Beecroft/Becraft Ancestors

Josiah Washington Purdum and Emma C. Becraft

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Husband Josiah Washington Purdum [1130] ¹

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           Born: 17 May 1857 - New Market, Frederick, Maryland, United States 1 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 28 Jul 1926 - Cedar Grove, Montgomery, Maryland, United States
         Buried:  - Mount Prospect Methodist Church Cemetery, Montgomery Co, MD
FamilySearch ID: KC7N-XRV

       Marriage: 11 Sep 1884 - Montgomery, Maryland, United States 1

Events

• He appeared on the Federal census in 1920 in Montgomery, Maryland, United States. Washington J Purdum, age 61y; wife Emma C Purdum, age 57y; mother-in-law Senora Becraft, age 77, born in Maryland; brother-in-law Bradley Becraft, age 47y.

• His obituary was published in The Frederick Post on 2 Aug 1926. Washington J. Purdum. GS. well- known retired farmer, died late Wednesday night at his home near Damascus. Montgomery county. Although he had been a sufferer from an affection of the heart for some years, his death was unexpected. He Is enrrlTed by his widow, formerly ft Miss BECRAFT of this county. Funeral Friday afternoon from Montgomery Methodist church, Damascus, with burial in the cemetery near by.

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Wife Emma C. Becraft [1118]

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           Born: 7 Jan 1863 - Maryland, United States 1
     Christened: 
           Died: 4 Oct 1934 - Cedar Grove, Montgomery, Maryland, United States 1
         Buried:  - Mount Prospect Methodist Church Cemetery, Montgomery Co, MD
FamilySearch ID: L7N3-GRC

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         Father: Grafton Becraft [292] (1840-1917)
         Mother: Senora Ellen Claggett [1117] (1842-1921)

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Events

• She appeared on the 1870 Census census in 1870 in Montgomery, Maryland, United States. District 2
Grafton Becraft, age 30, 1840, MD; wife Senora age 27, 1843, MD; daughter Emma C age 6, 1864, MD; daughter Margaret E age 4, 1866, MD; daughter Lettie F age 2, 1868, MD; Louis E/Lane 8/12 1870, MD.

• She appeared on the 1880 Census census in 1880 in Montgomery, Maryland, United States. Grafton Becraft, age 40, 1840, MD; wife Senora W age 35, 1845, MD; daughter Emma C, age 17, 1863, MD; daughter Margaret E, age 14, 1866, MD; daughter Florence L, age 12, 1868, MD; son Bradley age 8, 1872, MD; daughter Effie A, age 6, 1874, MD; daughter Cora age 4, 1876, MD; and daughter Jessie age 1, 1879, MD.

• She appeared on the Federal census in 1920 in Montgomery, Maryland, United States. Washington J Purdum, age 61y; wife Emma C Purdum, age 57y; mother-in-law Senora Becraft, age 77, born in Maryland; brother-in-law Bradley Becraft, age 47y.

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Children

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General Notes: Husband - Josiah Washington Purdum

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Resides in Montgomery County, Md. He and his wife were members of Prospect Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Purdum at first held his membership at Bethesda Church. He died at the home farm and was buried at the Mount Prospect Methodist Church Cemetery.

Sources

1 Jackson Day, "Ancestors of Jackson Day" (http://www.gencircles.com/users/jacksonday/1/data/6980).

2 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 22 Nov 2025), entry for Josiah Washington Purdum, person ID KC7N-XRV.