Biographical Note

Palmer L. Burrows, son of Peris and Deborah Wightman Burrows, was born in Delaware County, New York on January 8, 1814. In 1845, he journeyed through New York, across the Great Lakes, then to Chicago, and finally to Davenport, Iowa, where he purchased land, before returning to Delaware County. Burrows participated with other local farmers in the "Anti-rent War" of upstate New York in the 1840s. In addition to farming and timbering, Burrows worked for 50 years as a pilot on the Delaware River.

Burrows married Sophronia M. Shaw on January 2, 1838. Born in Delaware County, New York on April 27, 1815, Sophronia was the daughter of Ansel and Lavina Phillips Shaw, natives of Plainfield, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut, respectively. Palmer and Sophronia Burrows would have six children: Charlotte L., who married John Sumner of Thompson, Pennsylvania; Samuel Worcester, who married Jennie Rhodes of Akron, Ohio; Linus P., who married Isabella McGlynn of New York; Anna, who married Earl Smith of Deposit, New York; James F. who married Lulu Hanford of Walton, New York; and Orrin, who married Alice Smith of Paterson, New Jersey.

During the Civil War, Burrows was instrumental in organizing Company A of the 144th New York Infantry. Elected the company's captain, Burrows served with the company for several months before illness forced him to resign. Returning to his home, he resumed his farm and lumber work. He died on November 16, 1894; Sophronia Burrows died in 1908.

S. Worcester Burrows, son of Palmer and Sophronia Shaw Burrows, enlisted in the 27th New York Infantry, serving as a private. In October 1863, he transferred to the 1st New York Veteran Cavalry, serving as second lieutenant. He was captured in 1864 and held a prisoner of war until his release in February 1865. After the war, he married Jennie Rhodes of Akron, Ohio. The couple had four children (Frederick, Lewis, Mary and Carl) and resided in Ohio.

Linus P. Burrows, younger brother of Worcester, was born in September 1845. He joined the 1st New York Veteran Cavalry in January 1864, serving as a private. After the war, he married Isabella McGlynn, and the couple had at least four children (Anna, Isabella, William, and Palmer). Though he engaged in farming after the Civil War, Burrows was listed in the 1900 census as metallurgist residing in Washington, D.C.

Source:

Biographical review: this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Delaware County, New York (Boston: Biographical Review Publishing Co., 1895)

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