DNA Evidence ... Edward & Thomas Beard
DNA Evidence testing is still immature (due to lack of sampling of descendents) but as more indivduals are tested, may help to shed some light on exact ancestry.
One curious historical fact were the number of Beards that settled at the same time in Augusta County, VA. Thomas Beard is known to buy land there in 1747, the exact land he purchased is actually found on old maps of the time. Thomas passed away in 1769 "quite aged".
Another Beard, Edward Beard (b 1716) who purchased 200 acres in Augusta County in 1753 near "James Beard's" farm. I had known about Edward for several years, but there is no connection between Edward and Thomas. My web site had speculated they were brothers, but no definitive information exists.
A descendent of Edward, Michelle Bley, recently had her Uncle David Beard (who also descends from Edward) DNA Tested, with 34 marker analysis. We matched exactly on 33 of 34 markers, with one marker one different. It appears from this analysis that David and I have a common ancester, perhaps one that immigrated to the colonies at the time.
This is certainly the closest match I have had to any others, and adds to the speculation that Thomas and Edward were indeed brothers (and possibly James, who settled in Augusta County at the same time).
Michelle passed along some introduction from Pauline Beard's book published in 1974 "In the Heart of Shendandoah Valley" discussing descendents of Edward Beard 1716-1806 (I had not previously been aware of this book). In her introduction, she states several theories on Edward's origin from several different family sources ---
James Beard came to Augusta County on Beard's Ford in 1740, and had sons William, John, Edward and James, Jr. This account was given by attorney Reese T. Grubert
D. L. Beard said "Aunt Nettie told him Edward came to America in 1740 and had married Miss Bell in Scotland or Ireland."
Grady Stout, Jr. gives "William Beard from England with two brothers, married Mary, and had two sons, James and Edward."
And lastly "William, father of Edward, came from Aryshire, Scotland to North Ireland, then to America - entrance Philadelphia.
I haven't been able to prove any of these theories. Also, I did see a handwritten note in my grandfather's desk saying Edward was from Anne Arundel Co., MD. I don't believe that is true.
There is a marriage record of April 15, 1751 in Augusta Co., VA for Edward and Mary Bell Beard.
A long time ago I contacted the research society in Aryshire, Scotland and they could not find any record for Edward Beard.
So interesting revelations, all coming from DNA testing.
One curious historical fact were the number of Beards that settled at the same time in Augusta County, VA. Thomas Beard is known to buy land there in 1747, the exact land he purchased is actually found on old maps of the time. Thomas passed away in 1769 "quite aged".
Another Beard, Edward Beard (b 1716) who purchased 200 acres in Augusta County in 1753 near "James Beard's" farm. I had known about Edward for several years, but there is no connection between Edward and Thomas. My web site had speculated they were brothers, but no definitive information exists.
A descendent of Edward, Michelle Bley, recently had her Uncle David Beard (who also descends from Edward) DNA Tested, with 34 marker analysis. We matched exactly on 33 of 34 markers, with one marker one different. It appears from this analysis that David and I have a common ancester, perhaps one that immigrated to the colonies at the time.
This is certainly the closest match I have had to any others, and adds to the speculation that Thomas and Edward were indeed brothers (and possibly James, who settled in Augusta County at the same time).
Michelle passed along some introduction from Pauline Beard's book published in 1974 "In the Heart of Shendandoah Valley" discussing descendents of Edward Beard 1716-1806 (I had not previously been aware of this book). In her introduction, she states several theories on Edward's origin from several different family sources ---
James Beard came to Augusta County on Beard's Ford in 1740, and had sons William, John, Edward and James, Jr. This account was given by attorney Reese T. Grubert
D. L. Beard said "Aunt Nettie told him Edward came to America in 1740 and had married Miss Bell in Scotland or Ireland."
Grady Stout, Jr. gives "William Beard from England with two brothers, married Mary, and had two sons, James and Edward."
And lastly "William, father of Edward, came from Aryshire, Scotland to North Ireland, then to America - entrance Philadelphia.
I haven't been able to prove any of these theories. Also, I did see a handwritten note in my grandfather's desk saying Edward was from Anne Arundel Co., MD. I don't believe that is true.
There is a marriage record of April 15, 1751 in Augusta Co., VA for Edward and Mary Bell Beard.
A long time ago I contacted the research society in Aryshire, Scotland and they could not find any record for Edward Beard.
So interesting revelations, all coming from DNA testing.
posted by Alan Beard at 4:57 PM
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