William Alfred Beecher ^{1 2 3}

  Noted events in his life were:

1. 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.

2. Census in 1860 in Holmesville, Appling, GA. ⁵ 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.

3. 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. ⁶ 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.

4. Census in 1870 in Holmesville, Appling, GA. ⁷ The 1870 census recorded Wm. A. Beecher, 30, living with wife Mary, 21, in the household of Ethan Summerall, farmer, 46; and his wife Nancy, 42. Everyone was born in Georgia. The post office was Holmesville.

5. Census in 1880 in District 456, Appling, GA. ⁸ The 1880 census recorded in the 456th District (west of Baxley): Alfred Beecher, works on farm, 42, living with wife Mary, 18; daughter Elmeria, 12; son Heny, 10; son Isham, 9; daughter Rebecca, 8; daughter Florence, 6; daughter Lucretia, 5; son Colster, 2; and daughter Lila, 3 months old when the census was recorded on 29 Jun 1880. They are living as neighbors to widow Elizabeth Sapp, 42, with her children Elijah, 14; Mollie, 12; and Sarah, 8. Everyone and their parents were born in Georgia.

6. Census in 1900 in Baxley, Appling, GA. ⁴ 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.

William married Mary Crosby. (Mary Crosby was born about 1849 in , , GA and died about 1874.)

William next married Mary Sapp on 11 Jan 1874. (Mary Sapp was born in May 1841 in , , GA ^{4 8 9}.)

William next married Mary Carter on 19 Nov 1893.