The Beasley/Baysley/BeselieFamily

If you arrived here by web search, you likely have a keen interest in the Besly/Beselie/Beasley Family.

This section has yet to be appended to the Beasley Family page on
www.rockleigh.org

There are serious problems finding appropriate primary sources and there may be genealogical errors. Some of the conclusions presented are based on circumstantial or deductive evidence. While perhaps likely, they need to be considered at this time as hypothetical.

This is not meant to be a complete Beasley Family Tree, rather those portions relevant to the History of Rockleigh Borough, NJ.

Corrections or clarifications are welcome: ewa1@columbia.edu]

Much of the Beasley Family presented here has been provided courtesy of Beasley descendents and researchers:
 John Aitken Sneden, Jr., Alfred Leonard Beasley, Sharilyn Whitaker

Persecution of the Huguenots in France during the seventeenth century.

1i.      Etienne Besly/Beselie  (c.1645, St. Etienne d'Ars, Isle de Re, France -?), "merchant of LaRochelle", possible son of Jean Besly & Louise Sauton, married Elizabeth de Cruzeau, and had sons Jean, Etienne, and daughters Marianne and Elizabeth, twins, (only Elizabeth surviving), and another daughter Marianne the next year.* He emigrated in 1681 with presumed brother, Jean, to New York. However, no solid evidence has been found to place Etienne in NewYork or New Rochelle, NY.**

* Personal communications of Sharilyn Whitaker from communications and writings
of Georganna Klass Willits, Madeleine C. Winslow,  and John Williams.
** Charles E. Baird: History of the Huguenot Emigration to America.

1ii.     Jean/John Besly/Beselie (c.1645, Rochelle, France <1689, Croton Point, NY), a fugitive Huguenot from the Isle de Re, two miles off the coast of Rochelle, France, possible, but unproven, son of Jean Besly & Louise Sauton, [Alternatively, it has been postulated that Jean was brother of Oliver Besly of Isle de Re.] With presumed brother or cousin, Etienne (c.1650), he emigrated to New York in 1681. 

Jean married c.1670 Grace (Grees) Cerant of/or Heering, presumably of French birth. Because no record of this marriage can be found in the early New York church records, it is likely that they were married before they embarked for America. Upon arrival, they moved north along the Hudson and settled "among the aborigines" near Croton Point, just north of the Croton river.*

* John Williams, RootsWeb discussion
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/Dutch-Colonies/1999-09/0938447275

Jean/John and Grace had two sons and a daughter before John died in 1689:

    i. Jane/Jannetje (?-?) who became the 2nd wife of Francois Guillaumes,
   ii. Jan Beselie (c.1684-?); and
  iii. Frans/Francis/Frenk Beselie (b. abt. 1686, bp.1 Jun 1695, d. aft. 1750).*^/***

Widow Grace (Grees) married on 19 Feb 1689, at Croton Point by permission, bachelor Robert Willemszen/Williams of "Old England", the first inhabitant of Croton Point. William, accepting Jan and Francis, moved the family moved across the Croton River to a leasehold of Philipsburgh Manor.

Robert & Grace had four children which were:

    i. Grace Willemse (?-?)*;
   ii. Jan Willemse (?-?)* poss. m Zara/Sara --?-- [Children: Jan (bp. 27 Apr 1728-?)];
  iii. Rachel Willemse (?-?)*;
  iv. Maria Willemsze (c.1690, bpt 12 Aug 1698 - c.1732) wed c.1706 Englebert Hoff of Cortlandt Manor, nine children; [Likely a daughter of Robert Willimse with a prior wife.]
 iiv. Robert Willemse (1693, bpt 12 Aug 1698 Philipsburgh, NY -?) m.(1) 28 Mar 1714, Tarrytown DRC, Maritie Jurckse (c. 1693 in Haverstraw, NY- bef 1723), daughter of Johannes Paulis Jurckse & Jannetje Dareth, [Children: Jane (1734-?) m. Gregory Storm] m.(2) on 28 Aug 1723 Jannetje van WERT (c.1698 in Philipsburgh, NY -?) at ODC-Sleepy Hollow, NY;
iiiv. Helena Willemse (1698, bpt 12 Aug 1698  Philipsburgh, NY -?) m. 29 Nov 1719 at ODC-Sleepy Hollow, NY Jan Beljee,.**^/***

2 i.          Jan "John" Beselie/Beesly (c.1684-?), son of Jean/John Beselie & Grace Cerant, m. c.1707* Annetji "Antie" Hercksen/Syboutsen (bp.19 Mar 1684 -?), dau of Hercx/Herckse Sybouts (b.1644) & Marytje Rycken Van Lent Ecker (b.1649) of the "Poor Bowery", Newtown, NY.

The membership roles of the Philipsburgh Manor (Sleepy Hollow) RDC (1697-1778) show Antje Sybout, wife of Jan Beesly, a member from Cortland Manor.

*Jan and Jannetji Beesly were listed on 16 Jun 1707
as sponsors at the baptism of Greesje Hoff,
daughter of Engle & Maria Hoff. Tarrytown RDC, Tarrytown, NY

Children Jan Beselie & Annetji Syboutsen included:

    i. Marytje (bp.2 Aug 1709, Tarrytown RDC -?)*,
   ii. Jan (bp.21 Mar 1711, Tarrytown RDC - poss. dy)*,
  iii.  Annatji "Anna" (1719- ?) m. on 17 Sep 1737 at Tarrytown RDC Albert(us) Van Texel/Tassell (25 May 1714-?), son of Jan Van Tassell & Catharina Springsteen of Brooklyn. [Children: Annatji Van Tassell (c.1745), John Van Tassel (b.1747), Albert Van Tassell (b.1748)];
  iv. Jan, (13 Jun 1724-?).*

    i. Jannitje (bp. 6 Nov 1711, Tarrytown RDC-?);
   ii. Sybout (bp.1714-?) m. 1745 Zara de Melt of New York. [Children:  i. Seybout (bp. 5 Jul 1746 -?) ii. Maragrietye  (bp.24 Aug 1748-?); iii. Fransus (9 Jun 1750), iv. Johannis (bp.26 Oct 1754) ];
  iii. Mary (bp. 1715-?) m. c.1735 John Daniels of Croton Point. [Children: Rachel Daniels (20 Jun 1738-?) m. c.1758 Edward Avery of Dutchess Co];
  iv. John/Jan (bp.1718 -?);
   v. Rachel; vi. Hilletje (bp 26 Jun 1722-?) m. 3 Dec 1743 Johannes Krankheit/Cranckheyt (b. 1720, Philipsburgh -?) , four children [i. Hilletje Krankheit (b. 1744), Timothy Krankheit (b.1749), Hiletje Krankheit (b.1749)' Magdalene Krankheit (b. 1765)]:
 vii. Abraham (bp.31 Oct 1724-?);
viii. Frans/Francis (15 Apr 1727-dy);
  ix. Jacobus/James (bp 27 Jul 1729-?), mariner, poss. m. in Tarrytown RDC, NY, Maritie Ecker (b.18 Mar 1754);
   x. Lea (bp 19 Jun 1731-?); poss.
  xi. Francis (1734-<1830).

* Baptism Record of the Tarrytown Reformed Dutch Church,
Tarrytown, Westchester Co, NY

3 iv.     John/Jan Beselie (Beeslie) (bp. 24 Jun 1718, Ossining -<1790), son of Francis Beselie & Hilletje Sybouts-Cranckheit, wed Helena "Lena" Conklin (1716-?), daughter of John Conklin (son of John Conklin "of Flushing and Rye") & 2nd wife Lydia -?-.

John and Lena resided in Ossining where they had children:

    i. Lena;
   ii. Annatie (bp 6 Jun 1741-?);
  iii. Francis (bp.1742-?);
  iv. Jane (bp. 1744-?);
   v. Abraham (bp 1747), removed to Digby, Nova Scotia;
  vi. John (? -<1785) remained in Philipsburgh.*

3 vii.    Abram/Abraham Beselie (bp.24 Oct 1724, Tarrytown -1777), son of Francis Beselie & Hilletje Sybouts-Cranckheit, wed on 18 Jan 1747 at the Tarrytown RDC Catherine Luer (c.1748, Hooghduytsland -<1810) and settled in Philipsburgh.

Children of Abraham & Hilletje Syboutsen include:

    i. Catrina (bp. 1748-?);
   ii. Marrettye (bp. 25 Oct 1749-dy),
  iii. Maritie "Mary" (bp.28 Oct 1753-?);
  iv. Francis (c.1754 - aft. 1820);
   v. unknown son, poss. Thomas;
  vi. William (c.1758 - bef.1810),
 vii. John (bp.1760 - bef.1820).

In the second half of the 16th century, most of the Philipsburgh Beselies were Loyalists. Abraham was a scout for Gen. Burgoyne's troops in the Hudson Valley. At the time that the British troops were escaping or surrendering in the vicinity of Saratoga, Abraham contracted small pox and died. Several Philipsburgh Beselies moved to Brooklyn.*

On 15 July 1783 Catherine fled to New York City and on 24 September 1783 embarked for Annapolis, NS, with two of her sons, Francis and William, on a ship mastered by Abraham's brother, James.

Her claim for assistance was rejected by the Crown. The hardships in Annapolis were more than she could endure. She returned to New York, accompanied by Francis and William, on the vessel "Peggy", again mastered by James Beselie. They settled in Brooklyn to rebuild their lives, living, it appears from the 1790 census, in the household of her son, William and his wife, no children. The 1800 census shows William (under 45), and suggests his wife and mother (both over 46), a daughter and a son both under ten. The 1810 census indicates the absence of William and his mother, but his widow and two daughters are listed.

4 iv.     Francis Beselie/Baisley/Baseley (c.1754->1820), son of Abraham Beselie & Catherine Luer.  Francis is listed 20 Jan 1783 on the Muster Roll of Capt. Caleb Fowler's Company of the Loyal American Regiment.  In 1784, he was living in Annapolis, NS. By 1787, Francis had returned to Brooklyn. He appears to have married by 1790, his wife's name unknown [Sarah Ann Leonard of Annapolis, NS, is a possibility]. He appears in the 1790-1820 Brooklyn census enumerations (see below).

The approximate ages of Francis (b.<1755), his wife (bet.1755/8) and children can be determined reasonably by the jumps in the age brackets in each ten-year census.

Analysis of consecutive census enumerations reveals four  probable sons of Francis Baseley. Three of the four male children are identifiable as:

    i. Abraham (<1795 - <1830);
   ii.  David (1790> - <1800).
  iii. Leonard (bet.1794/9 - 1843),
  iv. a fourth male child may have died young.

5 i.        Abraham Baseley (b.<1795, d.<1830), identified as a probable son of Frances Beselie/Baisley (b. c1754).  In the census 1800 and 1810, Abraham seems  to be counted in the household of his father, Francis. In 1820, he is listed in his own household with a family. He seems to have died by the 1830 census. His widow seems to have died before the 1840 census. Is is plausible that one of his orphaned daughters, Elizabeth Beasley, (1818-1900) would be taken into the household of her uncle, Leonard Baysley, and later marry Abner Conklin of Palisades, NY.

5 ii.   David Beasely  (b.1790><1800, d. ?) identified as probable middle son of Frances Beselie/Baisley (b. c.1754).

5 iii.     Leonard (Baisley, Beasley, Beselie) Baysley (c.1792 - 3 Jun 1843, Brooklyn, re-interred on 14 Aug 1868 in Green-Wood Cem, Brooklyn, NY*), identified as probable youngest son of Frances Beselie/Baisley (b. c.1754), was a marketman from "Long Island." Leonard married on 18 Dec 1816 at Tappan RDC Elizabeth Snidon [sic] (10 Oct 1798, Rockland, NJ -?) daughter of 2nd Samuel Sneden & Elizabeth Gesner-Conklin. [see Sneden Family]

 “Dec. 18,1816 Leonard Baysley van Long Island mit Elizabeth Snidon van Tappan.”  *

* Record of Marriages, RDC, Tappan, NY

In the post-Revolutionary period, ? Basiley and Samuel Sneaden had built houses on  portions of adjacent estates close by the East River in Green Point section of Bushwick.

"On the river bank (between India and Java streets) was the old [pre-Revolutionary] Abraham Meserole house. Upon this estate was erected, in later times, a building known as the Baisley house, which was used for many years as a tenant house for the farm. It [was located] on H, near Franklin street." —Stiles: , "History of Brooklyn",Vol II, p 407.

Leonard and Elizabeth raised the following children:

    i. Elizabeth Beasley (1818 -1900) not accounted for in the early households of Leonard, thus poss. an adopted niece, perhaps the orphaned daughter of Abraham Baisley & Mary; 
   ii. Sarah Ann Beasley (1820-1902*); 
  iii.  Leonard Beasley, Jr  (1823-1887);
  iv. Jacob S. Beasley (3 Jan 1826, Brooklyn - int.11 Nov 1868*, Lot 17867 Green-Wood Cem, Brooklyn) m. Sarah -?- and lived in Brooklyn, NY; and
   v. Samuel Beasley (1830-1911).

* Headstone, The Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Summer View of Brooklyn
An 1820 painting by Francis Guy from the window at 11 Front Street,
the same location as the 1853 Coleman painting, below.
Brooklyn Historical Society Museum

Winter Scene in Brooklyn
An 1853 painting by Louisa Ann Coleman,
 depicts "Old Brooklyn" just east of the Fulton Ferry as it was in 1817-1820.
Front Street to the left and Fulton Street to the right.
Museum of the City of New York

Excerpts from Last Will and Testament of Leonard Beasley, probated 17 Nov 1843.

“To wife Elizabeth $500 and lands. Balance of estate to children [not named]. Executors: said wife and son Leonard. Witnesses: Nathan B. Morse, counselor at law and John Stoothoff, both of Brooklyn.

Petition by said widow, of Rockland Co., NY shows testator died at Brooklyn 3 June 1843leaving said widow and said son, and daughters Elizabeth, wife of Abner Conklin; Sarah, wife of Cornelius Stoothoff; and sons Jacob, and Samuel, said Leonard, Jacob and Samuel being minors."

PRO: 17 Nov 1843, pp 389-395.

In the fall of 1843, a few months after the death of Leonard, Elizabeth and her younger unmarried children (Leonard, Jacob, and Samuel) moved to Closter road, Palisades, NY, to reside in a dwelling on the John Willsey farm (her second cousin) which would subsequently become the Bolting House (no longer standing, but just north of her g-uncle, Nicholas Gesner). This was just across the state line from her daughter Elizabeth Conklin and her husband, Abner, who were living with or next to her parents, Samuel Sneden, Jr, & Elizabeth Conklin, in Harrington Twp, NJ.

In the 1850 census [NY, Rockland Co, Orangetown, page 202] lists Elizabeth Beasley (52) as head of household with Samuel Beasley (19).

Elizabeth married secondly in Dec 1853 at Tappan RDC to Daniel Duryea (5 Nov 1804 - bef.1858) of Orangetown.  In 1858 Elizabeth was described as a widow residing in Brooklyn. Most of the Beasley family were interred in the Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn.

6iv.   Elizabeth Beasley (17 July 1818, Brooklyn - 15 Feb 1900, int. Rockland Cem, Sparkill, NY), likely orphaned daughter of Abraham Beasley & Mary -?- and "adopted" by Leonard Baysley & Elizabeth Sneden. Elizabeth wed c.1839 Abner Conklin (8 Aug 1815 - 25 Dec 1897, int. Rockland Cem, Sparkill, NY), a builder of "British-style" houses and son of Mathias Conklin & poss. Marytje Wagel of Tappan, NY. Abner served in the Civil War.

Abner Conklin and Elizabeth Beasley had two children:

    i. Elizabeth Sneden Conklin (8 Aug 1843*-?),
   ii. Emeline Conklin, (14 Mar 1844* -dy).

The 1840 Federal census lists Abner Conklin and his wife (likely Elizabeth Beasley, with no children) living adjacent to Samuel Sneden - Elizabeth's step grandfather.

About 1850, Abner bought a parcel of land in Palisades (78 Closer Road) from Maria Lawrence and built a hip-roofed, timber-framed, clapboard-sided house in the Greek Revival style. Conklin family heirs lived in the Conklin House in Palisades, NY, well into the 20th century. 

* Baptized 16 Sep 1844 by Rev F. Lummis at Palisades M.E. Methodist Church
Records of the Palisades M. E. Church,. m/s Palisades Free library, Palisades, NY

* 1850 Federal Census, Harrington Township, Bergen Co, N page 285 [Image 17]
** 1860 Federal Census, New York, Rockland County, Orangetown,
*** 1880 Federal Census, New York, Rockland County, Orangetown, Dist. 53, page 2.

7ii.    Elizabeth Sneden Conklin (8 Aug 1843, NJ*-?), dau of Abner Conklin & Elizabeth Beasley wed 24 Nov 1864 David Powles (1842/43, NJ - ?) of Harrington Twp, NJ, who served as a Private "With Distinction" between 1862-1863 in the 22^nd NJ Infantry. The family lived with Abner & Elizabeth Conklin on Closter Road in Palisades, NY.

One child,  Edwin Powles (c.1871, NJ-?), Storage Manager,  m. Martha -?- (1881, NJ-?) and resided on Berkley Place, Brooklyn. 
[Children: i. Harold Abner (26 Jun 1900, NJ - May 1968, FL), Garage Mechanic, m. Barbara -?- (1898, NY-?); ii. Edwin (c.1904-?)].***

* Baptized 16 Sep 1844 by Rev F. Lummis at Palisades M.E. Methodist Church.
** 1880 Federal Census, New York, Rockland County, Orangetown. Dist. 53, page 2.
*** 1920 Federal Census, New York, Kings, Brooklyn. ED 566, page 12A.

2ii.    Sarah Ann Beasley (28 Nov 1820, Brooklyn -  7 Sep 1902 [int.10 Sep 1902, Lot 17867, Green-Wood Cem., Brooklyn]), dau. of Leonard Baysley & Elizabeth Sneden, m. in 1843 Cornelius G. Stoothoff (bp. 8 May 1821, Flatlands, NY - 20 Jun 1896, int. 23 Jun 1896, Lot 17867 Green-Wood Cem., Brooklyn), Ferry fare collector, son of Garret C. Stoothoff (1797, Flatlands -1845) & Jane Duryea (1796-?), resided 1880* and 1896 at 234 Clermont Ave, Brooklyn.

Daughter: Eliza Jane (1850-1928).

3i.     Eliza Jane "Lydia" Stoothoff (c.1850* - int. 8 Nov 1928, Lot 17867 Green-Wood Cem., Brooklyn), daughter of Sarah Ann Beasley & Cornelius G. Stoothoff,  m. 29 Nov 1870 Edward W. Loder (1849-?), dry goods man, and resided with her parents in 1800 and 1896 at 234 Clermont Ave, Brooklyn.*

Children:

    i. Cornelius S. Loder (c.1874*- int. 7 May1948, Lot 17867 Green-Wood Cem., Brooklyn), Financier, m. c.1908 Alice G. -?- (1876**-?) {?? 3 Nov 1915 Eliza J. -?- of Maplewood, NJ}, resided in 1920 at 7 Central Ave, Leonia, NJ, then on Oak Tree Place in 1930*** [Children: Allen G (1909**-1994, Sparta, NJ), Elizabeth "Eliza" J. (1915**-?1957, FL)]; and
   ii. Edith Loder (1877**-?).

* 1880 US Census, New York, Kings, Brooklyn, Dist 199 , Page 22 (Image 22)
** 1920 US Census, New Jersey, Bergen, Leonia, Dist 56, Sheet 1A (Central Ave)
*** 1930 US Census, New Jersey, Bergen, Leonia, Dist 135, Sheet 3A  (Image 5)

2iii.    Leonard Beasley, Jr  (25  Jun 1823, Brooklyn - 22 Feb 1887), son of Leonard Baysley & Elizabeth Sneden, NYC Policeman, m. on 24 May 1849 Ann Eliza Roe (20 Jul 1827 - 21 Aug 1909) dau. of Samuel Rider Roe & Sarah Messinger/Messenger and lived in Brooklyn, NY.

Children:

  i. Leonard  3^rd (27 Feb 1850 -6 Feb 1917), store clerk, m. 6 Aug 1874 Rosellen Wright (?- 17 May 1936)
[Children: i. Mary (1876-1900) m. 1898 Rev. Francis L. Strickland of Manhattan; ii. Grace (1878-1941) m. 1889 Charles F. Wright; iii. Leonard (1882-1930) m. 1905 Edna F. Revere, iv. Harry L. Beasley (1886-1940, int. Green-Wood, Brooklyn) m. Louise W. Cornelius ];
   ii. Mary Eliza  (1852-dy);
  iii. Cornelius (7 Mar 1854-dy);
  iv. Irvine (25 Apr 1856-dy);
   v. Cyrus (25 Nov 1858-1892),
  vi. Sarah Ann (2 Jun 1862 - 25 Jun 1901),
 vii. Frank (4 Oct 1864-?),
viii. John (18 Jun 1867-?).

The 1870 Federal Census for NY, Kings Co, Brooklyn lists Leonard Beasley (47, late police), Ann E (43), Leonard (20, store clerk), Anne E (18), Cyrus (12), Sarah (8), Frank (6), John (3).*

The 1880 Federal Census lists on Van Buren Street: Leonard Beasley (57, Carpenter), Ann E. (53 , wife, keeping home), Cyrus (21, Clerk in ?? Fac.), Sarah R. (18), Frank (13, Help in Brokers Office), John (13, At school).**

* 1870 US Census, New York, Kings, Brooklyn...
** 1880 US Census, New York, Kings, Brooklyn, Dist 238, Page 16 (Image 12)

    i. Samuel Webster Beasley (1861*, Brooklyn, NY-?), lived 1911 at Hackensack, NJ.
[Children: Howard W. Beasley (22 Dec 1892, Blauvelt) never married; Irving Blauvelt Beasley (18 Feb 1894, Blauvelt - ?) m. Elizabeth Hovey];
   ii. Julia E. Beasley (16 Jan 1864*-17 Jan 1899 of pneumonia, Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY) of Palisades, NY;
  iii. George W. Beasley (1867-1932);
  iv. Lavinia Beasley (1868*- 4 Jan 1899 of "la grippe", Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY) m. Nelson Odell (1841-?) of Haverstraw, NY; and
   v. Clinton Beasley (1871*-?), in 1911 lived at Tremont, NJ.**

* [While  Samuel W. is often listed as operator of a bus line in Nyack,
the 1920 census lists George W. as proprietor].

4 v.     William Beselie (c.1758 - <1810), son of Abraham Beselie & Catherine Luer, returned from Annapolis, NS, by 1787 with his mother, Catherine, and brother, Francis. By 1790 he had married either Mary --?-- and established a household in Brooklyn with his mother, Catherine, apparently in residence. By 1800 he had young children and appears to have either died before the 1810 census wherein his household appears to be listed under Mary Baisley, Widow. [Alternatively, he may have m. 2nd in NYC Sarah Pelton (28 Oct 1768, NYC - 14 Dec 1857, East Fishkill, NY) of Brooklyn, wid. of Charles Adams and daughter of Phillip Pelton & Jame Van Nostrand of Queens and, after 1810, moved back up the Hudson to East Fishkill, NY.]

4 vi.     John Beselie/Basily (bp.1760- <1820), son of Abraham Beselie & Catherine Luer, did not flee to Nova Scotia; instead, he settled in Brooklyn. He is listed on the 16 January 1783 Muster Roll of the Colonel Beverly Robinson's Company of the Loyal American Regiment as taken prisoner 16 July 1779. He was likely repatriated and, subsequently, he appears in the census enumerations of 1790 - 1810.

Two of the three male children are identifiable as:

    i. David (b.<1800);
   ii. John (1802 in Brooklyn-?), undertaker,  m. Mary --?- (1815-?). Children: John, Jr (1842-?), George H. (1843-?), Sarah (1850-?)*

* 1860 US Census: NY>Kings>Brooklyn>page 20 (image 20)