John Beardsley1
M, b. before 2 November 1633, d. 19 November 1718
John was born before 2 November 1633 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England. On 2 November 1633, he was christened in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England, at St. Mary's Church. He was the son of William Beardsley and Mary Harvey. John married Hannah (?) in 1656. On 25 November 1667, John Winthrop Jr. “treated Hannah Beardsley for having been married 11 years unable to conceive – she was treated again on 24 June 1668.2 John made his will on 21 January 1715 at Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
I John Beardsley Senr of Stratford in the County Connecticut being in New England being aged and infirm of body yet in my right mind blessed be God therefore do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament I commit my soul to god that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in christian decent burial at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named hope of A glorious resurrection through Jesus christ my blessed Saviour and Redeemer and as for what worldly Estate god hath pleased to bestow upon me of for my use dispose of as funeral charges are paid and discharged - - - Item I give and bequeath to my Kinswoman Deborah Fairchild and to her heirs after her that piece of Land within fence that her husband Alexander Fairchild lived upon bounded South and West with highways on the East with Jacob Wakeley and Northerly on Wakely aforesaid and the Indians land the which I do by this my will confirm to him according to the tenor of Said deed I have already aforesaid also the half a hay meadow lying below the above spring near the highway also I give her Said Deborah and her heirs three acres of plow land of the Lott called John Hurds Lott Said three Acres is bounded East, West & North upon my own Land and Southerly upon Jacob Wakelys Land also one acre of Salt Marsh up the beach also the Small Stripp of upland on both Sides of the aforesaid half a hay meadow - - - Item I give and bequeath to my Loving wife Hannah Beardsley all my buildings in Stratford to be at her proper use and during her natural life freeing her from keeping them in Repaire according to Law, also all my Orchards and trees thereon without let or molestation from any person whatsoever with sufficient ways to pass and repass unto the above denoted premises these to be at her own disposing during her natural life -- -Item my will is that all my whole Estate in housing and Lands on the West Side of Poquanock river be equally divided after my Loving wife's decease between my Loving wife's heirs if by will She makes any unto three Equal parts to Say So my wife's heir or heirs according to her will one third part and the other two parts in quantity and quality to be divided between John Beardsley Son to my brother Daniel Beardsley and John Fairchild the Son of Alexander Fairchild to Each of them their heirs and Assigns for ever and all the rest of my Estate both real and personal be it what it will or where nature or kind Soever I do give it to my Loving wife Hannah She paying all my Just Debt and charges wherein I constitute and ordain my Sole Executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have put to my hand & Seal this date above Expressed - - - in presence of all the Subscribers being Witnessed John Beardsley Signd Seld and declared this above to be his last will and testament - - - James Bennet Senr - witness to the within written will of Capt John Beardsley Gideon Hall.3
John departed this life on Saturday, 19 November 1718 in Stratford.4 His will was probated on 26 November 1718.
Probate Proceedings - - - Initial Court Proceedings - November 3, 1718: appended in the Court of Probates held in Fairfield ye 3 Day of November anno 1718 And released Admin oath that he Saw the Said John Beardsley Sign & Seal the Said will as his last will and testament and Judged the testator to be in his Right mind and Understanding the Same being and that Said Bennet Signd thereto as A witness in company with Gideon Hall the other witness - - - Estate Administration Crisis - - -the last will and testament of Capt John Beardsley late of Stratfield deceased being exhibited to the Court of Probates held in Fairfield on the date above said. Said will being proved But by reason that all parties are that are concerned not being notified neither present this Court do defer the approbation of Said will Hannah Beardsley named Executrix in Said will being deceased whereof Admin remains to be on the Estate of the within named John Beardsley this Court do therefore appoint and Empower Daniel Beardsley Senr and John Beardsley to Administer on Said Estate to make or cause to be made Atrue Inventory thereof and the Same to Exhibit to the Court in Fairfield within two months next after the Date hereof - - - Administrative Bond - - - The within Said Daniel Beardsley and John Beardsley acknowledged themselves Jointly and Severally bound to the publickly treasurer of this County in the Recognizance of 200£ for A faithful discharge of their Administration according to the above order of Court - - -Acknowledged before the Court: Gold Judge Final Approval - February 18, 1718/19 - - - The within written will of Capt John Beardsley deceased being Exhibited to the Court of Probates in Fairfield November 26th 1718 this for reasons the Court deferred the approbation thereof to further consideration A Court of Probates held at Stamford Feb 18th 1718/19 having heard and considered all allegations for and against the Said will do allow and approve of the Said will and the Same is to be Recorded.
The inventory of John's estate was taken on Saturday, 3 December 1718. It was valued at 517 pounds,2 shillings, 0 pence. His will was contested & on 3 February 1721, distribution was made. The recipients: were Henry Lacy, Alexander Fairchild, John Beardsley Jr. [son of Daniel], John Fairchild [son of Alexander], heirs of Mary Welles of Hatfield [deceased sister], heirs of Hannah Dickerson [deceased sister], heirs of Sarah Dickerson [deceased sister], Ruth Smith of Long Island, heirs of Joseph Beardsley, heirs of Samuel Beardsley, Rebecca Beebe of Danbury & Daniel Beardsley.5
Important Notes: John named his kinswoman, Deborah, wife of Alexander Fairchild, first in his will. She is not his daughter, but someone who met a lot to him. Quite possibly someone he raised. If she were his niece, he would have used "niece" instead of "kinswoman" as he does refer to a nephew. Alexander was born abut 1680. It would seem that Deborah would have been born at a near approximation of that date. She does not appear to be the daughter of any of John's siblings.
Deborah is often referred to as "Beardsley" there is no prove of this. Two men appear in Connecticut in the same vicinity as William by the name of Thomas Beardsley. Thomas Beardsley married by 1647, Joanna. He died 1656 & Joanna b. circa 1634 she married second Thomas Bassett. The other Thomas Beardsley married 20 Mar 1649 Elizabeth Harvey. He dies 1667 and Elizabeth married second Samuel Dayton by 1669. Both of these Thomas's appeared to have died before Deborah was born. These two Thomas's are too old to be a son of William, but possibly could be a brother or a nephew of his. No Definitve proof can be found as to who this Deborah is.6,7,8
I John Beardsley Senr of Stratford in the County Connecticut being in New England being aged and infirm of body yet in my right mind blessed be God therefore do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament I commit my soul to god that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in christian decent burial at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named hope of A glorious resurrection through Jesus christ my blessed Saviour and Redeemer and as for what worldly Estate god hath pleased to bestow upon me of for my use dispose of as funeral charges are paid and discharged - - - Item I give and bequeath to my Kinswoman Deborah Fairchild and to her heirs after her that piece of Land within fence that her husband Alexander Fairchild lived upon bounded South and West with highways on the East with Jacob Wakeley and Northerly on Wakely aforesaid and the Indians land the which I do by this my will confirm to him according to the tenor of Said deed I have already aforesaid also the half a hay meadow lying below the above spring near the highway also I give her Said Deborah and her heirs three acres of plow land of the Lott called John Hurds Lott Said three Acres is bounded East, West & North upon my own Land and Southerly upon Jacob Wakelys Land also one acre of Salt Marsh up the beach also the Small Stripp of upland on both Sides of the aforesaid half a hay meadow - - - Item I give and bequeath to my Loving wife Hannah Beardsley all my buildings in Stratford to be at her proper use and during her natural life freeing her from keeping them in Repaire according to Law, also all my Orchards and trees thereon without let or molestation from any person whatsoever with sufficient ways to pass and repass unto the above denoted premises these to be at her own disposing during her natural life -- -Item my will is that all my whole Estate in housing and Lands on the West Side of Poquanock river be equally divided after my Loving wife's decease between my Loving wife's heirs if by will She makes any unto three Equal parts to Say So my wife's heir or heirs according to her will one third part and the other two parts in quantity and quality to be divided between John Beardsley Son to my brother Daniel Beardsley and John Fairchild the Son of Alexander Fairchild to Each of them their heirs and Assigns for ever and all the rest of my Estate both real and personal be it what it will or where nature or kind Soever I do give it to my Loving wife Hannah She paying all my Just Debt and charges wherein I constitute and ordain my Sole Executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have put to my hand & Seal this date above Expressed - - - in presence of all the Subscribers being Witnessed John Beardsley Signd Seld and declared this above to be his last will and testament - - - James Bennet Senr - witness to the within written will of Capt John Beardsley Gideon Hall.3
John departed this life on Saturday, 19 November 1718 in Stratford.4 His will was probated on 26 November 1718.
Probate Proceedings - - - Initial Court Proceedings - November 3, 1718: appended in the Court of Probates held in Fairfield ye 3 Day of November anno 1718 And released Admin oath that he Saw the Said John Beardsley Sign & Seal the Said will as his last will and testament and Judged the testator to be in his Right mind and Understanding the Same being and that Said Bennet Signd thereto as A witness in company with Gideon Hall the other witness - - - Estate Administration Crisis - - -the last will and testament of Capt John Beardsley late of Stratfield deceased being exhibited to the Court of Probates held in Fairfield on the date above said. Said will being proved But by reason that all parties are that are concerned not being notified neither present this Court do defer the approbation of Said will Hannah Beardsley named Executrix in Said will being deceased whereof Admin remains to be on the Estate of the within named John Beardsley this Court do therefore appoint and Empower Daniel Beardsley Senr and John Beardsley to Administer on Said Estate to make or cause to be made Atrue Inventory thereof and the Same to Exhibit to the Court in Fairfield within two months next after the Date hereof - - - Administrative Bond - - - The within Said Daniel Beardsley and John Beardsley acknowledged themselves Jointly and Severally bound to the publickly treasurer of this County in the Recognizance of 200£ for A faithful discharge of their Administration according to the above order of Court - - -Acknowledged before the Court: Gold Judge Final Approval - February 18, 1718/19 - - - The within written will of Capt John Beardsley deceased being Exhibited to the Court of Probates in Fairfield November 26th 1718 this for reasons the Court deferred the approbation thereof to further consideration A Court of Probates held at Stamford Feb 18th 1718/19 having heard and considered all allegations for and against the Said will do allow and approve of the Said will and the Same is to be Recorded.
The inventory of John's estate was taken on Saturday, 3 December 1718. It was valued at 517 pounds,2 shillings, 0 pence. His will was contested & on 3 February 1721, distribution was made. The recipients: were Henry Lacy, Alexander Fairchild, John Beardsley Jr. [son of Daniel], John Fairchild [son of Alexander], heirs of Mary Welles of Hatfield [deceased sister], heirs of Hannah Dickerson [deceased sister], heirs of Sarah Dickerson [deceased sister], Ruth Smith of Long Island, heirs of Joseph Beardsley, heirs of Samuel Beardsley, Rebecca Beebe of Danbury & Daniel Beardsley.5
Important Notes: John named his kinswoman, Deborah, wife of Alexander Fairchild, first in his will. She is not his daughter, but someone who met a lot to him. Quite possibly someone he raised. If she were his niece, he would have used "niece" instead of "kinswoman" as he does refer to a nephew. Alexander was born abut 1680. It would seem that Deborah would have been born at a near approximation of that date. She does not appear to be the daughter of any of John's siblings.
Deborah is often referred to as "Beardsley" there is no prove of this. Two men appear in Connecticut in the same vicinity as William by the name of Thomas Beardsley. Thomas Beardsley married by 1647, Joanna. He died 1656 & Joanna b. circa 1634 she married second Thomas Bassett. The other Thomas Beardsley married 20 Mar 1649 Elizabeth Harvey. He dies 1667 and Elizabeth married second Samuel Dayton by 1669. Both of these Thomas's appeared to have died before Deborah was born. These two Thomas's are too old to be a son of William, but possibly could be a brother or a nephew of his. No Definitve proof can be found as to who this Deborah is.6,7,8
Citations
- [S25] Isaac Haight Beardsley, Genealogical History of the Beardsly/lee Family In America, pp. 21-24.
- [S457] Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633 Volume I -III, page 226.
- [S506] Note: ]The transcription of John'w will along with the probate record and the distribution of his estate are courtesy of Randall Brock and Merilee Burton under John Beardley [about 1633-1718]., son of William Beardsley in Wikitree. The probate record as well as the distribution record can be found in Ancestry.com in its database "Connecticut, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1609-1999." These records are all but impossible to read. We are most thankful for all the work putting it all together - KLM - 8 Jan 2026]
- [S2356] Connecticcut Vital Records to 1850 - Family Search.
- [S506] Note: For the compleating the distribution of the estate of Capt John Beardsley, late of Stratford deceased in as much as sundry of the heirs belonging to said estate (viz) Mrs Ruth Smith, the representatives of Mary Wells, Sarah Dickerson and Hannah Dickerson had not in the Original distribution their portions Set in the pasture land of said estate by certain measure of land but by the Sums at inventory price we the Subscribers hereunto have measured & bounded out the swamp and pasture land according to the method of the Original Distribution this 3rd day of February Anno Domini 1720/1 to the representatives of Samuel Beardsley deceased and to Mrs Rebekah Bebe whose portion Samuel Beardsley him have bought in the Swamp and Boggs 6 acres and 40 rods lying 60 rods long & 16 and 2/3 of A rod wide bounded Northwesterly on John Fairchild, Northeasterly on their own land. Southeasterly on Samuel Beardsley said land and Southwesterly on James Wheelers (?) land which he bought of the representatives of Mary Wells Sarah & Hannah Dickerson being at [?] and with A straight line from corner to corner 16 1/3 from this to Mrs Ruth Smith of Long Island in the pasture land 2 Acre 37 rod & 2/3 of A rod at 6 (?) acres (?) bounded Southwesterly on the Highway Southeasterly on and running by the land of Samuel Beardsley deceased 42 rods in length and five rods and 36 inches wide bounded Northwesterly on Timothy Wheelers purchased as above Said. Lastly representatives of Mary Wells and of Sarah Dickerson and of Hannah Dickerson deceased who have Sold all their Shares to Timothy Wheeler Set and Timothy Wheeler as appears by their Deed (viz) all the remaining parcel and parcel of the pasture Swamp Boggs and upland containing within the bounds hereafter described being by measure about 6 Acres and 42 rods and is bounded Southwesterly with A line of thirty three rods & 1/3 on the highway Southeasterly 42 rods on the land of Mr Ruth Smith aforesaid Northeasterly with A line of 50 rods on Land of the representatives of Samuel Beardsley aforesaid deceased Northwesterly on the land of John Fairchild the representatives of Joseph Beardsley deceased and on the land of Mr Daniel Beardsley the North corner on John Fairchild in the Boggs the respective Share of the representatives of Mary Wells and Hannah Dickerson above Said Amount to 10s 6d at price and Sarah Dickerson in the whole 35s 10s 00 which by the Inventory makes this Supplement of the distribution Just - - - Recorded February 23d 1720/3 - - - Signed, John Burn John Wheeler.
- [S2083] New England Marriages Prior to 1700: Beardsley, Thomas [-1656] & Joanna [1634?-], m/2 Thomas Bassett. by 1647?; Stratford/Milford CT
Beardsley, Thomas & Elizabeth Heruey/Harvey; 20 Mar 1649, at Milford, CT
Beardsley, Thomas [-1667] & Elizabeth; m/2 Samuel Dayton by 1669/70?; 7 Feb 1661 Stratford. - [S2334] Connecticut: Early Probate Records, 1635-1750 NEGHS: Volume 1: page 95 - by Anthony Wilson Humphrey Hide and Alexander Knowles. They appraised the estate at £30 6d.
- [S326] Families of Ancient New Haven, Volume 8; page 1855 - Trowbridge Family - Thomas Trowbridge b. 2 Oct 1659 d. c, July 1750 m. 26 May 1684 Abigail da. Thomas Beardslee.