This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: wandaalter Surnames: Sunderland, Sherwood, Beaden, Beden Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.vermont.counties.franklin/4122.4.2.2.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Maria Heminway, VT Historical Magazine Vol 2 Pt 1, Fairfield, 1871. pg192 Settlers 1788 - John Sunderland, Gabriel Sherwood, William Beaden and James Hawley from Huntington, CT Smithfield Beaden was the first child born in the portion of town called Smithfield and the proprietors made him a gift of 100 acres. Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan Chapman Bros 1892 Smithfield Beden, who was born August 1, 1789, in the town of Smithfield, Vt. As he was the first white child born in the township, he was named after the township and presented with fifty acres of land within its limits. When about twenty-one years old he accompanied his father, William Beden, to the State of New York. Grandfather Beden was a Revolutionary soldier, entering the service at the commencement of the war and remaining in defense of the colonies until its close. Smithfield Beden was married June 2, 1816, to Miss Rebecca Melvin, a native of New Hampshire. Ten children were born to the family in New York, five of whom are still living. Mr. Beden became a physician, first studying the botanical system of medicine and later the allopathic system. He was a mechanical genius, and followed the trades of a wheelwright, blacksmith, I tanner and currier. He made his wife's! wedding ; shoes and she presented him with his wedding | coat. Although Dr. Beden attended school altoj gether only three months, he acquired by self | study a good education and was a teacher at the | time of his marriage. As a musician he was very { proficient and composed several pieces of music | which are still in the possession of the family. i Mrs. Beden was well educated and a teacher of great success.In April, 1836, Dr. and Mrs. Beden started for Michigan and arriving in Lapeer County, July 4, 1836, settled on section 21, Hadley Township, where they were numbered among the earliest settlers. William Beden married Caty Sunderland at Hungtington, [now Shelton, Fairfield Co] CT Apr 18, 1784 Caty's father John Sunderland also an early Fairfield VT settler Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.