John Beasley

From John Beatty's excellent work at http://www.beasleygenealogy.net/documents/SomeBeasleyFamilies-Colon...:

JOHN 2 BEASLEY ( William1), the son of William Beasley, was born in Old Rappahannock County, Virginia, say 1688-1695. He was still living as late as 1768, when, as a resident of Caroline County, he sold land in Spotsylvania County.93 Hence, he could not have been the John Beasley who died in Caroline County, Virginia, before 10 June 1762, intestate, this either being his son or the son of his brother, Charles.94

He was probably the John Beazley who died testate in Caroline County before 10 January 1771.95 John married (1) WINIFRED (___). She was dead before 1748. He married later, possibly (2) in Caroline County, Virginia, before 13 March 1748/9, ELIZABETH (___), widow of James Coghill.96

There is a great deal of misinformation online and in published sources about the identity of this John. Some sources claim that he was the same person of this name who settled at Beasley Island and Beasley Swamp in Craven County, North Carolina. Since the John Beasley of Essex and later Caroline County, Virginia, had a wife named Winifred, as did John of Craven County, the two men have been conflated.97 As will be shown in Part 3, John of Craven County belonged to an entirely different family. Indeed, many genealogists ignore the evidence showing John Beasley in Caroline County for many decades in records that connect him directly with his brother, Charles. The dates do not align for his ever being in Craven County.

Twila Birnie Shafer and Francis Beasley Odell also make erroneous claims about this John, asserting without evidence (except from an old undocumented DAR application of Sarah Lavinia Zink) that he was born in England in 1717, married a “Jane Cagwell” in 1737, and died in Orange County in 1792. They cite the correct deeds between the elder John and his son Charles in Spotsylvania County, but then misrepresent what the records actually show.98 There is no evidence of a death for a John Beasley in Orange County in 1792, and it is likely that the DAR application, submitted at a time without any supporting documentation, is incorrect.

John Beasley, son of William, appears several times in the early Essex County records. He received “fifty acres of land lying next to my son Henry’s land” in William’s 1719 will.99 In February 1724, the Essex County court declared that Thomas Honey, “a servant boy belonging to John Beezly,” was adjudged to be thirteen years old for the payment “his levys.”100

John moved very early to Caroline County, Virginia, which was created, in part, from Essex and King and Queen Counties in 1728. On 15 September 1729, he and his wife Winifred of Caroline County sold to his brother Henry “all that parcell of land which was given unto the sd John Beazley by William Beazley late of Essex County,” containing 50 acres “with all & singular ways, woods all other profits belonging (onely the sd Beazley doth except halfe an acre of land conveniently adjoining and including the Burying Place.”101 The deed was witnessed by Samuel Biswell, Richard Billups, and Nicholas Adkinson, while Winifred Beazley relinquished her dower to the above tract on the following day. John was mentioned again in an Essex County deed of 13 November 1739 when the land he had sold to his brother Henry was sold by Henry to Edward Vawter.102

In Caroline County, John Beasley was referenced in many records involving the building of roads, a necessary task as the county grew and more fields of tobacco were cultivated. His frequent coupling with Charles Beasley in the court order books suggests that these were the two brothers. Historian T. E. Campbell states that both John and Charles were responsible for building the famed Three Knotch Road in Caroline County as early as 1730, though court records do not support this early date.103 Both are also credited for keeping the feeder roads leading to Roy’s warehouse from Drysdale Parish in excellent condition.104 On 10 May 1733, the court ordered Edward Tinsley to be surveyor of the road from Loyd’s Quarter to Poe’s Bridge “in the room of John Beasley.”105 On 13 November 1736, the court, on the motion of John Taylor, gent., ordered that William Daniel, John Beasley, and Charles Beasley “view the road between Thos. Rucker’s and Charles Beasley’s across the head of Daniel’s mill and make report.”106

On 14 May 1737, the court ordered that John “be overseer of the road from William Watson’s to the County line and that he take his own, Wm Watson, Wm Powell, David Tinsley, and Phil: Tinsley’s people to assist him in clearing the same.”107 On 9 June 1739, the court ordered John Beasley, Charles Beasley, and John Powell to view the most convenient way “to make a bridle way to turn out of Portobago road to the County line to go to Daniel’s Mill.”108 On 13 June 1740, John sat on a jury.109

In 1742, John encountered a legal problem, the first of several involving the Pickett family, with whom he apparently feuded. On 13 November 1742, Major Picket “quitam &c” brought a suit for debt against John Beasley, and William Waller was assigned by the court to act as John’s attorney.110 At the same session he was named to a jury in a case involving a horse race.111

His road building efforts continued into the 1740s. On 11 March 1742/3, the court ordered that a road be cleared through the plantation of William Daniel Jr., and it was ordered that the “gangs’ of John Beasley and William Daniel perform these duties.112 He was again impanelled on a jury at the same time as well as on many later occasions.113 On 13 May 1743, James Coghill Jr. was ordered to be overseer of the road from Daniel’s Mill to the so-called Three Notched road by John Beasley’s land and the church road from Mace Pickett’s to the people at Col. Diggs’s quarter.114 At the same session Mayes or Mace Pickett joined the crown in a suit of debt against John, but John prevailed in a jury trial.115 Both John and Pickett were forced to pay costs of witnesses on their behalf. Pickett paid the costs of Robert Coleman, William Powell, and Ann Beasley (whose relationship to John is not known) while John paid the costs of Andrew Lyon, Mary Vaughn, John Hart, Thomas May, and Samuel Biswell.116 The feud with the Picketts would continue into later court sessions.

On 12 August 1743, the court ordered that Thomas Ship, John Beasley, Charles Beasley, and David Tinsley appraise the estate of Richard Goode.117 On 10 February 1743/4, he was ordered with Charles Beasley, William Daniel, and Cornels [Cornelius] Reynolds to appraise the estate of Eliza Cowing.118

By the mid-1740s, John began to appear in court records with other Beasleys in addition to Charles. On 11 January 1744/5, he appeared on a jury with Bennet Beazley, though no relationship was implied by the record.119 (Bennet was possibly a nephew). On 8 March 1744/5, Winney “Weasley” [Beasley], an infant under 21 years old, was charged with trespass by Mace Pickett and wife Elizabeth. John Beasley, her “next friend,” appeared in court on her behalf and the case was dismissed, “being agreed.”120 Winney was likely short for Winifred, the name of John’s wife, and hence she was perhaps his daughter, though the relationship remains unproven.

Road work orders continued into 1745 and represented a regular duty for John. On 8 March 1744/5, William Powell petitioned the court for a “convenient bridle way from Powell’s plantation to the Main Road.” David and Philip Tinsley, Samuel Major, and John Beasley were ordered to view the road, presumably with a plan for its construction.121 The order continued in the April court, and in addition to the Tinsleys, Major, and John Beazley, the names of John Sneed, Thomas Croucher, and James Lindsey were added to continue to “view” a possible road.122

As John grew older, he was continually called upon to appraise estates, sit on juries, and provide testimony for neighbors in various suits. On 10 May 1745, John appeared in court on behalf of William Smith in a case brought against Smith by Thomas Wilshire. The court ordered Smith to pay John 125 pounds of tobacco for five days’ attendance at court.123 On 13 September 1745, the court ordered John Sneed, John Beasley, Charles Beasley, and Charles Beasley Jr. to appraise the estate of Moses Daniel.124 On 14 October 1748, the court ordered John, Charles, George Penn and Moses Penn to appraise the estate of Robert Foster.125 On 11 March 1748/9, he joined Charles Senior and Junior and William Beasley, probably his nephew, in appraising the estate of Langworth Thorp.126

T. E. Campbell writes that during this period, John Harvie of Essex, a major trader and creditor in the region, failed in his business, and many of his creditors demanded payment. Harvie owed money to John Beazley, who sued him for debt and received an attachment or claim to a chest of Harvie’s silver, considered his most liquid asset.127

At about this time John began an association with the Coghill family through his marriage to Elizabeth, widow of James Coghill. On 27 May 1745, John exhibited an account against the estate of James Coghill, which was allowed.128 On 13 March 1748/9, William Daniel Jr. presented a case against John Beasley and Eliza his wife, who was administratrix of James Coghill, for trespass on the case.129 The Coghills and the Majors were closely connected in Caroline County and lived in the same neighborhood. On 11 May 1744, James Coghill, heir at law of James Coghill, appealed to the court about its proof of the elder James’s will the previous March. An attorney for the executor had opposed the claim, but the court granted the appeal. James Coghill and Samuel Major acknowledged themselves indebted to John Gough, executor of James Coghill’s will, for £20 in case James Coghill does not appear at the next general court to appeal the will.130

William Taliaferro brought a suit against John on 12 August 1749, and proving his account, recovered £5.6.8.131 On 9 December 1749, John provided an account to the court for the settlement of James Coghill’s estate.132 Campbell, in his history of Caroline County, states that the other heirs of James Coghill forced James Coghill Jr. out as executor and substituted John Beasley in his place, but this does not seem to be substantiated by the court records.133 Eliza appeared again in her own right on 9 February 1749/50, when the court ordered Thomas Harris to pay her 375 pounds of tobacco for fifteen days of attendance at court giving evidence on his behalf against Micajah Pickett.134 John had also given evidence against Pickett, suggesting that a lingering feud continued with this family.135 He was still living and considered fit on 11 May 1750, when he was ordered with John Jr. to serve on a crew to construct a new road with Charles Beasley Jr. as overseer.136 On 13 August 1752, a slave boy Harry owned by John was judged to be seven years old.137 Another slave child, Jack, was judged to be ten on 12 October 1752.138

The feud with the Picketts continued into the 1750s and 1760s. The court ordered his old adversary, Mace Pickett, to pay John 125 pounds of tobacco for testifying in court on 12 July 1753.139 Thomas Pickett was ordered to pay him 75 pounds of tobacco for three days’ attendance against Robert Stokes on 10 November 1753.140 In 1762, Isabelle and Daphne, two slaves belonging to John, were sentenced to receive 15 lashes each at the whipping post for perjury after it was determined that they had lied on the witness stand in the trial of the slave Daniel, the property of John Pickett, for the murder of Pronton or Purton, a slave belonging to Samuel Major.141 Their motivations are unclear, but perhaps John’s dislike of the Picketts influenced their testimony. Both John and Elizabeth gave testimony at the trial.142

On 10 March 1758, a free African American, Francis Fly, was arrested for hog stealing. John Vawter, John Beasley, Eliza Beasley, and Elias Blackburn all gave testimony against him, and Fly was ordered to pay £10 or receive 25 lashes.143

John apparently became interested in acquiring land in Spotsylvania County late in his life, though he never moved there. Some problems of consistency exist, however, that make this attribution subject to other interpretations. On 6 April 1756, as “John Beasley of Caroline County,” he purchased from Aquilla and Elizabeth Johnson a tract of 300 acres for £30 in a deed witnessed by Richard Woolfolk, William Wood, and Benjamin Boughan.144 On 3 November 1759, he was described as a “husbandman” or small landowner of Caroline County when he deeded 100 acres in Spotsylvania County to his son, Charles, with John Sutton, Margaret Sutton, and Gedion Coghill as witnesses.145 Presumably this was part of his earlier 300-acre purchase. The presence of Gedion/Gideon Coghill would seem to tie him to the same Coghill family in Caroline County, since Gideon was a son of James Coghill, Elizabeth’s first husband. 146 On 29 September 1768, John Beazley (probably the elder John) sold the remaining 200 acres of Spotsylvania lands to William Chowning of Caroline County with William Hill Jr., William Stevens, and Micajah Stevens as witnesses.147

A problem that arises from these records is the fact that Elizabeth never appears with her husband to relinquish her dower. Hence, despite the presence of Gideon Coghill, one cannot be certain if these Spotsylvania deed references pertain to the elder or younger John of Caroline or to an entirely different person. Probably it is the same John, but Elizabeth’s absence remains unexplained.

John and wife Elizabeth were still living in Caroline County on 9 July 1762, when Mary Pickett was ordered by the court to pay them both 50 pounds of tobacco for two days’ attendance at court.148 On 16 February 1765, Sarah Rennolds settled a suit for debt against John Hart and John Beasley, presumably but not certainly this John.149 On 14 September 1765, John Beasley and others pressed a suit in chancery against Sarah McDonald, and the court ordered the examination of Ann Okey and Ann Tool as evidence in the case.150 On 9 October 1766, a deed of trust from John Beazley Sr. to Charles Beazley, William Beazley, and Christopher [no surname listed] was recorded at court, and it was described as being “in trust for John Powell,” with Thomas Reynolds and Edmund Beazley as witnesses.151 A second deed of gift in a separate court entry of the same day from John Beazley (no indication of “Senior”) to Edmund Beazley was also recorded with William Hill and John Powell as witnesses. Undoubtedly these refer to the same man, the elder John. These deeds offer evidence that Edmund was probably a son of John. William’s presence may indicate that there were two men named William, one the son of Charles and the other of John. As has been shown above, on 29 September 1768, John Beazley of Caroline County (without any reference to Elizabeth) sold to William Chowning of Caroline 200 acres in Spotsylvania County, with John making his mark and witnesses being William Hill Jr., William Stevens, and Micajah Stevens.152

John Beazley was probably the same who died testate in Caroline County before 10 January 1771, with William Hoard, Charles Beazley, John and Israel Sneed ordered to appraise the estate.153 The will itself does not survive. At the same court session, Thomas (Jervise?) declined to serve as executor, and the sheriff was ordered to summon James Beazley, one of the heirs, to contest the will’s validity. Shortly after his death possibly this John Beazley was named posthumously, with wife Elizabeth, as plaintiffs in a suit with Zachariah Coghill against John Dickenson and Sarah McDonald.154 Though the record does not list him as deceased, the case was likely initiated in court before his death. It remains the last reference to him in any of the court records.

Elizabeth was possibly still living as late as 11 May 1780, when she acknowledged in Caroline County two deeds of gift respectively to Benjamin Beazley and Augustine Beazley, both of whom were likely her sons.155 Thomas and Benjamin Reynolds offered oaths of proof as witnesses of the deeds. On 12 July 1782, William Pickett brought a suit against Elizabeth, Benjamin, and Augustin [sic], but failing to prosecute it, the case was dismissed.156

Children of John Beasley, perhaps with wife Winifred (___), born probably in Caroline County, Virginia:

i. WINIFRED “WINNEY”3 BEASLEY, b. after 1723 (say 1730); named as Winney “Weasley” in a suit for trespass brought by Mace and Elizabeth Pickett on 8 March 1744/5, with John Beasley, her “next friend,” appearing on her behalf, since she was under age 21.157 Winifred may have married (1) JOHN GOUGE/GOUCH and (2) MICAJAH PICKETT. The evidence remains only circumstantial and cannot be proven. On 14 March 1747, Winney Gouch petitioned the court in Caroline County to administer the estate of John Gouge, with John Beasley and Aaron Quisenberry as securities.158 A year later on 8 July 1748, William Dixon petitioned the court against Micajah Pickett and Winney his wife.159 No document exists to prove that she was the same person in all of these records, but it remains a possibility, given that Winifred is a somewhat unusual name and that these families all lived in the same vicinity.160

ii. JOHN BEAZLEY JR., b. say 1720-25; d. Caroline County, Virginia, possibly intestate before 10 June 1762, when his estate was appraised by Oliver Towles Jr., James Lindsay, Richard Ship, and William Beazley.161 John first appears in the Caroline County court records on 15 August 1747, when he won a case against Benjamin Whitehead for £1.15.162 He was mentioned on 11 May 1750 in a road order with Charles Beasley Jr. as overseer and John Beazley Sr. assisting.163 He began to assume slightly larger civic roles by the mid-1750s. On 11 December 1755, he was ordered with Charles Beasley, William Harrison, and Thomas Pickett to appraise the estate of William Powell.164 On 10 June 1756, he was appointed overseer of a road in the room of William Daniel Jr.165 On 10 February 1757, John was again appointed overseer of a road running from Charles Beasley Jr.’s property to that of James Lindsay.166 The following April, William Daniel Jr., Joshua Lindsay, Charles Beasley Jr., the Widow Powell’s, and David Tinsley’s people were ordered to work on the road.167 His wife and children, if any, are not known.

13. iii. CHARLES BEASLEY, b. say 1730; m. SUSANNAH (ALLEN?).

iv. probably WILLIAM BEAZLEY, b. say 1730-35. It is difficult to distinguish him from his cousin in the Caroline County records. He was probably the William who, with Charles, received a deed of trust from John Beazley in Caroline County on 9 October 1766. Perhaps he was the William Beazley whom Dicey King charged with assault and battery on 12 August 1771.168 The case continued on 14 September but no verdict was shown.169 He may be the William in whose room Thomas Garnett was appointed overseer of a road in Caroline County on 9 March 1780.170

14. v. probably EDMUND BEAZLEY, b. say 1735-40; m. ELIZABETH (___).

15. vi. possibly REUBEN BEASLEY, b. say 1735-40; m. (___).

vii. possibly CHRISTOPHER BEAZLEY, b. say 1740. Children of John Beasley, probably with second wife Elizabeth (___), widow of James Coghill:

viii. JAMES BEAZLEY, b. say 1748; listed as an heir in his father’s otherwise unrecorded will. On 10 February 1771, the court in Caroline County summoned him to appear to contest the validity of the will.
16. ix. BENJAMIN BEAZLEY, b. say 1750; m. (___).

17. x. AUGUSTINE BEAZLEY, b. say 1750; m. (___)

Sources

• 87 Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Order Book Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia, 1725-1729 (Part II), Essex County, Virginia order Book 1725-1729 (Part II), 21 November 1727 to 20 March 1728/29 (McLean, Virginia: Antient Press, 1989), 24, citing original page 224.
• 88 Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Deed Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia (1728-1733), Deeds, Bonds & Letters of Attorney Deed Book No. 19, 18 March 1728-19 July 1733 (McLean, Virginia: Ruth & Sam Sparacio, 1989), 17; citing Essex County Deed Book 19, pages 44-46.
• 89 Ibid.
• 90 Henry Beasley will (1738), transcribed in Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Will Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia (1735-1743), Will Book No. 6, 20 January 1735-17 May 1743 (McLean, Virginia: Antient Press, 1989), 77, citing Essex County, Virginia Will Book 6, p[age 219-220.
• 91 Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Deed Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia (1738-1742), Deed Book No. 22, 20 February 1738-15 February 1742 (McLean, Virginia: Antient Press, 1989),29, citing Essex County Deed Book 6, pages 113-116.
• 92 Ibid.
• 93 William Armstrong Crozier, Virginia County Records, Volume 1, Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1971), 267.
• 94 T. E. Campbell, Colonial Caroline: History of Caroline County, Virginia (Richmond, Virginia: Dietz Press, 1954), 478; John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia, Order Book, 1759-1763, Part Two, 1760-1762 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman, 1983), 78, citing original page 313.
• 95 Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Order Book Abstracts of Caroline County, Virginia, 1770-1771 (McLean, Virginia: Antient Press, 1992), 59, citing original page 115.
• 96 F. Edward Wright, Caroline county, Virginia, Marriage References and Family Relationships (Lewes, Delaware: Colonial Roots, 2012), 9.
• 97 The records of the Craven County, North Carolina, court show that Winifred Beasley applied for letters of administration for the estate of her late husband John Beasley in the May Court Term, 1755; see Weynette Parks Haun, Craven County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1749-1756 (Durham, MC: Weynette Parks Haun, 1987), 73, citing Craven County, North Carolina Court Minute Book 4, [273]-202.
• 98 Twila Birnie Shafer and Francis Beasley Odell, Descendants of the Sutton-Beasley Family of Brown County, Ohio (No place: the Authors, 1946),
• 99 William Beezley will (1719), transcribed in John Frederick Dorman, Essex County, Virginia Records, 1717-1722, Deeds, Etc., No. 16, 1718-1721, Wills, Inventories and Settlements of Estates No. 3, 1717-1722 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman, 1959), 56.
• 100 Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Order Book Abstracts of Essex County Virginia, 1723-1725 (Part II), Essex County, Virginia Order Book 1723-1725 (Part II) 22 July 1724-15 March 1725 (McLean, Virginia: Antient Press, 1989), 45, citing original page 260.
• 101 Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Deed Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia (1728-1733), Deeds, Bonds &Letters of Attorney Deed Book No. 19, 18 March 1728-19 July 1733 (McLean, Virginia: Ruth & Sam Sparacio, 1989), 17; citing Essex County Deed Book 19, pages 44-46.
• 102 Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Deed Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia (1738-1742), Deed Book No. 22, 20 February 1738-15 February 1742 (McLean, Virginia: Antient Press, 1989),29, citing Essex County Deed Book 6, pages 113-116.
• 103 Campbell, Colonial Caroline, 77.
• 104 Ibid, 108.
• 105 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book 1732-1740, Part One, 1732-1734/5 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman,1965), 33, citing original page 73.
• 106 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1732-1740, Part Two, 1734/5-1737 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman,1966), citing original page 387.
• 107 Ibid, 93, citing original page 424.
• 108 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book 1732-1740, Part Three, 1737-1740 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman,1967), 56, citing original page 542. See also 58-59, citing original page 545.
• 109 Ibid, 95, citing original page 616.
• 110 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia, Order Book 1740-1746, Part One, 1740-1742/3 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman,1971), 83, citing original page 138.
• 111 Ibid, 84, citing original page 140.
• 112 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia, Order Book 1740-1746, Part Two, 1742/3-1744 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman,1973), 2, citing original page 159.
• 113 Ibid, 3, citing original page 162.
• 114 Ibid, 11, citing original page 177.
• 115 Ibid, 14, citing original page 184.
• 116 Ibid, 15-16, citing original pages 187-188.
• 117 Ibid, 28, citing original page 214.
• 118 Ibid, 47, citing original page 249.
• 119 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book 1740-1746, Part Three, 1744-1746 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman,1973), 5, citing original pages 343 and 345.
• 120 Ibid, 11, citing original page 355.
• 121 Ibid, 10, citing original page 353.
• 122 Ibid, 14, citing original page 462.
• 123 Ibid, 21, citing original page 475.
• 124 Ibid, 39, citing original page 522.
• 125 Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1746-1754, Part Two, 1748-1750 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman, 1968), 2, citing original page 122.
• 126 Ibid, 14, citing original page 135.
• 127 Campbell, Colonial Caroline, 121.
• 128 Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book 1740-1746, Part Three, 1744-1746, 60, citing original page 83.
• 129 Ibid, 15, citing original page 136.
• 130 Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1740-1746, Part Two, 1742/3-1744, 61, citing original page 276.
• 131 Ibid, 43, citing original page 170.
• 132 Ibid, 57, citing original page 185.
• 133 Campbell, Colonial Caroline, 473.
• 134 Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book 1740-1746, Part Three, 1744-1746,, 64, citing original page 194.
• 135 Ibid, citing original page 195.
• 136 Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1746-1754, Part Two, 1748-1750, 11, citing original page 131.
• 137 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1746-1754, Part Three, 1750-1752 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman, 1970), 84, citing original page 334.
• 138 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia, Order Book, 1746-1754, Part Four, 1742-1754 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman, 1971), 3, citing original page 351.
• 139 Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia, Order Book, 1746-1754, Part Four, 1742-1754, 41, citing original page 407.
• 140 Ibid, 64, citing original page 441.
• 141 Campbell, Colonial Caroline, 337.
• 142 Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1759-1763, Part Two, 1760-1762, 37-38, citing original pages 243-244.
• 143 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1756-1758, Part Two, 1756-1758 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman, 1977), 78, citing original page 342.
• 144 William Armstrong Crozier, Virginia County Records, Volume 1, Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1971), 202.
• 145 Ibid, 212.
• 146 James Henry Coghill, Family of Coghill, 1377 to 1879 (Cambridge: Lberside Press, 1879), 103.
• 147 Crozier, Virginia County Records, Volume 1, Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, 267.
• 148 Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1759-1763, Part Three, 1762-1763 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman, 1988), 5, citing original page 335.
• 149 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book, 1764-1765, Part Three (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman, 1989), 10, citing original page 378.
• 150 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book 1765-1767, Part Two, 1765-1766 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman, 1990), 1, citing original page 180.
• 151 John Frederick Dorman, Caroline county, Virginia Order Book, 1765-1767, Part Three, 1766-1767 (Falmouth, Virginia: John Frederick Dorman, 1991), 20, citing original page 411.
• 152 Crozier, Virginia County Records, Volume 1, Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, 267.
• 153 Campbell, Colonial Caroline, 483; Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Order Book Abstracts of Caroline county, Virginia, 1770-1771, 59, citing original page 115.
• 154 Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Order Book Abstracts of Caroline County, Virginia, 1771-1772 (McLean,
• Virginia: Antient Press, 1992), 231, citing original page 230.
• 155 Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Order Book Abstracts of Caroline County, Virginia, 1778-1781 (McLean, Virginia: Antient Press, 1994), 81, citing original page 229.
• 156 Ruth Sparacio and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Order Book Abstracts of Caroline County, Virginia,1781-1783 (McLean, Virginia: Antient Press, 1994), 43, citing original page 108.
• 157 Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia Order Book 1740-1746, Part Three, 1744-1746, 11.
• 158 Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia, Court Order Book 1746-1754, Part One, 1746-1748, 14.
• 159 Ibid, 72.
• 160 For a discussion, see “Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy,” http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bobwolfe/gen/mn/m2137x3941.htm#FN29: accessed 2 June 2014.
• 161 T. E. Campbell, Colonial Caroline: History of Caroline County, Virginia (Richmond, Virginia: Dietz Press, 1954), 478; John Frederick Dorman, Caroline County, Virginia, Order Book, 1759-1763, Part Two, 1760-1762 (Washington, D.C.: John Frederick Dorman, 1983), 78, citing original page 313.

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JOHN BEASLEY, the son of William Beasley, was born in Old Rappahannock County, Virginia, say 1688-1695. He was still living as late as 1768, when, as a resident of Caroline County, he sold land in Spotsylvania County.[1]

John married (1) WINIFRED (___). She was dead before 1748. He married later, possibly (2) in Caroline County, Virginia, before 13 March 1748/9, ELIZABETH (___), widow of James Coghill.[2] Elizabeth was possibly still living as late as 11 May 1780, when she acknowledged in Caroline County two deeds of gift respectively to Benjamin Beazley and Augustine Beazley, both of whom were likely her sons.

Children of John Beasley, perhaps with wife Winifred (___), born probably in Caroline County, Virginia: WINIFRED “WINNEY” BEASLEY, b. after 1723 (say 1730); JOHN BEAZLEY JR., b. say 1720-25; d. Caroline County, Virginia, possibly intestate before 10 June 1762 CHARLES BEASLEY, b. say 1730; m. SUSANNAH (ALLEN?). probably WILLIAM BEAZLEY, b. say 1730-35. probably EDMUND BEAZLEY, b. say 1735-40; m. ELIZABETH (___). possibly REUBEN BEASLEY, b. say 1735-40; m. (___). CHRISTOPHER BEAZLEY, b. say 1740. Children of John Beasley, probably with second wife Elizabeth (___), widow of James Coghill: JAMES BEAZLEY, b. say 1748; BENJAMIN BEAZLEY, b. say 1750; m. (___). AUGUSTINE BEAZLEY, b. say 1750; m. (___).

William Beasley DNA Chart

https://www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Beasley-677

This is a DNA relationship chart I created to show how recent DNA evidence relates to the documented individuals in the line. It also shows a line that is commonly connected with William Beasley but appears to be the result of a Non-Paternal Event (NPE)

References

• “SOME BEASLEY FAMILIES OF THE COLONIAL SOUTH” By John D. Beatty, CG. This Document, was last updated Oct 2015. Significant new information and corrections are available. Please use this ONLY as a general guide. For questions or comments, contact Doug Beezley, Beasley Name Study: administrator AT Beasley genealogy.net < PDF >
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Beazley-185