Catharine Beecher ^{1 2}

   Other names for Catharine were Catharine Bechert ⁹ and Catherine Bücher.^{3 5}

   FamilySearch ID: L6LY-7Z3.

  Christening Notes:

Her baptism appears in the personal register of Rev. Traugott F. Illing. Illing's record pertains either to the Bangor Episcopal Church in Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County, or Forest or Allegeheny Lutherans churches in Berks County near the Lancaster County line, all of which Illing served at this time.

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Census in 1800 in Caernarvon Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹⁰ On the same 1800 census page in Caernarvon Township is listed Benjamin Bricker and Philip Becher.

In 1800 Benjamin Bricker's household had:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1791-1800) = 1 son (John)
10-15 (1785-1790) = 1 son (?)
26-44 (1756-1774) = 1 father (Benjamin)
Females (born)
Under 10 (1791-1800) = 2 daughters (Catharine, Anna Maria)
16-25 (1775-1784) = 1 daughter (Mary)
26-44 (1756-1774) = 1 mother (Elizabeth)

Benjamin Bricker is living as a neighbor to the Neuswanger [Neiswender] and Segner families, surnames who marry two children of John Beecher who married Mary Ann Albrecht. On the following census page we find John's listing as John Bicher, identified specifically in Churchtown within Caernarvon township. Benjamin would be just outside Churchtown in the township.

In 1800 is listed Philip Becher with:
Males (born)
10-15 (1785-1790) = 1 son
16-25 (1775-1784) = 1 son
45 & over (<=1755) = Philip
Females (born)
Under 10 (1791-1800) = 1 daughter
16-25 (1775-1784) = 1 daughter
26-44 (1756-1774) = 1 wife.

2. Census in 1850 in Salisbury Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹¹ The 1850 census recorded Henry Sowders, farmer, 23, living with wife Anna, 22; Samuel Troop, 14. Listed on the same property in another household: Catharine Beecher, 45; and Mary Beecher, 40. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania.

3. Census in 1860 in Reading, Berks, PA. The 1860 census recorded Margaret Mast, 56, with real estate valued at $1,200. Living with her are her son-in-law, Joesph Graeff, moulder, 30; daughter Sarah, 30; grandchildren Charles F. Graeff, 3 and Anna M. Graeff, 1. Also with them are Margaret's sisters: Mary Baker [should be Beecher] , 64, and Catharine Baker [should be Beecher], 62. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania.

4. Catherine Beecher joined First Presbyterian Church in Reading. On 3 Jan 1868 in Reading, Berks, PA. ¹²

5. Census in 1870 in Reading, Berks, PA. ⁶ The 1870 census recorded Catharine Beecher, 74, keeping house, living in the household headed by Benneville Kreisher, hatter, 49. Also with them is Daniel A. Kreisher, 12; and Joseph H. Kreisher, 11. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania.

6. Occupation: Beecher, Catharine, seamstress; Beecher, Mary, seamstress; h 319 S. 4th Street, Reading, PA in 1879 in Reading, Berks, PA. ¹³

7. Census in 1880 in Reading, Berks, PA. ⁴ The 1880 census recorded at 319 South Fourth Street in Reading: Margaret C. Mast, 75, living with her two sisters: Mary C. Beache, 84; and Cathren Beache, 83 [should be Beecher]. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania.

8. Occupation: Beecher, Catharine, seamstress; Beecher, Mary, seamstress; h 319 S. 4th Street, Reading, PA in 1882 in Reading, Berks, PA. ¹³

9. Residence: Beecher, Catharine; Beecher, Mary; h 319 S. 4th Street, Reading, PA in 1883 in Reading, Berks, PA. ¹³

10. Obituary: Reading Times: Death of Miss Bechert. On 23 Apr 1884 in Reading, Berks, PA. ⁹ Miss Bechert died of the infirmities of old age, at the residence of her sister, Mrs. Mast, 325 1/2 North Ninth street. Her age was 88 years. She was confined to bed some six weeks. She came to Reading from Lancaster county a number of years ago and formerly resided on Fourth street below Spruce.

11. Newspaper: Reading Times: funeral of Miss Catharine Beecher, 25 Apr 1884, Reading, Berks, PA. ⁸ The funeral of Miss Catharine Beecher took place yesterday afternoon from the residence of her sister, Mrs. Margaret C. Mast, No. 325 1/2 North Ninth street, the interment having been made in the Charles Evans cemetery.