John Beeby Jr. b. ABT 1600, Broughton, Northamptonshire, England, m. 1627, in Broughton, Northamptonshire, England, Rebecca Ladd, d. BEF 1650, England. John died 18 May 1650. He was called second son in his father's will in 1622. In an Indenture (162/361) on 17/11/Charles 5th year (1631) John Bebye of Broughton (and his wife Rebecca) sold land in Great Addington to his elder brother James of Islip, both referred to as sons of John Bebye, deceased. John died 18 May 1650 while on his way to America. He left five sons and two daughters. He left England in April or May 1650 and was accompanied by his five children. Two sons, John and Samuel, preceded him to America and his daughter Hannah and wife Rebecca probably died before he started. His will (below) was written and signed on shipboard on the day he died, at which time his eldest son was twenty-two and his youngest child eight. He appointed William Lewis and John Cole executors of his will. The immigrants reached their destination in the latter days of May 1650 and it is probable that the ship reached a port in the neighborhood of Cape Ann, MA. for it is recorded the Rev. Mr. Blinman administered to the spiritual interests of this Colony and that he, with a party including the Beebes, had moved to New London, CT by March 1651, where they were prominent in the early settlement of that place.
WILL OF JOHN BEEBY, 18 MAY 1650. It being agreabl to Civill and religious Custome as required by God upon the occation of his hand upon the sonnes of men as a forerunner of death unto them therefore to sett theyr house in order; wherefore I John Beeby, Husbandman, late of Broughton in the County of Northampton, being by Gods good hand bought on a voyadge towards New Engl'd to sea and there smitten by the good hand of God, so as that my expectation is for my chaynge, yet though mercy as yet in perfect memory and understanding; doe hereby (my just and dewe debts being fully and dewely discharged); give and bequeathe unto my seven children, to say John Beeby, Thomas Beeby, Samuel; Nathaniell, Jeames, Rebecca and Mary Beeby all and every such moneyes or goods of what spetia or kynde somever as all the proper estate belonging unto me the above sayde John Beeby, to be equally divided between the sayd John, Thomas, Samuel, Nathaniell, Jeames, Rebecca and Mary Beeby in equall parts and portions, Further I the sayde John Beebe doe will that my faure elder children to say; John, Thomas, Samuel and Rebecca shall have that part of the sayde monnies and goods belonging unto the three younger to say, Nathaniel Jeames and Mary, in their hands as wel as theyr owne proportions, and that the sayde John Thomas Samuell and Rebecca shall take care for the provition of the three younger till that they the sayde Nathaneill Jeames and Mary be of adge, at wh tyme they are to have theyr proportions payde in unto them by my sayde sonnes & daughter John Thomas Samuel and Rebecca Bebe, whom I appoint as execurors of this my last will and in case that any of the three of my younger childdren shall dye before they come at adge that then theyr proportion of estate so dyeing to be equally divided amongst all the survivors; Further I John Beeby doe will and desyor that loving friends Mr. William Lewis, and John Cole; be overseers of this my will; and that all my sayde children be advised and counselled by my sayde overseers for ther future desposal whether upon chaynge of theyr condition by marriage or otherwyse for the good of my sayde children: Lastly I will that it be understod that my daughters be at full adge for receyving theyr proportion of estate at ye adge of eighteen yearses; As a testimony that this is my last will and testamt I have this eighteenth day of May one thousand sixe hundred and fifty sett to my hand and seale. John Beeby, Witness, William Partridge, John Partridge.
The above was copied from the Book "The Beebe Family of Broughton, England" by Clarence Beebe, 1915. It is believed to be as nearly as possible verbatim.
