John Dwight Beasley (1792 - 1854)

Born 25 Jan 1792 in Pawtucket, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Husband of Sarah (Clough) Beasley — married 8 Feb 1815 in Suffield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Descendants

Died 18 Nov 1854 at age 62 in Connecticut, United States

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Biography

John was born on January 25, 1792, in Providence, Rhode Island, ^[1] the son of John Beasley and Elizabeth "Betsey" (Bradford) Beasley.^[2] Siblings:

1. Edward Bezeley (1), d. at 18 months of age, 29 Oct 1788
2. Edward BEZELEY (2) b. Aug 17, 1790
3. William Beasley, b.Feb 2, 1794
4. Marion/Miriam (Beasley) Miller, b. Oct 16, 1797 the wife of the Rev Mr. Miller of Providence.

In Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties, Connecticut, the following biographical Sketch is found^[2] (edited slightly for clarity):

Early in his life, he was bound out to a neighboring farmer, whose name was Fitton. When he became a young man he went to New York City, where he learned the trade of a gunsmith under the instruction of a Mr. Hayden, with whom he worked during the war of 1812. When the British threatened an attack on New York he assisted in the construction of earth works. For thirty years he was employed in the United States Armory at Springfield, Mass., where he was a skilled mechanic.

In 1833 he purchased the farm, which is now occupied by his son. This farm, which was then known as the “Tim Horton place,” consisted of 190 acres. John Beasley located on it in the spring, but worked in the Armory during the summer of 1833. The rest of his life was devoted to farming. He rigged up a small forge at his farm, and had a small shop where he repaired guns during his odd moments. Many of the old flint—lockmuskets were changed by him to percussion cap guns, when the latter came into use. While he was a successful farmer, yet his heart was always in his shop, he was fond of tinkering, and was known as a most. capable mechanic. Dying Nov. 17, 1854, he was buried at Ellington, and left behind him the name of an honest and hard-working man, who had become well-to-do by his industry and economy. Of him it was said that “his word was as good as his bond.” Always an old-line Whig, he had no desire for official station, and devoted his life to his work. Mr. Beasley was married in Suffield, Conn., by Priest Gay, to Susan Clough, a native of West Springfield, Mass., born in 1794, a daughter of John Clough.

With his wife, Susan Clough^[3], they had the following (known) children^[2]:

1. Susan (Beasley) Arnold, married W. A. Arnold, a tinner of North Hampton, Mass., where she died in 1836;
2. John, born in 1818, died an infant
3. Elizabeth, born in 1821, married Elah C.
4. Stacy in 1839, and died in Windsor, Conn., Oct 18, 1859:
5. Harriet, born in 1823,married Henry Clark in 1845, and died in Marion, Ind., in April, 1900
6. John, born May 29, 1825; Mr. Beasley was married May 5, 1847, to Laura A. Clark, who was born in East Windsor, Feb. 12, 1824, and was a daughter of Charles and Chloe (Sadd) Clark, farming people. Mrs. Beasley died July 21, 1897.
7. Sarah (Beasley) Barber, born in 1827, married Edward Barber, of South Windsor, on May 5, 1847, and died Sept. 21, 1851;
8. Abigail, born in 1829, married Leonard Risley in 1852, and died in Hartford in 1857;
9. Emeline, born in 1832, married Major Erskine Hanover at the home of her brother, John.

He passed away in 1854, and is buried in Ellington Center Cemetery, Ellington, Tolland County, Connecticut. ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Bezely, John S of John and Elizabeth, Jan 25, 1792, in "Births recorded in Providence from 1636 to 1850 inclusive," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C95M-F362 : 18 May 2022) image 214 of 351; page 17; Film # 007649723
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Biography of John Beasley (the third) in Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties, Connecticut (J.H. Beers: Chicago, Illinois, 1903)
3. ↑ Crane, Darius, "Biographical sketches of Ellington Families," (Star Printing Company; Hartford, Conn)
4. ↑ Burial site of John Dwight Beasley, Find A Grave: Memorial #83433674 Ellington Center Cemetery, Ellington, Tolland County, Connecticut, USA