Ancestral Glimpses » Edmund Beauchamp (1625-1691)

Personal data Edmund Beauchamp 

• He was born on December 16, 1625 in Cosgrove, Northamptonshire, ENGLAND.
• He was christened on December 17, 1625 in Cosgrove, Northamptonshire, ENGLAND.
• He was baptized on December 16, 1625 in West Chiltington, Sussex, ENGLAND.
• Emigrated about 1665, Maryland, British America.

  Edmund Beauchamp emigrated to America in 1665. He is recognized as one of the twelve founders of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. His father, John Beauchamp, was one of 70 financial backers of the Mayflower Colony. The family was descended from Hugh de Beauchamp who was in the train of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings, 1066.
  
  Edmund received fifty acres of land from Lord Baltimore because he transported himself to the colony. This land was assigned to William Smith in 1665, and for this reason it is almost a certainty that Edmund came to Maryland bef. 1665. Edmund exercised the office of clerk to the court in the province of Maryland from Jun to 22 Aug 1666. At that time he was commissioned clerk and keeper of the records and proceedings of the court of Somerset County and he served in this office until his death in 1691.
  Source: The History of the Beauchamp Family and Allied Lines, 1997, p. 9.

• Occupations:
• on January 29, 1667 Clerke to ye Court.

  Proceedings of the County Courts of Kent (1648-1676), Talbot (1662-1674), and Somerset (1665-1668)
  Volume 54, p. 657.
  At a Court held 29 Jan 1666 for the Countie of Liber B No. 1          
  Somerset in the Province of Maryland
  
  Present
  Mr William Stevens
  Capt William Thorne     Mr Henry Boston
  Mr John Winder Mr George Johnson
  
  29 Jan  1666
      This Day Edmund Beauchamp Clrke to the Court was sworne in
  these words Following viz:
  You shall sweare that you as Clrke to the Court for the Countie of
  Sommersett in the province of Maryland shall be true & Faithfull to the
  Lord Proprietor of the province aforesaid & to the Inhabitants of the
  said Countie; you shall true entry make upon record of all orders of
  the Court for the Countie aforesaid according as you shall from itt
  receiue direccon & alsoe of all other things that belongeth to you as
  Clrke of the Countie aforesaid soe to doe you shall not Increase the
  Fees allowed by Act of Assembly Soe God you helpe & the Contents
  of this Booke.
  
  For a short time Edmund Beauchamp occupied the office of clerk of court for the entire Eastern Shore, but on 22 Aug 1666, Somerset County was established and from that time with the exception of a few months, he was clerk of Somerset County until his death in 1691.
  
  I have seen the records which he made and agree entirely with the estimate made by Clayton Torrence, author of Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland (p. 333): "Anyone who has occasion to make careful study and investigation of the records of Somerset Court from its beginning throughout Beauchamp's years of service as clerk will fully realize the care and thought which this early worthy bestowed upon the duties of his office. A more splendidly kept set of records of court proceedings and deeds cannot, we believe, be found elsewhere during the early colonial period. He
  was a veritable master of his craft."
  Source: Thompson, Stith, The Beauchamp Family.
  

• weaver.
• Religion: about 1671 a member of the Church of England.Coventry Parish church

  Edmund Beauchamp was a member of the Church of England, and his wife and three of their children were among the first to be bap. into that church in Somerset County. This happened in 1671, 1674, and 1677.

• (Arrival) in the year 1665 in Maryland, British America.
• (Land Owner In) on June 30, 1668 in Annemessex, Somerset County, Maryland, British America: "Contention"300 acres of land lying at the head of the Great Annemessex River.
• (Witness) on August 1, 1675: Somerset County, Maryland.
• (Title (Facts Pg) from June 1666 till August 22, 1666 in Somerset County, Maryland, British America: Clerk of the Court of Somerset County.

  From his appointment as clerk of Somerset in Aug 1666, Beauchamp continued to serve in this office, with the exception of a few months, or perhaps a year, until his death in 1691; a period of practically a quarter of a century.

• He died on November 12, 1691 in Anamessex, Somerset County, Maryland, British America, he was 65 years old.

  Somerset County Judicial Records, 1690-1691,
  Volume 191, p. 157.
  
  Mr. Edmund Beauchamp late Clerk of this County having power from an Assembly held at St. Maries to make choise of an asistant or Deputy Clerk in regard to his age and defitiency, and therefore did / upon the fifth day of November Anno. Domini 1689: present to the Justices for his Deputy Clerk
  John: West of this County, who was well approved on by sd Justices, and Sworn before them Deputy Clerk as appears upon Record in Lib B.W. folio 7. & 8. B The aforesd Mr Edmund Beauchamp departing this life upon the 26th: day of this instant September. and this day to witt ye 29th. of 7ber
  Anno Domini 1691: the Justices in Court Sitting. have Ordered the sd John: West Clerk of this County Court. &c.

• He is buried November 1691 in St. John Parish, Anamessex, Somerset County, Maryland, British America.
• Will on April 10, 1691 naar Annamessex, Somerset County, Maryland, Verenigde Staten.

  In making his will (dated 10 Apr 1691. Probated 12 Oct 1691) he
  describes himself as"Edmund Beauchamp, Mercer, of London, and at the
  writing hereof County Clerke of Somerset in the Province of Maryland."
  
  Mercer is, by definition, a dealer in textiles, especially silks.
  
  From the Filson Club History Quarterly Vol. 28, p. 151.
  " I, Edmund Beauchamp, weaver of London, and at present writing
  clerk of the county court of Somerset County. To wife Sarah, the land
  where she now dwells during natural life or widowhood, land lying between
  land of son Thomas, bounds of land of son John. Also household furniture,
  etc.
  "To son Thomes Beauchamp, personality.
  "To son Edmund, part of my land called Contention, (50 acres)
  beginning at the corner tree of son Thomas' land by conveyance made over
  to him by myself and wife, etc.
  "To son Edmund, personality.
  "To Patience Beauchamp, twelve pounds sterling to be paid her at age
  or day of marriage.
  "Balance of estate to be equally devided between my son Thomas
  Beauchamp, my son Edmund Beauchamp, my dau. Alice Beauchamp, my son
  John Beauchamp, my son Doggett Beauchamp, my son Edward Beauchamp and my son Robert Beauchamp.
  Dated 10 Apr 1691"
  
  On 10 Apr 1691 his will was written. According to records held by the Maryland State Archives Edmund died on 26 Sept 1691. His will was probated on 12 Oct 1691.
  
  Edmund's unrecorded will was found in unused alcove of courthouse at Princess Ann by Mrs. Layton of Washington, DC.
  
  Info in The Filson Club Quarterly, Vol 28 No 2 containing The Beauchamp Family written by Stith Thompson.

• A child of John Beauchamp and Alice Freeman
• This information was last updated on April 27, 2017.

Household of Edmund Beauchamp

He is married to Sarah Dixon.

They got married on June 11, 1668 at Anamessex, Somerset County, Maryland, British America, he was 42 years old.

On 11 Jun 1668, he md. Sarah, dau. of Ambrose and Mary Dixon of Annamessex. Ambrose Dixon had come to Northampton County, Virginia in 1649, and his wife had joined him in 1652.

American Marriages before 1699
Name: Edmund Beauchamp
Spouse: Sarah Dixon
Marriage Date: 11 Jun 1668
Marriage Place: Somerset Co., Maryland

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name: Edmund Beauchamp
Gender: Male
Birth Place: EN
Spouse Name: Sarah Dixon
Marriage Year: 1668
Marriage State: MD
Number Pages: 1

Child(ren):

1. Patience Beauchamp  ± 1669-????
2. Thomas Beauchamp  1670-1715 
3. Turpin Beauchamp  ± 1672-????
4. Alice Beauchamp  1674-> 1690
5. Edmund Beauchamp  1676-1733 
6. Elizabeth Beauchamp  ± 1677-1769 
7. John Beauchamp  1679-1725
8. Dogett Beauchamp  1681-1716
9. Edward Beauchamp  ± 1683-< 1750 
10. Robert Beauchamp  ± 1685-1744 
11. William Beauchamp  ± 1687-????

Notes about Edmund Beauchamp

Edmund Beauchamp was in Maryland by 1665 since in that year he assigned fifty acres of land to William Smith. He was sent to Somerset County, Maryland, by Gov. Charles Calvert in the spring of 1666 as a person well qualified to exercise the office of clerk of court for the entire Eastern Shore, but on 22 Aug 1666, Somerset County was established and from that time with the exception of a few months, he was clerk of Somerset County until his death in 1691. On 33 Jun 1668, just after Edmund's marriage, he purchased 300 acres of land called Contention lying at the head of the Great Annemessix River [see Archives of Maryland, Vol. 54]. Contention was the home of the Beauchamps for more than a century. Edmund Beauchamp was a member of the Church of England, and his wife and three of their children were among the first to be bap. into that church in Somerset County.

Researchers:Larry CONNER
467 Forest Edge Drive
South Lebanon, OH, 45065

"That he was the son of John Beauchamp, merchant of London, is clear, first, because of his mention in John Beauchamp's Herald's Visitation statement; secondly the list of John Beauchamp's children in parish records; and thirdly, the fact that one of John Beauchamp's daus. md. a Doggett and that one of Edmund Beauchamp's sons was named Doggett Beauchamp, apparently for his uncle.

On 30 Jun 1668, just after Edmund's marriage, he purchased 300 acres of land called "Contention" lying at the head of the Great Annemessix River [see Archives of Maryland, Vol. 54]. In Oct 1669, he conveyed this land to his wife "Sarah Beachamp, alias Dixon, dau. of Ambrose and Mary Dixon." "Contention" was the home of the Beauchamps for more than a century.
The record of Edmund Beauchamp's children appears in the parish records of Coventry Parish church and also in the Somerset County court record book IKL. The same list appears in his will.

* Edmund proved his right to 50 acres of land for having transported himself from England to Maryland. Apparently the same 50 acres he assigned to William Smith in 1665. [Ref.: Family Tree Maker's Family Archives, Vol. I, pedigree # 337.]

Peden, Henry C., Jr. & Wright, F. Edward, Colonial Families of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, ((Westminster, MD: 1999) Published by Willow Bend Books), Vol 8, p. 102:
On 2 Oct 1669 Edmund Beauchamp gave his wife Sara Beauchamp, alias Sarah Dixon, dau. of Ambrose and Mary, tract called Contention. Land Records of Somerset County, Maryland

Edmund Beauchamp was of a London branch of an ancient Northamptonshire family. He was evidently sent to the "Eastern Shore" by Governor Charles Calvert in spring of 1666 as a person whom he considered well qualified to exercise the office of clerk to the court there. This local court "entertayned" the gentleman on this high recommendation with hope that he would carefully discharge the duties of so responsible an office.

On 11 Jun 1668, Edmund Beauchamp md. Sarah, dau. of Ambrose and Mary Dixon, of Annemessex, and on 30 Jun 1668, purchased (from Edmund Dickeson) 300 acres of land called "Contention" lying at the head of the Great Annemessex River. In Oct 1669, conveyed this land to his wife, "Sarah Beauchamp, alias Dixon, dau. of Ambrose and Mary Dixon," as a "joynture to her and her heirs forever." It was here on this tract called "Contention" that the Beauchamps made their home.
On 15 Jan 1689-90, Edmund Beauchamp, clerk of the court, "being very lame," petitioned the court that it was a very great inconvenience to him that the records were kept at Captain Coulbourne's, being at such a distance from his assistant's, John West's, and requested that the records be removed to Mr. West's house. This petition was "denyed" at the time it was presented, but on reconsideration two days later (17 Jan) it was granted. A further order of court recites that Edmund Beauchamp, owing "to his age and defitiency," was allowed by the General Assembly of the province to choose an assistant, or deputy clerk, and this he did on 5 Nov 1689, appointing John West, who was approved by the court and was sworn as deputy clerk, and Edmund Beauchamp having died 26 Sep 1691, the court on 29 Sep 1691, named John West clerk of the county.3
Edmund Beauchamp md. Sarah Dixon, dau. of Ambrose Dixon, of "Dixon's Choice," on Annemessex River, who was one of the founders of the settlement; an ardent Quaker, and at whose house the first Quaker Meetings in the settlement were held and on whose land the first Quaker meeting house in Somerset was erected.
In the beginning the Quaker hue of Annemessex was untouched by any "shadow of conformity"; but such a shadow did at last cast itself upon this section in the persons of John Rhodes, Charles Hall, John Roach, Cornelius Ward, Thomas Tull, Richard Tull and Edmund Beauchamp. Though doubtless interested in the Quakers and George Fox and his teachings, Edmund Beauchamp evidently remained in the Church of England as his house was a place at which services were (at least occasionally) held by a minister of the Church of England. Beauchamp's wife, Sarah, and three of their children were bapt. in 1671, 1674 and 1677, respectively. Certainly the Beauchamps did not become Quakers.
Source: Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore, Published 1935, p. 332.

---------------------------------------------
Gary Hawley Info: 30 Jun 1668, purchased 300 acres of land called "Contention" lying at head of Great Annemessix River (Archives of Maryland Vol 54). Oct 1669 conveyed this land to wife, "Sarah Beauchamp alias Dixon, dau. of Ambrose and Mary Dixon". Contention was home of Beauchamps for more than a century.

28 Nov 1689, Edmund signed Address of the Inhabitants of County of Somersett To Their Majistris, received from my Lord Shrewsbury, 7 Feb 1689. Also Thomas Dixon signed. This says none were Quaker. Found at Rootsweb. Somerset, MD, USA site.

"That he was the son of John Beauchamp, merchant of London, is clear, first, because of his mention in John Beauchamp's Herald's Visitation statement; secondly the list of John Beauchamp's children in parish records; and thirdly, the fact that one of John Beauchamp's daus. md. a Doggett and that one of Edmund Beauchamp's sons was named Doggett Beauchamp, apparently for his uncle. Edmund Beauchamp in his will speaks of himself as "weaver, of London." He was in Maryland by 1665 since in that year he assigned fifty acres of land to William Smith*. He was sent to Somerset County, Maryland, by Gov. Charles Calvert in the spring of 1666 as a person well qualified to exercise the office of clerk of court for the entire Eastern Shore, but on 22 Aug 1666, Somerset Co., was established and from that time with the exception of a few months, he was clerk of Somerset Co. until his death in 1691.

The record of Edmund Beauchamp's children appears in the parish records of Coventry Parish church and also in the Somerset County court record book IKL. The same list appears in his will.

Edmund Beauchamp was the first family member to settle in America. He
came at the direct insistence of Governor Charles Calvert to serve as
clerk of the newly formed Somerset, County. He arrived in 1665 (For a
time was clerk for the entire East Coast) because in that year he
assigned 50 acres of land to a William Smith. He would remain as
clerk there till his death. Soon after his marriage to Sarah, he
purchased 300 acres of land on Jun 30. It was called Contention,
which laid at the head of the Great Annemessex River. This would be
the home of the Beauchamps for over 100 years. In Oct 1669 he
conveyed Contention to his wife.

Source: A book, History of Don Merlin Grover and Jennette Morris Grover, Ancestors and Descendants, FHL Call No. U.S./Can, Book Area 929.273, G919b1, L. Don Berchtold, grand-son, author.

Source: A book, History of Don Merlin Grover and Jennette Morris Grover, Ancestors and Descendants, FHL Call No. U.S./Can, Book Area 929.273, G919b1, L. Don Berchtold, grandson, author. This PAF has been updated from the IGI, and Ancestral File since the book was published.

Beauchamp Book found in the Tulsa Genealogical Library.

Ancestral File Number: N19H-WD

Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore
Published 1935, p. 332.

On 11 Jun 1668, Edmund Beauchamp md. Sarah, dau. of Ambrose and Mary Dixon, of Annemessex, and on 30 Jun 1668, purchased (from Edmund Dickeson) 300 acres of land called "Contention" lying at the head of the Great Annemessex River. In Oct 1669, conveyed this land to his wife, "Sarah Beauchamp, alias Dixon, dau. of Ambrose and Mary Dixon," as a "joynture to her and her heirs forever." It was here on this tract called "Contention" that the Beauchamps made their home.

On 15 Jan 1689-90, Edmund Beauchamp, clerk of the court, "being very lame," petitioned the court that it was a very great inconvenience to him that the records were kept at Captain Coulbourne's, being at such a distance from his assistant's, John West's, and requested that the records be removed to Mr. West's house. This petition was "denyed" at the time it was presented, but on reconsideration two days later (17 Jan) it was granted. A further order of court recites that Edmund Beauchamp, owing "to his age and defitiency," was allowed by the General Assembly of the province to choose an assistant, or deputy clerk, and this he did on 5 Nov 1689, appointing John West, who was approved by the court and was sworn as deputy clerk, and Edmund Beauchamp having died 26 Sep 1691, the court on 29 Sep 1691, named John West clerk of the county.3

Edmund Beauchamp md. Sarah Dixon, dau. of Ambrose Dixon, of "Dixon's Choice," on Annemessex River, who was one of the founders of the settlement; an ardent Quaker, and at whose house the first Quaker Meetings in the settlement were held and on whose land the first Quaker meeting house in Somerset was erected.

Birth: 16 Dec 1625 in Cosgrove, England 2
Death: 12 Nov 1691 in Somerset County, Maryland 3

Source: A book, History of Don Merlin Grover and Jennette Morris Grover, Ancestors and Descendants, FHL Call No. U.S./Can, Book Area 929.273, G919b1, L. Don Berchtold, grand-son, author.

"That he was the son of John Beauchamp, merchant of London, is clear, first, because of his mention in John Beauchamp's Herald's Visitation statement; secondly the list of John Beauchamp's children in parish records; and thirdly, the fact that one of John Beauchamp's daus. md. a Doggett and that one of Edmund Beauchamp's sons was named Doggett Beauchamp, apparently for his uncle. Edmund Beauchamp in his will speaks of himself as "weaver, of London." He was in Maryland by 1665 since in that year he assigned fifty acres of land to William Smith*. He was sent to Somerset County, Maryland, by Gov. Charles Calvert in the spring of 1666 as a person well qualified to exercise the office of clerk of court for the entire Eastern Shore, but on 22 Aug 1666, Somerset Co., was established and from that time with the exception of a few months, he was clerk of Somerset Co. until his death in 1691. The author of The Beauchamp Family, Stith Thompson, has seen the records which he made and was in full agreement with Clayton Torrence, author of Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, [p. 333]."Anyone who has occasion to make careful study and investigation of the records of Somerset Court from its beginning throughout Beauchamp's years of service as clerk will fully realize the care and thought which this early worthy bestowed upon the duties of his office. A more splendidly kept set of records of court proceedings and deeds cannot, we believe, be found elsewhere during the early colonial period. He was a veritable master of his craft." On 30 Jun 1668, just after Edmund's marriage, he purchased 300 acres of land called "Contention" lying at the head of the Great Annemessix River [see Archives of Maryland, Vol. 54]. In Oct 1669, he conveyed this land to his wife "Sarah Beachamp, alias Dixon, dau. of Ambrose and Mary Dixon." "Contention" was the home of the Beauchamps for more than a century. Edmund Beauchamp was a member of the Church of England, and his wife and three of their children were among the first to be bapt. into that church in Somerset County. This happened in 1671, 1674, and 1677. The record of Edmund Beauchamp's children appears in the parish records of Coventry Parish church and also in the Somerset County court record book IKL.

Old Somerset of the Eastern Shore of Maryland; Beaucham page. There is an article in the D.A.R Magazine, Apr 1932, called "Edmund Beauchamp of Maryland" see Mary Turpin Layton. Edmund was the first clerk of Somerset County.

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Timeline Edmund Beauchamp

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