1803.
THOMAS DAVIES BURRALL, second son of Jonathan Burrall (Y.C. 1781) and of Charlotte, daughter of Rev. Thomas Davies (Y.C. 1758), was born in Canaan, Conn., June 2d, 1786.
In "Memoranda for my Children," written when over 83 years of age, he says, "At 13 I entered college, a mere boy, a roundfaced, red-cheeked, curly-headed boy, in a round-about jacket, open collar with ruffles over my shoulders, with my head tolerably well filled with Latin and Greek, but unconscious of art or guile, — a veritable Freshman."
Soon after graduation he entered the office of Hon. Sherman Board man, in New Milford, Conn., as a student at law, but subsequently removed to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and there began practice. After a year or two his health failed, and he passed one year at the South. After his return he removed to Geneva, N.Y , m Sept., 1812, where he resumed practice, but in a short time finding his strength unequal to the labors of his profession, he abandoned it, and purchased a farm near by, where he resided for more than forty years; the last twelve years of his life were spent at his residence on the banks of the Seneca Lake, in Geneva, where he died after a three weeks illness, June 24th, 1872.
For more than forty years he gave most of his time and thoughts to the invention and improvement of agricultural implements, having erected foundries and shops for that branch of manufacture, and having accomplished much in the way of lightening the labors of the farmer.
He was one of the founders and original trustees of the Geneva Academy, now Hobart College, and took the deepest interest in its welfare, remaining a trustee till his death.
He married Miss Charlotte, daughter of William and Polly Davies, of Poughkeepsie, Aug. 25th, 1813, who died, without issue, in Geneva, Sept. 14th, 1820.
In Jan., 1822, he married Miss Sarah J. Mann, of Hudson, N.Y., who died in Geneva, April 12th, 1831, leaving two sons, still surviving.
In March, 1837, he married Mrs. Margaret W. Mott, widow of Samuel Mott, who, with one son by this marriage, is still living.
