Person Page - 133

       Dea. Jonathan/2 Burt was baptised 23 Jan 1624/25 at Harberton, Devonshire, and emigrated with his parents to New England.¹ They settled at Springfield, MA in 1640
     There he took the oath of fidelity 6 Feb 1648/49.² With his sister Abigail, he was a witness in the witchcraft proceedings against Hugh/1 Parsons at Springfield, 1649-51. "Jonathan Burt's testimony was regarding the place and time when he brought Parsons the news of his son's death. In the ridiculous and senseless testimony in the case, the clear and unimpeachable testimony of Jonathan and his sister Abigail Munn, contrasts brightly with the statements of some of the other witnesses. They do not appear to be affected by the prevalent delusion, but confined themselves to facts."³
     Jonathan married (1), 20 Oct 1651 at Boston, Elizabeth/2 Lobdell, probably daughter of Isaac/1 Lobdell and Martha Ward, of Hull, MA, with whom he had 7 children.^1,4 Chosen a Springfield selectman, 1657 (and 14 other years through 1691).^5,6 Took the freeman's oath of allegiance, 26 Feb 1661/62.⁷ He inherited the homestead of his father, originally acquired from Hugh Parsons, "where Broad street now is."⁸ Testified, with Lt. Thomas/1 Cooper, 29 Sep 1662, regarding the intentions of his deceased father Henry/1 Burt, who died intestate 29 Sep 1662.⁹ Chosen first corporal of Springfield's training band, 30 Sep 1662.¹⁰ With his brother Nathaniel fined 6d for nonattendance at a town meeting 11 Apr 1665.¹¹ 2 Feb 1668/69, signed a petition with brother Nathaniel protesting the imposition by England of customs upon goods being exported into and from Massachusetts Colony.¹² One of 16 petitioners for the establishment of a plantation at Stony River, now Suffield, CT, presented to the General Court of Massachusetts Bay, May 1670, and granted the following year. "Not one of the petitioners became a settler, but many of them labored faithfully for more than ten years to fill the complement of settlers, as required by the Grant."¹³ "Made the only account found in the Town Records of the burning of Springfield by the Indians in 1675."¹⁴
     Appointed, 14 Mar 1678/79, to carry the sealed votes of the freemen to the shire meeting on the last Wednesday in March.⁷ Served with his nephews Dea. John/2 Hitchcock, Samuel/2 Ball, and Henry/2 Chapin on the board of selectmen elected 5 Feb 1683.¹⁵ 20 Oct 1686, Deacon Jonathan Burt was plaintiff against Thomas/2 Merrick Jr. For saying of Deacon Burth that he lyed basely and was a Lying man: to the damage of 40s in defaming his the said Burt's name: Thomas Merick appearing said he was sorry for the words acknowledges they were grose Rash foolish & sinfull and: desyred Deacon Burt to Pass them By who replyed he did not desire his Money But his owning his disorder and Ill speaking and now doeing it he did freely forgive him: He paying Costs viz 18d Mony and so Issued this matter.⁷
     Jonathan's wife Elizabeth died at Springfield 11 Nov 1684.^1,16 He married (2), 14/15 Dec 1686, Deliverance Langton, daughter of George Langton, of Wethersfield, and widow of Dea. Thomas/1 Hanchet of Suffield.^17,18
     Jonathan Burt was a juror 27 Mar 1660, 24 Sep 1661, and 19 May 1688.⁷ Executor, with his brother Nathaniel, of his mother's will, dated 27 May 1684, which left him the whole lot my husband bought of George Lancton and my best brafse kettle to bestow upon his fon Henry…Also I give my son Jonathan the Pillow and Pillow-beer at his houfe.¹⁹ List of Springfield freemen, 13 May 1691.⁷ In May, 1696, Dea. Burt and Lieut. Abel Wright were chosen to answer a petition of the people on the west side of the river asking to become a separate parish and to procure a minister of their own.²⁰
     "After the death of the older settlers of Springfield, he became prominent in town affairs succeeding his father in several offices. He was a Deacon in the church, a Selectman, and was Town Clerk as late as 1700."¹⁴ He died at Springfield 19 Oct 1715 at age 90.^21,1,22 His widow Deliverance died at Suffield 10 Jun 1718.²³
     A facsimile of his signature follows the title page in Life and Times of Henry Burt; also see pp. 115 et seq.²⁴