John Beaird was a prominent citizen of Knox County, Tennessee, which county he represented in the Tennessee Legislature. He was usually selected as leader when the community had trouble with the Indians. He was brave, energetic, and a successful Indian fighter. He came with his family to Illinois in 1801 and settled four miles from Kaskaskia. His son, Joseph, lived for some years in Cahokia, and was a member of the Legislature for several terms. The family was related to that of Governor Reynolds, and when John Reynolds, afterward Governor, started out to practice law, he made his home for a time with Joseph Beaird, at Cahokia. William A. Beaird, another son of John Beaird, naturally possessed a good mind, but obstinately refused to get an education or to receive any information thru the medium of books. However, by observation and experience, he did acquire much practical knowledge. He never married. He served as Sheriff of St. Clair County from 1815 to 1830. He died in Belleville in 1843. - St Clair History

June 12, 1793: Cherokee chiefs and delegates appointed by President George Washington were holding a meeting to discuss peace prospects at the Cherokee town, Coyatee (at the mouth of the Holston, southwest of Knoxville, TN). A renegade white militia, led by Captain John Beard, charged into town firing upon Indian and white alike. Major Thomas King was sleeping with Chief Hanging Maw's daughter and had to jump out of a back window of their cabin to avoid death. Other government agents, James Ore and Daniel Carmichael were fired upon but they escaped harm. The Cherokee Fool Charlie, Betty Kitegista, and four others were killed. Chief Hanging Maw, his wife, and the daughter of Nancy Ward were wounded in the attack. The remaining government delegation were finally able to convince Beard and his men to halt their attack, spare the rest of the Indians, and to not burn their town. Beard was later arrested and was brought to a military court, but was acquitted, probably because of his friendship with John Sevier [from Evans, 1976].

On June 12 A party of men under command of a Captain John Beard suddenly, attacked, raced through the town, shooting into the houses, cutting down Indians and whites alike. Killing Chiefs SCANTEE, FOOL CHARLIE and a white woman named Betty KATAGISTA, and the wife of "HANGING-MAW" (Uishwa'liguta), principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, who was himself wounded. A white man by the name of ROSEBURY and 7 other Indians.

The U. S. government continued to attempt to arrange a peace betweenthe two groups. In Jun of 1793, in response to a request fromPresident George Washington, several prominent Cherokee leaders wentto Coyatee to meet with a Federal peace commission headed by Maj.Thomas King and Daniel Carmichael. Hangin Maw, Otter Lifter, andScantee were present. John Watts and Doublehead were expected toattend. Much progress was made during the preliminary talks, and bothsides began to hope that at long last the years of fire and deathwould be coming to an end. The territorial governor, William Blount, was so optimistic that hedeparted for Philadelphia to arrange a fitting reception for Watts,Doublehead, and other Cherokee leaders who were invited to meet withPresident Washington. Then, on the night of Jun 12, 1793, all hopefor peace was brutally smashed. The peaceful repose of the commissioners, both white and Cherokee,erupted into chaos with a sudden volley of shots, accompanied by loudyells. Rushing to the doors, the delegates saw a hoard of mountedriflemen splashing across the river, shooting as they came. It was awhite militia company led by Capt. John Beard. The militia racedtheir horses through the town, firing in the houses at random, cuttingdown any one who moved. Maj. King, who was sleeping with HangingMaw's daughter, saved his life by jumping out a back window. JamesOre and Daniel Carmichael, also government agents, were fired upon asthey made their escape. The friendly Hanging Maw, his wife, and adaughter of Nancy Ward were badly wounded. Scantee, Fool Charlie,Betty Kitegista, a white man named Rosebury, and four others werekilled. By hard pleading, the whites present were able to induceBeard to spare the rest of the people and refrain from burning thetown. Beard and his men had acted in violation of their orders and made noattempt to hide or justify their bloody deed. In letters to thePresident, Doublehead and Hanging Maw protested the unprovoked assaultand demanded satisfaction. John Watts waited to see what theauthorities would do, and Bob Benge, who had taken no part in thepeace conference, began sharpening his war axe. Both President Washington and Gov. Blount were outraged by theatrocity. Beard was arrested and tried by a military court, butunfortunately public sentiment and Beard's friendship with John Sevierwere too strong to be resisted. After a brief trail, which was amockery of justice, Beard was acquitted.

Notary John Beaird 09-10-1804 Kaskaskia, IL
-Variously styled John Beard, John Baird as well. Son Joseph Allcorn Beard, Joseph A. Beaird, etc

-One source "Beaird-Fisher Families" says John had 9 children in all.
-The family seems to be of Scottish backround, emigrating to Northern Ireland with a settlement.

Sources:
-Birth Source: Bible of his grandfather; family records section
-Marriage Source: General Store Record book, various Probate documents, pulaski county records; Bible Records in grandfather's bible.
-Death Source: Probate Documents..between Jan 3 and March 5th.


E-mail Joe C. for any additions/questions!