Research compiled by the Heritage Arts Legacy of Fort Erie

Adam Beam was born May 29, 1783 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, the son of John Beam and Barbara Walter.  He married Catharine Gonder, daughter of Captain Jacob Gonder (3rd Regiment Lincoln Militia) on November 17, 1818.  To them were born 13 children, as follows:

• Walter
• Mary A
• Amanda A. Aaron
• Gideon
• Dinah
• Charlotte Naomi
• Almira Barbary
• Bethea
• Rebecca C
• Joshua F
• Joseph Gonder
• Morris Jacob

Adam served as a Private in the 3rd Regiment Lincoln Militia under Captain John Hardy.  His service was detailed in the History of Welland County (pub. Mika Publishing, Belleville, ON 1972) on pages 419-420:

“He took an active part in the war of 1812, when a young man, as one of the Canadian Militia, in engagements at Fort Erie.  On one occasion a considerable force of Americans were attempting to cross Niagara River in boats to Canada, when the much smaller Canadian forces marched out from behind a hill and forest thicket along the frontier, and after firing at the enemy they reloaded their muskets while rapidly marching back around the hill and out again at the same place along the river, and thus continued marching and firing.  This skilful manoeuver had the desired effect, appearing to the Americans like a much larger force of British marching out to the front, and they returned to the United States, while numbers of their affrighted and wounded soldiers were seen to leap into the water on their way back.”

His military service is documented within the National Archives digitized War of 1812 Upper Canada Returns, Nominal Rolls and Paylists  RG 91B7 Mikan 183676, Reel T10386.

After the war many Bertie Township residents filed claims for compensation for property damages  caused by the enemy.   Adam Beam’s claim for damages suffered at the hands of the enemy is listed at Archives Ontario, Claim #334 in Schedule of Claims, Class 2, Township of Bertie, District Niagara.  He claimed a horse, sheep and hay taken by the enemy and valued them at £27 15 shillings. Payment recommended was £20.

Adam purchased Lot 11, Conc 12 in Bertie Twp. on October 17, 1818.

Adam died September 15, 1863 in Bertie Twp. and was buried in the Black Creek Pioneer Cemetery in Fort Erie, Ontario.  Catharine joined him there after her death on November 20, 1888.