Adoniram Benton (1761 - 1842)

Born 21 May 1761 in Tolland, Windham County, Connecticut

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 29 Aug 1842 at age 81 in Surry, Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Biography

Birth

Adoniram Benton was born at Tolland, Connecticut, on 21 May 1761, the son of Elijah Benton and Mehitable (Chamberlain) Benton.^[1]

Military Service

During the American Revolution, Adoniram Benton served in Col. Shelden's Light Dragoons, from January 1781 until June 1783. He also served during the War of 1812.^[2]

Marriages

Marriage to Ruth (Unknown)

Adoniram Benton married Ruth (Unknown). They were the parents of 10 children, born at Keene and Surry, New Hampshire. Ruth Benton died at Keene on 10 Nov 1815.^[2]

Marriage to Elizabeth (Hayward) Griffin

Adoniram Benton married Elizabeth (Hayward) Griffin, the widow of Asa Griffin of Surry, on 5 Jun 1816, with whom he had one child.^[2]

Death

The gravestone of Adoniram Benton at the Surry Village Cemetery in Surry, New Hampshire, says that he died on 29 Aug 1842 at the age of 80.^[3]

Research Note

The change record for this profile indicates that the following text was deleted from it on 7 Mar 2012. The reason for the deletion is not known.

Adoniram was pensioned in 1818 as a Revolutionary soldier.

His first wife's name is unknown - they had at least four children, Sarah, Hiram, Franklin, and Ruth. He married (2) to Betsey Griffin, at Surry, NH, on 5 Jun 1816.

[examination of the pension files shows that Sarah & Hiram were children of the first wife; Franklin & Ruth born after 1816 and children of Betsey's. :Heritage Quest - Revolutionary Pension Files, Adoniram [Betsey] Benton, #W1360

BLW - 19808 160-55

Adoniram's pension began 23 March 1819; subscribed on the roll at New Hampshire. He served as a private in the Regt commanded by Col. Sheldon, Connecticut Continental Line.

3 Jul 1820 Surry. Statement of his possessions: One hog, one cow, one Chest, one old brass Kettle, two old axes and one chain.

4 Jul 1820 Adoniram gave his age as 57. He enlisted Jan 1777 for three years under Capt Ichabod Hinkley's company of light horse. Served until Jun 1779. Enlisted again Jan 1780 for three years in Col. Shelden's regt. 12 Jun 1783, he had furlough and was not called for again. Discharged on 15 Dec 1783. There are five in his family besides himself. Wife Betsey, age 47, is very much out of health. Children are Sarah 11, Hiram 9, Franklin 3, Ruth an infant age 5 months. Sworn at Keene, Cheshire Co, NH

7 May 1839 Testified as a resident of Surry, Cheshire Co, NH. Stated he served three years from 1 Jan 1781 when he enlisted until his discharge in December of 1783. He was in Capt. Hogliers company of cavalry in Col. Sheldon's Connecticut Regiment. He is now on the Pension Roll receiving $96 a year.

3 Feb 1853 Betsey Benton's widow's pension began on this date.

16 Mar 1853 Betsey Benton of Surry, age 80, made declaration. She is the widow of Adoniram Benton who was a Revolutionary pensioner. She was married to him on 5 Jun 1816, in Surry. Before her marriage to Benton, she was Betsey Griffin. Adoniram died in Surry, 29 Aug 1842. She is still a widow and has never before made application.

From old age and bodily infirmity, Betsey Benton was unable to appear in Court.

The marriage record is included: State of New Hampshire, Cheshire County, Adoniram Benton of Keene and Betsey Griffin of Surry were joined in Marriage June fifth in the year Eighteen hundred and sixteen. By Perley Howe, Clerk.

28 May 1855 Betsy Benton, age 83, of Keene, declared she was the widow of Adoniram Benton, etc. Again states the marriage date and Adoniram's date of death. Her husband was a pensioner and she is now on the pension rolls. She makes declaration to obtain the Bounty Land to which she is entitled. Signed: Betsey (x) Benton. Witness: Franklin B. Benton, Mary J. Benton

(Research Note by WikiTree contributor Stu Bloom, 6 Jan 2024)

Sources

1. ↑ Transcription of the birth record of Adoniram Benton, in Connecticut, Vital Records, Prior to 1850, citing Tolland VR 1:99, database, FamilySearch > General index Bee - Ber > FHL film #008272220 > image 8434 of 9625; compiled by Lucius A. and Lucius B. Barbour, housed at State Library, Hartford, Connecticut.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Frank B. Kingsbury, History of the town of Surry, Cheshire County, New Hampshire : from date of severance from Gilsum and Westmoreland, 1769-1922, with a genealogical register and map of the town (Surry, N. H., 1925), page 450 and 640
3. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #63425523 for Adoniram Benton, with photo of gravestone of Adoniram Benton

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Benton-481 created through the import of Comstock for Wiki.ged on Jul 27, 2011 by Kay Haden. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Kay and others.