Robert Bean, born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia in 1764 was the son of John Been b Abt 1728-1740. This John Been was the brother of William Bean, b 1721 and Elizabeth Bean b 1723. These two brothers both had sons named Robert. They were both heads of well known pioneer families in the Tennessee/North Carolina area. For a long time many researchers thought that this Robert Bean was the son of William, but a Bible record was found in the U.S. Pension Office that prompted research by Jim Beene that establishes that Robert Bean b: VA in 1764 was the son of John Been (see *note). William, Elizabeth, and John were all born in Northumberland County, Virginia. Elizabeth married George Russell who later died in Grainger Co, TN and his will was probated there..
"Our" Robert, born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia in 1764, married Martha Womack. He died in Marion or Washington County, Tennessee. (Both state and county boundary lines changed, sometimes several times before the current lines were drawn).
The other Robert (that our Robert has been confused with and who is the son of William b 1721) was born about 1747-1750 and died in 1793 in Hawkins (Grainger) County, Tennessee. Some say he was married to Rhoda Lane (Layne). Others say Rhoda Lane was the first wife of "our" Robert before he married Martha Womack, but this is unlikely. Rhoda was married to the other Robert, first cousin to this Robert.
It has been very confusing for researchers that the use of the names William, John, and Robert was extremely prevalent among many Bean/Beene/Been/Beane/Bain families, all of whom are probably related in some way! Also, there are other spellings of the Bean name, including MacBean, McBean, MacBain, McBain, Beans, Beanes, Bains, Bayne, MacBayne, Baynes, and many more!
It seems that it was formerly customary in Scottish families to name the first born son after the paternal grandfather, the first born daughter after the maternal grandmother, the second son after the maternal grandfather, the second daughter after the paternal grandmother, and subsequent children after various other relatives. The youngest children might be named after famous individuals, sometimes. So I suppose that is why there is such a repeated use of names. Also, I read recently that the names William and John were the all time most used names for centuries, only being deposed in the last few decades.
Bean Stalk, Vol 19, #3, p 116, says listed in North Carolina Revolutionary Soldiers, Sailors, Patriots & Descendants, Vol 1, Bean, Robert (RS-NC) 1750-1824 (in Battle of King's Mountain, Oct 7, 1780) m. Martha Womack
Military Service: Served under Elijah Clarke, American Revolutionary War, Battle of King's Mountain, Battle of Musgrove's Mill; also elected Captain of Militia, Franklin Co, TN in 1810, known as Captain Robert ever since
*Note: The following email was sent to the Bean List, an email list that genealogy researchers can use to share information on the families Bean/Been/Beene (and other spellings of the name). Also, see next email message, below.
To: rbean@websurfer.net
Cc: j..beene@worldnet.att.net
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 22:03:22 -0500
Subject: Re: Bean Family of Central TN
From: jimbeene@juno.com (Jim D Beene)
Ron,
I can tell you some about the Southern Bean Association. It is a family association devoted to research of the Bean, Beene, Beane, Been and other spellings of the name. The association began primarily by ancestors of Capt William Bean and Robert Bean, Sr who married Martha Womack. Robert was first believed a son of Capt William and much written material was published by well meaning ancestors who had a goal of becoming members of the Society of Daughters of the American Revolution. Great family trees
were thereby constructed and volumes of trusted research was proudly hung out there for the world to admire. But, alas, some nosy researcher found an old Bible record in the U. S. Pension Office records deposited in the National Archives which rattled every bush and tree. The record proved that Robert was not son of William and the real hunt began. I have put together a summary of the research in paper prepared and presented to the SBA for a resolution which was adopted. The paper has clear documentation of John Been (spelling is correct) as brother of Capt William and as father of Robert Sr. There is not room here to do all
the detail. I am past President of SBA and current Treasurer (what a nut to take on that job). We have a very viable organization that meets annually in states such as Ark, Ky, Tenn, Texas , etc. This next June will find us in Marion Co., Tenn where Robert Bean Sr and his descendants
last lived. A great time of sharing and just plain enjoying
Bean/Been/Beene family is always expected. The membership dues are $15.00. The SBA publishes 4 editions to the BEAN STALK each year and has for 26 years. These are available to members in the SBA Library which has the best collection of Bean and related lines books and articles anywhere. There simply is no association or group who has
gathered and researched these lines either by volume or quality in comparison to SBA. We are quick to state to you that some works in our library clearly are mistaken and do not take offense at being disproven as often is the case in this work of love we all seem to enjoy so much. The membership year in SBA is started with dues in June, and the first issue of BS in September (usually received in October), 2nd issue is the Winter Issue in December, Spring Issue in March and Summer Issue in June. If you join now, you would receive the September issue. You may do so by sending check or money order to Jim Beene, 4001 S. E. 120th Ave., Norman, Oklahoma 73071. If you will send me a family chart as far back as you have it, I will share it with Joe Beene, Editor of BS who is always ready to lend a hand in researching. He is my brother and aside from normal bias, I believe you will be proud of the BS and will be a welcome part of information going into it for others to share. Later.
Jim Beene
Email from Jim Beene At 08:16 AM 11/9/97 -0600, you wrote:
Dianna,
The Bible record of Robert Bean does not show the connection to John. That connection is established through letters of relatives of that time to researchers. The entire text of that connection is in a publication in the Southern Bean Association Library, JOHN BEEN put together by me and adopted by the Southern Bean Association. It is a thorough bibliography. Jim Beene
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