Genealogy - Good or Disappointing

Genealogy; Friend Or Foe of Historical Research

A few years ago I decided to create mini-biographies of some of the soldiers stationed at Fort Amanda. While researching family genealogies, for a private soldier named James Beeson, I came across something that has puzzled me for a long long time.

Who Was James Beeson?

James Beeson was born in Guilford, North Carolina on June 6, 1783. In 1805 he married 22 year-old Liddy Cude. When he was called to active duty in 1813, he left behind his wife and three young children (Rosannah 8, Mary 2 and Cornelius 1). Beeson was a private in Captain William Ramsey’s company made up of men from Preble and Darke Counties. They were stationed at Fort Amanda from October 11, 1813 until April 7, 1814.

The Sad Parts

 According to family genealogy and other internet sources James Beeson died on April 4, 1814 while on active duty at Fort Amanda and is buried there. This means that Beeson would have died just 3 days before his company was released from duty at Ft. Amanda. Making the story more sad was the fact that Liddy was 5 months pregnant at the time so James never got to see his new son, James jr. who was born on August 4, 1817.

    

Proof James Beeson is buried at Fort Amanda?

One of my first thoughts was why didn’t they transport his body home for burial.

Fort Amanda to Eaton in Preble County

(Distances and route are approx.)

Then I reminded myself that a trip back to Preble County from Ft. Amanda could have taken 3 or 4 days by wagon and because it was Summer, that wasn’t feasible for obvious reasons So, that means he has to be buried somewhere at Fort Amanda. Right? Not so fast.

Proof James Beeson is “NOT” Buried at Fort Amanda?

I found the following in the “History of Preble County (1881)” written by H. Z. Williams & Bros., (page 331)

Oliver Tillson, engaged in farming in Darke County until about 1845, when he removed to Richmond, Indiana, where he engaged in the shoe and leather business in New Paris and New Hope, Preble County. He died at New Hope, June 21, 1865. He was married December 19, 1823 to Rosanna Beeson, who was born in North Carolina in 1807. While in childhood her father removed to Ohio. He was a volunteer soldier in the War of 1812, and died at Fort Meigs, September 5, 1814.
So not only did James Beeson not die at Fort Amanda, he didn’t die on April 4, 1814, he died 5 months later on Sept. 5, 1814 at Fort Meigs.

Beeson Already Served So Why Would He Be At  Ft. Meigs?

It was not uncommon for men to re-enlist in another company after being discharged.  This way they could make extra money, normally about $8.00 a month.  The dangers were far less so re-enlistment for the extra money was probably a huge incentive Beeson. 

Fort Meigs - 1813

In 1813, Fort Meigs (Perrysburg, Ohio) covered an area of almost 8 acres. At one time it was garrisoned by 2800 soldiers. After the Battle of the Thames and the death of Tecumseh along with Lake Erie in control of the Americans there was no need for such a massive complex. In the latter part of 1813, no longer needed as a defense position, the fort was downsized to approx. 1 acre garrisoned with 100 to 150 Ohio militia troops and became a link in the supply chain supplying troops to the north.

Fort Meigs – 1813

Fort Meigs - 1814

Probable Burial Site of Pvt. James Beeson

A Happy Ending

While the story of a young father dying is always sad, there is a positive twist to this story.  James Beeson sr. left Amanda on April 7, 1814.  His son, Cornelius was born on Aug. 4, 1814.  We’ll never know when Beeson sr. left to go to Ft. Meigs but I’d like to think that he did get to see his newborn son before he left.    

What Became of James Beeson’s Widow

Census Records

A further look at the family genealogies and cemetery records shows that Liddy Beeson, widow of James Beeson eventually married a man named Leonard Tillson and together had 6 more children.  They would have married before 1817 as one of their children was born in 1817.  Leonard Tillson, also a veteran of the War of 1812.  The couple resided in Harrison Township, Darke County, Ohio.  Their first son together Luther was born on April 9, 1817.  If you’re doing the math, the time between James death and the birth of her son with Tillson, the answer is 2 years and 7 months.   Leonard Tillson died on the 10^th of October 1836. Liddy, twice widowed, 28 when her first husband (James Beeson) died and 40 when her second husband died, according to her gravestone, Liddy never remarried and died on April 13, 1857.   

Grave site of Lydia Cude Beeson Tillson                   

Cedar Grove Cemetery

3 miles south of Hollansburg, Ohio

    Liddy Tillson's grave

So is Genealogy a Friend or Foe of Historical Research ?

Genealogical records are a good starting point but they sometimes leads us to names, places, events that aren’t entirely factual.  In the case of James Beeson, my guess is his descendants still believe that their ancestor  buried at Fort Amanda but hopefully over time they’ll come to learn the truth. 

But Why Is All That So Important?

My best example is my 40+ years of research of Fort Amanda. For 200 years writers claimed it was built by Col. Thomas Poague who named it for his wife. That was false. We now know it was built by Lt. Col. Robert Pogue who named it for his 11 year-old daughter. If the information hadn't been corrected, all we'd know is that Thomas Poague built Ft. Amanda and named it for his wife , end of story. By correcting the information, we were now have a list of every soldier stationed at Ft. Amanda from its beginning to its closure. In the case of James Beeson, history records him being buried at Ft. Amanda and that isn't true so my quest was to find out the truth and by doing so it changed a family's history. Why is that important? Whenever I locate a grave of a Fort Amanda soldier, I go the spot, stop at the grave, say a little prayer, thank him for his service and we have a short chat (albeit 1 way. J). I guess it’s my way of letting them know they haven’t been forgotten. And while talking to people who have been dead for over 200 years probably sounds a little odd to many folks, but if you’re a genealogist or a historian or just someone who loves history you know exactly what I’m talking about. For me, the experience gives me happiness, not because I found their grave, but because I feel a connection. Besides, I honestly believe they hear me. That makes all my work both a pleasure and a blessing.