William Beardslee

     William was born on Monday, 15 December 1794 in Sussex County, New Jersey. William married Frances Freeman circa 1817 in New Jersey. They resided at Millstone, Sommerset County, New Jersey. William was a farmer. Their son William resided on the farm next to them. William & Frances had children: Charles [1818-3/__/1869][m. 9/26/1844 Andromache Smith], Rachel [3/26/1820-5/22/1867][m. 1/27/1841 Peter Nevius Beekman], Sarah [11/30/1821-2/12/1845][m. John Blackwell], William [9/23/1823-7/25/1892][m. 1845 Catherine Blackwell], Reuben [3/11/1825-3/22/1910], Paul [9/21/1826-8/05/1907][m. Rachel A. Van Pelt], Phineas [ca 1828], John [10/16/1830-5/10/1892][m. 11/30/1860 Mary Gayle Ranney & 2nd. 8/14/1883 Dorthy Neville Meriweather], Catherine [4/10/1832], Margaret [10/30/1834-12/15/1910][m. John Blackwell], George [ca 1836], Henry [10/26/1838-3/15/1841], Harriet [12/30/1840-7/02/1903][m. Daniel Edmund Garrison].² 26 September 1850, William and his wife, Frances, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Hillsborough Township, Sommerset County, New York. Enumerated in this household were William Beardsly [56 New Jersey - $15,400.00], his wife: Frances [52 New Jersey], children: Paul [23 New Jersey], Catherine [18 New Jersey], George [14 New Jersey], Harriet [10 New Jersey], Lobine [14 New Jersey], and laborer, Patrick Kennedy [21 Ireland]. Their post office was Millstone. Listed directly above them is their son William Beardsly [26 New Jersey], Catherine [22 New Jersey], Sarah [4 New Jersey], Mary [2 New Jersey], & Frances [1/12 New Jersey]., Sarah Jane Butler [13 New Jersey], Margaret Lyans [19 New Jersey] & a laborer: Patrick Carey [30 Ireland].³ 4 August 1860, William and his wife, Frances, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Hillsborough Township. Enumerated in this household were William Beardslee [66 New Jersey - $10,00 & $3,000], his wife: Frances [62 New Jersey], daughter, Harriet [20 New Jersey]. Their post office was Millstone. Son William was near on census - William Beardslee Jr. [37 New Jersey], Catharine [31 New Jersey], Sarah [16 New Jersey], Frances [10 New Jersey], Charles [8 New Jersey], Phineas [2 New Jersey], Hatty [2/12 New Jersey], Catharine [5 New &Jersey] & laborer: Michael Flanagan [23 Ireland].⁴ William departed this life on Sunday, 19 August 1866 in Millstone, Hillsborough Township at age 71 years, 8 months and 4 days. He was buried there in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The inscription on his tombstone reads: OUR FATHER - William Beardslee - died August 19, 1866 - aged 71 years 8 mos. & 4 days.⁵