     Before her second marriage, when her fiance Edward Potter was arranging for Thomas Fenner to officiate, Fenner initially resisted because of her previous marriage to Edward's brother John. Edward argued that there were many similar precedents, including the marriage of Rhode Island's governor, and Fenner finally agreed. The marriage was to take place at the bride's house, and when Fenner arrived he stated that he had changed his mind, and refused to perform the ceremony. Edward and Jane then took each other's hand and declared themselves husband and wife. Fenner told them that he could not sanction the marriage.⁴
     She was named in her father's will, dated 28 November 1715 and proved 13 September 1718, and received a share of the movable estate.^1,5

     Alice Burlingame was born about 1673, possibly in May, in Mashantatack, Rhode Island.^3,4 She married Oliver Hazzard.³ She died sometime before 1715, a few days after the birth of her first child.⁵

     Peter Burlingame was born on 7 September 1680.¹ He died on 2 December 1712 at age 32.¹
     On 6 September 1684 his father deeded his homestead in Mashantatack, Rhode Island, totaling about 83 acres, to him, reserving a lifetime lease. (Jacox and McPherson both put this date as 6 September 1704, and the land at 50 acres).^1,3,4 On 15 March 1708 his father deeded an additional 15 acres of land to him, to the west of the homestead in Mashantatack, including some iron ore beds.^1,3,4
     He never married.⁵

     Elizabeth Burlingame was born on 9 January 1684 in Mashantatack, Rhode Island.^3,2 She married first Thomas Arnold, son of Richard Arnold and Mary Angell, on 5 December 1706 ("5d 10m 1706;" the Nelson Burlingame manuscript mistakenly says 5 October 1706) in Providence, Providence Co., Rhode Island.^4,5,3 She married second William Spencer, son of John Spencer and Susanna Griffian, on 11 April 1734 in Providence, Providence Co., Rhode Island.³ She died on 5 May 1752 in Providence, Providence Co., Rhode Island, at age 68.³
     She was named in her father's will, dated 28 November 1715 and proved 13 September 1718, and received a share of the movable estate.^1,6 She and her son John (Jonathan?) were co-executors of her husband Thomas Arnold's will, dated 8 April 1725 and proved 6 Mar 1727. She received half of the movable estate, to raise the children to read and write.³
     Her own will was dated 22 January 1750 and proved 20 May 1752. The executor was her son Jonathan.³

     Patience Burlingame was born on 8 May 1685 in Mashantatack, Rhode Island (Doherty and Ghastin both say 8 August 1685).^3,2,4 She was married by Richard Waterman, Justice, to Thomas Olney, son of Epenetus Olney and Mary Whipple, on 15 June 1710 in Providence, Providence Co., Rhode Island.^5,3 She died on 8 August 1746 in Providence, Providence Co., Rhode Island, at age 61.³
     She was named in her father's will, dated 28 November 1715 and proved 13 September 1718, and received a share of the movable estate.^1,4

     Henry Knowles was born in 1610 (Bolton says abt 1609) probably in or near Hull, York, England.^1,2 He married, possibly, (?) Potter, daughter of Robert Potter.^1,2 He died between 2 January 1670 and 20 January 1670 (possibly between 2 January 1670/71 and 20 January 1670/71) probably in Warwick or Kingstown, Rhode Island.²
     He came to New England on the ship Susan & Ellen, as a servant to Ralph Hudson. They left London soon after mid-May in 1635, and landed at Boston 6-8 weeks later. The ship was captained by Edward Payne, and carried 96 passengers, including Richard Saltonstall, Simon Crosby, and Ralph Hudson. Hudson was a draper from Hull, co. York, and emigrated with his wife Marie, three children, and five "servants," including Henry Knowles and Benjamin Thwing. Hudson's will, made in September 1638, mentions Thwing but not Knowles, indicating that Knowles may have been released from his contract with Hudson by that time.^1,2
     He was living in Rhode Island perhaps by 1638.² He was a grand juror in Newport, Rhode Island, on 3 December 1643, and in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on 7 March ("7, 1 mo.") 1644. On 27 May 1644 he was ordered to "cut shorter his lot" in Portsmouth. During the winter of 1648 he and 49 others formally confirmed their submission to the government of Oliver Cromwell. He served as a juryman in 1650.
     In 1655, he was listed as a freeman in Warwick, Rhode Island, having moved there from the island where Newport now stands.²
     On 21 January 1654/55 he sold his house and three adjacent lots in Portsmouth, including fruit trees and totaling about nine acres, to Thomas Lawton.² In November 1657 he sold a house and lot to Thomas Scranton.² He was granted a six-acre lot next to his current lot in 1660.²
     In January 1661/62 he was accused of trespassing by Randall Holden. A jury found him not guilty, and awarded him two pence in damages from Holden. During this same time period he was serving on a jury in Warwick for other cases. In March of the same year he was sued by Eleazer Collins to collect £10. The suit was withdrawn when a compromise was reached. In April he was again sued, by Francis Derby. This case was postponed, and finally withdrawn in August.² On 23 March 1664/65 he and three others were authorized to keep a tavern to entertain visitors when the King's commissioners were holding court in Warwick.² In January 1666/67 he served on a jury that found that an Indian's death was due to being beaten.²
     His will was dated 2 January 1670 (1670/71?) and proved in Warwick on 20 January the same year. His son William was named executor. To his wife he left for life the northeast half of the house in Warwick, the meadow in front, and certain other lands, plus two cows, a hog, and 40s per year. At her death, her part of the house and land was to go to his son John. John was to outfit the house and mow the meadow every year. To John he also left the rest of the house and land in Warwick and Potowomut, etc. To his daughter Mary he left £15, £5 of which was to be paid by her brother John three years after the testator's death, and £5 annually after that. To his daughter Martha he left £20, £5 to be paid by John two years after the testator's death, and £5 annually after that. To his son Henry he left his house and half the land "of my now dwelling" [in Kingstown?], and a calf. To his son William he left the other half of this land. The rest of his land was left to William and Henry, to be divided equally by Robert Hazard and John Albro. The rest of his cattle and hogs were to stay on the farm, but eventually divided equally between William and Henry. His household goods were to be distributed by his wife; except for the best bed at Warwick, which was to go to his wife, and the other to John; and, of "those which are here" [at his current house?] the best was to go to Henry and the other to Martha. He ordered William "to be careful over Henry" until he came of age, and to then give him the house and half the land, with William retaining usage rights for two years. The witnesses testified that after signing the will, he said that if John didn't take what was left him, John and William were to exchange shares, and that the one ending up with the Warwick house was to provide wood for his mother. The 40s/year left to his widow was to be paid by William until Henry came of age, then split evenly between them.²

More Information / Background

• Puritan migration to New England (1620–1640)
  
• New England's Great Migration.
  

     (?) Potter married, possibly, Henry Knowles.^1,2
     In her husband Henry Knowles' will, dated 2 January 1670 (1670/71?) and proved on 20 Jan the same year, she was left for life the northeast half of the house in Warwick, the meadow in front, and certain other lands, plus two cows, a hog, and 40s per year that was to be paid by their son William until their son Henry came of age, then split evenly between them. She was to distribute the household goods among the other heirs, except for the best bed at Warwick, which was to go to her, and other beds that were left to specific heirs.²

     Robert Potter was of Warwick, Rhode Island.²

     Mary Knowles Lippitt was born about 1666 in Warwick, Rhode Island, (Jacox says 1669 in Providence, Rhode Island).^1,3 She married her first cousin John Burlingame, son of Roger Burlingham and Mary Lippitt, on 19 November 1688 in Warwick, Rhode Island.^1,2 She died on 13 January 1708 in Cranston, Providence Co., Rhode Island, (although Bolton says she was living on 14 December 1714).^1,3,4
     She was named in the will of her uncle John Knowles, dated 14 December 1714 and proved 15 October 1716. She was left £5, to be paid by her brother Moses, and a bed known as John Knowles' "mother's bed".⁴

     Moses Lippitt was born about 1683.² He married Ann Phillis Whipple, daughter of Joseph Whipple and Alice (?), on 20 November 1707.² He died on 12 December 1745.² He was buried at his own burial ground in Warwick, Providence Co., Rhode Island. The funeral sermon was by Rev. James McSparran.²
     He was admitted as a freeman in Rhode Island in 1704.² He served as deputy to the general assembly for six years between 1715 and 1730.²
     He was an overseer of the will of his uncle John Knowles, dated 14 December 1714 and proved 15 October 1716. He was left land in Warwick, and was to pay his sisters Mary and Martha Burlingame £5 each.³ He was the executor of his mother's will, dated 6 March 1719 and proved 3 February 1720, and was to receive what remained of the estate after the other legacies had been distributed.¹ And, he was named in the will of his uncle Henry Knowles, dated 10 May 1726 and proved 13 July 1726, and received £20.³

     James Burlingame was born on 16 September 1694 in Cranston, Providence Co., Rhode Island.² He married Hannah Brown on 8 January 1734.² He died on 16 December 1767 (or possibly 1 January 1768) in Cranston, Providence Co., Rhode Island, at age 73.^3,4
     He was a farmer and teacher.² He was co-executor of his brother David's will, dated 25 January 1755 and proved 15 Mar 1755, along with David's widow Mary and brother-in-law Nathan Brown.⁵ His own will was dated 22 August 1760 in Cranston, Providence Co., Rhode Island, and proved 1 January 1768. The executor was his son Jabez.²

     Barlingstone Burlingame was born on 25 June 1698 in Cranston, Providence Co., Rhode Island.² He married Charity Colvin, daughter of John Colvin and Lydia (?), about 1726.² He died on 12 December 1767 in Coventry, Kent Co., Rhode Island, at age 69.² He was buried in Arkwright, Rhode Island.²
     His will was dated 13 October 1767 in Coventry, Kent Co., Rhode Island, and proved 19 December 1767. He left his homestead to his son Stephen, $1.00 to his son Joseph, and $20.00 to his grandson Reuben Burlingame when he came of age. His wife Charity was to have the use of the homestead for the rest of her life.²
     He and Charity had the following known children: Joseph (b abt 1728, d 1801), Orpha, Benedict (d 24 May 1749), Stephen (b 13 March 1742, d 10 April 1808).²