Mr. Beard seems to have been quite prominent in the affairs of this church and the 1863 Baltimore Annual Conference in session at the Lutheran Church in Churchville, Augusta Co., VA. .. In this, the largest battle ever fought in what is now West Virginia (Battle of Lewisburg), the home of Joseph Beard (now owned by Mr. Ralph Burns) came into use as a hospital.

For many years Mr. Joseph Beard was quite prominent in the affairs of Wesley Chapel.  His big black dog always accompanied him to Church and lay quietly by his master's side in what appeared to be perfect reverence.  Mr. Beard was very particular in the manner of his dress.  His old black walnut clothes cupboard is now in the home of the late Mrs. Joseph S. McNeel at Hillsboro, West Virginia.  This cupboard was the handiwork of Mr. Asbury R. Smith.   The top was for clothing storage and the bottom for boots.  Mr. Beard represented his Church as a layman perhaps more than others in the Baltimore Conference before 1900.

From "White Pole Meeting House, Hillsboro, WV", Property of the Pocahontas County Historical Society, by Frank A Johnson, Franklin WV; 1968

http://www.pocamem.com/cems/id225.htm

http://www.pocamem.com/cems/id225.htm

http://www.pocamem.com/cems/id225.htm

Her children were Leiut. J. J. Beard of Huntersville, Margaret Jane, first wife of Capt. Wm. L. McNeels, and Miriam Nannie, wife of Isaac McNeel, Esq..

In all the relations of life, Mrs. Beard was a very estimable person.  In early youth she became a professing Christian and for sixty-six years lived a consistent Christian life in the pale of the Methodist Church.  Many remarks made by her at various times in view of the nearness of death gave very assurance that the faith that worked by love, purified the heart and overcame the world.

Memorial services pertinent to the occasion were conducted by the ministers J.H.Dills, J.C.Thrasher, and D.S. Sydenstricker.  Her remains were borne to the McNeel cemetery and placed by the side of her venerable husband, while surrounded by an immense throng of sympathizing friends and kindred, to wait the everlasting morning.  W.T.P. (Price)

Deed Book 19 Page 346

This Deed made the 15th day of May 1852 between Allen Bowen of the one part
and Joseph Beard of the other part Witnesseth that the said Allen Bowen doth
grant unto the said Joseph Beard the following property viz.  The Tract or
parcel of land which James H. Renick, this day sold.  The said Allen Bowen
living in the county of Greenbrier on the waters of Spring creek, known as a
part of the Peter Burr place including the building mill seat and all the
water privileges which the said Peter Burr had together with the following
negro slaves with their increase Eliza age 25 years and her two children a boy
named Lewis 3 years old and a girl named Vermont age eighteen months.  In
Trust to secure Two Bonds which The said Allen Bowen This day executed to
James H. Renick one of seven hundred and ninety five dollars due the first day
of October 1853 the other for 750 dollars due the first day of October 1854
said Trust to be due at the same time the last bond is due.  In Witness
whereof we have this day
set our hands and affixed our seals.
Allen Bowen
Joseph Beard

[Transcribed and submitted by Marilyn Merritt <[redacted]>]