Benjamin Woodworth (abt. 1648 - 1728)

Born about 6 Aug 1648 in Scituate, Plymouth Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Hannah (Unknown) Woodworth — married about 1688 in Scituate, Plymouth, Plymouth Colony

Descendants

Died 22 Apr 1728 at about age 79 in Lebanon, New London County, Connecticut Colony

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Biography

There is some confusion about Benjamin. According to some, he was a soldier in King Philip’s war and lost his life. In fact, he had moved to Little Compton, RI, and later to Lebanon, CT. Perhaps there was another Benjamin who died in the war.

In 1703 Benjamin bought for 250 pounds from Philip Smith a large tract of land in Lebanon, Ct. where many of the Scituate people settled. He moved soon after to Lebanon with his family; was admitted inhabitant Dec. 22, 1704. In deeds of lands at Lebanon he is described as Benjamin Woodworth of Little Compton, RI.

From Behan's The Woodworth Family of America, page 21

On the 23rd day of June 1692, Benjamin sold his land at Scituate, his second wife Hannah signing the deed with him, and he removed to Little Compton, Bristol Co., Mass. Bay, where his brother Isaac had preceded him.

In 1703, Benjamin removed again to Lebanon and bought a large tract of land from Phillip Smith on 25 February 1703, and was admitted as inhabitant of the town on 22 December 1704. His farm was situated in the northeast part of the town, and on account of its remoteness from the church, he with others, petitioned in 1714 for a new church. In 1716 this new church was formed called Lebanon North Parish; later the town of Columbia.

In Lebanon land records (2:469) we find: “Moses Woodworth of Norwich sold to Benjamin Woodworth of Lebanon five acres in Little Compton, Bristol Co., Colony of Mass. Bay, land being one-third of a 15 acre tract which was originally Walter Woodworth’s.”

Benjamin deeded land to his eldest son Benjamin in December 1712; to sons Ichabod and Ebenezer 13 February 1717/8; to son Amos 6 May 1720; to son Ezekiel who was “to care for his honored father and mother” 6 May 1723; to youngest son Caleb 21 January 1726/7.

On 4 November 1714, Benjamin is said to have received land for service rendered in King Phillip's War. It is believed this account may have become confused with a Benjamin Woodward who was killed in that war.

Benjamin’s will was 21 Jan 1726 and proved 3 Jul 1728.

Benjamin Woodworth was born about 1649 in Scituate. He married first Deborah (Perhaps Benjamin) she died between 1683 and 1688). He married second Hannah (perhaps Damon).^[1] His second wife was Hannah, but her maiden name is not known, and she was not Hannah Damon who was married to John May at the time Benjamin and Hannah Unknown were having children. See notes on the profile of Hannah Unknown.

In the 1898 Woodworth book, Benjamin is said to be a son of Walter Woodworth (b. 1645), who is in turn listed as a son of Walter (d. 1685), the immigrant ancestor. In the preface to the 1898 book, the author confesses suspicions that Benjamin is not a son of Walter Jr. Modern compilations agree, and in fact Walter Jr. probably did not exist.

In some sources Benjamin Woodworth is said to have been killed in King Phillip's War (1675-76) in Lebanon, Connecticut. In fact, however, Benjamin was alive when his father wrote his will. In 1714, Benjamin is recorded as receiving land for services in that war. The Woodworth newsletter believes the soldier who was killed was another man, perhaps named Benjamin Woodward.

Benjamin and Hannah sold their land in Scituate June 23, 1692, and moved to Little Compton, Rhode Island, where his brother Isaac lived. On February 25, 1703, they bought land in Lebanon, Connecticut, and Benjamin was admitted as an inhabitant there December 22, 1704.

Benjamin deeded land to his sons as follows:

to Benjamin December 1712,

to Ichabod and Ebenezer, February 13, 1717-8,

to Amos, May 6, 1720,

to Ezekiel (who was to care for his parents), May 6, 1723,

to Caleb, January 21, 1726-7.

Benjamin's will was dated January 21, 1726-7 at Lebanon and proved July 3, 1729 (the 1901 book says June 20, 1728). Hoppe's book says he died April 22, 1728.

The Little Compton Familes book says he was born about 1638, married to Deborah in 1659, and was killed in King Philip's War. The 1901 book by E. B. Woodworth says he was born in 1638 and died April 22, 1728.

The Hoppe book indicates that Benjamin and Hannah are ancestors of the Bush presidential family.

Benjamin Woodworth I.

Born 6 August 1648. Scituate, Plymouth County, Massachusetts ^[2][3][4]

Died 22 April 1728. Lebanon, New London County, Connecticut ^[5][6][7]

Sources

1. ↑ Woodworth Ancestors
2. ↑ Find A Grave
3. ↑ Chute
4. ↑ Sons American Revolution
5. ↑ Find A Grave
6. ↑ Chute
7. ↑ Sons American Revolution

• McArthur, Selim Walker. McArthur-Barnes Ancestral Lines (The Anthoensen Press, Portland, Maine, 1964) Page 33
• Woodworth Ancestors
• The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records - White, Lorraine Cook, ed. (Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, 1994-2002) Vol. 1-55.
• Woodworth Newsletter
• The Woodworth family of America : descendants of Walter Woodworth of 1630 through six generations (1988). Author: Behan, Jeanette Woodworth Volume: v.1, pages 10 and 21-28.
• PaneJoyce Genealogy
• Find A Grave: Memorial #37816500
• Chute, William. A Genealogy and History of the Chute Family in America (Salem, Mass, 1894)
• U.S. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 (National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Louisville, Kentucky) Microfilm, 508 rolls.