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

Alvah and Ester Bennett celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Feb. 15, 1884. Just 3 ½ months later, May 30, 1884, Ester (Penny) Bennett died. I don’t know who supplied the information in her death certificate but I’m glad they knew the particulars.

Mrs. Esther Bennett’s death certificate

Issued by the State of New York

Her age was 70 years, 4 months and 9 days. She was born in Mt. Hope, Orange Co., New York to David Penny and Fanny Smith. Ester’s mother was also an Orange County girl born in Goshen, New York.

I was a little surprised to see her place of death in the Town of Wallkill near Middletown. Alvah and Ester were long time Town of Wawayanda residents. Perhaps one of her children nursed her during her last illness.

Dr. Smiley attended Ester from April 12 to May 29, 1884 and saw her for the last time May 29^th. She passed the following morning at 8 o’clock. Grandmother had been sick with a remitting fever and suffered from general debility. Her burial took place a few days later on June 1^st in Pine Hill Cemetery. (See TOMBSTONE TUESDAY Alvah Bennet and Ester Penny, Wawayanda, Orange Co., NY by clicking here.)

Five years later, Alvah became very ill. The personal column of the Friday, Nov. 15, 1889 Middletown Daily Press, Middletown, New York published news about Grandfather:

   “Mr. Alva Bennett, of the town of Wawayanda, who had a stroke of paralysis a few days ago, remains about the same.”

The Saturday, Nov. 16, 1889 edition printed:

   “Mr. Alva Bennett remains in the same condition, and is thought cannot survive many days.”

As you can see from his death certificate Grandfather survived many more months dying August 21, 1890.

Alvah Bennett’s Death Certificate

Issued by the State of New York

While his death was recorded in the city of Middletown, Alvah most likely died in Wawayanda at his home. His father and mother were Abraham Bennett and Lydia Schultz. Alvah’s mother was also born in Wawayanda (when Lydia was born Wawayanda was part of the Minisink township).

Ester’s doctor, Dr. Smiley, took care of Alvah from August 5 to August 21,1890 too. The doctor confirmed his death was caused by apoplexy (stroke) and died 1 o’clock in the afternoon on the 21^st. Alvah rests beside Ester at Pine Hill Cemetery.

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

PINE HILL CEMETERY

Route 6 bordering

Middletown, New York

 
Many years ago I visited my 3^rd Great Grandparents Alvah Bennet and Ester Penny at the Pine Hill Cemetery near my home. I was only beginning my genealogy and didn’t know enough to bring a camera with me. How I wish I had taken photographs of their tombstones on that visit!

My husband/photographer and I went back a few days ago and sadly, time has taken its toll on the older tombstones.

The monument originally held an obelisk resting on top. Weather, age or vandals have stolen it from its place. 

   

ALVAH BENNET

Born May 12, 1812

Died Aug. 21, 1891

ESTER

Wife of

Alvah Bennet

Born Jan. 11, 1814

Died May 30, 1884

BENNET

Sometimes tombstones are wrong and that’s just what’s happened with Alvah’s death date. 3^rd Great Grandfather died August 21, 1890, not 1891. I have his obituary and death certificate verifying this.

If you want to read his obituary, click here.

Alvah was the son of Abraham Bennett and Lydia Shultz born in Wawayanda. David Penny and Fannie Smith were Ester’s parents.

Alvi and Ester wed Feb. 15, 1834. Elder Gabriel Conkling’s Book of Marriages recorded the event.

     “Feb. 15, 1834 Mr. Alvi Bennet of Minisink, Orange Co., New York to Miss Penny of Mount Hope, Orange Co., New York. Fee $3.”

They raised their family in the Town of Wawayanda and became the parents of 12 children:

·         Theodore born Nov. 5, 1835, married Hannah Eudoria Mapes 1866, died June 6, 1919.

·         William H. born June 1837.

·         Fannie Jane born May 15, 1839, married Albert Doty Dec. 22, 1859, died Nov. 22, 1883. Fanny Jane is my 2^nd Great Grandmother.

·         Esther Almeda born Dec. 10, 1840, married George W. Horton, died May 8, 1923.

·         Abby Anna born Dec. 28, 1843, married Seth Blizzard, died Jan. 6, 1939.

·         John F. born Oct.1846 married Mary E. Gray.

·         Harriet Augusta born 1847, married George W. Carpenter.

·         Sarah Elizabeth born ca 1849, married Horace J. Doan, died Oct. 8, 1897.

·         Abraham born March 1852, married Mary A. Van Nort, died Dec. 15, 1926.

·          David Winfield born June 16, 1854, married Jennie Louise Smith, died June 19, 1917.

·          Christianna born March 28, 1855, married Charles Doane, died April 16, 1882.

·          Ida L. born Feb. 4, 1859, unmarried, died Nov. 7, 1938.

  

You might enjoy:    (Just click on title)

     TOMBSTONE TUESDAY, Fannie Jane (Bennett) Doty 1839-1883, Wallkill Cemetery, Middletown, NY, 

     Albert Doty and the Girl Next Door

NOTE: Pine Hill Cemetery was originally known as Dolsontown Cemetery.  

  

This is the view from top of cemetery hill facing Goshen, New York.