Introducing Alvah’s Parents: Abraham Bennett and Lydia Schultz

An Orange County, New York newspaper published Nov. 19, 1881 discussed my ancestor Abraham Bennett. I thought it might be a pleasant way to introduce 4^th Great Grandparents Abraham Bennett and Lydia Schultz to my blog readers.

A Match for the Bertholf Children of Warwick

Abraham Bennett was born on the farm now owned by Hulet McBride, near Springside station, in the town of Wawayanda, in 1764. His wife, Lydia Hulse, was born where Little’s mills now stand, in 1769. They spent all of their life time within three miles of the place of their birth and raised a family of fifteen children, all of whom arrived at mature years. Mr. Bennett died in 1842. His widow survived him eight years and died in 1850. Of their children, five are now living, four daughters and a son. Mary, whose age is 94, and Nancy, aged 72, were never married; Hannah, whose age is 84, is the widow of Thomas Thorne, and Esther, the widow of I. C. Willis, aged 76. All of the girls, except Mrs. Thorne, who lives at Otisville, now live on the old homestead where they were born and which now belongs to their “baby brother,” Mr. Alvah Bennett, whose age is 70 years. The united ages of the five surviving children is 396 years, or an average of over 79 years. Mr. Alvah Bennett and Miss Esther Penney were married 49 years ago and have raised a family of twelve children, the youngest of whom is twenty-two, and have never had a death in their family. They have had thirty grand children and, twenty-eight of whom are now living. Next! W. A.

[Source Middletown Daily Press, Middletown, New York, Saturday, Nov. 19, 1881, page 3]

The author compared the Bertholf children of Warwick, Orange Co., New York to Abraham’s family. I wish I knew what the reporter meant by the title “A Match for the Bertholf Children of Warwick”. Does anybody know these Bertholf’s?

The Middletown Daily Press got Grandmother Lydia’s maiden name wrong. She was born Lydia Schultz, a daughter of Christian Schultz and Hannah Gardner.

The reporting provided a light-hardhearted moment when I saw my 3^rd Great Grandfather Alvah referred to as a 70 year-old “baby brother”. I hope the Bennett sisters appreciated longevity when they read their combined ages equaled 396 years.

The Sisters

Abbott Handerson Thayer

1884

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

I have Abraham Bennett’s estate pack and will be discussing his children in the new year.

News of Alvah Bennett, Wawayanda, NY

The Middletown, New York newspapers have been a goldmine for me. Recently, I added two new articles for 3^rd Great Grandparents Alvah Bennett and Esther Penny.

The February 19, 1881 issue of the Middletown Daily Argus reported the grandparents wedding anniversary:

Celebrating a Wedding Anniversary.

   Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Bennett, living near this village celebrated, last evening, the forty-seventh anniversary of their wedding, by a social party at which some 400 guests were present. Eleven of their twelve children and many of their grandchildren were present. After a bountiful supper, dancing was indulged in until a late hour. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were the recipients of numerous and costly presents and better still, of the good wishes of their friends for many years of happiness and prosperity.

I knew three Middletown, NY newspapers printed Great Grandfather’s obituary when he passed. I can now add the Middletown Daily Argus to the list (Friday, August 22, 1890 edition). When I found the fourth obit, I wondered if the writer knew him as this was a more detailed account.

   Mr. Alvah Bennett, one of the oldest and best known citizens of the town of Wawayanda, died at his home near Springside Station, at 1:30 o’clock, yesterday afternoon, aged 78 years, 3 months and 7 days.

   Mr. Bennett suffered a stroke of paralysis late in the fall or early in the winter, which, for a time, completely prostrated him and made his recovery seem impossible. He, however, partially rallied, after a time, from its effects and this spring was able to walk about the farm. He, however, suffered another stroke, on Monday of this week, from the effects of which he died, as above stated.

   Mr. Bennett was the last surviving member of his family. He was the youngest of fourteen children born to Abram Bennet and Lydia Schultz, his wife. He was born on the Bennett homestead, near Springside, on which he always lived and on which he died.

   Mr. Bennett married Ester Penney, over forty years ago. Twelve children were born to them, of whom ten are now living. The sons are: Theodore, a farmer, living in the town of Crawford; William, of Brooklyn; John F. of Bloomingburgh, ex-Supervisor of the town of Mamakating; David W., a farmer near Howells; and Abram, living on the homestead farm.

   The daughters are: Jane, wife of Albert Doty, of Wawayanda, who died a few years ago; Almeda, widow of the late Geo. W. Horton, of Wawayanda, who since her husband’s death, several years since, has lived at the homestead; Harriet, wife of George W. Carpenter, of this city; Kittie, who died several years ago, and who was the wife of ______ Doane of Wawayanda; Ida, living near Goshen; Ann, wife of Seth Blizzard, of Slate Hill; and Elizabeth, wife of Horace Doane of Gardnerville.

   Mr. Bennett was related to several well-known families in this city and vicinity. He was an uncle of the late Oliver Crawford and also of Mr. James B. Crawford and of Mrs. C. Macardell, of this city, and of Mr. John H. Crawford, of the town of Wallkill.

   Mr. Bennett, during his life-long residence in Wawayanda, became very widely known. He was a whole-souled, generous-hearted man, who won his way at once to the hearts of all of his acquaintances and will be sincerely mourned by all who knew him.

   The funeral notice appears elsewhere.       

   Earlier posts about Alvah Bennett:

GREEN ACRES FRIDAY AlvieBennett’s Farm, Wawayanda, Orange Co., NY

TREASURE CHEST THURSDAY After 50 Year Marriage Alvah and Ester BennettParted by Death

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY Alvah Bennet and Ester Penny, Wawayanda, Orange Co.,NY

SUNDAY OBITUARY Alvah Bennett died Aug. 21, 1890 Wawayanda, NY

  

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Daniel Maclise

Snap-apple Night