William Beard (1754-1834)
William Beard was born to Edward and Mary Beard on May 22, 1754 in
Augusta County, Virginia, and he died on December 30, 1834 at the age
of 80. He was a Presbyterian farmer who lived at New Hope,
"Belmont" and was married to Martha Patterson (1767-1824) by Rev.
William Wilson on January 5, 1786. Martha Patterson was the
daughter of James and Deborah Patterson and bore William Beard one son,
James Patterson Beard on October 10, 1786.
In the Spring of 1824, approximately 3 years after Martha's death and
at the age of 70, William married again, this time to Margaret Gibson
(b.1781)
Much of this information is gained
from a sole source: the book, The Descendants of Edward Beard by
Pauline Beard. She
obtained a great deal of information in the mid-20th century from court
and church records, cemeteries, books, and family accounts - many of
whom have long since passed away. Much of what is known today
would not be known without her efforts and commitment.