James Monroe Benton (1819 - 1895)

Born 19 Sep 1819 in Loudoun, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 13 Jul 1895 at age 75 in Middleburg, Loudoun, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Betty Bowden [send private message] and Pam Ellis [send private message]

Biography

James was born about 1819 at Oak Hill in Loudoun County. His Godparents were President and Mrs. Monroe. Resident of Loudoun County, Virginia. In the 1830s James helped his father build New Lisbon, now called Huntland, in Middleburg Virginia. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

Enlisted as a Private in Company F, 6th Virginia Cavalry Regiment on 20 Apr 1861 at the age of 41. James leased New Lisbon for 5 years to Dr. J, A, Haynes, a Baptist preacher from Middleburg. Margaret moved with the children to Aspen Hill, the Benton's winter home located between Fairfax Courthouse and Alexandria. The Yankees burned Aspen Hill after Margaret, with the servants' aid, move all out except for a collection of rare china and crockery hidden under the floorboards, which the Federals found and broke with their swords before burning the house. Margaret and children moved back to New Lisbon. The estate remained with the family until 1900 when they sold it's 413 acres to Annie Leith.

Burial: Sharon Cemetery, MiddleburgFind A Grave: Memorial #19405043

I, Betty Bowden, have a letter written by Grace B. Benton stating that James went to England to be educated. He married a Catholic woman and was set up in fine style on a plantation near Annadale, Virginia. He failed and his wife died. Then he married a Harrison (Virginia aristocrat) and his father built a brick house like the English Benton home called Lisbon. This place renamed Huntland, had extensive improvements made when purchased by Mr. Thomas, agent for Percy Rockfellow. The finest dog kennels in America were built there.

Sources

• U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865, The Virginia Regimental Histories Series
• Loudoun Times-Mirror, Thursday September 13, 1979 "Pot House Once Known for Bricks"
• New Lisbon, Historic Estate built by William Benton Sr.
• Year: 1850; Census Place: Fairfax, Virginia; Roll: M432_942; Page: 187B; Image: 373
• Year: 1860; Census Place: Fairfax, Virginia; Roll: M653_1343; Page: 911; Image: 334; Family History Library Film: 805343
• Year: 1870; Census Place: Southern District, Loudoun, Virginia; Roll: M593_1659; Page: 236A; Image: 478; Family History Library Film: 553158
• Year: 1880; Census Place: Mercer, Loudoun, Virginia; Roll: 1376; Family History Film: 1255376; Page: 455C; Enumeration District: 054
• Family history