THE BENEDICT FAMILY NEWS

THE BENEDICT FAMILY NEWS

Volume 1 Number 4 Winter 1994, pp. 27 - 39

Editor: Sheila Benedict. CGRS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Benedict Ancestors In Wars - Thomas²/Samuel²/Daniel²/Appendix

From The Editor

Responding To Your Notes

Queries

Story by Hannah Barker Benedict, Pt II

Chaplain Samuel Benedict, Georgia

Original Membership - 1st Congregational Church, Bethel CT

VETERANS OF WAR OF 1812, CIVIL WAR AND MEXICAN WAR

(Compiled by Elwyn Ellsworth Benedict, author of Genealogy of Bened as in America, Vol II; page numbers refer to Volume I, Genealogy of Benedicts in America by Henry Marvin Benedict. Note: the newsletter received the compilation with a prefacing letter from Elwyn E. Benedict. The following is a part of his letter which explains his thoughts and how he formatted the data. He said "...I noted in the past 2 newsletters that there is an interest of those Benedicts who were in the Civil War. I just went through Vol. I and made the XXX (30) page list of those mentioned who were in Civil, Mexican & War of 1812. As you can see I listed page no., who they came under [example #18. Edwin], usually their father, but at times grandfather or great-grandfather [and] sometimes themselves....)

DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS BENEDICT, JR. (Thomas², son of Thomas¹)

#17	Thomas⁷	Edwin⁸, b 24 Oct 1839, S. Norwalk, CT; m 15 Mar 1866 Sarah W. Raymond, Southport, CT. Enlisted and served 4 yrs. ____Regt? p 33
#18	Edwin⁷	Walter Halsey⁸, b 6 May Plattsville, NY; Capt. Co H. 96th Reg t, NY. Volunteer inf. Killed by a shell near Fort Darling, VA 15 May 1864. His body brought home & Plattsville, NY. Pp 33-34
#22	David⁷	James M.⁸, b 25 June 1843, m ?, Enlisted Co. F. 143rd Reg't NY Volunteers. P 35
#30	Isaac⁷	b 28 Mar 1790, m 24 Oct 1813, Sophia, b 22 Apr 1799 dau Asa Larrabee, Masonville and d 16 Aug 1830; 2nd m 20 Sep 1833 Polly McKeever who d 8 Sep 1846; 3rd m widow Lydia (French) Goodrich b 20 Jan 1799 Dutchess Co. Deacon Baptist Church; served War of 1812; res Bainbridge. P37
#32	David⁷	Frank S.⁸, b 6 Feb 1835, Starbuck, PA. Served two yrs in 1st PA Volunteer Artillery, clerk. Shot through right hand. Pp 37-38
#35	Jacob⁷	Joseph Blaisdell⁸ b 10 May 1826, maybe Greenville, [NY]. Pvt USA in Mexican War, honorably discharged. Studied medicine in Cincinnati, OH. To Baton Rouge, LA, 1853, d 24 Sep 1854. Pp38-39
#37	Anson⁷	Enos St. John⁸, b 10 Oct 1830, New Canaan, CT. Enlisted 5 Jan 1863, Co C 2nd CT Heavy Artillery; wounded battle Cedar Creek 19 Oct 1864; discharged 23 Jun 1865; m 23 Dec 1867, Pamelia, dau Alex Jones. Res: Poundridge, NY. P 39
#38	Hezekiah St. John⁷	Frank⁸, b 15 Mar 1844; 19 Sep 1862 Co B 2nd CT Heavy Artillery; mustered out 19 Jul 1865. Father lived Falls Village, CT. p 39
#44	Aaron⁸	b 24 Jan 1832, maybe Monticello, NY; m 3 Apr 1852, Elizabeth, Mar 1829, dau John & Harriet Worden, Bedford, NY; enlisted 14th CT SS, 186l; d in the service 28 Nov 1862, Thibodeaux hospital, residence High Ridge, CT. p 41
#49	Jewett⁸	b 10 Jun 1843, Orange NY; m Nov 1865, Emma Rogers; enlisted Co E 126th Reg't NY, V-I; disch on account of sickness; reenlisted as musician was 2 yrs Norfolk VA Residence Kidder, MO. p 41
#54	Samuel Augustus⁸	b 24 Aug 1825, possibly Bainbridge NY; m ca 1850 Clarinda Ann, b 12 Aug 1833, dau of Thos. A. Everett; enlisted 1st Engr Regt NY Vols. Residence Corry, PA p43
#55	Alexander ⁸	b 9 Jul 1834 possibly NY; m Mar 1861, Ellen Smith; enlisted Nov 1856 US Army; served 5 yrs most of time in Oregon & Washington Territories; was in two fights w/Indians; re-enlisted Oct 1861, Ordnance Dept and served 3 yrs Watervliet NY arsenal. Residence after war – Nebraska. P 43
#56	George⁸	b 7 Jul 1827, m 30 April 1830 Sarah Lamphere enl Co. ____Regt, WI Vols., served 3 yrs; prisoner-Andersonville and Libby; re-enl. Co. Regt PA Vols., served to close of war. P43
#61	Lewis Bouton⁸	b 22 Nov 1819 New Canaan, CT m Mar 1839 Maria dau Bates Weed; enlisted Co H 17th Regt NY Volunteer Infantry. Residence New Canaan CT. p 44
#63	Samuel J⁸	Enoch B⁹, b 13 Dec 1847 Vista, NY; enlisted Co H 17th CT Volunteer Infantry 1 Feb 1864; Taken prisoner 5 Feb 1865; disch 3 Jun 1865. p 44
#65	Rufus St. John8	b 10 Oct 1830 New Canaan, CT m 9 Feb 1851 Maria dau Henry Lynes; enlisted Co G 17th CT Volunteer Infantry 1 Sep 1864; disch 19 Jul 1865. Residence New Canaan CT. p 45

DESCENDANTS OF SAMUEL BENEDICT (Samuel2, Thomas1)

#28	Levi⁵	John W.⁶,, b 28 May 1840 Co NY; m 27 Sep 1860 Sarah M. Booth; enlisted 19 Sep 1864 Co H 20th NY S.M. Corp and assigned to Gen. Patrick's reserve at end of war. p 251
#29	Lyman⁵	Milo⁶, Philander S.⁷ who m Lucinda dau of William Collins; served in 5^th Regt NY Heavy Artillery and died in service. P 251
#30	Alvinza⁵	William Lord⁶, b 14 Aug 1844; enlisted 12 Aug 1862 8th NY Heavy Artillery; taken prisoner 27 Aug 1864; died Salisbury Prison, NC 6 Dec 1865. p 252
#53	Xury⁶	James Madison⁷, Myron A.⁸ b 11 1842 Leonidas, MI; m 1860 Frances E dau Charles Hecox; enlisted 1 May 1861 Co H 12th NY Vols; discs & enlist again Oct 1861 Co B 101st NY Vols;; Sergeant, discharged 18 Feb 1863 w/disability; commissioned 23 Jan 1864 2nd Lt.; promoted to 1st Lt. 4 Jul 1864 lost right arm; made 2nd Lt 23rd Vet Reserve Corp and served till mustered out 1867. p 261
#61	Ebenezer⁶	Devolson Palmer⁷ b 16 Jun 1837 Centre Lisle NY; enlisted 29 Apr 1861 Co F 27th NY Vols;; d in service, Landing VA 16 Jul 1862. p 264-265
#67	Jabez⁶	Served 3 mos War of 1812 b 10 Jun 1791; m Aug 1809 Clara, dau Enos & Sarah Nichols; he d 12 Aug 1826 Newburg NY. P 267
#73	Elijah Westcott⁷	Samuel Barnum⁸; b 5 Mar 1825 Lebanon NY; m 13 Feb 1850 Louisa dau James & Louisa Foot; m 2^nd 16 Oct 1864 Julia Cady. Enlisted 21 May 1861 26th Regt NY Vols disch 2 Nov 1862. p 271
#80	Ezra⁷	Martin Michael⁸, b 5 Aug Williamstown VT; m 1 Jan 1844 Althea, dau John Colman VT; Faber⁹ (son) b 22 Nov 1845 Malone NY; enlisted in Fall 1862 served 1 yr 8th Regt VT Vols. pp 273-275
#83	Luke Wadsworth⁷	Lester Hubert⁸, b 21 May m Dec 1854 Ophelia J Haight; enlisted May 1861 12th Regt NY Vols; re-enlisted 1864 16th Regt NY Heavy Artillery & d in hospital Yorktown VA Sept 1864. p 276 William Anson⁸, b 10 Dec 1838 Addison NY; enl 23 Jul 1862 Co F 107th NY Vols; re-enl 5 Jan 1864 same regt; guard duty 8 Mar 1865 Camp Dennison OH; mustered out 6 Jun 1865; a pensioner; m 24 Nov 1867 Matilda Augusta dau Lyman Crane. p 276
#89	Benjamin⁷	Henry Ferry⁸, b 5 Sep 1841 North East NY; enl 91st NY Vols; served 3 yrs; re-enlisted for 3 addl yrs;; d 29 Jun 1866. p 279

DESCENDANTS OF DANIEL BENEDICT (Daniel², Thomas¹)

#39	Stephen⁶ Nathan⁷	Granville White⁸, b 8 Aug 1842 Danbury CT; enl 1st Regt Ct Artillery; discharged-sickness 14 Oct 1862; Res:Danbury CT p 392
#41	Ebenezer⁶	Lemuel B⁷, b 5 Dec 1840 Reading CT; m 27 Nov 1864 Emily Gregory; enl Co E 23^rd Regt CT Vols.; served 9 mos; res:Reading CT. p394
#42	Amos⁶	Eli⁷, b 16 May 1818; m 16 1847 Mary C dau Ensing & Betty (Van Valkenburg) Lewis; enl Albany NY Aug 1862 Co C 7^th Regt NY Vols Heavy Artillery; served till wounded 3 Jun Cool Arbor; a pensioner; res: Albany NY. p 394
#45	Jonas Boughton⁷	David DeForest⁸, b 1 Aug 1833; m 14 Oct 1856 Norwalk OH Hattie M dau James Deaver; grad Kenyon College 1856, Cleveland Med Coll 2 Mar 1861; entered Army 14 Jan 1862, comm'd 5 Feb 1863, Asst Surgeon 17th OH Vols, under Buell & Rosecrans most battles of West; taken prisoner at battle of Chickamauga, to Libby prison; exchanged Nov 1863 & ret'd to regt;; marched w/Sherman to sea; promoted full Surgeon 6 May 1865; mustered out 21 Jul 1865; res:: Norwalk OH. P 396
#46 #46 #46	George William⁷	George Henry⁸, b 18 May 1844 Waterbury CT; enlisted 20 Aug 1862 Co A 23rd CT Vols; honorably disch 31 Aug 1863; res:Waterbury CT. p 397
#50	James⁸	b 16 May 1842 NY City; m 6 Dec 1865 Sarah Huntington; 1863 accompanied regt 7th NY SNG to war; after Battle of Gettysburg member 3^rd Corps, Army of the Potomac, 7th NY; res:: NY City. p 400

APPENDIX - VOL I

	LeGrand⁴	(Hezekiah Smith³ John² John¹) b 10 Apr 1842 Cornwall or Weybridge VT; m 8 Jan 1863 Emma Frances dau Jefferson & Mary Ann Gardner of Troy; enl"d pvt 2nd NY Vols Apr 1861; promoted Sgt Major; battle of Big Bethel; 1st Lt 27 Jul 1861; Adjt;; in battle Fair Oaks & Seven Days' Fight; Capt & Asst Adjt-Gen (Gen Carr's Staff) 22 Aug 1862; part. Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg; on staff Maj-Gen Berry, at Chancellorville. Berry d in Capt Benedict arms; trans to Gen Sickes staff; wounded at Battle of Gettysburg; 28 Oct 1863-in chg of disbursement of Bureau for colored troops at Washington DC; 22 Nov 1864 sent to Little Rock AR; resigned 26 Jan 1865-illness in family; brevetted a Major Jan 1866 by Gov Fenton; apptd NYS Natl Guard, Asst Adjt Gen & Chief of Staff as Colonel; publisher of Moore's Rural New Yorker; res: NY City. pp 413-414
	Luther³	(John² John¹), b 28 Nov 1811 Hamilton NY; m 24 Jan 1836 Maria Amelia dau Capt John Benedict (his uncle); m 2nd 27 Jun 1840 Mindwell dau Deacon Andrew Evans, g dau Rev Abijah Peck, Baptist Min.; served in all grades from Pvt to Col (11 Jun 1836) NY State Militia; commissioner of Highways and res: Clifton Park NY. p 417

CONTINUED IN FUTURE ISSUES WITH DESCENDANTS OF JAMES2 AND JOHN2

FROM THE EDITOR

Early 1994 weather has not been very enjoyable: rain, snow and dangerous bitter cold in the midwest, east and Canada; drought and deadly earthquake conditions in the west. It has to make all of us wonder what BENEDICT ancestors experienced when their winters were this bad. They had no electricity, natural gas or propane to keep them warm. Can you picture the problem chopping wood, hauling water, washing dishes or taking baths? Imagine trying to farm without a tractor to break the soil.

The story written by Hannah BENEDICT this issue, gives some insight into the hardships of frontier life. While reading her words, I could not help wondering how long many of us might have lasted in her place. What would we do without dishwashers, automobiles, self-propelled lawmowers, computers, FAX machines and of course, 747 Jet airliners flying us to ancestral homesites to do research?

While considering the past and present, be concerned with your descendants. What will they think, one hundred years from now, when they read of OUR outdated way of life? These reflections should illustrate the importance of documenting family history for future generations - a vital role for newsletters such as ours.

To subscribers who send in data, maps, etc for BFN publication. There is limited space in each issue so please be patient articles will be used.

RESPONDING TO YOUR NOTES

George B. Chafee, Jr. sent his ancestry chart. It stops with Hiram BENEDICT (1796-1865) who married Jane GRIFFIN (17961869). George stated, "I still don't know how I connect to the Benedict line past Hiram..." Get a pencil, George: Genealogy of the Benedicts in America, VolumeI, by Henry M. Benedict (1870) edited/published by Elwyn Ellsworth Benedict, 1969, p34: "Hiram⁷ (Joseph⁶, Samuel⁵ Samuel⁴, Thomas³, Thomas², Thomas¹), b. Dec. 18, 1796; m. Jane Griffin, a Quakeress; settled Mamaroneck, accidentally killed July 14, 1865..." The listing also shows his trade as a shoemaker and states the names of four children: Aaron, Hiram, Charles and Ann. If you think this might be your Hiram, please contact Elwyn E. Benedict (address on our home page). He is collecting data for Volume III. I hope this is your breakthrough good luck!

Elwyn Ellsworth Benedict would like to hear from David Benedict, (mentioned in the last BFN as being of German Benedict ancestry). David, EEB asked me to send him the data you sent with your subscription. However, it might be beneficial for you to contact him direct.

Herman L. Weiland would like to see us progess from newsletter to family organization (society) with certificates issued to each member. He suggests proof of lineage from GBA I or II (III when published) and/or DAR or SAR membership. If you recall, one of the questions asked in our first issue was if respondents were interested in a one-name society (same as family org.). The response was lukewarm at that time. Any new thoughts from all of you?

Edith Cole, Alberta Canada, wants to know if she should send copies of articles written about her Benedict ancestors? They moved from Iowa and Missouri to Canada. She also has some memoirs written by her grandmother. Edith, yes, send it all! A reminder to you and others: I need to have source citations with the submissions. [See a later issue].

New subscriber, Susan Benedict, would like to find a link from her father, Creighton C. BENEDICT to Thomas¹. His name is listed in GBA, Vol II, pp. 456-457, as one of the unconnected families. Creighton grew up in Manitoba, then moved to the states (Dakotas and Iowa).

Received a flyer from subscriber, James S. Benedict, MD. He has written, illustrated and published a new book of poetry. Dr. Benedict is a surgeon in southern California and brother to our copy editor, Mary Alice Benedict Grindol. If any of you are interested, you may contact him at 1130 No. Cabrillo Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731.

It has been suggested that we remind subscribers that if you are interested in Volume's I and II of GBA, you need to contact Elwyn E. Benedict for prices and availability. His address is located on our [home] page. In addition, if you have new submissions on Benedict ancestry, he would like to have that as well for Vol III.

Responding to subscribers who have asked the meaning of C.G.R.S., which is listed after this editor's name. Those initials stand for Certified Genealogical Record Specialist. After extensive schooling and examination (you are given three years to complete all the research required for each classification), your work is examined. If accepted, certification is granted by the Board for Certification of Genealogists, Washington, DC. It must be renewed every four years and there are other categories available. I am currently contemplating working toward Certified Genealogist and/or Certified Genealogical Lecturer.

There is another certification offered by the LDS Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is called Accredited Genealogist, AG. I do not know what schooling is required but know there is a test required.

Queries

NOTE: Generation superscript numbering are NOT used in queries. Abbreviations: s/o,son of; d/o,daughter (dau) of; w -wife; b, bpt, m, d - born, baptized, married, died. [These addresses may no longer be current]

Need parents & siblings of Abigail BENEDICT b. 2 Mar 1773 NY, m. 25 Feb 1796 Ridgefield, CT Matthew SMITH, d. 29 Dec 1857 Ridgefield, CT.

Ellen L. Jacobus, 511 Jefferson St, Elmira, NY 14904-1620

Need ancestry, dates & info for Jane GUNN who m 27 Feb 1752 Thomas BENEDICT b. 3 Oct 1726, d. 27 May 1752, Pittstown, Rensselaer, NY. Thomas s/o James & Sarah (Hyatt) BENEDICT.

Need ancestry, dates & name for the wife (Miss STRONG?)of Thomas BENEDICT b. 27 Feb 1753 Ridgefield CT, d. 9 Jan 1841 McClean, Tompkins Co,---. Thomas was the s/o above Thomas & Jane.

Need info, ancestry & dates for Lovicy WEBSTER who m. Aaron BENEDICT 1800. Aaron was b. 17 Feb 1779 West Stockbridge, MA, d 18 Mar 1860 Pleasant Hill, Vengango, PA. Also children info.

Need dates & spouse for Alvin BENEDICT, s/o Aaron, b. 17 Feb 1779 West Stockbridge, MA, d. 18 Mar 1860 Pleasant Hill, Venango, PA. Need his children. One child was Albert Benjamin BENEDICT, b 4 Aug 1826 Pleasantville, PA d. 14 Feb 1914 Atchison Co., MO m. 30 Oct 1846 at Pleasantville to Lois HITCHCOCK.

Need ancestry, info & dates on John OLMSTEAD, b. 1640, d. 1704, m. 17 Jul 1673 to Mary BENEDICT b. 1650-59 Southhold, Suffolk, Long Island, d. Dec 1704 d/o Thomas BENEDICT, the immigrant.

Deborah Rothery, 1915 N.E. 56th Ave., Portland OR 97213.

Need parentage of Jane CRONKITE, b abt 1800 poss Dutchess Co. NY, d 13 Jan 1875 Lockport, Niagara Co. NY, m Hiram BENEDICT b 31 Oct 1800 prob. NY, d 21 Sep 1836 Niagara Co. NY, s/o Amos BENEDICT and Mary MUNN.

Verna L. Benedict, 1236 Lucio Lane, Sacramento CA 95822

Seeking ancestry of Alva McCRARY & his parents Jacob? & Nancy? McCRARY. Alva b. Jul (or May) 8, 1816, NY & was orphaned. Moved to OH 1834, m. Mary BENEDICT 18 Feb 1838 Bennington, OH. Lived in Delaware Co, OH before moving to WI with other BENEDICT families.

Also need info, ancestry & parentage of Robert & Mary ALLEN of Bennington, OH whose dau. Martha m. Sylvester BENEDICT, 16 Sep 1804, Peru, NY and moved to OH, 1812. Martha died where?

Kurt McCrary, 4200 Pantek, Attica, MI 48412

Looking for information on the siblings, parents & any other antecedents of Ellen VARNER who m near Paulding Co. OH, Richard Waters BENEDICT (1840-1934). Also interested in info on Richard's mother Hannah WATERS b 1815, m Martin BENEDICT as his 2nd wife in 1840 in Morrow or Delaware Co. OH. Laurie Lightfoot, 263 Hanging MOSS Trail Shreveport, LA 71106

Searching for the "Welsh wife" of Obadiah BENEDICT. Obadiah was bpt. 25 Sep 1765, Bethel, CT. I would like to correspond with anyone who has BENEDICT relatives in Franklin Co. OH and Washington Co., IN. Janie Weaver, 9709 Admiral Emerson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111

Looking for wife of John BENEDICT, s/o Benjamin & Hannah BOSTWICK BENEDICT. John b. 1740 CT, d 1808 NY. His dau. Elizabeth b 1791 NY m. 1809 Asa HUBBELL in Amenia, NY.

Barbara Boell, 15704 Pinecroft Lane, Bowie, MD 20716

Searching for Rial BENEDICT b. 21 Mar 1821, Genesee, NY m 30 Dec 1844 Kane Co. IL, d in Oregon. His father thought to be a Thomas BENEDICT.

June Cougle, 224 Western Ave., Grants Pass, OR 97526

Need information on Elizabeth BENEDICT, d/o James BENEDICT, w/o Daniel TAYLOR of Danbury, CT.

William E. Dennis, 221 Race St., Edgewood, PA 15218

Need parents of Achsah BENEDICT, w/o Thomas Barnum whose mother Jerusha STARR BARNUM, m 2nd Capt. Elisha BENEDICT (no. 17, pg. 289 in Benedicts in America, Vol I).

Karen F. Miller, 5682 Whispering Pines, Stevensville, MI 49127

Seeking info on Jacob RHODES b. 1815 m. Ann, b 1825. Children: Isaac, Alanzo, Sarah, Jesse, Simson, Enice, & Phebe. Phebe m. John McGORDY BENEDICT 11 Dec 1879 Liking Co. OH. They moved to Grimes, IA ca 1884.

Larry Benedict, 613 20th St., West De. Moines, IA 50265-0335

Need descendants (and ancestry) of Elizabeth BENEDICT, b. 17 Jan 1728, Norwalk, CT; d bef 1773; d/o Benjamin (b. 1678, Norwalk, CT; d 3 Jul 1773, Stamford, CT) & Mary BENEDICT. Elizabeth married 18 Dec 1728, Farifield Co., CT, to William DRINKWATER.

Gary Smith, 25400 Country Club Blvd., #2, North Olmstead, OH 44070 -

HANNAH BARKER BENEDICT- HER STORY, PART II

The second of two parts (see Vol 1 No 3 Fall 1993):

Historv of Peru Township. Morrow Countv. Ohio, Senteniel Printing House, Mt. Gilead, Ohio, 1897 - From a recopy by Larry R. Benedict, (1st Cousin, 4 generations removed of Aaron E. Benedict and Great-Great-Great Grandson of Hannah Barker Benedict, November 1992) As stated in Part One: "A brief history of our settling of Alum Creek, in Peru Township, Morrow County (then Delaware) Ohio. Written in 1858, by request of her children, by Hannah Gidley, formerly Benedict - Whose maiden name was Barker".

PART TWO:

"After harvest I went to Sunbury to get some wheat of [sic] Vanduser; I got the wheat and was going several miles with it to mill when an acquaintance offered to send a boy with it and let me rest, which kind offer I gladly accepted. The boy was gone until near dark; I was twelve miles from home, mostly through the woods; I wished to start as late as it was; they said if I could not stay they would let their son take part of the load and go with me. We had moonlight three or four miles; after the moon set it clouded over and was very dark; my horse was acquainted with the path and I let her take her own course; sometimes she had to go around fallen timber and I apprehended that we would be lost in the woods, but after a long time we got safely home. Cyrus was very sorry that I had made such an effort to get home, but I was afraid they would suffer for bread stuff. At another time I was at Sunbury on an errand and when I had come about four miles on my way home from the last house I found my horse was sick; I felt very- badly and saw no way I could reach home that night, but after i left her rest awhile she seemed better, and I got her up and let her some distance; not having much load I ventured to get on again and rode slowly, reaching home about dark.

In the fall of next year Cyrus was taken with what was called frog felon on the thick part of his hell[sic]; it was very painful; he tried to open it with his knife, but the pain increased, and I thought it best to have it lanced. I knew of no one who could do it but George Hess, and he lived nine miles from us, so I started in the afternoon and rode very fast; when I got off my horse I should have fainted if I had not laid down to rest. Hess soon started back with me and we got through in time to lance it before dark. Lancing it gave so much relief immediately that I felt fully repaid for my trouble.

We had many errands that called us to the settlements, such as weaving, milling or trading a little at a store when we had beeswax or fur to sell to get salt or other necessaries. I went once and took a bear skin and bought some sickles, after we had raised some wheat. I went instead of Cyrus because it hurt him to ride, and if he stayed could work some and help make improvements. We could find plenty of honey in the woods, but there was not much sale for it, but the wax was ready sale at 25 cents per pound. Salt was very scarce and very high; $4 per bushel by weight' 50 pounds was called a bushel; could put it all in a half bushel by rounding it up, a little, for I saw it tried. Cyrus, being la] good hunter killed many deer and turkeys, and there was a bounty paid for wolves, $5 a head for the old ones and $2.50 for the young ones; he killed a great many of them and took their scalps, with the ears on as proof, to Delaware to get money, as every little [bit] helps in settling a new country. War came on and we suffered much in our feelings; there had Isic] one more family came, but others that were coming and began to move, stopped as there was alarm for war. In the fall of 1812 some of our relatives came, so that we did not feel quite so lonely, but living on the frontier we were afraid of the Indians. After Iwar] was declared it was said they took more liberties but were forbidden by Government to hunt east of a line specified near Sandusky. Two Indians came to our house one day; I was very much alarmed and thought they were spies.

Cyrus and one of his brothers had gone to watch a deer lick, not far off, and I sent for them, and as they were eating the men came in and the Indians left the table and started for the woods. There was now eight families in the settlement; some of them got together and thought it best to send for Hess and others to come and pursue the Indians and see what their motive was, according, the company started from our house the next morning as soon as it was light, and they soon came to the Indians' camp; one of them was up and made signs of peace. They took the Indians, brought them back to our house and I got breakfast for all of them; the Indians were then taken to Delaware on house [sic] back, found to be friendly and were sent back to Sandusky. Soon after this two young men from 7 or 8 miles west of us said they had come with their lives in their hands to let us know that the Indians were all about them and had killed two men, cut one open and took out his heart, and that the rest had all gone into fort, and we have just heard of one man, a few miles east of us, being shot, as he opened his door in the morning. I think these statements proved to be true, but we though [sic] they were men that the Indians had some spite against, as they were apt to do in time of war. Cyrus had gone some distance to see a doctor as he still had poor health and left us in care of his brother, Reuben; if he though [sic] best to move to Sunbury before his return that he (Reuben) should assist us, so I sent the young men to him; he soon came up, seemed very much alarmed and said to me "Hannah, if thee is going with me set that wheel away." We had raised a good crop of flax and were ready, so I broke and swingled led. note-beat] a number of pounds and had just begun to spin it, but I went and took it with me. We stayed six weeks and I got it spun and wove about thirty yards in that time. Four families started next morning; the other four thought they would stay; but we had not gone far before we met six men on their way to inform us that there was a report of a man being shot, by an Indian; through his coat, but was not hurt; he had wounded the Indian who had gone off bleeding, and that it was 3 or 4 miles below this settlement. George Hess was one of the company; he turned back and told me to stop at his house; the other men went on and told their story and before bedtime every family had left Alum Creek. Before I reached Sunbury I met Cyrus; he had heard so many reports that he could stay no longer to be doctored, but thought it best to go back to his family. He rode up to our farm several times; no Indians disturbed it.

When we returned home, Cyrus, myself and Anna walked; he hired a man to take our things and the other children, and paid him with deer skins that he had left at home.

One day while Cyrus was chopping in the woods a friendly Indian came up to him and seemingly desired to tell him something about the white man and the Indians, but could not talk much English so the Indian motioned him to sit down on a log, which he did, the Indian continued to motion for him to side [sic] along until he had reached the end of the log and could go no father [sic], then the Indian said: "This is the way white man is serving Indians." Cyrus' aged parents, Aaron and Elizabeth, and several of his brothers and sisters moved out here in 1812, in the midst of our trouble on account of the war; the others did not come until peace was declared. The old people had ten children; they and their families all moved here except two son-in-laws, Israel Buck and Benjamin Earl, who died in Peru, N.Y. When Cyrus' mother died, in 181 2, I counted up her posterity and there were one hundred and two, all living within sixteen miles of her, except two who remained in [New] York State.

At the time we settled on Alum Creek our certificates were at the Short Creek Monthly Meetings, near Mt. Pleasant, Ohio. We expected there would be relatives and friends that would emigrate to this place and settle us, so that we could have a meeting in our own neighborhood, and so it proved. Not long after our relatives came, some friends of our settlement attended Monthly Meeting at Short Creek and requested meeting privileges. A meeting for worship and a preparation meeting was granted, after a committee from Short Creek had visited us, and not long after Alum Creek Monthly Meeting was permanently established. In 1820 1 attended a quarterly meeting at Mt. Pleasant and then remained in the neighborhood until the yearly meeting, which was one week after, and attended that, which was the first I attended, and I have been at yearly meetings of Friends but twice since, and being now so far advanced in years it is not likely that I shall ever be at another, being now in my 74th year.

(In this account but very few of the many hardships, trials and privations are given which Hannah experienced during the first years of their settling in what was then an unbroken forest. It is said that her trials and privations were so severe that she said 'that it seemed to her that she had watered every foot of their land with tears of sorrow.' But she did not live in vain; she lived trusting in Him who can all sorrows heal. During her last sickness she was a great sufferer for about four months previous to her death, but Him in whom she had trusted to guide her through life was still with her to comfort and cheer her and to 'make her dying bed as soft as downy pillows are.' Her room seemed filled continually with the presence of her Saviour, and in the midst of her severe suffering she never murmured or complained, but was pleasant and cheerful, always meeting her care takers with a smile. A short time previous to her departure her friends were gathered around to do what they could to relieve the sufferings of the dying saint, and when life seemed almost gone and her spirit about to take its flight, she said to her weeping daughter who was standing by her bedside realinging the loss of a Christian mother -in a calm and peaceful voice; 'Do not weep for me, my dear child, but rather, rejoice with me that the end is near,' realizing fully the truth of those comforting words of Paul, 'For our light afflictions which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.')

And thus she passed from earth to heaven to dwell forever with those who have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the lamb..."

From the editor: Cyrus BENEDICT died 7 May 1828, age 54 yrs. Some time later, Hannah, his widow and author of the above, married William GIDLEY, a widower, who had settled on land near Cyrus and Hannah's son, Sylvester. Hannah Barker BENEDICT Gidley died 26 Aug 1862, age 77 yrs.

Within the book from which this story was taken, there are other accounts concerning Aaron and Elizabeth BENEDICT's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As it is a county history, there is quite a bit of history of the area mentioned as well as stories pertaining to the settlers and their encounters with Indians (Native-Americans).

Ancestry: Cyrus⁶, Aaron⁶, Gideon⁴, Joseph³, John², Thomas¹

(Several subscribers are descendants of Aaron and Elizabeth: 1 ) through their son, Cyrus, above: Paul Dewey Benedict Sr, Larry Benedict and Herman Weiland and 2) through their son, Reuben: Laurie Lightfoot and Edith Cole)

Ed. Note - If any subscribers have diaries, memoirs, etc., that a Benedict ancestor kept, why not share it with us? All of us would love to be read more about the life as it was then.

CONFEDERATE SOLDIER 1861-1865.

CHAPLAIN SAMUEL BENEDICT OF GEORGIA.

(Editor's note: Because of its brevity, this article has been reprinted in its entirety from the book cited below. It was sent to us by subscriber, Barbara Boell)

"REVEREND SAMUEL BENEDICT was Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Marietta, Georgia, 1860.

In 1863 Marietta was made a military post for the Confederate States Army. Copied from the Register of Parish Church, Marietta, Georgia, 'Where as at the last Convention of the Diocese, it was resolved that Rectors should be called upon to devote six weeks to missionary duty in the Confederate Army, and in accordance with this resolution, Bishop Elliott has requested our Rector to visit the Army of Tennessee.

Resolved that we heartily approve of our Rector's compliance with this request.' He returned later to Marietta and in the fall of 1864 was officially made Chaplain of the Confederate Army and was given the care of the sick and wounded, his Church being used as a hospital for Confederate soldiers. He served for a time as Chaplain near King's Mountain, North Carolina. He declined to refugee with his family when Sherman's Army reached Marietta. Record of Church. 'This day the Federal Army entered and occupied Marietta, Georgia, on July 6th, 1864.

As rector of the Church, he was notified by the Federal authorities that services in the Church would not be allowed unless with use of the prayer for the President of the United States. He refused to use this prayer and continued to pray for the President of the Confederate States, so was put under arrest by the Federal officers and sent as a prisoner of war in Canada.' He returned to his Church at Marietta in 1867.

The records of this Church show what he did for this Parish and the people he served so faithfully have never known a more zealous priest or a staunch friend.

Reference: Record copies made by Rev. C.T.A. Pise, Rector St. James Episcopal Church, 1902. Papers of Mrs. Robert Zahner (Emily Cleveland Benedict) member of Atlanta Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Georgia Division."'

'Ettie (Tidwell) McCall, "Confederate Soldier 1861-1865," McCall-Tidwell and Allied Families, (Atlanta, GA: Ettie Tidwell, 1931), p. 352.

Ancestry compiled from p. 353: Harriet White Benedict McCall¹⁰, John A. Benedict⁹, Reverend Samuel⁸, Andrew⁷, Ira⁶, Oliver⁵, Benjamin⁴, James³, James², Thomas¹. Submitted to cited book by Elsa Roberts McCall and Howard Henry McCall, III (son of Harriet White Benedict and Howard Henry McCall, Jr) of Atlanta, Georgia.

MEMBERSHIP LIST OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, BETHEL, CONNECTICUT 25 NOVEMBER 1760 - COMPILED AT RECOGNITION CEREMONIES CONDUCTED BY THE EASTERN CONSOCIATION OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

Pastor: Mr. Noah Wetmore; moderator Rev. David Judson, Newton CT; sermon preached by Rev. Ebenezer White, Danbury CT)²

John Benedict, wife Rachel

Ebenezer Hickok, wife Ester

Philip Judd, wife Lydia

Nathan Taylor

Solomon Ferry, wife Mrs. Ferry

Theophilus Taylor, wife Sarah

Benjamin Judd, wife Sarah

Nathaniel Benedict, wife Hannah

Abraham Benedict, wife Anah

James Crofut, wife Lydia

Ephraim Barnum, wife Ruth

Lemuel Beebe

John Dibble, wife Sarah

Ebenezer Platt, wife Marah

Benjamin Benedict, wife Abigail

Benjamin Judd, Jr.

Simeon Rockwell, wife Mrs. Rockwell

Nathan Taylor, wife Mary

Jabez Taylor, wife Hannah

Samuel Judd, wife Hannah

Mathew Taylor

Ebenezer Munson, wife Mrs. Munson

John Benedict, wife Lydia

Noah Rockwell, wife Mary

Stephen Trowbridge, wife Lydia

Isaac Hoyt, wife Sarah

Benjamin Taylor

Phineas Judd, wife Deborah

Joseph Ferry, wife Rachel

Nathaniel Hoyt, wife Ruth

Jonothan Beebe

Samuel Benedict, wife Mrs. Benedict

Eliphalet Peck, wife Rebecca

Jesse Peck

Joseph Beebe, wife Mrs. Beebe

Hezekiah Benedict

Widow Sarah Benedict

Sarah Judd

Mrs. Hannah Seeley

Sarah Bush

Mrs. Lydia Bailey

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP-71

2. Lewis E. Goodsell, Sr., Historv of a Yankee Church, (Bethel, CT: Lewis Goodsell Sr, 1960), pp. 13-14.

Benedict Family News Volume I, no. 4 - updated 24 October 2002

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