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He was 5 feet 9 inches tall, with fair complexion, brown hair, well made, very tattooed. His face was severely pitted by smallpox, and was said to be a menacing looking man. One of the most active mutineers, he was on the forward watch at the time of the mutiny, and was one of the group who confronted Bligh in his cabin.

Prior to his Bounty service, he served aboard HMS Hector, with commendations from a superior, regarding his good behaviour and always having done his duty. He was articulate and was able to read and write.

After the mutiny, Burkitt was one of the mutineers who insisted on returning to Tahiti. He, Sumner, and Muspratt settled on the western coast, south of Matavai Bay, at a place called Papara, where he is said to have fathered a son. He was tried, convicted, and hanged aboard the 'Brunswick'.