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 After erecting a small shanty, ten by twelve feet, in the midst of the dense wilderness, he occupied it for one winter. In the summer of 1831, he worked on his land cutting hay on the marsh bordering the creek & made other preparations for moving that fall. In October, he & his family moved from Elmira, New York. His cousin, Thomas Beardslee & family and Marcus Riker moved with them to this locality called Sashabaw Plains. They built a shanty on John's land which was near the Sashabaw Creek which they all occupied when finished. Later the others built & moved into their own homes but John's family resided in it all winter. The Beardslees' were natives of Sussex County, New Jersey & Riker's of Chemung County, New York. It was noted by an old resident of the plains: "Mrs. B. was truly a helpmate for she built the first haystack in the town, her husband pitching the hay to her. It is also a fact that her son, Townsend, was the first white child born in Independence. John later built a house for his family but the shanty remained on his property. In June of 1832, another cousin of John's, Aaron Beardslee & his family, came & stayed with them until they were able to get settled. 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. John's brothers: James & Jeffrey & his sister, Elizabeth moved near here a few years later. It is quite possible that his father also came. A William Beardslee is buried In Sashabaw Cemetery next to Jeffrey, his wife & some of their children. There are no dates on his stone just "Grandfather". 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. 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. Elizabeth departed this life on Friday, 12 August 1892 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, at the home of her daughter, Annie B. Leggett at age 81 years, 10 months and 4 days. She was buried there in Independence Township in the Sashabaw Cemetery in the Sashabaw Plains. The inscription on her tombstone reads: Elizabeth wife of J. W. Beardslee Born Oct 8, 1810 [no death was recorded on her tombstone].⁷ Her estate was probated on 16 October 1893. Annie B. Leggett petitioned the court to grant administration of the estate of her mother to her son, John W. Leggett. Listed in the petition were the heirs of the estate: sons, Robert Beardsley of Clarkston, Michigan & Henry Beardsley of Pontiac, daughters Nettie Reid & Annie B.Leggett, grandchildren, Mortimer :L. Beardsley Herbie Beardsley & Catherine Beardslee all of Oakland.⁸