Re: Keziah Brashear

Hi Kevin, et al
Yes, I have some names.Always interested in additions and corrections to my data.

10. BESHEAR(S) FAMILIES OF KY

A large number of Beshear(s) families, descendants of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Brashears, lived in Hopkins, Christian, and Caldwell Counties, KY, beginning about 1800.They are not to be confused with the large number of Brasher families living in the same area at the same time, who are descendants of John and Aquilla Brasher, sons of Thomas Brazier, who migrated from Greenville Co, SC, about 1805.Both families used familiar names like John, Thomas, and Henry, but both also used unusual names like Hampton and Larkin.Beshear(s) is a fairly common corruption of Brashears, and the family seems to have stemmed from Jeremiah and Elizabeth Brashears, of Spartanburg Co, SC, who was probably an undocumented son of 57. Basil Brashears, b. 18 Mar 1714, s/o Samuel Brashear Sr and Ann Jones.
Jeremiah and William Brashears and their cousin, John Hunt Prather, s/o Philip Prather by his first wife, Catherine Hunt, are on the Tax List of Rowan Co, NC, in 1772--just after Basil's financial troubles in Orange Co, NC, which sent the family scurrying for new territory.
Deeds in 1787 and 1788 in South Carolina establish that 65. Jeremiah and Elizabeth Brashears lived along the Tygar River in present-day Spartanburg Co, SC.Jeremiah's neighbors in SC include William and Sarah Bratcher/ Brashears, Zadock Bousier, Benjamin Brashears, and Isaiah (?or Isaac) Breacher.These, along with Middleton Brashears, are apparently his brothers.Middleton Brashears and his sister, Henrietta (Brashears) Prather, fourth wife of Philip Prather, lived in nearby Laurens Co, on the Enoree River (the boundary), though Middleton served in a Spartanburg unit in the Revolution. Middleton and Henrietta are the only clearly documented children of Basil Brashears and Ann Belt.

10 Mar 1787, Joseph Howel, cooper, of 96 Dist, SC, (deeded) to James Oliphant, planter of same, for 10 pounds sterling, 493 acres on north side of Tygar River, part of a tract of 600 acres granted to William Cowden by Matthew Rowan, Esq, Gov. of N.C. on 3 Sep 1753, and after boundary line run between two provinces, granted to Archer Smith by Wm. Bull, Lt. Gov. of South Carolina ... bounded by Tygar River, the part of the 600 ac. tract that belongs to James Oliphant, Jeremiah Brasheres, Thacker Vivion, Caleb Lanstone & Thomas Weaver.Some South Carolina County Records, ed. Rev. S.E. Lucas, Vol 2, p.505.

12 & 13 Feb 1788, lease and release, Jeremiah Brashears (deeded) to Robert Walker, both of Union Co. for 12 Sh. and 20 pds sterling, 10 acres, part of a tract originally granted to William Wofford, SC grant, on 24 Aug 1770, on S side of Tyger River, bound by Richard Bryant, "a certain drean which separates it from the sd Wm. Wofford's land" and the river./s/ Mark of Jeremiah & Elizabeth Brashies [?copyist's misreading for Brashier?].wit: Henry Bray, Ezekial [X] Brown.Some South Carolina County Records, ed. Rev. S.E. Lucas, Vol 2, p.533.

Jeremiah has to have been born c1750 or before.To be 21 on the tax list in Rowan Co in 1772, he would have to be born before 1751.His son, Isaac Boshears, had a son in SC in 1795, which would put his, Isaac's, birth at 1770-75, which would put Jeremiah's birth at or before approximately 1750, perhaps earlier if he was involved in land transfers or grants of the 1760s.The son Isaac Boshears led the migration of this branch of the family to Christian Co, KY; he is on the Tax lists there in 1800.Jeremiah and his other sons came in the 1800-1810 period.Ithra Beshears Sr and his wife Hannah Middleton showed up there in about 1803; after about ten years, Ithra moved on to Crawford Co, IL.In the 1810 Census of Christian Co, KY, are Jeremiah Boshere, 45+; Jeremiah [Jr], 26-45; Isaac, 26-45; Ithrey, 26-45; John, 26-45; and Thomas, 26-45.Except for Ithra, this seems to be the family of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Brashears of Spartanburg Co, South Carolina.Ithra was probably a nephew of Jeremiah Sr.

Hypothetical family of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Brashears:
2.71. *Jeremiah W. Beshears (Jr), b. 1775-1784 (26-45 in both 1810 Christian and 1820 Hopkins Co, KY).In 1820, he had a son 10-16 and a daughter 0-10.Living 1838 in Henderson Co, KY.See below for what few documents we have on his family.
3.72. *Isaac C. Beshears Sr, b. c1775, SC; d. 1835-37, Hopkins Co, KY.Had 11 children, who formed a dynasty of sorts in Christian and Hopkins Co, KY.See below.
4.73. John Beshears, b. 1765-1784 (26-45 in 1810 Christian Co, KY)n.f.i.
5.74. Thomas L. Beshears, b. 1765-1784 (26-45 in 1810 Christian Co, KY)Was heir of his brother, Wilson, in 1831.
6.75. Wilson Beshears, d. 11 Jul 1831, Hopkins Co, KY: November County Court, Hopkins Co, KY, proven Wilson Brashears, his will. Memorandum that on the 9th day of July, in the year 1831, Wilson Beshear of Hopkins Co, KY, being sick of the sickness whereof he died on the 11th day of the same month following at and in the habitation where he had resided for 10 days next preceeding his death did make and declare his last will and testament, gives to his brother Thomas Brashear all his property and effects. Witnesses: Sarah Cheek, Zara Cheek, William Bradchaw, and Milly Brashears. (Hopkins Co, KY, Will Book 3, p.140).

Thanks to Mary Elizabeth (Joiner) Beshear, 205 No. Main, Box 215, Dawson Springs, KY 42408, for much of the following information, part of it based on the family records of Lena (Beshear) Dame, b. 1884, d. 1977, d/o James Russell Beshear, of Madisonville, KY.In 1991, she hired a professional genealogist, Marian G. Hammers of Hopkinsville, to integrate the data.I've added to that.See also Census, Marriage, and Cemetery records of Hopkins, Christian, and Caldwell Counties.

JEREMIAH W. BESHEARS Jr

71. Jeremiah W. Beshears (Jr), s/o Jeremiah Brashears Sr, b. 1775-1784 (26-45 in 1810 Christian and 1820 Hopkins Co, KY).In 1820, he had a son, 10-16 and a daughter 0-10.
7.81. Emanuel Broshears, b. c1807 (10-16 in 1820).On 18 Jan 1828, in Hopkins Co, KY, Samuel Woodson, the County Clerk, on order of the Court, apprenticed Emanuel Beshears, son of Jeremiah Brashears, to Richard D. Morton, boot and shoe maker, until age 21; Emanuel to be taught the various branches and history of the trade, to read and write, and common arithmetic, including the rule of threes ... (Hopkins Co, KY, Deeds, Book 5, p.195).Under 21 at the time, he was born after 18 Jan 1807. Emanuel Brashers, m. 31 Jan 1830, Margaret Humphreys, in Ohio Co, KY, "service by J. Hipps, Benjamin Humphrey, bondsman" (Ohio County Kentucky in the Olden Days, by Harrison Taylor)."Manuel" Beshears is in the 1840 Census, Hopkins Co (00011-12001).The male 15-20 is probably a brother.
8.82. girl, b. 1810-20 (0-10 in 1820)n.f.i.
9.8?Such a long gap; there must have been other children. (see some speculations below)
10.8x. John Quincy Adams Beshears, b. 14 Mar 1824, KY; probable s/o ?Jeremiah Beshears Jr; d. 17 Nov 1895, ?IL; m. 28 Oct 1848, ?Daviess Co. KY, Martha Jane Short, b. 9 Nov 1833, KY, d. 16 Feb 1896.(re: BFB 4:1, Karen McKinney, 205 Valley View Dr., Warner Robbins, GA 31088-5315) Children:
11.91. James M. Beshers, b. KY, 18 May 1850, d. 12 Oct 1869 (age 19)
12.92. John W. Beshers, b. KY, Jan 1852; d. 1896; m. Mary _______,
13.93. Sara A. Beshers, b. IL, 25 Jun 1857; m. ______ Stark,
14.94. George H. Beshers, b. IL, 29 Nov 1860, d. 19 Sep 1936
15.95. Charles H. Beshers, b. 5 Jun 1864,
16.96. Martha Ann Beshers, b. IL, 23 Oct 1866, d. Jun 1934; m. _____ Gaunt,
17.97. Robert Lee Beshers, b. Metropolis, IL, 10 Aug 1869, d. 25 Oct 1943; m. 26 Dec 1893, Janette Irene Monahan,
18.98. Mary O. Beshers, b. IL, 8 Sep 1872, d. 31 Jan 1911
19.84. Thomas T. Beshears, b. 1 Feb 1828.On 21 Mar 1838, Jeremiah W. Beshears of Henderson Co, KY, apprenticed his son, Thomas T. Beshears, to William R. Lynn, wheel wright, of Hopkins Co, KY, until age 21, "which will be on the 1st day of February in the year 1849" ... "to teach and instruct him in all the different branches of the art, trade and mystery of a wheel wright" ... to "furnish him with good and wholesome meat, drink, and apparel and lodging fitting for an apprentice and that he will teach him or cause him to be taught to read and write and common arithmetic, including the Rule of Three ..." (Hopkins Co, KY, Deeds, Book 8, p.285)

Some possible other children, (or maybe these are children of Emanuel and Margaret) from Ohio Co, KY, Marriage and Christening Records:
20.8x. Elijah Broshear, m. Elizabeth Fields,
21.9x. William R. Broshear, b. 16 Jul 1853, Ohio Co, KY (IGI: C517831)
22.8x. Henry Broshear, m. Priscilla Davis,
23.9x. John J. Broshear, b. 2 Dec 1853, Ohio Co, KY (IGI: C517831)
24.8x. ______ Broshear,
25.9x. John Broshear, b. 14 Jun 1853, Ohio Co, KY (IGI: C517831), parents unidentified
26.8x. Rachel Brashair, m. 30 Dec 1852, Ohio Co, KY (IGI M517831), Samuel Tanner,

ISAAC C. BESHEARS SR

72. Isaac C. Beshear Sr, s/o Jeremiah Brashears Sr, b. c1775, SC; d. 1835-37, Hopkins Co, KY.Had 11 children, who formed a dynasty of sorts in Christian and Hopkins Co, KY; they and several of their children are named in Hopkins Co, KY, Circuit Court file #4928 (see below).
27.81. *Sciotha Beshear, b. SC, 12 Aug 1792; m. Martilla _____,
28.82. *Elizabeth Beshear, b. SC, c1796; m. Daniel Menser,
29.83. *Larkin Beshear, b. c1800; m. Agnes Alexander,
30.84. *Thomas Beshear, b. c1810; m. Sally Killebrue,
31.85. *Isaac C. Beshear Jr, b. c1812; m. Mildred Alexander,
32.86. *Wilson Beshear, b. c1825; m.1. Susan Moore, m.2. Patsy Ford,
33.87. Henry Beshear, b. c1826; m. 2 Sep 1851 (Caldwell Co), Dorcus "Dorky" Parker.They lived in Christian Co in 1860; in Hopkins in 1870, then disappeared from Hopkins/ Christian/ Caldwell records.
34.91. Mary Beshear, b. c1852; m. 30 Nov 1870 (Hopkins Co), William R. Hix,
35.92. Delila "Lila" Beshear, b. c1856; m. 18 Feb 1871 (Hopkins Co), William H. Davis,
36.93. Louisa Beshear, b. c1858
37.94. Emeline Beshear, b. c1860
38.95. Pinckney Beshear b. c1867
39.88. *Benjamin Beshear, b. c1828; m. Julia A. Cook,
40.89. *Vincent Beshear, b. c1827; m. Eliza Jane Capp,
41.810. Harriet Beshear, b. c1828; unm. in 1850
42.811. Matilda Beshear, b. c1830; m. 14 Aug 1851 (Caldwell Co), John Brown, d. age 22, in Hopkins Co, Apr 1858 (killed), s/o Tutt and Treecy Brown.In 1860, Matilda and 2 children are living with her brother, Vincent.
43.91. James R. Brown, b. c1852, KY
44.92. B.F. Brown, b. c1856, KY

Note that there are wide gaps between groups of the children, suggesting that Isaac was married, probably, three times.There is a marriage in Christian Co, 6 Apr 1818, Isaac Beshears to Polly Moore; since there were no other Isaacs in the area, this is probably his third marriage.

24 Nov 1814, Surveyed for Isaac Beshers, 200 acres of land in Christian County on the Clifty fork of TradeWater, by virtue of a certificate granted to him by the County Court of Christian, No 1720; Beginning at a Black Gum and two sugar trees in Ponders line, thence S78W 40 poles to a Post Oak, thence South 297 poles to a post Oak, then East 125 pole to a White Oak, thence North 210 poles to a Stake, then S80W 60 poles to two White Oaks, thence N25W 90 poles to a Black Gum, and White Oak, thence N10E 15 poles to the beginning.Nov 24th 1814. /s/ Saml Bradley, DS, for John Campbell, SCL. Wit: James McKnight and John Allman. (?Christian Co Survey Book--Xerox copy reproduced in BFB #16, p.8, without identification)
July Term, 1815, "This day Isaac Beshears proved to the Court that he was acutally a settler on vacant land in this County on the 6th day of Feb, 1815, which he wishes to appropriate.Ordered that Certificate be issued.Present: Wm. Gordon, E. Givens, George Ashby, James Edminston, John Miller, Alex Ashby, Wright W. Willis, Wm. R. McGary, Charles Bradley, Esq, and them only" (Minutes Book, Hopkins Co Court).