john and roda rachel (phares) beckett - West Virginia Genealogy

JOHN AND RHODA RACHEL (PHARES) BECKETTBy Beverly J. ThomasMy Beckett line began with Richard Beckett of Botetourt County, Virginia. Richard wasbelieved to have been born December 31, 1729, in Queen Ann Parish, Prince GeorgeCounty, Maryland. His parents are thought to have been John Beckett and Ann Drane,but this has not been documented.Richard Beckett, sometime after 1770, purchased 169 acres in Augusta County, Virginia.He was listed in 1782 Revolutionary records as being a member of Captain Esau’sCompany in Botetourt County, Virginia. On March 18, 1782, he was granted 64 acres inBotetourt County, Virginia, on Middle Creek, the waters of Little River, a branch of NewRiver adjoining William Gibson’s land. He received a grant for 452 acres in BotetourtCounty, Virginia, on the waters of Middle Creek, a branch of Little River adjoining landsof Thomas and William Goodson.Richard Beckett was married to Susannah ____. He died about 1803/04, leaving a willdated November 20, 1803. The will was probated on February 7, 1804, in MontgomeryCounty, Virginia. Richard and Susanna were the parents of 12 children, according toRichard’s will.1. John Beckett, born August 29, 1766, died in November 1835.2. William Beckett, born about 1770, died after 1803.1792.3. Rebecca Beckett, born about 1772, married John Johnston on December 3,4. Anne Beckett, born about 1773, married William Johnston on June 23, 1793.5. James Beckett, Sr., born September 18, 1774, died January 20, 1868. Jamesmarried first Margaret Peden, on September 8, 1794; and married second Hannah Lee onJanuary 24, 1814.6. Mary Beckett, born about 1777, married William Fungate, on June 27, 1799.1807.7. Susannah Beckett, born about 1779, married Joseph Willis on December 1,8. Martha Beckett, born about 1780, died about July 1828.

9. Josiah Beckett, born about 1782, died April 16, 1857, married Barbary LeanSowder.10. Richard Beckett, born about 1785, married Mary Mavity about 1810.1808.11. Thomas Beckett, born about 1787, married Nancy McFadden on March 1,12. Ruth Beckett, born about 1790, married Meridith Hart on December 12,1810.John BeckettSon of Richard and Susan BeckettOn March 9, 1797, in Montgomery County, Virginia, John Beckett was granted 83 acreson Middle Creek, the waters of Little River, a branch on New River adjoining RichardBeckett’s land. He was granted on January 15, 1831, in Botetourt County, Virginia, 160acres, part of Loyal Company’s Grant (now in Montgomery County, Virginia). OnMarch 14, 1825, in Kanawha County, Virginia, he received “150 acres beg’g &c cornerof Thomas Edgar, Edmond Morris & corner of G. Beckett’s Mill Place.”John Beckett married Anne Becklesimer, daughter of John and Elizabeth Becklesimer ofBotetourt County, Virginia, on December 17, 1788. John died in Floyd County, Virginia,in 1835. His will was dated August 27, 1835, and it was probated in the November 1835Court in Floyd County, Virginia.John and Anne’s children based on John’s will:-1 John Beckett, Jr., born in March 1803, died May 7, 1890. He married RhodaRachel Phares on August 3, 1824.-2 William Beckett, born about 1806, married Lucy Lepeur on April 20, 1827.-3 Ann Beckett, born about 1810, married William Walters who was bornDecember 7, 1792.-4 Elizabeth Beckett married ______Terry.- 5 Samuel Beckett, born 9 March 1794, died 27 June 1880.There was a Daniel Beckett, born about 1796, who married Lydia Wade on July 24,1816, in Montgomery County, Virginia. He was not listed in John Beckett’s will. Wasthis Daniel Beckett a son of John and Anne Beckett? Was Daniel Beckett deceased whenJohn Beckett wrote his will?2

John Beckett, Jr.Son of John Beckett, Sr., and Anne BecklesimerJohn Beckett, Jr., married Rhoda Rachel Phares, daughter of Amariah Phares andElizabeth Beheler of Montgomery County, Virginia, on August 3, 1824, in MontgomeryCounty, Virginia. Amariah Phares was the son of Robert Phares of Middlesex County,New Jersey, and Elizabeth was the daughter of David and Elizabeth Beheler of FranklinCounty, Virginia.On October 10, 1828, John and Rachel sold to John Epperly land that was given toRachel by her father, Amariah Phares. John Beckett, Jr., bought 160 acres from WilliamBeckett, on September 1, 1829. John Beckett, Jr., was granted on September 1, 1834, 20acres in Floyd County, Virginia, situated on the drains of Little River. He was granted468 and ¾ acres on Paint Creek in Raleigh County on February 1, 1861, and was granted246 and ¼ acres on Paint Creek in Raleigh Co on March 1, 1861.John H. Beckett was listed on the teacher payroll compiled over a ten-year period,ending in 1861, by school superintendent Alfred Beckley of Raleigh County. He wasalso a Justice of Peace for Raleigh County.John and Rachel Beckett’s children:--1 Mary Beckett, born about 1830, died June 12,1895, married Hamilton Harper--2 Octavia Beckett, born about 1832, married Lewis Williams.--3 Elizabeth Beckett, born about 1834, died June 15, 1890.--4 Martha Beckett, born about 1836, married Bartley Pack, born about January1825, died December 15, 1896. They were married on December 17, 1883.Ward.--5 Sarah Beckett, born about 1842, died June 3, 1884. She married Thomas L.Mary (Beckett) HarperDaughter of John Beckett and Rachel PharesJohn and Rachel were the great grandparents of Clarence W. Meadows, the twenty-thirdGovernor of West Virginia, being elected to office in 1944. Clarence was the grandsonof Octavia Beckett and Lewis Williams and the son of Ida May Williams and IsadoreMeadows. Lewis Williams was the grandson of David “Lonesome Dave” Williams andthe son of John Williams and Susanna Stover. Isadore Meadows was the son of RufusMeadows and Sarah Meadows.Mary Beckett married Hamilton Harper, son of Joseph Harper and Frances “Fannie”Stover. Joseph was the son of John Harper. Frances “Fannie” was the daughter of Jacob3

Stover and Sarah “Sally” McGhee. Both John Harper and Jacob Stover have manydescendants that are still found in Raleigh County today. Joseph Harper was sheriff ofRaleigh County for the years 1848-1850.Mary Beckett and Hamilton Harper were married about 1850 in Raleigh County. Theyare listed in the 1850 Raleigh County census along with Hamilton’s mother, FrancesStover and his brother, James Harper.Mary Beckett and Hamilton Harper’s children:1872.i Sarah F. Harper, born about 1851, married John Williams on March 14,ii Eliza Harper, born about 1853, married Jesse Daniel on April 17, 1873.iii Samuel Preston Harper, born about 1856, married Agnes FrancesLaverty on March 19, 1888.iv James Benjamin Harper, born about 1857, married first SarahClemetine Dillon on December 19, 1877; and married second Victoria Ann Brickley onMay 6, 1884.v Leonard Chapman Harper, born about 1860, married first Mary HarrietCantley on August 10, 1881; and married second Almeda Webb Cline.vi Mary Alice Harper, born about 1865 , died about 1898. She marriedWilliam Pembroke Wikle on April 18, 1881.vii Joseph Millard Harper was born about 1868.viii Ulysis Grant Harper, born about 1872, died 10 July 1896.Mary Alice HarperDaughter of Mary Beckett and Hamilton HarperMary Alice Harper married William Pembroke “Pem” Wikle on April 18, 1881, inRaleigh County, West Virginia. William P. “Pem” Wikle was the son of Isabel Wikleand grandson of Phillip Jackson Weikle and Nancy Smith of Monroe County, WestVirginia. He was the great grandson of George Weikle and Mary Magdalena Michaelwho came to Monroe County, Virginia, in 1805 from Augusta County, Virginia.Mary Alice Harper and William Pembroke “Pem” Wikle’s children:--1 Leona Wikle, born about 1882, married Snowden Thompson.4

--2 Etta Wikle, born about 1884, married John Phipps.--3 Blanche Wikle, born about 1885, married Garfield White.--4 Pearl Wikle, born about 1886, married first Lonnie Ward; andmarried second Johnny Monroe Ward.--5 French Wikle, born March 31, 1888, married Winnie Cantley.--6 Launa Grace Wikle, born March 31,1888, married George W.Hood, Jr., on June 3, 1908.--7 Homer Wikle, born about 1890, married Elizabeth Skaggs.--8 Carried Wikle, born in July 1897, died December 16, 1901.Launa WikleDaughter of Mary Alice Harper and William Pembroke “Pem” WikleMy grandmother, Launa Wikle, met my grandfather, George W. Hood, Jr., through herfather, William P. “Pem” Wikle, who drove a freight wagon on what was then known asthe Logan Turnpike. It seems that my grandfather’s sister, Lucy Hood, was recoveringfrom scarlet fever and the family needed someone to take care of her during her recovery.“Pem” Wikle, who, through his travels on the Logan Turnpike, was acquainted with theHood family and knowing of their plight suggested his daughter, Launa, for the job.Launa and George, my grandparents, were married June 3, 1908, in Raleigh County.George Hood was the son of George W. Hood, Sr., and Arminta Bailey, daughter of JohnB. Bailey and Sarah “Sally” Stanley.Sources:Virginia State LibraryPauline Haga’s booksFloyd County, Virginia, RecordsMontgomery County, Virginia, RecordsMonroe County, West Virginia, RecordsMonroe County History by MortonMarie Hood Williams (my mom)History of Fayette County by Peters and CardinRaleigh County West Virginia by Jim WoodsCensus RecordsFranklin County, Virginia, Court RecordsEarly Marriages, Wills, and Some Revolutionary War Records, Botetourt County,Virginia by Anne Lowry WorrellBotetourt County, Virginia, Records5