Thomas Dudley Bennehan (abt. 1782 - 1847)

Born about 1782 in North Carolina [uncertain]

Ancestors

Died 1847 at about age 65 in Orange, North Carolina, United States

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Biography

Thomas was born in 1782. He was the son of Richard Bennehan and Mary Amis.^[1]

In 1796, his uncle, Thomas Amis (abt.1741-1797) of Halifax County, North Carolina, wrote a will leaving the bulk of his estate to "my niece, Rebecca Bennehan," with the provision that it if the other legatees should die before receiving their legacies, the estate should revert to "Thomas Dudley Bennehan, son of Richard and Mary Bennehan."^[2]

In 1801, Thomas D. Bennehan was included in a list of students who passed an examination at the University of North Carolina, together with a probable relative on his mother's side, Thomas G. Amis.^[3]

Death

Thomas D. Bennehan died on 24 June 1847.^[4] His will was written on 28 Apr 1845 with a codicil in 1846, and proven in Nov 1847.^[5]

Thomas D. Bennehan was buried in The Bennahan Family Cemetery in Mangum Township, Durham County, North Carolina.^[6]

Census

Thomas D. Bennehan in 1830 lived in Orange Co, NC.^[7]

• 1 male age 20-30
• 1 male age 30-40
• 1 male age 40-50
• 1 Male age 50-60

slaves

• 25 males under age 10
• 25 males ages 10-24
• 18 males ages 24-36
• 9 males ages 36-55
• 6 males ages 55-100
• 30 females under age 10
• 13 females ages 10-24
• 12 females ages 24-36
• 8 females ages 36-55
• 4 females ages 55-100

1840 Census Orange Co, NC^[8]

• 1 male age 30-40
• 1 male age 50-60
• 1 female age 50-60
• 43 male slaves under age 10
• 56 male slaves ages 10-24
• 16 male slaves ages 24-36
• 20 male slaves ages 36-55
• 8 male slaves ages 55-100
• 63 female slaves under age 10
• 58 female slaves ages 10-24
• 21 female slaves ages 24-36
• 21 female slaves ages 36-55
• 6 female slaves ages 55-100
• 90 slaves in agriculture
• 8 slaves in manufacturing

Plantations

• Stagville Plantation
• Hunt Plantation
• Jones Plantation
• Snow Hill
• Leathers
• Little River Plantation
• Mill at Eno River
• Peak Plantation
• Fish Dam

Slaves

In 1818 these 2 slaves belonging to Thomas D. Bennehan were valuated^[9]

• Mark: $500
• Charles: $100

These enslaved persons were listed in the will of Thomas D. Bennehan.^[5] These first 4 were called faithful servants by Thomas, and he charged his nephew Paul C. Cameron to emancipate them to a free state, or send them to live in Africa.

• Virgil
• Farnby, Virgil's wife
• William called Frost
• Margaret called Peggy, William's sister

These went to Thomas' niece, Margaret Cameron:

• Patsey
• Dandridge, the husband of Patsey
• Polly, daughter of Patsey
• Catherine, daughter of Patsey
• Antoynet, daughter of Patsey
• Susan, girl, daughter of Mr. Cameron's man David

To (niece) Mildred C. Cameron:

• Jemima
• Mary, daughter of Jemima
• John, son of Jemima
• Anne, daughter of Jemima
• Mariah, daughter of Jemima
• Rebecca, daughter of Jemima
• Jane, daughter of Jemima
• Margaret, daughter of Jemima
• Annie, the daughter of Mr. Cameron's man David

to Duncan Cameron, the following are to be placed in as comfortable condition as is in his power

• Ben Umistead
• Mary, Ben's wife
• six sons
• and his daughter

also the slaves given to Thomas by Dr. John Umstead

• (Emeline & Harriett) they are the daughters and increase of Dicey^[10] who has been emancipated.

The other 300 slaves are to be divided between nephew, Paul C. Cameron, his niece, Margaret D. Cameron, and niece, Mildred C. Cameron.

For more information on the enslaved of Thomas D. Bennehan please see the Bennehan-Cameron Plantations page.

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20612392/thomas-dudley-bennehan : accessed 27 January 2022), memorial page for Thomas Dudley Bennehan (1782–24 Jun 1847), Find a Grave Memorial ID 20612392, citing Bennahan Family Cemetery, Mangum Township, Durham County, North Carolina, USA ; Maintained by David A. French (contributor 47127919).
2. ↑ "North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970" > Halifax Wills > 1781-1824, digital images, DGS 4755347, image 335 of 763, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-VL7Q-HV : accessed 27 Jan 2022); citing Halifax County, North Carolina Will Book 03, p. 302, will of Thomas Amis, dated 7 Oct 1796, recorded May 1798.
3. ↑ "An Abstract from the Report of the Committee appointed by the Trustees to examine the several Classes in the University of North Carolina," Weekly Raleigh Register (Raleigh, North Carolina), 14 Jul 1801, p. 3, col. 4, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93568341/thomas-g-amis-examined-at-university-of/).
4. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94780913/1847-thomas-d-bennehan-obit/ The Raleigh Register, Raleigh, North Carolina, 29 Jun 1847, Tue, Page 3
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970: "North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970"
   Catalog: Cross index to wills, 1756-1962; wills, 1752-1952 Vols. E-F 1822-1851
   Image path: North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970 > Orange > Wills, 1838-1851, Vol. F > image 461 of 525
   FamilySearch Image (accessed 16 February 2022)
6. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20612392/thomas-dudley-bennehan
7. ↑ United States Census, 1830: "United States Census, 1830"
   Image path: United States Census, 1830 > North Carolina > Orange > Not Stated > image 15 of 106; Citing NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
   FamilySearch Image (accessed 11 February 2022)
   • 1830 Census Orange Co, NC
8. ↑ United States Census, 1840: "United States Census, 1840"
   Image path: United States Census, 1840 > North Carolina > Orange > Southern Division > image 10 of 116; Citing NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
   FamilySearch Image (accessed 11 February 2022)
   • 1840 Census, Orange Co, NC
9. ↑ Cameron Family Papers https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/00133/#folder_2201#1 image 3
10. ↑ North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970: "North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970"
    Catalog: Cross index to wills, 1756-1962; wills, 1752-1952 Vols. E-F 1822-1851
    Image path: North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970 > Orange > Wills, 1822-1838, Vol. E > image 97 of 525
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 16 February 2022)
    • 1828 will of Dr. John Umstead

Acknowledgements

This profile was originally established by Gary Kueber, November 10, 2014.