Absalom A. Beattie1

b. 26 November 1802, d. August 1880 or September 1880
FatherWilliam Beattie2,3,4 b. bet 1760 - 1762, d. 4 Apr 1860
MotherMary Allison2 b. 1763, d. 16 Apr 1830
Birth26 Nov 1802 Absalom A. Beattie was born on 26 Nov 1802 in Washington County, Virginia.5,1 
Land-Gift12 Apr 1825  Absalom's father, William Beattie, owned a large tract of land left to him in the will of his father, John Beattie. On April 12, 1825 William gifted 250 acres to Absalom for $1. The land sat about half way between present day Glade Spring and Emory and for the most part sat north of present day Hillman Highway.6  
27 Mar 1826  Absalom's brother Josiah Beattie, writing in 1826 to another brother living in Missouri, noted that "[Father] has given Absalom a choice tract of land..."7 
Marriage12 Jun 1832 He married first Eliza Davis on 12 Jun 1832 in Smyth County, Virginia.8,9 
Legatee14 Oct 1834  Absalom was mentioned in his father's will, written in 1834. William dictated that after all other legacies were paid, Absalom was to share the balance of the estate with 3 of his siblings.4 
Land-Grant31 Oct 1848  Absalom received a grant for 2 3/4 acres of unclaimed land along the northern boundary of his property in the fall of 1848.10 
Cens-18506 Aug 1850  The first federal census to record all members of a household by name was enumerated in the summer of 1850. Absalom and Eliza's household included all of their known surviving children: Ellen (16), Robert (11), Amanda (7), Eliza (5), Frances (3) and Nancy (2/12). The adjacent household was headed by Absalom's brother Madison and included the men's father.11 
Land-Grant1 Jul 1850  The summer of 1850 also saw Absalom add to his land holdings. On July 1, he and [his brother-in-law] Robert B. Edmondson received a grant for 219 acres in Smyth Co. on the waters of the North fork of the Holston River on the "Cove mountain & North West & South East of the Big redrocks including the same."12 
Land-Grant1 Jul 1851  The two men were granted another 394 acres in Smyth County in July, 1851. This parcel was located on the Flat top Mountain and on the waters of the North fork of the Holston River. They added an additional 12 acres on the north side of the Rock House Mountain on the waters of Big Tumbling Creek (a branch of the North fork) in Smyth Co. at the same time.13,14 
Apr 1854  In April, 1854 Absalom and Eliza's eldest daughter, Ellen Ann Beattie, married William Hamilton McDonald. He was the son of Solomon and Nancy McDonald of Smyth County. Many years later, in 1938, Ellen and William McDonald's daughter, Mrs. Joseph Smith, wrote an autobiography. She remembered her grandfather, whom she referred to as Major Absalom A. Beattie, as owning a large plantation with many slaves who tilled the land and lived in a brick building separate from the main house.1 
Cens-18602 Jul 1860  The 1860 census illustrates the financial success enjoyed by Absalom and his family in the years prior to the Civil War. In addition to Eliza, his household that year included 4 children: Robert, Virginia, Frances and [Nancy] Adelaide [Amanda Josephine died in 1859 and Ellen was married]. Absalom owned real estate worth $10,000 and personal property valued at $20,000.15 
Cens-1860- Slave10 Jul 1860  This indicated the value of the 16 slaves who cared for the farm and residence.16 
Cens-1860- Agric  The agricultural schedule for 1860 itemized the various crops grown on the land. The farm produced 2,000 bushels of Indian corn and 5,000 pounds of tobacco (Absalom and his brother Madison were 2 of the few farmers growing tobacco). Absalom also owned 11 horses, 9 cows, 26 oxen, 45 sheep and 100 swine.17 
  Absalom had also taken on other endeavors. Around 1859 he joined his son-in-law William McDonald who had started a successful merchandizing business at Chatham Hill in Smyth County. The men relocated the business to Marion and became partners although William McDonald managed the business. Fayette McMullin was a partner for a time as well.1 
  With the onset of the Civil War, life began to change, although at first Absalom was able to continue in his role as country squire. When John Mosby left southwest Virginia for Richmond, he and his fellow soldiers stopped at Absalom's home where he opened his smokehouse and pantry in a generous effort to make the men feel at home.18 
  Eliza died in the spring of 1862. 
  As the war progressed Absalom supplied the Confederate Army with a variety of items including large quantities of corn and hay. He also supplied the military hospital at Emory with milk. He was paid in Confederate money if he was paid at all.19 
  William McDonald raised a company of men from Smyth County, was elected their captain, and left to join the fighting. With no one able to run the business, and with the local economy in freefall, the store closed. By the time the war ended the fortunes of both families were in disarray. There was no business for the store and it was not reopened. What did remain was a mountain of debt which neither man could repay. William declared bankruptcy and eventually moved his family to Nebraska in search of work.20,1,21,22 
Marriage25 Dec 1866 Absalom married Permelia (Staples) Hill on 25 Dec 1866 in Washington County, Virginia. Like Absalom, Permelia was widowed.3 
Court Record31 Dec 1868  By the closing days of 1868 Absalom could not hold off the creditors. On Dec. 31st he executed a deed of trust to Robert Beatie and M. Peoples on behalf of the creditors. The deed transferred all assets formerly held by McDonald & Beattie, as well as Absalom's personal assets, to Beatie and Peoples who were to supervise their sale and the distribution of the proceeds. Absalom was allowed to remain in his home and to have use of his garden, spring house, and household furniture for 5 years. He was also allowed to retain certain products from the farm for the use of his family. If at the end of 5 years the debts had not been substantially reduced, the farm and remaining personal property was to be sold.23 
28 Feb 1876  On Feb. 28, 1876 Fayette McMullin, Absalom's former partner, bought the Absalom Beattie farm at a judicial sale for $14,000. Later the same day McMullin sold the land to Wm C. Sanders for the same amount. Sanders did so with the reassurance from McMullin that Permelia Beattie had no dower right in the land.21 
Cens-18805 Jun 1880  Following the sale of his land Absalom, enumerated as Major A. Beaty, and Permelia (enumerated as Cornelia) lived with his son Robert in Bristol, Sullivan County, Tennessee.24 
DeathAug 1880 or Sep 1880 Absalom died in Aug 1880 or Sep 1880 in Virginia.25,26 
  Following Absalom's death, Permelia brought suit against Sanders for the assignment of her dower in Absalom's old land. The court awarded her $220 a year for the remainder of her life. Sanders countered by suing F. Alexander as Fayette McMullin's administrator, charging that McMullin falsely represented the right of Mrs. Beattie to a dower interest. The case made its way to the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals which upheld the decision of the Smyth Co. Circuit Ct. that McMullin's estate was responsible for the monies owned Permelia.21 

Research Comment:

Absalom and Eliza may have been the parents of two additional children who died young. The couple's first known child was born in 1833, their second in 1838, a gap of 5 years. The records of Old Glade Spring Church, where both Absalom and Eliza are buried, indicate two children buried next to Absalom's father, William Beattie. The stones, which were adjacent, are reported to have read:

James W. Beattie, d. 9 Feb. 1838, age 1y 10m 24d [b. abt 16 Mar 1836]

Elizabeth M. Beattie, daughter of A. [and??] E. Beattie, d. 21 Feb. 1837, age 2y 5m 15d [b. abt 6 Sept. 1834]

However, I have not been able to fully eliminate all of Absalom's brothers, especially James, as a potential father of one or both children.

Related Links and Images:

Read about the Absalom and Eliza's home
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Absalom as the head of household number 300. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

Eliza Davis b. 10 May 1810, d. 16 Mar 1862
Children
  • Ellen Ann Beattie1 (5 Apr 1833 - 28 Nov 1917)
  • Robert Fountain Beattie1 (13 Nov 1838 - 17 May 1905)
  • Amanda Josephine Beattie1 (12 Mar 1843 - 1 Dec 1859)
  • Eliza Virginia Beattie1 (23 Jun 1845 - 26 Oct 1905)
  • Frances Pauline Beattie1 (28 Jun 1847 - 13 Nov 1872)
  • Nancy Adelaide Beattie1 (22 May 1850 - 22 Oct 1900)
Last Edited19 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S3245] "Papers of Mrs. Joseph Smith", San Andreas Lake Chapter, California Society Daughters of the American Revolution - Bible Records - Vol. 58, images with transcriptions. Collection includes document titled "The Life of Mrs Joseph Smith" (1858-1939). Nancy (McDonald) Smith was the daughter of William H. McDonald and Ellen A. Beattie, and the granddaughter of Solomon McDonald and Nancy Cox, and of Absalom A. Beattie and Eliza Davis.
  2. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 102-6.
  3. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 18. Absalom Beatie, 64y, wid, b. & resid Washington Co. VA, farmer, s/o William & Mary Beatie AND Permelia Hill, 45y, wid, b. Henrico Co., VA, resid WCV, d/o William & Susan Staples; 25 Dec. 1866.
  4. [S851] William Beattie will (recorded 1860), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 15: 33. William's will was written on 14 Oct. 1834 with a codicil added on 14 Jul 1849. It was not recorded in court until 28 May 1860. The will was originally witnessed by Samuel Dunn, James Porterfield and Beattie Ryburn. However, by the time the will was recorded only Samuel Dunn was living. James C. Porterfield and Arthur D. Hutton testified that they were well acquainted with the handwriting of these two witnesses. Madison Beattie took the oath of executor with a bond of $2,000.
  5. [S3245] "Papers of Mrs. Joseph Smith", San Andreas Lake Chapter, California Society Daughters of the American Revolution - Bible Records - Vol. 58, images with transcriptions. Collection includes images from what appears to be the Bible of Wm H. McDonald and Ellen A. [Beattie] McDonald, published in Philadelphia by Jesper Harding & Son in 1857. The Bible includes family births, deaths and marriages, in varying scripts, for the couple and their children. It also includes a list of of names and birth/death dates for the family of Absalom Beatie, all entered in the same script, with the last entry dated Oct. 1905.
  6. [S1947] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 8: 441.
  7. [S2217] Letter from Josiah Beatie (7 Mile Ford, Virginia) to Samuel Beatie (Boone Co., Missouri), 27 Mar 1826.
  8. [S45] John Vogt and William Kethley Jr., Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1832-50, p. 11. Absolom Beattie and Eliza Davis, 12 June 1832.
  9. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 34. Peggie incorrectly states that Absalom married a Miss Scott.
  10. [S3251] Virginia Land Office Grants No. 101: 101, Library of Virginia Online. Two and 3/4 acres granted to Absalom Beatie, 31 Oct. 1848.
  11. [S367] Absalon Beatie household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. 88 (stamped), dwelling 300, family 300, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2003, image 41 of 289. Absalon Beatie, 48, farmer, owns real estate valued at $4,536; Eliza 40; Ellen 16; Robert 11; Amanda 7; continuing on p. 88b: Eliza Beatie 5; Frances P. 3; Nancy 2/12; all b. VA.
  12. [S3252] Virginia Land Office Grants No. 103: 145, Library of Virginia Online. Grant to Absalom Beatie and Robert B. Edmondson, 1 Jul 1850, for 219 acres in Smyth County.
  13. [S3253] Virginia Land Office Grants No. 105: 474, Library of Virginia Online. Grant to Absalom Batie and Robert B. Edmondson, 1 Jul 1851, for 394 acres in Smyth County.
  14. [S3253] Virginia Land Office Grants No. 105: 473, Library of Virginia Online. Grant to Absalom Batie and Robert B. Edmondson, 1 Jul 1851, for 12 acres in Smyth County.
  15. [S234] Absalom Beattie household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., The Western District, p. 441 (added script), dwelling 535, family 523, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2005, image 79 of 361. Enumeation includes: Absalom Beattie, 58, farmer, owns real estate of $10,000 and pers. prop of $20,000; Elisa, 50, housekeeper; Robert 21, student; Virginia, 15; Frances, 11; Adelaide, 10; all b. VA.
  16. [S1308] Absalom Beatie, owner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, slave schedule, p. 6 (original script), line 14, viewed online at Ancestry.com. 16 slaves including: 7 males and 9 females; also 3 slave houses.
  17. [S1311] Absalom Beatie landowner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, agricultural sched., Gladespring Post Office, p. 9, line 20.
  18. [S3254] Virgil Carrington Jones, Ranger Mosby, p. 40.
  19. [S2641] "Confederate Papers Relating to Citizens or Business Firms, 1861-65," digital images, Footnote.com (http://www.footnote.com : viewed Feb. 2013); Absalom Beattie file.
  20. [S2729] "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Belonging to Units From Virginia," digital images, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : accessed Oct. 2013); William H. McDonald, captain, Co. F, 23rd Battalion, VA Infantry.
  21. [S3066] Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, Virginia Law Review Vol. 9, p. 97, digitized images, Google Books (http://books.google.com : Feb. 2013), The case, styled Alexander vs Sanders, was heard on appeal from the Circuit Court of Smyth County where it was initiated in Sept. 1882 by William C. Sanders.
  22. [S3055] Jack Hockett, Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 27, 1868-1870, abstracting Washington Co., VA Deed Book 27: 446; Deed of trust from Absolom Beattie to Robert Beatie, and M. Peoples on behalf of various creditors of the firm of McDonald and Beattie. The deed outlines the dissolution of the business, McDonald's bankruptcy, and Beattie's assumption of the firm's debt.
  23. [S2857] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 27: 446. Deed of trust from Absolom Beattie to Robert Beatie, and M. Peoples on behalf of various creditors of the firm of McDonald and Beattie. The deed outlines the dissolution of the business, McDonald's bankruptcy, and Beattie's assumption of the firm's debt.
  24. [S914] Maj A. Beaty household, 1880 U.S. cens., Sullivan Co., Tennessee, pop sched., Bristol, ED 27, page 15C (p. 523 stamped), dwelling 134, family 137, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Feb. 2013. Household includes: Maj A. Beaty, 78, farmer; Cornelia A., 55, wife; Robert, 37, son, farmer retired; M.A., 30, wife [daughter-in-law]; Nora M., 1, dau [granddaughter]; all b. VA/VA/VA.
  25. [S3066] Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, Virginia Law Review Vol. 9, p. 97, digitized images, Google Books (http://books.google.com : Feb. 2013), The case, styled Alexander vs Sanders, was heard on appeal from the Circuit Court of Smyth County where it was initiated in Sept. 1882 by William C. Sanders. The summary notes state that A. Beattie died in July 1880.
  26. [S3245] "Papers of Mrs. Joseph Smith", San Andreas Lake Chapter, California Society Daughters of the American Revolution - Bible Records - Vol. 58, images with transcriptions. Collection includes images from what appears to be the Bible of Wm H. McDonald and Ellen A. [Beattie] McDonald, published in Philadelphia by Jesper Harding & Son in 1857. The Bible includes family births, deaths and marriages, in varying scripts, for the couple and their children. It also includes a list of of names and birth/death dates for the family of Absalom Beatie, all entered in the same script, with the last entry dated Oct. 1905. The entry for Absalom states he died Sept. 1880 in Va.