Thomas Benedict Sr.
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Thomas Benedict Sr. (bef. 1617 - abt. 1690)

Thomas Benedict Sr. aka Bennydict, Benedick
Born before in Long Stratton, Norfolk, Englandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 1639 in England or New Englandmap
Descendants descendants
Died about after about age 72 in Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut Colonymap
Profile last modified | Created 14 Sep 2010
This page has been accessed 9,522 times.
The Puritan Great Migration.
Thomas Benedict Sr. migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640).
Join: Puritan Great Migration Project
Discuss: pgm

Contents

Biography

James Benedict’s 1755 Letter, Portions Told Him by Mary Bridgum.

James Benedict, in the year 1755, wrote a letter, telling the family history. Some of the information may have actually come from Mary Bridgham who lived until about 1719. James (John, Thomas) was born in 1685.

The letter, as follows, appears in the text, The Genealogy of the Benedicts in America, by Henry Marvin Benedict, on page 2[1]:

"Be it remembered that one William Benedict, about the beginning of the 15th century,* who lived in Nottinghamshire, in England, had a son born unto him whom he called William, after his own name (an only son); and this William, the 2d of that name, had also an only son whom he called William; and this 3d William had in the year 1617 one only child whom he called Thomas; and this Thomas‘s mother dying, his father married the widow Bridgum.

Now this Thomas was put out an apprentice to a weaver, who afterwards, in the 21st year of his age, came over into New-England, together with his sister-in-law, Mary Bridgum. Afterwards said Thomas was joined in marriage with Mary Bridgum. After they had lived some time in the Bay parts, they removed to Southhold on Long Island, where were born unto them five sons and four daughters, whose names were Thomas, John, Samuel, James, Daniel, Betty, Mary, Sarah and Rebeccah. From thence they removed to a farm belonging to the town, called Hassamamac, where they lived some time. From thence they removed to Huntingtown, where they lived some years. Then they removed to Jamaica on said Island, where Thomas, their eldest son took to wife Mary Messenger, of that town. And last of all, they removed to Norwalk, in Fairfield county, Connecticut, with all their family, where they were all married. John took to wife Phebe, daughter to Mr. John Gregory, of said Norwalk. Samuel took to wife Rebecca Andrews. James took to wife Sarah Gregory, sister of the above said Phebe. Daniel took to wife Mary Marvin. Their daughters were all married. Betty to John Slawson, of Stanford; Mary to John Olmsted; Sarah to James Beebe; Rebeccah to Samuel Wood. From these have risen a numerous offspring."

You know how the game of telephone goes. How much did James get right? How much of the above can be proven?

Baptism

Thomas Benedict was baptized on November 30, 1617, at Long Stratton, Norfolk, England, son of William Benedict and Elizabeth (Stephins) Benedict. [2],[3] [4]

Thomas Benedict Baptism 1617

William had married Elizabeth Stephen or Stephenson in the same parish in 1609. The generations preceding William, supposedly two more Williams, have been adequately proved to be two Georges instead.[4]

William Benedict, father of Thomas, was buried in early February 1629, and his widow, Thomas’ mother, Elizabeth Benedict married September 8, 1629, widower John Bridgham in Woolpit, Suffolk, England. The parish register says they were from Norfolk.[4]

Apprentice

"Now this Thomas was put out an apprentice to a weaver." (page 2, Genealogy of the Benedicts) [1]

If Thomas was actually apprenticed to a weaver, there is no evidence of said occupation in New England.

Immigration

"who afterwards, in the 21st year of his age, came over into New-England, together with his sister-in-law, Mary Bridgham." (page 2, Genealogy of the Benedicts) [1]

The timing on this correct. It is speculated, without proof, that Thomas and Mary sailed on the Mary Ann with Rev. John Younges, who settled briefly in Salem, 1637, and then founded and settled Southold about 1640. There are no records of Thomas in the Essex quarterly court. Atwater's History of New Haven places Rev. John Youngs group in New Haven in 1639, but thinks that Thomas Benedict joined the group later.[5]

Marriage

"Afterwards said Thomas was joined in marriage with Mary Bridgum" (page 2, Genealogy of the Benedicts) [1]

Based on this the couple were probably married in Salem by the Rev. Youngs. LaRue Olsen (2006) says that Jean Benedict Weber reported in The Benedict Family News in 1995 (vol 11, number 3) that she had found a parish register in the Norfolk Record Office showing "Marriage of Thomas Benedict and Mary Bridgum, step children, (Long) Melford parish [Norwich], England in 1639." However, Weber did not have a copy of this record, and Olsen was unable to find any such record in the parish of Long Melford, which is in Suffolk (not Norfolk).[4]

Southold, Long Island, & Hashamamock

"After they had lived some time in the Bay parts, they removed to Southhold on Long Island, where were born unto them five sons and four daughters, whose names were Thomas, John, Samuel, James, Daniel, Betty, Mary, Sarah and Rebeccah." (page 2, Genealogy of the Benedicts) [1]

The early records of Southold do not confirm this but since we know the children were his from other records and that they lived in Southold probably from 1640, we can accept James’ letter in this matter.

From thence they removed to a farm belonging to the town, called Hassamamac, where they lived some time. (page 2, Genealogy of the Benedicts) [1]

8 Oct 1649, William Salmon sold to Thomas Benedict, Edward Tredwell and Henry Whitney, three of four parts of the land he owned called Hashamomack. There is today a Hashamomuck Pond near Southold.[6][7]

5 Sept 1650, Thomas was appointed by the commissioners of the United Colonies of New England to adjust differences between Uncas, Sachem of the Mohegans, and Mohansick, sachem of Long Island[8]

Hashamamock although near to Southold was not actually a part of Southold for 31 May 1654, notice was sent to the General Court at New Haven requesting that those living at Hashamomack be allowed to join with Southold under the jurisdiction of the New Haven Colony. “ The said dept’ also informe the court that Thom: Benidict and some others who live nere Southold doe desire to Joyne wth them, wch the court advised to, so it might be to mutuall satisfaction.[9]

Huntington, Long Island

"From thence they removed to Huntingtown, where they lived some years."(page 2, Genealogy of the Benedicts) [1]

Thomas’ activities recorded in Huntington, show his increasing activity in the civil affaires of the town.

  • 4 Jan 1657 he witnessed the will of Jeffrey Este at Huntington[10]
  • Thomas signed a petition with William Smith and William Leveridge to the Court at New Haven to place Huntington under the jurisdiction of New Haven Colony *17 May (3rd) 1658. The court were willing to receive them under the same termes as Southold.[11]
  • In 1659, he made a record of the sale of his Southold property to Thomas Rider. “Thomas Benedickt formerly of Hashamommuck neer Southhold” sold to Thomas Rider his house barns land etc. recorded 27 Feb 1659[6]
  • Thomas was chosen as magistrate of Huntington, Long Island, 4 Feb1660[10]
  • 28 May 1660, Thomas was involved in a suit against John Budd, Sr[12] for breach of the terms of an earlier agreement between the first owners of Hashamomack.
  • He was again chosen magistrate of Huntington, 2 Dec 1661[10] and was appointed commissioner of Huntington by the General Court at Hartford on 15 May 1662.[13]

Jamaica, Long Island

"Then they removed to Jamaica on said Island, ... " (page 2, Genealogy of the Benedicts) [1]
  • Thomas was appointed to lay out Jamaica's south meadow and was voted a homelot 12 Dec 1662[14]
  • He was actively involved in founding the first Presbyterian church erected in America at Jamaica, Long Island.[14]
    • Appointed with Benjamin Coe, Goodman Smith, Luke Watson and Daniel Denton, to set the rate for the new minister's house and the cost of his transportation to Jamaica, 20 Dec 1662[14]
    • 23 Feb 1663 Thomas and others were to see to supplies need by Mr Walker, the minister.[14]
    • He signed, with 23 others, an agreement with Zachery Walker, the minister, on the subject of reimbursement for improvements, 2 Mar 1663[14]
  • In 1663, Goodman Benedick was chosen Lieutenant of the town.[15][16]
  • Thomas "Bennydick" and Daniel Denton witnessed a deed of confirmation of sale of land by Indians, Waumitumpack, Rockouse and Nannowat on 7 Mar 1663.[15]
  • Thomas was appointed a magistrate of Jamaica by Peter Stuyvesant, 20 Mar 1663.[16]
  • Jamaica, otherwise called Crafford, Hempstead, Newtown, Gravesend and Flusing were under the jurisdiction of New Netherlands at the time of Benedict's residence. When Connecticut received their Colonial Charter in 1662, some inhabitants of these town's considered it a good opportunity to request the Connecticut government accept them. During 1663 several petition's were sent to the General Court at Hartford requesting they annex the town's in Long Island. Thomas was a proponent and signed the petitions.[17] [18]
  • Thomas was appointed lieutenant of the military company of Jamaica 3 Dec 1663.[14]
  • Goodman Benedik, was ordered to lay out the meadows on East Neck, 22 Dec 1663.[16][14]
  • 10 Jan 1664, He was given a 10 acre Lot[14]
  • Several men, including Thomas were accepted as a freeman from Jamaica by the General Court at Hartford, 12 May 1664 and on the same day he and Robert Coe were appointed commissioners for Jamaica by the same court.[13]
  • He received a grant, with five others, to settle Elizabethtown, New Jersey, from Sir Richard Nicolls, English Governor of New York, 30 Sept 1664, but evidently chose not to go there.[19]
  • In 1664, New Amsterdam came under English rule, and 28 Feb 1665, Thomas and Daniel Denton became delegate from Jamaica, to the first English legislative body gathered in New York by Gov. Nicolls to discuss and adopt the code of laws known as the "Duke's Laws"[20]
  • Shortly before Thomas removal to Norwalk, 7 Apr 1665, he was appointed Lieutenant in Capt. Bryan Newton’s foot company of Jamaica at Fort James by Gov. Nicolls[21]

Norwalk, Connecticut

"And last of all, they removed to Norwalk, in Fairfield county, Connecticut, with all their family, where they were all married." (page 2, Genealogy of the Benedicts) [1]

To accomplish this final removal, Thomas Benedict sold some of his property in Jamaica to William Ruscoe, and in turn purchased most of Ruscoe's property in Norwalk, in about late 1665 or early 1666. William then removed to Jamaica in March 1665/6.[22] Thomas likely made his removal from Jamaica to Norwalk at about that same time.

It is speculated by Henry Marvin Benedict that this last move took place, because his heart had always been with the government of Connecticut. He had petitioned from every place he lived that it be joined with that Colony.[16]

Norwalk, appreciated a man of his caliber, electing him town clerk 19 Feb 1666, 1669, 1672 and some years after that.[23]

Thomas was propounded (nominated) a freeman of Connecticut from Norwalk, 10 Oct 1667, and his named is on a list of 42 freemen of Norwalk, 11 Oct 1669.[24]

1668: Thomas was on a list of persons involved with building a fence around the winter wheat field.[23]

1 Mar 1669: Several lots of land were recorded, having possessed them some years, to Thomas: purchased of Mr. Hanford 1 acre 1 rood, of John Ruscoe 2 roods, of John Bowten 1 roo--4 acres. He purcahsased the same day the houselot of Samuel Campfield.[23]

12 May 1670, He and Walter Hoyt were Deputies to the General Court at Hartford[25] He served in this position again in 1675.[24]

21 Feb 1670/1, He was elected selectman of Norwalk and served until 1688.[23]

In 1671, he laid out the last division lots.[23]

1673, He and Thomas Jr were rated at £150 estate.[23]

As one of his final public acts, May 1684, Mr. Tho: Benedict and others were appointed and empowered to begin a new town, Paquiage above Norwalk or Fairfield. They began this process as early as 1672. In 1687, they brought another petition asking to become a town, to be named Swampfield. The Court opted for the name Danbury instead. There were at the time twenty families and more were expected.[24] His children Samuel, James, Sarah and Rebecca, and their families were first settlers of this town.

Death and Probate

Thomas Bennydict Senior, age 73, wrote his will 28 Feb 1689/90. He named his wife Mary son Daniell, son John, grandson Thomas Slauson (son of daughter Elizabeth Slasson), son James, grandchild Mary (Elizabeth was crossed out and Mary written in) Slausson, grandchild Thomas Benedick, grandchild Samuell Benedict, grandchild John Bennedick (eldest son of son John), Joanna Bennedick (not named as grandchild but context so indicates), daughter Rebecca Wood and daughter Sarah, grand child Mary Olmsted, grand child Hannah Benedick. His inventory was taken 18 Mar 1689/90 valued at £285:9s:0d[26]

Children[27]

"Jamaica on said Island, ... where Thomas, their eldest son took to wife Mary Messenger, of that town." and in Norwalk "John took to wife Phebe, daughter to Mr. John Gregory, of said Norwalk. Samuel took to wife Rebecca Andrews. James took to wife Sarah Gregory, sister of the above said Phebe. Daniel took to wife Mary Marvin. Their daughters were all married. Betty to John Slawson, of Stanford; Mary to John Olmsted; Sarah to James Beebe; Rebeccah to Samuel Wood." (page 2, Genealogy of the Benedicts) [1]

Research Notes

Thomas Benedict 1st in US

Disputed Mother: It has long been assumed, on rather shaky evidence, that the mother of Thomas Benedict was Ann Hunloke (see also Hunloke-6). This claim was challenged in Roberta Pierson's 1994 article, There Was No Ann Hunloke", and more recently refuted in 2005 by Robert A. Benedict in "Thomas Benedict's Origins -- Updated!" By 2011 the Benedict family agreed that the origins of Thomas' parents were still a "mystery" Who Really Were THOMAS BENEDICT & MARY BRIDGHAM?

UPDATE April 29, 2016 by Ken Kinman:

Thomas Benedict and his brother William Jr. were both baptized at Long Stratton, Norfolk, England. Their mother's name is given as Elizabeth (almost certainly Elizabeth Stephins, who I have now placed as the mother of Thomas).
Robert Benedict's analysis makes perfect sense.[28] A baptism record at familysearch.org shows Bale, Norfolk, as the place of baptism (and Ancestry.com shows the same baptisms at Bale, Norfolk, England). However, these are apparently incorrect. [29]

The FamilySearch index record[30] for the baptism of this man currently gives the place of his baptism as Bale, Norfolk. This is an indexing error by FamilySearch, which mistakenly labeled the film for Long Stratton as being the film for Bale. The records for Long Stratton are viewable for by paid subscription on other sites. The error has been reported to FamilySearch, which acknowledged that there are many errors in the record set, but declined to correct the index. The records for Bale are in the same film group as those from Stratton. They do not have the baptism of Thomas.[31]

Sources

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Testimony from Mary Bridgum to her grandson Deacon James Benedict of Ridgefield, Conn, who recorded this in 1755,'" in Benedict, Henry Marvin, The Genealogy of the Benedicts in America, page 2
  2. Image of Parish register Stratton St. Michaels with St. Peter, Accessed at Family Search 3/21/2107. Accessed at Ancestry Oct 2018.Accessed at FamilySearch 3/21/2017 (link dead 10/12/2018. Accessed at Ancestry ($) Oct 2018
  3. "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N1WY-8PR : 30 December 2014), Tho. Benedict, 30 Nov 1617; citing Bale, Norfolk, England, reference ; FHL microfilm 1,596,232. This is somewhat misleading because it says Bale, but the images are labled Stratton and there are no images for the Benedicts in Bale.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Olsen, LaRue. “The English Origins of the First Thomas Benedict of Long Island and Norwalk, Connecticut.“ The Connecticut Nutmegger. Dec 2006 v. 39 pp 353-366added.
  5. Atwater, Edward Elias, and Lucy M. Hewitt, and Bessie E. Beach. History of the Colony of New Haven to Its Absorption Into Connecticut Meriden, Connecticut: 1902 Vol II p. 674.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Southold (N.Y.), J. Wickham (Joseph Wickham) Case, and Riverhead (N.Y.). Southold Town Records. Vol 1. (New York: S.W. Green's Son, 1882.) p. 176-178. p. 176 – Note: in 1649 bought undivided fourth part of Hashamomack of Wm. Salmon; 1662 leading man at Jamaica; 1664 one of six on a petition for grant of land at Elizabeth Town NJ, but he abandoned that undertaking and settled in Norwalk, Connecticut
  7. William Salmon took possession of the Hashamomack land on his marriage to the widow of the previous occupant Matthew Sinderland about 1642-1645. He then purchased the Indian claim to the land in 1645 from the Indian Chief Paukhamp. [Southold Town Record p. 178].
  8. Hazard, Ebenezer. Historical collections : consisting of state papers, and other authentic documents ; intended as materials for an history of the United States of America by 1744-1817; United Colonies of New England. Commissioners (Philadelphia: Printed by T. Dobson, for the author, 1792) pp 150, 151
  9. Hoadly, Charles Jeremy, MA. (editor) Records of the Colony or Jurisdiction of New Haven, From May 1653 to the Union. (Hartford: Case, Tiffany and Company, 1858.) Vol 2 p 96
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Huntington (N.Y.), Charles Rufus Street, and Babylon (N.Y.). Huntington Town Records, Including Babylon, Long Island, N.Y.. [Huntington: "Long Islander" Print], 1887. p. 8, 23, 37
  11. Hoadly, Charles Jeremy. New Haven Records Vol 2 p. 238
  12. Hoadly, Charles Jeremy. New Haven Records. Vol 2 p 350
  13. 13.0 13.1 Trumbull, J. Hammond. (transcriber). The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut Prior to the Union with New Haven Colony May 1665. (Hartford: Brown and Parsons, 1850.) AKA Colonial Records of Connecticut. Volume I. 1636-1665 https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Public_Records_of_the_Colony_of_Conn.html?id=X8VSAAAAcAAJ Google Books p 379], https://archive.org/details/publicrecordsofc001conn/page/424/mode/2up 428], 429
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 Frost, Josephine C. Records of the town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751. (Brooklyn, N.Y. : Long Island Historical Society, 1914) 18, 22, 25, 26 (T jr homelot), 28 (also TJr), 29, 30, 38, 91, 92, 93, 222, 271, 306 p. 26
  15. 15.0 15.1 History of Queens County, New York: With Illustrations, Portraits, And Sketches of Prominent Families And Individuals. (New York: W.W. Munsell and Co., 1882). p. 195 see also pp. 196, 200, 229
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Benedict, Henry Marvin. The Genealogy of the Benedicts in America. (Albany: Joel Munsell, 1870) pp 1-24; magistrate p. 9;
  17. The Genealogy of Benedicts in America, quotes these in the footnotes on pp 9-12. H. M. Benedict cites Town and Lands vol I pp 18, 19, 28 State Library Hartford, CT. See ? https://ctstatelibrary.org/RG001_010.html Towns and Lands, 1st series, 1629-1789, RG 001:010, Connecticut Archives, 1629-1856, bulk 1629-1820
  18. O'Callaghan, E. B. (Edmund Bailey), 1797-1880. History of New Netherland Or, New York Under the Dutch. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1848. Vol II p. 455
  19. The First English Purchase of Land in New Jersey Descendants of Founders of New Jersey website.
  20. Ross, Peter and Beck Juergen. A History of Long Island, Vol. 1 p. 82
  21. Genealogy of the Benedicts of America, citing Book of Deeds in the office of the Secretary of State NY II pp 25, 26. Microfilm # 945268-945287 Family search. Can be accessed at a Family History Library (LDS)
  22. Anderson, Robert Charles, The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England 1634-1635, Volume 6, p 123, citing Norwalk Town Records, Vol 1, pp 36-37 and Jamaica Town Records Vol. 1, pp. 221-223 (exchange) and pp. 34-35 (removal)
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 Hall, Edwin. The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Connecticut: With a Plan of the Ancient Settlement ... ( Baker & Scribner, 1847) pp 18, 19, 24, 27, 54, 58, 60, 61, 83, 310
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 Trumbull, J. Hammond. (transcriber) The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut from 1665 to 1676; with the Journal of the Council of War 1675 to 1678... (Hartford: F A Brown, 1852.) AKA Colonial Records of Connecticut. Vol II.1665-1678. https://books.google.com/books?id=qR8oAQAAMAAJ&source=gbs_similarbooks Google Books pp 73, 249, 522. Col. Rec. Conn., Vol 2 p. 176 Vol. III, p. 142., 226 P. 240
  25. Trumbull, J. Hammond. (transcriber) The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut May, 1678-June 1689. Vol III (Hartford: Press of Case, Lockwood & Co., 1859) https://archive.org/details/publicrecordsofc003conn/page/n5/mode/2up?q=Benedict Archive.org. pp. 127, 142, 240. https://archive.org/details/publicrecords03conn vol 3
  26. Probate Files Collection, Early to 1880; Author: Connecticut State Library (Hartford, Connecticut); Probate Place: Hartford, Connecticut. Thomas Bennidict Sr. Norwalk, 1690, #647. Fairfield Probate Districts. Accessed at Ancestry ($) It's mixed in with Thomas jrs file.
  27. 27.0 27.1 Jacobus, Donald Lines, MA (compiler, editor.) History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield. (Fairfield, Conn.: The Eunice Dennie Burr Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, 1930.) pp 61-64
  28. Robert A. Benedict, Generation Three -- The William Benedict Family. Benedict Topics website, accessed 29 April 2016.
  29. "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N1WY-8PR : accessed 29 April 2016), Tho. Benedict, 30 Nov 1617; citing Bale, Norfolk, England, reference ; FHL microfilm 1,596,232.
  30. "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N1WY-8PR : 30 December 2014), Tho. Benedict, 30 Nov 1617; citing Bale, Norfolk, England, reference ; FHL microfilm 1,596,232.
  31. Image of parish register Bale 1617 Accessed at FamilySearch 3/21/2017
  1. ) Appendix B Page 308-319, Extensive 1847 Genealogy of Ten Generations of the Benedict Family.
    1. ) Page 309. Fourth Generation, Biography and Genealogy of Thomas Benedict Sr.
  2. ) Page 344. Plat map of Norwalk, Connecticut. {This map is a bit of an enigma. The only identification of the map is in the book title stating that the book includes a "Plan of the Ancient Settlement, and of the Town in 1847. The map on page 344 has no identification, nor clarification regarding it's contents. The map shows the path of the New York and New Haven Railroad, which clearly did not come into existence until the mid 1850s, cutting through the center of the town. However, the name identifications on the town lots have a nearly 1:1 correspondence to the 1668 listing of the initial inhabitants of the city on page 55 of the text. Hence, the best explanation of the map contents is it that it is an 1847 plat map of the town whereby the author used ancient land records to overlay the identities of the 1668 residents onto the 1847 Norwalk plat map. } The lots of Thos. Benedict Sr, and Thomas Benedict Jr. may be found on road to Stamford; the railroad intersects the southern border of Thos. Benedict Sr. lot. Other Benedicts, possibly of 1848 vintage, have home lots on the East side of the river.
Map of Norwalk Conn.
  • Benedict, Robert A., "Benedicts, Before America: What Our DNA Surprisingly reveals", Connecticut Nutmegger (Connecticut Society of Genealogists, Glastonbury, Conn., 2012) Vol. 45, Page 172




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Comments: 13

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I located the family bible records for this family, however I have not added it as it looks like it was written by descendants and I am unsure how you want to incorporate it.

New York DAR GRC report ; s2 v126 : family bible records of northern Chenango County, New York [bk. 4] / James Madison Chapter page 113. vol 4 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSSM-Y9R7-X?cat=266092

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSSM-Y9R9-7&cat=266092 - page 115, vol 4

The main link: https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/266092?availability=Family%20History%20Library

posted by Lauren Millerd
edited by Lauren Millerd
Your right about it being created by descendants. It would have been nice if the DAR had added in the provenance of the Bible. Knowing the publication date gives a clue as to when it was started, so might actually have been a first hand record. Because Elijah's family is fairly complete, from there forward is probably good. There isn't anything in that record that I would feel compelled to add to this profile. You could add it under see also, but there are much better sources already on this profile.. Adding it to Elijah, then Franklin etc., I think would be very helpful. You could just leave it as a comment and let the profile managers add as they see fit or add the information directly on the profiles.
posted by Anne B
Having seen the Stratton St. Michael parish records, the name of William Benedict's wife was Elizabeth Stephenson (not spelled "Stephinson," although it is in her baptism entry). The clerk ran out of room on the first line and carried it over to the next, orphaning "son." If "son" were meant as a stand-alone word, it would render the record nonsensical. The Stephensons/Stephinsons appear often in these parish records, as do the Stephens/Stephins family. Elizabeth "Stephinson" was baptized on 21 April 1584, daughter of Robert. It should also be made clear that these Benedict/Stephenson records are at Stratton St. Michael. Long Stratton also contains the parish of Stratton St. Mary, so it would be good to be specific about the parish.
posted by Doug Sinclair
Sources heading should be 2nd level = Sources =
posted by Kay (Sands) Knight
Thanks Kay, all fixed

.....................

posted by Bobbie (Madison) Hall
Now that this profile shows parents who are far less speculative, I wonder if the box with the "Notice" is now really needed. In fact, it could actually cause confusion by making William and Elizabeth as the parents seem more speculative than they are. The warning box was certainly warranted when those other parents were listed, but not so sure it is now needed.
posted by Kenneth Kinman
Many thanks to Ellen Smith for all the information she has given to me. I have begun reorganizing this profile, but more will be needed. There is a longer biography on Thomas at the FindAGrave website (weblink given in the 3rd source).
posted by Kenneth Kinman
Thomas was born at Long Stratton, Norfolk, England, not Bale. Long Stratton is the locality identifed by LaRue Olsen, Robert Benedict, and others, and these records appear on the microfilm of the Long Stratton parish records (viewed on FindMyPast.com). It's Family Search that got the location wrong -- for some reason, their transcriptions of the Long Stratton records are mistakenly labeled as Bale.
posted by Ellen Smith
Hi Ellen,

I agree. That is why I am using more authoritative sources to document the baptism of Thomas Benedict and his true mother. See the Update to the left that I just posted. Also see the partially updated profile for his father William.

posted by Kenneth Kinman
Please note that the Find-A-Grave profile cited is unsourced user-contributed content -- that is, there is no justification for treating it as authoritative.
posted by Ellen Smith
Perhaps the best place to start is where Thomas Benedict was actually born (on 30 November 1617). This profile current shows his birthplace as Stratton St. Michael Parish, Norfolk. But familysearch.org shows his birthplace as Bale, Norfolk, son of William Benedict (as expected) and wife Elysabeth. If he was born in Bale, seems very unlikely his mother was named Ann. My present inclination is that Ann Hanloke should be disconnected as the mother of Thomas Benedict. Elizabeth Stephin seems to be more likely the mother of Thomas Benedict than anyone named Ann.
posted by Kenneth Kinman
According to his findagrave.com profile, Thomas Benedict's will was dated February 28, 1689/90, and the inventory of his estate was on March 18, 1689/90. So he apparently died in early March 1690 (1689/90). I assume there is little debate about that.

I see that his son Thomas Jr. was married to a Mary Messenger. Therefore I am very skeptical about the claims that his grandmother was also named Mary Messenger. Whether his grandfather was a William Benedict II also seems to be the subject of skepticism (others saying that his grandfather was a George Benedict Jr.). I'm still trying to sort through the early Benedict controversies before delving more deeply into the Bridgum controversy. Trying to tackle both ancestral lines in one day has given me a headache.

posted by Kenneth Kinman
Benedict-31 and Benedict-25 appear to represent the same person because: His children, Daniel and James, also need to be merged.
posted by Rick Pierpont