Thompson Burdick, a native of Rhode Island, born at Westerly in 1771, and died on his farm in the town of DeRuyter June 6, 1852, in his eighty-first year. He was married in the State of Rhode Island, his wife's name before marriage being Sarah Coon, and in 1794 came to this town, and took up one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, which at the time formed a part of the Holland Patent. After clearing a portion of his land, he sowed some wheat, built a log house, and returned to Rhode Island for his wife. They made the journey in true pioneer style, coming with an ox-team and old-fashion two-wheeled cart, and bringing their cow with them. They were twenty-one days on the road, and came by way of Utica, then known as Fort Schuyler, there being but five dwellings there at that time. Although in very moderate circumstances, they made up in energy and perseverance what they lacked in means, clearing a good farm and establishing a permanent home. Within a year or two his brother, William Burdick, came also, bringing with him his wife, who was a sister of Mrs. Thompson Burdick; and still later, and previous to the opening year of our century, another brother, George, made his appearance with his wife, who was also a member of the Coon family. They settled in what is now the town of Lincklaen. The father of these three brothers followed his sons in later years, and died here at an advanced age. From the best evidence obtainable the Burdick family is of French Huguenot ancestry, while the Coons were of Scotch origin, the original form of the name being McCoon. To Thompson Burdick and his wife there were born the following children, David, Phineas, Sarah, Priscilla, Albert G., and Joseph, the only survivor, now residing in DeRuyter with his unmarried daughter.