Georgia: Wilkes County: Biography of Thomas J. Beck ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Meredith Clapper http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002801 ==================================================================== Are you any kin to Thomas J Beck-Baptist minister who married Nancy Burdette in Wilkes Co., GA 6 Jan 1831? 1840 Warren Co.., GA p175 Dennis' dist. Thomas j. Beck 1m<5 Thomas 1m 5-10 James 1m 30-40 Thomas 2f<5 Nancy, Elizabeth 1f 20-30 Nancy 1f 30-40 1850 Warren Co., GA dist 90 760. Thomas J. Beck 45 Bapt clergy $2000 b. SC Nancy 43 b. GA James W Beck 19 laborer Nancy A 17 Elizabeth 15 Thomas J. 13 Susan 10 William J. 6 James Beck 81 b. VA 1870 Wilkes Co., GA 300 1350 1358 Burdett Thomas P. 65 M W Farmer GA 300 1350 1358 Burdett Martha 47 F W Keeping House GA 300 1350 1358 Burdett Thomas P. Jr 18 M W At School GA 300 1350 1358 Burdett Catherine A. 16 F W At School GA 300 1350 1358 Burdett John C. 15 M W At School GA 300 1350 1358 Burdett James Q. 13 M W At School GA 300 1350 1358 Burdett William 11 M W At School GA 300 1350 1358 Burdett Joseph B. 7 M W At School GA 300 1350 1358 Beck Thomas J. 31 M W Teaching School GA 300 1350 1358 Beck Mary L. 22 F W At Home GA 300 1350 1358 Guin Marian 62 F W At Home GA Taken from NEWSOME and some allied families BURDETTE ACADEMY Burdett's Academy (stood where there is now a tenant house about one tenth mile east of Mt. Pleasant) (At Mount Pleasant, home of Thomas Phillip Burdett Sr.): In 1878 Thomas P. Burdett Sr., one of the pioneer citizens of the county employed his nephew, Thomas J. Beck, an honor graduate of Mercer University, to teach school at his home in East Wilkes County Georgia, and "Burdett Academy", which from its beginning was the outstanding school in the county, was started. Mr. Burdett and the surrounding neighbors opened their homes as boarding houses and in a year or two boarders from distant parts of Wilkes and adjoining counties and some from other states were enrolled at this school. Dr. Beck's noble wife, a highly accomplished woman, taught music as well as assisted in the school room and one section, which was originally the Eli Whitney gin shop, was renovated and plastered, which house now stands in the yard at J. Luke Burdette's home, and was the piano room and a great many girls and a few of the boys took music. The school grew so fast the house was enlarged twice after the original house was built. "Back's Exhibitions" were the great school closing events of that time, and a large brush arbor all arranged with seats for hundreds of people who came were provided, and a big barbecue dinner and supper was provided for all who came. A review of the year's work by classes furnished the entertainment for the day. (Note) Rev. Thomas J. Beck, one-time principal of Old Burdette Academy died in 1933. He was the oldest active Baptist minister in the state of Georgia. Opened 1868 by Dr. T.J.Beck. (From a newspaper article:) "In 1878 Thomas P. Burdett Sr., one of the pioneer citizens of the county, employed his nephew, Thomas J. Beck, an honor graduate of Mercer University, to teach school at his home in east Wilkes county and Burdette Academy, which from it's beginning was the outstanding school of the county, was started. Dr. Becks' wife, a highly accomplished woman, taught music as well as assisted in the school room and one section, which was originally the Eli Whitney Gin shop, was renovated and plastered, was the piano room. 1880 Washington Co., GA ED 124 p238 A 333.333. Thomas BECK Self M Male W 42 GA School Master NC GA Mary BECK Wife M Female W 32 SC Keeping House SC GA Bessie BECK Dau S Female W 9 GA At School GA SC Mamie BECK Dau S Female W 5 GA At Home GA SC Benjamin BECK Uncle Male W 54 NC Assistant Teacher VA NC Mary KING MotherL Female W 58 GA At Home GA GA Fulton HARNESBERGER Other Male W 22 GA Student GA GA Joseph BURDETT Other Male W 18 GA Student GA GA Mary LOGUR Other Female B 14 GA Servant GA GA 1870 Wilkes Co., GA dist. 175 p299 1348. 1356. Berdett, Joseph T. 56 farmer $500 $300 b. GA Elizabeth 61 Frances E 23 Binns, Marion 29 (Mary Ann) Mitchell 38 farmer Beck, James W. 38 agent life insurance $2000 personal prop. Margaret 35 Marcus W 10 Leanora 8 He was president of Bowdon College from 1875-78. 1880 Carroll Co., GA 1111 dist. p 123B Bowdon College St. 39.42. Beck, James W 48 President College Ga/SC/GA [Bowdon College] Margaret 46 wife keeping house Ga/GA/GA Marcus W 20 son teaching school unemployed 2 mo. GA/GA/GA Leonara I or J. dau 18 teaching school unemployed 2 mo. Walter L son 9 at school Colclamph, Mary Black 16 servant Ematz, Pearce boarder 24 teaching school unemployed 2 mo. Bishop, Virgil L. boarder 24 at school Craven, Samuel L. boarder 25 at school Cody, Zach T boarder 22 at school Chapman, Chas H. boarder 18 at school Carlton, William boarder 20 at school