Capt. John BEARDSLEY

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: 1635, On the "Planter"

Notes:

Excerpt from "The Descendants of William Beardsley and Mary Harvey": He emigrated in 1635 on The "Planter". He arrived in Stratford in 1639 when his parents moved there. He remained there until 1668 when he moved to Pequonnock, now Bridgeport, where he was one of the first settlers in the area. In 1685 he was appointed Lieutenant of the train band. He became Captain of the Stratfield Company and was a prominent member of the ecclesiastical society for twenty years.
The inventory of his estate was dated 3 December 1718. He had no children of his own and so gave one-third of his estate to his wife and one-third to John, son of his brother Daniel. He also gave considerable property to his "kinswoman" Deborah Fairchild, wife of Alexander Fairchild.
Captain John was a slave holder. He freed the slave as follows: "Be it known unto all men by these presents that I, John Beardsley, in the county of Fairfiled, farmer, have remised, released, and by these presents do for me, my heirs or assigns have freely and fully given my Negro man his time and freedom at my decease and have given him a dowry of my estate if he doth stand in need hereof, and have given him my horse that was called my wife's horse, as witness my hand this 25th day of December 1717."
John Beardsley his (X) mark. He made a will on 21 January 1714/1715."

Family/Spouse: Hannah ?. Hannah died in Oct 1718. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Settled first in Hadley, Massachusetts
• Fact: Was a mason.
• Fact: Was elected a Deputy of the General Court for 7 years
• Emigration: 1635, On the "Planter"
• Fact: 1638, Removed to Hartford, Massachusetts
• Fact: 1639, Removed to Stratford, Massachusetts

Notes:

From the "Encyclopedia of CT Biography, Vol 1, p. 337": William Beardsley, the immigrant ancestor, was born in England in 1605, died at the age of 56 years; came to America in 1635, located in Hartford 1638, and in the following spring removed to Stratford, of which he was one of the first settlers; was deputy to the General Court 7 years. William, his wife, Mary, daughter, Mary, and sons John and Joseph arrived on the "Planter" of London which sailed from London on April 2, 1635 and arrived at Boston on Sunday, June 7, 1635. William's brother-in-law, Richard Harvie, a tailor, was aboard ship as was his wife Anne.

Excerpt from "Genealogies of the Founding Families of America in Progress" "The Descendants of William Beardsley and Mary Harvey":

Will of William Beardsley

I, William Beardsley, of Stratford, being sick and weak, but well in mind, do leave this my last Will and Testament. All my daughters that are now married, I give Ten pounds a peace.
My sonne, Samuell, I give that red cow which I have now lent him.
I only reserved two acres of that land at Piquanock for my wife to improve, if Joseph fall in to help her, if she please, the rest is Samuels's. I also give him one of ye new white blankets.
If Joseph, my son, please to be as assistant to my wife, for the carying on of her bysnes whilst she lives, or marries and leaves the sea, I give to him ye half of my accomodations in Stratford; if not, I give him twenty poinds of my share of ye bark, to add to his part.
I desire my loving wife, that if she please to add to ye portion of any of my daughters, that she would ad to them all alike.
The rest of my effects I leave to be disposed unto y wife and children, at the discretion of Mr. Blackman, Philip Grove, John Brinsmayd, John Birdsey and Joseph Hawley.
As also ye care, government and disposal of my children.
It is my will that Daniell, after the decease of my wife, that he have ye other halfe of ye lots.
I give to my sonne, John, ten shillings.
William Beardsley
29 September 1660
In the presence of
Caleb Nichols
John Wells

This is a true copy of ye will of William Beardsley

Per me, Joseph Hawley
The inventory of his estate was taken on 6 aJuly 1661 by Samuel Sherman, John Hurd, Henry H. Waklin, Townsmen, and amounted to L327 15s 8 d.

William married Mary HARVEY on 26 Jan 1631 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England. Mary (daughter of Richard HARVIE and Ellen ELLIOTT) died about 1661 in Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 05 Jun 1605, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England
• Emigration: 1635, On the "Planter"