Burgess

[L. Lat. burgarius, burgensis."] In English law. An inhabitant or freeman of a borough or town; a person duly and legally admitted a member of a municipal corporation. Spelman, voc.

Burgarii. 8 Steph. Com. 188, 189.

See Municipal corporation. A burgess of a borough corresponds with a citizen of a city; and these are mentioned as distinct classes in the statute 5 Ric. II. c. 4; although the inhabitants of a city were sometimes called burgesses, and this application of the word is now revived in England. Spelman, ub. sup.

1 Man.it Or. 1, note (a).

An elector or voter; a person legally qualified to vote at elections. The word in this sense is particularly defined by the statute 5 & 6 Will. IV. c.

76, ss. 9, 13. 3 Steph. Com. 192.

A representative of a borough or town, in parliament.

Co. Litt. 109 a. 1 Bl. Com. 174.

See Borough. One of the branches of the legislature of the State of Virginia is called the House of Burgesses. A magistrate of a borough.

Blount.

— The origin of this term dates from a period prior to the Norman Conquest, it having been usual for such persons of free condition as were not landowners, to settle in the towns, and occupy houses there, as tenants to the crown or some inferior lord, under the name of burgesses;

— to form themselves by license from the crown, (as many classes of persons did in that age,) into voluntary associations or fraternities called guilds;

— to be entitled in their capacity of burgesses to certain property, and in the same capacity to be exempt from certain burthens, and to be subject to certain liabilities.

3 aS^^^A. Com. 189.

Domesday Book, cited ibid. Spelman, voc.

Burgarii.

Stat. Merton, c.

7.

Burgess roll

A roll or list, in the form of a book alphabetically made out, required by the municipal corporation act, (6 & 6 Will. IV. c. 76,) to be kept in corporate towns or boroughs, containing the names of those burgesses who are entitled to such new rights as the act foj; the first time confers on these boro\ighs. 3 Steph. Com. 192, and note {k); 196, 197. This seems to be otherwise called the burgess list; although in a late case a distinction between the terms was contended for.

3 Ad. A El. N. S. 475, 480.