David Benton's Story

From "Benton Genealogy" pp 13-14:
"DAVID BENTON Jr. (David5, Isaac4, Joseph3, Andrew2, John1) at the age of thirteen years, in 1777, removed with his father from Salisbury, Conn., to Sheffield, Mass., and in Feb., 1788, bought land adjoining his father's. In 1789 he removed with his brother Caleb and his uncle Levi Benton to New York, and was a first settler of the present town of Seneca, Ontario Co., as was his uncle Levi, a first settler of the adjoining town of Benton in Yates Co. In May, 1819, he removed to Brownstown, Jackson Co., Ind. In 1832 he was pensioned as a Revolutionary soldier, having served from July to Nov., 1780, in Capt. Warner's company of Col. John Brown's regiment, from Berkshire Co., Mass. He was present at an engagement with Tories and Indians under Sir John Johnson, Oct. 19, near Fort Plank, Montgomery Co., N.Y., in which Col. Brown and about forty of the command were killed. Shortly thereafter the regiment returned home and was disbanded. In July, 1781, he enlisted at New London, Conn., as a marine on the Brig "Favorite" of 16 guns, and when at sea about twelve days it captured a brig with a cargo of wine, bound from Madeira to New York, and he and others were put on board the prize, but before reaching port, it was recaptured by the British Frigate "Alpheus", and "all kept at sea 30 days as prisoners," during which the British and French fleets "had the battle [Sept. 5.] off the capes of Virginia." After this they were taken to New York and confined in the prison ship "Jersey" till exchanged in Jan., 1782. His headstone in Fairview Cemetery, at Brownstown, is inscribed: "IN memory of DAVID BENTON who died March the 7th 1845. aged 82 years." He married first, Mar. 17, 1784, Sarah, born June 9, 1765, at Salisbury, Conn., died Nov. 25, 1825, at Bath, N.Y., daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Stewart) Bingham; and married second, Oct. 17, 1826, Thankful (Reynolds) McKane, who was born Jan. 6, 1796, and died in 1874, at Hamiton, Ohio.

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