Benjamin Castor

DAR# A020313

Benjamin Castor was born in 1741, 1750 or 1756, depending on which reference is being used. DAR papers report the earliest date. Examination of the ages of the children suggest that 1741 is the likeliest birth date for Benjamin. Noah Thompson's Early History of the Peters Creek Valley tells us that Conrad Custard was his father. If this is so, then Benjamin was probably born in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania along Tinicum Creek. This is a wooded and hilly area close to the Delaware River and has much natural beauty. About 1764, Conrad and some of his children moved to Brock's Gap, Virginia. At that time, Brock-'s Gap was in Augusta. County, but is now part of Rockingham County, Virginia. This is mountainous country. About 1776 or earlier, Benjamin arrived in Western Pennsylvania and settled about fifteen miles. south of Pittsburgh. This was later to be known as Jefferson Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Benjamin was known by the surname of Custard, but as time went on, he became known as Kaster, Caster or Castor.

Benjamin served in the Frontier Rangers from 1776 to 1778. He was appointed Constable in 1778. He enlisted 18 March 1782 in the 2nd Battalion of the Washington County (PA) Militia in Captain William Bruce's Company , and is shown on the rolls of the Militia 22 June 1782 and 7 July 1784.

He was granted 350 acres of land by Virginia for settling. This was revoked when the boundary dispute between Virginia and Pennsylvania was settled in Pennsylvania.'s favor, but Pennsylvania then granted Benjamin 333 acres on 15 September 1784. He received his final patent for the land 25 April 1786, and he called his land "Custard's Delight". This is located in AIlegheny,County, Jefferson Township, about four miles east of Finleyville, Pennsylvania.

In 1797, Benjamin and Ruth sold 52+ acres of Custard"s Delight to their son-in-law, Sampson Piersol for 50 pounds. In 1798, Benjamin appears on the tax roll owning one dwelling valued at $10. Sampson Piersol appeared on the same tax with a dwelling valued at $42. Benjamin was a farmer and cattle drover. He was a wood carver and made fine, hand carved furniture and violins.

We know very little of his wife, except that her name was Ruth. We have recently obtained a copy of the Will of James Thompson of Washington County, Pennsylvania (probated 1786) which leads us to believe that Ruth his. daughter.

Benjamin died shortly before 28 January 1826, as his will was proved on this date. Ruth survived Benjamin. Ruth Castor appears on the 1829 tax roll of North Sewickley Township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. where her son, James, lived. Perhaps Ruth lived with her son, James during her widowhood. Ruth died in 1833 according to a deposition given by Samuel Heath. It is stated by Noah Thompson that Benjamin and Ruth are buried in the cemetery at James Chapel Methodist Church, (the Stone Church) located in Union Township of Washington County, Pennsylvania, close to the Benjamin Castor home.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 11 2018, 13:40:21 UTC
• http://generations-past.net/lola/castor-o/p17.htm#i611www.findagrav...

Benjamin Castor Birth1741 Tinicum, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA Death 28 Jan 1826 (aged 84–85) Washington, Washington County, Pennsylvania, USA Burial James Chapel Cemetery Gastonville, Washington County, Pennsylvania, USA Memorial ID 39698972

Benjamin Castor was born in 1741, 1750 or 1756, depending on which reference is being used. DAR papers report the earliest date. Examination of the ages of the children suggest that 1741 is the likeliest birth date for Benjamin. Noah Thompson's Early History of the Peters Creek Valley tells us that Conrad Custard was his father. If this is so, then Benjamin was probably born in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania along Tinicum Creek. This is a wooded and hilly area close to the Delaware River and has much natural beauty. About 1764, Conrad and some of his children moved to Brock's Gap, Virginia. At that time, Brock-'s Gap was in Augusta. County, but is now part of Rockingham County, Virginia. This is mountainous country. About 1776 or earlier, Benjamin arrived in Western … Read More

Family Members Parents

Conrad Custer 1695–1772

Susannah Adams Custer 1692–1747 Spouse

Ruth Thompson Castor unknown–1833 Siblings

Noah Castor unknown–1829

Susannah Custer Kolb 1728–1825

William Custard 1729–1826 (m. 1754)

Paul Custer 1730–1820

Catherine Custer Runyan 1747–1826

Joseph Kester 1750–1839 Children

Susannah Castor Piersol 1766–1837

Rebecca Castor Babb 1770–1855

James T Kaster 1776–1847

Gabriel Castor 1786–1863

Sampson Castor 1789–1869

CASTOR, BENJAMIN Ancestor #: A020313

Service: PENNSYLVANIA Rank: PRIVATE

Birth: (CIRCA) 1741 CHESTER CO PENNSYLVANIA

Death: (ANTE) 28 Jan 1826 MIFFLIN TWP ALLEGHENY CO PENNSYLVANIA

Service Source: PA ARCH, 6TH SER, VOL 2, PP 33,57,76; NARA, M881, COMP MIL SERV RECS, ROLL #800

Service Description: 1) CAPT WILLIAM BRUCE, 2ND BATT, WASHINGTON CO MILITIA; 2) CAPT BUTLER, 3RD REGT CL