Capt. Benjamin Newton

GEDCOM Note

Biography

Benjamin Newton gave two different dates for his birth:≤br />: 1) In 1777 when his first child was born, Benjamin Newton began a thread-bound family register booklet. He titled it “A book of record for Benjamin Newtons family.” He wrote, "Ben Neuton was born in the year 1752 the 3d day of Febuary." "Nancy McCaall was born 22d day of Januwary in the year 1760 and was married to Ben Newton on tusday the 24th of Janawary 1775." He then recorded the names and birth dates of his children and one grandchild. He confused the days of the week when recording the births.≤br />
: 2) In his 1832 affidavit, Newton states "I was born in the State of Pennsylvania in York County in the year 1748 as my parents informed meand as I believe. I have my father's Bible and my age is there statedas I have now stated it, and I believe it contains the truth."≤ref>Benjamin Newton, Revolutionary War pension application file no. W21837, Record Group 15, Department of Veterans Affairs, National Archives, Washington, D.C. Digital scans of his extensive pension file are available at Fold3, and a transcription by Will Graves is available at Southern Campaigns Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters Benjamin Newton, W21837.≤/ref>
Captain Benjamin Newton narrowly missed fighting in the Battle of King's Mountain alongside his brother, William. Instead, he was sent as anexpress delivering a message to General Rutherford at Coddle Creek, Mecklenburg County. He is a DAR Patriot.≤ref>Sept 8, 2021≤/ref>
When Benjamin Newton died, he resided in Rutherford County. The area became Cleveland County when that county was created in 1841 from partsof Rutherford and Lincoln counties. Per Abstracts of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots, Benjamin Newton was buried in this cemetery. Hismust have been one of the first burials; the church was established in 1834 and Newton died in 1835. There is no extant tombstone. A FindA Grave memorial exists for Benjamin Newton's burial at the Old Cloverhill Cemetery in Casar, present-day Cleveland County, North Carolina. : "May this memorial serve as a symbol of the respect and gratitude weowe Captain Newton, his immediate family, and his extended family members for the contributions they made in laying the foundation for a new country: our America."≤ref>sameas=yes for Capt Benjamin Newton (3 Feb 1748–20 Feb 1835); citing Old Cloverhill Cemetery, Casar, present-day Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA; maintained by Vonnie L Cantrell (contributor 47192880).≤/ref>
Following Benjamin's death on 20 February 1835 in Rutherford County, North Carolina, his widow Nancy (née McCall) completed his pension application and qualified for benefits. Her affidavit is dated 23 October1840. She reiterated her marriage date 24 January 1775 and testified that Benjamin died 20 February 1835. Nancy (McCall) Newton died 12 May1845 in Cleveland County, North Carolina. On 31 March 1852, some of Benjamin and Nancy (McCall) Newton's children applied for the unpaid pension balance and named the surviving heirs.

Children ===The children and their birth years are recorded in Benjamin Newton's "Book of Record." Heirs still alive in 1852 and the daughters' married surnames are stated in Nancy (McCall) Newton's pension file.

1. Jane Newton born 17 January 1777. Alive in 1852. Spouse: Queen# Elizabeth "Betsey" Newton born 27 November 1778. Alive in 1852. Spouse: McGlamery
2. Ebenezer Newton born 22 November 1780 "jus at dark." Alive in 1852.
3. Martha "Patsey" Newton born 4 September 1783
4. Mary "Polly" Newton born 2 July 1785. Alive in 1852.
5. John McCall Newton born 4 October 1787# Margaret "Peggy" Newton born 19 October 1789 "at sunrise." Alive in 1852. Spouse: Goins
6. Benjamin Junior Newton born 28 September 1791
7. George Newton born 27 July 1793. Alive in 1852.# Nancy McCall Newton born 22 September 1794. Alive in 1852. Spouse: Queen# Cynthia "Sinthy" Newton born 12 February 179[torn] "on monday night about nine of the Clock." [If the day is correct, the year was 1798.] Alive in 1852. Spouse: Lewis
8. Calvin Newton born 4 September 1801

Sources

≤references />* See also Kathy Gunter Sullivan, “Benjamin Newton’s Book of Record” National Genealogical Society Quarterly, vol. 95 (March 2007): 64–66.* See also Kathy Gunter Sullivan, "Benjamin O. Newton of Cleveland County, North Carolina: Correlating Indirect Evidence and Contemporary Law to Prove His Lineage" North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, August 2009: 197-216. The case study focuses on establishing the descent of a grandson of Benjamin and Nancy (McCall) Newton.