John Beardsley

     John was born on Sunday, 4 November 1668 in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. John married Abigail Wakelee, daughter of Henry Waklee and Sarah Burt, circa 1691 in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He and Abigail were blessed with 6 children. John made his will on 11 November 1732 at Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. The will mentions his wife, Abigail, five sons & no daughters. He gave land in Great Neck to his son, Andrew. To Jehiel, "I give my shop & all my working tools for carrying on of my trade, and my cart and wheels and all my lot and orchard at Walnut-Tree Hill." To Abraham, the eldest son, seventeen acres and one-quarter. It being the one-half of a piece of land at Quimby's Hill, the north-westerly half; and is thirty-nine rods on the south-westerly side, and forty-six rods and a quarter on the north-easterly part thereof. To Jehiel, the equal half of the Salt Meadow, at a place called the "White Rock" on the south side. And the equal half of the swamp lot at a place called "Success", on the north side. The whole lots contains six acres. To Andrew's heirs the other half of the piece of land at Quimby's Hill, and is about forty-two rods on the southwesterly side and is now bounded. And the one equal half of the piece of Salt Meadow, at a place called "White Rock" on the north side. And the equal half of the said swamp lot at Success, on the south side therefore.⁶ He wrote a codicil to his will on 17 November 1735. It was recorded 9 February 1735/1736. He gave to his son John, one plowsheear, collar and chain. To son Caleb, one iron pot which he has in his possession. John departed this life on Tuesday, 29 November 1735 in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. His will was probated on 7 November 1756 at Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. His inventory was valued at 1,500 pounds. Final distributions, "April ye 11, 1758. [NOTE: The probate took place after the death of his wife, Abigail]