Benjamin Wentworth (abt. 1691 - abt. 1725)

Ancestors

Descendants

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Biography

Benjamin, Son of Ezekiel and Elizabeth Wentworth lived in Dover, N.H. The only guide we have to the date of his birth is in the fact that his uncle Benjamin had, in 1713 the affix of "senior" which he did not have in 1711. The implication that Benjamin had now come of age which would make him born about 1691.

In 1716, Benjamin was chosen constable, as "junior" and paid his fine of £5 in preference to serving. He was "sargeant" in 1717, and "captain" when he died. He was baptized and received into the church, 25 November 1722. He was one of the Committee of the Proprietors of the town of Rochester (next north of Dover line), in 1722. He was one of the Selectmen in 1724 and the same year was elected Representative. The Journal of the House, 10 June 1724 says: "Capt. Benjamin Wentworth, sworn and admitted"; the Sheriff having returned him as "chosen a proper person to service in the Assembly for town of Dover, in room of Capt. Timothy Gerrish, who is removed out of the Province."

He was living 18 Sept 1724, but as is 14 April 1725 he was "lately deceased"

Benjamin dealt much in land about Salmon Falls, and considerably with his brother Paul. His inventory was returned 12 January 1729 at £1953

Capt. Benjamin married, 23 September 1717, Elizabeth, daughter of John Leighton, of Kittery Me. She was born 20 May 1691; admitted to the Dover church "other than by immediate baptism," 22 January 1729, while a widow. By the will of her father, Capt. John Leighton, made 7 November 1724, she received £100.

The time of her death, which took place at the house of her youngest child, Mary, wife of Ebenezer Wallingford, is approximated by the record from the family Bible of her son Colonel John Wentworth: "My mother died last week in October 1779." This makes her eighty-eight years of age and to have survived her husband more than half a century.

Benjamin and Elizabeth (Leighton) Wentworth had children:

1. 160. John, born 30 March 1719
2. 161 Elizabeth, born 15 Feb 1721, baptized 26 Dec 1722. She married her father's cousin Mark (75), son of Benjamin.
3. 162 Abigail, born 12 Feb 1723, baptized 2 Feb 1724. She married (first wife) Ichabod Rollins
4. 163 Mary, born 29 July 1725 married Ebenezer Wallingford. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ "The Wentworth Genealogy comprising The Origin of the name, the Family in England and a particular account of Elder William Wentworth, the Emigrant and of his descendants". By John Wentworth, LL.D., of Chicago, Ill. In Two Volumes, Volume 1. 1870 Press of Alfred Mudge & Son, Boston, Mass. p. 124-129