BEACH, ALLEN PENFIELD, was born in the town of Ferrisburgh, Vt., on the 27th day of November, 1813. His grandfather, Nehemiah Beach, was one of three Beach brothers living near Bridgeport, Conn., where he died in 1792, aged forty-five years. He left a family of six children, three sons and three daughters. Stephen, the eldest, was the father of the subject of this sketch. Stephen Beach was born near Bridgeport, Conn., in 1777, and upon his father’s death learned the weaver’s trade. Although he completed his apprenticeship, he did not long pursue the business, but gave his attention to farming. Early in the nineteenth century he came to Ferrisburgh. In 1802 he was married to Ann, a daughter of James Penfield, of Fairfield, Conn., which place was burned by the British. She was born in 1773. The newly-married couple came at once to Vermont and settled in Monkton. After a residence of about three years they removed to West Ferrisburgh, and purchased the farm which is now owned and occupied by Allen P. Beach. Stephen Beach was a Republican, and was made justice of the peace, which position he held for a number of years. He was an ardent member of the Methodist Church. He was the father of nine children, all but Sally, the eldest, who is now dead, having been born in Ferrisburgh. The others were Ira, now living near Cleveland, O.; Ethan and Eden, twins, who died in infancy; Burr, now a resident of Ferrisburgh; Levi, of Kansas; Stephen, and Allen P., of Ferrisburgh; and Mary Ann, the deceased wife of Putnam Allen, of Ferrisburgh, Vt. Mr. Allen Beach’s mother was a descendant of one of three Penfield brothers, Peter, James, and John, who came from England very early in the history of this country, and settled in Fairfield, Conn. She was a distant relation of Aaron Burr. Allen P. Beach added to his first purchase 200 acres, making in all 450 acres of hard land, and fifty of marsh. The farm is well stocked with cattle and sheep (registered). Mr. Beach was formerly a Jackson Democrat. Since the last war he has voted the Republican ticket. He has ever avoided office, but has served as selectman, justice of the peace, and as a member of the grand jury, etc., at times. He is an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his life is consistent with its teachings. For more than forty years he has been an officer in the church of his choice. Sincerity, integrity, and industry are prominent characteristics of A. P. Beach. He has had little litigation during his life, his rule being to obey literally the motto of his forefathers, “Let your word be a bond.” The subject of this notice has been twice married. His first marriage occurred on the 26th of December, 1838, when Caroline, daughter of Rev. Ira Bentley, a Methodist clergyman, became his wife. She died in December, 1853, leaving two children – Ardelia Augusta (now the wife of F. M. Strong, of Vergennes, Vt. She was a teacher for thirteen years in the schools of Iowa and Illinois); Harvey Fisk, who was born on the 9th of August, 1850, and is now living on the farm next adjoining his father’s. In December, 1871, he married Phebe, daughter of James Torrey, of Panton, V t., and by her has had three children – Charles Edgar, Caroline Eunice, and Allen P. Mr. Beach was married again in 1855 to Mary, daughter of Cyrus Collins, of Ferrisburgh, Vt., who is still living at the age of sixty-two years.
