William Beecher ^{2 3 4 5 6 7}

   Other names for William were Wilhelm Bicher ⁸ and William Bücher.⁸

   FamilySearch ID: LD9K-HDP.

  Christening Notes:

Sponsors were the parents.

  Burial Notes:

Tombstone: Beecher, Wm, d. May 27, 1879, ae 79y-7m-12d (finger points up)

  Noted events in his life were:

1. He has conflicting birth information of His date of birth estimated from his tombstone is Oct 1799 which differs by one month exactly from his correct birth in his christening record in the church., 15 Oct 1799 and New Holland, Lancaster, PA.

2. Census in 1800 in Churchtown, Lancaster, PA. ⁹ A John Bicher is listed in Churchtown in the 1800 Census in Lancaster County in Caernarvon Township. The household included:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1791-1800) = 3 sons (George, Jacob, William)
10-15 (1785-1790) = 2 sons (Samuel, John)
26-44 (1756-1774) = 1 father (John)
Females (born)
Under 10 (1791-1800) = 2 daughters (Catharine, Maria)
10-15 (1785-1790) = 2 daughters (Margaret, Magdalena "Polly")
26-44 (1756-1774) = 1 mother (Mary Ann)

This is the only John found in the Census anywhere near New Holland where we know John Bucher/Bicher was attending church in 1803.

3. Census in 1810 in Bern Twp., Berks, PA. ¹⁰ The household of John Beiher is listed in 1810 in Bern Township with:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1801-1810) = 2 sons (William & Benjamin)
26-44 (1766-1784) = 1 father ( John)
Females (born)
Under 10 (1801-1810) = 1 daughter (Lydia)
16-25 (1785-1794) = 1 mother (Mary Ann)

Neighbors are surnames Witman/Wetman; Klein; Machemer. This Beiher is the only Beecher-like surname found in all of Bern Township after a page-by-page review.

4. Tax List: Exonerations in County Tax in Earl Township in 1821: Freemen: Biecher Wm. .50, 1821, Earl Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹¹

5. Census in 1830 in Earl Twp., Lancaster, PA. ¹² The 1830 census recorded William Becher [as recorded] with this household:
Males (born)
Under 5 (1826-1830) = 1 son (William)
5-9 (1821-1825) = 1 son (Henry)
30-39 (1791-1800) = 1 father (William)
Females (born)
Under 5 (1826-1830) = 1 daughter (Harriett)
5-9 (1821-1825) = 1 daughter (Mary Ann)
20-29 (1801-1810) = 1 mother (Julia Ann).

6. On 17 Jan 1833 in New Holland: Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, PA. ⁸ Five of William and Julianna's children are baptized at once on 17 Jan 1833 under the surname Bücher at the Trinity Lutheran Church in New Holland. Matilda is baptized there later in Apr 1834, but after that we cannot find this family active in this church. Perhaps they moved?.

7. Residence: William's daughter Mary was married on this date in Franklin Co. OH on 28 Nov 1838 in , Franklin, Ohio, United States.

8. Census in 1840 in Jefferson Township, Franklin, Ohio, United States. ¹³ The 1840 census recorded William Giher [sic, as written by census taker] with this household:
Males (born)
10-14 (1826-1830) = 2 sons (Henry, William)
40-49 (1791-1800) = 1 father (William)
Females (born)
Under 5 (1836-1840) = 2 daughters (Julia Ann, Barbary)
5-9 (1831-1835) = 2 daughters (Almina, Matilda)
10-14 (1826-1830) = 1 daughter (Harriett)
30-39 (1801-1810) = 1 mother (Juliann)
Persons Employed in Agriculture = 3
William was living next door to his sister Barbara Beecher Neiswender's families and also next to the family headed by his cousin, John G. Bicher (1800-1851).

9. Census in 1850 in Mifflin Twp., Franklin, OH. ¹⁴ William Reaker [mispelling of Beecher], farmer, 50, was living with wife Julia, 48.; Henry, farmer, 25; Elmina, 19; Matilda, 17; Julia, 14; and Barbary, 12. Everyone's birthplace is Pennsylvania except Ohio for the two youngest children. William's real estate is worth $500, and he is likely living on land given to him by his neighor and father-in-law, Henry Carpenter, occupation "none", 72, and his wife Harriett, 71, whose real estate is worth $400.
.

10. Court: Franklin Probate Court: Consent for Marriage or Julian A. Beecher to William V. Beecher on 2 Apr 1853 in , Franklin, Ohio, United States. ¹⁵ To the Probate court of Franklin County, Ohio
I, William Beecher, the father of Julian A. Beecher who is under the age of eighteen years, hereby consent to the marriage of my said daughter with William V. Beecher
(signed) William Beecher, tanner
(signed) Julian Beeccher

Theodore Jones, April 2, 1853
The state of Ohio Franklin County SS.
I, Theodore Jones, make solem oath that I saw William & JUlian Beecher, father + mother of Julian A. Beecher above named sign the above and that they consented to the marriage of their said daughter with William V. Beecher, above named.
(signed) Theodore Jones

Sworn to and subscribed before me in the open court his 2d day of April AD 1853
(signed) Wm F. Wheeler
Dept. Clerk Prob Court

---

THE STATE OF OHIO, FRANKLIN COUNTY, SS.

This 2d day of April A.D. 1853 personally came Theodore Jones and made oath that William V. Beecher is twenty-one years of age, and that Julian A. Beecher is a resident of this county; that both said last named persons are unmarried, and that there is no legal impediment to their being joined in marriage.
(signed) Theodore Jones

Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year above named.
(signed) Wm F. Wheeler
Dp Clk Probate Court of Franklin Co.

11. Pension in 1854. ¹⁶ Following in a copy of a letter from U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, received by Mrs. Harry Kennett McAdams, 309 N. Broadway, Lexington, KY. [Ms. McAdams is a descendent.]

"I advise you that form the papers in the Revolutionary War Pension Claim, S.39982, it appears that John Beecher, or Becher, enlisted in Lebanon, in what was later Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, April, 1788, served as a Private in Captain Meng's Company, Colonel Benjamin Flowers Artillery Artificers Regiment and was discharged April 3, 1779.

"He was allowed a Pension on his application executed November 28, 1818, while a resident of Berne Township, Berks County, Pa., aged over fifty-six years. He died March 22, 1819.

"Soldier's wife, Mary Ann Beecher, died November 11, 1837. Her maiden name and date of marriage not stated.

"In 1854, Jacob Nyswender and Henry Carpenter stated in Columbus, Ohio, that the following were the children and only heirs of said John and Mary Ann Beecher:

"John Beecher, of Berks County, Pa.

"William Beecher and Barbara Nyswender, both of Franklin County, Ohio.

"Margaret Mulliner, of Philadelphia, Pa.

"Benjamin Beecher, Jacob Beecher, and Catherine Paxon, all of Chester Co., Pa.

"Samuel Beecher, of Lancaster Co., Pa.

"Lydia Cook, of Clark Co., Va.

"There is no record in this bureau of land having been granted by the United States, on account of the service of the above named Revolutionary War Soldier, John Beecher, or Becher.

"Respectfully,
Winfield Scott, Commissioner, Rev. and 1812 Wars Section."

12. Census in 1860 in Mifflin Twp., Franklin, OH. ² William Beacher, 60, farmer and currier, is listed in the 1860 Census in Mifflin Township, Franklin County, Ohio with real estate valued at $500 and possessions worth $400. He is living with Julian, 55; and Matilda, 25. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. The post office is Gahanna.

13. Census in 1870 in Richland Twp., Miami, IN. ¹⁷ The 1870 census recorded Wm. Heecher [recorded wrong], retired farmer, 70, living with wife Julia, 67. They were born in Pennsylvania. William's land was valued at $800 and personal estate $200.
Next door is Henry Bucher [two handwritten e's look like a u so was transcribed wrong in census], 46, farmer, living with wife Catherine, 50; Adam, 18; and Rufus, 13. The parents were born in Pennsylvania, the children in Ohio. Henry's real estate was valued at $5,000. Post office was Chili.

14. Book: History of Franklin and Pickaway Counties, Ohio, 1880. ⁵
THE VILLAGE or GAHANNA, OR BRIDGEPORT, is a hamlet of about three hundred population, of comparatively recent growth. It is located in the east part of the township, upon Big Walnut creek, and midway between the northern and southern boundaries of the township. That portion of the village which is Gahanna was laid out in 1849 by John Clark, esq., and the other, properly called Bridgeport, was laid out in 1853 by Jesse Baughman. The village was never incorporated. The first place of residence which was built upon the site of Gahanna was a log cabin erected by John Ridenour and dwelt in by John Starritt. The first tavern was kept by James Staley and was known as the Mifflin hotel .The first store was kept by Thomas Young and the second by William Beecher. Gahanna has had a slow growth and very moderate business improvement. Three of the four churches of the township are situated in the village, and it has a good school, at present under the charge of Leonard Graham of Reynoldsburg. William Ross is postmaster, storekeeper, and hotel landlord. The other stores are those of Mrs. S. A. Quinn and Mrs. F. M. Petry. Wagon making is carried on by John Zuber and Jonas Glick, and Jacob and Charles Breiret are manufacturers of carriages. Theodore Carpenter is a tinner and hardware dealer.

15. Book: Kentucky Pioneer and Court Records, 1929. ¹⁸
William married Julia Carpenter (of Pa.); lived near Columbus, Ohio. Had 6 children.

16. Fact: A History of Gahanna, Mifflin Township, Franklin County, Ohio, Feb 1939, Gahanna, Franklin, OH. ¹⁹ GAHANNA
In 1949-50 John Clark, Esq. and Jesse Baughman, living in close proximity, were mutually inspired to found a town, which may some time grow into a city. Squire Clark, living on one side of the dividing line, laid out and had platted a town bearing the name of Gahanna. Squire Baugham proceeded to lay out and have platted a town which he christened Bridgeport, and it became a race as to which name should survive. It is now Gahanna.
The name Gahanna is supposed to be an Indian word meaning two in one, perhaps because of the two villages which serged into one, or because of one creek flowing into another, at which point, it is said, there was an Indian settlement.
The village of Gahanna is located in the eastern part of the township, upon Big Walnut Creek. Rocky Ford Creek, a branch of Big Walnut, is east of Gahanna. The village is about nine miles from Columbus, the capital city of Chio; and midway between the northern and southern boundaries of the township.
The first place of residence built upon the site of Gahanna was a log cabin erected by John Ridenour. The first tavern was managed by James Staley and was known as the Mifflin Hotel. The owner of the first store was Thomas Young. William Beecher also had a store. Mifflin Lodge No. 518 is an organization of Odd Fellows which meets in Gahanna. It was instituted in June 1872. A Post Office was established in 1849. Thomas Young was Post Master until 1853 when John T. Baughman was appointed.
There were two churches contiguous to the village, one a good frame building belonging to the Presbyterians, the other a brick building belonging to the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations.
Today, Gahanna is a very busy little place, close to the airport recently established by the City of Columbus.
Rocky Fork Run and Country Club is a short distance east of the village and the country surrounding Gahanna is fast being taken up by residents of Columbus for handsome suburban homes.
There is an excellent elementary school and the new Lincoln High School was built a few years ago and has been enlarged since then.
The Tri-Community News, edited and published by Charles A. Pagler, assisted by R. K. Waldron, is an outstanding news sheet.
Electricity is furnished to the village by the Columbus and Southern Electric Company and natural gas is available. A project is being pushed to bring a city water and sewerage system from Columbus.
All in all, the people of Gahanna and the surrounding county are not back-woods people by any means, as they enjoy all the conveniences of larger towns and cities with the fresh air and open spaces thrown in.
<Feb. 1939 Compiled by Miss Hortense Hamlin Brooks, Gahanna, OH Box 83>
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William married Julia Ann Carpenter, daughter of Henry Carpenter and Henrietta, on 18 Jul 1821 in New Holland, Lancaster, PA.¹ (Julia Ann Carpenter was born on 19 Feb 1803 in Earl Twp., Lancaster, PA,²⁰ died on 12 Jun 1883 in Jefferson Twp., Miami, IN ^{20 21} and was buried in Mexico: Old Mexico Cemetery, Miami, IN ^{20 21}.)