Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

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BURSLEY.
JOHN BURSLEY.
Mr. John Bursley, the ancestor of the families of this
name, came over very early, probably before Gov. Endicot.
From what part of England he came, 1 have not ascertained.
There is a parish in England called "Burslem," and as surnames
often originated in the names of places or trades, it is
probable that some of his ancestors resided in that parish.*
The name is variously written on the old records,—Burslem,
Burslin, Burslyn, Burseley, Bursly. When first
named, he is styled Mr.—a title of respect in early times.
He appears to have been an active business man, engaged
in the fisheries, and in trade with the Indians, and a planter.
He may have been a member of the Dorchester Company,
that settled at Cape Ann in 1624. In 1629, he was
at Wessaguscus, now Weymouth, where he was an associate
of Mr. William Jeff^rey. The following assessment levied to
defray the expenses of the arrest and sending of Merton to
England in 1628, proves that he was a resident in the country
prior to 1629. This is the oldest tax bill on record, and
shows the comparative wealth or ability of the difi'erent
settlements in 1629 :
* Sur-names were often suggested by the appearance, character or
history of the individual. Burse is a purse ; hence the name of Bursely
may have originated thus— "Jolin the Burser," or treasurer, and in
course of time contracted to "John Bursley." The importance of signing
all legal and other instruments with the Christian name
written at full length is not well understood. The "Christian" name is
the "signatui-e." It is not, however, so important now as formerly, that
It should be written at full length. Legally, the man who writes only
the initial letter of his Christian name, only "makes his mark;" he does
not "sign" the document.