Jacob (Benschoten) Van Benschoten (1756 - abt. 1823)

Born 28 Nov 1756 in Kingston, Ulster, New York Colony [uncertain]

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 18 Aug 1823 at about age 66 in New Kingston, Delaware, New York, United States [uncertain]

Biography

Private Jacob (Benschoten) Van Benschoten served with 3rd Regiment, Ulster County Militia, New York Militia during the American Revolution.

Jacob (Benschoten) Van Benschoten is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A117190.

"JACOB V.B., born just in time for the Revolution, signs the 'Roll of Honor,' Apr. 29, 1775, and takes an active part in the war. He was a member of the Ulster County Militia, Third Reg., and took part in the battles of Long Island and White Plains, his graphic tale of seeing Gen. Putnam's charger 'white with foam' in the former battle still being a family recollection. We find that one of his enlistments was on May 14, 1777, when he is sworn in 'per me, Cornelius DuBois, Lieut.' The records show that in 1781 he was one of the Levies under Col. Pawling and Major Van Bunschoten on the western frontier. A year later we find him in a 'class' in the Third Ulster County Militia furnishing 'an Able Bodied man' for the frontier service. Evidently he was in the Third Ulster Co. Reg. throughout the war and so certainly saw much service in the Highlands and on the frontier."

6 June 1778 Colonel John Frayer's / Fisher's Regiment, Captain Bernardus Swartwout Company ^[1]

"A History of Delaware Co. says regarding him that 'When eighteen he enlisted in the Revolutionary army and served until the surrender of Cornwallis. Some time after this he removed to a farm in the vicinity of Margaretville where he lived for a time. He next turned his attention to the broad wooded valley of New Kingston,--so-called because on the five thousand acre tract of land given by Robt. R. Livingston for the relief of the sufferers from the burning of Kingston by the British in 1777,--and was the first man to grapple with the monster maples and pines that grew there. As he first penetrated the dense wilderness to the westward from the settlement on the East Branch he took the precaution to blaze the trees that he might know his way back; and years afterwards this lonely path was known as "Uncle Jacob's Road." He suffered all the hardships of a new country. For several years the nearest flouring mill was at Kingston or Woodstock forty to fifty miles distant; there being no roads grists had to be carried on horses and sometimes the backs of men. Wolves, bears and panthers were a great annoyance as they preyed upon domestic animals, especially sheep, and often endangered human life as well.' Stories are told in the family of how Jacob's daughter Sally on several occasions was chased form the sheepfold to the house by prowling wolves. Frequently after dark the wolves would come close around the fold and house and set up their howls. Then the old Revolutionary musket would be stuck out of a window and fired into their midst. Despite all frontier hardships and problems Jacob prospered and 'at his death left a good farm to be occupied by his son.'"

Jacob married, first at Kingston on May 1, 1785, Catherine, daughter of Peter Du Mond and Maria Van Wagenen. He married second, at Kaatsbann August 27, 1798, Jannetje DuBois of Wookstock, the sister of his brother John's wife. Jacob died August 18, 1823 at New Kingston and Jannetje on June 27, 1838.

Sources

1. ↑ Regiment: Fisher´s Regiment of Militia, 1775-1781 (Folder 100) - Hopkins´ Reg of Militia, 1779 (Folder 116)

• Concerning the Van Bunschoten or Van Benschoten Family in America: A Genealogy and Brief History, Second Edition by William Henry Van Benschoten (West Park on Hudson, New York, 1907) pp. 777, 778.

• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 24 Oct 2021), "Record of Jacob Van Benschoten", Ancestor # A117190.

Acknowledgements

• This person was created on 14 September 2010 through the import of 124-DeCoursey.ged.