Dea. Billy Burnham, born in Vernon, Vt., married Sarah Thomas, of Chesterfield, N. H., and came to Hinsdale when there were only three permanent dwellings in the town. For several years thereafter the religious meetings were held in the dwellings of the settlers. Dea. Burnham was a Baptist and a devoted Christian, he and his wife being two of the eight original members of the first Baptist church. They were baptized by moonlight, when the weather was so cold that in returning to the house. eight rods distant, their clothing froze stiff. None of their five children are now living. Dea. Burnham is now represented in Hinsdale by his grandchildren, Mrs. Eneraney Liscom and her brother, William A. Horton, children of Mrs. Hezekiah (Burnham) Horton, and Israel Burnham, son of Emerson. The latter has a brother, Rev. Ezra Burnham, residing in Michigan. Burton Burnham, another grandson, resides in Brattleboro.
