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The Benedict Family History News

Formerly The Benedict Family News

Volume VI Number 3 Winter 1999, pp. 29-40

Editor: Mary Alice Benedict Grindol

Table of Contents This Issue

Benedicts on the Internet: World Wide Web

Editorial

Benedicts on the Internet: Bulletin Boards, News Groups, and Mail Lists

Dr. Odin Benedict (1805 - 1874)

Nathan Benedict (1809 - 1905)

Deceased Physicians Named Benedict

Queries: BENEDICT/ BAILEY/ BRIDGUM/ MESSENGER/ OLMSTED

Benedicts in Ohio 1850

Researching Benedicts on the Internet: World Wide Web
From: Terry Heismann, 20817 Marlin St., Orlando FL 32833-3950, e-mail: heismann@bellsouth.net

[Editor's note: For this electronic version, because it has been several years since the original publication of this article, it is quite possible that many of the links are outdated.]

When I "surf the net," my principal genealogical interest has been the surname Hazeltine. While I look for the Hazeltines I usually search for the Benedict name as well, so that I can pass the information along to The Benedict Family History News. Most of my husband’s line is from Chautauqua County New York and the surrounding area. New York has a wonderful site where I usually begin: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nygenweb/> !

From the New York GenWeb site given above, I choose which county I want and hop to that county's main web page. Many county GenWeb pages offer wonderful search engines which will search all their connected sites with one single search. When I find a "hit" on a particular search I hop to that site and using the "find" command enter the name I want to go straight to without having to scroll through the entire information to find where this "hit" is located. This feature saves a lot of time!!

For the sites that do not have a built in search engine, I have to go to each page contained within the county’s web site which I think might contain information I am interested in, and from that point I perform the "find" search for the name for which I am looking.

You can also do a "large" search from the Internet's search engines which will give you all the sites it finds a connection with your criteria--these searches are usually very broad and I prefer to narrow them down if possible.

For example, the URL (internet address) that follows is someone's web page with Benedict Family Tree information: <http://www.netins.net/showcase/winter/genealogies/benedict/benedict.htm>

********

The web address (URL) which follows is about the Ruth Fulton Benedict [noted anthropologist] and her papers which are located at Vassar College Library:<http://iberia.vassar.edu/vcl/information/special-collections/benedict/diaries.html>

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The following information about Benedicts from New York was found at <http://users.itsnet.com/~pauld/cgi-bin/nymnd?query=Benedict>:

"Index to the New York Weekly Museum: The New York Weekly Museum, also known as the Impartial Gazetteer and Saturday Evening Post, and Ladies' Weekly Museum, was printed in New York from 1788 to 1817. New York Marriages and Deaths Search

"Benedict, Eli, of the firm of Platt and Benedict, married Miss Phebe Ketcham, both of this city (May 29, 1813).

"Benedict, Esther, see John C. Gray

"Gray, John C., Printer and Editor of the N.E.Republican, married, at Danbury, Conn., to Miss Esther Benedict (Dec.26,1807)

"Benedict, Lemuel, of Danbury, Conn., married Miss

Jerusha Ives, daughter of Isaac Ives, of this city (May 14, 1814)."

********

I located the following info at the Herkimer County, New York GenWeb site:

<http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyherkim/gflatsdir.html>

Directory of the Town of German Flats 1869 -1870

"The Hamilton Child Company of Syracuse, New York produced directories of New York counties for 1869. These directories are useful in conjunction with the 1870 US census, and are available at many New York State libraries and historical societies either in print or on microfilm. In producing these directories, a few residents may have been missed. Absence of a family or person does not always mean that they didn't live there. In transcribing this material we have kept the original spelling and punctuation.

"IMPORTANT: For all Hamilton Child county directory listings, the locations in parentheses are the post offices where residents received their mail. In some cases, although a person resided in a particular township or settlement, their post office may have been in another township or county.

"Benedict, Micaiah (Little Falls) dairyman and farmer [page] 182"

********

From <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyherkim/columbia.html> also linked to Herkimer County's site comes the following:

"Gazetteer and Business Directory of Herkimer County for 1869-70: Columbia

"’After the close of the war settlement in various parts of the town progressed rapidly. The following list of jurors for the year 1813 is worthy of preservation, as it doubtless contains the names of most of the prominent settlers down to 1810:’

"... Elias Benedict, Christopher H. Benedict..."

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The following query (also Herkimer County) was found at:

<http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyherkim/herksurs.html>

"BENEDICT Jeremiah married COUNTRYMAN, Elizabeth both thought to be born in England. Resided in Herkimer Co., in 1820, their son John Brush Benedict was born there in October 1820. Another son, Jeremiah Ambler Benedict may have also been born in Herkimer Co. contact: tammylba@htcomp.net"

********

At <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyherkim/civros34b.html> I found:

"34th NY Volunteer Infantry, Companies B,C, F, G and K: Roster of Members of Companies B, C, F, G and K, From History of Herkimer County, New York by F. W. Beers and Co., 1879:..., Luther Sangdon Benedict, ..."

********

From the following page: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyherkim/dandir.html>:

"Directory of the Town of Danube 1869 -1870

"Benedict, E. A. Mrs. (Danube) post mistress and dress maker"

********

From the Oneida County, New York web site: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyoneida/christ1.htm>

"The following is an Index of individuals who were married in the First Religious Society of the ‘Town of Rome’ between 1807 and 1899. The Church is now formally known as ‘The First Presbyterian Church’ [and is located at] 108 West Court St. in the City of Rome. The index was made from DAR ‘Church, Town and Cemetery’ Records Volume 124 beginning page 256. Volume located in NYS Library, Albany, NY:

"BENEDICT, A. Gardiner

BENEDICT, Lewis"

********

From: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyoneida/brockb.html>

"Index of the Rome Sentinel Obituaries 1970 -1989

"Benedict Alice L Oct 20 1974

Benedict Bruce A. Jan 14 1989

Benedict Christine M. Apr 15 1976

Benedict Clarence Mar 10 1984

Benedict Clinton S. May 10 1978

Benedict Dorothy J. Feb 6 1986

Benedict Eleanor E. Nov 21 1988

Benedict Ethloine S. Jun 20 1978

Benedict Fannie Katherine Mar 16 1988

Benedict Karl D. Mar 1 1975

Benedict Le Ray D. Jun 27 1975

Benedict Loretta P. Apr 4 1987

Benedict Nora L. Jun 11 1987

Benedict Rowland O. Oct 11 1972 "

********

From the following Oneida County, New York site: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyoneida/christ3.htm>

"The following is a list of individuals who died and were listed in the First Religious Society records of the ‘Town of Rome’ between 1808 and 1900. The Church is now formally known as ‘The First Presbyterian Church’ 108 West Court St. in the City of Rome. The index was made from DAR ‘Church, Town and Cemetery’ Records Volume 124 beginning page 256. Volume located in NYS Library, Albany, NY.

BENEDICT, Hallie (-16 Sep 1875)

********

The following page in the Herkimer County, New York GenWeb site gives cemetery readings with some Benedicts:

<http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyherkim/movilcem.html>

"Mohawk Cemetery, Pt. 1 - Town of German Flatts, Herkimer County, Village of Mohawk

"Benedict, Joseph L., 1841 - 1876, Civil War Vet, Wf. Helen S.

Benedict, Helen A. Slawson, 1847 - 1913, Hus. Joseph L.

Benedict, Joseph, ? - 1894

Benedict, Luella M., ? - 1906

********

Following are some more Benedicts found while searching the web at: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyotsego/deaths1.htm>

"The following were extracted from clippings in a scrapbook kept by Mrs.E. A. Strong, Morris, New York now in the possession of Laurens Town Historian - Richard Rose. Clippings are likely to have been from the following papers: Morris Chronicle, Otsego (Oneonta) Herald or Otsego Farmer.

"Deaths Town of Laurens - Otsego County for the Year 1891

"Feb 25-Lois Peet Benedict, aged 70 years

May 30-Albert Benedict, aged 81 years"

********

Here is another site, not GenWeb:<http://guide.netscape.com/guide/people.html>

"First Presbyterian Church, Utica, N. Y. [?date]

Mrs. Charlotte Benedict, 51 Lansing

These are some examples of brief but, for their descendants, significant "hits" that were gleaned from Internet genealogical research. Although not all of the many volunteers fill their pages as richly as is the case in these illustrations, many nuggets of gold await family historians.

I am happy to report that my personal research of the Benedict family has finally yielded a researcher looking for information about William Dean who was the second husband of my husband’s ancestress, Rebecca Benedict (Samuel ,5 Isaac,4 Nathaniel,3 Samuel,2 Thomas,1). I found the researcher at Family Tree Maker’s website and forum: <http://genforum.familytreemaker.com/cgi-genforum/

The following query was posted by Barbara Dean on October 18, 1998 at 11:50:50:

"Seeking information on William Dean, b. abt 1777 in Columbia Co., NY, d. Feb 16, 1857 in Chautauqua Co., NY. He is said to have been married three times. His second wife was Rebecca Benedict and his third wife, who outlived him, was Sarah (maiden name unknown). He is said to have had thirteen children. Those living at the time of his death were Daniel P., Samuel H., William J., Riley, Abner, Leander, Benjamin J., and Elvira. He had a son Isaac, by Rebecca, who died before he did. Some of his descendants came to Michigan."

I wrote to Barbara Dean in early March and heard from her immediately. She is a descendant of William Dean by his first wife. According to her family tradition, Rebecca (Benedict) Dean is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Chautauqua County, New York. I hope to visit there this June and have this cemetery on my list of "things to do."

Unfortunately, we have created more of a mystery than when we began. It seems Rebecca’s first husband Samuel Brown died in 1845 and Barbara Dean wrote that William Dean and Rebecca Benedict had a child in 1826, Isaac Dean. (According to Isaac’s gravestone he was the child of these two). Several sources say that Rebecca married Samuel Brown first and William Dean second.

I hope to learn more about this family through further research and a personal visit to the area. It is reassuring to know that another genealogist wants to pursue the same line. We will be able to work together via e-mail. When I have checked out all of these leads, I will try to write another article for BFHN.

Editorial

Thanks in large part to the Internet, computer genealogical research is more rewarding than ever before. Computers with modems have become almost as commonplace as telephones. Many family historians have found each other or used the rich Internet resources.

Probably the most valuable development in the past two or three years is the creation and growth of the US GenWeb project. Its main purpose to provide genealogical information on every county in the United States with pages of resources, queries, and surname information. The query information is actually included in a central database, a "global library." There are links to the rest of the project's individual county pages.

Space is being furnished free of charge by Dr. Brian Leverich in California. Dr. Leverich and other volunteers have formed the RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative, a worthwhile charity. Tax-deductible status is anticipated in the near future. Donations may be sent to the cooperative at P.O. Box 6798, Frazier Park CA 9322-6798.

For more information about RootsWeb or to access each state’s and county’s GenWeb site, go to: <http://www.usgenweb.com>.

There is also a WorldGenWeb with over 200 countries represented. To access it, set your browser at: http://www.dsenter.com/worldgenweb/index.html.

Two articles in this issue describe some of the routes that can be taken by family historians who tour on the "information highway." The front page article in this issue by Terry Heismann illustrates how one researcher uses the Internet to further family history research using the Benedict family as an example. In the past, the author contributed several articles to this newsletter from material she gleaned from the Internet and other sources.

Terry’s husband Larry Heismann is a descendant of Rebecca Benedict and Samuel Brown of Ashville, New York. See this newsletter, Volume 6, No. 1, page 10 for detail about the family. Rebecca Benedict’s ancestors were Samuel Benedict,5 Isaac,4 Nathaniel,3 Samuel,2 Thomas,1. Rebecca Benedict married second, William Dean.

A companion article by the editor that begins on page 33, describes another important facet of the RootsWeb Genealogical Data Exchange - mail groups. We also discuss bulletin boards and news groups devoted to genealogical interests.

Whether you are a devoted family historian or a casual reader of Benedict material and whether you are a computer whiz, a "newbie" eager to learn more, or even a non-computer user, we hope these articles will interest you.

Researching Benedicts on the Internet:
Bulletin Boards, News Groups and Mailing Lists
By the editor [As with our lead article, it is quite possible that some of the links are outdated.]

Bulletin Boards

We must pay tribute the genealogy bulletin boards for that is the way that the Benedict Family History News got its start. Over six years ago, about six or seven of us, subscribers to Prodigy™ and users of its Genealogy Bulletin Board, continued a "thread" about the Benedict family for some time. Sheila Benedict offered to start and edit the newsletter, others of us chipped in, and here we are in our sixth volume.

In those days, only Prodigy subscribers could read and respond to our posts. Today, even though they may continue their own internal bulletin boards or "forums," all of the major on-line companies are connected to the Internet and thus to clients of other services. This has led to a broader and richer mix of people that may participate in an on-line discussion.

The "granddaddy" of all bulletin boards was the old Genealogical Bulletin Board on Fido-net, sponsored by the National Genealogical Society. Only a modem and some kind of communication software was required. My communication software was part of the package in DOS-based Microsoft Works.™ Both my modem and my computer were slow, but it was all free! All you needed was to locate a local number - a computer relay and Systems Operator (SYSOP) willing to carry the Genealogy Bulletin Board. Our local genealogical society encouraged a local SYSOP to carry the Genealogy Board only to have him shut down his entire operation about a year later when he filed bankruptcy. Too often, this was a typical story.

Next came the commercial providers of bulletin boards, news, and other services. Prodigy, CompuServe, and GEnie were a few of them (what ever happened to GEnie?). With the birth and expansion of the Internet came America Online and Microsoft Network, two giants that encouraged Prodigy and CompuServe to get on the bandwagon and add "net" access for their users.

Today there are probably thousands of ISPs. Some, like Juno, offer free e-mail in exchange for watching a few advertisements. For a few dollars more, subscribers can "surf" the "net."

News Groups or Mail Groups

Electronic bulletin boards that are available through the internet may be called news groups or mail groups. These groups are interactive via queries and responses. They contain only text. Conversely, sites on the World Wide Web, can display graphics and even sounds. Users interact at web sites by moving around from page to page, generally at their own pace and according to unique interests, viewing pictures, and occasionally, filling out forms.

Many of our BFHN subscribers learned about us through our postings about the newsletter on the news group, soc.genealogy.surnames.usa. There are over 36 news groups. under soc.genealogy, each specialized. In addition to the group interested in surnames in the United States, but there are also news groups for persons interested in surnames in other countries. There are news groups for general genealogical interest, genealogy on the computer, and news groups. expressly for beginners.

Each ISP serves as a "gateway" to the various news groups. The way of accessing the various groups will vary. The previous article described use of various sites on the Internet, most prominently those of the GenWeb project, part of the RootsWeb network.

Mailing lists

Another very important service of the RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative is the provision of mail lists for family historians. Following is material directly from the RootsWeb web site reachable at: <http://www.rootsweb.com>.

"Mailing lists are remarkably simple beasties: you send a piece of e-mail to the list's address, and the list retransmits that message to everyone who is subscribed. You must be a subscriber to post to any list hosted by rootsweb EXCEPT for ROOTS-L.

Every mailing list really has two addresses: the list name, where posts should be sent, and the list name followed by -request, where commands to the listserver software should be sent. For example, posts to ROOTS-L should go to ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com while ‘subscribe’ and ‘unsubscribe’ requests should go to ROOTS-L-request@rootsweb.com.

List Modes Affect How You Receive Posts

"Mailing lists can operate in any of three modes:

[1.] MAIL mode, where every post is sent to subscribers as a separate piece of e-mail. MAIL mode requires a great deal of effort by the listserving computer. MAIL mode lists are often named listname-M.

[2.] DIGEST mode, where about twenty posts are batched together and then sent to the subscribers. Digests produce less clutter in your mailbox, but replying to an individual message may require a little extra effort. Digest mode lists are often named listname-D.

[3.] INDEX mode, where a list of the Subject: and From: lines for each post is sent daily to the subscribers. Subscribers can then request only the messages they want to see. INDEX mode lists are often named listname-I.

"Besides those lists, the default mode for a list is sometimes called listname-L. For example, the default mode of ROOTS-L is DIGEST, so ROOTS-L really is three lists: ROOTS-L, ROOTS-M, and ROOTS-I.

"Be aware, though, that many lists (especially small ones) do not adhere to these conventions.

How to Subscribe and Unsubscribe

"It's easy -- just click on the list you want. When the ‘mail-to’ window pops up, write just the single word "subscribe" in the body of the message. That's all.

"If you want to unsubscribe from a list, click on it and write just the single word ‘unsubscribe’ in the body of the message.

General Interest Lists

ROOTS-L: This is the Grand Old List itself, with almost a decade of continuous operation and almost 10000 subscribers. Traffic is high on ROOTS-L: if you subscribe, expect to receive a hundred or more messages each day gathered into three to ten 40KB digests.

ROOTS-I: This is the INDEX mode for ROOTS-L.

ROOTS-M: is the MAIL mode version of ROOTS-L, and subscribers receive 100-200 pieces of mail daily from the list. Because of the high cost of providing this volume of mail, ROOTS-M is only available to RootsWeb Contributors.

GEN-NEWBIE-L: This list is the perfect list for beginners -- no question is too elementary and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. A number of the oldies hang out here, too, and help when they can. Traffic is typically about 20 messages a day.

GEN-NEWBIE-D: This list is the digest mode for GEN-NEWBIE-L. Subscribers receive about one digest per day.

More lists geared for beginners:

Lost_Newbies-L

NewGen-L

Web-Newbie-L

RSL-Updates

"The RootsWeb Surname List (RSL) is a genealogical database used to locate others researching the same surnames, so that they can share and compare data. Instructions for searching the entire RSL are contained in the Web and Email sections of this file. The new surnames that have been added to the RSL during the monthly update will be posted to this mailing list at a rate of approximately one message per day (e.g., new surnames beginning with A on the first day of the update cycle, new surnames starting with B on the second day of the update cycle, etc.).

RootsWeb Support [There are also mail lists that support list owners - people who have volunteered to manage a mail list.]

******

This is your editor talking again. In addition to the above named general mailing lists, and the RootsWeb support lists, there are mail lists for various regions, countries, and states. For instance, I subscribe to mail lists for New York State, Michigan, Onondaga County, New York, and Schoharie County, New York. Each of these lists has a mail mode and a digest mode. I prefer the digest mode which I receive at my e-mail address at Juno (which is free). Every day I have mail - a genealogists dream!

The New York list is especially active and helpful in a number of ways. Not only do subscribers to the list submit queries about their families, there are often ongoing discussions about worthwhile resources. For instance, when I anticipated a trip to Westchester County, New York to do some research on Benedict ancestors, I asked about facilities received some helpful hints, including a good place to stay.

Tag Lines

When I correspond on a mail list or respond to a bulletin board or news group, I use a signature that includes my full name, including the "Benedict." I add my title as editor of this newsletter and below, type the full URL (web address) for our information page about the Benedict Family History News. This has resulted in several queries or responses and in several cases, an ultimate subscription to this newsletter.

An example of the correspondence that sometimes occurs as a result of this "tag line," is the following series of e-mails to and from Lois Eastgate <leastgate@eee.org>: Sent 10 March 1999:

Hello Mary,

I have a Caroline Benedict in my database who married Kinner Howard Nov. 1871, they lived in the Gayhead, New York- South Cairo , N.Y. area. I'd like to know more if you can help me.

Thank You,
Lois Eastgate

My reply:

I am unable to find Kinner Howard in the index of either Volume I (1870) or Volume 2 (1969) of THE GENEALOGY OF THE BENEDICTS OF AMERICA. Could he have had another name?

Lois’s reply 13 March 1999:

Mary,

The Benedict that I was referring to was Caroline b. November 5,1871 and died April 22, 1931, but I do not know where she was from. She was my ggrandmother and she and Kinner (real name) lived in South Cairo, New York . I believe her father's name was Anthony and that is all I know, do not know her mother's name... Thank You for your help.

Lois Eastgate

My reply:

Lois,

Would you believe that there is not one single Anthony Benedict in the index in Volume I of GENEALOGY OF THE BENEDICTS IN AMERICA? In Volume 2 and in our newsletter, all references to Anthony refer to German BENEDICT families who resided in Pennsylvania. Don't sound like yours.

South Cairo, NY is in Greene County. My great-grandfather Jacob Benedict was born in Greenville, Greene County, NY and I have done a lot of research in that area. In my notes there is an excerpt from the index of the Greene Co. Surrogates Court in Catskill. According to this there is a file, dated 1849, for Anthony Benedict in Box 22, pkg 642, letters (?of administration) H242-1863.

Because [at the time] I could see no connection to my family, I did not copy this [probate] file. You might want to write to Greene County and request copies of the file (could be expensive) or try to get it on microfilm at your nearest Family History Center.

Do you have a death certificate on Caroline? If not, you should send for it. It will probably name her parents. You would get that from the town clerk if she died in New York state.

Oops, I just realized that the above Anthony file - if is a probate file- could not be the father of Caroline - too early. However, it might have been an orphan file - or maybe her grandfather was also Anthony.

Assuming she was about 20 years old when she married (1890), there should also be a marriage record (NY started keeping marriage records in 1881). That would be at the town clerk's office - South Cairo [?Cairo] if that's were she married. That probably also would name both parents. Her mother's maiden name would be a great help in looking in these book indexes.

Let me know if you find out anything. Happy hunting!

Her reply 19 March 1999:

Mary,

Thank you for your information I have it in my files but it is on hold as I'm leaving next week for a visit to see our family in Alaska and I'm trying to pick up loose ends. If I find anything at a later time I'll get back to you.

Lois again wrote 23 March 1999:

Hi.,

I'm doing packing. Picked some nice fresh oranges to take and froze some (cut up). Also froze some grapes, so they'll have fresh fruit. Their fruit is yuck! And very expensive. Next is pick some grapefruit off of our tree.

Hope the plane can get off the ground with such a load. Enough of that how are you doing with our Benedicts? Caroline married my ggrandfather [Kinner Howard] Nov. 5, 1871 in the Zion Lutheran Church in Athens, New York and they had 3 children, Wm., Cora M. and Lulu if this helps anyone connect to the family. O.K.?

You have my e-mail if you want to write me.

Thank You,

Lois

[Can anyone out there connect to this family? Her additional information did not help me find the family in The Genealogy of the Benedicts in America. Lois declined to send her regular U.S. Mail address. However, she welcomes e-mail at <leastgate@eee.org>.

Queries and Netiquette

The way to post a query on a news group or mail list is similar to what should be done in a print publication such as this newsletter, a genealogical society, or in a commercial genealogy publication such as Everton’s Genealogical Helper or Heritage Quest Magazine. The electronic media, in most cases however, don’t have query editors to re-write items to spell correctly and add clarity. Therefore, it is important to check what you write to be sure you have supplied names, dates, and places for the individuals about whom you wish information. In order to get people to read your query, the subject line should be very specific.

Almost all mail groups and mail lists provide at the outset, a document called FAQ - (Frequently Asked Questions). Read it. A posting about "Netiquette" appears on the first of every month on every soc.genealogy.* hierarchy of news groups and mail lists. Discussed are common courtesies, patience and tolerance, subject lines, personal privacy, requests for information, replying to a message, signature files, mailing lists, attaching files (DON’T DO IT!), and further information.

Some genealogy mail groups (news groups.) are monitored, usually by a volunteer. A query that doesn’t meet the posted guidelines may be returned. Messages that appear to be spam (the online name for junk mail) may be deleted, or the sender may be excluded from future use of the list altogether. A monitored mail group is generally easier to use because of its uniformity.

You cannot get viruses from e-mail or from reading postings on a news group/ mail group. However, spammers can "harvest" e-mail addresses from the mail groups. That is where mail lists come in. Spammers cannot get into them easily because of membership requirement.

Always be cautious of any "attachment" sent via e-mail, even if it is from someone you know. By now, computer users have heard of the "Melissa" virus and its companions. Please remember, if you have not requested a file or if the message sounds out-of-character for your correspondent, don’t download the attachment.

To subscribe to mail lists, go to <http://rootsweb.com> and browse around the page until you find a link to the various locality and surname mail groups.

Dr. Odin Benedict (1805-1874)

From Young, Andrew W., History of Chautauqua County, New York, From its First Settlement to the Present Time: with numerous Biographical and Family Sketches (Buffalo, New York: Printing House of Matthews and Warren, 1875), pp. 321-323. (Contributed by Terri Heismann) Note: Reference to Odin Benedict is on page 312, Genealogy of the Benedicts in America, Volume 2 (1870, by Henry Marvin Benedict). His ancestry: Odin,7 (Isaac,6 James,5 James,4 James,3 James,2 Thomas,1).

"Odin Benedict was born in Skaneateles, Onondaga Co., August 20, 1805. His father, Dr. Isaac Benedict, was a native of Connecticut, and removed to Marcellus about 1803. He was in the United States service as a surgeon in the war of 1812; came home from Sacket’s Harbor sick, and died in a few weeks, in 1814. Dr. Odin Benedict read medicine in his native town, and graduated at Fairfield Medical College. He was licensed by the Herkimer Co. Medical Society, in January, 1826, and came the same year to Ellery Center, and commenced practice. He was the first resident physician in the town, and is said to have had an extensive practice, which he continued until 1850. He was elected supervisor of Ellery in 1833, and was continued in that office by reëlection until 1849, inclusive, excepting the years 1840, 1843, and 1848; making a service of 14 years. He was a member of assembly in 1840 and 1843. He also held the office of postmaster in Ellery for about 20 years. In the spring of 1850, he removed to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and started the Government Stock Bank, and remained there until September, 1851, and came to Dunkirk, and was in the Dunkirk Bank for two or three years; after which he kept a broker’s office in that place for five or six years. He then resumed the practice of medicine, in which he continued until his death in 1874. He was married in December, 1826, to Sally Ann Copp, of Ellery. They have a son, William C., a farmer in Ellery, who served his town as supervisor from 1858 to 1863, inclusive, a period of 6 years. He has 5 sons: Willis, a student at law, in Jamestown; Warner, a farmer, at home; Walter; William; Washburn."

Nathan Benedict (1809 - 1905)

From The Rotary Fountain Extra, Marshall, Michigan, Vol. XVII, No. 1, Friday 9 December 1966, page 21. Note: Nathan Benedict’s genealogy can be traced from page 109, Vol. 1 of The Genealogy of the Benedicts of America. Ancestry: (Matthew,6 James,5 Caleb,4 John,3 John,2 Thomas,1). He married (1) Lucinda Wakefield and (2) Louise Sellen. Children were Alice (Benedict) Talcott and Frances (Benedict) Dunn who resided in Marshall, Michigan.

"Nathan Benedict was born at Walton, Delaware County, New York, on August 1, 1809. He studied architecture and construction, and in 1835 migrated to Marshall where he engaged in the building trade, one of his first important contracts being the building of the ‘Marshall House’ hotel in 1838. The erection of other early buildings followed.

"In 1860, Mr. Benedict was awarded the contract for the building of a new Episcopal church on Mansion Street, following the plans furnished by an eminent Detroit church architect, Gordon W. Lloyd. The contract price was $8,000.00, exclusive of furniture, heating or lighting equipment.

"Trinity’s cornerstone was laid on June 27, 1861. Owing to the advent of Civil War, costs of material and labor sharply advanced and upon completion of the building Mr. Benedict lost a considerable amount of money. However, the church vestry at the time was apparently a big-hearted group, and instead of making amends with cash they generously gave Mr. Benedict free pew rent for life. But he lived long after the pew rental system was abolished.

"Mr. Benedict died on June 28, 1905 at the ripe age of 96. Funeral services were held in Trinity Church, the Rev. W. J. W. Bedford-Jones officiating, with interment following at Oakridge Cemetery.

"(Great-grandchildren of Mr. Benedict now [1966] reside in Marshall.)"

Deceased Physicians Named Benedict 1804 - 1929

The Deceased Physician files of the American Medical Association are now with the National Genealogical Society. NGS offers a research services for entries in the AMA Deceased Physician File. The file is incomplete from 1878 to 1905, but comprehensive from 1906 to 1969. For a copy of the file card write to:

National Genealogical Society
Attn: Deceased Physician File
4527 17th Street North
Arlington VA 22207-2399

Include the first and last name of the physician, time period, location (if known), and a research fee of $15 per name (prepayment required). NGS does not have the obituaries. However, if the file card includes a citation, you may be able to retrieve the appropriate AMA Journal at a university library near you. If you request from NGS more information for a card which we have extracted here, copy the full entry.

The following was extracted from the Directory of Deceased American Physician 1804-1929 (Chicago: American Medical Association, 1993), p. 107. This list was submitted by Sharon Lee. Page references in The Genealogy of the Benedicts in America,Vol 1 (1870 by Henry Marvin Benedict) or Vol. 2 (1969 by Elwyn E. Benedict) hereinafter referred to as G of BA I or II are given when identification was possible.

The fields (codes) mean:

Date in bold = date of death. Some of the entries have a date of 12/31/29a which means that it was assumed that the person was deceased by that date.

(M) or (F) after name = sex

(2) = place of death

(3) = birth date

(4) = place of birth

(5) = type of medical practice

(6) = specialization

(7) = board specialty

(8) = states and years of licensure

(9) = where practiced and dates

(10) = hospital affiliation

(11) = where educated

(12) = other education

(G) = graduate

(13) = professorship

(14) = volume and issue no. of Journal of the American Medical Association where obituary appears.

(15) = licensure action (None of the Benedicts listed here seem to have had licensed revoked. However, if this field is filled in, it is sometimes very detailed.)

(16) = cause of death

(17) = Who gave information for file and date it was given

(M) at end of entry = AMA member

Definitions from Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary:

Homeopathy: School of medicine, found by Dr. S.C.F. Hahnemann (1755-1843) in 1796 in Philadelphia, which assumes that medicines that cure disease produce similar symptoms in the healthy. The drugs used are given in extremely small doses.

Allopathy: A system of medicinal practice involving use of medicines which produce effects different from those of the disease treated; in principle, the opposite of homeopathy. A term erroneously used for the regular practice of medicine by physicians.

Benedict, A.V. 12/31/29a (M); (5) Allopath; (8) ND, 1887; (11) Rush Medical College, Chicago, 1881, (G).

Benedict, Albert V[enes] 9/15/01 (M); (2) Portal, ND, Canada; (5) Allopath; (14) 37:990 [see p. 256, G of BA I]

Benedict, Arthur Judson 4/17/20 (M); (2) Newburgh, NY; (5) Allopath; (8) NY, 1902; (9) Newburgh, NY 1876; (11) State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine: University of Buffalo School of Medicine, 1876, (G); (14) 74:1415; (16) surgery, complications, gallstones; (M). [see p. 188, G of BA I]

Benedict, Celest A. 12/28/22 (M [sic]); (2) Bethel, CT; (3) 1840; (5) Allopath; (8) CT, 1893; (9) Bridgeport, CT, Oct. 12, 1915, Bethel, CT, Feb 16, 1918; (11) Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1874, (G); (16) cerebral Hemorrhage; (17) Bethel, CT, Sep 24, 1924, Clifford B. Morgan.

Benedict, Charles Winchester 7/1918 (M); (2) Fresno, CA; (3) Dec 9, 1861; (4) Jamestown, NY; (5) Homeopathy; (8) OH, 1896; (9) Findlay, OH, 1909, Alvin, TX, Mar 3, 1912, Fresno, CA, Nov 4, 1913; (11) Hahnermann Medical College of Philadelphia; Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1887, (G); (12) public schools, Jamestown, Allegheny Coll., Pa. 1888; (14) 91:338; (16) heart disease. [p. 258 G of BA II.]

Benedict, David D. 1/5/01 (M); (2) Norwalk, OH; (5) Allopath; (14) 36:198. [p. 402 G of BA II.]

Benedict, Edw. Orton 12/31/29a (M); (5) Allopath; (11) Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, 1879. (G).

Benedict, Ezra L. 12/31/29a (M); (5) Allopath; (11) Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, 1855, (G).

Benedict, Fordyce H. 3/8/06 (M); (2) Weedsport, NY; (3) 1845; (5) Allopath; (11) Albany Medical College of Union University, Albany, 1868, (G); (14) 46:903; (16) pneumonia.

Benedict, Francis Denton 12/31/29a (M); (5) Allopath; (11) New York University Medical College, New York; Univ. of City of New York Med. Dept., 1869, (G)

Benedict, Frank Lee 3/13/08 (M); (2) Portsmouth, NH; (5) Allopath; (14) 50:1144

Benedict, Frank S. 12/31/29a (M); (5) Homeopathy; (11) New York Medical College, Flower & Fifth Avenues Hospitals, New York: Homeopathic Med. Coll. of NY, 1879, (G).

Benedict, George Willis 8/23/07 (M); (2) Westport, CT; (5) Allopath; (9) South Norwalk, CT; (11) Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, 1878, (G); (14) 49:1133; (16) nervous disease. [?see p. 118, G of BA I]

Benedict, H.S. 12/31/29a (M); (5) Homeopathy; (11) Cleveland University of Medicine and Surgery; Cleveland Homeopathic Med. Coll., 1863, (G).

Benedict, Hanford 11/6/10 (M); (2) Springport, IN; (3) 1837; (5) Allopath; (8) IN, 1897; (14) 55:1996.

Benedict, Heinrich 1927 (M); (5) Allopath; (6) IM Internal Medicine; (13) Orvosi Fakultas Tudormanyegyetem, Budapest, internal medicine; (14) 88:578.

Benedict, John H. 10/1898 (M); (2) Danbury, CT; (5) Allopath; (8) CT, 1893; (11) Physio-Medical College, Cincinnati, 1858, (G); (14) 31:1066.

Benedict, John L. 12/21/24 (M); (2) Chandler, OK; (3) Mar 28, 1844; (4) Newport, KY; (5) Allopath; (8) OK, 1898, IN; (9) Chandler, OK, 1883; (11) Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, 1883, (G); (12) Alexandria Acad.; (16) senility; (17) Chandler, OK, Jul 1, 1926, G.L. Benedict.

Benedict, John Mitchell 4/23/20 (M); (2) Woodbury, CT; (3) 1852; (5) Allopath; (6) GS General Surgery; (8) CT, 1893; (9) Waterbury, CT, 1882, Woodbury, CT, Nov 10, 1915; (10) Waterbury Hospital; (11) New York University Medical College, New York; Univ. of City of New York Med. Dept., 1882, (G); (14) 74:1414; (16) angina pectoris. [see p. 356 G of BA II.]

Benedict, Joseph M[ott] 7/24/1896 (M); (2) Salt Lake City, UT; (3) 1844; (5) Allopath; (8) UT, 1893; (11) New York University Medical College, New York; Univ. of City of New York Med. Dept., 1867, (G); (14) 27:337. [p. 368 G of BA II.]

Benedict, L. M. 12/31/29a (M); (5) Homeopathy; (8) MI, 1900; (9) Stanton, MI; (11) Detroit Homeopathic Medical College, 1874, (G).

Benedict, Samuel Caldwell 6/1/14 (M); (2) Athens, GA; (5) Allopath; (14) 62:1907. [p. 378 G of BA II.]

Benedict, T. B. 12/31/29a (M); (5) Homeopathy; (11) Cleveland University of Medicine and Surgery; Cleveland Homeopathic Med. Coll. 1861, (G).

Benedict, William C. 8/17/1896 (M); (2) Brooklyn, NY; (5) Allopath; (14) 27:503.

[End of Benedicts in Directory]

Queries

Abbreviations used this issue:

b. = born d. = died m. = married ca. = circa (on or about) dau. = daughter

Two letter zip code abbreviations are used for states

BENEDICT/ BAILY

Need information on Helen Elizabeth BAILEY, second wife of Goold BENEDICT (Genealogy Benedicts in America, Vol. II p. 123). Was she born October 1828 in Bethlehem NY? Does anyone have information on her parents, Dr. Solomon BAILEY and wife? Or any information on the BAILEY family?

--Larry G. Benedict, 4301 Wickford Rd., Baltimore MD 21210 <LGBenedict@aol.com>

BENEDICT/ BRIDGUM/ MESSINGER

Need birthdate for Mary BENEDICT dau. of Thomas BENEDICT & Mary BRIDGUM. A date of 4 Dec 1666 has been given for her, however, Jacobus in Families of Old Fairfield (1930) gives that date for the birth of Mary dau. of Thomas BENEDICT & Mary MESSINGER [as does The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Conn. (Hall, 1847), p. 184. A birthdate of 1666 is extremely unlikely for the first Mary since she married John OLMSTED 17 July 1673. According to G of BA I she was born in Southold, L.I. in the year 16_ ; records may not exist. - ed.]

--- Roberta Pierson, 104 Hemingway Ct., Roseville, CA 95747 e-mail <rbpierso@ns.net>

Benedicts in Ohio 1850 (Continued from Vol. 6, No. 2, p. 28

Transcribed from microfilm by Mary Alice Benedict Grindol at the Family History Center, Winter Haven, Florida in March 1999. The AIS index was relied on to find these names. The indexing was sometimes done using the handwritten page numbers and sometimes using the stamped page numbers. The roll numbers given here are the original roll numbers assigned by the National Archives. Notice that the census taker for Harrison County provided a bonus by naming not only the state where persons were born, but in most cases, the county. Notice also, that he consistantly spelled the name with a "k" at the end.

Abbreviations:

Dw = Dwellling, Fam = Family, $ RE = Value of Real Estate, BP = Birth place, att. school = attended school within year.

Roll No. 686, Harrison County

District No. 72

Page 263

184 187 Benedick Elias 29 M Black Smith 400 OH b. Harrison Co.

188 190 Benedick Levi 32 M Carpenter 800 OH b. Jefferson Co.

195 197 Benedick Washington 35 M Stone Mason PA b. Lancaster Co., PA

Page 264

202 204 Benedick Sarah 43 F PA

208 210 Benedick John 44 M Stone Cutter 2500 PA b. Lancaster Co.

Roll No. 689, Holmes County

District No. 75, Prairie Township

Page 142

835 853 Benedick Judson D. 42 M Clergyman Christ VT

Roll No. 697, Huron County (This county’s transcription began in our last issue.)

Norwalk Township, page 87

509 585 Kirk George 48 M Farmer 1700 Eng

Clarksfield Township

Page 730

453 465 White William 35 M Farmer 1200 NY

Bronson Township

Page 307

2095 2138 Haynes Benjamin G. 53 M Farmer 3100 MA

Roll No. 692, Jefferson County

Warren Township

Page 385

2458 2470 Benedict Hiram 25 M Stone Mason OH

Page 390

2497 2412 Benedict Martin 48 M Stone Mason PA

(To be continued)