Israel Laban Becraft
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 1 Sep 1818 - Mongtomery Co, MD 2
Christening:
Death: 30 Apr 1888 - Bourbon Co, KY 3
Burial: in Millersburg Cemetery, Millersburg, Bourbon Co, KY
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Events
• Biography, Perrin, p 504
I. L. BECRAFT,1 farmer; P. O. Millersburg; proprietor of Cedar Hill farm; is a son of Aquilla Becraft, who is a native of Montgomery County, Md., July 22, 1797, to Peter Becraft, born Nov. 5, 1740; his mother, Mary Nixon, born May 25, 1750, in Staffordshire, England; she a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Bently) Nixon, natives of Yorkshire; emigrated to America at a very early date, settling in the State of Maryland, near Washington City; Peter Becraft died in Maryland, upon his birthday, in 1806, having held a high position as a physician in that county; he is a son of Benjamin, a native of Maryland, where he died; Aquilla came to Milllersburg Precinct in 1817, where, on the 4th of September of the same year, he was married to Ann Maria Letton, and returned to his native county, where he remained until 1821, when he again came to Millersburg, bringing his mother and sister, Mary, who afterwards married Samuel Hitt, of Bourbon County. Mr. Becraft lived a prominent life in Bourbon County, adding to his possessions, until in 1833, when he removed to Diamond Grove farm, Morgan County, Ill., where he has since resided, and held a high social and official position among the citizens of that State. He was elected as County Judge for a term of four years, and was appointed by the Legislature, a Trustee of the State Insane Asylum. His first wife died in 1822, leaving two daughters and a son; Mary, the eldest daughter, now deceased, married John Goltra; left three children in Jacksonville, Ill.: Israel L., born Sept. 1, 1818, the only one now living, and subject of this sketch, returned to the old homestead, where he now resides, in 1841, from Illinois, whither he had gone with his parents; he was married Feb. 16, 1843. Priscilla Parker, daughter of Samuel and Lovina (Hill) Parker, who came from the Eastern Shore of Maryland to Bourbon County, in 1805; by this marriage, there were seven children: Mary, the eldest, now deceased, became the wife of Nicholas Wood, left a family; a son died in young manhood. Those living are: James, married Prudence Letton, daughter of John W. Letton, now residing in Millersburg Precinct; William, married Sarah, a daughter of Ralph Reynolds, of Jacksonville, he now residing in Champaign County, Ill.; Maria, wife of William B. Smith, a lumber merchant of Paris; Charles and Walker, at home. The mother of this family died May 25, 1869. The father was re-married Oct. 17, 1877, to Mahala R. Heathman, a daughter of Eli Heathman. Mr. Becraft is one of the substantial men of Bourbon County, was Magistrate for it term of four years, and with his family are members of church. His father's second marriage was to Nancy Hitt, daughter of Jackey Hitt; she died March 31, 1880, after a married life of fifty-six years. Their children reside in Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois. Mr. Becraft is still a vigorous, bright and very intelligent old gentleman of eighty-five years, and a general favorite with all who come within the sphere of his acquaintance.• Census, Federal, 1860 in Bourbon Co, KY
1860, KY, Bourbon, 674/436• Census, Federal, 1870 in Millersburg, Bourbon Co, KY
BECRAFT, I. L., 41 m, MD, farmer, $21000/ $12500
Priscilla 37 f KY
James H. 17 m KY
William 15 m KY
Mary 12 f KY
Maria 10 f KY
Aquilla 8 m KY
Charles 5 m KY
Edwin 2 m KY
FITZPATRICK Julia 38 f KY
PARKER Luvina 72 f MD
I L Becraft, age 52, born KY; A Becraft, age 18 born KY; Aquilla age 17 born KY; Charley age 15, born KY; Maria age 20, born KY; Walker age 13, born KY; and Will age 25, born KY.• Census, Federal, 1880 in Millersburg, Bourbon Co, KY
I.L. Becraft, age 61, farmer born in KY, listed with wife Mahala age 37, keeping house, born KY and sons Chas age 25 Farmer born KY and D.W. age 22 farmer born KY.• Obituary, Nashville Christian Advocate, 15 Sep 1888
(Page 90)
LABAN BECRAFT son of Aquila and Mariah Becraft born Md., Sept. 2, 1818; died April 30, 1888; married (1) Miss Parker; 5 sons, 2 daus.; (2) Mahala Heathman, Oct. 18, 1876.
Parents
Father: Aquila Becraft 4
Mother: Ann Maria Letton
Spouses and Children
1. *Priscilla Parker
Marriage: 16 Feb 1843 - Bourbon Co, KY
Status:
Children:
1. James Henry Becraft
2. William Becraft
3. Mary A Becraft
4. Maria Becraft
5. Aquila Becraft
6. Charles Becraft
7. David Walker "Dink" Becraft 5
2. Mahala R. Heathman
Marriage: 17 Oct 1877 - IL
Status:
Sources
1. jmh533quin@yahoo.com, Laban, a biblical name.
2. jmh533quin@yahoo.com, birthplace.
3. THE NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, 1897-1899.
4. jmh533quin@yahoo.com, Aquila, Latin for eagle.
5. Elizabeth ("Bess") L. Hawthorne and Nina R Grimes, The Grimes Family, A Genealogical History of Decendants of Nicholas Grimes (I), containing much hitherto scattered and unassembled information about the family. (Printed 1974).