John Benham

Other Events:

• Military: War of 1812
• Birth: Jul 1785
• Property: 12 Oct 1813; purchased 49 acres for $200 from Aaron Nutt
• Census: 1820, Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as John Benham, farmer
• Census: 1830, Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as John Benham, farmer
• Census: 1840, Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as John Benham, farmer
• Census: 1850, Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as John Benham, farmer, head of household
• Census: 1860, Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as John Benham, farmer, head of household
• Will: 21 Jun 1862, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States
• Probate: 7 May 1870, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States

Notes:

Property:

Signed: Aaron Nutt and Mary (her mark) Nutt
Witness: John Price and I. George Reeder
vC, p273

Will:


Last Will and Testament of John Benham
—In the name of the Benevolent Father of All:
I, John Benham Senior, of the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio do make and publish this my last will & testament.
—Item 1st - I give and devise to my beloved wife Abigail Benham , in lieu of her dower, the farm on which we now reside, situate in Washington Township Montgomery County, Ohio, containing about fifty acres, during her natural lifetime.
—Also, all the good and chattles belonging to me at the time of my decease, she however selling so much thereof as may be sufficient to pay just debts.
—Item 2nd - I will and devise my grandchildren, being the children of Sarah Hatfield, deceased; Richard Benham, deceased; John Benham, deceased, ten dollars each, to be paid to them by my Executors after the decease of my said wife.
—Item 3rd - After the decease of my said wife, I direct that my said farm be sold by my Executors hereinafter named and the proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds of chattle property that may be unconsumed by my said wife be equally divided amongst my children as follows: Mary Silver, Aaron Benham, Ivens Benham, Samuel Benham, Charlotte Blair, Lydia Meterd, Tildia June Surface, William P. Benham, and Levi Benham, provided any of the above named children should decease before they should receive their shares, then I direct that their share be divided between those that may be living, and that their children be paid ten dollars each as the grandchildren before mentioned.
—I do hereby nominate and appoint David Thatcher and Sydney D. Maxwell, Executors of this my last will and testament hereby authorizing them to sell, and deeds to make and to purchasers for the Real Estate before mention in such manner either private of public sale at any time after the decease of my said wife. I further authorize and impower them to adjust and settle all business of any nature whatsoever. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this twenty first day of June A.D. 1862.
John Benham (seal)
—Signed sealed and acknowledged by said John Benham as his last will and testament, in our presence, and signed by us at his request in his presence.
W. G. Ewing, Jr.
S. L. Clutch

Died:

OBITUARY
Dayton Daily Journal
26 April 1870 - Pg 3, Col 5
Another of our Pioneer Fathers Gone
—John Benham, son of Richard and Lydia, (maiden name Robins) was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, August 11th, 1784, and died at his late residence, three-fourths of a mile north of Centreville, Montgomery county, April 23d, 1870, after a long and lingering illness, aged 85 years, 8 months and 12 days. Whilst a child, his parents moved to Pennsylvania - from there to the West, landing on the banks of the Ohio river where Cincinnati now stands, on New Year's day, 1790.
—He said the place at that time contained only one log cabin. Fort Washington was occupied by the army, and in a small fort, or stock-house, lived three or four famiies. His father tore up their boat and built a shanty against a large elm tree, in which the family spent the remainder of the winter. This was on the bank of the river at the foot of Main street. His father then bought one acre of land on the second bottom fronting on Main street for ten shillings - built a log house on it, and moved there in the spring of 1791; some time afterward, one half of the lot was sold for ten dollars to Jas. Kemper. His uncle, Robert Benham had the first shingle roofed house in Cincinnati.
—The first brick house there was built by James Gruniman, also the first mill on Millcreek. The building of both he distinctly remembered. He saw the armies of Harman, St. Clair and Wayne leave Cincinnati for the Indian counrty. Fort Washington was a four-square building with a block-house at each corner, making it then an eight-square fort.
—He lived in Cincinnati seven years, and saw the three first burials. The first was a soldier from the fort; the other two died at his father's house. Their names were Sullivans and Samuel Dugood. He moved from Cincinnati to a creek near Montgomery, now in Hamilton county, his father's object being to open a farm. But they had neither horses or plows. The first corn crop was put in entirely with hoes - corn-hills being made here and there, where an opening could be found. The crop was tended by himself and two sisters. One day he and one of his sisters were hunting rushes, when their dog was attacked by a bear, and was about to prove too much for the dog, when he fell to work on the bear with a club, killing him! He came to this county in 1804, and was married to Abigal Nutt, July 11, 1805, and they were the parents of 15 children, 9 of whom are still living. At the time of his coming into this county, hunting parties were very common, in whch he took a liberal part, with the follwing remembered persons: The Becks, Irwins, Dunkins and Baileys. On his first visit to Dayton, he found a few log cabins surrounded by hazel bushes and quite a pond of water on Main street. The most prominent men in Dayton at that time were Compton, merchant, and Cooper, who owned a Tub Mill, which stood about where the Patterson Saw-mill now stands. The millers name was Holt. In the war of 1812 he served two terms, one in Captain McClellan's company in 1812, in 1814 he served in Captain Joseph Ewing's company. In politics he was a Democrat, in religion a Universalist, and by profession and practice an honest man.

John married Abigail Nutt on 12 Jul 1805 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States. Abigail (daughter of Aaron Nutt and Mary Archer) was born on 24 Sep 1790 in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky, United States; died on 6 Jul 1868 in Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Jul 1868 in Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sarah Benham was born on 6 Jan 1807 in Greene County, Ohio, United States; died on 4 Jan 1850 in Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Jan 1850 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States.
2. Mary Benham was born in 1809 in Greene County, Ohio, United States; died on 17 May 1888 in Warsaw, Kosciusko County, Indiana, United States.
3. Richard Benham was born about 1810 in Greene County, Ohio, United States; died before 21 Jun 1862.
4. John Benham was born on 17 Oct 1811 in Greene County, Ohio, United States; died on 28 Apr 1862 in Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Apr 1862 in Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States.
5. Lydia Benham was born about 1813; died after 23 Apr 1870.
6. Aaron Benham was born on 3 Sep 1814 in Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; died on 13 Dec 1872 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States.
7. Ivens Benham was born about 1816 in Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; died on 28 Mar 1887 in Daviess County, Missouri, United States.
8. Samuel Benham was born about 1817 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; died on 1 Apr 1905 in Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Apr 1905 in Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States.
9. Matilda Jane Benham was born in 1820 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; died after 23 Apr 1870.
10. Charlotte Benham was born in 1822 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; died on 20 Dec 1891 in New Burlington, Chester Township, Clinton County, Ohio, United States.
11. William P. Benham was born on 14 Nov 1825 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; died on 13 Feb 1917 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; was buried on 15 Feb 1917 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana, United States.
12. Levi Benham was born on 21 Apr 1831 in Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; died on 29 Nov 1921 in Leavenworth County, Kansas, United States; was buried in Dec 1921 in Basehor, Leavenworth County, Kansas, United States.
13. Nathaniel Benham was born about 1834 in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; and died.
14. John Benham was born about 1839 in Ohio, United States; and died.

Other Events:

• Name: James Benham
• Name: Richard James Benham
• Religion: First Presbyterian Church
• Baptism: 31 May 1759, Monmouth County, New Jersey, British Colonial America; Address:
  Old Tennent Church
• Military: 14 May 1779; Revolutionary War - Private

Notes:

...Baptized on May 31, 1759, with his brothers and sisters, in the Scotch Covenanter Church, the Old Tennent Church of Freehold, New Jersey. His first or middle name may have been James. Probably in 3rd Virginia Regiment of the continental Line during the Revolutionary War. (Source: Information from John Hartsock)
...According to Benjamin Van Cleve, nephew of Richard Benham, in about 1784/5 "Captain Robert Benham, my mothers brother, paid us a visit. He strongly solicited my father to remove to that county (the land west of the Monongehelah in Pennsylvania), gave him a list of the different places on the road and every necessary advice relative to his preparations and journey. The object to be surmounted. He was, however, all summer getting ready and did not commence the journey until the second day of November. It seemed hard to leave the country of our nativity, our near relatives, and almost all that was dear to us. My father's mother was living and had lived with us for many years. My mother's grandmother who had brought her up from two years old, lived within a quarter of a mile; she had never lived further off. There was a numerous connection of both sides. We were now to separate from forever. But the prospects of being better enabled in a new country of providing for a growing family preponderated. We commenced our journey on the second of November, 1785, with two wagons of my father's one carrying a set of smith's tools and the other the household goods, in the company with Cornelius Shourd and family, whose wife is my mother's sister. They were in anot
her wagon. My father and uncle and each an apprentice and a young man by the name of Tunis Voorheis, and neighbor, came with us to see the country, and my Uncle had with him likewise my Uncle Richard Benham's wife and son. We made this day near thirty miles and put up at the ferry on the Delaware River about two miles below Trenton."
..."Skipping some entries, we continued: - Dec, 6 came to James Crawford's Ferry on the Monongehela. Here we were met by Uncles, Robert and Peter Benham, with fresh horses and before night we arrived at the end of our journey on the north fork of Ten Mile Creek in Washington County Pennsylvania."
..."We lived on the Plantation of my uncle, Robert Benham, nearly opposite Wises (afterwards Wallaces) Mills during the years 1786 - 87. My father cultivated a small field and worked at his trade. In 1788 my father rented a farm."
..."On the 25th of November 1789 we sailed from Crawford's Ferry, one boat carrying the families of my father, uncle Richard Benham and some passengers, one of who was Jacob Tappan of New Jersey." The family of Amey Benham and Cornelius Shroud (her husband) remained in western Pa. The journey was made safely and the company landed at Losantiville, opposite the Licking River, on January 3, 1790. The new arrival quickly made preparations for living quarters and the care of their families. John Van Cleave, a blacksmith by trade, who had brought his tools with him, all the way from his home in New Jersey, set up a shop.
...Richard Benham's brother, Robert, followed shortly after with his family while their brother, Peter, and his family came several years later. Richard and Robert Benham soon bought property in Hamilton county, property which now is of great value, being in downtown section of Cincinnati. Their names appear on the record of distribution and sale of lots in the town of Losantiville, 1789-90. Deeds in the Hamilton county Court House attest to early ownership of land by both of them.
...Richard Benham's land became his as a "volunteer settler" on property offreed by John Cleves Symmes. A "volunteer settler" was required to improve the land and represent his section whenever required for seven years before he was granted ownership. This was called the "Rule of Sale and Settlement of Miami Lands." Should the volunteer settler not live up to his part of the contract he lost the right to claim property and someone else was allowed to apply for it. Richard Benham, according to court house records, never seems to have left Hamilton County although he lived several places in it including the old settlement of Columbia, where from deeds we know he lived in 1802. It was at this time that he became tired of clearing lots Nos. 243 and 244, at the north west corner of fifth and Race Streets in Cincinnati, and paying taxes on them, so he decided to sell them deeming them valueless. On January 4, 1802, he sold the two lots for $40.00.
...Richard Benham did not leave a will but from other sources I learned that his wife was Lydia (Last name unknown). He died intestate but the names of his children and heirs appear in a series of deeds of land recorded in Hamilton County court House, in which deeds they sold the land left them by their father. This property was located in the north west corner of Symmes township. Lydia appears as the head of the family in Symmes township in the 1820 census records of Hamilton County, as do her widowed daughter, Betsy Luther, and her sons-in-law, Henry A. Balser, Robert Hughes, and Amos Harris. The last known record of Lydia is in a deed dated November 14, 1823 in Warren County, Oh. Richard Benham built the third cabin on the present site of Cincinnati. He had ten acres there at one time. He died near Todd's Forks and at the time of his death he owned 114 acres.

Researchers Note: Cincinnati was founded in 1788 and named "Losantiville" meaning "the city opposite the mouth of the Licking River".

Richard married Lydia Robbins about 1774. Lydia was born about 1759 in New Jersey, British Colonial America; died after 1850. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1850, Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, United States; as Lydia Benham, in the household of John Benham

Notes:

Married:
prob. New Jersey

Other Events:

• Baptism: 1 Jan 1725, Monmouth County, New Jersey, British Colonial America; Address:
  Dutch Reformed Church
• Military: Between 1776 and 1778; American Revolutionary War - Sergeant/Ensign

Notes:

...The New Jersey Colonial Documents, marriage records, list the three marriages of this Peter Benham. He first married in 1747 to Anne (or Anna) James, daughter of Robert and Amey James. She died in 1758
...Peter married the second time on Apr 2, 1759 in New Jersey as Peter Benham of Middlesex to Hannah Clayton of Monmouth, New Jersey.
...Peter married the third time on Feb 24, 1761 as Peter Benham of Freehold, New Jersey to Catharine Wessel of Freehold, New Jersey. She outlived him and was granted letters of administration on his estate in Loudon County, Virginia. These letters were obtained Jun 12, 1780 and the bond posted was for 1000 pounds. From the amount of the bond, Peter left behind a small estate. He left no will and consequently Peter's eldest son, John, under the English law succeeded to the estate.
...Feb 12, 1781 James and his brother Nathaniel, orphans of Peter were bound to Samuel Cox by the Loudon County Court through the Wardens of Shelbourne Parish. I have spoken to the Rector of Shelbourne Parish and he advises that at the time this took place the Parish had almost as much jurisidiction over the welfare of the citizens of Virginia as the state courts. Shelbourne Parish is the Episcopal Church.
...Upon visiting the Daughters of American Revolution Headquarters in Washington, D.C. I found that numerous persons had established their ties with Peter Benham.
...These DAR records show that Peter served as a sergeant in Captain West's Company and also designated as Captain's Reuben Briscoe 3rd Virginia Regiment (1776 - 1778). Documentation for this is found in Colonel Thomas Marshal and Colonel William Heth's report of AGO Court records, Loudon County Virginia.
...I also found in the accounts of the United States for the Militia of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, Book A, page 282 where Peter furnished sundries for the Militia of the just mentioned states and was paid 30 pounds.
...Peter was a military sergeant of Carters Company, 10th Regiment which is recorded in the Colonial and State records of North Carolina Volume 1 - 16, page 1120 and Polio, North Carolina Revolutionary Army Accounts, Volume 2, page 8.
...While living in Loudon County Virginia Peter was appointed an Ensign on May 1778 in the Virginia militia. His appointment appears in "Legends of Loudon" by Harrison Williams, page 126 and also in the book "Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War" by McAllister, pages 210 and 213.
...Page 205 of the HISTORY OF THE OLD TENNENT CHURCH, by the Reverend Frank R. Symmes, 1904, under Early Baptismal Records, is the following: "Peter Benham had baptised: John, Robert, Peter, Richard, Amey, and Catharine, all baptized at once, presented by their father and their mother-in-law Hannah which had been (illegible) Clayton, May 31, 1759."
...It appears that Peter Benham after his marriage to Catharine Wessell in 1761 moved to Loudon County Virginia. His six older children were left behind in the care of their grandmother Catharine (Van Dyke) Benham. (Source: Compiled by James Lee Wignall, Following the Footprints on the Sands of Time, 1986)

Peter married Anne James on 2 Apr 1747 in Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, British Colonial America. Anne (daughter of Robert James, Sr. and Amey _____) was born on 29 Jan 1727 in Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, British Colonial America; died in 1758 in Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, British Colonial America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Will: 7 Aug 1784, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
• Probate: 20 May 1785, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States

Notes:

...JOHN BENHAM: The exact date of birth is unknown. In the BENHAM FAMILY OF AMERICA, by Randall it states he was born August 15, 1702/04, and according to Mr. Milford Benhams chart and the Wright papers he was born August 15, 1692.
...In a letter written November 12, 1946 by Mr. Fred R. Benham of Indianapolis, Indiana, to his Uncle Silas Benham, a copy of which was loaned to Mrs. Georgianna Randall, to aid her in writing THE BENHAM FAMILY IN AMERICA, it said: "John Benham (1702-1785) was a man of some importance. His name consistently appears in the records of his country along with his dutch son-in-laws. He left a sizable estate, including slaves and real estate. There are records where he purchased and paid 6.18.5 pounds for a French Psalm book, Alsops Demus, Tutamen, Porthsmouth Dispute, Basarush, and others. The personal inventory of his estate suggest household furnishings of a cultivated and gentle family. His household was furnished with iron and plated cooking utensils, eight books listed by his executors at 15 shillings, and good evidence of his station in life was " 1 bed with curtains." In all his personal property for administrative purposes was valued at 68 pounds. He freed old slave " the old Wench Rose." He gave a slave to each of his daughters, probably for their domestic use. He left nothing in his will to his second son, Peter, our lineal ancestor, who was dead at the time the will was made, but left Peter's eldest son John 5 shillings.
...The books mentioned above were purchased by John Benham in an estate sale in 1729. In NEW JERSEY ARCHIVES 1st SERIES ABSTRACTS OF WILLS, Vol. 16-70 1730, page 440 appears "1729 April 12. Stelle, Ambrose of Monmouth County, Trader. Inventory of the personal Estate of 6.18.5, Incl. A French Psalm book, Alsops Decus and Tutamen, the portsmough Dispute and Basaruah zb.; made by Henry Leonard and Daniel Tillton, sworn to by Jonathan Forman, the Administrator. 1729 November 8 account of the sale at public auction, which has brought for the goods as inventoried 9.3.2, the buyers being Aaron Forman, Samuel Forman, Samuel Barton, Thos. Redford, Benjamin Van Cleaf, William Creag, Lawrence Van Cleaf, Joseph Froman, Steven Aumock, John Forman, and John Benham.
1732 November 1 account by the administrator, who" desireth allowance of a certain debt due by bond to Walter Thong of New York, Merchant and paid by the Administrator 20"
...John Benhams will of August 17, 1784 was probated May 20, 1785 and appears in Monmouth County New Jersey Archives, Vol. VI: 41 of Abstracts of wills of 5401-5408 M. Book 27:133. It says he was sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory. It names;
...Grandson John, son of Peter, 5 shillings
...Son Joseph 10 pounds
...Daughter Ann Taylor (negro girl Nan)
...Daughter Handerrickye (same as Hendrics) Van Dike (negro girl named Bett)
...Daughter Catharine Van Horn (negro girl named Rose)
...Daughter Elizabeth Covenhoven (negro boy named Yafe)
...Wife Catharine Benham full use of lands and all remaining goods for her lifetime. After her death it was to be sold and divided among his daughters: the four named above, and his grandchildren who were the children of his deceased daughter, Mary Clayton. He named these children: Robert Clayton, John Clayton, William Van Cleave and said they were to have one share
...He freed old wench Rose, after the death of his wife.

Executors named: Hendricke Smock and Garret Canderveer. Signed by mark in presence of John Van Cleave, Joseph Hilzee, and Hendricke Smock. The inventory amounted to 68.11.3: taken by John Clayton and David Covenhoven, Appraisers and dated May 3, 1785.

Probate:

Extract from the Will of John Benham
Item I give an bequeath unto my well beloved wife Catharine Benham the full use and Benefit of all my Lands and Tenemants, and all the remaining Part of my goods and Chattels movable or immoveable during her natural Life, and after my Wifes Decease It is my Will and desire that all and every part of real and Personal Estate be sold by my Executors and equally divided betwixt my Daughters __?__. I do likewise make & ordain Hendrick Smock & Garret Vanderveer my sole Executors of this my last will and Testament __?__.

John married Geertje Van Dyke about 1717 in Monmouth County, New Jersey, British Colonial America. Geertje (daughter of Charles Van Dyke) was born about 1700; died after 1792. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Catherine Van Dyke
• Name: Giertie Van Diick

Other Events:

• Will: 19 Sep 1774, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, British Colonial America
• Probate: 19 Oct 1803, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States

Notes:

Will of Robert James
In the name of God amen, thisnineteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundredand seventy four, I Robert James of Freehold in the County of Monmouth andEastern Division of the province of New Jersey, y_____ being weak in body, butof sound mind and memory, praised be Almighty God for one same and knowing thatit is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last willand testament in the following manner and form, that is to say, principally andfirst of all I reco_____ my soul to God that gave it, trusting for salvation inand through he alone merits ____ ever  blessedRedeemer Jesus Christ; nothing doubting that at the general resurrection Ishall receive the same again by the mighty power of God; and as to my body, Irecommend it to the earth to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion ofmy Executors herein after named and __touching such wordly estate where with ithath pleased God to bless  me in thislife,  -- I give , desire and dispose ofthe same in the follow manner:  In thefirst place it is my will and I do order that all my just debts and funeralcharges be paid and satisfied. Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved sonRichard James the sum of two hundred pounds for __lamation money; as all moniesmentioned in this my will are to be taken and esteemed.  Said two hundred pounds to be paid him out ofa loan of about four hundred pounds due from John Clayton, having theretoforegiven my said son Richard one hundred pounds in money, and a plantation inUpper Freehold.  Item,I give and bequeathmy son Robert James my negro man Mallone, all my horses (excepting my ridinghorse and Rhone Mare and two colts) also all my farmers utensils: havingheretofore given him the farm whereupon I now live, with other lands. Item, Igive and bequeath to my daughter Sarah McKnight the sum of fifty pounds; havingheretofore given her the sum of three hundred pounds.  Item, I give and bequeath to my daughterLydia Laird the sum of fifty pounds, having heretofore given her the sum of twohundred and fifty pounds.  Item, I giveand devise to my son Thomas James all that tract of land I bought at theSheriffs Sale, which was sold for the life trust(?) of John Lecount , lying atNew Windsor in the county of Middlesex, having also given him a ____ of giftfor two hundred and eighty two acres of land, lying at New Windsor aforesaid,for and during the term of his natural life. Item, My will is, that theremainder of John Claytons land, after my son Richard hath had his two hundredpounds, forever(?) and impower my Executors to receive the same for the us ofmy son Thomas’s child or children that they may have (excepting his “son”Robert who is to have no share thereof) and to be equally divided amongst themwhen they come of age. Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter RebeckahHerbert the sum of fifty pounds; having heretofore given her one dwelling houseand Lott of land situate, lying and being in the corporation of New Brunswick,in the county of Middlesex and province aforesaid, near Cranbury Town on thewest five of the York and containing fifteen acres and seventy nine hundredthis, during her life time, and after her death, to her son James Herbert andto his heirs and assigns forever; also heretofore having given her two hundredpounds in cash. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Jerusha Parker the sumof fifty pounds, having heretofore given her te sum of two hundred pounds.Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Parker the sum of fifty pounds,having heretofore given her the sum of three hundred pounds. Item, I give andbequeath to my grandson John Benham the sum of twenty pounds, money aforesaid.Item, I give and bequeath to my son Peter Benham the sum of twenty pounds moneyaforesaid, Item. I give and bequeath to my grandson Richard Benham the sum oftwenty pounds money aforesaid. Item, I give and bequeath to my granddaughterAmy Benham the sum of twenty pounds money aforesaid. Item, I give and bequeathto my granddaughter Catherine Benham the sum of twenty pounds money aforesaid.All the above said legacies are to paid by me Executors in convenient timeafter my decease, and of the monies I may have and the monies can be got inthat is owing me upon land and Mortgage or otherwise at the time of my decease,such sums are to be taken out of their Legacies and allowed as so much moneypaid to them in part of their legacy. Item, My will is, that if I should “die”before James Hendrickson, the boy I have taken should arrive to the age oftwenty one years, that the said boy shall serve the remainder of his time withmy son Robert, and that my son Robert do give him four months schooling, and tobe done at two different times, that is two months in a winter and one yearafter he is free. I give him twenty pounds money aforesaid, to be paid him bymy Executors;  also my will is that saidboy have liberty to keep his own small stock of cattle (or such of them as arenot fit to part(?) of) on the plantation I now live on, till he is free. Item,My will is that my negro wench Cate, after my decease, if she should dislike orrefuse to live with my son Robert, that she have liberty to go and live withany of my children where she chooses, and that my daughter Amy do help her, if____ , and also all my children to support her, my sons Robert and Richard inparticular, so that she may be maintained comfortably during her natural lifeItem, my will is that my negro boy named Ben, being eight years and ten monthsold, do live with my son Robert the sum of twelve years and three month fromthis day, and at the expiration of said term to be free and at liberty, but incase my son Robert should use him ____, my will is that my son Richard andJoseph Throckmorton do hire him out an apprentice till he is twenty one yearsof age, and then to be free; and if he should come to want my will is that myson Robert do support him, inconsideration whereof, I give and devise to mysaid son Robert his heirs and assigns, all my lands by the Saw-Mill, beingthree tracts near Lucas’s with full liberty of the stream, and all the ___ andadvantages thereunto belonging or appertaining, unto him his heirs and assignsforever, And after said negro boy is free, do hereby impower my Executors tocall him to account for any misconduct in his manner of life and conduct, alsoit is my will that if myself or either of my Executors should ___ at anytime ortimes after the date, or be ___ __ date from the date hereof, any sum or sumsof money, as part, or parts of the aforesaid legacies, they in such case shall takereceipts sufficiently  evidenced, andsuch receipts shall be taken as good and sufficient vouchers for the payment ofsuch sum or sums as are specified in said receipt, and be discounted by him or heraccordingly. And farther, I do hereby will that all my Cattle, horses, sheep orother creatures that may appear to be my property at the time of my decease, Ido own that an apprisement be made and my two sons Richard and Robert to takethem and divide the amount of the apprisal equally amongst themselves and theirbrothers and sisters equally alike, and also all such household furniture asshall be left in the house as my property at the time of my decease ___ to myson Robert. And lastly, I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my belovedson Richard James and my friend Joseph Throckmorton, and my beloved son RobertJames Executors, of this my last will and testament; and I do hereby utterlydisallow, revoke and make ___ all and any former ____ other Wills Legacies ,instruments, bequeathments or Executors by me at any time before this made,constituted or appointed in ratifying and confirming this my writing___ To bemy last will and testament.  In witnesswhereof the said Robert James have hereunto set my hand and seal this day andyear first above written.
Robert James (Ss) Signed, sealed, published, and declared byhim the said Robert James, Senr, as his last will and testament, in thepresence of Frances Fenton, Lewis McKnight, Louis Thompson. Note: The foregoingwill being proved in the usual form before Caleb Lloyd Esq. ____ for the Countyof Monmouth on this 19th day of October, A. D. 1803. No letterstestamentary were issued as the Executors were all dec’d, and this will wasonly desired to be recorded.

Died:

Robert James will is dated 19 September 1774 and this is the date that everyone is using for his death, but it was not published in court until 1803, so I believe he died sometime between the two dates. PBH

Robert married Amey _____ about 1718 in Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, British Colonial America. Amey was born about 1704; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Amey James

Notes:

Birth:
of New Jersey