Samuel McGregore Burnside (1783–1850), attorney, was a native of Northumberland, New Hampshire, who received an A.B. degree from Dartmouth College in 1805. After two years as preceptor of a female academy in Andover, Massachusetts, he took up the study of law. Burnside was called to the Massachusetts bar in 1810 and admitted to practice at the state supreme court two years later. Having moved to Worcester in 1810, he helped found the American Antiquarian Society in that city in 1812. In the ensuing years Burnside held the offices of recording secretary, 1812–14, corresponding secretary, 1814–23, counsellor, 1823–50, and librarian, 1830–31. He also served on the Massachusetts General Court, 1826–27, was a trustee of the nearby Leicester Academy, and sat for many years on the local school committee. At the time of his death Burnside owned real estate worth about $52,000 (General Catalogue of Dartmouth College and the Associated Schools, 1769–1925 [1925], 112; William Lincoln, History of Worcester, Massachusetts [1837], 238; Boston Gazette, 6 Apr. 1812; Account of the American Antiquarian Society, 15, 18; American Antiquarian Society, Proceedings, new ser., 1 [1880]: vi, vii, viii; DNA: RG 29, CS, Mass., Worcester, 1820, 1830, 1850; Salem [Mass.] Gazette, 5 May 1826; Pittsfield [Mass.] Sun, 15 Mar. 1827; MWA: Burnside Papers and finding aid; Boston Daily Atlas, 1 Aug. 1850).

On this day TJ received a report describing the annual meeting of the United States Military Philosophical Society held in New York City on 1 Nov. 1813. Contained therein were lists of the members present, officers chosen, resolutions passed, and candidates elected to membership, as well as a brief report on the society’s finances by its president, Jonathan Williams (printed circular in MoSHi: TJC-BC; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr Monticello Charlotteville Virginia”; franked; postmarked Philadelphia, 1 Dec., and Charlottesville, 9 Dec.; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Dec. 1813).