William Herr Beecher Sr. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10}

   Another name for William was William Bücher.^{2 11 13}

   FamilySearch ID: LDMX-863.

  Death Notes:

He died of dropsy.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1820 in Hagerstown, Washington, MD. ¹⁴ In 1820 the William Beacher household had:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1811-1820) = 2 sons William & Samuel
45 & over (<=1775) = 1 father William
Females (born)
26-44 (1776-1794) = 1 wife

On the next census page 111 are two more Beachers:

Samuel Beacher's household had:
Males (born)
10-15 (1805-1810) = 1 sons
16-25 (1795-1804) = 2 [sons, too young to be Samuel]
Females (born)
10-15 (1805-1810) = 1 daughter
16-25 (1795-1804) = 1 daughter
45 & over (<=1775) = 1 wife (Barbara Winterode)

Catherine Beacher's household had:
Females (born)
26-44 (1776-1794) = 2 daughters
45 & over (<=1775) = 1 Catherine.

2. He was listed on a William Beecher paid $10,000 for a house at Penn & 5th streets in Reading per Deed Book 46 Page 550. deed on 20 May 1840 in Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA. ¹⁵ On 20 May 1840, Thomas M. O'Brien of Reading, Berks County, and Elizabeth his wife sold for $10,000 to William Beecher of Reading the houses and land at the southwest corner of Penn and Fifth street in Reading, per Deed Book 46 Page 550.
However, William enacted a mortgage to buy the property per Deed Book N Page 242 which recorded that William Beecher stands bound unto Thomas M. O'Brien in the sum of $8,000 conditioned for the payment of $4,000 on the 10th of July next ensuing the lawful interest to be paid semi-annually. But Deed Book 48 page 480 recorded that David Esterly, Sheriff of the County of Berks, by issue of the County Court of Common Pleas on 15 Apr 1843, regarding the three two-story brick houses and the grounds on the southwest corner of Penn and 5th Street in Reading "seized and taken in Execution and sold as the property of William Beecher" which on 28 Feb 1834 the same Court recovered against the said William Beecher by the default of William Beecher in not paying the said sum of $8000 with the lawful interest at the day and time when the same ought to be paid. On 16 Aug 1843 the sheriff sold the property for $6200 at auction to Daniel R. and William H. Clymer of Berks County, they being the highest bidders.

3. Newspaper: Pihladelphia Ledger: Bankrupts.--Petitions for the benefit of the bankrupt law filed on Saturday: William Beecher, merchant of the late firms of Beecher and Coleman, and W. and D. H. Beecher, Berks county;, 17 Jan 1843, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ¹⁶

4. Newspaper: Philadelphia Public Ledger, 16 Feb 1843, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ¹⁷ $20 REWARD -- LOST, on Tuesday morning, Feb 14, at the Auction Store of Messrs. Thomas, Funces, & Co, a small POCKET WALLET, containing D. H. Beecher's note, to the order of Wm. Beecher, dated July 1st, 1842, at 8 mos., for $292.50; D. H. Beecher's note, to the order of A. H. Raguel & Co., for $214; two notes drawn by Wm. H. Cooper, to the order of A. H. Rarguel & Co.,; Wm. S. Green's note, drawn to order of G. W. Deweese, for $100; also, Daniel Hunter's due bill for $9.52, together with several Notes and Memorandums (payment of all of which has been stopped,) of no use to any person but the owner. The finder will receive the above reward, by leaving the Pocket Book and Contents at the Store of S. M. BUNN, No. 74 NORTH THIRD Street.

5. Newspaper: Daily Pennsylvanian: Bankruptcy. Petitions passed to a decree yesterday -- Wm Beecher., 18 Feb 1843, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ¹⁸

6. Newspaper: Der Liberale Beobachter und Berks, Montgomery und Schuylkill Caunties Allgemeine Anzeiger, 7 Mar 1843, Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA. ¹⁹ Nachricht.
Alle Personen, welche schuldig sind an William Beecher, Kaufmann, in der Stadt Reading, sei es in den Büchern des ersagten Wm. Beecher, an die Firma von Beecher und Coleman, oder von O'Brian und Beecher, sind ersucht abzubezahlen an den Unterschriebenen, Assignie für William Beecher, in Bankrott.
John S. Richards.
Reading, Marz 7.

English translation of the German:

News.
All persons who are guilty of William Beecher, merchant, in the city of Reading, whether in the books of the said Wm. Beecher, in the company of Beecher and Coleman, or of O'Brian and Beecher, are requested to be paid to the undersigned, assignment for William Beecher, in bankruptcy.
John S. Richards
Reading March 7.

7. Baptism on 1 Jan 1845 in Reading: First Reformed Church, Berks, PA, USA. William & Elizabeth Beecher baptized 3 children on the same day: Emily Susan Coleman Beecher b. 19 Jun 1841; William Herr Beecher b.31 Jan 1843; Coleman Nagle Beecher b. 30 Nov 1844 ²⁰

8. Residence: Philadelphia City Directory: Beecher Wm., merchant, 64 N 3d, h 8th and Vine in 1846 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ²¹

9. Newspaper: Philadelphia Public Ledger: ad for William Beecher's dry goods store, 9 Nov 1848, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ²² WILLIAM BEECHER would respectfully inform his friends and the public generally that he has removed his place of business from 81 1/2 North Third Street, to the N. E. corner of EIGHTH and ARCH Streets, where he will continue to receive from New York and Philadelphia Auctions, and from the largest importing houses, a large and desirable assortment of FANCY and STAPLE DRY GOODS, and will continue to sell as usual, very cheap, either wholesale or retail, and particularly invites his friends and merchants to call.

10. Newspaper: Philadelphia Public Ledger: ad for William Beecher's dry goods store, 15 Nov 1848, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ²³ CALL AT THE NEW STORE, North-east corner of EIGHTH and ARCH, and see the cheap Goods just received from the Auctions -- some very beautiful rich satin strip Paris Poult de Soie; Chamelon and Ture Satins; real Mohair Satin Stripe Lustre; rich Paris Printed Cashmere de Laines; Frence Merinoes, Thibet Cloths, Flannels, Muselins, &c., all astonishingly low. Shawls, Ribbons, &c., cheap. WILLIAM BEECHER.

11. Newspaper: Philadelphia Public Ledger: ad for William Beecher's dry goods store, 25 Nov 1848, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ²⁴ GREAT CENTRAL ATTRACTION FOR CHEAP DRY GOODS. -- Constantly receiving new and cheap Fancy and Staple Dry Goods from the large Auction Sales. Also, from the Importers, to which the attention of buyers is particuraly invited, at the New Store, Northeast corner of EIGHTH and ARCH Street.
WILLIAM BEECHER.

12. Census in 1850 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ²⁵ William Beecher, merchant, 35, was living with wife Elizabeth M., 27; Mary E., 12; Rebecca, 10; Emily, 8; William, 7; Coleman, 5. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania.

13. Newspaper: Philadelphia Public Ledger: ad for William Beecher's dry goods store, 5 Oct 1850, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ²⁶ WANTED -- All the ladies to call at the Store, N. E. corner of EIGHTH and ARCH Streets -- the great central attraciton for cheap DRY GOODS. Just received, a large assortment of New Fall Goods, consisting of Silks, Cashmeres, De Laines, Merinoes, &c. Also, a large lot of elegant Shawls, all particularly cheap.
WILLIAM BEECHER.

14. Newspaper: Philadelphia Public Ledger: ad for William Beecher's dry goods store, 21 Dec 1850, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. ²⁷ WANTED -- All the Ladies to know that we are selling off REMNANTS and the balance of Winter Stock at uncommonly low prices. Call at the Northeast corner of EIGHTH and ARCH Sts. A lot of SHAWLS just received, cheaper than ever. Buyers will please call soon. WILLIAM BEECHER.

15. Census in 1860 in Pottstown, Montgomery, PA. ¹³ William Bucher [as indexed in 1860 census but handwriting is Beecher], occupation merchandise, 48, was living with Elizabeth M., 39; William H., 16; Coleman H., 15; Myers C., 9; Alice A. H., 4; and domestic Henrietta Pierce, 18. William was born in Maryland, the others in Pennsylvania. His real estate was worth $7,000 and personal estate $300. The post office was Pottstown.
.

16. Residence: in 1865 in Pottstown, Montgomery, PA. ¹

17. Census in 1870 in Pottstown, Montgomery, PA. ²⁸ William Beecher, wholesale spice merchant, 55, was living with Elizabeth, 25; Myers, 21, farm laborer; Alice, 14; Martha H., 3; Bertha M., 1. Also: Coleman Beecher, 24, farmer, and Ellen, 21, who had been married in May of this year according to the census. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. William's real estate was worth $20,000 and personal estate $1,000. The post office was Pottstown.

18. William's death record at Trinity Reformed Church states names of his parents, two wives, etc. on 27 Feb 1875 in Pottstown: Christ Episcopal Church, Montgomery, PA. ¹² From church record book:
William Beecher of William Beecher and Elizabeth.
Born: 11 Sep 1811.
Marriages: 1st Elisabeth Coleman, 2nd W. Elisabeth Sites on 7 Nov 1865.
Children: by Elisabeth Coleman: 3 sons, 4 daughters; by Elisabeth Sites: 2 sons, 2 daughters.
Died: 27 Feb 1875, 63 years 5 months 16 days.
Text: Psalms 127.2.
Burial: Edgewood Cemetery.

19. Church: Burial record at Trinity United Church of Christ, 28 Feb 1875, Pottstown, Montgomery, PA. ²⁹ Burial Record:
William Beecher of William Beecher and Elizabeth. Born Sept. 11 1811, married 1st time to Elisabeth Coleman 3 sons, 4 daughters
2. Time Nov & 1865 to Elisabeth Sites, 2 sons, 2 daughters.
died Feb 27, 1875. Age 63-5-16. Psalms 127.2. Dropsy. Interment Edgewood Cemetery.

20. Newspaper: Reading Times: "To-morrow the William Beecher farm on the turnpike near Pottstown, will be sold at auction at Shuler's Hotel.", 10 Apr 1876, Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA. ³⁰

William married Elizabeth Mary Coleman, daughter of Nicholas Coleman and Rebecca Nagel, on 8 Sep 1835 in Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA. (Elizabeth Mary Coleman was born about 1821 in Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA,²⁵ died on 5 Jan 1864 in Pottstown, Montgomery, PA ^{31 32} and was buried on 7 Jan 1864 in Reading: Charles Evans Cemetery, Berks, PA ³¹.)

William next married Elizabeth Mary Sites, daughter of John Sites and Henrietta B. Herr, on 7 Nov 1865 in Pottstown: Trinity Reformed Church, Montgomery, PA.¹ (Elizabeth Mary Sites was born on 16 Sep 1843 in Antrim Twp., Franklin, PA,^{33 34 35 36 37} died on 25 Aug 1925 in Pottstown, Montgomery, PA ^{36 37 38} and was buried on 29 Aug 1925 in Pottstown: Edgewood Cemetery, Montgomery, PA ^{36 37}.)