Benjamin Armitage Sr. (abt. 1660 - 1735)

Born about 1660 in Shepley, Yorkshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Maria (Charlesworth) Armitage — married 25 Jun 1685 in Parish of Penistone, Yorkshire, England

Descendants

Died 28 Nov 1735 at about age 75 in Bristol Township, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Biography

Benjamin Armitage came from Yorkshire, England. In the family history of Mrs. Edmund S. Boice did not list where Benjamin was baptized, or where he later lived. In sources, there are three different versions of his place of origin and all three shall be listed.

The most complete version is found in an account of the Van Leuvenigh family, one of whom married Ann, daughter of James Armitage. There it says that Benjamin Armitage came from Westroyds, Shepley, Yorkshire, England. The records of the Abington Presbyterian Church, where he is interred, say he came from Holmefirth Parish in Yorkshire. Two other write-ups, one on the McKean family and one on the Van Dyke family, say that he came from Holmeforth, parish of Kirkburton, Yorkshire, England. His marriage record seems to indicate that he was from Penistone, Yorkshire, England.

Part of the difficulty in stating his place of origin probably lies in the fact that correctly an English person should have four listings. The first should be the name of the estate or manor; the second the Parish; the third the name of the Town; and the fourth the name of the County. None of the above sources gives all four listings, but the closest to it being is Westroyds of Shepley, Yorkshire, England.

Little is known of Benjamin in England. We do know he was named in the Will of his maternal Uncle Joshua Hatfield, on 24 Dec 1669.

The write-ups of Benjamin previously mention that he came to America in 1702, although no official record of his emigration, such as passenger lists, etc. have been found. The arrival of Benjamin Armitage in America is noted in a book, "William Penn and the Quaker Migration to PA" by William I. Hull, in which lists the name of Benjamin Armitage under arrival from Britian, but alas with no specific date given. This raises the question as to whether Benjamin Armitage perhaps was a Quaker, as was the family of Samuel Armitage of Bucks Co., PA.

Property

On Dec 1, 1702, Benjamin Armitage purchased a tract of 200 acres of land from Ellis Jones, Miller. In 1724, he erected a second house opposite Heins Street (now Haines) on Old York Road in Milestone (which is now Oak Lane) near Germantown. Later this property was used as an Inn called the "The Rising Star".

Occupation

Benjamin Armitage was a blacksmith, and carried on his trade, making a very comfortable living as can be seen by his Will. He made gun carriages for the Colonials in the Indian Wars, 1750.

Religion

Benjamin Armitage was one of the founders of the Abington Presbyterian Church and was an elder therein.

The Deed from Malachi Jones, dated Aug 15, 1719, was between Malachi Jones and the four Elders of the Abington Church; namely Benjamin Charlesworth, Garret Winecoope, Benjamin Armitage and Benjamin Jones. This property eventually became wholly vested in Benjamin Armitage by right of survivorship, upon the death of the other three men. Mindful of his advancing years, Benjamin Armitage executed a Deed, dated Oct 17 1752, unto the three Trustees of Abington Church at that time - Archibald McClean, Yeoman; Abraham Charlesworth, Yeoman; and Caleb Armitage, one of the Sons of Benjamin Armitage. A large framed copy of this Deed hangs on a wall in the Abington Presbyterian Church. It is of great importance for it tells of the history of the founding of the Church. It is also of historic interest for it was witnessed by B. Franklin, Justice of the Peace. (Benjamin Franklin)

Death

On page 121 of the book "Abstracts from Franklin's Pennsylvania" by Kenneth Scott states: 1735 - "Armitage, Benjamin, of Phila. Co., old and feeble - Friday night last missed his way in the dark and sank so deep in mud and water in a meadow that he could not get out and was found there dead (4 Dec.)"

Benjamin Armitage lived an upright life and was a leading citizen in his community. He brought the best of England to his adopted land.

Will

Will of Benjamin Armitage of Bristol Twp., Phila. Co., (Phila. Co. Will Book E., page 354, Will #425, 1735)

To son Benjamin a pair of bellows and the great vice and great anvil which I use in my shop.

To my sons James and Benjamin all the residue of my smiths tools and all my iron wright and wrought that shall be found in my shop and chamber with the same and all my coales and all my husbandry gear and implements, and also my purse and apparel to be equally divided between them two.

To Wife Mary one third of all personal estate not already disposed of.

To son James 150 pounds.

To daughter Ann, Thomas Watson's Wife 56 pounds - 4 - 6

To daughter Sarah, Joseph Duffield's Wife Pounds - 6 - 6

To daughter Hannah, John Parri's Wife 43 Pounds

To three daughters of daughter Mary, wife of Aaron Hardin 48 pounds - 16 each at 18.

To son Benjamin all the land whereon I live reserving to wife during life use of one third thereof "and also my first built house on the said land with the chambers thereof and as much of the sellar under the same as she shall desire" and if she shall choose to go and live with any of her children son Benjamin to have use of the premises he paying for (them) 10 pounds per annum.

To John Snowden & Timothy Stephenson of Philadelphia 20 pounds in trust for use as I shall direct.

To Sons James and Benjamin to have such estate as my wife may have undisposed of by Will, they paying my daughters Ann, Sarah and Hannah 15 pounds each and 5 pounds to each of Aaron Hardin's daughters.

Wife & Sons James and Benjamin executors.

Witnesses: Jedidiah Andrews Benjamin Armitage

Humphrey Morrey [made his mark]

Edward Shippen

Executed Jan 27, 1727 - Probated Jan 2, 1735 (6 ?)

Proven by Andrews & Shippen on oath

Letters granted to Benjamin - James having renounced and Mary being deceased.

Abstracts of Philadelphia Co. Wills 1726-1747, Wills Abstracts

Pennsylvania Wills, 1682-1834

ARMITAGE, BENJAMIN. Bristol, City of Philadelphia. Smith. January 27, 1727/8. January 2, 1735. E.354. Wife: Mary. Children: Benjamin, James, Ann, Sarah, Hannah. Sons-in-law: Thomas Watson, Joseph Duffield, John Parris, Aaron Hardin. Grandchildren: Three daughters of daughter Mary (December'd). Friends: John Snowden, Timothy Stevenson. Exec: Mary, James and Benjamin Armitage. Witnesses: Jedidiah Andrews, Humphrey Morrey, Edwa. Shippen.

By his Will, we learn that he was survived by two sons: James, the elder and Benjamin, Jr. James received 150 pounds and a share of the blacksmith tools. Benjamin inherited the property and some tools. He was also survived by three daughters, Ann, Sarah, and Hannah. Since daughter Mary was deceased, her three daughters were listed in his will. His will was witnessed by three of the most prominent Philadelphian's of the day - the Rev. Jedidiah Andrews, Edward Shippen, Esquire, and Humphrey Morry.

There were only two Armitages who signed the Covenant in 1714 - Benjamin Armitage and Elizabeth Armitage, but which Benjamin and Elizabeth were they?

Newspaper articles

Abstracts from Ben Franklin's PA Gazette - George Palmore, English servant, age 33, runaway from Benjamin Armitage of Bristol Twp., Philadelphia Co., PA on 22 May 1729.

Burial

Abington Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Abington, Montgomery Co., PA

The tombstone of Benjamin Armitage and his wife, Mary reads:

In memory of Benjamin and Mary Armitage who came from Holmfirth Parrish Yorkshire England in 1702 and were here interred Benjamin died 28 Nov 1735 age 75, Mary died 16 Feb 1730 aged 70

Here lies a pair whose moral course is run, Whose time is past Whose Endless lifes begun, Through boundless age, God has bid them home, And as they lived and died so is their fate, But think my friend, thy life must be they doom, Prepare for death, expect the silent tomb.

Photo's by findagrave contributor, Virginia Bergey

Sources

• Find A Grave: Memorial #71982239
• Ancestry.com
• England, Select Deaths and Burials
• US and International Marriage Records 1560-1900

Acknowledgements

This person was created through the import of PittsPenn_2010-09-21.ged on 22 September 2010 by MG Pitts