William Beecher ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8}

   FamilySearch ID: LDMX-5P4.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1820 in Cumberland Twp., Adams, PA. ¹³ The 1820 census recorded Henry Beecher's household with:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1811-1820) = 4 sons
26-44 (1776-1794) = 2 father Henry & ?
Females (born)
10-15 (1805-1810) = 1 daughter
45 & over (<=1775) = 1 wife

He is living next to the widow Sophia Reck [his sister?] and Jacob Reck, who appeared as a baptism sponsor for some of Henry's siblings.

On the same census page is Robert Thompson, who became the court-appointed guardian of Henry Beecher's children following his death in 1822.
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2. Vol. B page 452: Orphan's court appoints Robert Thompson guardian of Henry Beecher's children on 2 Oct 1822 in Cumberland Twp., Adams, PA. ¹⁴ "On application the Court appoint Robert Thompson of Cumberland township to be guardian of the person and estates of David Beecher, John Beecher, William Beecher, Eli Beecher, Catherine Elizabeth Beecher minor children under the age of fourteen years of Henry Beecher late of Cumberland township decd."

See Robert Thompson (1797-1846) http://www.SearchTrees.com/tree/30746.htm.

3. Census in 1830 in Cumberland Twp., Adams, PA. ¹⁵ The Beechers are living in the household of their court-appointed guardian, Robert Thompson, whose household included the following:
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 5
Total Free White Persons: 10
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 10.

4. Residence: in 1833 in Allegheny City, Allegheny, PA. ⁶

5. He may be the William Bucker in Peebles Township, Allegheny County, but that age is too old: 30-39 census in 1840 in Peebles Twp., Allegheny County, PA. ¹⁶

6. Newspaper: Philadelphia Inquirer: William Beecher seriously injured in Allegheny city, 16 Aug 1844, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ¹⁷ A Distressing Accident
The Pittsburg Chronicle states taht on Monday afternoon, as two men were engaged in raising some heavy timbers in a new building, now in course of erection in Kilbuck street, in Allegheny city, the platform upon which they were standing, on the third story, gave way, and they both were precipitated from it to the ground below. One of them, a young married man by the name of William Beecher, was struck on the back by one of the timbers as he fell, and very seriously injured him. But little hopes are entertained of his recovery. Mr. Beecher lives on Water lane, near the Poor House, in Allegheny city. Samuel Hamilton is the name of the other man, but he was not so seriously injured as Mr. Beecher.

7. Census in 1850 in Manchester, Allegheny, PA. ¹⁸ William Bucher (two handwritten e's look like a u so was indexed wrong in census) is listed in the 1850 Census in Manchester as a carpenter, age 31, living with wife Isabella, 33; Emma, 5; and Mary, 3. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. His real estate is valued at $800.

8. Occupation: carpenter in 1850 in Manchester, Allegheny, PA. ¹⁹ Fannestock's Pittsburgh Directory for 1850:
Beecher David, blacksmith, Ormsby, Birmingham
Beecher & Caston, carpenter, Manchester
Beecher William, carpenter Manchester.

9. Residence: Beecher William, carpenter, Ohio Lane south side in 1856 in Manchester, Allegheny, PA. ²⁰

10. Census in 1860 in Manchester, Allegheny, PA. ³ William Beecher, master carpenter, 44, was living with wife Isabella, 42; Emma, 15; Mary, 12; and Henry, 9. William's real estate was valued at $5000 and person posessions $200. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. The post office was West Manchester.

11. Residence: Beecher William carp, cor Fayette and Beaver, M in 1862 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. ²¹ The 1862 Pittsburgh City Directory listed these Beechers:
Beecher George R. nail cutter 206 Penna av
Beecher John of M'Williams & Beecher, cor Greensburg road and Highland av, East Liberty
Beecher Martha J., widow David, 206 Penna av
Beecher Thomas sailmaker, 58 Lacock, A
Beecher William carp, cor Fayette and Beaver, M
Beecher William, tavern, 11 Diamond.

12. Occupation: carpenter in 1864 in McClure Twp., Allegheny, PA. ²² 1864-65 Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities:
Beecher Wm., soldier, 65th P. V., h Frankstown Rd. East Liberty
Beecher John, carpenter, h Frankstown Rd. East Liberty
Beecher wm., carpenter, Snyder's Hollow, McClure township.

13. Census in 1870 in McClure Twp., Allegheny, PA. ⁹ William Beacher, carpenter, 40, is living with wife Isabella, 40. William's real estate is worth $6,000 and possessions $500. The next household is Harvey Bucher (indexed wrong, should be Beecher), machinist, 19; and wife Fanny, 17. Harvey has nothing of value. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania.

14. Newspaper: Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette: Ad: "For County Commissioner WILLIAM BEECHER, Of the Tenth ward, Allegheny City, subject to the decision of the Republican County Convention", 15 May 1873, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. ²³

15. Newspaper: Pittsburgh Commercial reported results of ballots at county convention. 1st Ballot William Beecher received 0 votes. 2nd Ballot 12 votes and eliminated. Augustus Beckert was elected with 76 votes on 4th Ballot., 4 Jun 1873, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. ²⁴

16. Residence: 1876 Pittsburgh Directory: Beecher William, carpenter, Charles, Allegheny in 1876 in Allegheny City, Allegheny, PA. ²⁵ All Beechers in 1876 Directory:
Beecher Harry, machinist, Charles, Allegheny
Beecher J Henry, nailor, Morgan & Meadow
Beecher Jas R, carpenter, Hiland av & N Walnut 20th ward, East End
Beecher John, helper, 134 Eleventh, South Side
Beecher John, carpenter, Hiland av & N Walnut 20th ward, East End
Beecher William, carpenter, Charles, Allegheny.

17. Newspaper: Pittsburgh Commercial: "Court Proceedings, Common Pleas No. 2. William Beecher and wife vs. John O.S. Golden, reported previously. On trial before Judge Ewing.", 29 Jan 1876, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. ²⁶

18. Newspaper: Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette: "Common Pleas Court No. 2. William Beecher and wife vs. John O.S. Golden. Verdict for plaintiff for $125.", 31 Jan 1876, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. ²⁷

19. Census in 1880 in Allegheny City, Allegheny, PA. ² The 1880 census recorded on Charles Street: William Beecher, 51, living with wife Isabella, 50. Also with them is daughter-in-law Fannie Beecher, 24 (the wife of John Harvey Beecher who lived elsewhere), and Fannie's children: William's
grandson Francis, 7, and granddaughter Martha, 4. Also in the home is a granddaughter Laura Campbell, 9, who likely is the daughter of William's daughter Mary. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania except Fannie's father in England.

20. Residence: 1885 Pittsburgh Directory: Beecher William, carpenter, 91 Charles, A in 1885 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. ²⁸ Beechers in 1885 Pittsburgh (A is abbrev. for Allegheny)
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Beecher Geo R, fireman, Locust, n Gist
Beecher Henry J, machinist, 77 Beaver av, A
Beecher J H, nailor, Morgan, n Vera
Beecher J R, carpenter, 5827 Ellsworth av
Beecher Margaret, widow John, 5803 Walnut
Beecher William, carpenter, 91 Charles, A.

21. Residence: 1893 Pittsburgh Directory: Beecher, William, carpenter, 91 Charles, Allegheny in 1893 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. ²⁹

22. He signed a will on 28 Jan 1895 in Allegheny City, Allegheny, PA. ³⁰ In the name of God, Amen. I William Beecher of the City of Allegheny, County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania being of sound and disposing mind and memory do hereby publish and declare my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say:
I direct my executor hereinafter named to pay out of the first money coming into the hands of said executor all my past debts and funeral expenses.
I give and bequeath to my son John Harvey Beecher the sum of twenty five dollars as his full share of my estate.
I give and bequeath to my grandson, Frank A. Beecher the sum of twenty five dollars as his full share of my estate.
I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Martha Beecher the sum of three hundred dollars and I direct that this bequest remain in the hands of my executor hereinafter named until my said granddaughter shall arrive at the age of twenty five years and that the interest therein be paid to my said granddaughter annually until she arrives at said age when the principal share shall vest in her absolutely provided however that in the event of her death before she arrives at the age of twenty five years the sum of money herein bequeathed her shall be paid to my daughter Mary Jemima Bridge and Emma Louise Nicholson share and share alike.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Emma Louise Nicholson, her heirs and assigns, a certain lot in the Mount Union Cemetery and also a certain lot in the Hilldale Cemetery, both of said lots being in my name.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Jemima Bridge all my household goods, wearing apparel and books.
I give devise and bequeath all the rest and residue of my estate, real, personal and mixed and whensoever situate to my daughters Emma Louis Nicholson and Mary Jemima Bridge, their heirs and assigns forever share and share alike.
And lastly I do nominate, constitute and appoint the Dollar Savings Fund and Trust Company, a corporation having its place of business in the City of Allegheny as sole executor of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty eighth day of January A.D. 1895.
William Beecher (SEAL)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above William Beecher as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names at his request as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said testator and of each other.
Utilles Baird
Jas. W. Collins.

23. Residence: 402 Rebecca St., Allegheny City, PA on 24 Jan 1897 in Allegheny City, Allegheny, PA. ¹²

24. Newspaper: Pittsburgh Daily Post: Death Notice for William Beecher, 26 Jan 1897, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. ³¹ BEECHER -- On Sunday, January 24, 1897, at 6 a.m., William Beecher, in his 81st year. Funeral from the residence of his son-in-law, John Bridge, No. 412 Rebecca street, Allegheny, on Tuesday, January 26, at 3 p. m. Friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend. (Maryland papers please copy.).

25. Obituary: Pittsburgh Daily Post: Obituary of William Beecher on 26 Jan 1897 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. ^{6 11} William Beecher.
In the death of William Beecher on Sunday Allegheny loses one of her most respected citizens. The deceased was born near Tenneytown [sic Taneytown], Md., March 10, 1816. In 1833, with two older brothers, he came west of the Alleghenies and cast his lot with the borough of Allegheny, having been a resident from that time to the present. About three years ago his wife died, since which time he had been failing rapidly. He leaves a son and two daughters, Harvey Beecher, Mrs. Emma Nicholson and Mrs. John Bridge. He was a contractor and builder for 31 years, having retired from active labor about 10 years ago. He had been a consistent Christian for upward of half a century, being a member of the Methodist denomination. The funeral was held this afternoon from the residence of his son-in-law, John Bridge, on Rebecca street, Allegheny.

26. Newspaper: Pittsburgh Press: The Beecher Will Admitted To Probate, 11 Feb 1897, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. ³² Caveat Withdrawn.
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The Beecher Will Admitted to Probate
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Attorney William Blakeley has withdrawn the caveat filed a few days ago to the probate of the will of William Beecher, deceased. The will was presented this morning and admitted to probate. It makes certain small bequests to his children and makes his two daughters, Emma Louisa Nicholson and Mary Jemima Bridge, the residuary legatees.

William married Isabella Alexander. (Isabella Alexander was born in 1820 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA,^{3 8 9} died on 22 Jun 1894 in Allegheny City, Allegheny, PA ^{6 33 34 35} and was buried in Pittsburgh: Union Dale Cemetery, Allegheny, PA ³⁵.)