Elizabeth Ann Carpenter

     Elizabeth Ann was born on Monday, 8 October 1810 in Cornwall, Orange County, New York. Elizabeth Ann married John Wheeler Beardslee, son of William Beardslee and Mary Wheeler, on 26 November 1828 in Genova, Ontario County, New York.² John was raised at Hardyston, New Jersey but was residing at Horseheads, New York at the time of his marriage. He was the second one to purchase land in Independence Township but the first to reside on it. On 1 September 1826, John W. Beardslee of Tioga County, New York, purchased 160 acres in the northeast quarter of section 35 t4n r9e in Independence Township, Oakland County, Michigan [no. 101], at the same time becoming owner of forty acres in Shawnee town. 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, 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; He had moved from his long time home in Independence Township just three months prior. 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. She was buried at Independence Township in the Sashabaw Cemetery in the Sashabaw Plains.⁷ Elizabeth departed this life in 1892 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, at age 81 years.