Ebenezer Benham

Ebenezer was the strong foundation from which descend all of our Joneses in Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Ohio and Tennessee. Initially he lived in the Angola Neck area of Sussex County, but by 1719 he was apparently living on Sheeppen Branch of the Indian River, Somerset County, Maryland. On September 1719 Jacob Collick (Kollock) with wife, Alice Collick (Kollock) of Sussex County sold 150 acres of land known as "Cropper Choice" to Ebenezer Jones.61 We believe this was the land known as "Peppers Choice". Then on 12 July 1728 he purchased the 96 acre platt of John Caldwell, and this land was granted to him by the, Province of Maryland as "Jones's Neck" on 2 November 1730.62 This land was in Somerest County on the branches of Broad Creek out of the Nanticoake River. "Beginning..on the east side of a branch that makes the westside of a neck of land called Wembsakem Neck a little above the old road and bridge that leads from Winsom Bridge to William Burton's."62 On 10 May 1730, he purchased 150 acres called "Good Hope" from Martha Kenney, as attorney for her husband, Lazerus Kenney of Somerset Co., Maryland.63 The deed described the land as being in Somerset County on the northside of Sheeppen Branch, and adjoining the tract (Peppers Choice) where Ebenezer Jones now lives (See Map 2 & 3) The deed was witnessed by Samuel Cary and Thomas Cary, his half brothers. Other land activity by Ebenezer suggests that he invested in warrants and then sold them to other individuals. In Sussex County deeds there is a deed that states that, "William Burton was granted 40 acres known as "Penny Neck" on 7 August 1732 by Maryland located on southside of Sheeppen Branch, and he assigned the right of the patent to Ebenezer Jones, who assigned to Edward Pettet."64 Another indication of his investment activity is that on 16 September 1760 a common warrant was granted to Ebenezer Jones for 300 acres. He assigned 100 acres to James Mumford on 20 August 1763, and assigned 99 acres to Thomas Latchem on 20 January 1764.65 We do not know what happened to the remaining 101 acres of land. Other land activity by Ebenezer is reflected in deed G-7, p. 54 which shows that Ebenezer Jones and William Cary sold land of John Cary to Richard Poulney on 17 April 1730. Then deed K-10, pgs 297-299 shows that part of John Cary's land was divided, and that part of it was called "Bridgets Choice". This land was sold by William Cary and Ebenezer Jones of Somerset County, Maryland as heirs at law of John Cary. It is obvious that Ebenezer was not the son of John Cary and therefore could not be his heir at law. It appears that the land involved must have been his mothers dower land, and she had died. Another of his land activities was found in the Sussex County surveys; when he served as survey chain carrier on 2 March 1722/3 with Thomas Gray for the resurvey of John Cary's land now in possession of Jacob Kollock that he purchased of Thomas Gray. This land was located in Angola Neck joining on northside of the land of James Walker and David Hazzard, and it also joined a tract called "Webley".

From 1723 through 1740 Ebenezer is consistently listed on the tax lists of Somerset County, Maryland in Baltimore Hundred.66 He and his neighbors listed in 1723 were Wm Burton, Arnold Pepper, Benj's Blizard, Gabriel West, Paul Waples, Ebenezer Jones, Abraham Endless (Enloe), John Blizard, Wm Freeman, Lazerus Kenny, David Hazard, and Cord Hazard.67 Others of interest in 1723 in Baltimore Hd were Joseph Kenny, Thos West, and Wm Kennit, Senr. In 1727 Thomas Triloss [Inloes%29 lived next door to Ebenezer. Living with Ebenezer in 1730-31 was Thomas Fleetwood, and in 1731 Jacob Ingrim [Ingram], and Thomas & William Cartioy(Cary) were now neighbors.68 Living with Thomas Carey in 1733 was Thomas Fleetwood.69 Fleetwood in 1734 was living with William Carey and Ebenezer owned one negro, "Bosson" and Tho [Thomas]Prileyman [Prettyman] was a neighbor.70 In 1735 William Rodney was neighbor.71 Then in 1740 Ebenezer's son, Thomas, is listed for the first time with him as a tithable.72 If a white male bacame a tithable at age 16 then Thomas Jones was born in 1724.

Ebenezer must have been well respected and well liked as Joseph Kinning(Kenney) in his will of 23 May 1734, said, "that if wife Barber Kinning dies or marry's one that despitfully used my children it is my will that Ebbineser Jones should have my to sons Samuel Kinning and Joseph Kinning tell they come to the age of Eighteen".73 By 26 March 1736/7 Barbery Kinning had married Arthor Cunningham.74 In 1749 Ebenezer was a Sergeant in the Footman under the command of Captain Jospeh Dirickson�s Maryland Militia. Serving as privates were his son, Thomas Jones, along with Jobs Ingram, Robert Burton, Thomas Prettyman, William Rodney, William Townsend, Thomas West and others.75 Ebenezer died prior to 3 June 1766 as the inventory of his estate was taken on that date. In his estate was his wareing apperil valued at 4 pounds 12 Shilling, 2 hones, one old razor, 1 tobacco Boxstool and cutting knife, l sublesett lanfotts and specticle, 1 pair large shears, 1 pair sheep shears, carpenters tools, 1 old cureing knife, 55 good pewter, 20 old pewter, 13 new pewter spoons, 13 old pewter spoons, earthware, 1 lookingglass, 1 tin funnell, 1 candlestick and snuffers, iron candlestick, 1 large chest, 2 small chests, 1 small box and flower trunk, shoe makers tools, 1 old coutch, 1 large square table, 1 round table, 1 square table, 1 gunn, 1 bedst furniture, tear thread, yarn wool, 7 ư yards pulled cloath, 12 yards linfod, 1 pott, 1 old kettle, standing crop of corn, wheat, oats and flax, 5 youg cows and calves, 2 old cows, 3 cows, 1 cow and yearling, 1 bull, 3 three year old heifers, 2 two year old heifers, 1 five year old heifer, 1 old yoak of oxen, 4 yoke of oxen, 2 pough bolts clewis and chains, 2 harrows, 4 ox yoaks, 1 horse bridle and sadler, 2 pitch fork, 1 touneshave, 6 fire tongues, 2 sythes and cradles, 2 cowbells, 1 staple, 1 band and cotter, 64 old iron, 2 hides, 31 sole leather, 9 beehives, some tobacco, 3 powdering tables and ___, 2 guns, and some old goards with fat and cracklings, 6 old barrels, 2 old hoes, 1 box iron, knives and forks, 4 towells, 1 tablecloth, 2 sheets, 1 old cart body, 1 small grindstone, 10 ole whears, 1 old Linnin Wheel, coopersware, sets of wedges, 3 narrow axes, 2 grubben hoes, 2 old weeding hoes, 2 bread trays, 12 meal sifter, galtallow, 5 bushel corn, ơ part of ___. Bacon, 70 head of hogs, 22 head of sheep, 50 head geese, lambs wool, 1 stear hide, 1 powderhorn, 1 negroman "Boson", 1 negro man "Sharp", 1 negro man "Cuff", 1 negro man "Cezer", 1 negro man "Jacob", 1 negro boy "Petter", 1 negro woman "Sue", 1 negro girl "Venus", 1 negro girl "Annisa, 13 ricks creaghooks, old iron, glass bottle, 2 old sythers, small jug, 27 pounds 13 shilling 1 ư pence silver money with paper money making 36 pounds 3 shilling 10 ư pence. Value of personal estate 495 pounds 2 shillin, and he was owed 61 pounds 23 shilling 10 pence. Inventory was turned in by Thomas Jones on 17 September 1766, and shows as nearest kin Zechariah Jones and Marth Jones.76 On 17 June 1767 his widow, Hannah Jones, appeared in Court in Worcester County, Maryland to reject and refuse the administration of Ebenezer�s estate. Thomas Jones was made Administrator of the estate, and Thomas, George Messick, and George Prettyman posted bond of 500 pounds sterling as surety.77 Thomas Jones exhibited an account to the Prerogative Office of Worcester county, on 20 July 1767 showing disbursement of the estate. To Zachariah Jones, son; and Martha Jones, daughter, of the deceased 52 pounds 1 shilling 5 pence each. To Samuel Tindal, George Prittyman, James Pettyjohn and Joseph Cannon in right of their wives daughters of the deceased 52 pounds 1 shilling 5 pence each. To Accountants, Thomas Jones, own share of the deceaseds estate 52 pounds 1 shilling 5 pence, and to Hannah Jones, widow of the deceased, her one third part of the estate 182 pounds 4 shilling 1 pence.78 Ebenezer's wife Hannah certainly appears to have been a Kenny (Kanning, Kenning, Kennitt). Because on 20 April 1722 in Sussex County, "Martha Kannige appeared in my office & affirmed to record one Bay Mare and increase Branded with L on near thigh unto her granddaughter Martha Jones".79 Test Ph Russell. We believe the L must have been the brand of Lazerus Kenney. We also believe that this event occurred shortly after the birth of Martha Jones, and occurred because Martha Kenney was pleased by the first child of her daughter being named after her. There was a long association of Kennys with the Jones�, as William Kennet in Accomack County, Virginia was a neighbor of the Bundicks, for on 1670 tithables list he is listed six below Richard Bundick. Then in 1674 he is nine above Richard Bundick on the list. William Kennet last appeared on the Accomack County tithables list in 1681, and we feel he was the grandfather of Lazerus Kenny. This William was b ca 164380, and d by 1 September 169181 and is the William Sr mentioned in early Sussex County records. It was his son William Jr who on 5 September 1705 was in Court and said, "I William Kanning (Kenney) of Somerset County, Maryland confirmed my well beloved son Lazarius Kanning (Kenney) of Sussex County to be my lawful Atty.82 We have seen from a previous reference that Lazarus's wife was Martha. It appears that Lazerus had brothers Joseph and William Kenney. Other close associations with the Kenneys are that Ebenezer lived on land adjoining Lazerus's land, and that Ebenezer purchased this land in 1730 from Lazerus and Martha. Also Lazerus, Joseph, and William Kenney were all living Baltimore Hd the same time as Ebenezer. Then Joseph Kenney appointed Ebenezer as the possible guardian of his minor children. Hannah Jones, widow, made her will in Worcester County, Maryland on 5 May 1767. She left the bulk of her estate to her daughter, Mathew (Martha) Jones, mentions daughter Bridgett Pettor (Pettyjohn), Ann Cannon, Agnes Tindele (Tindal), and Lavina Prettyman. She also mentions her well beloved sons, Thomas and Zacheriah Jones, and appointed her son, Thomas, of Worcester County, Maryland, as sole Executor of her estate. Hannah signed with her mark. Witnesses to her will were Cornelius Kollock, Thomas Marvel, and Phillip Marvel. The will was presented to the Prerogative Office of Worcester County on 23 November1770.83 Basically the inventory of Hannah's personal estate consisted mainly of items that had been in Ebenezer's estate. There was also in her estate 163 gallons cyder, cyder casks, 9 tubs, 2 meat tubbs, and the negroes, "Boson", "Sharper", and "Sue". She also had 65 pounds 6 shillings 1/12 pence in cash money.84 Although we know very little about the lifestyle of Ebenezer and Hannah; we can project from the inventory of their estates and the other records what their lifestyle was like. It is obvious that Ebenezer was a fairly successful farmer, and raised corn, flax, tobacco, and wheat. He had a large herd of livestock consisting of cattle, hogs, and sheep. They had apple trees from which apples were used to produce cider to drink. From the flax and sheep's wool Hannah or the female slaves must have spun thread to make linen and woolen clothing. From the cattle and hogs they had beef and pork to eat, and from the geese Hannah could get feathers for feather beds. Ebenezer purchased his first slave around 1733, and by his death he owned nine slaves. In the inventory of their estates there are no books listed not even a Bible. We feel that with the 396 acres of land he owned and the property listed in the inventories, Ebenezer was more successful than the average farmer. As Hancock says:

"The typical Male Delawarean in the 1780's was of English descent living with his wife and several children on a small farm of thirty to one hundred acres"

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• Updated from MyHeritage Family Trees via brother John Benham by SmartCopy: Nov 7 2014, 22:24:37 UTC

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• Updated from MyHeritage Family Trees via brother John Benham V by SmartCopy: Nov 7 2014, 22:23:48 UTC