SAMUEL M. BURNSIDE.
His ancestors were Scots. He was a son of Thomas Burnside, and was born in Northumberland, New Hampshire, July 18th, 1783. His education was at the common schools in New Hampshire, except nine months at an academy, preparatory to his entering Dartmouth College.
After he was graduated from college, in 1805, he took charge of a Female Academy in Andover, Mass., for two years. He read law with Hon. Artemas Ward, so long Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. He was admitted to practice in 1810, commenced the practice of the law in the Spring of 1810, in the town of Westborough, in this County, and removed to Worcester in the autumn of the same year. He married the daughter of Judge Foster of Brookfield.
Mr. Burnside was a well read lawyer, and it is no disparagement to any lawyer of the Worcester Bar to say that none excelled him in his extensive knowledge of the law. He was also well posted in theology, and took a deep interest in our public schools. He was trustee in Leicester Academy, and for many years was a member of the School Committee of Worcester, a member of the American Antiquarian Society, and one of the Council of said Society at the time of his death. He delivered an able address before the schools of Worcester in 1826, and represented the town in the Legislature the same year. In 1831 he was selected by the citizens of Worcester to deliver an oration on the fourth of July, which was considered a very able production. He was admitted to this society in January, 1817, and remained an active member for thirty-three years. He died in Worcester, July 25th, 1850, much respected by a large circle of friends.
Mr. Burnside was a good classical scholar, an upright and honored citizen, and a kind christian gentleman.