Jennings Beckwith

Sir Jennings Beckwith is perhaps best known for being the father of James P. (Jim) Beckwith (Beckwourth), or more commonly known and spelled as Jim Beckwourth, who, among other things, was a writer, raconteur, trapper, trader, explorer, mulatto and Indian Chief.

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Jennings Beckwith was the son of Sir Jonathan Beckwith, signer of the Virginia Stamp Act, and grandson of Sir Marmaduke Beckwith who documented nearly every aspect of life in that part of the Northern Neck of Virginia which produced such statesmen as Washington, Lee, Mason, Carter, Tayloe, Fauntleroy, Brockenbrough, and others whose influence on the early republic was felt far and wide.

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As it was a fondness of Virginians, at the time of Sir Jennings Beckwith, to regard time with relative disregard, and consider it something that one "kills", so too did Jennings have such an attitude. One obituary even said that he had "insuperable objections to spending his time profitably". But because of this freedom, he was able to travel to, what was then, the Far West, and thus help expand America...which he did -- and took his family, some of whom were of African-American descent, through their mother.

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It seems Jennings Beckwith may well have brought his family out west in order to shelter them from such a life, as on three separate occasions he saw to it that his children were manumitted. And it is obvious, from the magnificent linguistic inventory of Jim Beckwourth that he had been taught the fine details of the language.

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Jennings Beckwith died at Mount Airy, the beautiful palladian ancient home of the Col. John Tayloe family. Story is told that his spirit still visits the ancient mansion.

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