The information contained here was researched and documented by a small group of very dedicated individuals. I honestly believe we could not have put this family together without everyone's help. So, many thanks to Jack Hockett, Diana Powell & Gary Burnette.
Stephen Beaty first appears on the records of Washington County, Virginia on the 1813 tax list and is listed as a Free Colored Person. From this we can estimate his birth as around 1792. Stephen married Elizabeth (Betsy) Bowman 21 Jan 1816; he owned property in the Tumbling Creek [It should be noted there were two Tumbling Creeks in WCV, the well-known one in the Saltville Dist., and the lesser-known one in the Damascus area, the latter one being associated with Stephen Beaty – Thanks to Mr. Troy Taylor for this information.] area of WCV in 1822, but later is listed with property on Laurel Fork of Holston, the former being in the northeast and the latter being in the southeast of Washington County, Virginia. He is listed as a lunatic in 1834 and 1846, indicating some instability. By 09 Feb 1841 (WCV DB 14), he is listed with a wife, Margaret; Margaret is still with him in 1850 and 1860c, WCV.
It has been assumed that due to the wording of the "Heirs of John Beaty" from the Washington Co VA deed book 22:72:02 May 1852 that the seven children listed as heirs were children of John Beaty. To date there is no record of a John Beaty (free person of color) in Washington Co VA. and it is now thought that Stephen Beaty is the father of the seven children.
From what is known it does appear that Stephen's first wife Elizabeth Bowman has left him after the birth of their seventh and last child. Stephen was delcared a lunatic by the courts in 1834 so this seems to be the reason for her leaving. By 1841 he has remarried to Margaret and she remained with him even though he was again declared a lunatic in 1846. By 1850 only the youngest daughter Margaret is with Stephen. Stephen's first wife Elizabeth Bowman is living with one of the sons, Robert Beaty and is using her maiden name. In 1860 another son, Washington Beaty is living with Stephen. John Beaty, likely a brother of Stephen, had an admirable estate, but perhaps no direct heirs. Since his supposed brother, Stephen had bouts of insanity, his heirs were deemed to be his nieces and nephews, children of Stephen Beaty and Elizabeth Bowman. One of the children had both a Stephen and a John W.! Another possibility is that John Beaty is the father of Stephen.
1820 Washington Co., VA, Page 919
Beatie, Stephen -- Free Colored -- 2010-1010
2 males under 14
1 male 26<45
1 female under 14
1 female 26<45
1830 Washington Co., VA, Page 228B/229A
Beattie, Stephen -- Free Colored Persons -- 320100-110100
3 males <10
2 males 10<24
1 male 36<55
1 female <10
1 female 10<24
1 female 36<55
1840 Washington Co., VA
Beattie, Steven -- Free Colored Persons -- 020100-111000
2 males 10<24
1 male 36<55
1 female <10
1 female 10<24
1 female 24<36
1850 Washington Co., VA, Dist 67, Page 155, h/h 1272/1272
Stephen Beatie 61 M Farmer VA
Margaret " 45 F VA
Martha J. " 15 F VA
[Nothing written in "Color" column for anyone on this page]
1850 Dist 67 Washington Co., VA p. 119
Robert Beatie 24 Mulatto VA
Amelia Beatie 24 Mulatto VA
James Beatie 6 Mulatto VA
John Beatie 3 Mulatto VA
Martha Beatie 1 Mulatto VA
Elizabeth Bowman 64 race not listed VA
1860 Washington Co., VA, Page , h/h 1019/979
Stephen Beatie 71 M Mu Cooper VA
Margaret " 57 F Mu VA
Eunice Widener 21 F Spinster VA cannot read/write
1861 PPTL, WCV, Upper: BATIE (Beaty), Stephen, Exempt
1862 PPTL, WCV, Upper (FPCs): BEATIE, Joseph, 15; BEATIE, Mary, 13; BEATIE, William, M, 17; BLOOMER, Eliz, 29;
BURNES, James, 31; BEATIE, Washington, 38
1863 PPTL, WCV, Upper: BOWMAN, Matthias, (one free negro); BEATIE, Stephen, (one free negro) Note: Mathias
Bowman listed earlier as Mathias ROSENBALM… In another section; BEATY, Washington (one free negro), Absalom,
(17), Wm. (one free negro); in another section; BEATY, Joseph, (one free negro)/// Then, in the FPC Section,
with ages: BOMAN (Bowman), Mathias, 40; BEATIE, Stephen, 65
1864 PPTL, WCV, Upper: FPCs, not observed.
1865 PPTL, WCV, Upper: Not observed
1866 PPTL, WCV, Upper: BEATTIE, Washington, (1)
1867 PPTL, WCV, Upper: BEATTIE, Washington, (1), On So. Fork; … BEATTIE, Absolem, (1), Saltville; … BEATTIE, Robt., (1)…
1868 PPTL, WCV, Upper: BEATTIE, Washington… BEATTIE, John, (1)
1869 PPTL, WCV, Upper: Not observed
1870 PPTL, WCV, Upper: BEATTIE, Washington, (1)
updated Jan 13 2012