Re: Lt Joseph Beard d 11/1736
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In reply to:
Lt Joseph Beard d 11/1736
7/04/99
In the book "Baird and Beard Families" by Fermine Baird Catchings on page 62 is the following:
A letter from John Ham, genealogist, follows:
[He suggests the Registry of Wills and Deeds of Exeter, NH would be of interest.]
"William and Thomas Beard were comtemporey settlers in old Dover, NH. They could not have been father and son;they may have been brothers.William lived in Oyster River Parish (now Durham).He was at least 21 when he deeded land in 1640 to Frances Mathas.He owned and lived in a garrison house on the east side of Oyster River, just above the present Brinker Garrison.He married Elizabeth as early as 1657, when they jointly signed a deed.They may have married earlier.He was a Selectman 1660-62.He was the "good old man" who was killed by Indians in 1675.One-half of his estate was given to his widow Elizabeth; the other half to Edward Leathers unless the widow should need it for her maintanance.He evidently had no children.
" Thomas (born in 1608) was a settler on Dover Neck (as appears by a deposition.He married Mary -- as early as 1650 (possibly years earlier).His will was dated December 16, 1678. He was admitted freeman in Massachusetts in 1643, and was taxed in Dover n 1648 and many years after."
Thomas Beard, in his will, gives property to his wife Mary, to his sons Joseph and Thomas, and to his daughter Martha (wife of James Bunker) and Elizabeth (wife of Jonathan Watson).He was Selectman of Dover in 1661.
Joseph (1) son of Thomas and Mary, was born in 1655; lived in Dover Neck.Married as early as 1692 Esthar Philbrick, daughter of James of Hampton.Joseph died, and on February 9, 1703, his widow Esther was appointed administratrix of his estate.His widow married Sylvanus Nock, 1705.
Joseph (2), son of Joseph and Esther, was "Ensign."Married Elizabeth Waldron March, 1700.He was dead as early as 1723, for his widow was appointed administratrix of his estate."