The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
   [1913 Webster]

         Whereby ye shall bind me to be your poor beadsman for
         ever unto Almighty God.                  --Fuller.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Bedesman \Bedes"man\, n.
   Same as Beadsman. [Obs.]
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

bedesman
    n 1: a person who is paid to pray for the soul of another [syn:
         beadsman, bedesman]