A LOOK AT JAMES BEVERLY WARD, AGENT OF THE BEALE PAPERS

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It has been established many times over on these threads, the life of James Beverly Ward and his being the agent and publisher of the 1885 BEALE PAPERS.
Was has not ever been solidly established is the identity of the "unknown author" who presented the finished manuscript to Ward that became the Beale Papers.
The existence of the Beale treasure is predicated upon the "letters" and the cipher contents of the iron box that Morriss had shown to this "unknown author" during the 2nd year of the Confederate War, and, the finished manuscript presented to Ward for publication.
Note that besides Robert Morriss, this "unknown author" is the ONLY other person to have seen the items upon which the Beale story is based.
So the elephant in the Beale threads that needs to be addressed is whether or not this "unknown author" ever received this story from Morriss, ever spent 20 years trying to solve the ciphers, succeeding only with the DOI C2 cipher, ever contacted Ward with the finished manuscript, or for that matter, if this "unknown author" ever existed in the first place.
"The gentleman whom I have selected as my agent, to publish and circulate these papers, was well known to Mr Morriss...and he would have been ONE OF THE BENEFICIARIES in the event of my success"- THE BEALE PAPERS
Who were these other beneficiaries to whom the "unknown author" referred?
Was Ward his first choice as agent for the publishing and circulation, and was he known to Ward before the presentation the finished manuscript?
 

"The gentleman whom I have selected as my agent, to publish and circulate these papers, was well known to Mr Morriss...and he would have been ONE OF THE BENEFICIARIES in the event of my success"- THE BEALE PAPERS
Who were these other beneficiaries to whom the "unknown author" referred?
Was Ward his first choice as agent for the publishing and circulation, and was he known to Ward before the presentation the finished manuscript?

"The agent selected for the publishing and circulation" we know was James Beverly Ward. For JBW to be one of the beneficiaries would mean that the author was kin to JBW. He would have shared it with his kin. Everyone knows JBW was well known to Robert Morriss as RM was JBW's uncle by marriage. So that means we are looking for an author that is kin to JBW? Plus the author was young in 1862 when the manuscript was placed in his or her hands.
 

... So that means we are looking for an author that is kin to JBW? Plus the author was young in 1862 when the manuscript was placed in his or her hands.
"Knowledge of this affair was confined to a very limited circle-to the writer's immediate family, and to one old and valued friend..."
-THE BEALE PAPERS

Sarah Mitchell Morris died at the home of James Beverly and Harriet Emmeline Ward.
Robert Morris died at the home of the widow Anzoletta Warwick Saunders, where he was interviewed by the "unknown author".
This "unknown author" later states that Ward had no knowledge of Morris's dealings with Beale, but Sarah Mitchell Morris would have had that knowledge.
The above "limited circle" were all related in one way or another, therefore it is highly logical that the "unknown author" was also related.
 

Which most likely would have been one of JBW's children or Anzeoletta's children. There were some other children that could have been the authors, the Hutters and the Warwicks. Two of William Warwicks sons were working within the Bank of Virginia in Richmond, Va. could have easily been one of them. Since the author mentioned that he had to attend to affairs in Richmond. Also the Hutter Brothers, had connections with the CSA Government in Richmond. Most likely the author would have been a Hutter or the Warwick sons.
 

Anzoletta Warwick Saunders and her two sons who still at home during the "2nd year of the Confederate War" would have known this "unknown author" as well as James Beverly Ward when he accepted the finished manuscript.
It is very possible that we would have revealed the "unknown author's" identity to his son-in-law, William Johns, when asking for the letterhead he used for his copyright application, or to his cousin, John William Sherman, who printed the pamphlet, and of course, Ward's wife Harriet would have known this identity.
"Three can keep a secret if two are dead".
Sherman's boss, Charles W Button did state that Sherman was the "author"- how did he come about this belief?
 

"The agent selected for the publishing and circulation" we know was James Beverly Ward. For JBW to be one of the beneficiaries would mean that the author was kin to JBW. He would have shared it with his kin. Everyone knows JBW was well known to Robert Morriss as RM was JBW's uncle by marriage. So that means we are looking for an author that is kin to JBW? Plus the author was young in 1862 when the manuscript was placed in his or her hands.

Franklin,

I apologize for my narrow focus, but I can only juggle one ball at a time and for the time being Robert Morriss is that ball.:laughing7:

You wrote that; Robert Morriss was James Beverly Ward's Uncle by marriage. I hope you are able to expand on this relationship, but if not I understand.

I'm taking the simple approach and assuming the the marriage you are speaking of is that of James Beverly Ward and Harriet Emeline Otey?

If James Beverly Ward's Uncle was Robert Morriss by marriage, by extension Harriet Emeline Otey's Uncle by blood would have been Robert Morris? In other words his niece? :icon_scratch:

If Harriet was Robert Morriss' niece, then Robert Morriss would have been a sibling of one of her parents. John Hopkins Otey (born 1767) or Elizabeth Buford (born 1785)

I know I've got something screwed up but hopefully you can put be back on track?

Thanks in advance,

Garry
 

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Harriet Emmaline Brown Otey Ward was Sarah Mitchell Morris's niece by blood, therefore Ward's uncle by marriage. :thumbsup:
 

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Harriet Emmaline Brown Otey Ward was Sarah Mitchell Morris's niece by blood, therefore Ward's uncle by marriage. :thumbsup:

ECS,

You are correct!! Harriet Emeline Oteys parents were John Buford Otey (born 1794) and Angelina Brown (born 1797). NOT John Hopkins Otey and Elizabeth Buford (Parents of John Buford Otey)

Thanks, I'll have to take a fresh look.

You're saying that Harriet Emeline Otey's aunt was Sarah Mitchell Morriss, by blood.

Wouldn't that make Sarah Mitchell Morriss a sister of Angelina Brown or brother of John Buford Otey? :icon_scratch:

I'm still not sure I'm up to speed but I'll chew on it!!:(

I'm still on the fence regarding Sarah Morriss' maiden name [The only source I have seen is from the unknown author but no legal documents). Sarah's maiden name could have been Brown for all I know?

Thanks, Garry
 

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I'll take a stab at this Mitchell genealogy.
John Issac Mitchell and Sarah Ann Greer Mitchell had two daughters, Sarah and Hannah.
Hannah married Shadrach Brown, whose daughter, Angelina married John Buford Otey.
John B and Angelina Otey's daughter, Harriet Emmaline, married James Beverly Ward.
Sarah Mitchell, Hannah Mitchell's sister, married Robert Morris.
 

ECS,

You are correct!! Harriet Emeline Oteys parents were John Buford Otey (born 1794) and Angelina Brown (born 1797). NOT John Hopkins Otey and Elizabeth Buford (Parents of John Buford Otey)

Thanks, I'll have to take a fresh look.

You're saying that Harriet Emeline Otey's aunt was Sarah Mitchell Morriss, by blood.

Wouldn't that make Sarah Mitchell Morriss a sister of Angelina Brown or brother of John Buford Otey? :icon_scratch:

I'm still not sure I'm up to speed but I'll chew on it!!:(

I'm still on the fence regarding Sarah Morriss' maiden name [The only source I have seen is from the unknown author but no legal documents). Sarah's maiden name could have been Brown for all I know?

Thanks, Garry

Garry, I will look up the genealogy I have and let you know. Right now I am kind of busy with personal pursuits. I have the genealogy of Sarah Mitchell and Robert Morriss. It is just packed away in boxes which I have been trying to organize but things keep coming up. My sister has to go to Baptist Hospital for test for a kidney transplant. I tried to donate one of mine but the doctors said no they could not take the risk.She is here now from upper Wva and I will be taking her there Tues. and kidney dialysis Mon. and Wed. so give me time and I will share what I have. Thanks.

You will have to research the Kennerly Family to find the connections. James Beverly Ward when he was surveyor of Campbell County was researching the Kennerly Family just before he died.
 

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...
You will have to research the Kennerly Family to find the connections...
The Kennerly family will take you back to James Beverly Risqué and the extended family bloodline whose history, including locations and "adventures" influenced the Beale story.
Elizabeth Kennerly Risqué, wife of James Beverly Risqué, mother was Mary Talbot Hancock Kennerly.
James Beverly Risqué was wounded in a duel with Thomas Beale over an insult to Risque's niece, Julia Hancock.
Julia Hancock married William Clark of Lewis & Clark after staying with her Kennerly cousins in St Louis.
James Beverly Risque's daughters, one married a Hutter, the other a Ward
The Kennerly's had a mercantile store in St Louis, while the Hutter family was stationed in St Louis.
James Beverly Ward and wife, Harriet Emmeline Otey, lived in St Louis, before returning to Ward's mother's farm in Virginia.
Harriet E Otey Ward was born and raised 4 miles from Buford's, and was related to that family.
James Beverly Ward's Great Uncle, John Pickrell Risqué, was massacred by Indians in Arizona, 1882, while inspecting gold mines.

Combine the Risqué extended family stories with books from Ward & Diggs Bookstore (James Beverly Ward's father, Giles was co-owner)which included Poe's "THE GOLD BUG", Dr William Blair's "WRITING IN CIPHER" (similar to the Beale ciphers), the works of Shakespeare (punctilio and other references), and the article that appeared in the LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN, April 16, 1879, where Ward's cousin, John William Sherman, worked as sub-editor (printer of the Beale Papers pamphlet), concerning the discovery of the hidden treasure of Robert O Willis, of Kentucky, of $65,000 of gold, silver, and jewelry in a cave.

Source material for the Beale story was readily available to " a very limited circle-to the writer's immediate family, and to one old and valued friend"- THE BEALE PAPERS
 

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NOTICE THIS... "Mary Talbot HANCOCK Kennerly", "Julia HANCOCK"; JOHN HANCOCK of the DOI! Take it from THERE! Heh...
 

It always revolves around and returns to the Risqué extended family bloodline.
 

So NOW, you see... Risque's wife was a HANCOCK; "Sweet Judy" was seen as a "family member". Beale must have "insulted" Judy/JBR... dunno.
 

The Kennerly family will take you back to James Beverly Risqué and the extended family bloodline whose history, including locations and "adventures" influenced the Beale story.
Elizabeth Kennerly Risqué, wife of James Beverly Risqué, mother was Mary Talbot Hancock Kennerly.
James Beverly Risqué was wounded in a duel with Thomas Beale over an insult to Risque's niece, Julia Hancock.
Julia Hancock married William Clark of Lewis & Clark after staying with her Kennerly cousins in St Louis.
James Beverly Risque's daughters, one married a Hutter, the other a Ward
The Kennerly's had a mercantile store in St Louis, while the Hutter family was stationed in St Louis.
James Beverly Ward and wife, Harriet Emmeline Otey, lived in St Louis, before returning to Ward's mother's farm in Virginia.
Harriet E Otey Ward was born and raised 4 miles from Buford's, and was rlared to that family.
James Beverly Ward's Great Uncle, John Pickrell Risqué, was massacred by Indians in Arizona, 1882, while inspecting gold mines.

Combine the Risqué extended family stories with books from Ward & Diggs Bookstore (James Beverly Ward's father, Giles was co-owner)which included Poe's "THE GOLD BUG", Dr William Blair's "WRITING IN CIPHER" (similar to the Beale ciphers), the works of Shakespeare (punctilio and other references), and the article that appeared in the LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN, April 16, 1879, where Ward's cousin, John William Sherman, worked as sub-editor (printer of the Beale Papers pamphlet), concerning the discovery of the hidden treasure of Robert O Willis, of Kentucky, of $65,000 of gold, silver, and jewelry in a cave.

Source material for the Beale story was readily available to " a very limited circle-to the writer's immediate family, and to one old and valued friend"- THE BEALE PAPERS

Well, here's another fine mess you've gotten us into. :)
 

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Is it a coincidence that the Beale treasure deposit dates match the signing and ratification of the ADAMS-ONIS TREATY where the United States acquired Florida from Spain?
During General Andrew Jackson's campaign in Florida that brought this treaty about, his military party included Davy Crockett who supplied this army with meat, and James Beverly Risqué.
November 7, 1815, Risqué, along with other Lynchburg businessmen, held a banquet for Andrew Jackson.
The Rev Charles Green Clay gave the invocation, and Battle of New Orleans veteran, Pascal Buford was also in attendance, as well as Thomas Jefferson, at whose nearby home Jackson stayed.
Having served under Jackson in Florida, Risqué wanted and expected to receive a government position and land in the Florida territory once this treaty was signed, even sending a petition to the Federal government, but to no avail.
When Risqué died, his farm in Campbell county and library containing books, legal documents, and letters were bequeathed to his daughter, Adeline, wife of Giles Ward, and mother of James Beverly Ward.
When Ward and wife Harriet returned to Virginia from St Louis to help his mother run the farm, Risque's library was available for James Beverly Ward's perusal.
 

Harriet E Otey Ward was born and raised 4 miles from Buford's, and was rlared to that family.

4mile ya say,keeping the BT tale close to home, or maybe just a coincidence LOL
 

As was this disclaimer:
"I would sat a word to those who may take an interest in them...it is, devote only such time as to be spared from your legitimate business to the task, and if you can spare no time, let the matter along".-THE BEALE PAPERS
AND this additional disclaimer for those who believe the "perilous adventure" actually happened:
"Again, never, as I have done, sacrifice your own and family's interest to what may prove an illusion".- THE BEALE PAPERS

What is the "unknown author" really telling the reader of 1885 Lynchburg?
To take notice of the purposeful discrepancies in the plausible information that are peppered throughout the narrative text that "may prove an illusion".
 

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