James Beebe facts for kids

James Beebe (born 1717, died 1785) was an important leader in his community. He was a Reverend, which is a type of Christian minister. He led the Unity Parish in a place called North Stratford (now Trumbull, Connecticut) for many years, from 1747 to 1785. Reverend Beebe also served as a preacher in the army during the French and Indian War. He was a strong supporter of the American Revolution, making him a true patriot.

The Life of James Beebe

James Beebe was born in Danbury, Connecticut in 1717. His father was one of the people who helped start the town. James went to Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut to study theology, which is the study of religious faith.

In 1749, James Beebe married Ruth Curtiss. They had a large family with five daughters and two sons. Their youngest son, David Lewis Beebe, also went to Yale and became a minister like his father.

Besides his work as a minister, Mr. Beebe also managed a big farm. He owned parts of the local mills, which were used to grind grain and cut wood. It's important to know that in those times, some people owned slaves. James Beebe owned a woman named Peg and her children. Peg's husband, Nero Hawley, was a free man. After Beebe passed away, Nero Hawley worked to make sure his children were freed.

James Beebe died on September 8, 1785, when he was 68 years old. His wife, Ruth, lived much longer and passed away in 1818 at the age of 94. His gravestone at the Unity Burial Ground shows how much the community respected him. It says he was a "faithful pastor" for 38 years.

Reverend Beebe's Ministry

In 1746, a group of ministers suggested that Reverend Beebe become the new minister at the Unity Parish in Trumbull, Connecticut. He was officially made the minister in May 1747. This was a big job because the church had faced some challenges before he arrived.

Under Reverend Beebe's leadership, the Unity Church grew a lot. He helped 167 new members join the church. His time as a minister in Trumbull lasted for 38 years, until he died in 1785.

Military Service and Patriotism

Reverend Beebe was not just a minister; he also served his community during wartime.

French and Indian War Service

In March 1760, during the French and Indian War, Beebe served as an Army Chaplain. A chaplain is a minister who works with soldiers. He was part of the 3rd Regiment from the Connecticut Colony.

Supporting the American Revolution

James Beebe was a strong supporter of the American Revolution. He believed in the fight for independence. In 1776, he served in the local militia for eight months. His oldest son, James, was a Captain in the Continental Army. He even spent a difficult winter with George Washington's troops at Valley Forge.

Reverend Beebe once held a public meeting at his house to talk about the Revolution. During the meeting, people heard gunshots and saw fires in the distance. It looked like the British army might be coming! But Beebe thought it might be a trick. He sent a small group of people to check it out. They found out it was just some young men from the town playing a joke. They had burned some cornstalks to test how patriotic everyone was!

A Great Jubilee Day Celebration

Reverend Beebe organized a special event called "A Great Jubilee Day" on Monday, May 26, 1783. This celebration took place in North Stratford (now Trumbull, Connecticut). It was held to celebrate the end of the fighting in the American Revolutionary War.

The celebration was a big deal! It included a feast, prayers, speeches, and toasts. Two groups of the North Stratford militia performed military drills with cannons firing. This was one of the very first celebrations after the War for Independence. This type of celebration continued over the years and is now known as Memorial Day, with prayer services and parades.