Beaver family
in Tredyffrin and Charlestown

Introduction

In 1767 John Beaver purchased an estate from the Rev. William Currie. The Beaver family owned land in Tredyffrin until 1926. The family also spread to Charlestown.

Generation 1

1780 1.1 John Beaver I of Tredyffrin, died. His widow 1.2 Margaret transferred the property to their sons 2.1 Devault (see deeds Q-10 and Q-13); and 2.3 George Beaver (deeds P2-559, and P2-562).

Generation 2

2.1 Devault Beaver of Tredyffrin, 1755 - 1837

1798 Devault Beaver, multiple plots, House: Stone 30' x 27' 2 floors.
Windows: 5 windows with 15 panes; 7 windows with 12 panes.
Other Buildings: Stone Kitchen 30' x 17'; Stone Springhouse 15' x 15'; Log Barn 40' x 24'. This house is known as Pulaski's quarters from the Valley Forge Encampment.

1805 Devault Beaver, purchases 2 tracts of 75 and 50 acres (deed Z2-35) on what is now is the western side of Chesterbrook.

1819 Devault Beaver, purchases 5 acres in Easttown (Sheriff’s deed 2/166).

1826 Devault and Margaret Beaver, sell 60 acres to son 3.3 John Beaver (deed Z3-199).

1827 Devault and Margaret Beaver, sell 40 acres to son 3.2 David Beaver (deed B4-70).

1837 Devault Beaver, died¹
DEVAULT BEAVER, TREDYFFRIN June 2, 1835/Proved November 1, 1837 Wife – 2.2 Margaret Beaver (see Account) Chester County, Pennsylvania Will and Administration Abstracts
1836-1845
52
Daughter – Catharine Beaver, liberty of living with her mother
Son – David Beaver, (dec’d) made a deed in his lifetime for the land whereon his widow and
children now live (deed B4-70).
Son – John Beaver, land whereon he now lives (deed Z3-199).
Son – George Beaver, land whereon he now lives, deed made by John Davis, Esq. and Elizabeth
Lewellin, Exec.
Sons – Isaac Beaver, Daniel Beaver
Daughters – Mary Hiester, Sara Weber and George Weber
Son-in-law – Samuel Beaver and my daughter Elizabeth his wife land purchased of Abijah
Stephens in Tredyffrin containing 52 acres (deed N2-115), lot of woodland purchased of Cromwell Pearce,
sheriff partly in Easttown and Tredyffrin containing 5 ¼ acre.
15 ½ acres purchased of William Laurence in Tredyffrin to be divided into lots and sold at public
sale
Daughter – Catharine Beaver
Following tracts of land to remain in the family
Mansion farm of 170 acres and 20 acres of woodland on the hill I purchased of my mother, 5
acres adjoining I purchased of Jacob Zigler, 9 acres purchased of Benjamin Rowland
Executors – sons John, George and Daniel Beaver
Witnesses – Edward Siter, William Siter, Jr.
Will #9608/WB 17 Page 153.

1838 Estate, Tredyffrin Taxes, 192 acres; Easttown taxes 5 acres.

1839 2.2 Margaret sells Mansion Farm to her son-in-law 3.13 Samuel Beaver, 170 acres (deed U4-90)

1843 2.2 Margaret Beaver, widow of Devault Beaver, died intestate¹
MARGARET BEAVER, TREDYFFRIN February 28, 1843 Letters granted to Daniel Beaver of Charlestown John Beaver renounced February 28, 1843 Adm #10408.

2.3 George Beaver senior of Tredyffrin, - 1848

1798 George Beaver, 2 plots of land. House: Stone 33' x 24', 2 floors
Windows: 5 windows with 15 panes; 7 windows with 12 panes;
2 windows with 9 panes; 2 windows with 6 panes.
Other Buildings: Log Barn 24' x 11'; Log Beam house; Log Tan house.

1838 Taxes, 127 acres

1848 George Beaver senior, died¹
GEORGE BEAVER, TREDYFFRIN December 17, 1847/Proved October 12, 1848 Daughters – Elizabeth and Susan, 4 acres of land Son – 3.12 Charles, 120 acres of land, it being the property on which I now reside Son – 3.13 Samuel Daughter – 3.14 Maryann Son –3.15 John Executors – son Charles Beaver and Isaac Richards Witnesses – Nathaniel Jones, Edward S. Bowen 3.15 John Beaver and 3.13 Samuel Beaver sons and heirs at law to 2.3 George Beaver appealed the decision of the Register of Wills admitting the probate of the paper purporting to be the last will and testament of George Beaver. The original will is filed in the Court of Common Pleas Appearance Papers, #30 April 1849 Will #11397/WB 19 Page 349.

Aaron Beaver of Charlestown, - 1864 - family connection unclear

1819 Hannah Klair, died, estate to son, Aaron Beaver, when 21². No deeds under the names Hannah Klair or Beaver.

1838 taxes , freeman

1843 Aaron Beaver and Hannah Klair mentioned in will of 3.3 John Beaver

1859 Aaron Beaver purchases 32 acres of land in Charlestown (deed I6-406).

1864 died intestate, Charlestown. Wife Ruth, nee Wells. Ruth purchased 32 acres from his estate (see Beaver properties in Charlestown, 1883)

1903 Ruth Beaver, nee Wells , widow of Aaron Beaver, died intestate.

Generation 3

2.1 Devault and 2.2 Margaret Beaver had the following children: 3.1 Catharine, 3.2 David, 3.3 John, 3.4 George, 3.5 Isaac, 3.6 Daniel Beaver, 3.7 Mary Heister, 3.8 Sarah Weber, 3.9 Elizabeth Beaver (m. 3.13 Samuel Beaver).

2.3 George and 2.4 Susanah Beaver had the following children: 3.10 Elizabeth, 3.11 Susan, 3.12 Charles, 3.13 Samuel (1797 - 1873), 3.14 Maryann, 3.15 John.

3.2 David Beaver of Tredyffrin, - 1827

1827 David Beaver, died intestate¹.
DAVID BEAVER, TREDYFFRIN November 3, 1827 Letters granted to Dr. Samuel Hiester and Isaac Beaver Widow – Catharine Beaver, renounced November 2, 1827 in favor of her brother Dr. Samuel Hiester of Coventry and Isaac Beaver of Upper Merion, Montgomery County Witnesses – George Beaver, Jr., Devault Beaver Adm #8162

1837 3.16 Catharine Beaver, died intestate¹
CATHARINE BEAVER, TREDYFFRIN September 26, 1837 Letters granted to Samuel Beaver Adm #9597.

3.2 David and 3.16 Catharine had 3 sons: 4.1 Daniel H., 4.2 David, and 4.3 Samuel.

3.3 John Beaver of Tredyffrin, - 1845

1845 John Beaver, yeoman, died.
JOHN BEAVER, TREDYFFRIN (Yeoman) January 27, 1844/Proved November 26, 1845 Wife – 3.17 Deborah, all my houses, land or plantations in Tredyffrin, same lands on which I now reside, for her life time To – Elizabeth Groff, my wife’s niece, if deceased to her brother’s John Groff, Samuel Groff, Davis Groff and sisters Rebecca Federall and Catharine Bruce To – Aaron Beaver (wheelwright), now of Charlestown and a son of Hannah Klair, dec’d Niece – Deborah Beaver, daughter of Isaac Beaver Brothers – 3.4 George Beaver, 3.5 Isaac Beaver, 3.6 Daniel Beaver Sister – Sarah Weber Brother – 3.2 David Beaver, dec’d, to his children 4.1 Daniel H. Beaver dec’d (his heirs) and 4.3 Samuel Beaver (miller) Sisters – 3.7 Mary Heister, Catharine Danfield Sister – 3.9 Elizabeth Beaver, wife of Samuel Beaver (farmer) To – Radnor Baptist Church To be buried in the Radnor Baptist Church graveyard, of which I am a member, in row or section #22 and to erect a large marble head and foot stone Executors – brother Daniel Beaver and trusty friend David Meconkey of West Chester Witnesses – Isaac Davis, Dennis Denny Will #10873/WB 18 Page 579

1866 3.18 Deborah Beaver, widow of John Beaver, died.

3.15 John Beaver, - 1852

1851 John Beaver, purchases tract of 108 acres (excepting 6 acres) (deed M5-539)

1852 John Beaver, died.
JOHN BEAVER, TREDYFFRIN March 15, 1852/Proved March 22, 1852 Children – Phineas P. Beaver, Samuel P. Beaver, Lydia Rudd, Sarah Benjamin, Susan Groff, Mary Beaver, Jerome Beaver and Francis Beaver Wife – Eliza G. Beaver Witnesses – Ezekiel Potts, Benjamin F. Supplee Letters granted to Eliza G. Beaver and Henry Kauffman Will #12047/WB 20 Page 145

1852 Estate of John Beaver sells tract of 108 acres (excepting 6 acres) (deed T5-109).

3.6 Daniel Beaver of Charlestown, - 1861

1829 Daniel Beaver of Tredyffrin purchases 2 tracts of 63 and 12 acres in Charlestown (deed B4-370)

1838 Taxes, 91 acres

1841 Purchases 3 tracts totalling 60 acres from his Samuel Beaver (deed T4-461).

1842 sells tract of 51 acres to David Walker (deed W4-38)

1860 Daniel & Catharine Beaver, living with son

1861 Daniel Beaver, farmer, died.

3.13 Samuel Beaver senior of Tredyffrin, 1798 - 1873

1838 Taxes, 53 acres, inherted from his father-in-law Devault Beaver.

1841 Sells 3 tracts totalling 60 acres to his son Daniel H. Beaver (deed T4-461).

1859 - 1861 Assigns assets to David Wilson and Henry J. Evans

1862 Sells 127 acres to John M. Jones (deed S6-300)

1873 Samuel Beaver, died intestate¹; born 1798³.

1874 Estate of Samuel Beaver, sells 73 acres to Dr. Charles N. Frederick (deed M8-157).

3.12 Charles Beaver, 1811 - 1881

1838 Taxes, freeman

1850 Charles Beaver, farmer, born 1811³.

1881 Charles Beaver, died.

3.4 George Beaver junior, 1784 - 1868

1838 Taxes, 111 acres

1868 George Beaver, died¹; born 1784³.

Llewellyn Beaver - family connection unknown

1838 freeman

Generation 4

4.1 Daniel H. Beaver, - 1843

1835 Daniel H. Beaver of Sadsbury or Salisbury, Lancaster county purchases land in East Caln(deed K4-380)

1838 East Caln Taxes, 25 acres, grist mill

1838 Daniel H. & Hannah sell ½ acre of land in East Caln (deed Q4-9, part of K4-380)

1839 Daniel H. & Hannah sell 28 acres of land with messuage and grist mill in East Caln (deed Q4-348, part of K4-380).

1841 Purchases 3 tracts in Tredyffrin totalling 60 acres from Samuel Beaver (deed T4-461).

1843 DANIEL H. BEAVER purchases tract in East Pikeland (deed W4-438).

1843 DANIEL H. BEAVER, EAST PIKELAND July 25, 1843 Letters granted to Samuel Beaver, Jr. of Tredyffrin Widow – Hannah Beaver renounced July 17, 1843 Witnesses – Maurice Richardson, Balser Essick Adm #10488

1847 Estate of DANIEL H. BEAVER sells tract in East Pikeland (deed D5-388).

4.2 David Beaver

1827 - 1835 died intestate, no administration in Chester County.

4.3 Samuel Beaver junior of Tredyffrin, 1814 -

1835 and 1843 3 parcels of land, messuage, grist and saw mill. Release by brother Daniel H. Beaver (deeds K4-378 and X4-408).

1838 Taxes, 39 acres, mill

1850 Samuel Beaver, farmer and miller, born 1814³.

Wife, Elizabeth Brown, children Margaret and Amanda Mulvina Beaver.

1850 Amanda Beaver, born 1832; in school³.

after 1854 Samuel Beaver, died.

Beaver properties in 1883

Beaver properties in Tredyffrin

Beaver properties in Charlestown; A - Ruth Beaver, widow of Aaron Beaver; B & C - Devault Beaver; D - Mrs Margaret Beaver

Beaver family in the 1885 taxes

Charlestown: Daniel Beaver, estate of Daniel W. Beaver, Devault Beaver, John Beaver, Mrs Joseph Beaver, Ruth Beaver.

Tredyffrin: George H. Beaver, Mary A. Beaver.

Phoenixville: Catharing [typo?] Beaver, William Beaver.

East Vincent: estate of Frank Beaver, estate of Jacob Beaver.

Caln: Zanah Beaver

Easttown: George Beaver

Beaver family in the 1890 taxes

Charlestown Devault Beaver, John Beaver, Lydia Beaver, Ruth Beaver, S. Beaver.

Tredyffrin G. Beaver, Mary A. Beaver.

1906 Eva G. Beaver sells property of 120 acres to Ida Emily Beaver of Tredyffrin, deed Y12-126, excluding 4 acres set apart for Susan and Elizabeth Beaver as stated in the will of George Beaver.

1922 Ida Emily Beaver of Tredyffrin, died.

1926 Eva G. Blackwood (nee Beaver), trustee of the estate of Ida Emily Beaver of Tredyffrin, sells 70 acres to J. James Cancelmo (deed B17-60).

1850 Elizabeth Beaver, born 1797³.

1850 John Beaver, born 1845³.

1850 John Beaver, blacksmith, born 1826³.

1850 Elizabeth Beaver, born 1794³.

1850 Susanna Beaver, born 1800³.

1850 George R. Beaver, laborer, born 1818³.
Married Mary Rickabaugh⁴.

1850 Elizabeth Beaver, in school, born 1833³.

1850 Susanna Beaver, born 1826³.

1850 Elizabeth Beaver, born 1815³.

1850 James Beaver, laborer, born 1825³ - family connection unclear.

1850 David R. Beaver, in school, born 1842³.

1850 John B. Beaver, in school, born 1845³.

1867 Elizabeth Beaver, died intestate.

1871 Catherine Beaver, died, Charlestown.

1874 M. Roberts Beaver, died intestate.

1877 Joseph Beaver, died intestate.

1877 George Robinson Beaver, died intestate.¹.

1879 Elizabeth Beaver, died.

1882 Susanna Beaver, died.

1893 Lydia W. Beaver, died.

1920 Daniel W. Beaver, died intestate.

Tredyffrin / Charlestown

1870 John Beaver esq., died.

Notes and References

1. Chester County Archives, Probates and Administrations.
2. Wills of Chester County, 1801 - 1825, Heritage Books, 2007.
3. 1850 census.
4. Will of David Rickabaugh (1848).