Maybe Nathan Beach (1763-1847) aged 84
Nathan Beach was born July 16, 1763 and died July 26, 1847 at Beach Grove, Pennsylvania.
Died at age 83. Interred Beach Grove Cemetery, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
He was the son of Nathan Beach, Sr. of Wallingford, Connecticut and Desire (Herrick) Bixby Beach. Desire was the first white woman to cross the Blue Mountains into Wyoming Valley. She was lineal descendant of Sir William and Lady Joahn Herrick of Beau Manor, Loughboro (sic), England. Desire Herrick Bixby Beach had several children from her first marriage (Bixby). David (was not a son) and Elizas Bixby, her sons were killed in Wyoming Massacre.
Nathan Beach, her son, was one of the survivors of the Wyoming Massacre, and served throughout the Revolutionary War. He sat in the Senate for Luzerne County when it convened at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1806-1809. He was present at the burning of the first coal in the Jess Fell Grate. Some of his land holdings were the Mocanaqua and Shickshinny Coal beds, also Hazelton, Beaver Meadow. Nathan was present at the Louis Philippe banquet given by his very warm friend Mathias Hollenbeck.
Source: Dr. Horace J. Beach
Horace is my cousin.
--
He served in the Revolution and served in several interesting campaigns, including the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, where he witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. An autobiographical account appears in H. C. Bradsby,
Next Line: HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, S. B. Nelson & Co., Chicago, 1893, pp. 349-350, with further information on the family at pp. 809-810.
___________
Salem Township
Nathan Beach was the first settler on the Jona Gould farm. Beach Grove gets its name from him, where he was for a long time postmaster. He was a strong character man, a long-time justice of the peace and represented the county in the legislature. He was the leading public spirit in all enterprises, and had much to do in bringing mills, the turnpike and canals to this section. He was an old Revolutionary soldier. The Crarys, of Shickshinny, are his descendants.
___________
From Hazleton PA Plain Speaker, Tues. Aug 9, 1938
Nathan Beach, soldier of the Revolution, friend and business assocaite of the late Ario Pardee I, and owner of coal lands that still bear his name in Hazleton section, is written about in an article by Sarah Wood Crary of Beach Haven, who with other descendants are here for the Pioneer Days fete. She says: As a matter of history the Beach family of England had its origin in Touraine, France - name de la Beche - descendants of this de la Beche family migrated from France to England about the beginning of the Black Prince in 1396. So-called from his black armor, the Black Prince ws the son of Edward III, he was a much beloved prince but died before he came to the English throne. In the 16th century, the name de la Beche became Beach in England. In 1638 John Beach came to New Haven, Connecticut, from England. He was the ancestor of Nathan Beach of Beach Grove, Pennsylvania, the subject of this sketch. John Beach was one of the original propreitors of Wallingford, Conn., the line is as follows:
John Beach Sr., from England - Name of Wife unknown, died 1667.
Had Thomas born May 1659 - Married Phoebe Willcoxen, born 1669.
Had Nathan born Aug. 18, 1692 - Married Jemima Curtis, born Sept. 29, 1713.
Had Nathan born May 23, 1721 - Married Desire Herrick after 1760.
Had Nathan, of Beach Grove, Pa., born July 16, 1763, died July 26, 1847, - Married Susannah Thomas, born June 14, 1763, died Oct. 6, 1804.
They had:
Hannah, married William Baird of Philadelphia.
Mary, married Pierce Lemon of Northumberland.
Ann Paschall, married William Evans of Philadelphia.
Desire, married Dr. Mason Crary, of Stonington, Conn.
Thomas Paschall, married Mary Lemon of Northumberland.
Nathan, died young, unmarried.
Stephen, died young, unmarried.( Do not believe this is correct).
Josiah Thomas, unmarried
Nathan Beach of Beach Grove, was a stirring figure in the history of this section of the country from the time of his coming in 1769 at 6 years of age with the Connecticut settlers to Wyoming Valley, accompanied by his father, Nathan Sr., and his mother Desire Herrick Beach, who was the first white woman to cross the Blue Mountains into Wyoming Valley. His brother Stephen was the first white child born on the banks of the North Branch of the Susquehanna. Nathan Beach was a lad of 15 when he entered the army of the American Revolution, serving continuously until the close at Yorktown, where he saw the surrender of Cornwallis, his account of this is said by historians to be unsurpassed in vigor and interest. After the war he settled in Salem Township on the land already allotted to his father Nathan Beach Sr., in 1773. Here he established his estate which was always known as Beach Grove, and where he had a beautiful home. The Post Office, was always known as "Belle Bend", sonamed from the beautiful bend at this point of the Susquehanna. Nathan Beach held the office of Postmaster, at this place from the administration of Washington to the time of his death in 1847. He represented this County and Northumberland in the State Legislature from 1807-1810, when the seat of government was at Lancaster. It was during the Revolution, that George Washington advised Nathan Beach to secure all the property in this section he could, that some day it would be very valuable. He did this which was not only on the advice of Mr. Washington, but was the "call of the Blood" for large land holdings has always been the "call of the landed gentry" of both France and England. It will be too lengthy to cite the immense amount of property that Nathan Beach owned, which one will find mentioned in a certain degree in the Penna. Archives, Court House Record, etc. Much of it was coal lands and he sold it as coal lands.
Mocanaqua Coal Beds
Shickshinny Coal Beds
Hazleton Coal Beds
Beaver Meadow Coal Beds
Newport, Wanamie, etc.
A very interesting incident has been given many times about his coal land and Ario Pardee. Nathan Beach, an older man, Ario Pardee, a young man, and a very superior surveyor, the two were very staunch friends, on one occasion, while Nathan Beach was employing Ario Pardee to survey his lands in Hazleton, at the beginning of the Coal industry there. Nathan Beach said to Ario Pardee on this particular occasion, "If you will be as a faithful son to me in this matter, I will be as a good father to you." This was true in both of their cases. Ario surveyed faithfully - Nathan paid him for his services and besides gave him a large portion of land in Hazleton which later proved to be the richest vein there. At this time Beaver Meadow was considered to be the most promising section for Coal operations. Coleraine was owned entirely by Nathan Beach, 550 acres. In 1838 he sold this tract to Mr. Barnes of Philadelphia. Those interested in Coal in the coal fields of the present day agree that the early deeds go back to Nathan Beach. Before his death he sold much of his property and later, after his death, much of his property through inattention was sold for taxes which benefitted many corporations. Nathan Beach was a strictly temperate man which aided his sagacious nature and developed his judgment. An interesting incident is told of his selling some lands from the Hazleton region to Mr. Newhold and others of Philadelphia. This was preceded by a banquet with wine served for the different courses. Nathan Beach poured each amount of wine down his elaborate neck stock - prevalent of that day, his person was pretty well saturated with liquid, but when the deal ws made he was of clear head and true judgment, the others not so much so - it goes, without saying that Nathan Beach was the most successful in the transaction. Nathan Beach was a cousin of Zerah Beach, Esq., of Hartford, Conn., who wrote the "Articles of Capitulation", at Forty Fort in 1776, on the entry of the victorious enemy, etc. These articles have been founhd since in the British Museum, London, amonth the Haldiman papers. Nathan Beach was trustee of Wilkes-Barre's one established school, the Wilkes-Barre Academy, from 1808-1838. He was president of the Susquehanna and Lehigh Turnpike. Through Nathan Beach and Jacob Cist was put through the North Branch Canal in this section in 1828. Too numerous are the interesting incidents to relate here in this brief account but to quote from the obituary notice of Nathan Beach given in a Wilkes-Barre paper in 1847, the time of his death, his life is summed up in a few words: "Mr. Beach was a man of much energy of character and activity - active and vigilant to the last moment. Hospitable and generous in his native. His house at Beach Grove for many years was the home of the traveler without free or reward. It afforded him satisfaction when able to add to the comfort and enjoyment of others. During his life the great resources of the country were developed, canals, turnpikes, coal, etc. During the 85 years of this man's life may be dated an era in the world fraught with more thrilling consequences and of deeper moment, than the 1000 years that preceded it - an era which established a social and permanent bases of republican freedom and to which mighty projects he contributed his full share. May his memory live, and may those who enjoy the fruits of that civil and religious liberty remember that the strong arm of Nathan Beach of Beach Grove bore through the contest, the American bayonet and marched under the flag of our common country. Living he shared the respect of the community - dying the regret and sorrow of all."
Written by Sarah Wood Crary
Source: http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.easternpa/63793/mb.ashx
The Dr. Horace J. Beach mentioned above is my cousin. My mother was born Carolyn Ann Beach and was the granddaughter of Dr. Leroy Beach of Gonzales, Texas. All of us are descended from this Beach line. I have been working on the family history for over 20 years.
Nathan Beach was born July 16, 1763 and died July 26, 1847 at Beach Grove, Pennsylvania.
Died at age 83. Interred Beach Grove Cemetery, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
He was the son of Nathan Beach, Sr. of Wallingford, Connecticut and Desire (Herrick) Bixby Beach. Desire was the first white woman to cross the Blue Mountains into Wyoming Valley. She was lineal descendant of Sir William and Lady Joahn Herrick of Beau Manor, Loughboro (sic), England. Desire Herrick Bixby Beach had several children from her first marriage (Bixby). David (was not a son) and Elizas Bixby, her sons were killed in Wyoming Massacre.
Nathan Beach, her son, was one of the survivors of the Wyoming Massacre, and served throughout the Revolutionary War. He sat in the Senate for Luzerne County when it convened at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1806-1809. He was present at the burning of the first coal in the Jess Fell Grate. Some of his land holdings were the Mocanaqua and Shickshinny Coal beds, also Hazelton, Beaver Meadow. Nathan was present at the Louis Philippe banquet given by his very warm friend Mathias Hollenbeck.
Source: Dr. Horace J. Beach
Horace is my cousin.
--
He served in the Revolution and served in several interesting campaigns, including the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, where he witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. An autobiographical account appears in H. C. Bradsby,
Next Line: HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, S. B. Nelson & Co., Chicago, 1893, pp. 349-350, with further information on the family at pp. 809-810.
___________
Salem Township
Nathan Beach was the first settler on the Jona Gould farm. Beach Grove gets its name from him, where he was for a long time postmaster. He was a strong character man, a long-time justice of the peace and represented the county in the legislature. He was the leading public spirit in all enterprises, and had much to do in bringing mills, the turnpike and canals to this section. He was an old Revolutionary soldier. The Crarys, of Shickshinny, are his descendants.
___________
From Hazleton PA Plain Speaker, Tues. Aug 9, 1938
Nathan Beach, soldier of the Revolution, friend and business assocaite of the late Ario Pardee I, and owner of coal lands that still bear his name in Hazleton section, is written about in an article by Sarah Wood Crary of Beach Haven, who with other descendants are here for the Pioneer Days fete. She says: As a matter of history the Beach family of England had its origin in Touraine, France - name de la Beche - descendants of this de la Beche family migrated from France to England about the beginning of the Black Prince in 1396. So-called from his black armor, the Black Prince ws the son of Edward III, he was a much beloved prince but died before he came to the English throne. In the 16th century, the name de la Beche became Beach in England. In 1638 John Beach came to New Haven, Connecticut, from England. He was the ancestor of Nathan Beach of Beach Grove, Pennsylvania, the subject of this sketch. John Beach was one of the original propreitors of Wallingford, Conn., the line is as follows:
John Beach Sr., from England - Name of Wife unknown, died 1667.
Had Thomas born May 1659 - Married Phoebe Willcoxen, born 1669.
Had Nathan born Aug. 18, 1692 - Married Jemima Curtis, born Sept. 29, 1713.
Had Nathan born May 23, 1721 - Married Desire Herrick after 1760.
Had Nathan, of Beach Grove, Pa., born July 16, 1763, died July 26, 1847, - Married Susannah Thomas, born June 14, 1763, died Oct. 6, 1804.
They had:
Hannah, married William Baird of Philadelphia.
Mary, married Pierce Lemon of Northumberland.
Ann Paschall, married William Evans of Philadelphia.
Desire, married Dr. Mason Crary, of Stonington, Conn.
Thomas Paschall, married Mary Lemon of Northumberland.
Nathan, died young, unmarried.
Stephen, died young, unmarried.( Do not believe this is correct).
Josiah Thomas, unmarried
Nathan Beach of Beach Grove, was a stirring figure in the history of this section of the country from the time of his coming in 1769 at 6 years of age with the Connecticut settlers to Wyoming Valley, accompanied by his father, Nathan Sr., and his mother Desire Herrick Beach, who was the first white woman to cross the Blue Mountains into Wyoming Valley. His brother Stephen was the first white child born on the banks of the North Branch of the Susquehanna. Nathan Beach was a lad of 15 when he entered the army of the American Revolution, serving continuously until the close at Yorktown, where he saw the surrender of Cornwallis, his account of this is said by historians to be unsurpassed in vigor and interest. After the war he settled in Salem Township on the land already allotted to his father Nathan Beach Sr., in 1773. Here he established his estate which was always known as Beach Grove, and where he had a beautiful home. The Post Office, was always known as "Belle Bend", sonamed from the beautiful bend at this point of the Susquehanna. Nathan Beach held the office of Postmaster, at this place from the administration of Washington to the time of his death in 1847. He represented this County and Northumberland in the State Legislature from 1807-1810, when the seat of government was at Lancaster. It was during the Revolution, that George Washington advised Nathan Beach to secure all the property in this section he could, that some day it would be very valuable. He did this which was not only on the advice of Mr. Washington, but was the "call of the Blood" for large land holdings has always been the "call of the landed gentry" of both France and England. It will be too lengthy to cite the immense amount of property that Nathan Beach owned, which one will find mentioned in a certain degree in the Penna. Archives, Court House Record, etc. Much of it was coal lands and he sold it as coal lands.
Mocanaqua Coal Beds
Shickshinny Coal Beds
Hazleton Coal Beds
Beaver Meadow Coal Beds
Newport, Wanamie, etc.
A very interesting incident has been given many times about his coal land and Ario Pardee. Nathan Beach, an older man, Ario Pardee, a young man, and a very superior surveyor, the two were very staunch friends, on one occasion, while Nathan Beach was employing Ario Pardee to survey his lands in Hazleton, at the beginning of the Coal industry there. Nathan Beach said to Ario Pardee on this particular occasion, "If you will be as a faithful son to me in this matter, I will be as a good father to you." This was true in both of their cases. Ario surveyed faithfully - Nathan paid him for his services and besides gave him a large portion of land in Hazleton which later proved to be the richest vein there. At this time Beaver Meadow was considered to be the most promising section for Coal operations. Coleraine was owned entirely by Nathan Beach, 550 acres. In 1838 he sold this tract to Mr. Barnes of Philadelphia. Those interested in Coal in the coal fields of the present day agree that the early deeds go back to Nathan Beach. Before his death he sold much of his property and later, after his death, much of his property through inattention was sold for taxes which benefitted many corporations. Nathan Beach was a strictly temperate man which aided his sagacious nature and developed his judgment. An interesting incident is told of his selling some lands from the Hazleton region to Mr. Newhold and others of Philadelphia. This was preceded by a banquet with wine served for the different courses. Nathan Beach poured each amount of wine down his elaborate neck stock - prevalent of that day, his person was pretty well saturated with liquid, but when the deal ws made he was of clear head and true judgment, the others not so much so - it goes, without saying that Nathan Beach was the most successful in the transaction. Nathan Beach was a cousin of Zerah Beach, Esq., of Hartford, Conn., who wrote the "Articles of Capitulation", at Forty Fort in 1776, on the entry of the victorious enemy, etc. These articles have been founhd since in the British Museum, London, amonth the Haldiman papers. Nathan Beach was trustee of Wilkes-Barre's one established school, the Wilkes-Barre Academy, from 1808-1838. He was president of the Susquehanna and Lehigh Turnpike. Through Nathan Beach and Jacob Cist was put through the North Branch Canal in this section in 1828. Too numerous are the interesting incidents to relate here in this brief account but to quote from the obituary notice of Nathan Beach given in a Wilkes-Barre paper in 1847, the time of his death, his life is summed up in a few words: "Mr. Beach was a man of much energy of character and activity - active and vigilant to the last moment. Hospitable and generous in his native. His house at Beach Grove for many years was the home of the traveler without free or reward. It afforded him satisfaction when able to add to the comfort and enjoyment of others. During his life the great resources of the country were developed, canals, turnpikes, coal, etc. During the 85 years of this man's life may be dated an era in the world fraught with more thrilling consequences and of deeper moment, than the 1000 years that preceded it - an era which established a social and permanent bases of republican freedom and to which mighty projects he contributed his full share. May his memory live, and may those who enjoy the fruits of that civil and religious liberty remember that the strong arm of Nathan Beach of Beach Grove bore through the contest, the American bayonet and marched under the flag of our common country. Living he shared the respect of the community - dying the regret and sorrow of all."
Written by Sarah Wood Crary
Source: http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.easternpa/63793/mb.ashx
The Dr. Horace J. Beach mentioned above is my cousin. My mother was born Carolyn Ann Beach and was the granddaughter of Dr. Leroy Beach of Gonzales, Texas. All of us are descended from this Beach line. I have been working on the family history for over 20 years.
Maybe Nathan Beach (1763-1847) aged 84
Nathan Beach was born July 16, 1763 and died July 26, 1847 at Beach Grove, Pennsylvania.
Died at age 83. Interred Beach Grove Cemetery, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
He was the son of Nathan Beach, Sr. of Wallingford, Connecticut and Desire (Herrick) Bixby Beach. Desire was the first white woman to cross the Blue Mountains into Wyoming Valley. She was lineal descendant of Sir William and Lady Joahn Herrick of Beau Manor, Loughboro (sic), England. Desire Herrick Bixby Beach had several children from her first marriage (Bixby). David (was not a son) and Elizas Bixby, her sons were killed in Wyoming Massacre.
Nathan Beach, her son, was one of the survivors of the Wyoming Massacre, and served throughout the Revolutionary War. He sat in the Senate for Luzerne County when it convened at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1806-1809. He was present at the burning of the first coal in the Jess Fell Grate. Some of his land holdings were the Mocanaqua and Shickshinny Coal beds, also Hazelton, Beaver Meadow. Nathan was present at the Louis Philippe banquet given by his very warm friend Mathias Hollenbeck.
Source: Dr. Horace J. Beach
Horace is my cousin.
--
He served in the Revolution and served in several interesting campaigns, including the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, where he witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. An autobiographical account appears in H. C. Bradsby,
Next Line: HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, S. B. Nelson & Co., Chicago, 1893, pp. 349-350, with further information on the family at pp. 809-810.
___________
Salem Township
Nathan Beach was the first settler on the Jona Gould farm. Beach Grove gets its name from him, where he was for a long time postmaster. He was a strong character man, a long-time justice of the peace and represented the county in the legislature. He was the leading public spirit in all enterprises, and had much to do in bringing mills, the turnpike and canals to this section. He was an old Revolutionary soldier. The Crarys, of Shickshinny, are his descendants.
___________
From Hazleton PA Plain Speaker, Tues. Aug 9, 1938
Nathan Beach, soldier of the Revolution, friend and business assocaite of the late Ario Pardee I, and owner of coal lands that still bear his name in Hazleton section, is written about in an article by Sarah Wood Crary of Beach Haven, who with other descendants are here for the Pioneer Days fete. She says: As a matter of history the Beach family of England had its origin in Touraine, France - name de la Beche - descendants of this de la Beche family migrated from France to England about the beginning of the Black Prince in 1396. So-called from his black armor, the Black Prince ws the son of Edward III, he was a much beloved prince but died before he came to the English throne. In the 16th century, the name de la Beche became Beach in England. In 1638 John Beach came to New Haven, Connecticut, from England. He was the ancestor of Nathan Beach of Beach Grove, Pennsylvania, the subject of this sketch. John Beach was one of the original propreitors of Wallingford, Conn., the line is as follows:
John Beach Sr., from England - Name of Wife unknown, died 1667.
Had Thomas born May 1659 - Married Phoebe Willcoxen, born 1669.
Had Nathan born Aug. 18, 1692 - Married Jemima Curtis, born Sept. 29, 1713.
Had Nathan born May 23, 1721 - Married Desire Herrick after 1760.
Had Nathan, of Beach Grove, Pa., born July 16, 1763, died July 26, 1847, - Married Susannah Thomas, born June 14, 1763, died Oct. 6, 1804.
They had:
Hannah, married William Baird of Philadelphia.
Mary, married Pierce Lemon of Northumberland.
Ann Paschall, married William Evans of Philadelphia.
Desire, married Dr. Mason Crary, of Stonington, Conn.
Thomas Paschall, married Mary Lemon of Northumberland.
Nathan, died young, unmarried.
Stephen, died young, unmarried.( Do not believe this is correct).
Josiah Thomas, unmarried
Nathan Beach of Beach Grove, was a stirring figure in the history of this section of the country from the time of his coming in 1769 at 6 years of age with the Connecticut settlers to Wyoming Valley, accompanied by his father, Nathan Sr., and his mother Desire Herrick Beach, who was the first white woman to cross the Blue Mountains into Wyoming Valley. His brother Stephen was the first white child born on the banks of the North Branch of the Susquehanna. Nathan Beach was a lad of 15 when he entered the army of the American Revolution, serving continuously until the close at Yorktown, where he saw the surrender of Cornwallis, his account of this is said by historians to be unsurpassed in vigor and interest. After the war he settled in Salem Township on the land already allotted to his father Nathan Beach Sr., in 1773. Here he established his estate which was always known as Beach Grove, and where he had a beautiful home. The Post Office, was always known as "Belle Bend", sonamed from the beautiful bend at this point of the Susquehanna. Nathan Beach held the office of Postmaster, at this place from the administration of Washington to the time of his death in 1847. He represented this County and Northumberland in the State Legislature from 1807-1810, when the seat of government was at Lancaster. It was during the Revolution, that George Washington advised Nathan Beach to secure all the property in this section he could, that some day it would be very valuable. He did this which was not only on the advice of Mr. Washington, but was the "call of the Blood" for large land holdings has always been the "call of the landed gentry" of both France and England. It will be too lengthy to cite the immense amount of property that Nathan Beach owned, which one will find mentioned in a certain degree in the Penna. Archives, Court House Record, etc. Much of it was coal lands and he sold it as coal lands.
Mocanaqua Coal Beds
Shickshinny Coal Beds
Hazleton Coal Beds
Beaver Meadow Coal Beds
Newport, Wanamie, etc.
A very interesting incident has been given many times about his coal land and Ario Pardee. Nathan Beach, an older man, Ario Pardee, a young man, and a very superior surveyor, the two were very staunch friends, on one occasion, while Nathan Beach was employing Ario Pardee to survey his lands in Hazleton, at the beginning of the Coal industry there. Nathan Beach said to Ario Pardee on this particular occasion, "If you will be as a faithful son to me in this matter, I will be as a good father to you." This was true in both of their cases. Ario surveyed faithfully - Nathan paid him for his services and besides gave him a large portion of land in Hazleton which later proved to be the richest vein there. At this time Beaver Meadow was considered to be the most promising section for Coal operations. Coleraine was owned entirely by Nathan Beach, 550 acres. In 1838 he sold this tract to Mr. Barnes of Philadelphia. Those interested in Coal in the coal fields of the present day agree that the early deeds go back to Nathan Beach. Before his death he sold much of his property and later, after his death, much of his property through inattention was sold for taxes which benefitted many corporations. Nathan Beach was a strictly temperate man which aided his sagacious nature and developed his judgment. An interesting incident is told of his selling some lands from the Hazleton region to Mr. Newhold and others of Philadelphia. This was preceded by a banquet with wine served for the different courses. Nathan Beach poured each amount of wine down his elaborate neck stock - prevalent of that day, his person was pretty well saturated with liquid, but when the deal ws made he was of clear head and true judgment, the others not so much so - it goes, without saying that Nathan Beach was the most successful in the transaction. Nathan Beach was a cousin of Zerah Beach, Esq., of Hartford, Conn., who wrote the "Articles of Capitulation", at Forty Fort in 1776, on the entry of the victorious enemy, etc. These articles have been founhd since in the British Museum, London, amonth the Haldiman papers. Nathan Beach was trustee of Wilkes-Barre's one established school, the Wilkes-Barre Academy, from 1808-1838. He was president of the Susquehanna and Lehigh Turnpike. Through Nathan Beach and Jacob Cist was put through the North Branch Canal in this section in 1828. Too numerous are the interesting incidents to relate here in this brief account but to quote from the obituary notice of Nathan Beach given in a Wilkes-Barre paper in 1847, the time of his death, his life is summed up in a few words: "Mr. Beach was a man of much energy of character and activity - active and vigilant to the last moment. Hospitable and generous in his native. His house at Beach Grove for many years was the home of the traveler without free or reward. It afforded him satisfaction when able to add to the comfort and enjoyment of others. During his life the great resources of the country were developed, canals, turnpikes, coal, etc. During the 85 years of this man's life may be dated an era in the world fraught with more thrilling consequences and of deeper moment, than the 1000 years that preceded it - an era which established a social and permanent bases of republican freedom and to which mighty projects he contributed his full share. May his memory live, and may those who enjoy the fruits of that civil and religious liberty remember that the strong arm of Nathan Beach of Beach Grove bore through the contest, the American bayonet and marched under the flag of our common country. Living he shared the respect of the community - dying the regret and sorrow of all."
Written by Sarah Wood Crary
Source: http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.easternpa/63793/mb.ashx
The Dr. Horace J. Beach mentioned above is my cousin. My mother was born Carolyn Ann Beach and was the granddaughter of Dr. Leroy Beach of Gonzales, Texas. All of us are descended from this Beach line. I have been working on the family history for over 20 years.
Nathan Beach was born July 16, 1763 and died July 26, 1847 at Beach Grove, Pennsylvania.
Died at age 83. Interred Beach Grove Cemetery, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
He was the son of Nathan Beach, Sr. of Wallingford, Connecticut and Desire (Herrick) Bixby Beach. Desire was the first white woman to cross the Blue Mountains into Wyoming Valley. She was lineal descendant of Sir William and Lady Joahn Herrick of Beau Manor, Loughboro (sic), England. Desire Herrick Bixby Beach had several children from her first marriage (Bixby). David (was not a son) and Elizas Bixby, her sons were killed in Wyoming Massacre.
Nathan Beach, her son, was one of the survivors of the Wyoming Massacre, and served throughout the Revolutionary War. He sat in the Senate for Luzerne County when it convened at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1806-1809. He was present at the burning of the first coal in the Jess Fell Grate. Some of his land holdings were the Mocanaqua and Shickshinny Coal beds, also Hazelton, Beaver Meadow. Nathan was present at the Louis Philippe banquet given by his very warm friend Mathias Hollenbeck.
Source: Dr. Horace J. Beach
Horace is my cousin.
--
He served in the Revolution and served in several interesting campaigns, including the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, where he witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. An autobiographical account appears in H. C. Bradsby,
Next Line: HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, S. B. Nelson & Co., Chicago, 1893, pp. 349-350, with further information on the family at pp. 809-810.
___________
Salem Township
Nathan Beach was the first settler on the Jona Gould farm. Beach Grove gets its name from him, where he was for a long time postmaster. He was a strong character man, a long-time justice of the peace and represented the county in the legislature. He was the leading public spirit in all enterprises, and had much to do in bringing mills, the turnpike and canals to this section. He was an old Revolutionary soldier. The Crarys, of Shickshinny, are his descendants.
___________
From Hazleton PA Plain Speaker, Tues. Aug 9, 1938
Nathan Beach, soldier of the Revolution, friend and business assocaite of the late Ario Pardee I, and owner of coal lands that still bear his name in Hazleton section, is written about in an article by Sarah Wood Crary of Beach Haven, who with other descendants are here for the Pioneer Days fete. She says: As a matter of history the Beach family of England had its origin in Touraine, France - name de la Beche - descendants of this de la Beche family migrated from France to England about the beginning of the Black Prince in 1396. So-called from his black armor, the Black Prince ws the son of Edward III, he was a much beloved prince but died before he came to the English throne. In the 16th century, the name de la Beche became Beach in England. In 1638 John Beach came to New Haven, Connecticut, from England. He was the ancestor of Nathan Beach of Beach Grove, Pennsylvania, the subject of this sketch. John Beach was one of the original propreitors of Wallingford, Conn., the line is as follows:
John Beach Sr., from England - Name of Wife unknown, died 1667.
Had Thomas born May 1659 - Married Phoebe Willcoxen, born 1669.
Had Nathan born Aug. 18, 1692 - Married Jemima Curtis, born Sept. 29, 1713.
Had Nathan born May 23, 1721 - Married Desire Herrick after 1760.
Had Nathan, of Beach Grove, Pa., born July 16, 1763, died July 26, 1847, - Married Susannah Thomas, born June 14, 1763, died Oct. 6, 1804.
They had:
Hannah, married William Baird of Philadelphia.
Mary, married Pierce Lemon of Northumberland.
Ann Paschall, married William Evans of Philadelphia.
Desire, married Dr. Mason Crary, of Stonington, Conn.
Thomas Paschall, married Mary Lemon of Northumberland.
Nathan, died young, unmarried.
Stephen, died young, unmarried.( Do not believe this is correct).
Josiah Thomas, unmarried
Nathan Beach of Beach Grove, was a stirring figure in the history of this section of the country from the time of his coming in 1769 at 6 years of age with the Connecticut settlers to Wyoming Valley, accompanied by his father, Nathan Sr., and his mother Desire Herrick Beach, who was the first white woman to cross the Blue Mountains into Wyoming Valley. His brother Stephen was the first white child born on the banks of the North Branch of the Susquehanna. Nathan Beach was a lad of 15 when he entered the army of the American Revolution, serving continuously until the close at Yorktown, where he saw the surrender of Cornwallis, his account of this is said by historians to be unsurpassed in vigor and interest. After the war he settled in Salem Township on the land already allotted to his father Nathan Beach Sr., in 1773. Here he established his estate which was always known as Beach Grove, and where he had a beautiful home. The Post Office, was always known as "Belle Bend", sonamed from the beautiful bend at this point of the Susquehanna. Nathan Beach held the office of Postmaster, at this place from the administration of Washington to the time of his death in 1847. He represented this County and Northumberland in the State Legislature from 1807-1810, when the seat of government was at Lancaster. It was during the Revolution, that George Washington advised Nathan Beach to secure all the property in this section he could, that some day it would be very valuable. He did this which was not only on the advice of Mr. Washington, but was the "call of the Blood" for large land holdings has always been the "call of the landed gentry" of both France and England. It will be too lengthy to cite the immense amount of property that Nathan Beach owned, which one will find mentioned in a certain degree in the Penna. Archives, Court House Record, etc. Much of it was coal lands and he sold it as coal lands.
Mocanaqua Coal Beds
Shickshinny Coal Beds
Hazleton Coal Beds
Beaver Meadow Coal Beds
Newport, Wanamie, etc.
A very interesting incident has been given many times about his coal land and Ario Pardee. Nathan Beach, an older man, Ario Pardee, a young man, and a very superior surveyor, the two were very staunch friends, on one occasion, while Nathan Beach was employing Ario Pardee to survey his lands in Hazleton, at the beginning of the Coal industry there. Nathan Beach said to Ario Pardee on this particular occasion, "If you will be as a faithful son to me in this matter, I will be as a good father to you." This was true in both of their cases. Ario surveyed faithfully - Nathan paid him for his services and besides gave him a large portion of land in Hazleton which later proved to be the richest vein there. At this time Beaver Meadow was considered to be the most promising section for Coal operations. Coleraine was owned entirely by Nathan Beach, 550 acres. In 1838 he sold this tract to Mr. Barnes of Philadelphia. Those interested in Coal in the coal fields of the present day agree that the early deeds go back to Nathan Beach. Before his death he sold much of his property and later, after his death, much of his property through inattention was sold for taxes which benefitted many corporations. Nathan Beach was a strictly temperate man which aided his sagacious nature and developed his judgment. An interesting incident is told of his selling some lands from the Hazleton region to Mr. Newhold and others of Philadelphia. This was preceded by a banquet with wine served for the different courses. Nathan Beach poured each amount of wine down his elaborate neck stock - prevalent of that day, his person was pretty well saturated with liquid, but when the deal ws made he was of clear head and true judgment, the others not so much so - it goes, without saying that Nathan Beach was the most successful in the transaction. Nathan Beach was a cousin of Zerah Beach, Esq., of Hartford, Conn., who wrote the "Articles of Capitulation", at Forty Fort in 1776, on the entry of the victorious enemy, etc. These articles have been founhd since in the British Museum, London, amonth the Haldiman papers. Nathan Beach was trustee of Wilkes-Barre's one established school, the Wilkes-Barre Academy, from 1808-1838. He was president of the Susquehanna and Lehigh Turnpike. Through Nathan Beach and Jacob Cist was put through the North Branch Canal in this section in 1828. Too numerous are the interesting incidents to relate here in this brief account but to quote from the obituary notice of Nathan Beach given in a Wilkes-Barre paper in 1847, the time of his death, his life is summed up in a few words: "Mr. Beach was a man of much energy of character and activity - active and vigilant to the last moment. Hospitable and generous in his native. His house at Beach Grove for many years was the home of the traveler without free or reward. It afforded him satisfaction when able to add to the comfort and enjoyment of others. During his life the great resources of the country were developed, canals, turnpikes, coal, etc. During the 85 years of this man's life may be dated an era in the world fraught with more thrilling consequences and of deeper moment, than the 1000 years that preceded it - an era which established a social and permanent bases of republican freedom and to which mighty projects he contributed his full share. May his memory live, and may those who enjoy the fruits of that civil and religious liberty remember that the strong arm of Nathan Beach of Beach Grove bore through the contest, the American bayonet and marched under the flag of our common country. Living he shared the respect of the community - dying the regret and sorrow of all."
Written by Sarah Wood Crary
Source: http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.easternpa/63793/mb.ashx
The Dr. Horace J. Beach mentioned above is my cousin. My mother was born Carolyn Ann Beach and was the granddaughter of Dr. Leroy Beach of Gonzales, Texas. All of us are descended from this Beach line. I have been working on the family history for over 20 years.
Gravesite Details
aged 85 ys.
Family Members
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