Article on Dr. Rufus Burnham for whom the town of Burnham, Waldo Co, Maine was named:

From "A History Of Unity, Maine" by James Berry Vickery III, 1954
     When Doctor Rufus Burnham died in Unity in his seventy-sixth
year, his obituary read "one of the oldest practicing physicians in 
Waldo County."  (Republican Journal, Belfast, Maine, November, 
1854.)  To the citizens of Unity Dr. Burnham was more than just a 
country doctor attending to their maladies; he was likewise a town
 father.  He was the first gentleman of Unity.  His name was 
associated with every movement which was connected with town 
affairs from 1807 until 1854.  He was philanthropist, politician, town 
official, businessman, tavern keeper, farmer;  there was scarcely a 
thing to which Dr. Burnham did not give his time and influence. 
     Rufus Burnham was the second physician here, commencing 
practice probably in 1807.  Burnham was born in Scarborough, 
Maine, February 29, 1779, the eldest son of Solomon and Betty 
(Kimball) Burnham. After receiving the usual amount of schooling, 
he commenced the study of medicine about 1802 with the Dr. 
Alvan Bacon of his home town.  Burnham was an apt student and 
learned the secrets of his profession with ease.  Completing his 
medical studies in the summer of 1806, Burnham began seeking 
a location. With at least two good recommendations in his pocket, 
he arrived in Unity, probably in the fall of 1807. (Rufus Burnham 
signed a petition here in December, 1807). These recommendations 
revealed him as thoroughly trained for his profession and testified 
to his excellent character. (Rufus Burnham Papers, owned by 
Mrs. E. D. Chase of Unity. To all to whom these presents shall 
come: --- This certifies that Mr. Rufus Burnham has attended to 
the theory and practice of physic and surgery for upwards of three 
years under my direction and has made such proficiency that I can 
safely recommend him as a faithful physician amply furnished with 
medical knowledge and in whose care you may intrust your lives 
and families. signed, Alvan Bacon, Physician, Fellow of the 
Massachusetts Medical Society, Scarborough, August 20, 1806)
     His second recommendation was provided by the selectmen 
of Scarborough, who seconded Dr. Bacon's belief in Burnham's 
medical knowledge. ( "Having known Dr. Rufus Burnham from 
his youth, we certify that he is a person of steady habits and 
good morals, that he has attended to the study and practice of 
physics with an eminent physician in this town for more than 
three years, that he is thought to be well qualified for a practitioner 
and that he has given perfect satisfaction wherever he has been 
employed in the line of his profession."  Scarborough, Sept. 15, 
1807, signed by Reuben Shorey and John Alger Milliken, Selectmen 
of Scarborough.)
     Unity could not have received a better man.  Rufus Burnham 
quickly won the respect of the inhabitants of his adopted home.  
Within a few years he was participating in town affairs and taking 
a leading part.  As a doctor he was regarded without a peer; as a 
citizen he was practically worshipped. As Eliza Gilkey affirmed 
"everybody swore by Doctor Burnham." (Conversation with 
George W. Varney, grandson of Eliza Gilkey, to the author in 
1936.) 
     The doctor started practicing in the home of John Chase, 
where he resided, until he was able to secure a house of his 
own.  Within a few years he bought an uncleared farm situated 
on the main street of Unity village.  This farm comprised the land 
along the west side of Unity's main street from the corner where 
the brick block stands today to Roy Knight's place and extended 
westerly on the Burnham road to the trotting park.  In 1810 he 
married a widow, Dorcas Milliken Leavitt, the sister-in-law of Dr. 
Bacon.  Soon after his marriage Rufus Burnham built a residence, 
which in 1827 he enlarged into the present house now called the 
Taber place.  In order to supplement his income, as early as 1817 
Dr. Burnham kept a tavern and later kept a farmer in residence to 
help operate his farm. When his excellency, Governor John Brooks, 
toured Maine in 1818, the governor and his party enjoyed Dr. 
Burnham's hospitality.  (Seth Norwood, Sketches of Brooks History, 
Dover, New Hampshire, 1935, p. 35.) 
     In 1810 the voters chose Burnham to be one of the selectmen.  
In 1812 they elected him a representative to the General Court, to 
which seat he was re-elected in 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, and 1819.
     In the latter year he was elected a delegate tot he convention 
held in Portland which drew up Maine's Constitution. (Taber, "History 
of Unity", p. 50). Dr. Burnham served on a committee for elections 
headed by Judge Thatcher of Biddeford.  In 1820 Burnham was a 
member of Maine's first legislature and in 1821 was elected to the 
State Senate.
     Dr. Burnham was the initiator of many enterprises.  The construction 
of the Union Church should be credited to him.  He invested money 
in real estate and business ventures; he loaned money to help 
townsmen start businesses. ("To messeurs Whittier and Tuckerman, 
you may let Mr. Josiah Hopkins have goods to the amount of five or 
eight hundred dollars and I will be accountable for the eventual 
payment of the same if you are reasonable and proper diligence to 
obtain pay of the said Hopkins, Hallowell, Nov. 19, 1816 --- Rufus 
Burnham." Between 1835 and 1838 he aided Chenery Broad and 
Gardiner Bachelor in a blacksmith's business.  In 1832 Dr. Burnham 
invested money in a sawmill with Hezekiah Winslow of Dixmont.  
There are other instances of Dr. Burnham's generosity and interest 
in encouraging small industries.) It was true that he was an 
exceedingly generous and kindhearted man.
     Beginning in 1825 Dr. Burnham served six years as town treasurer; 
and four years more beginning in 1837.  In January 1829 Burnham 
was appointed postmaster, holding this position for ten years. 
(Taber, "History of Unity", p. 61) He was without a doubt the wealthiest 
man in town. (According to the Valuation Book of 1840 besides a 
good deal of real estate he had $1200. in bank stock.  His whole 
property was assessed for $3302.  He owned two hundred twenty-five 
acres of farm land.)  As the town grew larger, he ceased keeping a 
tavern. Always deeply interested in education Burnham was chosen 
in 1818 as one of a committee to inspect schools.  Later, in 1851, he 
was one of a number of men who attempted to establish Unity Academy.  
Since he and his wife Dorcas had no children, they always welcomed 
to their home two or three young people who worked for their board by 
doing chores while attending school.
     As the doctor advanced in life the responsibility of his profession 
axed his strength.  Hence, realizing the need of a successor, he 
introduced a younger doctor by the name of John Mulberry Milliken, 
a nephew by marriage.  Probably Milliken studied under Dr. Burnham 
for he is listed in the doctor's household for 1837.  John M. Milliken 
practiced medicine here in the eighteen forties, but evidently moved 
away about 1852.
     Rufus Burnham kept up his medical practice until his death, which 
occurred on November 4, 1854.  It is probable that he died suddenly, 
since he died intestate.  Worn out from his extensive practice he 
stopped like an old clock.  Of all the men connected with Ubity's history, 
Dr. Rufus Burnham will undoubtedly remain as immortal as any man, 
particularly because the town of Burnham, Maine, was named in his 
honor.

This file is post here by the
courtesy of the heirs of James Vickery.
(c) 1997

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