Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Beadsman \Beads"man\, Bedesman \Bedes"man\, n.; pl. {-men}.
   A poor man, supported in a beadhouse, and required to pray
   for the soul of its founder; an almsman.

         Whereby ye shall bind me to be your poor beadsman for
         ever unto Almighty God.                  --Fuller.

Source : WordNet®

beadsman
     n : a person who is paid to pray for the soul of another [syn: {bedesman}]
     [also: {beadsmen} (pl)]