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

Invite to Dinner #52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

I’d make my roasted chicken sitting atop potatoes and carrots and invite 3^rd Great Grandmother Mary (Hazen) Ogden to sup with me. While enjoying coffee and Dutch apple pie, I’d share what I learned about her and ask if she would tell me about herself. If only I could act out this scene.

Mary Hazen was born about 1801 in Orange County, New York and married Gilbert B. Ogden Jan. 11, 1817 in Brookfield (Slate Hill), Orange Co., New York. They began a family and became the parents of fifteen children.  Gilbert passed June 6, 1848 at the age of 52 in Wantage, Sussex Co., New Jersey.

My research highlights Gilbert B. Ogden’s military service during the War of 1812; how glad I was to find Mary benefited by selling bounty land acquired from Grandfather’s service. See my blog post Gilbert, Mary and the War of 1812 for all the details.

Then I delighted in finding Mary Hazen among the Old School Baptist Church membership rolls Oct. 7, 1815. MYSTERYMONDAY: 3RD Great Grandmother Mary (Hazen) Ogden was an Old School Baptist Lady discusses my findings.

 

Now I will introduce family lore that’s been passed down. Mary and Gilbert’s daughter, Harriet C. (Ogden) Clark, told her daughter Lillian (Clark) Hewitt that her parents ‘courted’ around Cuddebackville. (Cuddebackville is located about 10 miles north of Port Jervis, Orange County, New York near Otisville and Mount Hope.)

 

I noticed two of Mary’s sons—John Stewart Ogden and Joseph Stewart Ogden shared the middle name of Stewart. According to Tracy Elliot Hazen’s book, The Hazen Family in America, Edited for Publication by Donald Lines Jacobus, a John Hazen married Lizzie Stewart. John Hazen’s parents settled in Minisink, Orange Co., NY after leaving Connecticut. Could John Hazen and Lizzie Stewart be Mary’s parents? I don’t know but I’ve wondered about it for many years.

 

The Rootsweb WorldConnect Project holds Bonnie Stout’s work “Descendants of William Buchanan and Patience Hazen”. Bonnie located earlier research proving Patience Hazen was a daughter of John Hazen and Elizabeth Stewart.

The author writes:

   "There is very little known about Patience Hazen, before she married William Buchanan. One record has Patience was born in Scotland and the other ones being born in New Jersey, Sussex County. We are led to believe it was New Jersey as it was found on death certificates of her son Robert's and her own. Patience's death certificate states she was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, daughter of John Hazen and Elizabeth Stewart, both being born in New Jersey, Sussex County. Patience Hazen was born May 25, 1804 and died Feb. 11, 1885, her death certificate states, some records from relatives state it was 1884. She died in Chemung County, New York at Elmira and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery located in the City of Elmira, bounded by Bancroft Road, West Hill Street and Davis Street and Woodlawn National Cemetery on the other side. It is a very large cemetery and is well kept.”

Sussex County, New Jersey borders Orange County, New York making Patience Hazen a lady of great interest to me. Could Patience and Mary be sisters? Fellow researchers please help if you can.

Serendipitous? Let’s hope so.

Source for Bonnie Stout’s Research

William Buchanan and Family; Author: Dolezal, Mildred Huff & Kildow, Lorraine Dolezal; Publication: Compiled and privately printed Fall, 1973; Note: Compiled and printed by Dolezal & Kildow, R.R. #3; Omaha, Nebraska; Repository: Copy owned by Janie Stout;
Media: Manuscript

After Dinner

Bernard Hall

Google Art Project/Wikimedia Commons

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.

Here's Nellie 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Fav Photo

Here’s Nellie from Julia’s post When Harry Met Nellie . . .  when she was a girl.

Nellie Mae Clark Hewitt

1890-1929

What little girl wouldn't love that hat?