Henry Harrison Beecher ^{1 2 3}

   FamilySearch ID: KC6W-YM6.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1850 in District 375, Montgomery, GA. ² 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. 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.

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. 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.

4. Census in 1870 in Holmesville, Appling, GA. ⁶ 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.

5. Census in 1870 in Holmesville, Appling, GA. ⁶ 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.

6. Census in 1880 in District 457, Appling, GA. ⁷ 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.

7. On 22 Dec 1880 Henry H. Beecher for $200 sold to Joseph G. Horton Lot 546 in the 2nd District on 22 Dec 1880 in , Appling, GA. ⁸

8. William Griffin sold for $250 to Henry H. Beecher 122 1/2 acres in southeast corner of Lot 426 on 1 Mar 1881 in , Appling, GA. ⁹

9. On 24 Aug 1886 William Sellers sold for $5 to Henry H. Becher 5 acres in Lot 391. On 27 Aug 1886 Henry H. Becher sold for $5 to Sheldon P. Becher 5 acres in Lot 391. On 24 Aug 1886 in , Appling, GA. ¹⁰

10. H. H. Beecher applied for a homestead exemption on 245 acres the west half of lot 570 on 1 Mar 1887 in , Appling, GA. ¹¹ Deed Book N, page 170

Clerks Office, Superior Court, Appling County

To the ordinary of said County of said Couty. The Petition of H. H. Beecher a resident of said County shows that he is the head of a family consisting of himself, his wife Avilla Beecher, aged 35 years the 17^th day of February 1887, and nine minor children to wit: Chrissie 15 years of age, Elisha 14 years, Eadict 13 years, Garry aged 12, Emma 11 years, Martha 9 years, Shelton aged 5 years, Emory 3 years, Clifford 13 months of age and that he desires under the constitution of Georgia and the statues in reference hereto have laid off and set apart as a homestead for the use and benefit of said family on or out of two hundred and forty five acres of land, the property of petitioner situated in said county known as the west half of lot land number five hundred and seventy in the second district of said county the said two hundred and forty five acres of land not to exceed in value the sum of five hundred dollars. Petitioner also desires to have exempted and set apart the personal property embraced in Schedule "A" hereto attached in which reference is made as a part of this his petition, said schedule contains a minute and accurate description of all his personal property of the petitioner. Schedule "B" contains (hereto attached) a correct list of the names and post offices of the creditors of petitioner. Your petitioner prays that an order may issue to the county surveyors of said county requiring him to lay off and make a part of a homestead for said family out of and from said two hundred and forty five acres of land and make a return thereof in accordance with law. Your petitioner asks that the usual notice in such cases may issue and be published as required by law and your petitioner will so pray.

H. H. Beecher
Petitioner

J. J. Carter
Petitioner's Atty

Schedule of all property belonging to H. H. Beecher at the time of making the following application.

Schedule "A"
245 acres of lot of land number 570 in the second district of said County.
One sorrel horse 7 years old 150.00
Four hundred cows marked swallow fork in one ear or over slope and under bit in other ear Branded "A" Value 25.00
Twenty head stock hogs marked swallow fork and under bit in other ear value $20.00
One buggy value $50.00
One horse cart value $10.00
One double barrel shot gun $20.00
House hold and kitchen furniture consisting of two leather beds value $20.00
3 mattresses value $10
1 domestic sewing machine $30.00
1 eight day clock value $10.00
½ doz. Sitting chairs $6.00
3 bedsteads $7.50
2 common trunks $5.00
wearing apparel $25.00
kitchen furniture consisting of knives forks plates pots and such things as are necessary for kitchen use value $25.00
farming utensils & mechanical tools to wit two plow stocks & plows, 1 saddle, hoes, axes, planes drawing knives, saws augers, chisels total value $25.00

Schedule " B"
List of Creditors Post Offices
L W Baxley Post Office Prentis Ga
Mann & Metton, Baxley Ga
N Carter, Baxley Ga
T. F. Thomas, Baxley Ga
A. J. Graham, Baxley Ga
L. A. Johnson, Pine Grove Ga
William Clifton, Savannah Ga
James Goode Aduer, Pine Grove Ga
Charlton Douglas, Holmesville, Ga

In person came H. H. Beecher before the undersigned who on oath says that the statement contained int eh foregoing petition are true; that the schedule containing a minute and accurate description of all the real and personal property owned by the applicant and that the list of creditors hereto attached is complete and their post offices correctly given so far as they are known to the applicant.
H. H. Beecher (signature)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this Mch 1st 1887
P. H. Carter Judge County Court A. C. Ga.

11. On 2 Mar 1898 H. H. Beecher sold for $300 to Green T. Melton 245 acres in the west half of Lot 570 in the 2nd District. On 2 Mar 1898 in , Appling, GA. ¹²

12. H. H. Beecher sold 10 head of cattle to Mrs. N. E. Swain to educate and support his 7 minor children on 18 Jul 1901 in Baxley, Appling, GA. ¹³ Georgia, Appling Co.
For and in the consideration of the sum of eight-five dollars cash to me this day paid by Mrs. N. E. Swain I hereby sell, alien and convey unto the said Mrs. N. E. Wain all the following described property to wit: Eleven head of stock cattle known as the "Beecher" cattle and now being penned on the premises of W. C. Swain and said eleven head of cows being the increase of homestead property and hereby sold for educational and maintenance purposes. It is the intention of the parties to convey the absolute indefeasible title to said cows by this instrument unto the said Mrs. N. E. Swain to have and to hold as well as the quiet peaceable possession thereof forever.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal for myself individually and as guardian for my seven minor children to wit: Shelton Beecher, Emma E. Beecher, Harriet Beecher, John Beecher, Oliff Beecher, Lumpkin Beecher. This July 18th, 1901
H. H. Beecher
Guardian ad litem for his said 7 minor children
Recorded August 8^th, 1901
J. C. Geiger.

13. Elmyra Zettler of Bibb County appointed brother H. H. Beecher as attorney in fact for her farm and land known as "Perry Moody place" in Lot 391 in 2nd District 210 acres and to sell it at fair price or rent out or cultivate it. On 14 Jan 1905 in , Appling, GA. ¹⁴

14. Newspaper: Baxley News-Banner: H. H. Beecher Court Case, 7 Feb 1913, Baxley, Appling, GA. ¹⁵ Baxley And The Jenny Have Merry-Go-Round
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That merry-go-round, flying jenny or "what not" has held the center of attraction during the past several day, although it has only been operated for a short while on two different occasions.
Some weeks ago, Mr. H. H. Beecher, an old Confederate soldier, well and favorably known in this county, came to Baxley with the Beecher Amusement Company, of which he is the proprietor, for the purpose of operating his business. He was notified by the authorities that his efforts to put in operation his shooting gallery, ball games, merry-go-round, etc. would meet opposition from the "city fathers" as an ordinance had been passed by the city prohibiting this class of business.
Mr. Beecher did not unload his merry-go-round and other parts of his attractions when notified that the city would not grant him a permit to show but left to show at some other place.
Last week he brought his company back and unloaded, had his tents erected and merry-go-round put up and began operating the merry-go-round. Immediately Chief Duncan Branch docketed cases against Mr. Beecher and Gordon Clarke, one of the employees.
The cases were called and tried before Mayor Dave M. Parker and Mr. Beecher fined $100.00 and cost or thirty days on the street and Mr. Clarke was fined $50.00 or twenty days on the street.
Mr. Beecher employed attorneys to fight the case taking the position that the city did not have a right to prohibit the operation of the merry-go-round under his Confederate license. He employed Messrs. Padgett & Watson to fight the case for him. The case was certioraried and sanctioned by Judge Conyers.
On Wednesday Mr. Beecher again started his merry-go-round and he with those operating it were again arrested and this time carried to the county jail for incarceration without bail. However, under a habeas corpus proceeding which was heard by Judge Byrd, Ordinary of this county, all parties were liberated.
What the next legal steps will be time alone will tell.

Henry married Avilla Griffin on 12 Apr 1871 in , Appling, GA.¹ (Avilla Griffin was born on 17 Feb 1852 in , , GA ¹⁶.)