Fallen Heroes Come Home 43 Years after the Battle of Minisink

5^th Great Grandfather Benjamin Bennett was one of the Orange County, New York men who died at the Battle of Minisink July 22, 1779. See my last blog post Abraham and Benjamin Bennet: July 20, 1779 Minisink, NY for more information.

After the battle, thirty-three newly widowed women attempted to travel to the battle-ground to bring their husbands home. They met hardships on the trail and were forced to turn back. The ladies then hired a guide to retrieve their dead. Unfortunately, he was never heard from again.

In 1820, Dr. David R. Arnell published a sketch about Col. Benjamin Tustin who died July 22, 1779 with Great Grandfather Benjamin Bennet. The account roused public interest and a committee was organized to bring the heroes’ bones home to Orange County.

Goshen, New York’s newspaper, Independent Republican, April 29, 1822 issue, updated the committee’s progress:

   “All the bones that could be found of the brave men who fell in the battle of Minisink were collected from the battle-ground on Wednesday last, and brought to the village on the day following. They are now in the possession of the committee, with whom they will remain until the anniversary of the day upon which the battle was fought.

   “In securing the bones neither pains nor expense were spared. The party traveled about forty miles the first day, and half of that distance was a complete wilderness. They put up for the night at Mrs. Watkins’, who lived about six miles from the battle-ground, to which they proceeded the next morning. Some left their horses behind, it being very difficult to get along with a horse. The country around was a complete wilderness, scarcely exhibiting a trace of human footsteps. The battle was commenced on the banks of the Delaware, opposite the mouth of the Lackawack, and terminated about three-quarters of a mile from the river. It was a matter of astonishment to many of the party when they were shown the course taken by our troops. Some of the descents are really frightful. Most of the bones were found on the ground where the battle was fought; but some were found some distance away, which undoubtedly belonged to the wounded who had died with hunger and fatigue.”

     Source E. M. Ruttenber & L. H. Clark’s History of Orange County, New York, page 547

           

Courtesy Wikipedia

Monument at the Minisink Battleground County Park in Sullivan County, NY

The committee members planned a funeral procession to coincide with the 43^rd anniversary of the battle. An estimated 15,000 people gathered in the village of Goshen, New York for the event.

The Goshen Patriot covered the day in their July 22, 1822 edition. I’ll share a few excerpts with you.

   “On Monday morning, the 22^nd, the people began to assemble in crowds, at an early hour, to witness the public solemnities which were announced to take place on that day. At ten o’clock the preparations commenced. The cavalry, the infantry, the cadets, the mourners, the clergy, survivors of the Minisink battle, officers and soldiers of the revolution, military officers in uniform, civil and judicial officers, gentlemen of the bar, medical society, masonic brethren, &c. &c. all collected and moving from different points, at the same time to join the procession, formed a most sublime, interesting, and solemn scene.”

   “The procession was formed immediately after 12 o’clock. The bones of the brave men, who fell a prey to the merciless savages and painted tories, at the battle of the Minisink, having been deposited in two plain mahogany coffins, at the house of James W. Carpenter, were brought out, shrouded in black, surrounded by 16 grey-headed officers and soldiers of the revolution, as pall bearers, and placed each upon a separate hearse drawn by two white horses.”

    “Thirteen of the sons of those who fell on that disastrous day—major Tusten, capt. Barker, H. G. Wisner, esq., Moses Thomas, esq., Michael A. Jones, Jonathan Bennett, Samuel Bennett, John Little, Alsop Vail, Samuel Vail, Jared Mesher, Wm. Baker, and John Knap, followed as chief mourners, and beside them there were a long train of remote connexions.”

Jonathan and Samuel Bennett represented their father Benjamin in the procession. No doubt other members of the Bennett family were in attendance.

   “All things being ready, the mournful music struck up and the line moved off with a slow and solemn step. Both sides of the street were lined with spectators, from one end to the other, nearly a mile—every house was full and every sloop was crowded. The whole procession, which was something like a half mile in length, moved with great regularity and precision, and minute guns were fired, and the bell tolled during the march.”

   “When the procession arrived at the place of interment, the battalion of cadets first encircled the vault, which had been hewn out of a rock on the south side of the church—next to them were drawn up, in succession, the different societies and the military; and then the citizens, who had only been spectators. A stage was erected near the vault, where the solemn services were performed. Here we beheld an interesting spectacle—gen. Hathorn, who commanded that unfortunate expedition, as a colonel, forty-three years before, now verging upon eighty—on his left major Poppino, who was an officer under him in the same battle, now 96 years of age, and Thomas Waters, about 60, also in the same battle. Although 96 years of age, major Poppino walked with the procession, and was one of the pall-bearers.”

I located the Goshen Patriot article in Niles’ Weekly Register, Volume XXIII including Supplement to Volume XXII, pages 75-76. Hezekiah Niles became an influential journalist and was the editor of the Weekly Register magazine published in Baltimore. I’ve included a link to the complete article if you care to read it here on Google Books.

Abraham and Benjamin Bennet: July 20, 1779 Minisink, NY

The last I wrote about Abraham Bennett, I promised a story from his childhood.  When Great Grandfather was 15 years old, he played a small role in what would lead to suffering for the Bennett family and Orange County, New York residents.

So what happened? American colonists were fighting the English army to gain their independence from the King of England. The British enlisted local Native American tribes to their cause. Thayendanegea, also known as Joseph Brant, a Mohawk war chief, became one of their captains.

July 19, 1779 Joseph Brant led a combined force of Indians and Tories and attacked the Minisink settlement (Port Jervis and town of Deerpark) in Orange County, New York while people slept in their beds. They burned buildings, killed people, stole cattle and took prisoners to Brant’s headquarters on the Delaware.

News spread; the next day two militia groups led by Lt. Col. Benjamin Tusten from Goshen and Maj. Samuel Meeker of Sussex Co., New Jersey met in Port Jervis. After debate and discussions, they decided to pursue Brant up the Delaware River to recover what he had plundered from the Minisink residents.

This is where we find Abraham Bennett. Abraham accompanied his father Benjamin Bennett to the rendezvous. Horace E. Twichell describes Abraham’s participation in the day’s events in his book History of the Minisink Country, page 70:

   “Abraham Bennett was a boy at the time of the battle of Minisink; but when Tusten was leaving Goshen he became very anxious to join the expedition against Brant; and having had some experience in the fife and drum corps, he begged his father, *Benjamin Bennett, who was one of the militia to let him go as drummer boy. The drum corps did not go any farther than Minisink. There they were advised by Capt. Tyler and his men, who had come down the Delaware valley from Cochecton, to return home, as the march of the army would be through a vast wilderness and the hardships would be too great for their endurance.”

Capt. Tyler sent young Abraham home. Lt. Col. Tusten and Major Meeker were joined by Col. John Hathorn’s Regiment marching to Minisink Ford, New York for battle. Forty-eight militia men were killed; 5^th Great Grandfather Benjamin Bennett among them.

Horace E. Twichell provides a rare account of Benjamin’s last moments footnoted on page 70:

   “*Benjamin Bennett was severely wounded in the thigh, and when the retreat began, after the battle, he besought one of his companions to aid him in making his escape. The wounded man clung to his friend, thinking that if he could reach water and slake his thirst he would have strength sufficient to get away into the forest and hide for the night and proceed toward home the next morning. They succeeded in getting as far as a spring (supposed to be the large one east of the plateau on the Twichell farm) when they heard the enemy coming close upon them.

    Mr. Bennett, being very much exhausted and knowing what his fate would be, drew his pocketbook from his pocket and handing it to his friend, said, “Flee for your life and, if you reach Goshen, give this to my wife.” His companion, reluctantly, took it from his hand and fled, but before he was out of hearing, the death yell reached his ears and he knew Benjamin Bennett was dispatched by the cruel tomahawk. His friend reached home after great suffering to deliver the pocketbook and bring the sorrowful news to Mrs. Bennett that she was a widow and her children orphans.”

My post only gives you a glimpse of the history that took place those few days in July 1779. I encourage you to learn more about the heros who protected their families and neighbors.  Google “Battle of Minisink” and step back in time.

I’ve shared Prof. Twichell’s writings with you and would like to close with his words:

   “There was no glory in the Battle of Minisink. For the Colonists there was naught but defeat and disaster, and for their foe a partially satisfied thirst for human blood. Although the Colonists fought in a just cause and with unparalleled heroism to drive a plundering foe from their homes and recover their stolen stock, there was no glory in the battle for them. For they felt their army was destroyed and many of their comrades slain.”

Illustration from

History of Minisink Country

Page 59

I, Abraham Bennet, Do Make and Publish my Last Will and Testament, Feb. 4, 1842, Minisink, NY

On March 1, 1785 Abraham Bennett married Lydia Shultz in Goshen, Orange Co., New York. When they wed, Abraham was 20 and Lydia 15 years old. They raised 7 sons and 8 daughters.

In a recent post, Introducing Alvah’s parents: Abraham Bennet and Lydia Schultz, a newspaper account stated 4th Great Grandfather Abraham Bennett was born on a farm near Springside station, in the town of Wawayanda, in 1764. A little Orange County, New York history is needed here. During Great Grandfather’s lifetime, there was no town of Wawayanda; he resided in the town of Minisink. It wasn’t until 1849 that the Wawayanda Township was carved out of Minisink lands. This is why you’ll see the family referred to as Wawayanda and Minisink residents.

From 4th Great Grandfather Abraham Bennett’s will, I learned about his final wishes. His last will and testament was written one day before Grandfather’s death on Feb. 5, 1842 identifying 12 of his children. He provided generously for his wife as well as single and married daughters except for one. Daughter Azubah Bennet received the smallest legacy amounting to only $5. The Executors’ petition revealed no one knew where she lived. Somehow Azubah became estranged from her father.

Abraham bequeathed $10 legacies to the older Bennet brothers, Benjamin, Samuel, Levi, and Abraham. My ancestor Alve Bennet, the youngest, inherited Grandfather’s farm.

Transcription copied from Orange County, NY Will Book L, pages 370-374:

The last will and testament of Abraham Bennet of the Town of Minisink County of Orange and State of New York.  I Abraham Bennet considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being in a feeble state of health, but of a sound mind and memory, (blessed be Almighty God for the same) Do make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following  That is to say First I order and direct my said Executors to Pay my Funeral expenses and all my Just and honest debts.  Second I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Lydia Bennet during her natural life the use of fifty acres of Land situate on the North East corner of my farm in the Town of Minisink Commencing on the Road leading from Charles Mills to Middletown and on the north side of the Lane and crossing said lane leading to my Dwelling house so as to include the watering place, my Dwelling house and about sixteen feet from the south end of the Barn including said barn and out buildings upon said fifty acres, and I order and direct that my three Daughters named Polly Bennet, Lydia Bennet & Nancy Bennet have the privilege and Right in the above mentioned premises for a home so long as they or either of them remain single and unmarried and during the lifetime of my wife Lydia Bennet, I also give and bequeath to my wife Lydia Bennet the sum of one hundred Dollars, also four cows, and one horse. The above Legacies left to my said wife Lydia Bennet is to be in lieu of her Dower Right, I give and bequeath the above mentioned and Described land Containing fifty acres after the Death of my Wife Lydia Bennet unto my three Daughters named, Polly Bennet, Lydia Bennet & Nancy Bennet, I give and bequeath my wife Lydia Bennet and my three Daughters named Lydia Bennet, Polly Bennet & Nancy Bennet All my household furniture Beds & Bedding to be equally divided between them.  I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Polly Bennet the sum of One hundred Dollars and also three cows to be kept upon the above mentioned 50 acres of Land, I give and bequeath to my Daughter Lydia Bennet the sum of One hundred Dollars, I give and bequeath to my Daughter Nancy Bennet the sum of One hundred Dollars  I give and bequeath to my Son Alve Bennet the residue and remainder of my farm situate in the town of Minisink afforsaid and supposed to contain about seventy six acres of land be the same more or less  I also give and bequeath to my Son Alve Bennet one two horse waggon and one sett two horse harness, I give and bequeath to my four sons named Benjamin Bennet, Samuel Bennet, Levi Bennet, & Abraham Bennet the sum of ten Dollars each, I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Azubah Bennet the sum of five Dollars Provided the said Azubah shall call on my said Executors for the same. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Penelope Crawford wife of Oliver Crawford the sum of fifty Dollars. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Thorne wife of Thomas Thorne the sum of fifty Dollars, I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Esther Kerby wife of David Kerby the sum of fifty Dollars. And lastly as to all the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate goods and chattles of what kind and nature soever I give and bequeath unto my daughter named Polly Bennet. I Direct and Request my said Executors to pay the within mentioned Legacies as soon as convenient. I Do hereby nominate and appoint my son Alve Bennet and Benjamin Bennet of the village of Middletown Executors of this my last will and testament hereby Revoking all former wills by me made – In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred forty two - two

Abraham Bennett

X

his mark

The above instrument, consisting of one Sheet was now here subscribed by Abraham Bennet the testator, in the presence of each of us: and was at the same time declared by him to be his last will and testament and we at his request sign our names hereto, as attesting witnesses

Charles Mills Town of Minisink

Henry S. Beakes Town of Wallkill

February 14, 1842 Abraham’s sons and executors Alve and Benjamin Bennet petitioned the Surrogate of Orange County, New York to accept Grandfather’s will. The document included Abraham Bennet’s next of kin and heirs regardless of whether they inherited or not. I found two sons, Christian and William Bennet, predeceased their father. Christian’s son, also named Christian, and William’s daughters, Emeline Parker and Frances Anderson, filled out the family tree. A special guardian was appointed for the three grandchildren as they were minors.

Petition from Abraham Bennet’s Estate Packet

Filed Orange County Surrogate Court, Goshen, NY

This petition is a gem. It tells the names of Abraham and Lydia’s children with their whereabouts in February 1842. I have the feeling Benjamin and Alve listed the heirs starting with the Widow and then naming the children from oldest to youngest. The notes I’ve added for each Bennet child are what I’ve been able to locate. If you can add or correct the family facts, please do.

1.    Benjamin Bennet born March 7, 1786; married 2 times; died April 29, 1861 Orange Co., NY. Benjamin’s Letter of Administration identified his 2nd wife Sophia Jane and children Stephen, Samuel, Elijah, Eliza, and Edgar. The 2nd Mrs. Bennet, Sophia Jane, received a widow’s pension from the Government owing to Benjamin’s service during the War of 1812. Benjamin belonged to Capt. David Christie’s New York Militia in a Regiment commanded by Col. Isaac Belknap enlisting August 1814. He was discharged honorably near New York City Nov. 16, 1814. Sophia Jane Bennet provided a description of her husband: six foot high, light complexion, light-grey eyes, and light hair. The pension application identifies Benjamin’s 1st wife Mary Hosier. Benjamin Bennet was Sophia Jane’s 2nd husband; they married Feb. 1, 1851 Orange County, NY. Most likely Mary Hosier was the mother of Stephen, Samuel, Elijah, and Eliza and Sophia Jane Edgar’s mother. You can view the pension online at Fold3.com. [https://www.fold3.com/image/247/292304237]

2.    Polly (aka Mary) Bennet born October 27, 1787; never married, died October 20, 1882 living to be about 94 years old.

3.    Christian Bennet predeceased his father. Christian married and had a son also named Christian (who was included in his grandfather Abraham’s list of heirs). Christian Otto Schultz, 1712-1785, and his American Descendants compiled by Enid Dickenson Collins, Brooklyn, N. Y., October 1942, page 116 states Christian was born April 12, 1789 and died March 1829. In Alfred Mathews’ work, History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe Counties, Pennsylvania, he notes Christian Bennett located at an early date north of James Bigelow’s place in Mount Pleasant, Wayne Co., PA.

4.    Samuel Bennet born Nov. 23, 1790, settled in Mount Pleasant, Wayne Co., PA. His wife’s name was Mary. Samuel died Feb. 2, 1867 and Mary passed June 6, 1868. Both are buried in Sherwood Cemetery, Wayne Co., PA. A daughter, Sarah J. (Bennet) Wilcox, was born July 18, 1813 in Damascus, PA; died Mount Pleasant March 5, 1906. Another daughter, Lydia A. Bennet born 1815, died 1888. Probably more children. Alfred Mathews' History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe Counties, Pennsylvania, Chapter XXIII covering Mount Pleasant, page 652, states: Samuel Bennett, brother of Levi, settled on the mountain in the southwestern part of the township.

5.    Azuba Bennet born May 9, 1792, married John C. Willis, died Dec. 3, 1870. The 1865 NYS census reveals Azubah married 2 times and was a parent to 2 children. John C. Willis was her husband at that date and they lived near Alvah Bennett and sisters Mary and Nancy.

6.    William Bennet born Feb. 2, 1794, married Frances Stickney, died July 26, 1839 according to Enid Dickenson Collins. William died a few years before his father but his daughters Emeline Parker and Frances Anderson were named as next of kin.

7.    Levi Bennet born about 1795/6, married 1^st Dillie Denning, 2^nd wife Elizabeth Craig October 1835, Wayne Co., PA. Levi died Dec. 26, 1877, interred at Sherwood Cemetery, Wayne Co., PA. Elizabeth Bennett died March 25, 1885. Levi was also of War of 1812 veteran serving in Orange County’s Capt. John Dunning’s Company of the New York Militia. A pension file is online at Fold3.com https://www.fold3.com/image/247/292801383 Alfred Mathews' History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties, Pennsylvania, page 652, Mount Pleasant, Wayne Co. Chapter XXIII states “Capt. Levi Bennett located on the place now owned by his son, Malden Bennett. He was a prominent man.” Levi’s will identify children Malden Bennet, Horatio D. Bennet, Levi Bennet Jr., Mahala Van Metre, Theresa A. Elmendorf, and Susan Galord.

8.    Hannah Bennet, born Jan. 13, 1797, married Thomas Thorne, died Nov. 26, 1883 Wallkill, Orange Co., NY. They raised a large family in Orange County.

9.    Abraham Bennet born October 24, 1798, married Eleanor Ross, died Wayne Co., PA May 1863. Alfred Mathews’ History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe Counties, PA, Lebanon Township Chapter XXI, pages 619-620 writes “The farm is now owned by Virgil Brooks. At this point a road leads east; the first farm upon it was taken by Abraham Bennett, of Orange County, N. Y., who married a Ross. He left three sons,--Abraham, Alva, and Joseph R., and three daughters.”

10. Margaret Bennet, born April 24, 1800, died at the age of 16 years May 31, 1816. Margaret’s buried in Pine Hill Cemetery, Middletown, NY near her parents.

11. Penelope Bennet, born Feb. 27, 1802, married Oliver Crawford, died Nov. 16, 1864 Wallkill, Orange Co., NY. Penelope and Oliver raised a large family—James B., Nancy C., Oliver, Mary, Lydia, John H., Esther, George, William, Abram, and Jane.

12. Lydia Bennet born about 1803. Lydia married Joseph Bailey Crane a few years after her father’s death. She passed Sept. 19, 1846 in Ohio.

13. Esther Bennet Aug. 17, 1805, married David B. Kirby May 25, 1826, died June 21, 1882. Their children were Abram B., Oliver C., Gilbert B., Oscar P., David S., Esther Ann, Laura Frisby, and Jane Talmadge. The family lived in Wayne Co., PA returning to Orange Co. NY in 1852.

14. Nancy Bennet born June 12, 1809, never married, died Nov. 8, 1884.

15. Alvah Bennet born May 12, 1812, married Esther Penny Feb. 15, 1834, died August 21, 1890. Children of Alvah and Esther: Theodore, William H., Fanny Jane, Esther Almeda, Abby Anna, John F., Harriet Augusta, Sarah Elizabeth, Abraham, David Winfield, Christianna, and Ida L.

When I next write about the Bennett’s, I’ll tell you a story from Abraham’s boyhood.

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

Phebe Lain and Jeremiah Bennet’s Story, Minisink, NY

Jeremiah Bennett was born Feb. 20, 1760, and said to be the son of Thomas and Mary (Dyckman) Bennet. Two of Jeremiah’s children told 1880 federal census enumerators their father was born in Connecticut; other researchers claim he was born in Minisink.

5^th Great Grandfather’s lifetime included the fight for American independence from England which I’m certain greatly influenced his next choice. When Jeremiah was nineteen, he signed up in Col. John Hathorn’s Orange County, New York Militia Regiment. In June, July, and November 1779, his name appeared on payrolls among the certificates returned by Col. John Hathorn.

Jeremiah collected four pounds, thirteen shillings and six pence owed from Col. Hathorn’s Regiment after the Revolutionary War ended August 2, 1785.

Excerpt from Ancestry.com

Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M246, 138 rolls); War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, Record Group 93; National Archives, Washington. D.C.

Regiment: Fisher´s Regiment of Militia, 1775-1781 (Folder 100) - Hopkins´ Reg of Militia, 1779 (Folder 116)

Beatrice Linskill Sheehan notes in her book, Descendants of William Lain and Keziah Mather with her Lineage from Reverend Richard Mather, that Jeremiah also enlisted in the New York Levies with Col. Lewis DuBois’ Regiment serving under Captain Daniel Gano during the American Revolution.

Five years before the War of Independence, Phebe Lain was born Feb. 15, 1770 in Minisink, New York to William Lain and Keziah Mather. The Lain family farm passed from generation to generation and is still a working farm in Orange County.

Jeremiah Bennett married Phebe Lain Dec. 12, 1789. They would become the parents of nine children:

1)    Sally, born Oct. 31, 1790; married Abraham Kimber; died Susquehanna Co., PA 1850

2)    Keziah, born Nov. 2, 1792; married Benjamin Kimber March 30, 1812, Westtown, Orange Co., NY; died Troy, Bradford Co., PA Jan. 23, 1858

3)    David, born May 13, 1796; married Phebe Lateer; died Orange Co., NY June 29, 1868

4)    Josiah, born June 11, 1799; married Hannah Kimber Dec. 6, 1818; died Chemung Co., NY May 21, 1881

5)    Bethia, born August 8, 1801; married James Spencer; died Susquehanna Co., PA March 24, 1879

6)    Phebe, born Sept. 4, 1803; married Ezra Bacorn; died Chemung Co., NY 1884

7)    Maria, born Jan. 21, 1806; never married

8)    Joanna, born April 25, 1808

9)    Eunice, born Jan. 31, 1811; married James Loree Jan. 4, 1834; died Schuyler Co., NY Dec. 21 1893

Oct. 1, 1798, the Town of Minisink tax man assessed homes and farms within the town; William Lain, Jeremiah’s father-in-law, owned the Bennet home. In 1799, 1800, and 1801 NYS Tax Assessment Rolls (Minisink), he needed to pay taxes for real estate. Oddly, no entries exist for Great Grandfather in the Orange County deed or mortgage indexes making me think Jeremiah and Phebe always lived on Lain land.

Jeremiah supported the First Presbyterian Church in Westtown by contributing $3.00 to the building fund July 10, 1805. His daughter, Keziah, would marry Benjamin Kimber in this church seven years later.

Phebe’s father, William Lain, passed January 1811. He bequeathed $25 to Phebe and gifted Jeremiah the land where the Bennet family lived. William Lain then instructed Jeremiah to pay Phebe’s sister, Sarah Brundage, $675.

The following summer on the 24^th of August 1811, Great Grandfather Jeremiah died at the age of 51 years. He’s buried in Loree Cemetery, Westtown, New York. Phebe Bennet passed Feb. 3, 1830, and rests beside him.

  

Loree Cemetery

Westtown, Orange Co., New York

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

   “Mr. Bennett was one of the best known farmers in that part of the county, and his uprightness of character and probity had gained for him a host of friends during his long life. He was born in the town of Wawayanda, on the same farm on which he made his home for so many years, and during all that time was looked upon as one of the best types of the solid Orange county farmer.”

    

     [Source Middletown Times Press, Middletown, New York, Friday, August 22, 1890 edition]

That’s just what 3^rd Great Grandfather Alvah Bennett’s obituary said. A solid Orange County farmer; what’s that mean? The 1855, 1865 and 1875 New York State Agricultural Statistics gave me a few answers.

During these years Alvie farmed between 90 and 120 acres. His farm included pasture land where the livestock grazed. Hay grew in his meadow grassland. Grandfather planted winter wheat, oats, rye, buckwheat, corn, potatoes and beans. Apple orchards were on the property too. The farm was home to Grandfather’s family and horses, cattle, swine, sheep and chickens.

According to the 1855 Agricultural Statistics dated June 3rd[1] Alvie worked 100 improved acres. He kept 44 acres pasture land the previous year and produced 35 tons of hay from his meadows (28 acres).

He sowed 4 acres winter wheat, devoted 4 acres to oats, 6 acres to rye, 4 acres for buckwheat, 5 acres of corn and 1 acre of potatoes.

Currier & Ives Print

The Husking

His livestock included 2 horses, 3 young pigs, and 4 sheep. The role of the cattle varied. Two working cows did their share of farm chores. There was a 1 year old and 3 older than 1 year. Sixteen milking cows supplied 6,400 gallons for market. Two cattle were killed for beef.

I don’t know whether Alvie or John J. Dolson, the census marshall, determined the cash value of the Bennett farm at $4,800. Livestock was worth $750. The farm tools and implements were valued at $200.

The June 21, 1865 Agricultural Statistics[2] resembled the 1855 census but with a couple differences. Alvie farmed 90 improved acres instead of 100 acres. Fewer acres were dedicated to the pasture and meadow lands. More winter wheat and oats were planted--less rye, buckwheat and corn. The cash value of the farm remained the same but the livestock value increased to $1,100.

The 1865 census inventoried apple orchards on the property. Alvie owned 12 apple trees that year. This census noted he had chickens.

Grandfather grew older and wiser as his farm prospered. By June 8, 1875[3] the cash value of his farm reached $10,000—more than double earlier census years. His increased livestock raised their worth to $2,000. His crops remained the same.

The orchard harvest produced 75 bushels thanks to Grandfather’s 50 apple trees. He also made 2 barrels of apple cider.

The dairy cattle produced 11,000 gallons of milk to be sold at market. The chickens’ earned Alvie $1,500 for eggs.

Resolute, steadfast, fruitful, yes; Alvah Bennett, the best type of solid Orange County farmer!

If you want to know more about Alvah Bennett, look for the Labels tag at the bottom of this post; then click on ‘Alvah Bennett’. This will find 3 earlier posts about Grandfather.

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[1] 1855 New York State Census, Orange Co., Town of Wawayanda, Agriculture and Domestic Manufactures, pgs. 48-52

[2] 1865 New York State Census, Orange Co., Town of Wawayanda, Agricultural Statistics, pgs. 9-12

[3] 1875 New York State Census, Orange Co., Town of Wawayanda, Agricultural Statistics, pgs. 55-58