Nellie Willard Johnson
The Burdick family name would not be nearly as well documented if it hadn't been for the talents of a lady in Norwich, New York in the 1930s. Her name was Nellie Willard Johnson and she compiled a genealogy of the Burdick family entitled "The Descendants of Robert Burdick of Rhode Island." Mrs. Johnson, used the manuscript of William Mansfield Burdick Harcourt on which to base her work.
The book chronicles the history of the Burdick name and Historical records of Robert and his family. Most of these books now reside in Genealogy Libraries around the country (if you've never visited one of these libraries you should, the experience is overwhelming) and there's probably still a few out there in private hands. When I was growing up in the 60s by mother found a copy in the Detroit Public Library. It took her several years, but she was finally able to purchase a copy -- it's one of our family's most cherished possessions.
I cannot begin to comprehend the daunting task of creating such a book. Can you imagine putting together such a work (the thing's 1400 pages long!) before the age of computers? Unfortunately, the book only covers the first nine generations in detail with smatterings of the tenth and eleventh (I'm in the twelve generation.) What an experience it would be to add the last eighty years to Mrs. Johnson's work!
Below I've included the Forward from the book since Mrs. Johnson's
words are best left untouched:
"Many persons wonder at my devoting so much time and labor to completing a Burdick Genealogy. However, I see many important objects to be gained by this publication for the benefit of the public. In the first place, it enables many thousand persons to trace their ancestors back for three centuries, and to many, this is a source of rational satisfaction. In the second place, it enables many persons from the older states to receive information respecting relatives who long ago wandered off to the Far West, and had been sought in vain. In the third place, it is probable that cases arise hereafter in which this book may prove to be worth a thousand times more than its cost, from the assistance it will render in tracing relationship which may secure the inheritance of estates.
But beyond all such personal considerations, a family genealogy, such as the Burdick Genealogy, has a value with reference to questions of general history. It shows how from a single man, established in Rhode Island in 1651, has descended an army of sturdy, upright men and women who have contributed no small share toward making good our Declaration of Independence in 1776 and 1812, and in saving the Union in 1861 and in bringing success to our nation in all succeeding wars in which it has been engaged. These descendants are well represented in the rank of educated men. Wherever they have gone, they have contributed an important share in leveling the forests of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio and subduing the prairies of the western states. They have organized churches and schools and with few exceptions, their characters have been blameless.
I do not regard this book as containing a complete genealogy of the Burdick family, and I have no doubt that it may contain serious errors, particularly since town, gravestone, and family records often disagree. In such cases, I have used the record to which the most evidence points as being correct.
If some lines seem to be given more prominence than others, it is because of circumstances beyond the control of the writer. How much effort has been put forth in directions where little appears, none can know. If all to whom I have written and submitted blanks for family records had replied, our genealogy would be nearly complete. As I write this sentence, I notice my list of unanswered letters contains nearly one hundred names of Burdicks who have failed to reply even when enclosed postage for a response was included. When they realize that they have neglected a duty which they owe to their family and discover that neither their names nor those of their children are found herein, will they wonder why?
To all who have in any way contributed to the enrichment of this genealogy, I publicly extend my thanks. As a foundation, I had the manuscript of William Mansfield Burdick Harcourt, without which I should never have undertaken this gigantic task. Special acknowledgment should also be made to the following:
Dr. Alfred A. Burdick, Baltimore, Md.
Frederick L. Johnson, Norwich, N.Y.
Alva L. Burdick, Boston, Mass.
Anna (Lalor) Burdick, Washinton, D.C.
Carl E. Burdick, Westerly, R.I.
Carl L. Burdick, Kenosha, Wis.
Clarence D. Burdick, Racine, Wis.
Edward E. Burdick, New York City.
Mrs. Edward Hyde Burdick, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mrs. E. Phineas Burdick, Lincklaen, N.Y.
Mrs. Hannah Sophronia Burdick, Lincklen, N.Y.
Paul A. Burdick, Norwich, N.Y.
Mrs. Byron M. P. Coon, Washington, D.C.
Mrs. Eliza Sisson, Westerly, R.I.
Mrs. Heber J. Grant, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Lee E. Ellis, Brentwood, Md.
Mrs. Leon B. Gallup, Colegrove, Pa.
Mrs. Harold Penniman, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Mrs. Laura (Smith) Rice, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Clarence M. Wells, Petersburg, N.Y.
Warren M. Robinson, Hoosick Falls, N.Y.
Nellie Willard Johnson.
Norwhich, N.Y., September 30, 1937"