Catherine Elizabeth Bracht ^{2 3 4 5 6}

   Other names for Catherine were Catherine Elizabeth Bracket ¹² and Catherine Elizabeth Brought.^{8 10}

   FamilySearch ID: L6P8-X8B

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Census in 1860 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ⁹ The 1860 census recorded Jacob Becher [sic], clerk, 36, living with wife Catharine Becher, 34; Abram Becher, 15; and Horace Beecher, 10. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. They were living in the 20th Ward (North of Master Street) in Philadelphia.

2. Her father Abraham in his will gave land to daughter Catharine Beecher and her sons Abraham and Horace on 16 Feb 1861 in Centerville, Lancaster, PA. ¹³ 3rd. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Catharine Beecher, part of my real estate lot No 60 with a brick house thereon erected and other outbuildings, also lots No. 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 99, 100, 101, 102 the same being in the town of Centerville, County and State aforesaid.

4th. I also bequeath unto Abraham C. Beecher, son of my daughter Catharine four lots of ground lying and being in the town of Bainbridge in said County of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania and numbered on the plan of said town by numbers 53, 54, 55 and 56 and if the said Abraham C. Beecher should die without heirs then the said lots to return and fall back to his mother Catharine Beecher and her heirs after her decease.

5th. I bequeath unto Horace Beecher, son of my daughter Catharine Beecher four lots of ground lying and being in the town of Centerville in the said County and State aforesaid and numbered in the plan of said town by numbers 95, 96, 97, 98 and if the said Horace Beecher should die without heirs then the said lots to return and fall back to his mother Catharine Beecher and her heirs after her decease.

6th. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Hall, part of my real estate lot No. 58 with a frame house thereon erected the same being situate in the town of Centerville, Lancaster County and State of Pennsylvania, also fourteen lots of ground situate in the town of Bainbridge, Lancaster County and State of Pennsylvania and numbered in the plan of said town by numbers 70, 71, 72, 73, 93, 94, 100, 101, 102, 128, 129, 130, 131 the said lots being bounded according to the plan of said town.

7th. I also give and bequeath unto Abraham Hall, son of Hannah Hall, six lots of ground lying and being in the town of Bainbridge in the County and State aforesaid and numbered in the plan of said town by numbers 73, 74, 75, 76 and 80 and if the said Abraham Hall should die without heirs, then the said lots to return and fall back to his mother Hannah Hall, and her heirs after her decease.
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And lastly I nominate, constitute and appoint J. F. Beecher and Hannah Hall, to be the executors of this my last will and testament and also my daughter Hannah Hall, to be Guardian for Franklin Horst, during his minority of life should endure.

3. Orphan's Court Record fro Abraham Bracht Decd. on 20 Nov 1865 in Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. ¹⁴ Abraham Bracht Decd.
November 1865

To the Honorable the Orphans Court of Lancaster County, the petition of the subscribers, heirs and legal representatives of Abraham Bracht, late of the County of Lancaster, deceased, Respectfully Sheweth, That the said Abraham Bracht lately died, leaving a last Will and Testament, and duly proven and recorded in the Register's office at Lancaster in Will Book No. [blank] leaving no widow, but leaving issue children living to wit: Rebecca Bracht, Hannah Hall, intermarried with Hiram Hall, and Catharine Beecher, intermarried with Jacob Beecher, all of full age, and a grandson Franklin Horst, the child and heir of Sarah Horst, a daughter of said Abraham Bracht decd, but who was deceased before her said father, the said Franklin Horst is a minor under the age of 14 years, and Christian Engle is his Guardian.

And that the said testator Abraham Bracht died intestate as to the following described Real Estate, and seized in his demesne as of fee, of and in the same to wit:

No 1. A certain 14 lots of ground in the town of Bainbridge in the County of Lancaster, on one of which Number 127 there is erected a one and a half story frame dwelling house with a back building attached, a frame stable, hog pen &c, on Lot Number 128 is a well of good water and fruit trees are all over the lots the fence of these 14 lots extends out on the public Street 10 feet.

No 2. A certain lot of ground No 132, without buildings or improvements.

No 3. A certain lot of ground on which are erected a one and a half story frame dwelling house and other outbuildings. There are a number of fruit trees growing on this lot.

No 4. 8 certain ten lots of ground without improvements, situated in the Village of Centerville in Conoy Township.

All of said lots being in the County of Lancaster. Your petitioners therefore pray the Court to appoint and order John Wiley, Saml Eberly, J. Bracht, Jacob G. Adam, Saml Nissley, Simon Engle, Benjamin Hofferber and Abraham Collins (who have been chosen by your petitioners for that purpose) to make partition of the said premises or real estate to and among the children and representatives of the said deceased in such manner and such proportions, as by the laws of this commonwealth is directed, so that each shall have and receive an equal share thereof, if such partition can be made without prejudice to, or spoiling the whole; but if such partition cannot be made, then of as many as can to value and appraise the same, and make report of their proceedings herein according to law.

And Now November 20th 1865
It is ordered by the Court that the seven men above named be an Inquest to view value and appraise the Real Estate of which he died seized and to make partition thereof to and among the heirs and legal representatives of said deceased, according to law, and make return of their proceedings to the Orphans Court on the 19th day of March 1866.

4. Estate of Abraham Brought Decd. on 20 Mar 1866 in Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. ¹⁵ Return of Inquisition
To the Hon. the Orphans Court of Lancaster County. The undersigned seven men duly appointed and by virtue of the annexed order of Court qualified according to law we proceeded to view the several premises mentioned in the said Order and went upon the same after notice to the parties interested and mentioned in said Order having been given and as many of them as chose being present and finding that in our judgement equal partition of them could not be made of the said several premises to and among all the heirs and legal representatives of said Abraham Bracht deceased without prejudice to or spoiling of the whole and therefore we value and appraise the said several premises as follows to wit.

No. 1. A certain 14 lots of ground in the Town of Bainbridge County of Lancaster on one of which number 127 there is erected a one and a half story frame dwelling house with a back building attached a frame stable hog house and on lot number 128 is a well of good water and fruit trees are all over the lots the fence of these fourteen lots extending out in the public street 10 feet we value and appraise at the sum of Six hundred and fifty-four dollars ($654).

No. 2. A certain lot of ground No 132 without buildings or improvements we value and appraise at the sum of Ninety-eight dollars ($98) it being in said Village of Bainbridge.

No. 3. A certain lot of ground on which are erected a one and a half story frame dwelling house and other improvements with a number of fruit trees growing thereon and situate in the Village of Bainbridge aforesaid we value and appraise at the sum of Three hundred and fifty-four dollars ($354).

No. 4. A certain ten lots of ground without improvements situated in the Village of Centerville in Conoy Township we value and appraise at the sum of Two hundred and thirty-five dollars ($235).

Which Inquisition was read and confirmed by the Court on the 19th day of March 1866.

Same day a paper filed by Hannah Hall, Catharine C. Beecher and Christian Engle guardian of Franklin Horst and Rebecca Braught heirs and legal representatives of said decd declining and refusing to take any of the premises or pieces at the valuation but desire the same to be sold at public vendue and pray the Court to grant an Order to Jacob F. Beecher and Hannah Hall Trustees to sell.

And now March 20th 1866 at the instance of the heirs of decedent and on motion of S. H. Patterson Esq. Court grant an Order of sale and order and direct Jacob F. Beecher and Hannah Hall Trustees to sell the above described real estate by Vendue or out by... [signed by sureties for $2700: J. F. Beecher, C. Collins, Hannah Hall, W. W. Smith].

5. Residence: in 1867 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ¹⁶ Beecher Jacob F., drygoods, 629 Market, h 1539 N 12th.

6. Newspaper: Lancaster Intelligencer: Court Proceedings: Court of Common Pleas: J. F. Beecher and Hannah Hall, vs. Rebecca Brought. Issue to try the validity of the last will of Abraham Brought. The will was sustained. Patterson for plaintiff; Smith for defendant., 6 Mar 1867, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. ¹⁷

7. Newspaper: Lancaster intelligencer: Court Proceedings: Next Term Common Pleas: Rebecca Brought vs. J. F. Beecher and Hannah Hall, Executors of Abm. Brought, 19 Feb 1868, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. ¹⁸

8. Newspaper: Lancaster intelligencer: Court Proceedings: Common Pleas Court: Cases put down for trial: Rebecca Brought vs. J. F. Beecher and Hannah Hall, Executors of the Will of Abm. Brought, 28 Oct 1868, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. ¹⁹

9. Newspaper: Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, 3 Nov 1868, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. ²⁰ Court Proceedings. Common Pleas -The following cases not heretofore reported were disposed of last week in the Adjourned Court of Common Pleas: Rebecca Brought vs. J. F. Beecher et al. This action brought to recover from the Executor of plaintiffs father's estate, the value of a promissory note for $500 purporting to have been given by plaintifi's father. The defence alleged that the note was not genuine. The jury returned a verdict in favor of defendants that the signature to the note was not genuine.

10. Newspaper: Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, 3 Nov 1868, Lancaster, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. ²⁰ Court Proceedings. Common Pleas -The following cases not heretofore reported were disposed of last week in the Adjourned Court of Common Pleas: Rebecca Brought vs. J. F. Beecher et al. This action brought to recover from the Executor of plaintiffs father's estate, the value of a promissory note for $500 purporting to have been given by plaintifi's father. The defence alleged that the note was not genuine. The jury returned a verdict in favor of defendants that the signature to the note was not genuine.

11. Census in 1870 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ²¹ Jacob Beecher, 47, occupation salesman, is living with his wife, Catherine, 45; son A. C. W., 26, physician; and a domestic. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. His real estate is valued at $11,500 and possessions at $1,000.

12. Census in 1880 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ²² The 1880 census recorded at 1912 N. 12th Street: Jacob F. Beecher, salesman, 57, living with wife Catherine, 55; and servant Mary Page, 20. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania.

13. Newspaper: Daily New Era: Golden Wedding Anniversary of J. F. Beecher, 29 Mar 1894, Lancaster, Lancaster, PA. ²³ -----
THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING.
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An Estimable Couple of Manheim Celebrate A Notable Event.
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Mr. J. F. Beecher and his most estimable wife, Mrs. Catharine Elizabeth Bracht Beecher, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the Summy House, Manheim, on Wednesday evening. The occassion was a brilliant one, and in their happy celebration the aged couple, both enjoying unusual health for people of their years, were joined by a large number of friends, who, after a short and fitting address by the Rev. Enck, of the United Brethren Church, extended to the bride and groom of fifty years their hearty congratulations.
Mr. Beecher and his bridge, a daughter of the late Abraham Bracht, were married at the home of the latter at Bainbridge, this county, on the 28th of March, 1844. At that time Mr. Beecher was in the employ of W. W. May, a merchant whose services he had entered when only thirteen years of age. Subsequent to their marriage they moved to Columbia, where Mr. Beecher was for some years employed by the late Peter Haldeman. In 1852 they moved to Philadelphia and he entered the employ of Sieger, Lamb & Co., a dry goods firm operating extensively on Third street. In 1865 Mr. Beecher started to work for the wholesale dry goods firm of Hood, Bonbright & Co., with whom he remained in several capacities for twenty-three years. By dint of hard work he arose in the house, and during the last three years of his stay there was a member of that then well-known firm. About six years ago, after the loss of two sons, Mr. Beecher retired from active business life, and since then has made his home at Landisville and Manheim, thus, after a successful business career, returning to the county of his nativity.
Mr. and Mrs. Beecher have traveled in nearly all the States and territories, the last extensive trip having been made in 1890 in company with their only remaining child, Dr. Abraham C. W. Beecher, then a prominent practicing physician of Philadelphia. On this trip they traveled through the South, Mexico, and returned home by the way of California, Oregon, Washington state, and the Yellowstone Park.
In the fall of last year their last son was stricken with apoplexy while engaged in work in Corinthian Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, in Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, and died the following day.
After the reception the party retired to the dining room of the hotel, where a most inviting table had been prepared, beautifully decorated with plants and cut flowers, furnished by Schroyer, while the cake, confections, &c. were furnished by Joseph R. Royer, of this city. After the party had been arranged about the table Mr. Beecher read a poem of sixteen verses, which he himself had written for the occassion, after which short and appropriate addresses were made by a number of guests. the affair was throughout a most enjoyable one, and the happiness of the hosts made double happy the guests.
Among those present were: Dr. W. H. Webb and wife, Frank H. Hersh and wife, Philadelphia; Mr. John S. Weand and wife, Pottstown; Mr. D. W. Schum, wife and daughter, York; Mrs. S. B. Minnich and wife, Landisville; Mr. Charles G. Strickler, Lancaster; Rev. Enck, Mr. George H. Banner and wife, Mr. Aaron Danner and wife, Mr. E. F. Hostetter, wife and daughter, Mr. Abraham Summy and wife, Mr. B. F. Hershey and wife, Mr. Howard Gingrich and wife, the Misses Meixels, Professor John H. Schenk, John Becker, Mr. Harry Stauffer, Mr. William Schefler, Mr. Fernheisen, of Manheim.
Mr. Beecher has passed his seventieth year and Mrs. Beecher is now past sixty-eight years.

14. Census in 1900 in York, York, PA. ⁷ Jacob F. Beecher, age 76, born Sep. 1823, is living with his wife, Catherine E., age 74, born Oct. 1825. They were married for 56 years and had three children, none of them living in 1900. They and their parents were born in Pennsylvania. They are living at 436 Lincoln Street in the city of York, Pa.

15. Newspaper: Lancaster New Era: Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Beecher 61st Anniversary, 29 Mar 1905, Lancaster, Lancaster, PA. ²⁴ WEDDED SIXTY-ONE YEARS. Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Beecher, of Manheim, Celebrate an Unusual Anniversary.
Manheim, March 29. -- Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Beecher, who have made the Rummy House their home for the past twelve- years, celebrated their sixty-first wedding anniversary on Tuesday evening. Mr. Beecher was born in 1823, in the Pequea Valley, and Mrs. Beecher was born in 1825, in Bainbridge. Mr. Beecher's parents died when he was quite young, and at the age of twelve and one-half years he was indentured to Mr. May, of Bainbridge, after a year's trial, for seven years, to act as a clerk in a general store. After serving his apprenticeship with Mr. May he shortly afterward was married and then, engaged with Mr. Peter Haldeman, of Columbia, who conducted a general store in that place. Later he went to Philadelphia. He finally became a member of the firm of Hood, Bonbrlght & Co., Philadelphia. The Beecher family while living at Philadelphia were blessed with three sons, Horace, Franklin and Howard. Clarence died when young, and Dr. S. E. W. Beecher, who was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, died about seven years ago while practicing medicine in Philadelphia. Mr. Beecher retired from active business in 1889 and since then he and Mrs. Beecher have spent a great deal of time in travel, passing through every State and Territory in the Union except Arkansas. At the conclusion of the evening a banquet was served by Caterer Long. Rev. M. H. Nichols made an address. The guests present from Manheim were: Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Hostetler, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Metzler, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Danner, Mr. and Mrs. Wein Ensmlnger, Mr. and Mrs. N. W. Gingrich, Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Hershey, Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Stauffer, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Danner, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Farmer, Dr. and Mrs. J. Francis Dunlap, Mrs. Harriet Dunlap, Miss Elizabeth Dunlap, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Kline, Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Stauffer, Misses Mary Meixel, Lizzie Meixel, Sue Stroh, Mrs. Emma Zook, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Hamaker, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Shenck, Dr. J. D. Kendig, Misses Barbara and Kale Haslett, Mr. H. C. Gingrich, Mr. Chas. Dunlap, Miss Tillie Stehman and mother, Mr. Abram Hostetter. The out of town guests were: Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Hall and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Herst, Philadelphia; Mr. and Mrs. John Baker, Carlisle; Mrs. Amos Rutter, Miss Lillie Rutter, New Holland; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Kersey, Elizabethtown; Mr. and Mrs. George R. Rogers. Baltimore, Md.; Mr. Thos. B. Himes, Mt. Joy; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Kilborn, Brooklyn; Misses Lottie and Sue Paxson, Atglen; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rich, Marietta.

16. Cause of Death: senile debility, old age., 19 Oct 1912, Elizabethtown, Lancaster, PA. ⁸

Catherine married Jacob Franklin Beecher Jr., son of Jacob Franklin Beecher Sr. and Catharine Epler, on 23 Mar 1844.¹ (Jacob Franklin Beecher Jr. was born on 13 Sep 1823 in East Earl Twp., Lancaster, PA ^{7 9 21 25 26}, christened on 10 Mar 1829 in West Caln Twp.: St. John's Episcopal Church, Chester, PA,²⁶ died on 23 Jan 1906 in Manheim, Lancaster, PA ^{25 27 28} and was buried on 26 Jan 1906 in Philadelphia: South Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA ^{25 27}.)