 It takes its name from Richard Burnett (1801–1890), a former sea captain who operated the Pequot Hotel as an overnight stop on the Post Road.Burnett's Corner was bypassed by the railroad that was built through the area in 1858 and that largely replaced stagecoach travel.Early in the 20th century, Burnett's Corner was the site of small-scale manufacturing operations, notably including a witch hazel mill built by T. N. Dickinson, Jr., in about 1907 and a ropewalk operated by a twine manufacturer.