Platial | Who and What's Nearby
Platial | Who and What's Nearby
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Yes, this too is to remind me to write something -- it is a work in progress so I'll post my 'notes' here -- excuse the rough grammer and appearance for now!
This Second Empire home is the "George Beeman House" which was built in 1876.
George Beeman, originally from Steuben Co., N.Y., settled in Washtenaw County in the fall of 1836. In 1843 he moved here and purchased land in section 2, Wheatfield Township (110 acres), and subsequently 160 acres in section 1, on the opposite side of the road. The previous owner of the land in Section 1 had built a log house, which was destroyed by fire in 1846. After the destruction of his log house (and after building and renting out a shanty on the property for 2 years!) in 1848 Mr. Beeman built the frame dwelling still standing on the west side of Williamston Road for his own use.
In 1876, he erected this fine brick mansion across the street from his old house to provide a 'more suitable' home for his wife and family. An 1880 book (History of Ingham and Eaton Counties, Michigan by Samuel W. Durant) said, with typical understatement: "Mr. Beeman's buildings and improvements are equal to any in the township."
Of note concerning this building is the local legend that the Beeman House was a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. This myth was spread by people who apparently had 'history impaired logic' as it is factually impossible. (Slavery was outlawed in the US by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, passed in December 1865. A house built in 1876 is 10 years too new to have been used to hide run-away slaves!)
As an interesting aside, the original records of Wheatfield Township, including those from Brutus Township (from which Wheatfield was separated out in 1840), unfortunately, were destroyed by the fire mentioned above. H.C. Davis the township clerk, was occupying Mr. Beeman's house, and had the records in his home when it was destroyed.
restoration/reclamation after rental period
Currently in private ownership. Still a working farm -- barn historic as well as house!
Yes, this too is to remind me to write something -- it is a work in progress so I'll post my 'notes' here -- excuse the rough grammer and appearance for now!
This Second Empire home is the "George Beeman House" which was built in 1876.
George Beeman, originally from Steuben Co., N.Y., settled in Washtenaw County in the fall of 1836. In 1843 he moved here and purchased land in section 2, Wheatfield Township (110 acres), and subsequently 160 acres in section 1, on the opposite side of the road. The previous owner of the land in Section 1 had built a log house, which was destroyed by fire in 1846. After the destruction of his log house (and after building and renting out a shanty on the property for 2 years!) in 1848 Mr. Beeman built the frame dwelling still standing on the west side of Williamston Road for his own use.
In 1876, he erected this fine brick mansion across the street from his old house to provide a 'more suitable' home for his wife and family. An 1880 book (History of Ingham and Eaton Counties, Michigan by Samuel W. Durant) said, with typical understatement: "Mr. Beeman's buildings and improvements are equal to any in the township."
Of note concerning this building is the local legend that the Beeman House was a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. This myth was spread by people who apparently had 'history impaired logic' as it is factually impossible. (Slavery was outlawed in the US by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, passed in December 1865. A house built in 1876 is 10 years too new to have been used to hide run-away slaves!)
As an interesting aside, the original records of Wheatfield Township, including those from Brutus Township (from which Wheatfield was separated out in 1840), unfortunately, were destroyed by the fire mentioned above. H.C. Davis the township clerk, was occupying Mr. Beeman's house, and had the records in his home when it was destroyed.
restoration/reclamation after rental period
Currently in private ownership. Still a working farm -- barn historic as well as house!
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