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Notes for JOHN DAVID BECK:
In the unpublished 1875 Autobiography of Capt. Abram Huguenin, C.S.A., the following account is given of David's death. Note: he incorrectly referred to David as David Huguenin Beck instead of as John David Beck.
David Huguenin Beck was a young lawyer of fine promise and was killed in a street fight by Col. B.G. Allston (my mothers first cousin) in the town then standing of Coosawhatchee, they had a difficulty and Beck knocked Allston down, they met again at Coosawhatchee, one going down, the other coming up the street, each with the left arm to the other, when opposite Beck exclaimed, turn you damned scoundrel and defend yourself (I should in justice to Beck say Allston had spit at him "saying all the waters of the Savannah can't wash that out"), both wheeled, leveled their pistols, Beck's snapped, Allston's fired, hitting Beck in the forehead with three buckshot, he staggered forward, and fell the brains oozing from the wounds. Allston advanced a few paces, looked upon the wreck he had done, and exclaiming "I would give worlds to recall that shot, turning upon his heels, and drove from the town. That night, the poor old mother came, and as she looked upon the prostrate, yet still withering form of her best beloved, and handsome son, held down in his agony by four of his friends, exclaimed "Col. Allston I forgive you, may God do the same". Roman matron, burst from the men with their sobs, a soliloquy by which she ever afterwards went. He is buried in the Huguenin graveyard, his tombstone still standing, aged 21 years and three months.
Inscription on the tombstone reads "Sacred to the memory of John David Beck who died Sept. 18, 1826 aged 21 years 7 months".
His DOB would then be 18 Feb 1805.
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