THE BEGINNING OF BECKHAM FAMILIES
The Beckham family has its roots deep in the history of England from which the oldest American branch
came. It is believed that the American Beckham families originated from the Beckham families living in
Norfolk County England and came from the town of East Beckham. An old volume of English History
written in the 1400's mentions the Beckhams as being Normans, and that they were notorious for their bad
tempers. If they were Normans then they likely went into England in 1066 with William The Conqueror,
who came out of France with his Norman army, gathered from the area now known as the Coast of
Normandy, crossed the English Channel that year and took over England.
The Beckhams would not have been using a surname in 1066. During that time period in England there
were Saxons and Normans, but they soon merged into one people, and this would explain why the family,
even though they may have been Normans, have a Saxon name. The name Beckham, meaning literally
"home, or hamlet by a brook." So the first Beckham who took on a surname was identified by the place
where he lived.
The name is seen early in France also, as de Beckham, and by the 1400's, the ole Historic County of
Norfolk on the far eastern coast of England had become a Beckham stronghold. Norfolk seems to have
been the cradle of the Beckhams who by the 1600's had spread all over England, and the name is seen also
in Wales and the lowlands of Scotland. From the lowlands of Scotland they spread into northern Ireland.
Today in England the town of East Beckham and its sister town West Beckham still exist even though no
Beckhams reside there. The history of the two manors in that parish is known from the time of Henry II.
In the 24 year of the rein of Henry III a Richard de Beckham and the Prior of Wayborn held an the part of a
fee, and there was a Roger de Beckham who had an interest in it at the same time. In the 9th year of the
rein of Edward III, a Peter de Beckham and his wife Mabel settled their lands here in tail. Sir Roger de
Beckham held lands in the 20th and 27th year of Edward III, after which they seem to disappear from the
place. They first appear in official records in the Visitation of County Norfolk of 1569, where a Pedigree
was entered from John Beckham of Creke, whose second son Richard of Westacre had Richard and John,
both of Narford. Richard Beckham had a son Richard, and John Beckham had a daughter. Walter
Beckham the third son of the original John Beckham was a Canon of Westacre Abbey, and John Beckham
a 4th son was of Narford. (All these locations are in England.) Robert Beckham, the eldest son of the
original John Beckham had Walter of Harford, who had Richard and Thomas and Henry. The last Richard
Beckham had an eldest son Walter, who married Alice Gwynn.
In the Visitation of County Norfolk in 1613 there is a further Pedigree, which picks up again with Richard
(Walter?) Beckham and his wife Alice Gwynn. They had Richard, Walter, Henry, and George. The eldest,
Richard Beckham of Narborough, England married Sarah Futter, and had John, Robert, and Nathaniel. A
Coat of Arms is shown for this family: Chequy or and sable, a fesse ermine. There is an impalement for
Futter, and Crest (Beckham), a horse's head argent pierced through the neck with a broken tilting spear or,
and holding in the mouth the top of the spear. These Arms and Crest were allowed to the family at the
Visitation, but their origin appears to be lost in history. The same Arms are said to have been in the church
window at East Beckham, showing these people to have been of the same family as the de Beckhams
above.
In the Visitation of County Norfolk in 1613 is also another branch shown. A Richard Beckham of Hayton
County, Ealop, married Dionesse Hopton, and had a son Richard of Narford, who had 3 daughters, Mary,
Eleanor, and Abigail. The Hoptons were also an armorial family. As you can see there was quite a number
of Richard Beckhams of Narford living about the same time, which leads to confusion.
In the Visitation of County Norfolk in 1664 a Richard Beckham had a son John Beckham who married
Eleanor, daughter of Richard Beckham of Gaywood County, Norfolk, and had Richard Beckham of the city
of Norwich, living in 1664. Another branch is shown in the 1664 Visitation, with the same Arms and
Crest. An Edward Beckham of Gateley County, Norfolk, had sons John and Edward. John of Blackburgh
Abbey in Middleton County, Norfolk, had a son Edward, aged 2.
From all this you can see that many branches of the Beckham families were in England and are still there
today. The particular branch that came to America we believed is a William Beckham who arrived in
Upper Norfolk County, Virginia in the year 1639. Since to be listed on a ship's log at this period required a
male to be at least 16 years of age we can assume that our William Beckham had to have been born prior to
the year 1623 in England. As you can see by the time of the Visitation of Norfolk England in 1664 our
particular branch of the Beckham family had already immigrated to America.
Researching the Beckham families in America has been difficult because of the many different spellings of
the name. Of course BECKHAM is the correct English spelling of the name but we also found that
BICKHAM is also used quite extensively in America. The following is a list of the spellings that we have
came across so far just to give you an idea of the difficulty: BECOM, BECCOME, BECHAM, BECHOM,
BECHUM, BECKAM, BECKOM, BECKUM, BECAME, BECKHAM, BICKHAM, BUCKRAM,
BUKHAM, and BUCKHAM. This gives you some idea. I am sure that many other spellings also exist,
but no matter how it is spelled they are all part of the BECKHAMS OF AMERICA.
We have a record of a Richard Beckham in a list of convicted Rebels dated January 9, 1685. He was
committed to life imprisonment on the Island of Barbados in the Caribbean. An entry was made in a log by
Edwyn Stede who was the Governor of the prison Isle as follows: Mr. John Browne, one of the factors for
Sir William Booth, KNT, to whom the above and within Convicted Rebels mentioned in this list were
consigned, severally appeared before me, and made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God that
they were delivered him and Company out of the ship 'Hoppy Return' of Pool, Captain Roger Wadham,
Commander, and were all of them by him and Company sold and disposed of here to the several persons
mentioned in said list. Given under my hand, the 8th day of January, 1685. EDWYN STEDE. Sir
William Booth's List of Prisoners sent to Barbados was a Richard Bickham of Dorsin, England. Another
list containing the same Richard Beckham is as follows: A List of Seavently Seaven Convicted Rebels, by
the 'John Friggat' of Bristol, Captain William Stoakes, Commander. Imported to this Island (Barbados) are
all the very same Rebels that was taken on board the said ship at the Port of Bristol, Except thirteen of
them that died before the arrival, and one since the arrival of the said ship to this Island, February 6, 1685.
This record indicates that a Richard Bickham (Beckham) was convicted of rebellious acts against the King
of England and was sentenced to imprisonment on the Island of Barbados. We have no records to indicate
that he ever left the Island. We can speculate that Richard Bickham, as a rebel, must have supported the
colonists in the New World and did not like how they were being treated. For his dissatisfaction he was
sentenced to imprisonment. Was he a brother to our William Beckham who came to America in 1639? Or
perhaps a son?
2
In a record in York County, Maine there is a reference to a William Bickham born ca 1632, brother of
Richard Bickham, merchant of Bristol, England and uncle of Francis Knight and of Ephraim Lynn or his
wife. He was at Kittery Point, Maine in 1672, taking a mortgage jointly with Mayor Shapleigh. He was
called a merchant 4 March 1674 - 75 when Vickers, Bickham, & Company gave power of attorney to
Francis Tucker to sue him. He was overseer of Reverend Robert Jordan's will in 1678, witness of George
Walton's will 1685 - 86, approved Henry Beck's estate 1686, and was a witness at Spruce Creek in 1688.
He was a taxpayer of Great Island and Sandy Becah in 1671. This William Bickham appears deceased by
1689 when Mayor John Davis sold 1/2 of his dwelling at Kittery Point, built by Dr H Greenland and Mr.
William Bickham. A William Bickham, as Doctor Became, was surety for Rachel Mitchel in 1693. A
William Bickham was mentioned on a petition of Great Island Inhabitants to the King, 15 May 1690,
asking for a general governor and military supplies. In 1698 is recorded a true copy of the town rate made
in the year by virtue whereof all the town lands to be divided in equal proportion according thereto Portsmouth: Bartlett - William Bickham. His wife Mary Webber, daughter of Richard Webber was joint
witness with Lydia Webber in 1699, both living in 1716. A William Bickham was listed as one of the crew
of "The Katherine" in 1701. A William Bickham of Dolis in Devon, and Hannahy Hepworth were married
at Portsmouth, 22 Oct 1723. As you can see there were many references to William Bickham. Whether or
not they are the same man or not is anybody's guess. More important is that since this first William
Bickham was born ca 1632 and a brother to Richard Bickham would lead me to believe that he is not the
same William Bickham that lived in Upper Norfolk County, Virginia because our William Beckham came
here in 1639 and if he had to have been 16 years of age at that time he would have been born in at least
1623 and would be 9 years older than the Bickham in York County, Maine. Perhaps this William Bickham
in Maine could have been a son or a distant cousin?
Recent information that we received from some very early records in Upper Norfolk County, Virginia
indicate that our William Beckham was an indentured servant. This was not unusual for people in England
who lacked the funds to purchase passage on ships going to America. Normally a person would sell their
servitude for Seven years to pay the owners of the ship for their passage. Unlike slaves they were normally
trained by their temporary owners in specific trades in order to help their owners in whatever business they
were in. But also like slaves they were the property of the indenture holder for seven years. In 1641 a man
by the name of Richard Preston in Upper Norfolk County, Virginia traded the services of 5 indentured
servants; William Beckham, Richard Pettibone, Joane Carraway, Michaell Morphew, and Edward Ratcliffe
for 250 acres of land on the New Townehaven River. This was most likely our William Beckham, who
came to America in 1639 and settled in Upper Norfolk County, Virginia. This is also the oldest record we
have that references our William Beckham.
We also have an early reference to a John Beckham who also appears to have been an indentured servant.
On 25 November 1657 in Isle of Wright County, Virginia a man by the name of Christopher Reynolds
traded 7 servants namely: John Becham, Joseph Kerby, John Moode, William Seller, Edmond Howsden,
Margaret Langridge, and Susan Stubbers for 350 acres of land along Cyprus Creek. We have no
information as to which this John Beckham was. Perhaps he was a son or brother of our William
Beckham. You can see that since we have not been able to trace this John Beckham that there is a lot of
room for additional research.
3
BECKHAM COAT OF ARMS AND CREST
FAMILY OF :
BECKHAM
ARMS;
Cheany, or and sable, a fesse ermine
CREST;
A horse's head argent, pierced though the neck with a broken tilting-spear or, and
holding in the mouth the top of the spear embrued gules.
MOTTO:
None recorded. Few of the older arms were accompanied by recorded mottoes.
Under heraldic law, however, any user of any arms may adopt and use any motto
desired. Most mottoes seen in use have been adopted.
TINCTURES AS SHOWN BY DESCRIPTIONS:
The shield is composed of cheques of gold and black. The fesse is of white charged
with black ermine spots. The horse's head is silver, tilting spear gold, the portion of
the spear in horse's mouth is smeared with and dripping blood. The mantle and
wreath are of gold and black.
NOTES:
A variation of the arms had the cheques of gold and blue, a fret ermine instead of a
fesse. The family was anciently of Leicestershire, in England.
4
THE BECKHAM FAMILY IN ENGLAND
This author has not verified the following genealogy, however, it is provided as a possible record of the
Beckham family history in England prior to coming to America. Information was obtained from the LDS
Library Ancestral File.
WALTER BECKHAM - b. 1523. He was married to Cecily Jenison. She was born 1525.
The children of Walter Beckham and Cecily Jenison:
RICHARD BECKHAM - of Norford and Little Fransham, County Norfolk, England - Chr ca 1545
and d. 10 Jac I (?). He was married on 26 May 1575 at Little Fransham, County Norfolk, England
to Alice Mynny.
HENRY BECKHAM - b. ca 1549 of Gt Fransham, County Norfolk, England and d. 28 Nov 1598.
He is buried in Gt Fransham, County Norfolk, England. He was married (1st) on 22 Nov 1590 at
Gt Fransham, County Norfolk, England to Alice Futter. He was married (2nd) to Dorothy ________.
He was married (3rd) to Dorothy ________.
RICHARD BECKHAM - (Son of Walter Beckham and Cecily Jenison) - of Norford and little Fransham,
County Norfolk, England - Chr ca 1545 and d. 10 Jac I (?). He was married on 26 May 1575 at Little
Fransham, County Norfolk, England to Alice Mynny, dau of Henry Mynny. She was born ca 1549 and
died 29 Jan 1625 at Little Fransham, County Norfolk, England.
The children of Richard Beckham and Alice Mynny:
MINN OR MYNNE BECKHAM - Chr 6 Jan 1576 of Norford & Little Fransham, County Norfolk,
England and d. 16 Apr 1577.
RICHARD BECKHAM - of Norford, County Norfolk, England - Chr 18 Aug 1577 at Little
Fransham, County Norfolk, England and d. 14 Mar 1634 at Norford, County Norfolk, England. He
was married on 20 Sep 1591 at Gt Massingham, England to Sara Fuller.
JANE BECKHAM - Chr 3 May 1579. She was married to William Stallworthy.
WALTER BECKHAM - Chr 3 Jul 1580 and d. after 1622.
HENRY BECKHAM - Chr 30 May 1582.
KATHERINE BECKHAM - Chr 12 Apr 1584. She was married on 26 Apr 1602 to William
Dunthorne.
DOROTHY BECKHAM - Chr 28 Mar 1585/6 and d. after 1622. She was married to Toby Roberts.
5
GEORGE BECKHAM - Chr 12 Jun 1586. He was married (1st) about 1619 to Elizabeth ________.
He was married (2nd) to Elizabeth ________.
ALICE BECKHAM - Chr 9 Jul 1588/9. She was married on 26 Nov 1609 to John Large.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MINN BECKHAM - b. 1557 in Narf, County Norfolk, England. He married ________.
The children of Minn Beckham and ________:
RICHARD B BECKHAM - b. 1583/87 in Nerf, County Norfolk, England and d. 1635. He married
Susan Sarah Futter.
RICHARD B BECKHAM - (Son of Minn Beckham and ________) - b. 1583/87 in Narf , County Norfolk,
England and d. 1635. He married Susan Sarah Futter. She was born 1585/90.
The children of Richard B Beckham and Susan Sarah Futter:
JOHN BECKHAM - b. 1605/1610 in Norford, County Norfork, England. He was married (1st) in
1630 to Lynn Elianor Beckham. He was married (2nd) to ________.
WALTER BECKHAM - b. 1608/13 in Norford, County Norfolk, England. He married Cicely
Jenison.
ROBERT BECKHAM - b. 1611
RICHARD BECKHAM - b. 1612 in Norwich, County Norfolk, England and d. 1664. He married
Mary Spencely.
WILLIAM BECKHAM - b. 1619 in East Beckham, County Norfolk, England. He married Tabetha
Randolph.
This last William Beckham could be the William Beckham who came to America in 1638 and settled in
upper Norfold Co, Virginia and married there Tabitha Randolph.
6
THE BECKHAM FAMILY STORY
(The coding in the following starts with the original William Beckham coded at B. Each following
generation will alternate numbers and letters, i.e. William Beckham's first son would be Simon Beckham
(B1). Simon Beckham's first son would be William Beckham (B1A) and so forth. By counting the
alternating letters and numbers you can determine how many generations you are from the original.)
WILLIAM BECKHAM (B) - Although we know very little about this beginning of the Beckham families
in America what we do know is that William Beckham the immigrant arrived in America in 1639 and
settled in Upper Norfolk Co, VA. He would have been born in England prior to 1623 because he would
have had to have been at least 12 years old in order to be listed in the ship log of the ship that brought him
to America. Information also indicated that he was an indentured servant owing his passage apparently to a
Richard Preston who traded his servitude for 250 acres of land along with 4 other indentured servants. The
land was located on the New Townehaven River in Upper Norfold Co, VA. It is believed that he was
married to Tabetha Randolph. She was born 1622 in what is now Orange Co, VA. Records indicate that
he had at least on son. If any daughters existed we have no records of them. Other sons could also exist of
which we have no knowledge at this time. Only Simon Beckham has been traced which is our direct line.
I am sure that records exist somewhere in Virginia that will someday provide an answer as to other
children.
The children of William Beckham the immigrant and Tabetha Randolph:
SIMON BECKHAM (B1) - b. ? and d. 1716 in Essex Co, VA. He married Lydia ________.
SIMON BECKHAM (B1) - (Son of William Beckham, the immigrant (B) and Tabetha Randolph) - b. ?
and d. 1716 in Essex Co, VA. He married Lydia ________.
Simon Beckham was in Essex Co, VA and early as 1703 in which year he is shown at the estate sale of
Robert Halsey who had died that year. He is shown also as being indebted to the estate for 700 lbs of
tobacco. At this time Tobacco was the main medium of exchange.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following records were obtained from Essex Co, VA Deeds and Wills:
10 Jul 1704: ". . . Certificate by Act of Assemble, granted to Simon Beckham for 50 acres of land, due by
his, the said Beckham's own transpiration into this Colony, who in court assigned the same to Larkin
Chew. . . "
1704: Simon Beckham is listed in the 1704 Rent Roll of Essex Co, VA as a owner of 100 acres of land in
St Ann's Parish.
30 May 1705: The following transactions are shown in Deed Book 12: Daniel Magurt and James Gibins
sell 460 acres granted to them by patent. Witnesses were: Ledea Beckem and Sarbe Finegan. Same date Daniel Magurt and Francis Shackelford sell 658 acres, part of a 1,316 acres patent to both. Witnesses
were: Simon Beckem & Ledea Beckem. Same date - Daniel Magurt and wife Mary, etc . . . same
7
witnesses.
30 May 1706: Deed. Daniel Magurt sells Francis Shackelford, for L 52, Sterling, 650 acres, part of 1316
acres patented by said Shackelford and Magurt 13th March, surveyed by Charles Smith 1704 and the patent
signed last General Court in 1705. The land being in the Forrest between Mattapony and Rappahannock
rivers, on the branches of the same adjoining land of Mr. William Pannell, and land of John May on
Tuckaho and Mr. Lowreys on Tuckaho. Signed Daniel x Margurt. Witness: Simon x Beckham, Ledea x
Beckham. Acknowledged and recorded 10 Jun 1706.
10 Jun 1706: Power of Attorney - June 1706. Daniel Magurt and Mary Magurt of Essex to our trusty and
well beloved friend Thomas Burnett Senr to ack deed to Francis Shakelford dated 30 May 1706 for land
sold him by Magurt and James Gibbins. Signed Daniel x Margut, Mary x Magurt. Witness: Simon x
Beckham, Ledea x Beckham. Proved by oaths of witnesses and recorded 10 Jun 1706.
3 Jun 1708: William Reed and Eleanor, his wife sell to George L Loydt. Witnesses: Simon Beckem,
Grady and Summervill.
14 Jan 1713/14: Simon Beckham records mark for cattle.
20 Sep 1715: The Estate of John Parker deceased Dr. Accountant Parkers Estate paid to Simon Beckham
160 pounds.
14 Oct 1715: A deed between Samuel Prosser and Robert Kay mentions the cattle mark of Simon
Beckam, his mark - - - hear.
1716: At the September Court of 1716 the will of Simon Beckham is presented for Probate. There is no
date or recording date on the will. We can assume that Simon died sometime between the June and
September Courts, as the record is clear that Simon is dead at this time. The will reads:
". . . I Give and bequeath unto my Loving wife Lidia Beckham all my Estate wholey and Soleley for her
use and the bringing up of my children he not desiring the other should have and part haveing their part
already . . ." Witness: James f Foster, Elizsabeth f Foster, Xpher x Man.
18 Sep 1716: Bond. L 40. Sterling Ledia Beckham as Exectrix of Estate of Simon Beckham, decd.
Signed Ledia x Beckham, William Winston, John Bates. Witness: Ralph Gough. Recorded 18 Sep 1716.
17 Feb 1719: Lydia Beckhom witnessed a deed between Richard Hill and John Blanton.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We only know of two of his children. I am sure that he had many other children because it has always been
a Beckham tradition to have large families.
The children of Simon Beckham and Lydia ________:
WILLIAM BECKHAM (B1A) - b. ? in Norfolk County, Virginia. He was married in 1701 in Orange
Co, VA to Phillis Randolph.
8
JAMES BECKHAM (B1B) - b. ? and d. before 1759 in Essex Co, VA.
WILLIAM BECKHAM (B1A) - (Son of Simon Beckham (B1) and Lydia ________) - b. ? in Norfolk Co,
VA. He was married in 1701 in Orange Co, VA to Phillis Randolph, a daughter of James Randolph. This
family of Randophs is of the Randolphs of Jamestown, VA and is considered one of the original families to
settle America with the second Jamestown settlement.
William Beckham is listed on the 1715 Essex Co, VA Quit Rent Roll as owner of 200 acres of land. In
1717 in Essex Co, VA William Beckham is witness to a deed between Fogg and Coleman. In 1720
Spotsylvania Co, VA was formed out of Essex Co, VA so he may not have moved at all but rather lived in
the area that became Spotsylvania County.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following was taken from the Court Records of Spotsylvania Co, VA:
1725 - June Court of Spotsylvania Co; Abraham Bledsoe for his two tithables, William Beckham for his
one tithable and William More for his one tithable were ordered to be added to Mrs. Henry Goodloe's list
(Order Book 1724-30).
Same Court - Action of debt brought against Samuel Buxton by William Beckham, Beckham failed to
appear, dismissed.
Same Court - Action of case brought against William Beckham by John Moore, Moore failed to appear,
dismissed.
2 May 1726 - William Hansford deeds to William Arvon and William Beckham 400 acres. Arvon paid 5
shillings. Witnesses: John Quarles, Benjamin Grayson and Richard Cheek (Deed Book A).
At the Nov Court 1728 - ".. on the attachment obtained by William Beckham against the estate of William
Arven for 644 lbs tobacco he made out an oath to be due, . . . judgement is granted Beckham, etd. Arven
had died.
Same Court - ".. On the petition of William Beckham against estate of Myrtle for 5 barrels of Indian corn
and 300 lbs of tobacco, judgement for Beckham.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The children of William Beckham and Phillis Randolph:
WILLIAM BECKHAM (B1A1) - b. 1709 in Essex Co, VA and d. 1776 in Granville Co, NC. He
married Phillis Mackey.
STEPHEN BECKHAM SR (B1A2) - b. ? and d. 1774 in Bute Co, NC. He married Josephine
________.
9
SIMON BECKHAM (B1A3) - b. ? and d. 1747 in Orange Co, VA. He married ________.
(DAUGHTER) BECKHAM (B1A4) - b. ?. She married Colonel Camp of the Revolutionary War.
(DAUGHTER) BECKHAM (B1A5) - b. ?. She married Colonel Fontaine of the Revolutionary War.
JOSEPH BECKHAM (B1A6) - b. ?. He married ________.
JAMES BECKHAM (B1A7) - b. 1735 in Orange Co, VA and d. 1800 in Orange Co, VA. He
married to Hannah Bohon.
WILLIAM BECKHAM (B1A1) - (Son of William Beckham and Phillis Randolph) - b. 1709 in Essex Co,
VA and died 1776 in Granville Co, NC. He was married to Phillis Mackey, a daughter of John Mackey.
She also had a brother John Mackey JR who served during the Revolutionary War.
William Beckham was a {Private in 1754 with the Granville County Militia, Regiment of Colonel William
Eaton, Captain Sugar Jones' Company. State Records of North Carolina, Volume 22, Page 377 . . . .
Members of State Militia, Granville County, NC . . . . . Captain Sugar Jones & Company . . . . No. 49
Thomas Beckham; No. 61 Simon Beckham; No. 91 William Beckham, Jun'r; Volume 22, Page 376 . . .
No. 10, William Beckham . . . . . 8th October, 1754. He also served his country during the Revolutionary
War.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------On 14 Jun 1735 William Beckham purchased land in Orange Co, VA on the South Side of the River
Rappidanne. The following Deed is recorded in Deed Book I, Orange Co, VA, 14 Jun 1735:
". . . Alexander Spotswood grants to William Beckham for the natural lives of his son, Simon and his
wife, Phyllis, the longest liver of them . . . 100 acres in the Parish of St Mark, County of Orange, on the
south side of the River Rapidanne, part of a tract of 40,000 acres granted to Spotswood and called the
Spotswood Tract . . . yearly rent for the first four years to be one ear of Indian corn due on 25 Dec each
year, and after . . 600 lbs weight of good sound merchantable tobacco clear of ground leaves and trash and
delivering the same to some convenient landing in the County of Spotsylvania, due first 25 Dec 1739. If
William in arrears more than 60 days, Spotswood can enter the premises and take goods and chattles to
satisfy the debt . . . within four years William is to plant 300 fruit trees of which at least one third to good
apple trees enclosed by a sufficient fence. He shall build and keep in good repair houses and buildings . .
and everything to be yielded up to Spotswood when the time comes. If Simon and Phyllis are still alive in
1775 Spotswood is willing to make the same deal with them or any of William's assigns . . whenever
required William will assist with one laboring had to build water dam or race for any grist mill Spotswood
may erect, and assist in repairing the same. Spotswood and his servants or workmen may enter the
premises at all times, houses and orchards excepted, to dig, drain or search for any mines of stone, iron,
lead or copper and have free ingress, egress and regress for carrying same away in carts, carriages, wagons,
horses or oxen. Spotswood to have free access to land at any time, making recompense to William for
damage . . . "
William Beckham's witnesses to the transferral of the above land were Henry Beckham and Thomas
10
Russell.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following was taken from Orange Co Deed Book I:
2 Aug 1736 - ". . William Beckham found Sam, a run-away slave on his place . . . 15 lashes on the bare
back . . . was turned over to Constable and to Constable until returned to Collins . . . "
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following was taken from Orange Co Court Records:
10 November 1738 . . . . Thomas Wright Bellfiekm Gent VS Wm Beckham, Debt . . . . Suit regarding a
Debt . . . . 1425 pounds of tobaco - Order Book No 1, Page 474.
Mar 1740 - Ordered that all tithables belonging to Samuel Pound, George Wooten, Stephen Beckham,
John Curtis, William Beckham, George Anderson, Robert Williams, James Stewart, John Edwards, Henry
Nixon, John Underwood, Thomas Russell, James Gibson, James . . . ?, Edwards Spencer, William Milner,
Nathan Turner, William Wood, Theophilus Eddius, Tully Choice, and of Co, Willis's William Morton's
Battles and Wilson's Quarters, work on the road from the Mine Run Bridge to the Wilderness Run under
the said William Beckham who is hereby appointed Overseer of the road, and its further ordered that the
said Beckham cause the said highways to be cleared and the Bridges to be repaired in the said precinct
according to law, and that he with his said gang help aid and assist Bryan Scisson, the Overseer of the
Courthouse road, to keep the Mine Run Bridge in Repair. (Orders 2).
23 Oct 1740 - On the petition of the inhabitants near the Joland Ford given in by Robert Williams for a
rolling road from the Parson's road to Bohannan's Ordinary (Tavern) . . . it is ordered that William
Beckham, Thomas Russell and George Wooten view the road and make a report to the Court-Order Book
2, Page 275. In Feb 1741 the Court ordered that they amend their report.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There are a number of lawsuits against William Beckham, mostly for debt though the nature of the suit is
not always given. Sep 1742 - a suit against William Beckham by Thomas Bellford, William 'confeseth'
and ordered to pay up. Sep 1743 - a suit against William Beckham by Robert Britton, William lost again.
Suits brought against William Beckham in May 1744 by Robert Williams; Mary 1745 by John Seayres;
June 1746 by Anthony Strothers, all the latter were dismissed by agreement.
William Beckham was having a hard time out there on the Rapidan. He was definitely not making enough
money to pay his bills. He had to try to make enough tobaco to pay his rent and live on, take care of all
those fruit trees, get the roads built, and there was mining going on in the area so we don't know how many
holes Spotswood had dug on his land. William is overextended and there are signs he is getting desparate.
The law suits continue.
At the May and June Courts, Anthony Strother, a merchant is still after William Beckham. June 1748 Strother VS William Beckham . . . William didn't appear in Court, judgement was against him . . " . . . it is
11
ordered that unless he appear at the next Court and answer the Plt. action, judgement shall then be entered
for the Plt. against the securities for William, vis: Thomas Russell, James Steward. This case was
dismissed Feb 1749.
June 1749 - Upon the attachment of Robert Shedden against William Beckham; Samuel Green, the
Garnishee being sworn saith that at the time the attachment was served on him he had in his house a bed
belonging to William Beckham which he believes was worth about 30 shillings, but since that the same is
out of his possession, but how he knows not unless the wife of William stole it.
Sep 1749 - Robert Shedden having obtained an attachment against the estate of William Beckham who
hath privately removed himself out of the county or so absconds that process can't be served upon him for
L3, 3s, 4 pnc current money due from William Beckham to Sheddon by account, etc . . . judgement is
against William and the Sheriff is orders to sell the bed, if it can be had, and give the money the Sheddon,
etc . . .
William Beckham didn't appear in Court because he had left the county and the bed was set up on
Beckhams Pigpen Branch of Fishing Creek way down in Granville County, North Carolina. It is possible
since Phyllis had access to Samuel Green's house that they may have been related in some way. Green
stated that the bed belonged to William. What he was doing with a bed that William had bought on credit
is hard to speculate on.
It is believed that he moved to Granville Co, NC in 1746, the same year it was organized, as he was already
established by the time of the 1747 Tax roll. At this time North Carolina was far behind Virginia and
South Carolina in development. The area which became Granville County comprised about one half of the
Province and was in the hands of Lord Propriertors, in this case the Earl of Granville. The land was held
by tenants in fee simple, with a certain fixed quit-rent to be paid annually. Land agents administered the
rents for the Proprietors and the office was set up in Edenton. The agents were so dishonest that the office
was closed in 1766. In the beginning those coming into the Province could settle anywhere they pleased
and of course, the waterways were taken up first. William Beckham settled at the head of Fishing Creek.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following is taken from Granville County, NC Deed Records:
25 Aug 1760 - North Carolina State Land Office . . . Patent Book No. 11, File 38, Grant No. 173 . . . . .
William Beckum . . . . Three hundred and fifty acres of land in Granville County on both sides of the Long
Branch of Fishing Creek . . . . Beginning at a white oak, the letter "A" on the East side of said Branch, in
the Governor's Line, thence running by his line West 234 poles to a white oak at "B", then South 240 poles
to a white oak at "C", then East 234 poles to a White Oak at "D", then North to the Beginning. Dated 25th
August 1760. The plat to this patent is missing from the file. This is recorded in Granville County in Deed
Book D, Page 98.
4th November 1760 - . . . . From William Beckum, (Sen'r) . . . . to Simon Beckum and John Beckum . . .
. Deed of Gift to two sons . . . . Tract of land 350 acres, near the head of Fishing Creek; Beginning in
Governor's Line, part of a tract granted by deed from the Earl of Granville, dated the 25th of August, 1760 .
. . . The 150 acres to Simon and the balance of 200 acres to John, etc . . . . Signed William "W" Beckum
. . . Teste: Wm. Johnson, John Hawkins . . . Acknowledged in Court of November 11, 1760 . . . - Deed
Book D, Page 100.
12
1st March, 1762 . . . . From Earl Granville, etc to William Beckham of Granville County, Planter . . . . 10
shillings sterling . . . . Tract of vacant land in Granville County, on both sides of Gibbs Creek . . . .
Beginning: at a pine and running along Jones and Cooks lines North 240 poles to a pine, then East 72 poles
to a hickory saplin, then along Provnal's line South 40 poles, etc., etc., acreage not stated - Deed Book G,
Page 81.
(Note: He received 396 acres on both sides of Gibson Creek. The terms being ten shillings and an annual
rent of 14 shillings. The terms were not the same kind of a deal made with Spotswood as Spotswood made
it clear that eventually all was to revert back to him. In Granville it may be that the annual rent was a
payment towards an actual purchase because in Nov 1760, William deeds the 350 acre tract to his sons,
Simon and John; 150 acres to Simon which is to be reserved for William and Phyllis to live on, and the
remaining 200 acres at the head of Fishing Creek, stating that this tract is his old plantation, so he had been
on the land for years before the above deeds were made.)
13th June, 1763 - . . . From William Beckum and John Beckum, his son . . . . To Benjamin Kimball, all of
Granville County . . . . Consideration L60 Gold and Silver coin . . . . Tract of land in Granville County, on
the Long Branch, Beginning: at a white oak in Dawson's line, then South on that line, etc, etc . . . Including
my old Plantation of 200 acres, m or 1, which was granted to me by Lord Granville 25th August, 1760,
since that, conveyed to my son John Beckum, who now joins me in the above sail, etc . . . . Signed:
William Beckum and John Beckum . . . . Teste: Wm. Johnson and Rebeka Johnson . . . . be registered,
then Phillis, wife of said William and Elixabeth wife of said John, both release Dower rights . . . Dan'l
Weldon, C.C. - Deed Book F, Page 351.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following was taken from Warren County, North Carolina Deed Records:
17th January, 1767 . . . . From William Beckham of the County of Bute (now Warren), NC. . . . . To
Samuel Huckabee of same . . . . Consideration L40 . . . . Tract of land in Bute County, NC., 198 acres,
being part of a tract of land Granted to William Beckham by Earl of Granville, in 1762, etc . . . . Signed:
William "W" Beckham . . . . Teste: ______ Huckabee, Edward Pilchar . . . Acknowledged by signer
January Court, 1767 . . . . Rec. 9th March, 1767 . . . . No Dower release. - Deed Book 1, Page 226.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------THE WILL OF WILLIAM BECKHAM - Granville Co, NC
In the name of God Amen I William Beckham of the County of Granville and in the providence of
North Carolina being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory blessed be god for the same and I do
this fourth day of June in the year of our Lord God One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Six do
make this my last will and testament in this form and manner following that is to say I cheerfully commit
my Spirit unto God who gave it and my body unto the Ground from whence it was taken to be buried in a
Decent and Christian like manner & C. --------.
I do in the name of God Lend unto my dearly beloved wife Phillis Beckham as long as she lives all my
Negro's That is to say Peter and Lucy and her Child to have and Claim as her own property until death:
13
also all my stock of Cattle , hogs and horse kind, with all my beds and furniture and every other kind of
household goods. Chattels, and c. belonging at present to me the said William Beckham, and I do in the
name of God Give and bequeath unto my son John Beckham after the death of my wife Phillis the above
mentioned Negro Peter to have and to hold forever, and it is also my will and desire for the Love and
Respect I bear to my other children That my son John Beckham Pay unto my other beloved Children his
brothers and Sisters Lawfully Begotten of my body The sum of five pounds of prod. money of this province
to each of them at or upon his Receiving the said Negro Peter or at the death of my beloved wife and c. I
do also desire that at the death of my wife Phillis all the Remaining Part of my Estate to be sold and
Equally Divided between the rest of my sons and daughters that is to say Thos. Beckham, William
Beckham, Simon Beckham, Phillis and Mary, it is also my desire that my beloved wife be Executrix for
and unto this my Last Will and Testament for the use and purposes within mentioned and that this Last
Will and Testament be the Revoking and disposing all my former wills and testaments and declaring this to
be my Last Will and Testament whereunto I have set my hand and affixed my seal this Fourth day of June
One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Six.
Sign'd seal'd and Delivered in presence.
his
William x Beckham (Seal)
mark
R. Pyler, Jurst.
Essa Pyler, her x mark
Granville County, NC. November Court A, Dow. 1777.
This will was duly prov'd by the oath of Reuben Pyler and on Motion was ordered to be Recorded and for
want of an Executor Administration was granted to Thomas Beckham with the Will annexed.
East. Reuben Searcy, C.C.
Truly Recorded Reuben Search, C.C.
In 1734 William Beckham was listed on a tax list as living in Orange Co, VA. Orange Co, VA was created
in 1734 from Spotsylvania Co, VA. He was listed in the 1755 Tax list of Granville County, North Carolina
where his will was filed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The children of William Beckham and Phillis Mackey:
SIMON BECKHAM (B1A1A) - b. 1728 in Hanover Co, VA and d. 29 Dec 1785 in GA. He was
married on 2 Jan 1759 in Granville Co, NC to Susannah McMillian.
THOMAS BECKHAM SR (B1A1B) - b. 1729 in Hanover Co, VA and d. 1796 in Edgefield Co, SC.
He married Mary Hughs.
WILLIAM BECKHAM (B1A1C) - b. 1730 in Orange Co, VA and d. 7 Aug 1799 in Kershaw Co,
SC. He married Nancy Ann Green.
PHILLIS BECKHAM (B1A1D) - b. ca 1739/1740 in Orange Co, VA and d. 1791/2 in Granville Co,
NC. She was married (1st) ca 1755 to William Williams. She was married (2nd) on 22 Dec 1777 in
14
Granville Co, NC to John Mitchell.
JOHN BECKHAM SR (B1A1E) - b. 1741 in Orange Co, VA and d. ? in Santuck, Union Co, SC. He
is buried on the William Hodge Plantation, Grindal Shoals, Union Co, SC. He was married on
12 Aug 1761 in Granville Co, NC to Elizabeth Henderson.
MARY BECKHAM (B1A1F) - b. 1745 in Orange Co, VA.
SIMON BECKHAM (B1A1A) - (Son of William Beckham and Phillis Mackey) - b. 1728 in Hanover Co,
VA and d. 28 Dec 1785 in GA. He was married on 2 Jan 1759 in Granville Co, NC to Susannah
McMillian, daughter of Alexander McMillian and Phoebe ________. She was born ca 1730 in Granville
Co, NC and died ca 1790 in GA.
Alexander McMillian was born ? and died Feb 1761. He married Phoebe ________. The children of
Alexander McMillian and Phoebe are: (1) Susannah McMillian born 1730 in Granville Co, NC and died
1790 in GA. She was married on 2 Jan 1759 in Granville Co, NC to Simon Beckham; (2) Amon
McMillian born ?; (3) Alexander McMillian born ?; (4) Henry Butler McMillian born ?; (5) Mathew
McMillian born ?; and (6) Yourruth McMillian born ?.
In 1735 he resided in Orange Co, VA. Simon Beckham in 1754 was a member of the Granville Co, NC
Militia, Colonel William Eaton's Regiment, Captain Sugar Jones' Company. In 1761 he lived in Warren
Co, NC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Orange County, Virginia Will Book 2 1744-1778:
Pages 100-01. Simon Beckham. Inventory. Made in obedience to order of 22 Aug 1745. Total valuation L
40.4.6, including two old Bibles. Signed by Robert Coningham.
23 Oct 1746. Returned.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following were taken from Granville County, NC Deed Records:
4th November 1760 - . . . . From William Beckum, (Sen'r) . . . . to Simon Beckum and John Beckum . . .
. Deed of Gift to two sons . . . . Tract of land 350 acres, near the head of Fishing Creek; Beginning in
Governor's Line, part of a tract granted by deed from the Earl of Granville, dated the 25th of August, 1760 .
. . . The 150 acres to Simon and the balance of 200 acres to John, etc . . . . Signed William "W" Beckum
. . . Teste: Wm. Johnson, John Hawkins . . . Acknowledged in Court of November 11, 1760 . . . - Deed
Book D, Page 100.
11th November 1761 - . . . . Simon Beckham and his wife Susannah sold his part of the acreage, 150 acres
to Wm. Duty for L35 - Deed Book E, Page 56.
15
Mar 1762: Thomas Cook to Simon Beckham for L25, 325 acres in Granville at the lines of Thomas
Tharrington, Sugar Jones, Morris Bailey and the dividing line of Thomas Beckham. Witnesses: William
Johnson and Abigail High.
20 Jul 1764: Simon Beckham bought and additional bought an additional 10 acres from Thomas
Beckham, same place. At this time the area has become Bute Co and the records for Bute are kept in
Warren Co, NC.
23 Feb 1765: Simon Beckham bought another 310 acres from Thomas Beckham, same place.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The above acreage adds up to 645 acres, and on 4 Feb 1769 Simon Beckham sold it all to Thomas Bobbitt,
the land being described as being on Lynches Creek. At this time Simon and Susannah moved to Georgia.
Simon had previously applied for and been granted land in St George's Parish, GA. However , he appears
to have settled in St Paul's Parish in the area that became Richmond Co. The last deed found for Simon in
GA is dated 19 Dec 1785 and filed in Wilkes Co, GA but the land may actually have been in Washington
Co, GA.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following Bounty Grants of Georgia was granted to Simon Beckham:
1768 - 200 acres in St George Parish - Grant Book G, Pg 170.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------He was residing in St George's Parish later Columbia Co, GA during the Revolutionary War. He provided
quarters at his plantation on Germany's Creek for a company of Infantry known as Clark's Rifleman,
commanded by his son, Capt. Samuel Beckham. For his services in assisting the Revolutionary cause
Simon Beckham was granted 284 acres of land in Washington Co, GA. Certificate of Colonel Greenbury
Lee 25 Feb 1784.
On 29 Dec 1785 Simon Beckham and Susannah deeded 200 acres on Germany's Creek in Richmond Co,
GA to John Carmichael who was at that time living on the place with his wife, Mary.
Four of his sons also served in the Revolutionary War.
The children of Simon Beckham and Susannah McMillian:
ALLEN BECKHAM (B1A1A1) - b. 1755 in Granville Co, NC and d. 25 Oct 1809 in Baldwin Co,
GA. He was married (1st) to ________. He was married (2nd) to Charlotte Newsome.
SAMUEL BECKHAM (B1A1A3) - b. 24 Nov 1760 in Granville Co, NC and d. 2 Nov 1825 in
Baldwin Co, GA. He is buried on Beckham's Mount, Milledgeville, Baldwin Co, GA. He was
married (1st) to ________. His first wife and all his children by his first marriages were killed in an
Indian Raid. He was married (2nd) on 18 Feb 1790 in Richmond Co, GA to Elizabeth Houghton.
16
SHERWOOD BECKHAM (B1A1A3) - b. 1762 in Granville Co, NC and d. 5 Jan 1837 in Monroe
Co, GA. He was married on 9 Apr 1794 to Mary Stephens Daly.
SOLOMON BECKHAM (B1A1A4) - b. 1764 in Granville Co, NC and d. 25 Mar 1838 in Pike Co,
GA. He was married on 20 Sep 1787 in Richmond Co, GA to Susannah Stacy Weathers.
SIMON BECKHAM (B1A1A5) - b. ?.
AMANDA BECKHAM (B1A1A6) - b. ?.
MARY BECKHAM (B1A1A7) - b. ?.
SARA BECKHAM (B1A1A8) - b. 1770 in GA.
LABAN BECKHAM (B1A1A9) - b. 1770 in GA and d. 1854 in Pike Co, Ga. He was married (1st)
to ________. He married (2nd) on 18 Nov 1819 to Permila Curry.
JOSEPH BECKHAM (B1A1A10) - b. 1771 in GA and d. ?. He was a twin to Laban Beckham. He
married ________.
WILLIAM BECKHAM (B1A1A11) - b. 1772-1775 in GA and d. 23 Apr 1839 in Twiggs Co, GA.
He was married in 1800 to Dolly Newsom.
PHILLIS BECKHAM (B1A1A12) - b. ? in GA. She was married on 18 Jul 1805 in Richmond Co,
GA to Thomas Churchwell.
WILLIAM BECKHAM (B1A1A11) - (Son of Simon Beckham (B1A1A) and Susannah McMillian) b. 1772-1775 in Twiggs Co, GA and d. 23 Apr 1839 in Twiggs Co, GA. He was married in 1800 to Dolly
Newsom. She died 10 Sep 1829 in Twiggs Co, GA.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following article came from the Abstracts of Some Documents of Twiggs County, Georgia 1809-1900:
State of Georgia ) This Indenture made December 5, 1838 between Henry Solomon adm. Debonis non
Twiggs County ) with the will annexed of Arthur Fort, Jun...and James Land..sum of sixteen hundred
dollars. Land in the twenty-fifth Dist. of originally Wilkinson, now Twiggs, place where Arthur Fort died
(numbers not recollected) bounded on one side by John Weathurington (North) and on the other side by
William Beckcam, Running with the road leading from Marion to Durhams Bluff...on the East side by
Robert Deshaza and on the West side by Bradus (?) M. Smith and John Hughs.
Henry Solomon
Charles C Whitehead
Adm Debonis non of
James Solomon
Arthur Fort, Jun. Decd.
17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tax Digest of Twiggs County Georgia for 1818:
Wm. Beckham - 1011/4 - District 25 - Land Lot Number 175 - 1/0/77
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following article was taken from: "Memories of Georgia Historical and Biographical Illustrated,
Twiggs County, Sketches":
TWIGGS COUNTY
ALLEN FRANKLIN BECKCOM. Among the most widely known and highly respected of the earlier
settlers of Twiggs county stands the name of Wm Beckcom, the grandfather of the above-named
gentleman. A native of Washington County, he came to Twiggs when quite a young man and bought large
tracts of unimproved land, all of which he merged into one plantation. In time his possessions became very
valuable, for in addition to his landed estates, he owned numerous mercantile establishments. Though not
soliciting political favor he was largely instrumental in bestowing the same on many of his friends, among
whom were numbered some of Georgia's most distinguished men. His death occurred April, 1839. His
wife, who was Miss Dolly Nusum, a member of an old and prominent family of Georgia, died in 1829.
Their family consisted of nine children: Sherwood, Amanda, Mary, Sarah, Allen and Solomon G., all
desceased. Those living are: Simon N, removed to Texas, 1859; Susan, Mrs. Hardin T Smith, and Laban.
The last-named, the fourth child and twin of Sarah, is the father of Allen F Beckcom. amd was born Dec
4, 1808 in Washington county, GA. He was reared on the old family plantation and received such
education as the schools of that time afforded. Like his father, he followed the occupation of planter, and
going to Twiggs county, he located on a plantation there. Married to Sarah, daughter of John Faulk, they
became the parents of the following children: Amanda H, Mrs. Dr Richardson; Allen F, W.H., Thomas
and Susan, who are dead. Allen F was born in Twiggs county Dec 23, 1837. His school days were spent
at Griffin, where he acquired a good education. At the age of twenty-four he enlisted in James M Folsom's
company, Twiggs volunteer infantry, but soon after active service began, illness caused his return home.
After his recovery he became a member of the state troops and took active part in many engagements,
having had command of a company at the battle of Griswoldville. The battle was particulary fierce, many
being killed or wounded. Returning from the war he settled on the plantation, and in 1868 was united in
marriage to Mrs. Ella Johnson (nee Wiggin), daughter of Mary S and W W Wiggin. One daughter came
to bless the union Ella G, Mr. Beckcom is a true democrat and a member of the M.E. church. He devotes
his entire time to the cultivation of his large plantation of 2,500 acres. He is spoken of as one of the most
successful agriculturists in the county.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------William Beckham was in the Militia Muster Rolls -1793.
William Beckham is listed in the 1830 census of Twiggs Co, GA.
The children of William Beckham and Dolly Newsom:
18
AMANDA NEWSOM BECKHAM (B1A1A11A) - b. 21 Apr 1801 in GA and d. 20 Feb 1837 in FL.
She married Zachariah Cox Fort.
MARY ANN BECKHAM (B1A1A11B) - b. 21 Sep 1803 in GA and d. 1870 in Rusk Co, TX. She
married Daniel Rowe.
SHERWOOD HAYWOOD BECKHAM (B1A1A11C) - b. 11 Aug 1806 and d. 7 Jul 1831. He
never married.
LABAN BECKHAM (B1A1A11D) - b. 14 Dec 1808 in Washington Co, GA and d. 8 Feb 1848 in
Twiggs Co, GA. He was married (1st) to ________. He was married (2nd) on 22 Dec 1831 in
Twiggs Co, GA to Sarah Faulk.
SARAH JACKSON BECKHAM (B1A1A11E) - b. 14 Dec 1808 in Washington Co, GA.
ALLEN B BECKHAM (B1A1A11F) - b. 7 Jul 1811 in GA and d. 19 Jun 1861. He never married.
SOLOMON GROVES BECKHAM SR (B1A1A11G) - b. 22 Nov 1813 in GA and d. 30 Sep 1857.
He married Susannah E Gibbs.
SIMON NEWSOM BECKHAM (B1A1A11H) - b. 5 Nov 1816 in GA and d. 23 Jan 1879. He is
buried in the Hemphill Cemetery, Sabine Co, TX. He was married (1st) in 1841 to Emily Francis
Brooks. He was married (2nd) in 1847 in GA to Mary Ann Brooks.
SUSANNAH MCMILLIAN BECKHAM (B1A1A11I) - b. 21 Sep 1819 in GA and d. 22 Mar 1883.
She married Harden T Smith.
SIMON NEWSOM BECKHAM (B1A1A11H) - (Son of William Beckham (B1A1A11) and Dolly
Newsom) - b. 5 Nov 1816 in GA and d. 23 Jan 1879. He is buried in the Hemphill Cemetery, Hemphill,
Sabine Co, TX. The Hemphill Cemetery is located two blocks south of the Sabine County Courthouse,
Hemphill, Sabine Co, TX. The original tract of land for the burial grounds was donated by Simon Newsom
Beckham. He was married (1st) in 1841 to Emily Francis Brooks. dau of William P Brooks and Lavinia N
________. She was born 1826 and died 27 Sep 1847 in Milledgeville, Baldwin Co, GA.
Simon Newsom Beckham was married (2nd) in 1847 in GA to Mary Ann Brooks, dau of William P Brooks
and Lavinia N ________. She was born 17 Oct 1832 in Jefferson Co, GA and died 7 Dec 1914. She is
buried in the Hemphill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine Co, TX.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following article came from Abstracts of Some Documents of Twiggs County, Georgia 1809-1900:
State of Georgia) This Indenture made October 20, 1840 between James Land and Cary Solomon, both
19
Twigg County ) of Twiggs Co., for two thousand dollars parcels of land in the twenty-fifth District
originally Twiggs, now Wilkinson (no land lot number) where on Arthur Fort, Jr., formerly lived and died
containing four hundred and five acres bounded on N. side by John Weatherington, by Simon N Beckcam,
running with the road leading from Marion to Durhams Bluff, on East by land of Robt. Deshazo, on West
by lands of Benj B. Smith & John Hughes.
? Whitehead
James Solomon J.P.
James Land
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The following article came from Twiggs County Georgia Abstracts Records of Burned County:
Deed Book B
P. 61, November 14, 1844
Georgia, Twiggs County
Allen B Bullard of Twiggs County sold Saborn (?) Beckcom and Jesse Pope, Deacons of Christs Church
at Bullards, Georgia, in said County for $70.00 to said Deacons of Bersheba Church land in 23rd District
originally Wilkinson now Twiggs County known by following description: bounded on Southwest by land
of Allen Beckcom, North by Simon A Beckham, the meandering of Flat Creek being the line on
Northeast, lands of A. B. Bullard on East by the road leading from Marion to Durhams Bluff
Simon N Beckom
Allen B Bullard, seal
P Reynolds, J. I. C.
Lewis Solomon
recorded December 5, 1846. P. Reynolds, Clerk, Sup. Court
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Simon Newsom Beckham was appointed Confederate Postmaster during the Civil War of the Hemphill,
TX Post Office on 11 Mar 1865. The post office was discontinued on 5 Nov 1866 and was reestablished
on 13 Jan 1868 with Jubal H Ragan as Postmaster.
William P Brooks was born 1780 in VA and died 28 May 1847 in Milledgeville, Baldwin Co, GA. He
married Lavinia N ________. She was born 20 Feb 1801 in Scpenn, Schuylkill Co, SC and died 23 Mar
1853. She is buried in the Beckham-Fort Cemetery, Twiggs Co, GA. The children of William P Brooks
and Lavinia N ________ are: (1) Emily Francis Brooks born 1826 and died 27 Sep 1847 in Milledgeville,
Baldwin Co, GA. She was married in 1841 to Simon Newsom Beckham; (2) Wilson Brooks born 22 Nov
1830 and died 17 Jan 1846. He is buried in the Beckham-Fort Cemetery, Twiggs Co, GA; and (3) Mary
Ann Brooks born Oct 1832 in GA and died 1914. She was married in 1847 to Simon Newsom Beckham.
Simon Newsom Beckham was a Farmer and established a business in the city of Hemphill, TX sometime
between 1859-1879. He moved from Macon, Twiggs Co, GA to Sabine Co, TX in 1858. Simon Newsom
Beckham was living with his brother Allen B Beckham in the 1840 census of 372nd Division, Twiggs Co,
GA. Simon Newsom Beckham is listed in the 1850 census of 84th Division, Twiggs Co, GA; in the 1860
census of Sabine Co, TX; and in the 1870 census of Hemphill P.O., Sabine Co, TX. Mary Ann (Brooks)
Beckham is listed in the 1900 census of Precinct 1, Sabine Co, TX.
20
The children of Simon Newsom Beckham and Emily Francis Brooks:
WILLIAM J BECKHAM (B1A1A11H1) - b. 1846 in GA.
The children of Simon Newsom Beckham and Mary Ann Brooks:
ALLEN JUDSON BECKHAM (B1A1A6H2) - b. 31 Dec 1848 in Twiggs Co, GA and d. 19 Jul
1896. He is buried in the Hemphill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine Co, TX. He was married on 22 Jan
1868 in Hemphill, Sabine Co, TX to Mary Elizabeth Whittlesey.
RAMSEY S BECKHAM (B1A1A11H3) - b. 1851 in GA. He was married to Lizzie ________.
SIMON AUGUSTUS BECKHAM (B1A1A11H4) - b. 28 Jan 1853 in GA and d. 9 Dec 1933. He is
buried in the Hemphill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine Co, TX. He was married to Sarah Elizabeth
Arthur.
JOHN C BECKHAM (B1A1A11H5) - b. 1855 in GA.
DOLLIE L BECKHAM (B1A1A11H6) - b. 20 Jul 1856 in GA and d. 12 Mar 1873. She is buried in
the Hemphill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine Co, TX.
SHERWARD LABURN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7) - b. 29 Aug 1858 in TX and d. 8 Sep 1923. He
is buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Sabine Co, TX. He was married to Mary Virginia Duke.
MATTIE J BECKHAM (B1A1A11H8) - b. 1864 in TX.
ELVIRA S BECKHAM (B1A1A11H9) - b. 1866 in TX.
ROBERT K BECKHAM (B1A1A11H10) - b. Oct 1867 in TX and d. 1943. Robert K Beckham is
buried in the Hemphill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine Co, TX.
PAUL PEABODY BECKHAM (B1A1A11H11) - b. 1869 in TX and d. 1946. He is buried in the
Hemphill Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine Co, TX. He was married (1st) on 6 Dec 1899 to Ida Lee
Skellern. He was married (2nd) to Marguerite Bernice Thomas.
SHERWARD LABURN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7) - (Son of Simon Newsom Beckham (B1A1A11H)
and Mary Ann Brooks) - b. 29 Aug 1858 in TX and d. 8 Sep 1923. He is buried in the Spring Hill
Cemetery, Sabine Co, TX. He was married to Mary Virginia Duke, dau of John Frederick Duke and
Harriet Bailey. She was born 16 Mar 1853 in GA and died 20 Nov 1915. She is buried in the Spring Hill
Cemetery, Sabine Co, TX.
John Frederick Duke, son of Shadrack Duke and Dicey Roberts, was born 1810 in GA and died ?. He is
buried in the Nockenut Cemetery. He was married in GA to Harriet Bailey. She is buried in the Nockenut
Cemetery. They came to Tyler Co, TX before the Civil War and moved to Wilson Co, TX about 1871.
21
The children of Fred Duke and Harriet Bailey are: (1) Isham Green Duke born ? and died ? near Woodville,
TX. He married Sarah A Conner; (2) Laura Ann Duke who married ________ Milner; (3) Roswell Duke;
(4) Frederick Duke; (5) Joseph Duke; (6) Harriet Duke; (7) John Wesley Duke who married Jane Gregory;
(8) Martha Jane Duke who married Louis Varner; (9) Mary Virginia Duke who married Sherward Laburn
Beckham; (10) George Washington Duke who married Sarah Smith; and (11) Delia Savannah Duke who
married Moses Calvin Flovin.
Sherward Laburn Beckham is listed in the 1860 census of Sabine Co, TX; in the 1870 census of Hemphill
P.O., Sabine Co, TX; in the 1880 census of Precinct 4, Wilson Co, TX; in the 1900 census of Precinct 1,
Sabine Co, TX; and in the 1920 census of Sabine Co, TX.
The children of Sherward Laburn Beckham and Mary Virginia Duke:
CORA BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7A) - b. Jan 1877 in TX.
GEORGIA ELLA BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7B) - b. 7 Mar 1878 in Wilson Co, TX and d. 15 Jul
1965 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co, TX. She is buried in the Fairmount Cemetery, Sabine Co, TX. She
was married on 23 Dec 1894 in Sabine Co, TX to William Jesse McNaughten.
PAUL K BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7C) - b. Jan 1882 in TX.
THOMAS SHERDEN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7D) - b. 12 Aug 1885 in TX and d. 17 May 1913.
He is buried in the Springhill Cemetery, Sabine Co, TX.
ROBERT BENTON BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7E) - b. Nov 1887 in TX. He married Vera M
_______.
JOHN MARVIN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F) - b. 10 Jul 1891 in Hemphill, Sabine Co, TX and d. 6
Feb 1938 in Corsicana, Navarro Co, TX. He was married on 24 Oct 1911 to Lola Mae Tatum.
MATTIE BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7H) - b. Mar 1894 in TX.
HATTIE BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7I) - b. Mar 1894 in TX.
JOHN MARVIN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F) - (Son of Sherward Laburn Beckham (B1A1A11H7) and
Mary Virginia Duke) - b. 10 Jul 1891 in Hemphill, Sabine Co, TX and d. 6 Feb 1938 in Corsicana, Navarro
Co, TX. He was married on 24 Oct 1911 to Lola Mae Tatum. She was born 6 Dec 1892 in Corsicana,
Navarro Co, TX and died 31 Jul 1976 in Waco, McLennan Co, TX.
John Marvin Beckham is listed in the 1900 census of Precinct 4, Sabine Co, TX; and in the 1910 census of
Dawson Co, TX.
The children of John Marvin Beckham and Lola Mae Tatum:
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MARVIN LABORN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F1) – b. 17 Sept 1911 in Cosicana, Navarro Co.,
Texas. d. 06 Jan 1934 in Cosicana, Navarro Co., Texas.
MELISSA ALENE BECKHAM (Ann) (B1A1A11H7F2) – b. 26 Dec 1914
VIOLA GENEVA BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F3)
EVELYN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F4) – b. 26 Jun 1916 in Cosicana, Navarro Co., Texas. She
married 1st Billy Brown and 2nd Hays Luther. d. 4 Jan 1948 in Cosicana, Navarro Co., Texas.
CHARLES KEMP BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5) – b. 11 Sep 1918
MARGIE LOU BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F6) – b. 22 Feb 1921. She married Dale Alexander.
HEYWOOD CONLEY BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F1) - b. 29 Jan 1924 in Corsicana, Navarro Co,
TX. He married Willa Altha Spears.
EVELYN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F4) - (Daughter of John Marvin Beckham (B1A1A11H7F) and
Lola Mae Tatum) b. 26 Jun 1916 in Cosicana, Navarro Co., Texas. She married 1st Billy Brown and 2nd
Hays Luther. d. 4 Jan 1948 in Cosicana, Navarro Co., Texas.
The children of Evelyn Beckham (B1A1A11H7F4) and Luther Hays:
CONNIE LUTHER (B1A1A11H7F4A)
CHARLES KEMP BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5) – b. 11 Sep 1918
The children of Charles Kemp Beckham (B1A1A11H7F5) and Mary.
JOHNNY CHARLES BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5A) – b. 20 May 1940 in Navarro Co., Texas.
He married 1st Nancy Joyce Norris, 2nd Emma Waters.
SANDRA LOU BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5B) – b. 9 Feb 1942. She married 1st James Calvin
Wilson on 7 Jan 1958, 2nd Jay Ignatoff.
BECKY LYNN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5C) – b. 13 Sep 1948. She married 1st Johnny
Crippen,
2nd Bill Strickley, 3rd Peter James Kidwell
DEE WAYNE BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5D) – b. 21 Oct 1953. He married Marilyn Jo
Montalbano 20 Oct 1978.
MARY ANN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5E) – b. 8 Dec 1956. She married Willis James Houser 4
Jun 1977.
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JOHNNY CHARLES BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5A) – (Son of Charles Kemp Beckham
(B1A1A11H7F5) and Mary) – b. 20 May 1940 in Navarro Co., Texas. He
Married 1st Nancy Joyce Norris, 2nd Emma Waters.
The children of Johnny Charles Beckham (B1A1A11H7F5A and Nancy Joyce Norris:
CHARLES ALLEN (B1A1A11H7F5A1) – b. 3 Apr 1960
LISA TONYA BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5A2) – b. 30 Oct 1965. She married 1st ?, 2nd Kenny
Martin.
The children of Johnny Charles Beckham (B1A1A11H7F5A) and Emma Waters:
GRADON LEONARD BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5A3)
SANDRA LOU BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5B) – (Daughter of Charles Kemp Beckham
(B1A1A11H7F5) and Mary) – b. 9 Feb 1942. She married 1st James Calvin
Wilson on 7 Jan 1958, 2nd Jay Ignatoff
The Children of Sandra Lou Beckham (B1A1A11H7F5B) and James Calvin Wilson:
MARGIE RENEE WILSON (B1A1A11H7F5B1) – b. 30 Jul 1958. She married 1st ?, 2nd John
Blacklaws on 5 Nov 1983.
LORIE LYNN WILSON (B1A1A11H7F5B2) – b. 3 Aug 1961. She married 1st James Robert Sims,
2nd Sidney Longmire.
CINDY FAY WILSON (B1A1A11H7F5B3) – b. 21 Oct 1962. She married Keith Schramm Mar
1984.
MARGIE RENEE WILSON (B1A1A11H7F5B1) - (Daughter of Sandra Lou Beckham
(B1A1A11H7F5B) and James Calvin Wilson) – b. 30 Jul 1958. She married 1st ?, 2nd John
Blacklaws on 5 Nov 1983.
The Children of Margie Renee Wilson (B1A1A11H7F5B1) – (Daughter of Sandra Lou Beckham
(B1A1A11H7F5B) and James Calvin Wilson) - and John Blacklaws:
JOHN WILSON BLACKLAWS (B1A1A11H7F5B1A) – b. 28 Sep 1986
JARED SCOT BLACKLAWS (B1A1A11H7F5B1B) – b. 11 Sep 1986
LORIE LYNN WILSON (B1A1A11H7F5B2) – (Daughter of Sandra Lou Beckham
(B1A1A11H7F5B) and James Calvin Wilson) – b. 3 Aug 1961. She married 1st James Robert Sims, 2nd
Sidney Longmire.
The Children of Lorie Lynn Wilson (B1A1A11H7F5B2) and Sidney Longmire:
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MASON JAMES LONGMIRE (B1A1A11H7F5B2A) – b. 5 Sep 1997
CINDY FAY WILSON (B1A1A11H7F5B3) – (Daughter of Sandra Lou Beckham (B1A1A11H7F5B)
and James Calvin Wilson) – b. 21 Oct 1962. She married Keith Schramm Mar 1984.
The Children of Cindy Fay Wilson (B1A1A11H7F5B3) and Keith Schramm:
BRITTANY LEIGH SCHRAMM (B1A1A11H7F5B3A) – b. 16 Feb 1985
CALEY RENEE SCHRAMM (B1A1A11H7F5B3B) – b. 1991
DEE WAYNE BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5D) - (Son of Charles Kemp Beckham (B1A1A11H7F5)
and Mary)– b. 21 Oct 1953. He married Marilyn Jo Montalbano 20 Oct 1978.
The children of Dee Wayne Beckham (B1A1A11H7F5D) and Marilyn Jo Montalbano
NATILEE NICOL BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5D1) – b. 13 Oct 1979
MARY ANN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F5E) - (Daughter of Charles Kemp Beckham
(B1A1A11H7F5) and Mary)– b. 8 Dec 1956. She married Willis James Houser 4 Jun 1977.
The children of Mary Ann Beckham (B1A1A11H7F5E) and Willis James Houser:
LAUREN MELISSA HOUSER (B1A1A11H7F5E1) – b. 26 Aug 1983
STEVEN JARED HOUSER (B1A1A11H7F5E2) – b. 10 Dec 1985
HEYWOOD CONLEY BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F1) - (Son of John Marvin Beckham (B1A1A11H7F)
and Lola Mae Tatum) - b. 29 Jan 1923 in Corsicana, Navarro Co, TX. He married Willa Altha Spears.
She was born 12 Jan 1923 in Sasakwa, Seminole Co, OK and died 27 Sep 1973 in Southport, Queensland,
Australia.
The children of Heywood Conley Beckham and Willa Altha Spears:
WILLIAM HEYWOOD BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F1A) – b. 8 Oct 1948 in Atoka, Atoka Co., OK.
He married Naddrene June Gilpin 23 Dec 1966 in Aztec, San Juan Co., NM.
KAREN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F1B) – (Adopted) b. 28 Aug 1954 in Colorado Springs, El Paso
Co., Colorado. She married 1st Robert G. Payne, 2nd Dennis Fehyle, 3rd Camile Lavois, 4th Thomas
Gray, 5th Rex Dunlap.
JEFFREY COLIN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F1C) - b. 3 Feb 1958 in Cortez, Montezuma Co, CO.
WILLIAM HEYWOOD BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F1A) - (Son of Heywood Conley Beckham
(B1A1A11H7F1) and Willa Altha Spears) – b. 8 Oct 1948 in Atoka, Atoka Co., OK. He married Naddrene
June Gilpin 23 Dec 1966 in Aztec, San Juan Co., NM.
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The children of William Heywood Beckham (B1A1A11H7F7A) and Naddrene June Gilpin:
DEON DARLENE BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F7A1) – b. 12 Aug 1967 at Chanute AFB in
Rantoul, Champaign Co., Illinois.
WILLIAM HEYWOOD BECKHAM II (B1A1A11H7F7A2) – b. 6 Sep 1968 at Madigan Army
Hosp. in Tacoma, Pierce Co., Washington.
ROXANA RAE BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F7A3) – b. 27 Jun 1971 at Madigan Army Hosp. in
Tacoma, Pierce Co., Washington.
BRETT ALBERT BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F7A4) – b. 15 Sep 1973 at Hill AFB in Ogden, Davis
Co., Utah
JOSEPH MARVIN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F7A5) – b. 15 May 1977 at Kirtland AFB in
Albuquerque, Bernalillo Co., New Mexico.
CRYSTAL MARIE BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F7A6) – b. 1 Apr 1980 at Kirtland AFB in
Albuquerque, Bernalillo Co., New Mexico.
CELEST JEWEL BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F7A7) – b. 23 Oct 1982 at Kirtland AFB in
Albuquerque, Bernalillo Co., New Mexico.
JOHN SCOTT BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F7A8) – b. 28 Jan 1986 at Bassett Army Hosp. in
Fairbanks, North Star Co., Alaska.
KAREN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F1B) – (Adopted daughter of Heywood Conley Beckham
(B1A1A11H7F1) and Willa Altha Spears) b. 28 Aug 1954 in Colorado Springs, El Paso
Co., Colorado. She married 1st Robert G. Payne, 2nd Dennis Fehyle, 3rd Camile Lavois, 4th Thomas
Gray, 5th Rex Dunlap.
The children of Karen Beckham (B1A1A11H7F7B) and Robert G. Payne:
JOHN STEVEN PAYNE (B1A1A11H7F7B1)
The children of Karen Beckham (B1A1A11H7F7B) and Dennis Fehyle:
DANA FEHYLE (B1A1A11H7F7B2)
JEFFREY COLIN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F1A) - (Son of Heywood Conley Beckham (B1A1A11H7F1)
and Willa Altha Spears) - b. 3 Feb 1958 in Cortez, Montezuma Co, CO. He married Tami Lynn Handrick
6 Feb 1976 in Rapid City, Pennington Co., SD.
The children of Jeffrey Colin Beckham (B1A1A11H7F7C) and Tami Lynn Handrick:
JESSICA DAWN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F7C1) – b. 24 Sep 1976 in Sheridan, Sheridan Co.,
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Wyoming. She married Mathew Riddle 7 Jun 1997 at the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
JESSICA DAWN BECKHAM (B1A1A11H7F7C1) – (Daughter of Jeffrey Colin Beckham
(B1A1A11H7F1A) and Tami Lynn Handrick) - b. 24 Sep 1976 in Sheridan, Sheridan Co.,
Wyoming. She married Mathew Riddle 7 Jun 1997 at the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The children of Jessica Dawn Beckham (B1A1A11H7F7C1) and Matthew Riddle:
MAKAYLA MARIE RIDDLE (B1A1A11H7F7C1A) – b. 4 Jun 1998 in Murray, Salt Lake Co.,
Utah.
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