Mary Elizabeth Beardsley

     Mary Elizabeth was born on Wednesday, 26 June 1816 in Sussex County, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Thomas & Rachael [Tuttle] Beardsley. Mary Elizabeth married Jeffrey W. Beardslee, son of William Beardslee and Mary Wheeler, on 16 September 1838 in Oakland County, Michigan. On 10 November 1840, Jeffrey W. Beardslee of Oakland County, Michigan, purchased 40 acres of land from the U.S. Government in Oxford Township [NE1/4 NE1/4 of Section 31 of TSN R10E]. Jeffrey & Mary had children: Telman [1839-1/25/1893], Clarence [3/--/1842- ][m. Mary J.], Cassius [1849-6/10/1901, Florence [10/25/1853-3/02/1876] & Isadore [8/--/1855- ][m. 2/25/1880 Azalia Mabel Groover].
22 July 1850, Mary and her husband, Jeffrey, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Independence Township, Oakland County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Jeffrey W. Beardslee [34 New York], his wife: Mary E. [30 New Jersey], children: Laman [11 Michigan], Clarence [8 Michigan] & Cassius [1 Michigan], Henry Trilgue [21 New Jersey], & James Brakeman [22 New Jersey].¹ 13 June 1860, Mary and her husband Jeffrey were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Springfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Jeffry Beardsley [46 New Jersey], his wife: Mary [40 New York], children: Telman [20 Michigan - farm laborer], Clarence [18 Michigan], Cassius [10 Michigan], Florence [8 Michigan], & Isadore [5 Michigan]. Jeffry is a carpenter.² 10 September 1870, Mary and her husband, Jeffrey, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Springfield Township. Enumerated in this household were Jef Beesley [55 New Jersey], Mary E. [53 New Jersey], Telman [28 Michigan], Clarence [26 Michigan], Cassius [21 Michigan], Florence [18 Michigan], Isadore [16 Michigan] & Frank [8 Michigan].³ 8 June 1880, Mary and her husband, Jeffrey, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Springfield Township. Enumerated in this household were Jeffrey Beardslee [64 New Jeersey], Mary E. [63 New Jersey], Telman [36 Michigan], Isadore [35 Michigan], Frank [18 Michigan] & daughter-in-law: Mary [20 New Jersey].⁴ Mary's husband, an unknown person , died on 6 December 1883 in Springfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan, leaving her a widow.⁵ 9 June 1900, Mary was listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Springfield Township [at L2]. Enumerated in this household were Mary E. Beardsley [83 New Jersey - June 1816]. She was a widow with 5 children, 3 living.⁶ Mary departed this life on Monday, 9 June 1902 in Springfield Township at age 85 years, 11 months and 14 days.⁷ She was buried at Independence Township in the Sashabaw Cemetery in the Sashabaw Plains. She is buried alongside her husband. The inscription is on the smae stone as her husband and reads Mary E. his wife 1816-1902.