Elizabeth Ann Carpenter

     Elizabeth Ann was born on Monday, 8 October 1810 in Cornwall, Orange County, New York. She was the daughter of Townsend Carpenter and Elizabeth Truesdell. Elizabeth Ann married John Wheeler Beardslee, son of William Beardslee and Mary Wheeler, on 26 November 1828 in Genova, Ontario County, New York.² John born at Hardyston but was residing at Horseheads at the time of his marriage. On 1 September 1826, John W. Beardslee of Tioga County, New York, purchased 160 acres in the northeast quarter of section 35 t4n r9e in Independence Township, Oakland County, Michigan. In 1831, John and Elizabeth removed to Independence County, Michigan where they purchased a farm and raised their family. Elizabeth is noted as having built the first haystack there. Their son, Townsend, was the first white child to be born there. On 12 August 1837, John Beardslee of Oakland County, purchased 29.5 acres in the north west quarter of the southwest quarter of section 18 t4n r10e. 22 July 1850, Elizabeth and her husband, John, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Independence Township. Enumerated in this household were John W. Barsley [49 New Jersey][farmer], his wife: Elizabeth [40 New York], children: Harriet [20 New York], Townsend [18 Michigan], Robert [14 Michigan], Noah [12 Michigan], Ann [10 Michigan] & Henry [3 Michigan]. Their property value was $5000.00.³ 26 June 1860, Elizabeth and her husband John were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Independence Township. Enumerated in this household were John W. Beardslee [60 New Jersey], his wife: Elizabeth [50 New York], children: Harriet [30 New York], Townsend [28 Michigan-clerk, personall property $300.00], Noah [22 Michigan-personal property $100.00], Ann [20 Michigan], Henry [14 Michigan] & Jennett [9 Michigan]. Their property was valued at $7,000.00 & personall property $2,000.00.⁴ 8 August 1870, Elizabeth and her husband, John, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Independence Township. Enumerated in this household were J. W. Beardsley [71 New Jersey], his wife: Elizabeth [59 New York], children: Noah [32 Michigan], & Henry [21 Michigan]. He was a farmer. Property value $10,000.00 & personal property $1,000.00.











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17 June 1880, Elizabeth and her husband, John, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Independence Township. Enumerated in this household were John W. Beardslee [81 New Jersey], his wife: Elizabeth [69 New York], son: Noah [40 Michigan], daughter-in-law: Josephine [35 New Jersey], grandsons: Mortimer [7 Michigan], & Heber [4 Michigan].⁶ Elizabeth's husband, John, died on 24 January 1883 in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan, leaving her a widow; He had moved from his long time home in Independence Township just three months prior. In 1890, the Detroit Citly Directory lists Elizabeth Beardslee [widow of John W.] boarding at 546 4th Avenue. This residence was just down the street from the home of her daughter, Jeannette. She was buried at Independence Township in the Sashabaw Cemetery in the Sashabaw Plains.⁷ Elizabeth departed this life in 1892 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, at age 81 years.