James Beebe (1641 - 1728)

Born 1641 in Broughton, Northamptonshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Boltwood) Beebe — married 24 Oct 1667 (to 19 Aug 1676) in Hadley, Hampton, MA

Husband of Sarah (Benedict) Beebe — married 19 Dec 1679 in Norwalk, Connecticut

Descendants

Died 22 Apr 1728 at about age 87 in Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Randy Beebe [send private message] and Mandy Myers [send private message]

Biography

James Beebe Sr., son of John Beebe II (1600-1650) and Rebecca (Ladd) Beebe (bef.1602-bef.1650) was born about 1641, at Broughton, Northamptonshire, England. He married (first) on 24 Oct 1667, at Hadley, Hampshire, MA, Mary Boltwood. Mary Boltwood was born about 1646, at Hartford, Connecticut and she died on 19 Aug 1676, at Hadley, Hampshire, MA. James Beebe married (second) on 19 Dec 1679, at Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut, Sarah Benedict, who was born about 1657. ^[1][2] James Beebe's third and final marriage was in 1704, to Rebecca (Beardsley) Curtis, who died 13 Feb 1738/9, at Woodbury, Litchfield, Conn. ^[2] James Beebe died on 22 Apr 1728, at Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut. ^[1][2]

James was probably baptized at Broughton, England in the year 1641, though no baptismal record has been found in the Broughton, Northamptonshire parish records for James, as has been found for his older siblings. He was undoubtedly the youngest of the five Beebe brothers and was no doubt part of his father's entourage sailing from England to New England in 1650, when but yet only nine years of age, his father John Beebe took ill and perished on 18 May 1650 while the family was still at sea and mid-voyage to the colonies. ^[1][2] Consequently, James Beebe arrived at the New World in 1650 as a nine year old, orphaned child; thereupon his family fractured with his older brothers clustered as residents near New London, Connecticut on the eastern seaboard of the state of Connecticut; whereas, James, and his sisters, Rebecca and Mary, went with William Lewis Jr. (1594-bef.1683), who was named as a co-administrator in their father's will, to live at Hartford, Connecticut. On 2 Jan 1651, shortly after arriving in Hartford, his sister, Rebecca was married to John Rusco (abt.1624-bef.1702), the son of William Ruscoe (abt.1594-bef.1682) and Rebecca (Unknown) Ruscoe (1595-abt.1635), one of the founding families of Hartford, Connecticut, and later that year newlyweds, John and Rebecca Ruscoe, moved from Hartford to Norwalk, Connecticut and were one of fourteen founding families in this new settlement. Subsequent information sources, suggest that James and Rebecca Beebe's sister Mary went to live with John and Rebecca Ruscoe, at Norwalk, as she later appears in records associated with that community, though their brother was not with them in Norwalk at that time.

Laura M. provides an interesting, but unsourced genealogical narrative in which she asserts that William Lewis took a journey from Connecticut back to England in 1649 to bring his sister Ann back to Connecticut. It was on the return voyage of this journey in 1650, that William Lewis became friends with John Beebe, shouldering the unintended consequence of becoming the administrator and overseer of John Beebe's estate, as well as assuming the defacto role of guardian for John's minor children, Mary and James Beebe. By 1651, James Beebe was the sole minor Beebe child remaining under the protection of William Lewis, who was then living at Hartford, Connecticut. Laura M. also notes in her William Lewis narrative that a schism had developed in the Puritan Church at Hartford and a group of disaffected believers, including William Lewis and another Hartford citizen Thomas Stanley, were part of a group of about 60 Congregational families who chose to separate from Hartford and start a new church in a new town, named Hadley, Massachusetts around 1659 in order to alleviate their grievances. This event then brought James Beebe in tow with William Lewis and Thomas Stanley to Hadley, Mass, where there are a number of subsequent primary records to be found regarding James Beebe. The first of these is the last will and testament of Thomas Stanley, of Hartford and Hadley. In his Will, Thomas Stanley bequeaths five pounds "unto James Beebe, my servant, to be paid unto him a'ft he hath p'formed that tyme of service whe was promised by William Lewis, that he is to be with me until he is 20 and 5 years old." Therefore, it is clear that the goodwill of the friendship between John Beebe and William Lewis had long been exhausted and as none of the Beebe siblings had stepped forward to assume responsibility for James; the escape hatch for William Lewis was to apprentice James Beebe to Thomas Stanley as an indentured servant for some unspecified period of time ending with the 25th birthday of James. Depending on the time this arrangement had been initiated, James Beebe may have been an indentured servant for almost fifteen years. It seems James must have elected to serve Thomas Stanley for the duration of the agreement, as the next documented incident in the life of James Beebe was his marriage to Mary Boltwood, daughter of Robert and Mary (Gernor) Boltwood at Hadley, Mass on 24 October 1668, at a time when James was about twenty seven years of age. Mary (Boltwood) Beebe was the mother of his four oldest children, but she died 19 August 1676 at the age of thirty. ^[3] The cause of her death is unknown, but it is worth a side note to observe that the date of her death is in close alignment with the June 12, 1676 date that Hadley was attacked by native Americans, one of many assaults by the native Americans during the reign of terror of King Philip's War, and it is probable that her death was a direct result of this conflict.

Some time shortly after the death of his wife Mary, James Beebe is noted to have become a resident of Stratford, Connecticut, and the town records for Fairfield, Connecticut also record the births of two sons, James, and Joseph, to James Beebe at Old Fairfield, Conn. during this time period. The identity of the mother of these boys is unknown, and it is not known whether James had another wife during this time period, though the best available information seems to suggest that these two boys were the illegitimate sons of James Beebe and Sarah Benedict. The basis for this assertion is that James and Sarah Benedict, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Bridgeman) Benedict, ^[1][2] were married on 19 Dec 1679 at Norwalk, Connecticut a bit more than five months after the birth of Joseph on 11 July 1679; and while it may be possible, it seems unlikely that James would have been able to court and marry yet another wife in such a short period of time. Hence, the data suggests that Sarah Benedict was the mother of sons, James and Joseph as well.

Thereafter, he soon removed to Norwalk where he would have lived in close proximity to his oldest sister Rebecca Rusco, and there is secondary evidence that his other sister Mary Beebe married his future brother-in-law Samuel Benedict around 1672, but clearly Mary had died prior to Samuel Benedict's second marriage in 1678.

James Beebe was at the first permanent settlement of Danbury, Connecticut in 1685 when he, and seven other families became the founders of Danbury. Here he was appointed to sundry offices, being a Commissioner in 1691, a Lieutenant in 1696, a Justice of the Peace for many years from 1698, a Deputy to the General Assembly in 1710, and Captain of the Danbury Trainband from 1716. ^[1][2]

He married third, after 1704, Rebecca (Beardsley) Curtis, daughter of William and Mary (Harvey) Beardsley. ^[2]

James Beebe was the father of the following children:

1. Children with wife Mary (Boltwood) Beebe married 24 Oct 1667 in Hadley, Mass:^[4]
   1. Mary Beebee, was born 18 Aug 1668 in Hadley, Hampshire, Mass. ^[5][6]
   2. James Beebee, was born 09 Dec 1669 in Hadley, Hampshire, Mass.^[5] and died Jan 3, 1669. ^[7]
   3. Rebecca Beebee, was born 08 Dec 1670 in Hadley, Hampshire, Mass. ^[5][8]
   4. Samuel Beebee, was born 26 Jun 1672 in Hadley, Massachusetts. ^[9][5]
2. Mary (Boltwood) Beebe died 19 Aug 1676 at Hadley, Mass. ^[3]
3. Children with an Unknown woman (or wife) at Fairfield, Conn (some sources identify the mother of James as Sarah Benedict, but without supporting evidence):
   1. ) James Beebee, son of James Beebee was born 29 Dec 1677 in Fairfield Connecticut. ^[10]
   2. ) Joseph Beebee, son of James Beebe was born 11 July 1679 in Fairfield, Connecticut. ^[10]
4. Children with wife Sarah (Benedict) Beebe, married on 19 Dec 1679 at Norwalk, Conn. ^[11]:
   1. Sarah Beebe, was born on 13 Nov 1680, in Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut. ^[12]

He died at Danbury, CT 22 April 1728 at the age of 87 as recorded on his tombstone. This stone was seen by Rev. Thomas Robbins and referred to in a century sermon in 1801, but has subsequenly been lost to the ravages of time. ^[1][2]

Genealogical Records

The following section of this profile provides detailed information found in the various cited sources. The purpose of this section is to provide the reader access to the information contained within the cited sources; to identify source data conflicts and identify the origin of data errors; and, finally, to provide a platform to analyze, cross-correlate, and comment on important aspects of the cited historical data record.

Birth Records

• Primary Source, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, ^[5]

1. ) Hadley, Mass Births; image 25 of 275: James Beebees family: Births:
   1. ) Mary, Daug^tr of Mary & James Bebe borne Aug^st 18 1668.
   2. ) James, Son of James & Mary Bebee borne decemb^E 9 -. 1669.
   3. ) Rebecca, daughtr of James & Mary Beebe borne dec: 8 1679.
   4. ) Sam^ll, Son of James & Mary Bebee borne Jun 26 1672.

• Primary Source, Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915; ^[6] Data:

1. ) Mass Births: Mary Beebee, daughter of James and Mary Beebee, was born 18 Aug 1668 in Hadley, Hampshire, Mass.

• Primary Source, Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915^[8]

1. ) Hadley, Mass Births: Rebecca Beebee, daughter of James and Mary Beebee, was born 08 Dec 1670 at Hadley, Hampshire, Mass.

• Primary Source, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001; ^[9]

1. ) Hadley, Mass Births; image 17 of 94: Sam^ll, Son of James & Mary Beebe, borne Jun 26 1672. (at Hadley, Massachusetts)

• Primary Source, Connecticut Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (The Barbour Collection), Fairfield Co., Conn ^[10] Data Extract:

1. ) Fairfield, Conn VR; Page 13: Sons of James Beebe:
   1. ) James Beebee, son of James Beebee, was born 29 Dec 1677 in Fairfield Connecticut.
   2. ) Joseph Beebee, son of James Beebe, was born 11 July 1679 in Fairfield, Connecticut. {Editorial: James and Joseph were born after the death of Mary Boltwood, but prior to the marriage of James Beebe Sr. to Sarah Benedict. James Jr. is born 16 months after the death of Mary Boltwood, so James Sr. would have had to find a new partner, within 7 months after her death. Some sources attribute the birth of James Jr. to Sarah Benedict, but this seems somewhat unlikely as James would have had to dispose of his property in Hadley, Mass., leave, and resettle in Fairfield (Stratford) find Sarah Benedict and become a couple, without the benefit of marriage within 7 months; while this is possible, it seems much more likely that James married an eligible woman he already knew in Hadley, Mass. immediately after the death of Mary Boltwood and they then moved to Fairfield where James and Joseph were born, with this second wife dying shortly after the birth of Joseph. Hence, these sons were either born illegitimate, or James had yet another, unknown wife in the interim period between Mary and Sarah, with the need for a new wife further accelerated by the births of these two motherless baby boys}

• Primary Source, Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906 ^[12] Data Extraction:

1. ) Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906; Sarah Beebe, daughter of James Beebe, was born on 13 Nov 1680, in Norwalk Twp, Fairfield, Connecticut.

Immigration Records

• James Beebe immigrated between 1620-1650, arrived in Massachusetts.^[13]

Marriage Records

• Primary Source, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001: James Beebee married Mary Boltwood on 24 Oct 1667 in Hadley, Massachusetts. ^[4] Data Extract, Digital Image of the original document;

1. ) image 41 of 94: (Hatfield, Hampshire, Mass. Marriage Records (at the bottom of the left hand side of the right hand page). Hadley Marriages: James Beebee and Mary Boltwood were married Oct: 24 1667

• Primary Source, Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection), Norwalk Vital Records 1651-1850: Sarah Benedict, daughter of Thomas Benedict Sr., married James Beebe on 19 Dec 1679 in Norwalk, Connecticut. ^[11]

1. ) Norwalk, Conn. VR; Page 7: BEEBE, James m. Sarah BENYDICKE, d. Tho(mas), Sr., Dec 19, 1679.
   1. ) Sarah, daughter of James Beebe, born 13 Nov 1680.

• Secondary Source, Clarence A. Torry, New England Marriages Prior to 1700:] ^[14]

1. ) Pre-1700 New England Marriages; Page 58: James Beebe marriage records:
   1. ) James Beebe and first wife Mary Boltwood were married ca. 1676 or 24 Oct 1667 at Hadley, Mass.
   2. ) James Beebe and second wife Sarah Benedict 19 Dec 1679; Hadley/Stratford, CT/ Norwalk, CT were married ca. 1676 or 24 Oct 1667 at Hadley, Mass.
   3. ) ____ Beebe married Rebecca Beardsley
      1. ) Pre-1700 New England Marriages, Third Torrey Supplement; Page 71: Israel Curtis and Rebecca Beardsley; m2 James Beebe; m by 1666 at Stratford. [GM 1:26]

Death Records

• Tertiary Source, (burial-no tombstone photo); Tertiary Source (biography), Find A Grave Index ^[15] Data Summary:

1. ) Find A Grave: Memorial #175660139: James Beebe, Sr., son of John Beebe (1600–1650) and Rebecca Ladd Beebe (1605–1650), was born in 1641 at Broughton, Kettering Borough, Northamptonshire, England, and he died 22 Apr 1728 (aged 86–87) at Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA
   1. ) Siblings:
      1. ) Samuel Beebe (1633–1712)
      2. ) Thomas Beebe (1633–1699)
      3. ) Nathaniel Beebe (1635–1724)
      4. ) Mary Jane Beebe (1637 – unknown)
      5. ) Hannah Beeby/Beebe (1640 – unknown)
2. ) BURIAL. James Beebe, Sr. was buried at an unknown location.
   1. ) Inscription, "{No Tombstone Photo}"

• Primary Source, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001; ^[3] Data Extract, Digital image of original document:

1. ) Hadley, Mass. Death Record, Page 193: Hadley deaths 1668-1676: Mary Beebe, wife of James died Aug. 19, 1676.

• Primary Source, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001; ^[7] Data extract:

1. ) Hadley, Mass Deaths; p. 80; image 51 of 94: James Bebee, Son of James Beebe dyed Jan 3^d 1669.

Biographic and Genealogical References

• Secondary Source, Clarence Beebe in his book Monograph of the Descent of the Family of Beebe ^[1] cites James Beebe in profile (15). (It should be noted that the research for this genealogical work would have been compiled in the 1890s; that is a time period 160-175 years after the death of James Beebe.) Data summary;

1. ) Monograph, etc.; Page 15: James Beebe, son of John and Rebecca Beebe, was probably baptized 1641 in Broughton, England, but no church records have been found to confirm this. He is identified as the youngest son of John Beebe. James was only nine years old when his father, John, died May 18, 1650, while the family was in transit from England to the American Colonies. His father John creates a will prior to his death and in this will, (a copy John Beebe's will is on page 9-10 of MONOGRAPH ^[1]) John provides that his entire estate be held by his four eldest children, John, Thomas, Samuel, and Rebecca, until the three youngest, Nathaniel, James, and Rebecca come of age (18). Upon coming of age, the youngest three are then to be paid an equal share of their father's estate by the elder four. In addition, the four elder children are charged to provide for the younger three until they do come of age. The absence of a citation of Samuel's mother, Rebecca, and his sister Hannah in the will implies they had died prior to the passing of his father. Hence John's death leaves James and his siblings orphans as they reach the New World. John Beebe's loving friends William Lewis and John Cole are named overseers of his will and James eventually ends up in Hadley, Massachusetts with William Lewis where he is apprenticed to Thomas Stanley. Thomas Stanley's will grants to his servant, James Beebe, 5 pounds provided James completes his time of service to 25 years of age (1666) as promised by William Lewis. {Editorial; having his "loving friend" William Lewis turn his orphaned son into an indentured servant certainly brings a new meaning to the word "loving". It also seems the elder children were negligent in their charge to provide for their younger siblings as instructed to do in their father's will. This negligence to provide for the younger siblings resulted in the indentured servitude status of their youngest brother James. This website on indentured servitude notes that only 40% of indentured servants, particularly in the south, survived the term of the indentured service agreement. Perhaps the "apprenticeship" was valuable to James, and certainly he rises to be a leading citizen in his Fairfield, CT community later in life, so there is some evidence that this may have been a beneficial arrangement. } In the end James does survive the service, and shortly thereafter he marries Mary Boltwood daughter of Robert Boltwood at Hadley MA on 24 Oct 1668 at the age of 27. James and Mary then have three children; Rebecca, Samuel, and Mary II. {Editorial there were actually five children born to this union; but two, the first Mary and first James Jr, died in infancy or early childhood} Eight years after their marriage on 19 August 1676, James' wife Mary (Boltwood) Beebe passes away in Hadley, MA during James' 35th year. Subsequently, in 1679 James relocates his family to Stratford, CT; then later to Norwalk, CT; and finally to Danbury, CT. {Editorial, when he moved back to Connecticut, he chose to live near his sisters, in Norwalk, rather than in New London, by his brothers.} While in Norwalk on Dec 19, 1679, James marries a second time, to Sarah Benedict, daughter of Thomas Benedict and James has two more children, Sarah and James Jr II, with Sarah (Benedict) Beebe. {Editorial, actually James fathered three children in Fairfield (County): Joseph, James 2nd, and Sarah. Furthermore, Joseph and James were born prior to their fathers marriage to Sarah Benedict} James held numerous important community offices; he was Commissioner in 1691, a Lt. in 1696, a Justice of the Peace for many years starting in 1698, a deputy to the General Assembly in 1710, and a Captain of the Train Band from 1716. James lived a long life and died at the age of 87 in Danbury, CT on Apr. 22, 1728.

• Secondary Source, Savage, A Genealogical Dictionary of The First Settlers of New England, Vol. I, ^[16] Data extrarct:

1. ) 1st Settlers of New England; Page 153: BEEBE, or BEEBY, JAMES, Hadley, m. 24 Oct. 1667, Mary, d. of Robert Boltwood, had Mary, b. 18 Aug. 1668, d. young; James, 9 Dec. 1669, d. young; Rebecca, 8 Dec. 1670; Samuel, 26 June 1672; and Mary, again, 1675. Perhaps, as this fam. soon rem. it may, in some branches, be found Bibby. James, Stratford, m. 19 Dec. 1679, Sarah, d. of the first Thomas Benedict, had Sarah, b. 13 Nov. 1680; and James; rem. to Norwalk, thence to Danbury, and may be the same as the foregoing.

• Genuki: Beebe family history, document date unknown. James Beebe is cited as profile 12 in this Beebe Family Genealogy. The biographic data cited for James Beebe is largely a reproduction of the information in Clarence Beebe's Monograph.. book, but adds a third marriage for James to Rebecca (Beardsley) Curtis, daughter of William and Mary (Harvey) Beardsley, after 1704. Rebecca (Beardsley) (Curtis) Beebe died 13 Feb 1738/9. ^[2]

• A third published biography, circa 1945, on the history of Catherine, Schulyer, NY references an unspecified "Connecticut" (probably Monograph) book and states, James Beebe came to Norwalk, CT from Stratford, and married Sarah, a daughter of a Thomas Benedict in 1679. James Beebe was a Representative in 1709-1710. ^[17]

• Secondary Source, Curtis family genealogy, ^[18] Extract:

1. ) Curtis Genealogy; Page 3: James Beebe married Rebeccah (Beardsley) Curtiss, widow of Israel Curtiss.

• Secondary Source, New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635, Great Migration, Vol 1, A-B

1. ) The Great Migration Begins; Page 226: James Beebe married Rebecca Beardsley Curtis after 1704.

City History Extracts

From the History of Hadley, Hampden, Massachusetts:

• Secondary Source, Hadley Families, Embracing the Early Settlers of the Towns of Hatfield, South Hadley, Amherst, and Granby ^[19] Extract:

1. ) History of Hadley, Mass; Page 12: James Beebe married 24 October 1667 Mary Boltwood, daughter of Robert. She died 19 August 1676, and then he perhaps removed to Stratford, Ct., and married Sarah Benedict , daughter of Thomas of Norwalk, Ct. Children: Mary (b. 18 Aug 1668); James (b. 9 Dec 1669 -- d. 3 Jan 1670); Rebecca (b. 8 Dec 1670); Samuel (b. 26 June 1672); and Mary b. 1675.

• Secondary Source, William Montague, History and Genealogy of the Montague Family of America, ^[20] Data Extract:

1. ) Descendants of Richard Montague; Page 56 Street map of 1663 Hadley Massachusetts. Hadley, Mass. residents associated with James Beebe:
   1. ) William Lewis, overseer of Beebe children from Will of John Beebe
   2. ) Thomas Stanley, Master to whom James Beebe was indentured.
   3. ) Robert Boltwood, father of Mary Boltwood. James Beebe married Mary Boltwood on 24 Oct 1667.

From the HIstory of Norwalk, Connecticut

• Secondary Source, The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Conn ^[21] Data Summary

1. ) History of Norwalk, Conn; Page 29: James Beebe (home-lot, fol 58 between two hollows in the land that lies against Judah Gregory's and John Hoyt's on the left hand side of the Path or Highway leading to the mill.), 2 acres.
   1. ) Bounded east by the Path or Highway; west by the Bank, North by a Hollow and Common Land and South by a Hollow and Common Land.
2. ) History of Norwalk, Page 184-185. James Beebe married Sarah Benedict, daughter of Thomas Benidict Sr.
3. ) History of Norwalk, Page 192: James Beebe tooke to wiffe Sarah Benydicke, the daughter of Ths. Benydicke, Sen., of Norwalke, and was married the 19th of Desember,1679.
   1. ) Sarah Beebe, the daughter of James Beebe, was borne the 13th of November, 1680.
4. ) History of Norwalk, page 312, 313: ...in the fall of 1684 and the spring of 1685, James Beebe, two of his brother-in-laws Samuel and James Benedict and four other families, (and a bit later a third brother-in-law Dr. Wood) purchased land from the Indians and made the first settlement at Paquiogue, which they later called Danbury. They built a 40 x 30' church, when it was built every person in the town were present and sat together on the sills.
   1. ) On Sunday morning 27 April 1777 the British, under Governor Tryon, burned Danbury--except the houses and property of the Tories. Nineteen dwellings and all personal property were destroyed. Seven of the 19 victims of the British attack were the Benedicts and the Woods
   2. ) Sarah Benedict was born in Southhold. She married James Beebe of Stratford, Dec 19, 1679. Their children were Sarah, born 13 Nov 1680 and James born ___________________.^[10] James Beebe was one of the eight who purchased and settled in Danbury, he conveyed his property in Norwalk 2 Jan 1685 , in which he is described as of Paquiack, formerly of Norwalk.
   3. ) It is noted Thomas Benedict Jr. was born in Southold, Long Island and that all of his children: John, James, Samuel, James, Daniel, Betty, Mary, Sarah, and Rebecca (b. 1656), were also born in Southold, {Suffolk County, at the tip of Long Island}, New York. {This was the home base of Samuel Beebe, the brother of James Beebe, hence as Thomas Benedict was in Southold until at least 1656, there is a strong possibility that he and some of his older sons would have been well acquainted with James Beebe's brother Samuel earlier in life}. Thomas Benedict moved his entire family from Southold, NY; first to Huntington, NY; then Jamaica, NY; and finally to Norwalk, CT.

• Secondary Source, History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield ^[22] Data:

1. ) History of Old Fairfield; Page 45, 46: Rebecca Beardsley (DOB ~1640) daughter of William and Mary Beardsley married _________ Beebe in Fairfield Ct.
2. ) Page 54, 55 James Beebe, son of John. Commissioner for Danbury (1691-97); Justice 1701-11; 1716-21; Lt. Danbury Trainband, Oct 1696; Capt. May 1710; Deputy (Danbury) various months 1707-1719.
3. ) Biography: James Beebe was born, perhaps at Broughton Co., Northampton, Eng, about 1641; died at Danbury 22 April 1667. He was of Hadley where he married first Mary Boltwood, daughter of Robert; Mary died 19 Aug 1676. He then moved to Norwalk, where he married second, on 19 Dec 1679, Sarah Benedict, daughter of Thomas Sr.
   1. ) Children by Mary Boltwood, recorded at Hadley:
      1. ) Mary, born 18 Aug 1668, d. young
      2. ) James, born 9 Dec 1669, d. young
      3. ) Rebecca, born 8 Dec 1670
      4. ) Samuel, born 26 June 1673, died at Litchfield about 1731; married Hannah ____. died at Canaan, on 16 Nov 1766.
      5. ) Mary born in 1675
   2. ) Children by Sarah Benedict, first recorded at Norwalk :
      1. ) Sarah, born 13 Nov 1680.
      2. ) James, b. about 1682, died at Danbury in 1750; married at Stratford 22 Dec 1708, Abigail Sherman, daughter of Samuel Jr., born 4 Aug 1688.

• Secondary Source, Hill, History of Danbury, Conn. 1684-1896, ^[23] Data extract:

1. ) History of Danbury, Conn., Page 47: James Beebe of Hadley, Norwalk, and Danbury, the son of John Beebe of Broughton, England was born in 1641. James married, first, Mary Boltwood on 24 October 1667 and his second wife was Sarah Benedict, daughter of Thomas, whom he married on 19 Dec 1679. James was a Justice of the Peace, first Captain of the troop, and a town representative for many years. He died 22 April 1728 at the age of 87. He was the father of Mary (b. 18 Aug 1668), James (b. and d. 1669), Rebecca (b. 1670), and Samuel (b. 1672) by his first wife Mary Boltwood. James then removed to New Milford and Litchfield. He then fathered Sarah (b. 13 November 1680 and James (b. 1682 at Norwalk) by Sarah Benedict.
   1. ) James Beebe (Jr.) was born in 1682 and married Abigail Sherman, daughter of Samuel Sherman Jr. on 22 December 1708 . He was a deacon of the church in Danbury for a long time, and, like his father, he became the Captain of the troop, selected after his father's resignation, a justice of the peace and town representative for many years. He died 1750 in Danbury. He was the father of Lemuel, James, Joseph, David, Jonathan, Sarah, and Abigail.

Research Notes

1. ) Look for the will of Thomas Stanley to verify James' indentured service.
2. ) Look into the History of Stratford, Danbury, and Norwalk CT for records on James public service.
   1. ) The following source cites a "Captain Beebe" who claimed to have been gifted a significant area of land near Stratford and Fairfield by the Indians, however this claim was later refuted by cross examination of the Indians. This happened about 1661/2 when James was still indentured to Thomas Stanley, so it is more likely that this Capt. Beebe was his brother John.
      1. Secondary Source, History of Stratford, Connecticut, 1639-1939 ^[24] Data Extract:
         1. ) History of Stratford; Page 27:
3. ) While James Beebe died in Fairfield County and never lived in Litchfield County, Conn., Two of his sons moved into Litchfield county early in the settlement phase of that county. Hence, there is an extremely high probability that any subsequent surnamed Beebe associated with either Fairfield or Litchfield County, CT is a descendant of James Beebe. That is to say James Beebe is the patriarch of the Western Connecticut Beebe Clan.
4. ) Does Caulkins mention James? Probably not she is writing about New London.
5. ) As of Aug 30, 2017 No primary source has been identified for the death of James Beebe.
6. ) As of Aug 30, 2017; the biography has not yet been rewritten to conform to the cited source documentation.
7. ) Robert Boltwood father in law of James Beebe
8. ) Thomas Benedict, father in law of James Beebe purhased land from next door neighbor John Ruscoe brother in law of James Beebe
9. ) James Beebe owner of home lot #58 Norwalk, Conn
10. ) [https://archive.org/stream/ancienthistoric00hallgoog#page/n205/mode/2up/search/Beebe page 192 James marriage and birth of Sarah
11. ) In copyright discussion on James Beebe in Hadley Mass. A Harkrader - Hathaway history, Charles Briggs Hathaway, Gateway Press, 1991 - Page 45. Only teaser available on line.
12. ) The following definitions and syntax conventions apply to the preceding text of this profile:
    1. ) A Primary Source contains data that was recorded by the person in the profile; or by someone known to or with first hand knowledge of that person, during the person's lifetime, death or within two generations thereafter.
    2. ) A Secondary Source is a genealogical reference created as the result of a extensive study of available source material and it provides some evidence of the source documentation used to generate the text data.
    3. ) A Tertiary Source is a genealogical data source which is a collection of genealogical information that does not cite Primary or Secondary information sources, and the data may be factual or hearsay.
    4. ) Braces {Editorial Note Example} are used to insert editorial comments; that is to say, information or clarification that is not contained in the original, cited source material.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} Beebe, Clarence, Monograph of the Descent of the Family of Beebe, from the earliest known immigrant--John, of Broughton, England, 1650, compiled and edited by Clarence Beebe, 150 Nassau Street, New York,1904; (Profile 15), page 9. Clarence Beebe Genealogy online -Title Page
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8} Henry, Alan D. GENUKI: [https://web.archive.org/web/20100707122114/http://www.kellner.eclipse.co.uk/genuki/NTH/beeby.htm/ The Beebe Family in Northamptonshire, Michigan, USA.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001; database with images, FamilySearch (Rev. date: 13 July 2016), James Beebe in entry for Mary Beebe, 19 Aug 1676; citing Death, Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, United States, , town clerk offices, Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 760,648.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001; database with images, FamilySearch (Rev. Date: 13 July 2016), James Beebee and Mary Boltwood, 24 Oct 1667; citing Marriage, , Hadley, Massachusetts, United States, , town clerk offices, Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 760,648.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4} Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, database with images, FamilySearch (Rev date : 20 May 2014), Hampshire > Hadley > Vital records 1660-1882 > image 25 of 275; citing Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915; database, FamilySearch (Rev. date: 4 December 2014), James Beebee in entry for Mary Beebee, 18 Aug 1668; citing HADLEY,HAMPSHIRE,MASSACHUSETTS; FHL microfilm 186,122.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001; database with images, FamilySearch (Revision date: 13 July 2016), James Beebe in entry for James Beebe, 03 Jan 1669; citing Death, , Hadley, Massachusetts, United States, , town clerk offices, Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 760,648.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915; database, FamilySearch ( Rev. date: 4 December 2014), James Beebee in entry for Rebecca Beebee, 08 Dec 1670; citing HADLEY,HAMPSHIRE,MASSACHUSETTS, ; FHL microfilm 186,122.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001; database with images, FamilySearch (Rev date: 13 July 2016), James Beebee in entry for Samuel Beebee, 26 Jun 1672; citing Birth, , Hadley, Massachusetts, United States, , town clerk offices, Massachusetts; FHL microfilm 760,648.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3} Connecticut Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002. James Beebee birth record and James Beebe birth in Barbour
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: White, Lorraine Cook, ed. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records. Vol. 1-55. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1994-2002. James Beebe - Sarah Benedict marriage
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7WH-Y4L : 3 December 2014), James Beebe in entry for Sarah Beebe, 13 Nov 1680; citing ; FHL microfilm unknown.
13. ↑ Annotation: Comprehensive listing of early immigrants, in various arrangements to assist the researcher. Pages 1-189 contain passenger lists; pages 193-295 are indexes. Source Bibliography: BANKS, CHARLES EDWARD. Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English Emigrants to New England, 1620-1650. Edited, indexed and published by Elijah Ellsworth Brownell. Philadelphia: Bertram Press, 1937. 295p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1957. Repr. 1987. Page: 125. Source Citation: Place: Massachusetts; Year: 1620-1650; Page Number: 125. Source Information: Ancestry.com. U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010. Original data: Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2012.
14. ↑ Torry, Clarence A. New England Marriages Prior to 1700: Genealogical Publishing Co.; Baltimore, MD, USA; Volume Title: Third Supplement to Torrey's New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Ancestry Record 3824 #39961 U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 database on-line. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2012. Torry, Clarence A. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004. James Beebe - Rebecca (Beardsley) Curtis marriage
15. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 June 2019), memorial page for James Beebe, Sr (1641–22 Apr 1728), Find A Grave Memorial no. 175660139, ; Maintained by Robert Burke (contributor 47409631) Unknown.
16. ↑ Savage, James, A Genealogical Dictionary of The First Settlers of New England, Vol. I,] Showing Three Generations of Those Who Came Before May, 1692, on the basis of Farmer's Register., Boston, Little, Brown, and Co. 1860. Treatise for surnames starting with the letters A - D. Available:

    1. ) Online manuscript here
    2. ) Online transcription here

17. ↑ Cleaver, Mary Louise Catlin, The History of the town of Catherine, Schuyler County, N.Y., Published by the Tuttle Publishing Co. Inc., Rutland, VT. 1945. John Beebe family biography Online here Beebe family History Book online
18. ↑ Curtis Book, James Beebe page 3
19. ↑ , Boltwood, Lucius Manlius, Hadley Families, Embracing the Early Settlers of the Towns of Hatfield, South Hadley, Amherst, and Granby, Northampton, Metcalf & Company, Printers, 1862. James Beebe vital data from Hadley Mass history
20. ↑ Montague, William; History and Genealogy of the Montague Family of America,, Amherst, Mass., Press of J. E. Williams, 1886. Public Domain.
21. ↑ Hall, Edwin, Pastor of 1st Congregational Church; The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Conn, James Mallory and Co. New York: Baker and Scribner, 1847. page 184-185; 192
22. ↑ Jacobus, Donald Lines History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield, page 704. (Genealogical Publishing Company, 1930). James Beebe married Rebecca Beardsley
23. ↑ Susan Benedict. History of Danbury, Conn. 1684-1896 (Burr Printing House, New York, 1896) History of Danbury, Conn., Page 27-8 & Page 47: James Beebe Sr and James Beebe Jr. Biography
24. ↑ Wilcoxson, William Howard. History of Stratford, Connecticut, 1639-1939 (Stratford Tercentenary Commission, Stratford, Conn., 1939) Capt. Beebe in Stratford, Conn Land hearing

Other Sources

The following section provides a listing of source material that is pertinent to the profile subject, but not presently cited in the narrative text of the profile.

• Account of Tryons raid on Danbury
• Map of New Sweden and New Netherland Map shows New Netherland claimed (1614-1664) present day Connecticut from New Amsterdam (NYC) to the Connecticut River. This explains why English settlements along the Western shores lagged that in the east (New London). Note that James Beebe is found in Norwalk, CT, less than 15 years after the Dutch ceded the Territory.

• King Philip's War: Hadley Mass was attacked Sept 1676: or King Philip's War Hadley Mass attacked June 1676 The timing of this attack and the 19 August 1676 death date of James' wife, Mary Boltwood, seem too coincidental to be have been unrelated, but the cause of death is not noted in the record. {Examination of this death record shows a 600% increase of deaths in 1676 (relative to previous and subsequent years), but only one of these 1676 deaths, that of Deacon Richard Goodman was noted as having been "slain by the Indians."}

• Marsh genealogy : giving several thousand descendants of John Marsh of Hartford, Ct., 1636-1895; page 12A, image 95 of 603 Plat map of 1663 Hadley, Mass. Thomas Stanley; William Lewis, Robert Boltwood, and John White

Web based Genealogies

The following section provides a listing of web-published genealogies pertinent to the profile subject; these genealogies are valuable in presenting an alternate perspective on family links for the profile subject. However, these genealogies may or may not be correct and are not presently cited as source material in the narrative text of this profile.

• FamilySearch profile for James Beebe.