Benjamin Griffith Reed (abt. 1799 - abt. 1880)

Born about 1 Jan 1799 in South Carolina

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Phinazee) Reed — married 14 Dec 1819 in Hall Co., GA

Descendants

Died about 8 Jun 1880 at about age 81 in Flowery Branch, Hall County, Georgia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Darrell Reed [send private message]

Biography

Benjamin Griffith Reed (about 1799-August 19, 1882) Benjamin Griffith Reed was born about 1799 in SC. His parents were Isaac Reed and Susannah Rogers. Some records identify him as Griffin Reed. He also had a nephew named Benjamin Griffith Reed.

On December 4, 1819, Benjamin Griffith Reed married Mary "Polly" Phinazee in Hall Co. Their known children were: •Martin C. Reed. Born about 1820. Married Lana C. Young on June 25, 1840 in Hall Co., GA. •John H. Reed. Born about 1823. Married Martha Drake on June 9, 1844 in Hall Co., GA. •Mahala Reed. Born about 1827. Married Alexander Prater on January 19, 1843 in Hall Co., GA. Died before father's will in August 1876. •Susannah Reed. Born 1828. Married Alexander M. Stringer on February 6, 1845. Died May 1, 1870. •Josephine Reed. Born 1836. Married Josiah Prater. Died August 29, 1899. Buried in Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville, GA. •Jereline Reed. Born about 1837. Married first James A. Stringer on May 27, 1858 in Hall Co. Married second John A. Williams on January 2, 1868. Died after 1910. •Raymond Sanford Reed. Born December 19, 1838. Married Mary Wingo on March 26, 1859. Died January 1, 1915. Buried in Oakwood Cemetery, in Oakwood, Hall, GA.

In the 1830 federal census for Hall Co., Griffith Reed's family was enumerated as: •between 5 and 10 male: 2 •between 30 and 40 male: 1 •under 5 female: 2 •between 5 and 10 female: 1 •between 30 and 40 female: 1

In the 1840 federal census for Hall Co., G. B. Read's family was enumerated as: •under 5 male: 1 •between 10 and 15 male: 1 •between 15 and 20 male: 2 •between 40 and 50 male: 1 •under 5 female: 2 •between 5 and 10 female: 1 •between 10 and 15 female: 2 •between 30 and 40 female: 1

There was one male slave under the age of 10.

In the 1850 federal census for District 38, Hall Co., the family of Griffin Reed was enumerated as: •Griffin Reed, 51, farmer. Real estate valued at $400. •M. Reed, 52. •J. Reed, 15, F. •J. Reed, 13, F. •R. Reed, 11, M.

In the 1860 federal census for District 565, Hall Co., the family of B. G. Reed was enumerated as: •B. G. Reed, 61. Real estate valued at $1,500 and personal property valued at $4,000. •Mary Reed, 61, midwife. •R. L. Reed, 20 •Mary J. Reed, 20

In the 1870 federal census for Wilsons District, Hall Co., the family of Benj. G. Reed was enumerated as: •Benj. G. Reed, 71, farmer. Real estate valued at $700 and personal property valued at $750. •Mary Reed, 71.

His 8-year-old grandson Welcome Stringer was living with them.

In the 1880 federal census for Hall Co., Morgan, District 134, Benjamin G. Reed, age 81, was enumerated with the family of his son, Martin Reed.

The following item appears in a Gainesville paper, The Eagle, on August 31, 1882:

Mr. B. G. Reed, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Hall county, died at his residence on the 19th inst in his eighty-fourth year. He leaves a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his death, to whom the Eagle offers sincere condolences.

The following will appears in Robert H. and Barbara E. McDonald's transcription in Wills and Deeds of Hall County Georgia. Court of Ordinary. Will Book A 1837 - 1867 & 1868 - 1890. Will Book A-1 1890 - 1907. (Fernandina Beach, FL: Wolfe Publishing, 2002), pp. 243-244:

Georgia Hall County

In the name of God Amen.

I Benjamin G. Reed of said State and County, being of advanced age but of disposing and Sound mind, knowing that I must shortly depart this life deem it right and proper both as respects my family and myself that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me do therefore make this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others heretofore made by me.

1st item - I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition in life. My Soul I trust shall return to God who gave it - as I hope for eternal salvation through the merits and atonement of the blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

2nd - I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my Executor herein after appointed.

3rd - I give bequeath and devise to my beloved Grand - Son Welcum Stringer who is now living with me One hundred and fifty dollars in gold coin, also One mare named Nellie two years old, also One good feather bed and bed clothing, one cow and calf.

4th - The residue of my property both real and personal wherever and whatever it may be shall be equally divided between my beloved wife Mary F. Reed and my children To wit Martin C. Reed, John H. Reed, Raymond S. Reed, The children of Mahala Reed alias Prater (who is now dead) The children of Susannah Reed alias Stringer (who is now dead) Josephine Reed alias Prater Jeneline Reed alias Stringer and her children now Williams, her children are only to enjoy with their mother part of her part. I hereby constitute and appoint my son Benjamin [sic] S. Reed and my Son Martin C. Reed Executors of this my last will and Testament This August 4th 1876

Benjamin (his x mark) G. Reed Seal

Signed Sealed and published by Benjamin G. Reed as his last Will and testament in the presence of us, the subscribers who subscribed our name hereto in presence of Said Benjamin G. Reed at his special request and in presents of each other This August 9th. 1876.

James W. Allen Seal David Lyle Seal Bayless Mayfield Seal Samuel Stephens Seal

Sources