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Correspondence, 1801-1913

Series 1

 Series
Identifier: Series 1

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The papers of the Beebe family of Litchfield, Conn., centering on Bezaleel Beebe, his father, and his descendents. The papers consist of correspondence, deeds, business records, military records, and other documents. The papers are arranged in three series: Series 1: Correspondence Series 2: Beebe, Bezaleel military papers Series 3: Other papers Bezaleel Beebe was born in 1741 in Litchfield, Conn., a son of Ebenezer Beebe (1716-1744) and Bethiel Osborn Beebe Peck (1722-1816). After serving in the French and Indian War, he retruned to his farm in Litchfield. In 1775, he was commissioned lieutenant and sent to Boston soon after the battle of Lexington. He was promoted to captain in 1776 and saw active service in New York and New Jersey. He was taken prisoner at the capture of Fort Washington and was confined in New York nearly a year. He rose to the rank of colonel in 1781 and then appointed to the command of all the Connecticut troops raised for seacoast defense, with the duties and pay of a brigadier-general. His military papers cover the 1772-1780 time period, and include his orderly book, 1776 and 1780;  an account book; correspondence; comissions; lists of enlistees; and other documents. The collection includes correspondence written by or to members of Bezaleel's family, including one of his sons, William Beebe (1782-1861), two of William Beebe's children, Clara Beebe Darling (1820-1913) and Philip Schuyler Beebe (1812-1891), and their son, William Beebe (1851-1917). Philip married Lucy Beebe Robbins (1816-1876), a third cousin. Lucy's mother, also named Lucy, married Samuel Robbins (1775-1832). Lucy and Samuel corresponded with members of her family and their spouses, including Lucy's sister Esther Beebe Whittlesey (1777-1818), Esther's husband Newton Whittlesey (1777-1874), and Esther's daughter Mary Whittlesey Hubbard (1801-1845), all of Cornish, N.H.; her sister Mary (Polly) Beebe Tupper of Lawrenceville, Pa.; Lucy's brothers Hiram Beebe (abt. 1797-1861) and Edward Beebe (1791-1871) and his wife Marilla Collins Beebe, all of Lawrenceville, Pa.; Lucy's half brother Rev. Jonathan Lee Hale (1790-1835) and her half sister Lydia Lee Keep (1781-1865). Of note in the other papers series are deeds documenting land transactions in Litchfield as early as 1729. Also of interest is an autobiography written by Bezaleel's mother Bethiel (or Bethia) Osborn Beebe Peck.

Dates

  • created: 1801-1913

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.42 Linear Feet

From the Collection: 1 document box other_unmapped

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the Litchfield Historical Society Repository

Contact:
7 South Street
P.O. Box 385
Litchfield CT 06759
860-567-4501
860-567-3565 (Fax)