“Polley Armstrong, the Daughter of Ellis Armstrong and Phanney his wife was marred [sic] to Richard Beazley the son of Ephriam the 14 Day of Jany 1811” [Armstrong family Bible at the Virginia State Archives, Acc. 27094]

In 1820, Richard Beazley was taxed for one white male above the age 16; 4 blacks over the age of 16; 1 horse, mare, colt or mule; and 1 carr valued at $60. [Essex County, Virginia, 1820 Personal Property Tax Book.]

Richard Beazley was mentioned in the 21 June 1833 will of his father, Ephraim Beazley, proved 15 July 1833. “3rdly I give to my son Richard Beazley, Hannah and her young child Phoebe and their future increase forever and the plantation on which he lives during his natural life at his death the plantation to his son Ephraim” [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, pages 113–115.]

On 1 May 1834, a bill was filed in the case of Beazley et al vs Warner Lewis et al. Complainants Ephraim Beazley, John Beazley, Jane Beazley and Nancy Fox who was Nancy Beazley children of Ephraim Beazley deceased. That on __ June 1833 their Father departed this life having made a last will and testament. Administration with the will annexed was granted to Warner Lewis. Ephraim left a widow Polly and children besides your complainants Cornelius, Richard and William Jackson Beazley, together with a grand daughter Elizabeth Lathom the wife of Jonathan Lathom. That the last will and testament had been rewritten by Edmund Noel, changing its meaning and intent. That Ephraim Beazley was not aware of the legal effects of the alternations. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 45, item 45-K-26.]

On 31 July 1834, Richard Beazley made purchases at the sale of the estate of Major Arthur L. Barnes. [Essex County, Virignia, Will Book 24, pages 12–20.]

On 24 November 1835, an inquisition was taken at the house of Henry A. Taylor, occupied by Thomas B. Martin, before Thomas Wright, coroner, upon the view of the body of Martin, a slave belonging to the estate of John Rennolds, deceased, hired by the said Henry A. Taylor, and upon the oaths of Warner Lewis, James Owen, Philip Coleman, Otway Rennolds, Arthur F. Rennolds, Richard Beazley, Jonathan Latham, Richard T. Hundley, Jackson Dyke, George Skelton, Green Coleman, and Richard Motley, they do say that the said Martin came to his death by being accidentally caught in the machinery of a mill. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 23, page 446.]

On 1 December 1837, and inventory and appraisal of the estate of Henry Crittenden was made by Mourning Johnston, Richard Beazley, and Grean Coleman, and returned by Polly Crittenden, administratrix. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 237.]

On 20 November 1838, Polly Beazley and James R. Armstrong were bound in the penalty of $700 for Polly Beazley’s administration of the estate of Richard Beazley, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 323.]

On 21 January 1839, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Richard Beazley, deceased, was made by T. W. Lewis, W. Lewis, and Jonathan Latham. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 377.]

The estate of Richard Beazley, deceased, in account with Mary Beazley, administratrix, from 1839 to 1840 was ordered recorded on 21 December 1840. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 560–561.]

On 18 August 1845, Polly Beazley complained to the Honourable Judge of the Circuit Superior Court of Law & Chancery for the County of Essex. That in [blank] she intermarried with Richard Beazley with whom she lived during his natural life which terminated in 1838. That at the time of her marriage it was the usual custom of her father Ellis Armstrong upon the marriage of any of his children to advance by way of loan some considerable estate real and personal. Her late husband took bonds to secure their property and so he would not have the legal title. Ellis Armstrong sometime exchanged other property and exercised his ownership. When Ellis Armstrong died he executed a last will and testament and bequeathed to John Armstrong and George Wright property for the benefit of Polly. Richard never claimed any as his own property. Richard contracted a debt with the firm of A. Brockenbrough & Co, who are Austin Brockenbrough, Robert S. Hipkins and James Roy Micou jr, and executed a bond. After his decease they commenced a suit against Polly, whose slave Silas is now in the county jail to be sold. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 52, item 52-B-25.]

Notes provided on 14 May 1993 by William Irving Brooks, made by his grandfather James Irving Brooks: “Richard Beazley owned considerable property east of Critenden Swamp on the road from Mt. Landing to Piscataway, now Dunbrooke. He died and left this property to his widow, Polly Armstrong, who he married in 1811. She administered the estate, which included loyal slaves, who remained with her during and after to close of the war. At her death after the close of the war the estate was divided and James Benjamin took his part and settled there…”