Patriot Ancestor: Peter Beam
Submitted by Compatriot George Link (Member #218976)
Peter Beam (1759 to about 1840): P-110525
Private, Morris County Militia, New Jersey
My 4X great-grandfather lived on a farm with his father in Pompton, NJ. He is my ancestor via my mother's family (Harriman) lineage. His recollection of his service in the Revolutionary War is recorded in the Washington, D.C., pension records when he applied for a pension under the 1832 Pension Act of Congress. In 1834, my grandfather appeared before a magistrate in Morristown, NJ, along with neighbors (John Beam, Conrad Lining, Stephen Vail, Chilion Beach, and Sam Beach), who validated what Peter was declaring for his war service pension. Peter started his service in the summer of 1777, his first assignment being NJ Militia duty in Bergen County, NJ, mentioning the towns of Tenafly, Bogerts, and Closter, north of NYC along the Hudson River on the NJ side. He was deployed on reconnaissance and guard duty under Captain Christer. Later, he was assigned to Captain John Meade from his hometown and deployed to Elizabethtown, mentioning guarding Tories as one of his assignments. While at Elizabethtown, he mentions seeing something that apparently left an impression on a young militiaman. While there, he states that he saw approximately 300 mounted horsemen from a cavalry unit, which seems to have left a lasting impression. Being a humble and honest person, he states that at no time did he wind up in any large-scale fighting or battle. His main responsibilities were reconnaissance and guard duty. In his old age, he moved to Starkey, NY, with his son Paul Beam and died June 16, 1841. Paul's son later served and died in the Civil War.
George Link