Elisha Beardsley (1735 - 1824)

Born 17 Mar 1735 in Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut Colony

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 6 Apr 1824 at age 89 in Huntington, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States

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Elisha Beardsley is a descendant of the immigrants William Beardsley and Mary Harvie.

Biography

Elisha Beardsley was born in about 1735. He passed away in 1824.

His death notice reads, "On the death of Mr. Elisha Beardsley, whose demise was noticed in our last, a correspondent has handed the following obituary notice: His strength of body notwithstanding he was a slender frame, continued tall within a few days of his death. Thursday, the 1st inst, he mounted his horse from the ground, (as was his usual custom,) with the ease, apparently, of a person of forty. On the morning of his dissolution, he walked a few paces from the door but was observed by the family to fail. They immediately offered to assist him in his return to the house, which he declined, and with little difficulty reentered and seated himself in his chair. He appeared fainting and was assisted to his bed, where he soon reposed in the arms of death without a struggle or a groan.

"In delineating the character of the deceased the Eulogist would find an ample field for portraying the "perfect man". We shall, however, only remark that the doors of his hospitable mansion, (which was stored with the good things of this life) were always open to the sons and daughters of want and affection, and the "aspect of woe" was never known to enter without receiving something to "light up a smile" upon it previous to its departure. In early life, he embraced the Christian religion; for seventy years had been a member and communicant of the Episcopal Church and till one or two years passed, retained the office of Warden. His seat in the church was seldom vacant, even in the most inclement season of winter. Buoyed by the gospel of Christ we walked calmly through all the trials and vicissitudes of life unruffled. His countenance which was the index of his heart, beamed love, peace, friendship, and benevolence to the whole human race. he "loved not his enemies" for he nad non to love; he "blessed not those that cursed him" for there was none of that description to bless."^[1]

His will is dated 7 August 1823 and proved on 19 April 1824 in Stratford. He mentions his daughter Abby Betsey Gray, his granddaughter Sally Beardslee, the daughter of his son Elisha H. Beardslee, and his three sons, Ebenezer Beardslee, Elisha H. Beardlee, and Ezra Beardslee.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Connecticut Courier, Wednesday, April 21, 1824, Bridgeport, CT, Vol X, Issue 517, Page 3, GenealogyBank.com
2. ↑ “Probate records v. 7-8 1820-1834”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L92K-YX8S : 23 January 2023), FHL microfilm 007627135, image 128, Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut, Vol 7, 1820-1829, Pages 219.

• Beardsley Genealogy: The Family of William Beardsley, One of the First Settlers of Connecticut. Compiled and edited by Nellie Beardsley Holt and Charles Eleazer Holt. Published at West Hartford, Connecticut, 1951. Elisha Beardsley, Holt Record #63, Pg. 39, is the son of Israel Beardsley, Holt Record # 27, Pg 20. ^[3]
• "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:SBSY-JGY : accessed 2015-05-24), entry for Elisha /Beardsley/.
• Orcutt, Samuel. A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut (Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor, New Haven, Conn., 1886) Vol. 2, Page 1138
• Find A Grave: Memorial #79463322; Elisha Beardsley, Monroe Center Cemetery, Monroe CT

Acknowledgements

Added information from Beardsley family researcher Nick Dann, 13 May 2017.