Beeks line: Joseph Lakin 1729-abt 1802

 There is a lot of confusing information about Joseph Lakin.  His father, Abraham Lakin, had a brother named Joseph and there are various possibilities regarding cousins of our Joseph to further muddy the waters.  There is always the slight possibility that our Joseph hasn't been identified correctly, but his parentage, and his children, are noted by Benjamin Lakin in 1847.  He was a cousin of our family, and although there is a possibility he was mistaken, it appears that he may have been working from a family Bible or other document, although no dates are given.  So keeping in mind the possibility that this may be revised if new information comes to light, the current best guess is as follows:

Joseph Lakin was born in about 1729, possibly in Prince Georges County, Maryland.  His parents were Abraham and Martha Lee Lakin.  Martha may have been a "local girl" but Abraham was from England.  Joseph would have been a first generation American.  Joseph was one of at least 10 children, so his parents would have been kept quite busy.  Abraham died in 1744, still in Prince Georges County.  

Joseph married Elizabeth Fee, daughter of George and Parnell Fee, about 1750, and they had at least three children together.  The Lakins and the Fees were closely related through intermarriage and it's possible that Elizabeth was Joseph's niece.  Some web sites make that claim.  My eyes roll trying to figure this out but we have to assume it's a possibility.  The marriage is supposed to have taken place in Prince Georges County, but it was likely Frederick County, which had just been formed.  In 1748, a large chunk of land was taken from Prince Georges which became Frederick County, which went all the way to what eventually became the border with West Virginia.  Although Joseph's father is frequently shown as having died in Prince George's County (technically correct), his land is noted as being in Frederick County and Joseph inherited some of it l.  

We know Joseph was in Frederick County in 1775-76, when he was listed as an associator on a list put together by the committee of observation of Frederick County.  These were patriots but not part of the militia in Maryland, as I understand it.  I've not found his name as having been a soldier in either the French and Indian war or the Revolutionary War, but his age would fit him into the first conflict quite readily, and based on where he lived, he was likely at least part of the militia during the conflicts leading up to the Revolutionary War, and to the War itself.  His geographic location put him right in the midst of ongoing raids by native Americans (sponsored by France earlier, and England later).  

We know of only three children born to Joseph and Elizabeth.  Elizabeth died in 1776, which would indicate that perhaps there were more children than we know of, who either died young or lived unnoticed.

Joseph and Elizabeth are included in the book "The Tenmile Country and Its Pioneer Families" by Howard L. Leckey.  The Tenmile Creek was a tributary to the Monangahela River, which in turn was a tributary to the Ohio River.  Much if not all of this territory is in southeastern Pennsylvania, which is where the Lakins may actually have lived, if and when they left Frederick County.  From the map, it looks like this would be perhaps 15 miles northeast of Waynesburg, Pa.  The book says that the Lakins moved on to Ohio.  It is certain that their daughter, who married Revolutionary War soldier John Simpson Aldridge, moved on to Ohio (Clermont County) and three Lakins, John, Joseph and Samuel, are listed in Clermont County on an 1810 tax list.  Our Joseph is believed to have died by then but he may have come with one of the younger Lakin families.  

Joseph would have lived in an interesting time and place.  He and his family doubtless were forced to shelter in Fort Jackson or other of the forts and garrisons built for defense during the wars and other times the natives were raiding.  Certainly some of their neighbors died under horrible circumstances.  Joseph may or may not have gone to war.  Also after the war the Whiskey Rebellion took place and was at least talked about in the local homes and taverns.  We have no indication that Joseph was a participant but it's possible.  Many farmers there did convert their crops to liquid form to sell in places like Philadelphia.  

So we have a lot of speculation but not much in the way of facts regarding Joseph.  Until documents are uncovered, we'll just need to be content knowing that there was a strong and vigorous man in the family named Joseph Lakin, and that he contributed to both the family heritage and the country's growth.

The line of descent is

Joseph Lakin-Elizabeth Fee

Mary Lakin-John Simpson Aldridge

John S Aldridge-Lucinda Wheeler

Darlington Aldridge-Leah Folsom

Harvey Aldridge-Margaret Catherine Dunham

Cleo Aldridge-Wilbur Beeks

Their descendants