For Father’s Day, I found a curious bit of history about a man from Dakota, in Turner County. When he died on 18 March 1940, a time when larger families were much more common than they are today, John Joshua Beasley (19 March 1859-18 March 1940) was newsworthy. A United Press syndicated story from March 1940, datelined Ashburn, Ga., and published in newspapers around the country under the headline “Oddities in the News” noted: The living among his 40 children, 60 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren mourned the death of John Joshua Beasley, 84. He was the father of 24 children by his first wife and 16 by his second. Nineteen are living.
At the time, his progeny made him the record-holder among Georgia fathers, and to my knowledge, it’s a record which may still stand.
Beasley’s first wife, buried beside him, was Fannie Gresham Beasley (1 October 1861-19 January 1905). His second wife was Maggie Britt Beasley (18 September 1888-6 December 1967). She is buried at Oviedo Cemetery in Oviedo, Florida. Many of Mr. Beasley’s children lived well into the later part of the 20th century and at least one lived until 2010. I’m unsure if any are still alive but I imagine his legacy is not lost on his descendants.
John Beasley was married to 2nd wife, Maggie Britt Beasley was my Great grandmother’s Sister. It was a different time back then, women didn’t have birth control. They never had all these children at home at once. They were Farmers and grew their own food, when the children were old enough they all worked on the farm and took care of one another.
He is my Great great great grandfather. My great great grandmother was of the first children and she lived to be 97 yrs. I was about 6 when she passed so I got to meet her and her daughter, my great grandmother, was the sweetest women and she passed around 80 yrs.
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Thanks for this wonderful article, I enjoy reading true stories like this, about the past. What cemetery is Mr. Beasley buried in. I also enjoy visiting old cemeteries. Thanks for sharing this story with us.
Thanks, Lisa. He’s buried in Dakota Cemetery, in Dakota, Georgia.
This is news to me, I never anything about Mr. Beasley’ seems this should be the largest Family ever. Thanks, Brian for sharing this true story.
I hope he was rich enough to properly support all those children. He would need to be rich. I do not admire him.
I am sorry but no one asked you to admire him. He was my great grandfather. My grandmother was the oldest child. She was 51 years old when the youngest child was born. She was married with 5 children of her own. He never had all 40 children living with him at the same time.
I’m pretty amazed by his story, Dell.
I don’t think Mr. Harrison meant it as insult but I understand you reading it that way. I found out from my father that my late grandmother, who was from Turner County, knew of him and may have known some of your aunts.
I was only wished the best for all 40 children
Thanks Dell. My late grandfather’s name is Luther Lee Beasley. My late father is John O’quinn Beasley. Luther was one of the first children born of the forty. You’d never find a better person. Glad his blood runs threw my veins.
Luther, my grandfather, was also in the older group as well. Not sure in what order he was born. He was such a pleasure to be around. Musically talented, funny and always upbeat. Always smiling.
I do know his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had a great affect and positive lives in Central Florida. So before you cast stones maybe you need to hear the rest of the story.