WIFE

Martha

CHILDREN

1. Sarah Beard

2. Jeremiah Beard

3. Martha Beard

4. John Beard

5. James Beard

From the "Genealogy of the descendants of Widow Martha Beard of Milford" by Ruth Beard, 1915. "Martha Beard was one of the first settlers of Milford. In the spring of 1639, the English first began to make a settlement in Milford. The colonists arrived in Boston, Mass.,, June 26, 1637, in two ships, one called Hector. They came down to New Haven, Conn., and remained there during the year 1638. On Feb. 2, 1639 agents in behalf of the settlers made the first purchase of land from the Indian proprietors. The consideration given was 6 coats, 10 blankets, 1 kettle, 12 hatchets, 12 hoes, 2 dozen knives and a dozen small glasses (mirrors)."

The number of free planters in the colony was 44, no others having the liberty to act in the choice of carrying on public affairs in the plantation. They were all professors of the Christian religion. Altogether there were probably about 200 individuals and 54 families in the settlement.

These first settlers located on each side of the Mill river and West End brook. Their "house lotts" were laid out in parallel slips, containing about three acres each. In consideration of her affliction, Widow Martha Beard was given an extra amount of "house lott" her share being 4 acres 1 rod. Each planter had to erect a good house on his lot within three years, or it was to go back to the town. The Indian name of this town was Wepowage. (It became Milford in 1640)

Martha had come from England with her husband and five children but her husband who tradition says was James died en route probably on the ship Martin.


Martha's son, Jeremiah died in 1681 without children. His estate was divided between his brother, Capt. John Beard, John Streame (husband of Martha) and Nicholas Camp (husband of Sarah).

Four generations later, the great great grandson of their daughter, Sarah Beard,  (Joseph Whiting) married the great great granddaughter (Nancy Ann Gunn) of Sarah's brother John Beard.