Beebes and Windmills

The Beebe Windmill pictured is in Bridgehampton, Long Island, NY. It was built in Sag Harbor in 1820 for Lester Beebe and moved to Bridgehampton in 1837. It is mentioned in an article in the Beebe Connection Newsletter, Vol. 12, No. 2, May - August 1998. The windmill is sponsored by the Bridgehampton Village Improvement Society and stands on the John E. Berwind Memorial Green. It belongs to the town of Southampton, a gift from the Berwind Estate. It is said to have been inherited from a Jason Beebe from a Samual Beebe. It is now a National Historical Monument. Research shows another Windmill is also owned by a Beebe. He was Silas Beebe b. 7 Sep 1781, Waterford, New London, CT, (son of Abijah Beebe and Grace Smith ) m. (1) 14 Jul 1805, in Groton, New London, CT, Hannah Rathbun, b. 24 Apr 1785, d. 26 Oct 1812, Groton, New London, CT, m. (2) 19 Sep 1813, in North Stonington, New London, CT, Anna "Nancy" Breed , b. 6 Jan 1792, North Stonington, New London, CT, d. 31 Oct 1847, Portersville, New London, CT, m. (3) 15 Jan 1849, in Groton, New London, CT, Prudence (Breed) Morgan , b. 17 Nov 1794, Groton, New London, CT, d. 22 Sep 1877, Mystic, New London, CT, bd. Stonington, New London, CT. Silas died 1 May 1863, Mystic, New London, CT. Silas was the youngest child of his family and was born on the west bank of the Niantic river, near the city on New London the day after the famous battle of Groton Heights, and within sound of its guns. The records in the CT State Capitol show him to have been master of several different vessels, sloops and schooners, in the merchant trade between Hartford and New London. After his first marriage, Capt Beebe built his homestead at the head of North Cove opening into Fisher's Island Sound. Here the deep water (before the crossing of the railroad) allowed whaling vessels of a large size to come in close to the house. By degrees, Capt. Beebe acquired a large acreage of farming land and employed a resident farmer. He continued to make voyages which were mainly to Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico ports in the merchant trade. The windmill on his farm was a beacon for all incoming vessels and was used by the entire local countryside for grinding corn until about 1833 when it was removed to Pistol Point on the Mystic River where it did duty for many years. He was closely identified with the whaling industry and was a part owner of several ships engaged in his business. The death of Silas' second wife was sudden and tragic. She was instantly killed by being thrown from her carriage while returning from a communion service at her church. This, following a death of a daughter of seventeen years and a son of twenty-six, all with a year was a crushing blow to Capt Beebe.