John Pitts

1738 - 1792

The father of John Pitt Beasley remains a mystery.  Among the theories is the story of his being the illigitmate son of Lord William Pitt ( 1708-1778, First Earl of Chatham) and Ann Beasley.  This story has never been proven nor disproven by any researcher on either side of the issue, but is still passed along with letters from elder Beasley researchers that give the order that we are not to forget his parentage.

He served in the military in Halifax District during the Revolutionary War.  Accounts located at the North Carolina State Library and Archives in Raleigh, show John Pits Beasley, 15 Feb. 1781. Halifax District [Warren Co.]. Allowed Two Thousand pounds.  Paid by Green Hill Treasurer for Halifax District.

John Pitts Beasley purchased 198 3/4 acers of land in Virginia on 10 March 1761, part was in Amelia County and part of it was in Prince Edward County, where the deed was filed.

John Pitt BEASLEY  married Elizabeth about 1759 in Virginia.  Elizabeth was born about 1745 and died before March 11 1815 in Warren Co., North Carolina.

John Pitt BEASLEY and Elizabeth had the following children:

Sarah b. 1760
William b. 1762
Pitt b. 1764
Barnett b. 1766
Elizabeth b. 1768
Thomas b. 1770
Ann b. 1772
John Pitt b 1776
Zacahriah b. 1778
James b. 1780

Last Will and Testament

In The name of God Amen;

I John Pitts Beasley Considering the Certainty of Death and the Uncertainty  of Life do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament  my Soul I bequeath into the Hand of God that Gave it. And my body to be Decently buried at the Discretion of My Executors  And as for the worldly Goods the Lord Hath Blessed me with I Give and bestow in form and manner as Followeth
                          Item  I Lend Unto my Beloved wife Elizabeth Beesley all my Estate during Her Widowhood or Life and after Her Marriage or Death my will and Desire is that all my Estate Be Equally Divided Among my Children Except Two Negroes and one Hundred Acres of Land which I Lend Unto my Wife in Case She marrys and my Desire is that she have Choice of the Negroes and the Land

And Lastly I do Appoint my Beloved wife Elizabeth Beesley & John Smith Executors to this my Last Will and Testament whereunto I have Set my Hand affixed my Seal this Thirty First day of August one thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty three

Signed and Sealed
                  John Pitts Beasley
in presence of
                          Arthur Turner, Jurat
                          Mary (her x mark) Turner
Warren County       May Court 1792

                          This Last Will and Testament of John Pitts Beasley

Decd. was presented in Court and proved by the oath [of] Arthur Turner, a witness thereto and Ordered to be Recorded and Elizabeth Beasley as Executrix Named in said quallifd. Accordingly to whom Letters Testamentary are Granted.

Test. M. Duke Johnson