BIO: History of his life in Biographical Cyc. of Commo. of Ky. by John Gresham 1896. (about his grandson Oliver mentions James and Hannah and their dates of birth and death and that James was son of Richard) p. 132 "James Beckett (grandfather) was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, September 18, 1774; served in the infantry arm of the militia in the War of 1812; was engaged in farming in Cabell County before the State of Virginia was divided; married Hannah Lee, who was a first cousin of General Robert E. Lee. His father's name was Richard Beckette, whose ancestors were from England, with a mixture of German blood in their veins. Hannah Lee Beckette (grandmother) was born in Patrick County, Virginia, September 20, 1788, and died December 16, 1862. She was a daughter of William Lee."

BIO: History in WV Heritage Encyclopedia Vol 6 p 100 mentions him and wife Hannah including dates of birth and death (for son Andrew) "Andrew L. Beckett is a son of James and Hannah Lee Beckett. His father was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, September 18, 1772 [1774], and died January 20 1868. His mother was born in Patrick Co, VA, September 20, 1788, and died December 16, 1862. James Beckett settled in what is now Grant district in 1810, and was a prominent pioneer. The father of Hannah (Lee) Beckett served under General Anthony Wayne in fighting the Indians in the Kanawha valley, and was a son of Lightfoot Lee."

BIO: Margaret Brown mentioned Becket grandparents in family history, said Margaret (dau of James Jr) stayed with grandparents from 1839 to 1840.

BIRTH: His birthdate is given in his family bible as September 18, 1774, along with the birthdates of his children.

MARRIAGE: 1st. Marriage bond James Beckett m. Sep 8 1794 Margret Peden, dau of John Peden. Montgomery Co

CENSUS: 1810 Kanawha Co p 211 James Becket 32010-31010

DEED: DB E p 60 Montgomery Co, VA. Oct 16 1810 James Beckett of Kanawha Co and wife Margret (x) Beckett sell to Christian Diddimore for 30 pounds 64 acres land adj William Becket on which the said Becketts mother now lives lying on Middle creek a branch of little river. boundaries Silas Terry dec'd, Thomas Goodson. Nov. court of Montgomery

SOLDIER: War of 1812. Per Biographical Cyc. of 1896 he served in War of 1812. Found in WV Archives roster "In compliance with General orders bearing date Jan. 15, 1815 the following details have been made from the 120th Regiment commanded by Capt. Spurlock. February 24, 1815." with name of James Becket who served in Capt. Burwell Spurlock's Command 120th Regiment Cabell Co. line 66 Register number 306.069 private. He reported on Mar. 7, 1860. (Published in KYOWVA Genealogical Society Bulletin Vol. XXIX Vol. 3 Fall 2006. p. 3)

MARRIAGE: 2nd. Marriage court record. James Beckett m. Hannah Lee on Jan 24 1814 Marriage Register no 1 p 8 by David Harbour Cabell Co, VA.

CENSUS: 1820 Cabell Co James Beckett 211201-32010,

CENSUS: 1830 Cabell Co p 7 #21 James Beckett 21110001-0210001,

CENSUS: 1840 Cabell Co p. 29 #30 James Beckett Sr. 002100001-0102001,

CENSUS: 1850 Cabell Co p 31 James Beckett 75, Hannah 62, Lewis C C 21, Lucinda McCallister 26, Hannah A 2.

DEED: James Beckett Sr sold to Andrew L. Beckett 20 acres on Fudges Cr part of a survey DB 10 p 175 in Mar 1850.

DEED: James Beckett Sr sold to Charles W Beckett 75 acres on Fudges Cr DB 13 p 570 on Jun 1 1857 as long as Charles bound himself to support and maintain James Beckett Sr and his wife during their lifetime, land adjoining A.L. Beckett.

CENSUS: 1860 Cabell Co James Beckett 84, Hannah 75, Lucinda McCallister 38, Adaline McCallister 12.

SOLDIER: James Beckett 1812 Private, Bounty Warrant Land Grant. Service VA Militia under Capt. Burwell Spurlock Warrant #92347, #306,069 March 3, 1860. The name of James Beckett is born (No. 66) on the Muster Roll of Capt. Burwell Spurlock of the 120th Regt. VA Mil. War of 1812 from Feb. 24th to March 7, 1815 and a certificate of two days travel is endorsed on the said roll by S. F. Glenn Esq. Vol. B1 p. 121. On Feb. 2nd 1860 James Becket aged 85 years a resident of said Cabell Co of VA was a private in the Company of Capt. Burwell Spurlock in the war with Great Britain declared by the US on Jun 18 1812 that he was drafted from the County of Cabell in VA on Feb. 20th 1815 fo the term of 6 months and after rendezvousing at Barbersville in Cabell Co was marched fro the seat of war by way of Charlestown, Kanawha, and on this said march met the news of peace near the Falls of the Great Kanawha River in said Kanawha County and was honorably discharged and the said service including mileage consisted of at least 14 days including a distance of at least 140 miles travel returning to where said company organized. He appoints Charles Molihan of Gallipolis, Gallia Co, OH his agent. Witness Charles W. Becket and Lucinda McCallister residents of Cabell. They indicated that he frequently spoke of said service within at least 28 years ago and know him to be the person he is stating. See rolls filed in James Wilgus application for Bounty Land in Pension Office NO. 281.557 which he received 160 acres No. 91,175. Note on file says "This man ought to have a pension beside his warrant because he raised 21 children." Stamped Mar. 2, 1860.

COURT: In Cabell Court May 7 1866 he was declared infirm, and unable to pay taxes since he was 92.

DEATH: His date of death was in his family bible as January 20 1868.