USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Norwalk > The ancient historical records of Norwalk, Connecticut; with a plan of the ancient settlement, and of the town in 1847 > Part 20
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'NORWALK.
called Arthur-Cull Bay, in New Jersey. On the 30th of the same month he granted the petition and promised encourage- ment. That place is now Elizabethtown. The principal pe- titioners were in Jamaica in 1665. It is therefore to be pre- sumed that they sent out a colony.
Governor Nichols issued " To the magistrates of the several tounes upon Longisland," an order of election, dated James ffort, in New York, 8th February, 1664, reciting that the in- habitants had for a long time groaned under many grievous inconveniences and discouragements occasioned partly from their opposition to a foreign power, in which distracted con- dition few or no laws could be put in due execution, bounds and titles to lands disputed, civil liberties interrupted, and from this general confusion private dissentions and animosi- ties had too much prevailed against neighborly love and Christian charity, and in discharge of his duty " to settle good and known laws," requiring two deputies to " a general meet- ing," to be chosen from each town " by the major part of the freemen," and recommending " the choice of the most sober, able and discreet persons, without partiality or faction," to meet " on the last day of February at Hempstead." The del- egates from Jamaica were DANIEL DENTON and THOMAS BENE- DICT. This is believed to be the first English legislative body ever convened in New York.
In 1665, he was commissioned by Gov. Nichols as a Lieu- tenant " of the Foot Company of Jamaica." His commission was dated at " Fort James in New York, the 7th day of April, 1665." Whether he accepted the commission is not known. It is certain, however, that he did not hold it long, as during the same year he removed from the State to Norwalk, in the Colony of Connecticut, with all his family. There they lived together, and thence they scattered abroad in little colo- nizing parties to let in the light on other parts of the neighbor- ing wilderness, or to swell the numbers of the pioneer bands who had already planted settlements in the vicinity.
In 1666, February 19th, he was chosen town clerk and se- lectman of Norwalk
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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
In 1669 he was again chosen town clerk, and the list of freemen of Norwalk contains his name as one of 42 of which the list was composed Oct. 13, 1669. In 1672 he was again chosen town clerk, and held the office for many years after- wards. The records, in his own hand writing, are still pre- served and are legible, properly attested by his own signature, a fac simile of which, as here given, it may also be interest- ing to preserve.
Thomas Beampick Senior.
This primitive pilgrim pair are thus described in the manus script of Dea. James Benedict already referred to :
" They walked in the midst of their house with a per- fect heart. They were strict observers of the Lord's day from even to even. It may be said of them as it was of Zachariah and Elizabeth, that they walked in all the com- mandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, and obtained a good report through faith. Their excellent example had a good effect through the blessing of God upon their children. He was made a deacon of the church in Norwalk, and used that office to good satisfaction of that church to his death, which was in the year of our Lord 1690, in the seventy-third year of his age, and was succeeded in his office as deacon by two of his sons, viz. John and Samuel, who used that office until old age and its attendants rendered them unable to serve ; and there are at this time seven of the family and name which use the office of a deacon, and I trust some of them, at least, to good acceptance both to God and man." His wife sur- vived him and lived to the age of one hundred years.
FIFTH GENERATION.
(The children of Thomas Benedict and Mary Bridgum.) **
THOMAS BENEDICT, 2d, was born at Southold, Long Island. From Southold he went with his father to Huntington and thence to Jamaica, where he married MARY MESSENGER of that place. In 1665 he removed with his father to Norwalk, in the Colony of Connecticut. In the Wylys's manuscripts his name is, with that of his father, among the names of the. 42 freemen of Norwalk, taken Oct. 13, 1669.
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NORWALK.
He had six children-Mary, born 1666 ; Thomas, born 1670; Hannah, born Jan. 8, 1676; Esther, born Oct. 5, 1679 ; Abigail, born 1682; Elizabeth, born
JOHN BENEDICT was born at Southold, Long Island. He continued to reside with his parents till they removed to Nor- walk. He there married Phebe Gregory, daughter of John Gregory of Norwalk, Nov. 11, 1670. They had nine children. Sarah, Phebe, born 1673, John, March 3d, 1676, Jonathan, Benjamin, Joseph, James, born January 5, 1685; Mary or Mercy, and Thomas.
He succeeded his father as deacon of the church in Norwalk, and used that office until old age rendered him unable to serve.
SAMUEL BENEDICT Was born at Southold, Long Island. He continued to reside with his father till after his removal to Norwalk. He married Rebecca Andrews of Fairfield, 7th July, 1678. They had seven children. Joanna, born 22d Oct., 1673, Samuel, 5th March, 1675, Thomas, 27th March, 1679, Rebecca, Esther, Nathaniel, and Abraham born 21st June, 1681.
In the fall of 1684 and spring of 1685, he, with seven other families, including his brother James and his brother-in-law, James Beebe, (Dr. Wood, another brother-in-law, soon fol- lowed), purchased land of the Indians and made the first settle- ment at Paquiogue, which they called Danbury. They soon built a little church only forty feet by thirty. When its frame was raised every person in the town was present and sat togeth- er on the sills. He conveyed his property in Norwalk February 3, 1685, to Samuel Betts. He is described as of Paquiack, formerly of Norwalk. On Sunday morning, April 27th, 1777, the British under Governor Tryon, burned Danbury-excep- ting the houses and the property of the Tories. Nineteen dwelling-houses, besides other buildings, were consumed with all their contents. Among the nineteen principal sufferers were Thaddeus Benedict, Matthew Benedict, Matthew Bene- dict, junr., Jonah Benedict, and Zadock Benedict.
JAMES BENEDICT was born at Southold, Long Island. He continued to reside with his parents until after their removal
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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
to Norwalk. He there married SARAH GREGORY, May 10, 1676. They had seven children. Sarah, born 16th June, 1677 ; Rebecca, Phebe, James, John, Thomas, and Eliza- beth. He was one of the eight who purchased and settled Danbury. He sold his property in Norwalk, 26th March, 1691, to Samuel Smith.
DANIEL BENEDICT was born at Southold, Long Island. He also removed with his father to Norwalk. He married MARY MARVIN of Norwalk. They had four children. Mary, Dan- iel, Mercy, and Hannah. He removed to Danbury. He con- veyed his land in Norwalk 25th March, 1690.
BETTY BENEDICT was born at Southold. She married JOHN SLAUSON of Stamford. Their children were Mary and Thomas.
MARY BENEDICT Was born at Southold. She married JOHN OLMSTEAD, " Lieut. Olmstede" of Norwalk, 11th Nov. 1670. Their children were John, Mary, Jane, Sarah, Rebecca, Eli- zabeth, Daniel, Richard, Eunice, and Deborah.
SARAH BENEDICT was born at Southold. She married JAMES BEEBE of Stratford, Dec. 19, 1679. Their children were Sarah, born 13th November, 1680, and James, born --- James Beebe was one of the eight who purchased and settled Danbury. He conveyed his property in Norwalk January 2d, 1685, in which he is described as of Paquiack, formerly of Norwalk.
REBECCA BENEDICT was born at Southold. She married Doctor SAMUEL WOOD. He was an able physician, born and educated in England. He was one of the first settlers of Danbury after the first eight families. Dr. John Wood and David Wood are also among the 19 principal sufferers by the British attack in 1777.
SIXTH GENERATION.
( The children of John Benedict and Phebe Gregory.)
SARAH BENEDICT.
PHEBE BENEDICT was born at Norwalk, 1673.
JOHN BENEDICT was born at Norwalk, March 2d, 1676.
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His children were John, born 1701; Matthew, born -; Caleb, born 1709 ; Nathaniel, born 1717 ; Anna, and Phebe.
He was for many years deacon of the church in Norwalk. He died there January 16, 1766. He and his wife were bu- ried side by side in the grave-yard near Pine Island, Norwalk.
His grave-stone bears this inscription :
. TO THE MEMORY OF
Deacon JOHN BENEDICT,
who departed this life JAN'Y. YE 16, 1766, in ye 90 year of his age. And that of his wife this :
HERE LIES THE BODY 1 of Mrs. MARY BENEDICT, wife of Mr. JOHN BENEDICT, who died June ye 5, 1749, AGED 72 YEARS.
JONATHAN BENEDICT.
BENJAMIN BENEDICT was born at Norwalk. He married Mary ---. He removed to Ridgefield, and in 1720 was selectman of Ridgefield, and was the third deacon of the church there. He died July 3d, 1773, at Stamford, Conn. His children were Elizabeth, born 1705; Benjamin, born 1707; Timothy, born 1709; Mary, born 1711; John, born 1714; Daniel, born 1716 ; Samuel, born 1719 ; Rachel, born 1721 ; Amos, born 1722; Thankful, born 1727.
JOSEPH BENEDICT was born at Norwalk. He married Anne , by whom his children were Joseph, Gideon, Anna, and Pitman.
He removed to Ridgefield, where his wife died, Dce. 9, 1716, In March 21, 1721, he married his second wife Mary by whom his children were Jonathan, born 1722; Mary, born 1726 ; Ezra, born 1730; and John.
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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
JAMES BENEDICT was born at Norwalk, January 15th, 1685. He married Sarah Hyatt, daughter of Thomas Hyatt of Nor- walk, in 1709. He settled in Ridgefield. He was one of the original settlers who purchased of the Indians and settled the township of Ridgefield. In 1715 he was chosen one of the fence-viewers of that town. In 1719 he is called Ensign, af- terwards Captain, and in 1737, Esquire. He was a justice of the peace and for many years he represented that town in the Connecticut Legislature. He died November 25, 1762. His wife survived him four years. Their children* were Sarah, born 1709 ; Ruth, born 1711; PETER, born 1714 ; Hannah, born 1716; Phebe, born 1718; James, born 1720; Martha, born 1722; John and Thomas, twins, born 1726.
He was the first to write the genealogy of the Benedict fam- ily. In his youth he lived with his grandmother, MARY BRIDGUM, wife of the first THOMAS BENEDICT, and she de- livered to him, from her own mouth, the genealogy down to his own memory, and he reduced it to writing. His " Gene- alogy of the family of the Benedict's," dated March 14, 1755, has been the foundation of all the subsequent ones. His grandson, ABNER BENEDICT, a member of the Junior Class in Yale College, made an exact copy of it June 23d, 1768. He was the second deacon of the church in Ridgefield, till old age and its attendants rendered him unable to serve. He sus- ained the character of a pious and exemplary Christian.
The following inscription is on his grave-stone in Ridge- field :
HERE LIES INTERRED the body of JAMES BENEDICT, Esq., Deacon of the first Church of Christ in this town ;
TOGETHER WITH SARAH, HIS WIFE, who, after having served their generation according to the will of God, fell asleep and were gathered to their fathers, the first on Nov. 25, 1762,
in the 77th year of his age ; the other February ye 9th, 1767, in the 81st year of her age.
* See Appendix C.
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NORWALK.
MARY OF MERCY BENEDICT.
THOMAS BENEDICT was born in Norwalk. His children were Ebenezer ? Thomas, John, David, Betty, Seth, and Moses ? He was known as " Capt. Thomas Benedict," see page 212 .. He was remarkable for the loudness of his voice-could be distinctly heard and understood at the distance of more than a mile. He was a great singer, and the leader of the choir of singers at Norwalk.
SEVENTH GENERATION.
The Children of John and Mary Benedict, (p. 310.)
JOHN BENEDICT -born 1701-married DINAH BOUTON-Was Deacon of the Church in New Canaan ; and died February 7, 1770, aged 69 years.
MATTHEW BENEDICT.
CALEB BENEDICT-born 1709-married MEHITABLE HOYT. He was known as " Ensign Benedict." He lived on Brushy Ridge, and died May 19, 1761. His children were ---
(1) Ruth-married David St. John.
(2) Caleb-married Deborah St. John.
(3) James-born Dec. 25, 1743-married Thankful Lockwood.
(4) Ezra-married Molly Benedict.
(5, 6) Aner and Anah, twins, born 1751. Aner mar- ried Joseph Stevens, and removed to Dan- bury. Anah married Eliasaph Kellogg.
(7) Benjamin-married Elizabeth Gilbert.
(8) Mehitable-married Jonathan Stevens.
NATHANIEL BENEDICT-born 1786-married Mary Lock- wood, daughter of Deacon Lockwood. She died January 12, 1763, aged 42 years. He afterwards married Hannah Hawley, daughter of Rev. Thomas Hawley, who died January 31, 1795, aged 67. He died April 2, 1806, in his 90th year. In a ma- nuscript of that date, we have the following notice :
" He died in Norwalk on the morning of the 2d of April, 1806, after a shock of the palsy, with which he lingered about twelve days, in the 90th year of his age. On the 3d his re- mains were followed to the grave by a large concourse of friends and relatives, among whom were his twelve surviving
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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
children, and many of his more remote posterity. He has left ninety-one grand-children, and eighty-eight great-grand- children, the whole number of his descendants, now living, being 191.
" For about thirty-two years he sustained the office of Dea- con of the First Congregational Church in that town. Dea. Benedict was one of those venerable personages by whom what remains of the pious habits of our forefathers, have been transmitted to the present generation. His long life has been eminently exemplary, and years to come will feel its happy influence. Every morning and evening witnessed his devotion. His Sabbaths were faithfully appropriated to pub- lic worship, and religious family instructions. An amiable, cheerful disposition, a sound mind, improved by a good de- gree of reading and much reflection, and adorned with a bright constellation of Christian graces, comprised his character. At his funeral an appropriate Sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. ¿ Burnett,; from Prov. xiv. 32d. 'The wicked is driven away in his wickedness ; but the righteous hath hope in his death.' "
HANNAH BENEDICT-married Matthew Gregory, and removed to Danbury.
PHEBE BENEDICT-married Ezra Hoyt. "!
EIGHTH GENERATION.
Children of Nathaniel Benedict and Mary Lockwood (p. 313.)
ANER-born 1740-married Seth Seymour. *
MOLLY-born 1741-married Deliverance Bennett, removed to Saugatuck.
NATHANIEL-born March 26, 1744-married Anah Ray- mond, June 6, 1758-died February 24, 1833 -aged 88.
JOSEPH-born 1746-married Hannah, removed to Danbury -died December, 1835-aged 89.
ISAAC-born 1751-married Jane Raymond, daughter of Samuel Raymond, October 13, 1773, and re- moved to New Canaan, where, for many years, he was Deacon of that Church. For the record of his children, see page 290.
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NORWALK:
WILLIAM-born 1753-married Nancy Fitch, February 20. 1782-died September 2, 1821-aged 68. For the record of his children, see page 248.
SALLY-born 1756-married Nathan Hoyt,'removed to New Milford.
BETTY-born 1761-married Enoch Scribner, March 22, 1781-died 1835. For the record of her children, see page 298.
Children of Nathaniel Benedict, by his 2d wife, Hannah Hawley.
NATHAN -- born 1766-married Susannah Samiss-died Feb. 3, 1832, aged 69. Susannah, his wife, died April 13, 1836, aged 71. For record of his children see p. 301.
HANNAH-born 1767-married Dea. Stephen Wood, April 3, 1782. For record of her children, see p. 289.
LYDIA-born 1768-married Captain Lemuel Brooks.
JOHN-born 1770-married Jane Raymond. For the record of their children, see page 253.
NINTH GENERATION.
Children of Nathaniel Benedict 2d, and Anah Raymond-p. 314. MARY-born March 23, 1770-married John Eversley. For her children see p. 283.
ANDREW-born June 21, 1772-married Sally Brown-re- moved to Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he now resides.
NATHANIEL-born July 17, 1774-married Esther Bouton, daughter of William Bouton, January 18, 1797-died May 20, 1834, in his 60th year. Esther, his wife, died May 22, 1843, aged 64. SIMEON-born September 12, 1776-resides at Brockport. . RAYMOND-born April 2, 1779-married Mary Seymour. His children are Stephen, Ann, Mary, and Gould. His wife died Nov. 2, 1819, aged 30. He afterwards married Nancy Smith,
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GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
AsA-born July 7, 1781-married Hannah Reed. His chil- dren were Frederick, George, Alfred, Harriet, William Henry, and Charles. Hannah, his wife, died Nov. 11, 1830, aged 46 years ; and he afterwards married Ruth Hanford. He now resides in Brockport, N. Y
URIAH-born September 7, 1782-married Sally North-re- moved to Cayuga Co, N. Y., where he now resides.
ANAH-born' July 4, 1789-married Levi Scribner, and removed to Wilton, Conn.
HANNAH-married Nathaniel Furnald, of New York-died- ALFRED-born May 7, 1791-died -.
ANAH, the wife of said Nathaniel Benedict 2d, died Febru- ary 26, 1792, aged 42; and on the 2d April, 1794, he married Hannah Selleck, who died Sept. 1800, aged 45. He died on the 24th February, 1833, aged 88.
TENTH GENERATION.
SETH WILLISTON BENEDICT, only child of Nathaniel Bene- dict, 3d, and Esther Bouton, was born at Norwalk, November 16, 1803, and according to the Family Record was " baptized by Rev. Dr. Matthias Burnett, January 5, 1804." He was named after the pioneer missionary of Western New York, the Rev. SETH WILLISTON, now of Durham, N. Y. At the com- mencement of the tide of emigration to what was then called " the west," his father and Andrew, an older brother, settled near the banks of the Chenango River, where they resided for some time, but not liking the location, they relinquished their settlements, Andrew going farther west, and his father return- ing to his native town. It was there the family enjoyed the labors of that indefatigable missionary, whom his mother re- garded as her spiritual father, and whose name she gave to her first and only child.
.
At the age of fifteen, he entered the office of the Norwalk Gazette, then just established in his native town, to learn the art and mystery of printing. Four years after he pur- chased the paper and continued to publish it until January 1,1833, when becoming interested in the New York Evan- gelist, he removed to New York, and published that paper till September, 1837. Since that time he has devoted him- self mainly to his profession as a printer,
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NORWALK.
APPENDIX C.
The descendants of Dea. JAMES BENEDICT, of Ridgefield, form a distinct branch, which it does not come within the de- sign of this work to give at length. He was the father of PETER BENEDICT, of North Salem, who was Deacon of the Church there for many years ; also of JOHN BENEDICT, of Ridgefield, the fifth Deacon of that Church.
His son PETER was the father of Rev. ABNER BENEDICT, who graduated at Yale College in 1769, and was settled in the ministry at Middletown (Middlefield Parish), for fourteen years, during which time, by his address and efforts he pro- cured the emancipation of all the slaves held by his people. He died at Roxbury, November 19, 1818. He was also father of Rev. JOEL BENEDICT, D. D., who graduated at Princeton, 1765, and was settled in the ministry at Lisbon, Conn., eleven years, and afterwards at Plainfield, Conn., where he died Fe- bruary 13, 1816 : also father of Lieut. PETER BENEDICT, an officer under Gen. Washington in the Revolutionary war.
Rev. ABNER BENEDICT (grandson of James), was the father of Rev. JOEL T. BENEDICT, who was born September 6, 1772, and admitted to the bar in Fairfield Co., in 1794. After six years practice he changed his profession, and was settled in the ministry in Bethlehem, N. Y., and afterwards in Franklin, from whence he removed to Philadelphia, to take charge of the operations of the Pennsylvania Branch of the American Tract Society, where he died in October, '1833. [He was also the grandfather of Rev. JOEL TYLER HEADLEY, author of several of our recent popular works.
Rev. JOEL TYLER BENEDICT Was the father of Prof. GEORGE WYLLIS BENEDICT, of the University of Vermont, and of ERASTUS C. BENEDICT, Esq., and of ABNER BENEDICT, Esq., both members of the present bar of the City of New York, and of Adin W. Benedict, Esq., of Huntingdon, Pa.
535 66 6056
NORWALK HOTEL
Lith of Jones & Nowmult, N.York.
Drawn from Nature by B & Palınır
NORWALK HOTEL. 9. Stephenson.
Carriage House.
Out Kitchen.
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PROSPECT HILL. Residence of LM. Stevens Esge Norwalk, Conn.
Lith, of Jones & Newman NY.
Frigi
Lath. of Jones & Newman NY.
Drawn from Nature by B. C Palmer.
CHILDREN'S RETREAT ._. NORWALK, CONNT
Cermis: 30 $ per Quarter, including Board & Cution _ Payable in advance. 8. Susan Betts.
His Excellency Clark Bissell, L.L. D. Norwulk Reva Edwin Hall, D.D. W. C. Mead, D. D. A. E. Beard Esq. .
References : Mf: G. W. Betts, 434 Pearl SE New-York. S.W. Benedict, 16 Spruce St
Henry Whittlesey .
Reve Darius Mead, 141. Aussau St
MT N. R. Long, 10. Platt St =
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ENGLISH & CLASSICAL SCHOOL. NORWALK, OUNN. . STORKS HALL, A. M. 'Principal.
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Drar from Nature by B C Falmer
ENGLISH & CLASSICAL SCHOOL. NORWALK, OONN. STORES HALL, A. NA. Principal.
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