Sarah Beasley

Working a farm in the 1860s took from dawn to dusk and then some. Add a large family to that and the work eases a bite but grows in other ways. Kids to raise, keep dressed and taught farm work. The 3 Rs were taught if the Parents knew them. If a settlement was lucky enough to had a school room and had a teacher…..Schooling took time and a family farm didn’t have any extra.
The Beasley Family in Macon Co NC was one of those family farms. With over 100 acres and 5 daughters and 1 son left Reuben and his wife Jane with nary a second to themselves. Daughters are great on the house work and tending growing youngins but takes twice the time to handle the heavy weight tasks.
Sarah Beasley was as gangly and emotional as the normal 17 year old girl. That’s as far as the normalcy went. With her blonde hair and blue eyes she was a stunning, intriguing specimen but her fun spirit and good heart made her the center of attention Pleasing to the eye and lots of good hearty laughter.
Sarah was nearing the end of barn cleaning. And singing to the top of her lungs. The soul sings when happiness rings. Having half a day of chores today was a rarity. She was lucky to accompany her grandmother Julia Hubbard on a visit to Elijah and Ruth Caler Hubbard this afternoon.

Elijah and Ruth Hubbard were overjoyed to spend afew hours with his mother Julia and niece Sarah. Elijah’s recent 57th birthday was still a topic of discussion on this day, as was the hiring of a new farm hand. With the only help being his wife Ruth who was nearing 60, Elijah was quick to accept the services of George Lindsay.
The tall 20 year old helper was as hard a worker as could be asked for. George’s character was never in question as he was the son of Larkin and Rachel Lindsay. The Lindsays were a local and well respected farming family.

The possible work arrangement was brought to the attention of Elijah by William Beasley, Reuben’s oldest son. Young William Beasley and his family lived a few
farms up from the Lindsay Farm and knew the Lindsay patriarch, Larkin had plenty of farm hands with his large family and George wanted to save for a house of his own one day. So the neighbor grapevine was again the solution to a problem. Elijah needing strong arms to help his farm and George needing work. Pass it on it was solved..
George Lindsay was coming in from the fields that afternoon when he saw The buggy carrying Old Widow Hubbard and Sarah Beasley. A quick jerk backwards of the head was all time allowed and all needed. That simple action spoke volumes- How youins doin? God be with youins? And See again soon.

George’s thoughts turned back to the last time he saw Sarah. For the past year when his brother Reuben and Sarah were within yelling distance fireworks exploded.
The calm and collected Reuben was a smooth talker. His words and charm paved his way. Except when Sarah Beasley was around. She got his ire up just by breathing. Neither could put it in words since descent Folks don’t argue in public. The chemistry between them was understood by all except Reuben and Sarah. Time will tell…..


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Notes: You can find Sarah and her family on the Macon Co NC 1860 census. George Lindsay is documented as living with his family and Elijah Hubbard (misspelled Hibbards) Don’t peek at the 1870 census until the next the next segment.

Without the neighbor grapevine, this country would not have grown and survived. If a man thought, planned and cared only about himself and his family. He would have perished! That was the way in the NC mountains in that day and still runs true today. If another needs help, you never falter in your help, that’s the way ………

You can find Sarah and her family on the Macon Co NC 1860 census. George Lindsay is documented as living with his family and Elijah Hubbard (misspelled Hibbards) Don’t peek at the 1870 census until the next the next segment.

Name: Sarah E Beasly
Age in 1860: 17
Birth Year: abt 1843
Birthplace: Macon
Home in 1860: Tennessee Valley, Macon, North Carolina
Gender: Female
Post Office: Franklin
Name: Reuben Lindsey
Age in 1860: 16
Birth Year: abt 1844
Birthplace: Macon
Home in 1860: Cowee, Macon, North Carolina
Gender: Male
Post Office: Franklin

1850 Macon County NC Census

Name Age
Reuben Beasley
37
Jane Beasley
33
William Beasley
18
Lucinda Beasley
16
John Beasley
14
Charles Beasley
12
Sally Beasley (Sarah)
8
Joseph Beasley
6
Nancy Beasley
5
Ruth Beasley
0
Eleanor Childers
3
Jaila Hibbards
62


1860 Macon County NC Census
Dwelling 476 Family 488

Reuben Beasly

49
Jane Beasly
46
Lucinda Beasly
23
Sarah E Beasly
17
Joseph M Beasly
14
Nancy T Beasly
12
Letty C Beasly
5
Jabah Hibbards
80

Dwelling 467 Family 479
Elijah Hibbards
56
Ruth Hibbards
60
George Lindsey
20

Dwelling 770 Family 786

Son of Reuben Beasley
William J Beasley




27
Rhoda Beasley
27
Agnus J Beasley
8
Joseph M Beasley
6
Ruben A Beasley
4
Sarah L Beasley
2
Nancy L Beasley
4/12

Dwelling 774 Family 790
Larkin Lindsey
45
Rachael Lindsey
40
George J Lindsey
20
William E Lindsey
18
Reuben Lindsey
16
Sarah A Lindsey
14
Margaret R Lindsey
12
Ruth A Lindsey
10
Charlotte K Lindsey
3
Arty M Lindsey
1
Mary J Lindsey
8
Louisa Lindsey
6
Letta E Lindsey
5

First photo is courtesy of:

Image: Marc Aert / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

All remining photos are the property of Real Mountain Women and can not be copied or reproduced without written permission.


See you-ins soon!