NOTE: The following series of articles should be read together, since the tentative conclusions we reached in the earlier items have undergone substantial revision. We nevertheless present them all, however, to show the evolution of our thinking. Should anyone have still more data on this family, its submission would be most welcome!
PART I - Who Was ELIAKIM BEACH Of
Albany County, New York?
Is He The Son Of Eliakim5
And/Or The Father Of Eliakim And
Elias Beach Of Greene County, New York?
By Eugene H. Beach, Jr.
Reprinted from the Beach Family Journal, Vol. VIII, No. 1 (Spring, 2000)
"Eliakim" (Hebrew for "may God raise") was the name of the master of the palace under King Hezekiah of Judah in the 8th century B.C. When the Assyrians under Sennacherib threatened to attack Jerusalem, Eliakim played a key role in the negotiations which defused the crisis, See: 2 Kings 18. In keeping with Puritan onomastics the name - while rare - was occasionally used in 17th and 18th century New England.
Until recently, however, the only known Eliakim within the New England Beach family was Eliakim Beach5, Samuel4, Josiah3, Nathaniel2, John1. Orcutt's History of the Old Town of Stratford, Connecticut, Vol. II, p. 1126, records his birth on Jul 13, 1751, but does not trace him further. The Beach Family Magazine, Vol. II, No. 1, p. 122, adds that he d. Jan 16, 1821, at age 70. It further gives his wife's name as Abiah -----, who d. Oct 31, 1842, and says the couple had two sons, i.e., Alfred6, b. 1776, and Elihu6, b. 1777. Note, however, the 1790 Census for Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, which shows the household of Eliakim Beach5 to contain 1 male over 16; 3 males under 16 and 3 females. This suggests Eliakim5 had more than two children, including at least one additional son. Might this "third" son have also been named Eliakim?
We became interested in this question after receiving several inquiries the past few years about another Eliakim Beach or Beech living in New York state in the early 1800s. This New York man first finds mention in 1807 when he was appointed an ensign in the militia for Albany County, Beach Family Magazine, Vol. I, No. 2, p. 51, quoting Hugh Hastings, Editor, Military Minutes of the Council of Appointments of the State of New York, 1783-1821 (1901). Three years later he appears on the 1810 Census for Albany County, New York, with 3 males under 10; 1 male between 10 and 16; 1 male between 16 and 26; and 1 male between 26 and 46. Assuming the latter to be Eliakim himself, this would put his birth somewhere between 1764 and 1784. In 1811 he was made a lieutenant of the militia for Albany County, but resigned from the post in 1812, Beach Family Magazine, Vol. I, No. 2, p. 51, quoting Hugh Hastings, Editor, Military Minutes of the Council of Appointments of the State of New York, 1783-1821 (1901). He thereafter appears on the 1820 Census for Renssalaerville, Albany County, New York, although we have not yet had time to check the actual census roll.
So who is this Eliakim Beach of Albany County, New York? As a preliminary matter is it clear he cannot be Eliakim Beach5. For example, the 1810 Connecticut census shows Eliakim5 still living in Fairfield County, at Trumbull, well after the "other" Eliakim is first recorded in Albany County, New York, in 1807. Likewise, the census records indicate the New York man was not born prior to 1764, whereas Eliakim Beach5 was born in 1751.
Rather, we strongly suspect - but so far cannot adequately prove - that Eliakim Beach of Albany County, New York, is a previously unknown son of Eliakim5, Samuel4 of Connecticut. Not only do both men share the same unusual first name, but the name does not appear to have been used by any other branch of the family. Moreover, the relative ages of the two men are consistent with them being father and son. While we do not know exactly when Eliakim Beach5 married, it was likely at age 23-24, i.e., c. 1774-1775. Also recall that the 1790 Connecticut Census shows Eliakim Beach5 with three males under 16, i.e., all born after 1774, and he is known to have had children born in 1776 and 1777. Finally, it is likely that the New York Eliakim was himself 25 or so when appointed an ensign in the Albany County militia in 1807. All of this suggests that Eliakim of Albany County was probably born c. 1778-1782.
Assuming our analysis thus far has any validity, consider now the following additional facts which our various correspondents have shared with us. As we first reported in Vol. VI, No. 2, p. 849, correspondent Bennet H. Beach, ben_beach@tws.org advised that his ancestor was one Eugene Beach, b. Jun 11, 1838, at Greenville, Greene County, New York, the son of an Elias Beach. This Elias Beach, in turn, is said to have been the son of an Eliakim and Mary Beach. More recently, Mr. Norris W. Beach, nemo@accessus.net wrote us to say he too descends from this same Eugene Beach of Greene County, New York. Mr. Beach also noted that "Both my grandfather (Joseph Warren Beach) and his brother (John Parsons Beach of Mt. Kisco, N.Y.) asserted that their grandfather's name was Elias and that great-grandfather's first name was Eliakim." This poses a new question, i.e., whether this Eliakim, the father of Elias, is the same as Eliakim of Albany County, New York?
Note, in this regard, than an Eliakim Beach does appear on the 1840 Census for Cairo, Greene County, New York, although we have not yet had a chance to check the actual census roll. We have, however, reexamined the 1850 Census for Greene County which we presented back in Vol. VI, No. 4, and find two entries of interest. First, an "Elakim Beach", age 31, born in New York, is shown living in Durham Township with his wife Sarah, age 27; son Merlin, age 4; and daughter Laury E., age 1. This man is obviously too young to be Eliakim of Albany County, although he is the right age to be one of his sons. Second, a Laura Beach, age 43, born in New York, is shown living at Greenville Township, Greene County, in the household of Japhet Collins, age 83, born in Connecticut. Also in the household are an Eugene Beach, age 11, and Elias Beach, age 8, both born in New York. This is clearly the Eugene Beach from whom our correspondents descend, based on his age and place of residence.
Putting all of the foregoing together yields the following tentative conclusions [Note: The generational superscript numbers do not necessarily imply descent, but are given to help distinguish several men of the same name]:
First - We believe that Eliakim Beach5, Samuel4, Josiah3, Nathaniel2, John1 had a third, previously unrecognized son, i.e., Eliakim Beach6, b.c. 1778-1782, who moved to Albany County, New York prior to 1807. We further believe this Eliakim6 married Mary ----- and had several sons of his own, as evidenced by the 1810 Census for Albany County.
Second - We believe one such son to be Elias Beach7 of Greene County, New York, who m. Laura -----, possibly the daughter of Japhet Collins, in whose household she was living as of 1850. Based on her age we also suspect that Elias7 was b.c. 1805 and probably married c. 1836-37. We further believe this Elias Beach7 d. before 1850, since he does not appear on the Census for that year, leaving sons Eugene Beach8, b. Jun 11, 1838, and Elias Beach, Jr.8, b.c. 1842.
Third - We believe another such son to be the Elakim/Eliakim Beach7, b.c. 1819, on the 1850 Census for Durham, Greene County, New York, with wife Sarah, son Merlin8 and daughter Laury E.8, who was probably named for the wife/widow of Elias7.
As always we invite and welcome any additional information which might help us to prove (or disprove) this analysis. Until then we must be content with presenting these tentative conclusions for whatever value they may have for those interested in this/these families.
PART II -More On ELIAKIM BEACH Of New York
:Reprinted from the Beach Family Journal, Vol. IX, No. 3 (Fall, 2001)
By Eugene H. Beach, Jr.
In Vol. VIII, No. 1, pp. 1119-1121, we discussed the possible ancestry of the Eliakim Beach who first finds mention in 1807 when he was appointed an ensign in the militia for Albany County, New York (hereinafter "Ensign Eliakim"). He subsequently removed to Cairo, Greene County, New York, where he appears on the 1840 Census. Based on the limited information available to us at the time, we suggested this man might be a previously unknown son of Eliakim Beach5, Samuel4, Josiah3, Nathaniel2, John1. Since then, however, we have obtained additional evidence which, while it seems to support our theory in some respects, also raises new issues.
For example, we recently came across a RootsWeb site for Greene County, New York [http://www.rootsweb.com/~nygreen2/index.htm], which includes the following gravestone inscriptions from Acra Cemetery, not far from Cairo:
Stone No. 254 MARY, wife of ELIAKIM BEACH, d. Oct 28, 1854, ae. 72 years [thus b.c. 1782]Stone No. 255 ELIAKIM BEACH, d. Aug 17, 1854, a.e. 74 years [thus b.c. 1780]
Stone No. 256 In memory of ANDREW BEACH, d. May 11, 1845, a.e. 34 years [thus b.c. 1811]
Stone No. 257 ELIAKIM BEACH, b. Aug 3, 1818; d. Aug 31, 1881
Sarah C. Ross, wife of ELIAKIM BEACH, b. Mar 11, 1823; d. Feb 17, 1867
These inscriptions confirm several of our previous conclusions, e.g., (i) that "Ensign Eliakim" of Albany County was most likely born c. 1778-1782; (ii) that his wife's name was Mary; and (iii) that he was the father of a younger Eliakim Beach, born c. 1819, who appears on the 1850 Census for Durham, Greene County, with wife Sarah and two children. While we were previously not aware of Andrew Beach, his date of birth and burial beside the others makes clear he too was a son of "Ensign Eliakim." This, in turn, would seem to support our theory that "Ensign Eliakim" was himself the son of Eliakim Beach5 since the latter himself had an older (and only) brother likewise named Andrew5.
The problem, however, is that we also now have additional information about the family of Eliakim5 which makes us wonder whether there is enough "room" for "Ensign Eliakim" to fit within it. As noted in our original account, the Beach Family Magazine, Vol. II, No. 1, p. 122, gives Eliakim5 only two sons, i.e., Alfred6, born 1776, and Elihu6, whom it claims was born 1777 (actually 1783.) Records of Trumbull, Connecticut, however, add a third son Samuel6, who was born Aug 25, 1780; died Jul 2, 1802; and is buried at Riverside Cemetery, Trumbull, Connecticut. Unless this Samuel6 and "Ensign Eliakim" were twins (for which we have no evidence), human biology forbids the latter from being born in 1780 as well. This still leaves a "window" from August 18, 1779, to approximately mid-December, 1779, in which "Ensign Eliakim" might be born so as to still be "only" 74 at his death on Aug 17, 1854, but this seems cutting things close. Recall too that the 1790 Census for Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, shows the family of Eliakim Beach5 with only three males under 16. At the time we knew only of sons Alfred6 and Elihu6, and so felt "Ensign Eliakim" might be the unknown third. Now, however, it seems the previously unknown son is instead Samuel6, leaving no room for "Ensign Eliakim" within the family.
We have also considered whether "Ensign Eliakim" was instead the son - rather than nephew - of Andrew5. In this regard the Beach Family Magazine, Vol. II, No. 1, p. 122, gives Andrew Beach5 six children, i.e., (i) Sarah, b. Feb, 1770; (ii) Samuel, b. Jun (Jul?) 19, 1772; (iii) Ruth Ann a/k/a Anna, b. Oct --, 1774; (iv) David a/k/a Daniel, bpt. May 24, 1778; (v) Andrew, bpt. Apr --, 1784; and (vi) Philo, bpt. Jul --, 1786. Note the six year "gap" between the baptism of David a/k/a Daniel in 1778 and Andrew in 1784, in which "Ensign Eliakim" might easily fit. Unfortunately, the will of Andrew5, which was probated at Granby, Connecticut, on Oct 4, 1808, apparently makes no mention of any son Eliakim, although several of the other children are named [But note: We have not seen the actual will and it is possible the editors of the Magazine mistook any reference it might make to "Eliakim" as meaning Andrew's brother, Eliakim5, rather than a son of the same name.]
We are thus left with a situation in which the newly available evidence takes away with one hand what it seems to give with the other. The fact "Ensign Eliakim" of New York named one of his sons Andrew - not to mention his own unusual name - strongly suggests he is related in some fashion to brothers Eliakim and Andrew Beach5, yet we remain unable to make a "firm" connection to either. We wonder whether a review of the actual text of the will of Andrew5 might reveal some clue which the editor's of the Beach Family Magazine overlooked or misinterpreted? Any help our readers can give on this maddening puzzle would be most appreciated.
PART III - More On The Problematic Ancestry Of
Ensign ELIAKIM BEACH of New York
New Evidence Brings Some Progress, But Also Raises New Issues
Reprinted from the Beach Family Journal, Vol. XIII, No. 2 (Summer, 2005)
By Eugene H. Beach, Jr.
We return once again to the problematic ancestry of "Ensign Eliakim" Beach; so-called because of his 1807 appointment as ensign in the militia for Albany County, New York. When we first addressed this issue in Vol. VIII, No. 1, pp. 1119-1121, we suggested he might be a previously unknown son of Eliakim Beach5, Samuel4, Josiah3, Nathaniel2, John1. At Vol. IX, No. 3, pp. 1358-1359, however, we discussed additional evidence which - while pointing to some sort of relationship between the two men - all but rules out their being father and son. More recently, in Vol. X, No. 4, pp. 1551-1562, we presented an extensive account of Ensign Eliakim's descendants, based on research by subscriber Cecilia Beach, but could offer nothing new in terms of establishing his own ancestry. Last fall, however, Ms. Beach located and kindly provided us with still more evidence which points to (if not yet wholly proves) some other solutions to this problem.
By way of providing a context for this discussion which follows, this Eliakim Beach was born in Connecticut c. 1780. As noted, the earliest reference we had to him was his 1807 appointment as an ensign in the militia for Albany County, New York, See: Hugh Hastings, editor, Military Minutes of the Council of Appointment of the State of New York, 1783-1821 (1901), abstracted in Beach Family Magazine, Vol. I, No. 2, p. 51. In 1811 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, but resigned his commission the following year. He thereafter removed to Durham, Greene County, New York, where he is mentioned in connection with an 1836 mortgage. Here he died Aug 17, 1854, at age 74, and is buried at Acra Cemetery, together with his wife Mary, born c. 1782 in Connecticut; and died Oct 28, 1854.
Thanks to Ms. Beach, however, we now have additional references to Ensign Eliakim and other early Beaches living in Rensselaerville, Albany County. Combined with other information in our files we present the following chronology.
1790 Josiah "Beech" appears on the 1790 Census for Rensselaerville, Albany County, page 33, with 2 males 16 or over; 2 males under 16; and 4 females.
Jan 2, 1795 Josiah Beach leases a farm of 149 acres in Lot 170, Rensselaerville.
1795 Josiah Beach registers an ear mark in Rensselaerville.
Curtis Beach is named an Overseer of Highways in Rensselaerville.
1798 Andrew Beach is mentioned in connection with "shares" in something called the "Rens. Fed. Library." [Can any identify what this is?]
1799 Ruth Beach registers an ear mark in Rensselaerville.
1800 Josiah Beach appears on the 1800 Census for Rensselaerville, page 86, with 1 male 45 or older; 2 males 16-25; 2 females 45 or older; and 2 females 16-25.
1803 Josiah Beach and Eliakim Beach give a mortgage to 40 acres in the northeast part of Lot 170, Rensselaerville, Albany County, New York.
1804 Eliakim Beach is married at Rensselaerville to Polly (i.e. Mary) Lee by the Rev. Samuel Fuller.
Apr 5, 1806 Josiah Beach conveys his farm in Lot 170, Rensselaerville, to Eliakim Beach, See: New York State Library, Rensselaerwyck Manor Papers, posted online at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/sc7079l_a_l.htm.
1808 Josiah Beach is mentioned in a Rensselaerville road survey.
1810 Eliakim "Beech" appears on the 1810 Census for Rensselaerville, Albany County, page 148, with 3 males under 10; 1 male 10-15; 1 male 16-25; 1 male 26-44; 1 female under 10 and 1 female 26-44.
1811 Eliakim Beach is mentioned in a Rensselaerville road survey.
1815 Eliakim Beach is named as a trustee of the Presbyterian Church at Rensselaerville and is mentioned in the "Jenkins Ledger #A" [thought to be the ledger or account book of Samuel Jenkins, owner of the first mill in Rensselaerville].
1816 Samuel Beach is mentioned in a Rensselaerville road survey
1820 Eliakim Beach appears on the 1820 Census for Rensselaerville, page 55, with 2 males under 10; 3 males 10-16; 1 male 26-45; 1 female under 10; 1 female 10-16; 1 female 26-45; and 1 female 45 or older. The same page shows Samuel Beach living nearby with 1 male 26-45 and 1 female 26-45.
Taken together, this data prompts several conclusions and/or theories, each of which we will discuss in turn.
Samuel Beach As Brother Of Ensign Eliakim
As noted above, the 1810 Census shows Eliakim Beach's household to contain a male 16-25; thus born 1785-1794. This cannot be Eliakim himself, since he was born c. 1780 and is clearly the male 26-44 shown on this same census. Neither can this be a child of Eliakim, who had only married six years before. Instead, we think he is the Samuel Beach who thereafter appears on the 1820 Census, age 26-45, living in close proximity to Eliakim, and whom we are reasonably certain is Eliakim's younger brother.
This conclusion is supported by the fact a Samuel Beach is later found in Durham, Greene County, following Eliakim's own removal there. This Samuel died at Durham on Nov 23, 1862, at age 75 years, 2 months; thus born 1787 - a date consistent with both the 1810 and 1820 censuses above. More importantly, the wife of Samuel Beach of Durham was Elizabeth Crippen, daughter of Ichabod Crippen, who is known to have leased a farm on Lot 173, Rensselaerville, in 1803. Since the Beach family itself lived on Lot 170, it seems clear that (i) Samuel was Eliakim's younger brother and lived with him as of 1810; (ii) Samuel subsequently married the "girl next door" and, by 1820, had established his own household near that of his brother; and (c) both brothers eventually removed to Greene County where they again lived in close proximity to one another.
Josiah Beach of Rensselaerville as Probable Father Of Ensign Eliakim and Samuel
Having made the case for Samuel Beach being the brother of Ensign Eliakim, we next consider whether Josiah Beach of Rensselaerville is their father. While more definitive proof would be welcome, the circumstantial evidence for such a lineage is certainly strong. As noted, Eliakim and Josiah are on record together as giving a mortgage to a portion of Lot 170; the same property which Josiah later conveyed to Eliakim in 1806.
The available census data also seems consistent with this conclusion. Per the 1790 Census it would appear Josiah had at least three sons: one born 1774 or earlier (possibly Curtis or Andrew?) and two born 1774-1790 (i.e., Eliakim, born c. 1780 and Samuel born c. 1787). Ten years later the 1800 Census shows the household of Josiah to include 2 males born 1775-1784. While the birth of Samuel c. 1787 is admittedly outside this range, it is "close enough" to fall within the margin of likely error. Lastly, we find the absence of Josiah on the 1810 Census at least marginally significant, as this suggests his death sometime between 1808 (when last mentioned in the road survey) and 1810. Instead, it is Eliakim who now owns the family farm and with whom at least one younger sibling, i.e., Samuel, is found living.
The Ancestry Of Josiah Beach of Rensselaerville: Possibilities But No Clear Answers
Assuming Josiah Beach of Rensselaerville is indeed the father of Ensign Eliakim and Samuel Beach, what then is his own lineage? As a preliminary matter consider the following table:
NAME FAMILY OF ELIAKIM5 FAMILY OF ENSIGN ELIAKIM
Andrew Brother of Eliakim5 Son of Ensign Eliakim; possible brother?
Eliakim Eliakim5 himself Ensign Eliakim himself
Josiah Both grandfather and uncle of Eliakim5 Presumed father of Ensign Eliakim
Ruth Sister of Eliakim5 Possible sister of Ensign Eliakim
Samuel Father of Eliakim5 Presumed brother of Ensign Eliakim
Given that our files contain only 3 Beaches named Eliakim (including Eliakim5 and Ensign Eliakim himself), 15 named Josiah and 24 named Andrew, the appearance of all three names together (not to mention those of Samuel and Ruth) in each of these families cannot be mere coincidence. Instead, it seems clear beyond peradventure that Josiah Beach of Rensselaerville descends in some fashion from, and was named in honor of Josiah Beach3, Nathaniel2, John1. The only question is how.
We begin by noting that Josiah Beach3, Nathaniel2, John1 was born Aug 18, 1684 and died Apr 17, 1759, at Trumbull, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He married first, Jan 25, 1721/22 Patience Nichols; m. 2nd, Jun 3, 1750, Abigail Wheeler. Per Orcutt, History of the Old Town of Stratford, Connecticut, Vol. II, p. 1124, he had a total of seven children (all by his first marriage), including three known sons, i.e., (i) Samuel4, born Jun 5, 1723; (ii) Josiah4, born Jun 25, 1734; and (iii) Mathew4, born May 18, 1742.
Taking each in reverse order, Mathew Beach4, Josiah3 can be readily excluded from further consideration on several grounds. For example, he would have been much too young to be the father of Josiah of Rensselaerville. The 1800 Census indicates the latter was born not later than 1755, when Mathew4 would have been only 13 years old. Moreover, Mathew4 had his own son Josiah5, born Oct 3, 1772, who is known to have died childless at New Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Turning next to Josiah4, Josiah3, the question naturally arises whether he himself could be Josiah of Rensselaerville. In this regard records of Stratford, Connecticut, show Josiah Beach4, Josiah3 was born June 25, 1734. Orcutt, supra, p. 1126, says he married Hannah, whom the Beach Family Magazine, Vol. I, No. 3, p. 66, identifies as Hannah Curtis, b. Apr 23, 1739. Both authorities give the couple seven children - significantly, all daughters - born between Dec --, 1759 and 1772. The Magazine further suggests, at Vol. II, No. 2, p. 157, that "... at one time, probably around 1779, Josiah(4) ... lived in Cornwall, Conn." Regrettably, however, neither source says anything about the death of Josiah4 or his wife and we have found no reference to him after 1779.
Yet despite (or more accurately, because of) this lack of evidence, one could argue that Josiah Beach4 is indeed the same as Josiah of Rensselaerville. His removal to New York might well explain why Orcutt and other Connecticut authorities are ignorant of his death. Neither do we think his age poses any fundamental problem. Given his birth in 1734, Josiah4 would have been approximately 46 years of age at the birth of Ensign Eliakim c. 1780, and 53 or so at the birth of Samuel c. 1787.
The age of wife Hannah (Curtis) Beach is somewhat more problematic, since she would have been in her mid to late 40's at the birth of Samuel. It might well be, however, that she died at or soon after the birth of her last known child in 1772 and that Josiah4 married again. In that case Ensign Eliakim and Samuel might be children of a younger, second wife.
It is in this context that the identity of Curtis Beach, who was Overseer of Highways for Rensselaerville in 1795, takes on potential significance. As noted, we are still uncertain of his precise relationship, if any, to the family of Josiah, Eliakim and Samuel. We cannot help but wonder, however, if his first name somehow honors that of Hannah Curtis, the wife of Josiah Beach4? If it does, then this would lend additional support to the notion that Josiah of Rensselaerville is indeed the same as Josiah Beach4, Josiah3.
The only remaining possibility is that Josiah of Rensselaerville is a son of Samuel Beach4, Josiah3. Born June 5, 1723, Samuel4 married June 24, 1744, Sarah Sherman, and so would have been old enough to father a son who was born not later than 1755. Such an ancestry would likewise best explain why Josiah of Rensselaerville might name sons Eliakim (after his brother) and Samuel (after his father) and why Ensign Eliakim would, in turn, name a son Andrew (after his uncle).
The problem, however, is that there is no evidence Samuel Beach4 ever had a son Josiah, nor does it appear there is "room" within his family for such a child. Per Orcutt, supra, the children of Samuel4 and Sarah (Sherman) Beach were (i) Betty, b. Aug. 17, 1745; (ii) Ruth, b. Mar. 5, 1747; (iii) Andrew, b. Dec 20, 1748; (iv) Eliakim, b. July 13, 1751; (v) Sarah, b. Aug. 5, 1753; (vi) Betsey, b. Aug. 17, 1755; and (vii) Betsey, b. Jan. 30, 1757. The Beach Family Magazine, Vol. I, No. 3, p. 66, presents essentially the same list, although with some minor differences in two of the childrens' years of birth ["Eliakim, b. July 13, bp. July 21, 1750,... Betsey, b. Jan. 30, 1758, bp. Feb. 12, 1758."]
This - at least on the surface - would seem to eliminate Samuel4 from further consideration as the father of Josiah of Rensselaerville. But note: There seems something "odd" about the three daughters named Betty/Betsey: one born 1745, one born 1755, and one born 1757 or 58. Of interest is the fact the two born in 1745 and 1755 share the same date of birth, i.e., August 17th. While it is certainly possible for sisters to be born exactly ten years apart, and for the second to be named after her predeceased sibling (perhaps because of the shared birth date?), it is nevertheless highly unusual; especially since it would seem both died young (given the birth of yet a third Betty/Betsey in 1757/58). We accordingly wonder whether there is some confusion in these accounts, with the same daughter being erroneously given twice? If so, then there might well be "room" within this list of children to accommodate a son Josiah4 born c. 1755 or earlier.
We are thus left with a classic instance of Sherlock Holmes' principle that "... when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth," A. Conan Doyle, Sign of Four (1890). That Josiah of Rensselaerville descends from Josiah3, Nathaniel2, John1 seems beyond question. Since he cannot be the son of Mathew4 he must be either (a) Josiah Beach4, Josiah3, or else (b) a previously unknown son of Samuel4, Josiah3. For what it is worth we currently feel Josiah4, Josiah3 to be the more likely candidate. We can readily envision a scenerio in which his wife, Hannah Curtis, died c. 1772-1773, prompting Josiah4 to remarry and move west to Albany County, New York, where he raised a second family unknown to Orcutt and other Connecticut authorities. Assuming he lived the Biblical "three score and ten," one would likewise expect his death c. 1804; just around the time Josiah of Rensselaerville last appears in the records in 1808.
Still, we are mindful of another of Holmes' proverbs, i.e., "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts," A. Conan Doyle, A Scandal in Bohemia (1891). Having been wrong in our speculations about this family before, we caution against making more of this discussion than what it is: the presentation of possibilities worthy of further investigation. Unfortunately, we lack ready access to the original records wherein the solution will hopefully be found and so invite any additional information bearing on this fascinating issue. We are especially anxious to see the actual 1806 deed between Josiah and Ensign Eliakim in case it makes any reference to their relationship. Having a more precise "fix" on the age of Josiah of Rensselaerville would also prove helpful. If it should turn out he was in his 70's at death, this would point to his being Josiah4, Josiah3. If significantly younger, however, then he would most likely descend through Samuel4, Josiah3. Can anyone provide any additional information which might resolve this fascinating question?
Some Tangential Issues
It has been our experience that new evidence pointing to a solution of one mystery often raises other, unanticipated issues. Consider, for example, the Andrew and Ruth Beach mentioned above who appear in Rensselaerville records for 1798 and 1799. As it happens, subscriber Richard Skeels has long been searching for the origins of a Ruth Beach, b.c. 1777, who married Rufus Skeels of Hamilton, Madison County, New York. Also in Hamilton was an Andrew Beach, said to have come from Canaan, Columbia County, New York, c. 1800, who served as coadministrator of Rufus Skeels' estate. Are these two pairs of Ruths and Andrews connected in some way? At this point we lack sufficient information to even offer a guess.
The other issue we wish to mention involves Elizabeth (Crippen) Beach, wife of the Samuel Beach whom we believe is Ensign Eliakim's brother. Her will was probated September 5, 1877, and an abstract of its provisions appears on the Greene County, New York, History and Genealogy site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~nygreen2/wills_1871-1880.htm. Per such abstract, the beneficiaries of Elizabeth (Crippen) Beach consisted of her six sisters (or their heirs), together with "James, nephew of the late Samuel Beach of Ionia, Mich."
As a preliminary matter we do not know whether this is a verbatim quote from the actual will or not. Suffice it to say the language above is potentially ambiguous. Since there is no comma after "Beach" a literal reading would mean it was Samuel Beach who was "of Ionia." We think it clear, however, that the "late Samuel Beach" is Elizabeth's deceased husband, Samuel of Rensselaerville and Durham.
The identity of the James referred to is equally confusing. When we first considered this bequest we wondered if it related to James Beach7, Alger6, Abel5, Thomas4, Nathaniel3, Nathaniel2, John1, who died Sep 23, 1885, at Orleans, Ionia County, Michigan, and who in fact had an uncle, Samuel6, Abel5. Indeed, this is the only James (or Samuel) Beach we find in Ionia (city or county) Michigan during this period. Since it now appears Samuel Beach descends from Josiah of Rensselaerville, however, this identification seems foreclosed. So who, then, is this James?
One possibility is that suggested by Ms. Cecilia Beach, who correctly notes that the will (at least as transcribed) does not give James' last name. Thus, while the language strongly implies it was Beach, it might conceivably been something else; the son of one's sister being no less a nephew than the son of one's brother. Once again, however, the limited information currently available does not permit us to come to any conclusion on this question.