Benjamin Handy (abt. 1817 - aft. 1892)

Born about 1817 in Tioga County, New York

Ancestors

Descendants

Biography

Benjamin Handy was born about 1817 in Danby, New York. ^[1] He was the son of Brewster and Rosina (Unknown) Handy. ^[2]

In his early 20’s, Benjamin was farming in Candor, New York. On February 6, 1838, he enlisted as a Private in the U. S. Army in the 8th Infantry Regiment (Company B, K) under Captain Wright. He was described as being 5’-6 ½” tall, having black eyes, dark hair, and a dark complexion. ^[3]

It isn't known where he first served with the 8th Infantry, but he eventually ended up in Florida where the United States was engaged in the Second Seminole War (1835-1842). The government wanted the Seminoles to leave and battles raged throughout Florida. The Seminoles where outnumbered; most of those who survived were relocated to Indian Territory in today’s Oklahoma. Some were allowed to stay, while others moved deeper into the Everglades. ^[4]

Army records indicate Benjamin deserted April 9, 1838 but was apprehended April 13, 1838. But he served out his term and was discharged December 12, 1840. That same day, at Fort Brooke, he re-enlisted with Company E. ^[5] Fort Brooke was a military post on the east of the Hillsborough River in today’s Tampa, Florida. It was established in 1824 after the US acquired Florida from Spain, and it was an important post during the Seminole Wars. ^[6]

The government declared the war over on August 14, 1842; and, Benjamin deserted on September 1, 1842. He wasn’t apprehended until February 10, 1843, and then deserted again on the 19th. His final apprehension was on December 5, 1844 in Savannah, Georgia, and a $30 reward was paid for his return. He was sent to St. Augustine, Florida, where he was Court Martialed and discharged February 8, 1845. ^[7] Family tradition says Benjamin received word that a family member was dying and he deserted for that reason.

The next twenty years of Benjamin’s life is covered by a story passed down through his son. Whether more research is done to confirm it or not, it is still a great family tale worth telling.

Benjamin had a son Charles and, as the story goes, he was born on a reservation in Florida. He said his father was of Irish descent and his mother was an Indian princess, the daughter of a Chief. He told how his mother was a good woman, was skilled at making a good fire for cooking, and wasn’t required to do much because of her status. His father, who was traveling through the reservation, fell in love with her the first time he saw her. Charles said he was still young when his mother caught a fever and died. She was buried at sea, dressed in colorful ceremonial clothing. His father was dedicated to the tribe, but concerned about what would happen to his son. He helped Charles escape at the age of 13 or 14, by taking him into Georgia. Charles was told to work his way North on his own, while his father returned to fight. ^[8]

The next sign of Benjamin Handy was on an 1865 census in Ithaca, New York. Sometime after 1861 he married Laura Mack who already had a daughter, Frances. ^[9] In 1870, Benjamin and Laura were in Richford, New York, and they had added two daughters to their family, Mary J. and Ella Handy.^[10]

Records show that on February 24, 1873, Laura Handy (born 1830 in Groton, NY) entered an institution in Owego, New York, where she was determined to be insane. At that time, she claimed Benjamin had abandoned her. ^{[11] [12]}

In 1880, Benjamin was found in the household of his brother, James Handy, of Candor, New York. ^[13] In 1886, he made news in Tompkins County.

A short time since a man named Benjamin Handy, who had been working for his brother, Michael Handy, a well-to-do farmer living in the town of Danby, called at the store of Treman, Waterman & Co., in Ithaca, and succeeded in securing a loan of five dollars, giving as security a note for $55, purporting to be signed by Michael Handy. A few days later he returned and got $10 more upon the note, and finally closed up the account by trading the balance out, taking a valuable stove. The firm became suspicious, wrote to Michael Handy regarding the note and learned that it was a forgery. An officer was at once placed on the track of the forger, but he only succeeded in finding the stove, which Handy had disposed of to a farmer living near Moravia. ^[14]

One record indicates Benjamin entered the Tioga County Poor House on December 1886, at the age of 70. A note read, “This man supports himself in Summer and is supported in Almshouse in Winter.” ^[15]

Family tradition says his son Charles and wife Alice helped him apply for a veteran’s pension, which he received April 16, 1890 for his service in Company K of the 8th Infantry. ^{[16] [17]} In 1892, he was living in the household of his daughter, Ella Handy Rich, in Lansing, New York. ^[18]

It isn’t known when Benjamin Handy died, or where he might be buried.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth location given on death certificate of son Charles; however, location given as Tioga County on 1865 New York State Census.
2. ↑ Relationship determined based on newspaper article included here, identifying him as the brother of Michael Handy of Danby, NY.
3. ↑ "United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914," database with images, FamilySearch, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD5-RSJL ; Benjamin Handy, 06 Feb 1838; citing p. 81, volume 041, Buffalo, , , United States, NARA microfilm publication M233 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 20; FHL microfilm 350,326.
4. ↑ Seminole Wars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seminole_Wars
5. ↑ United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914, database with images, FamilySearch, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD5-RXCG ; Benjamin Handy, 12 Dec 1840; citing p. , volume 043, Fort Brooke, United States, NARA microfilm publication M233 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 21; FHL microfilm 350,327.
6. ↑ Fort Brooke: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Brooke
7. ↑ U.S., Returns from Military Posts, 1806-1916; Jan 1838, St. Augustine, Florida; B. Handy.
8. ↑ Interview with Beatrice Elizabeth Hill Kastenhuber LaBar, Searsburg, New York, April 12, 1992, by Dee (Olmsted) Poole
9. ↑ New York State Census: 1865, Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York.
10. ↑ U. S. Federal Census: 1870, Richford, Tompkins County, New York.
11. ↑ New York State Census: 1875, Owego, Tioga County, New York.
12. ↑ U. S. Federal Census: 1880, Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes, Owego, Tioga County, New York.
13. ↑ U. S. Federal Census: 1880, Tioga County, New York.
14. ↑ The Cortland Democrat, May 7, 1886.
15. ↑ New York, Census of Inmates in Almshouses and Poorhouses, 1830-1920; online database, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Provo, UT.
16. ↑ Story told to Dee (Olmsted) Poole by Barbara Reynolds Townsend
17. ↑ United States Old War Pension Index, 1815-1926, database with images, FamilySearch, https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-25481-8376-45?cc=1979425 ; Duncan, Daniel C. - Herrin, Lemuel A. > image 3509 of 4437; citing NARA microfilm publication T316 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
18. ↑ New York, State Census: 1892, Lansing, Tompkins County, New York.