David Beattie

b. circa 1744, d. 25 April 1814
FatherJohn Beattie1,2,3 d. 1790
MotherElinor Gilmore4
Birthcirca 1744 David Beattie was born circa 1744 on Cars [Kerr's] Creek in Rockbridge (then Augusta) County, Virginia, (date estimated from the information on his headstone).5,6 
Marriage He married Mary Beattie, daughter of Francis Beattie.3,7 
  They were first cousins.3  
Migration1772 He migrated with his family in 1772 to Washington (then Fincastle) County, Virginia.6 
Military  David served in the Washington (then Fincastle) County militia and also fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain where he held the rank of captain. A list he compiled of men who served with him still survives.8,9,10,11 [see below] 
Land-Buy10 Nov 1786 In Nov. 1876 David bought 473 acres of land in Washington County, Virginia from [his father] John Beatie. The land was part of the larger tract John Beatie purchased from James Woods. The land sat adjacent to the patent line and land belonging to Mathew Ryburn [which had also originally been part of John Beatie's tract].12 
Will30 Jul 1805 David left a will which he wrote on July 30, 1805. In it he mentioned his beloved wife, Mary, his sons James, John, William, Armstrong, and David. He also named his daughter Polly. David, Polly and Armstrong were under 21 years of age. James was only mentioned once in the will when David left him "his negro girl Mary". John was mentioned later with the stipulation that he must "continue with his mother and the family and with them unite for his own and their comfort and maintenance" in order to receive his portion of his father's estate. David appointed his brother William as his executor.13 
Death25 Apr 1814 David died on 25 Apr 1814 at what was then known as Glade Spring Depot in Washington County.5,14,15 
Will-Recd17 May 1814  The will was recorded May 17th, 1814 on the oaths of John Stewart and Mathew Ryburn. Armstrong testified that William Beatty refused to execute the will. Mary, the widow, appeared in court and also refused to administer the will. Therefore, the court ordered John Clark, who was also one of the legatees, to administer the estate. He posted a bond for $7,000 with Mathew Ryburn and John Stewart his security.13 
Burial He was buried at Ebbing Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.5 

Related Links and Images:

Capt. David Beattie's list of men who served with him at the Battle of King's Mountain (transcribed)16
David's will
Mary Jane B. (Davis) Moffett (whose grandmother was David's sister Jane) left behind a journal in which she recorded a few recollections about the Beattie family. To read her comments go to Mary Jane's Journal. In particular read page 1
Letter written in 1880 from Madison Beattie to William Lowry (clerk of the Washington Co. court) in answer to questions from the historian Lyman Draper. Madison referenced his grandfather John Beattie and John's sons David, John and William
The Ebbing Spring Church and Cemetery page identifies the location of the old cemetery and tells a little about its history

Family

Mary Beattie d. 8 Jan 1820
Children
Last Edited13 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S957] John Beatie will (recorded Sept 1790), Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 1: 160. John's will, written 18 Aug. 1790 was recorded at the Sept. court session in 1790.
  2. [S957] John Beatie will (recorded Sept 1790), Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 1: 160. John's will, written 18 Aug. 1790 was recorded at the Sept. court session in 1790. John's will named his sons David and William, and sons-in-law David Sawyer, James Logan, James Dysart and Mathew Ryburn.
  3. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 1.
  4. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 102-6.
  5. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 174. David Beatie, d. 25 Apr. 1814, age 70y.
  6. [S2180] Letter from M[adison] Beattie, Glade Spring Virginia to Lyman C. Draper, dated Dec. 20, 1880; Draper Manuscript Collection, Series DD (King's Mountain Papers Vol 14-15), compiled by Lyman Draper (1815-1891), item 14DD72. Madison Beattie, son of William Beattie, provided information on David, John and William Beattie.
  7. [S1039] Deposition of Robert Stewart in case of Beaty et al vs Clark et al; Wythe Co., Virginia Superior Ct. of Chancery no. 1821-04-SC. Robert stated that his mother was Mary Beaty's [wife of David Beattie] sister. [Robert Stewart is proven as the son of John Stewart by the will of his father (Washington Co., VA Will Bk 5:259). Rosanna, wife of John Stewart, is proven as the daughter of Francis Beattie by the will of Francis, cited above. Therefore Mary Beattie, wife of David Beattie, is established as Mary Beattie, daughter of Francis Beattie]
  8. [S726] Lewis Preston Summers, Annals of Southwest Virginia, part 2:1379; states Capt. David Beattie was at Kings Mountain.
  9. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 34. Peggie cites an interview conducted in 1948 with Margaret Breckenridge Ryburn, a great granddaughter of John Beattie and Ellen Gilmore (states David was a captain at the Battle of Kings Mountain).
  10. [S753] Mary Kegley, Soldiers of Fincastle Co., Virginia 1774, pp. 15. List of soldiers in Capt. James Thompson's Company included David Beattie who served for 12 days and was paid 18 shillings.
  11. [S753] Mary Kegley, Soldiers of Fincastle Co., Virginia 1774, pp. 36. List of soldiers in Lieutenant William Edmondson's Company included David Beattie who served for 6 days and was paid 9 shillings.
  12. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 45. John Beatie to David Beatie 20 Nov. 1786 for 5 shillings, 473ac, part of James Wood's 2,193 acre patent dated 10 Sept. 1755.
  13. [S131] David Beaty will (recorded 1814), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 56-57. David's will, dated 30 Jul 1805, lists beloved wife Mary, sons James, William, David, Armstrong and John, and daughter Polly. It was recorded 17 May 1814 on oath John Stewart and Mathew Ryburn.
  14. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 47. This information is from transcribed lists of birth, death and marriage dates for John Clark and Mary Beattie Clark, their children, and related family members. The list incorrectly states that David Beattie Clark died on Apr 25, 1814.
  15. [S1039] Bill of Complaint in case of Beaty et al vs Clark et al; Wythe Co., Virginia Superior Ct. of Chancery no. 1821-04-SC.
  16. [S1376] Courtesy Will Graves of http://southerncampaign.org/pen/index.htm
  17. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 176. The record reads: Mary Clark, 64y, d. 20 June 1858 of typhoid; father David Beattie, spouse John Clark.