Henry Beecher

   FamilySearch ID: L23K-YVG.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Fact: Y-DNA testing proves Henry Beecher is the same family as Rev. Henry Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe, but Henry immigrated from England and didn't live in Connecticut. He is likely from the Kent, England Beechers. See https://searchtrees.com/georgia.

2. He immigrated A handwritten family tree drawn in 1928 by Wilson Lumpkin Beecher age 84 says Henry Beecher born 1812 came to Darien, Georgia to Darien, McIntosh, GA. Not verified. See http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/beecher/490/.

3. Census in 1840 in District 9, Appling, GA. ² The 1840 census recorded Henry Beecher with this household:
1 male under 5 (son William)
1 male 20 & under 30 (Henry)
1 female 15 & under 20 (Lucinda).

4. On 12 Feb 1848 Henry Beecher sold for $25 to Jesse Mobley 490 acres in Lot 362. On 12 Feb 1848 in , Appling, GA. ³

5. Census in 1850 in District 375, Montgomery, GA. ¹ The 1850 census recorded on 14 Sep 1850: Henry Beacher [sic], school teacher, 36, living with wife Lucinda, 26; William A., 16; Henry H., 7; Margarette M., 6; Wilson L., 5; Almira, 3; and Light H., 11 months old. Everyone was born in Georgia except Henry in England.

6. Census in 1860 in Holmesville, Appling, GA. ⁴ The 1860 census recorded in the Southern District of Appling County, post office Holmesville: Henry Beecher, farmer, 46, living with wife Lucinda, 38; Wm. A., 19; Henry H., 18; Margaret M., 16; Wilson L., 15; Elmirah, 13; Light H., 10; Sarah E., 9; Hansel, 7; Gelle A., 5; and Harriet L., 2. Everyone was born in Georgia except Henry in England.

7. William A. And Henry H. Beecher purchased for $500 Lot 570 (490 acres) from Elijah Sapp, father-in-law of their brother, Wilson Lumklin Beecher. On 22 Apr 1861 in , Appling, GA. ⁵ Clerks Office, Superior Court, Appling, Georgia

This indenture made the twenty second day of April one thousand eight hundred and sixty one between Elijah Sapp of the County and State aforesaid, of the one part and William A. Becher and Henry H. Becher of the second place of the other part, witnesseth, that the said Elijah Sapp for and in consideration of five hundred dollars to him in hand said at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is herby acknowledge, hath granted, bargained, sold and conveyed and do by these presents grant, bargain, sell and conveyed unto the said William A. Becher and Henry H. Becher, their heirs and assigns all that tract of parcel of land situate lying and being in the County aforesaid containing four hundred and niney (490) acres more or less and known and distinguished by number five hundred and seventy (570) in the second district of said County, To have and to hold said tract or parcel of land unto the said William A. Becher and Henry H. Becher his heirs and assigns together with all and singular the rights and appurtenances thereof to the same in any manner belonging to his, and their own proper use benefit and behoof forever in fee simple. And the said Eljah Sapp for himself, his heirs executors and administrators, the said bargained premises unto the said William A. Becher and Henry H. Becher his heirs and assigns will warrant and forever defend the right and title thereof against themselves and against the claim of all other persons whatsoever. In witness whereof the said Elijah Sapp hat hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written.
Elijah Sapp (his x mark) (seal)
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of
Nathaniel A. Bell,
Silas Crosby J. P.
Recorded Oct 11 1881
W. W. Graham, Clerk S. C. A. C. Ga.

8. Military in Apr 1864 in District 457, Appling, Georgia United States: Henry was exempt from serving in the Georgia Militia. ⁶ On 14 Dec 1863 a law passed in Georgia required all free white males age 16 to 60, not in the Confederate Army or Navy, or in the State service, to be enrolled in the Georgia Militia. The registration record had to show the age, occupation, and nativity of each person and any exemption claimed.

Listed in the 3rd Senatorial District - 457 Militia District:
Beecher, Henry, 53 yrs. 9 mos., Teacher, b. England; Exemption: Tax Collector-in-Kind

Henry was exempt; and assuming the list was compiled in April, 1864, then subtracting 53 years 9 months calculates a July, 1810 birth for Henry.

9. Census in 1870 in Holmesville, Appling, GA. ⁷ The 1870 census recorded in the Southern District of Appling County, post office Holmesville: Henry Beecher, school teacher, 57, living with wife Lucinda, 40; Henry H., farm laborer, 27; Light H., 20; Sarah E., 18; Hansell, 16; Gillian S., 13; John M., 7; and Andrew, 7. Everyone was born in Georgia except Henry in England. Henry's real estate was valued at $100 and personal estate $300.

10. On 10 Jan 1874 James Spillers of Randolph, AL sold for $100 to Henry Beecher 490 acres in Land Lot 571 in 2nd District. On 10 Jan 1874 in , Appling, GA. ⁸

11. Census in 1880 in District 457, Appling, GA. ⁹ The 1880 census recorded the Beecher family in the 457th District (Baxley) indexed as surname Beechn because the poor handwriting appears as such, although it is written as Beecher. Henry Beecher, farmer, 64, was living with wife Lucindy, 55; son John, timber cutting, 18; son Lee, 18, timber cutting; a boarder, William Loyd, timber cutting, 24; and grand-daughter Harriett Beecher, 15; and grandson Light Beecher, 8. Lucindy, her parents and her children were born in Georgia. The grandchildren's parents were born in Georgia. Henry and his parents were born in England.

Next door is Henry H. Beecher, farmer, 37, with wife Ivelen, 25; daughter Crissey, 9; son Elisha, 7; daughter Eady, 6; son Garrey, 4; daughter Elmyra, 3; and daughter Maria, 1. Everyone was born in Georgia. Henry H.'s father was born in England and mother in Georgia. Ivelen's parents were born in South Carolina.

12. Henry Beecher's Homestead Application in Appling Co. Deed Book J Page 124 - East Half of Lot 570 in Sep 1880 in Baxley, Appling, GA. ¹⁰ Clerks Office, Superior Court, Appling Co.

To the Honorable Ordinary of said County sitting for ordinary purposes.

The petition of Henry Beecher respectfully showeth that he is a citizen of said County and state, and further showeth that he is the head of a family and being of such is entitled under the Constitution of 1868 and 1877 and the acts of the Legislature with the several acts mandatory thereof to Homestead and personal exemption for the benefit of his said family consisting of a wife named Lucinda Beecher aged 58
Andrew Lee Beecher 17
John Morgan Beecher 17
Your petitioner prays that said exemption may be taking from his estate consisting of realty and personalty which will more fully appear by reference to the annexed schdule all of which is respectfully submitted and your petitioner will ever pray this Sept. 1880.

Schedule of Property
East half of lot of land No. 570 in 2nd Dist. of said County val. $200.00
1 mare dark brn aged 16 $15.00
30 head stock cattle marked and branded as follows swoffrk in right ear over slope and under bit in left ear branded S. 210.00
Household and kitchen furniture 40.00
Farming utensils 10.00

List of creditors
Sheldon P. Smith, Perry's Mills, Ga.
Recorded Nov. 1 1880
W. W. Graham
Clerk S. C. A. C. Ga.

(document includes surveyors drawing of the Lot. No. 570 in the 2nd District consisting of 228 1/2 acres).

13. Henry Beecher Sr. Sold to J. A. Bell on 4 Dec 1895 for $50 50 acres in the northeast corner of lot number 570 bordered on the north and west and south by lands of W. J. Mann and east by public road running from Baxley to Piney Bluff. On 4 Dec 1895 in Baxley, Appling, GA. ¹¹

14. Census in 1900 in Baxley, Appling, GA. ¹² The 1900 census recorded in the 457th District (Baxley) in Appling County four Beecher households as neighbors.

The first household was headed by William Carter, farmer, 63, born May, 1837, married for 32 years to wife Mary M. 51, Aug 1848, living with son William E., farm laborer, 21, Apr 1879; daughter Minnie L, 14, Mar 1886; and son-in-law Lite H. Beecher, laborer turpentine, 24, Jun 1875, married to William Sr.'s daughter Sabra S., 23, Jul 1876. They were married 4 years and had 2 children: daughter Earnie, 3, Mar 1897; and son Fred, 1 Jan 1899. Everyone and their parents were born in Georgia.

William. A. Beecher, farmer, 60, born Jan 1840, was living with wife Mary, 59, May 1841. They were married for 6 years and the census column records she had birthed no children by 1900. Mary, her parents, William, and his mother were born in Georgia. His father was born in England.

The next household is headed by Elijah Mock, farmer, 35, Jan 1865, married for six years to wife Mazelle, 40, Apr 1860, living with stepson Lite Beecher, farm laborer, 21, Feb 1879; and stepson Henry L. Beecher, farm laborer, 16, May 1884; and son Lennie Mock, 4, Oct 1895. Everyone and their parents were born in Georiga, except Elijah and his parents in South Carolina.

The next household is headed by Lumpkin Beecher, farmer, 54, Apr 1846, married for 33 years to wife Cornelia A., 54, Mar 1846. She had birthed no children by 1900.With them is father Henry Beecher, 87 is first written but then crossed out and overwritten as 77, Jul 1822, widowed. Henry and his parents and Lumpkin's father were born in England. Lumpkin, his mother, Cornelia and her parents, were born in Georgia.

Henry married Lucinda Margaret Hagan. (Lucinda Margaret Hagan was born about 1824 in , , GA ¹ and died on 25 Dec 1880 in Baxley, Appling, GA ⁹.)