An Old Pioneer
At this season of the year when family reunions are being held, and the mind frequently diverted to the days and scenes of our ancestors, it becomes a pleasure, as well as a source of personal pride to one who claims an honorable ancestry among the revolutionary heroes of our early history, to spread the wings of memory and gently float down along the dim vista of departed years to the times, places and personages concerned in making our early history. And when our mental journey brings us face to face with our revered forefathers, and we see them standing in the ranks of the patriots, occupying positions of honor and preferment, the spirit of patriotism wells up in our bosom heritage, freedom, and exult in the blessed enjoyment of all that the sacrifices of our ancient kinsmen have secured to us and our prosperity.
Among the valiant hosts who struggled for American freedom under the leadership and inspiration of the immortal Washington, none were braver or more patriotic than the illustrious William Beekman, ancestor of the Beekman Family of Pike County. All through the great struggle he was aidde-camp to General Washington. After the war he married and removed to Virginia, thence to Kentucky, and finally to Ohio-crossing the river at Limestone (now Maysville) he and his family carrying their wordly effects, took up the old Zane Trace through the wilderness in what is now Adams Co., to the headwaters of one of the tributaries of Sunfish; then following the same to the main stream to the famous Kincaid Springs. Here he pitched his camp.
What a contrast between now and then! A lone family of pioneers in the very heart of a vast and gloomy wilderness! Their campfire was cheerful and inviting by night, but their only companions were the wolves that lurked in the shadows about them, or the fleeing deer as it passed to and from its haunt in the forest. While now and then the death-like stillness of the night was broken by the piercing scream of the panther, as he explored their encampment from a neighboring tree.
After a brief sojourn here, our hero selected a site on Grassy Fork, about a mile from the Big Spring, and cutting out a path, removed his possessions there, and planted the Beekman colony, at what is now the Jonah Beekman homestead. Here they raised a family of six boys and two girls; all pf whom lived to be heads of families, and to them were born 57 children - 29 boys and 28 girls, most of whom are now living. The average age of the first family was 82 1/3 years; of the second 78 1/3 years; of the third, 64 2/3. So much for their hardy pioneer life.
Among the living. Perhaps none are more worthy of note than the illustrious elder Wm. G. Beekman, known to every one in this section of Ohio. In the language of a member of the family: “While none of us have aspired to any great advanced position in life, all are good, peaceable, law-abiding citizens.” FILIUS
Waverly Paper - 1896
Copyright © 2003
Pike Co. Genealogy Society a Chapter of O.G.S.
P. O. Box 224, Waverly, Ohio 45690