“Polly Armstrong daughter of Ellis Armstrong & Fanny his wife, was born 25th of March 1792” [Armstrong family Bible at the Virginia State Archives, Acc. 27094]

“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]

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.]

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.]

1840 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Beazley, Polly
2 males 5-10 [one of these could be James B. Beazley]
1 male 10-15
1 male 20-30
1 female 10-15
1 female 15-20
1 female 30-40
1 female 50-60 [this would be Polly]

A case file identifies this family. In Essex County, Virginia, Chancery Box No. 54, 1849-50, item 54-F-27, Jones C. Clopton, late sheriff of Essex County and admistrator of Ellis Armstrong deceased, the following family is listed:
Polly Beazley
Ellis A. Beazley, infant son
Richard E. Beazley, infant son
James B. Beazley, infant son
John T. Walsh and Eliza, a daughter of Polly
Warner A. Dyke and Mary, a daughter of Polly
The case is dated 29 October 1844; a decree was entered 16 May 1849.

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.]

1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 87A
Dwelling 268, Family 268
Beazley, Mary, 54, female, $1,000 real estate, born in Virginia
Beazley, Richard, 18, male, laborer, born in Virginia
Beazley, James, 16, male, born in Virginia

1860 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Dwelling 346, Family 333
Beazley, Polly, 67, female, farmer, $1800 real estate, $2200 personal estate.
She is living alone.

1870 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Dwelling 650, Family 650
Beasley, Polly, 87, female, keeping house, $1500 real estate, $110 personal estate
Beasley, Richard, 30, male, farmer
Beasley, Levan, 17, female, without occupation
Beasley, John, 15, male, farm laborer
Beasley, James, 12, male, farm laborer
Beasley, Ellis, 9, male, at home
All could read and write.

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…”