Captain Benjamin Pendleton, Sr.

Benjamin Pendleton, was born at Westerly, RI, 18 Sept 1738, and died there 29 Dec 1824. Like many of the early Pendletons at Westerly, he went to sea as a young man, and in time became a master mariner. There are few references to him upon the town records, and we sujppose he led the quiet life of the average citizen, participating in the town meetings but not seeking office for himself. In one item that does mention him, however, in 1764, we have a glimpse of one of the gala occasions of the olden time, when it was 'Voted that Benjamin Pendleton have liberty to sell Strong Liquor on the Day Mr. George Sheffield Launches his vessel that is now on the Stocks' (West. C & P Rec. iv.) The Westerly tax List of 1757 shows that he was assessed two shillings in that year, although he was under age. Benjamin Pendleton played an active part in the Revolutionary War, as shown by the following records: 'On the 30th of Aug., 1775, the tender of the British ship of War 'Rose' Capt. Wallace, pursued a small American craft to the warf at Stonington. Capt. Benjamin Pendleton was there and with other brave men drove the tender off. The 'Rose' then cannonaded Stonington, wounding one man but killing none' (Westerly and Its Witnesses:). The 'History of Stonington' (p. 39) gives a slightly different version of this affair. Wheeler's account says the British had demanded the surrender of a vessel load of cattle which had just been landed there, and upon the refusal of this demand the tender of the warship sent to seize the cattle, but was fired upon and driven off, after which the bombardment took place. This may have been the basis of the tradition related by Hadlai F. Pendleton of Norwich, NY, to the effect that the British vessel once pursued Benjamin Pendleton's sloop, and when he took refuge in a small creek, two boat loads of sailors were sent to effect his capture. His crew made off hastily, but Benjamin and his son David, then age 12 (which would put this incident seven years after the other one), remained aboard, concealing themselves. Benjamin loaded his two muskets nearly to the muzzle, and when the boats were close by, he fired twice upon them, killing and wounding a large munber of the assailants, a bloody repulse to the attempted cutting out expedition. In 1776, Benjamin Pendleton was enrolled as a private in Capt. Joseph Pendleton's Company of Westerly Militia (RI Rec.) On the 18th of September in that year, he was the 68th loyal citizen of Westerly to sign the 'Test Act,' pledging allegiance to the new State government (Westerly 'Town Meetings,' iii, 155). In April 1779 his sloop 'Louis,' laden with corn, was scezed by the authorities at Hartford, Conn., through fear that it was destined for the British, but was released upon evidence being shown that the cargo was for the people of Stonington (Conn. Col. Rec.). On the 14th of October, 1781, he was enlisted as a private in Capt. Allin's Company, Col. Christopher Smith's Regiment, and was discharged the next day (RI Rev. Rec.). In 1779 he subscribed 14 pounds to the Continental Loan Office to help make up the deficiency of the amount to be raised at Westerly under Act of the General Assembly, September 1779 (Westerly 'Town Meetings,' iv, 5). Benjamin's most notable achievement in the Revolution was the capture of a British privateer, the following account of which is from Denison's 'Westerly and Its Witnesses'; 'During the Revolution, Capt. Joseph Dodge of Westerly owned and commanded a vessel named the 'Lucretia' In his patriotic zeal, he transformed her into a privateer. Securing a suitable armament and accepting Benjamin Pendleton as Lieut. and Smith Murphy as gunner, he was ready to put to sea, but was taken sick. No time could be lost. Lieut. Pendleton accepted the command and the 'lucretia' turned her prow to the ocean. Near Block Island she fell in with an English privateer, the 'Huffa' and brought her into Stonington.' Another undertaking in which Benjamin was engaged appears in the 'New York Calendar of Historical Mss.' , and is as follows: 'State of New York to Dann Collins, Dr.' . 'To go from Say Harbour to East Hampton with John Minor and Benjamin Pendleton of Connecticut & Abraham Loper, a Soldier in Captain Davis' Company and taking from Coll. Gardner's House 130 Fire Arms Bayonets Catneh Boxes & 3 Silver Headed Swords, and taking from Coll Mulford's 3 Casks of Power & 2 Boxes of Lead all which we brought to Sag Harbour put on Board a Vessel Loaded at Sea Brook & Delivered to Coll Livingston. Also my taking another Time 3 Casks of Powder from the House of Malthy Gilston Esqr Soughampton & bringing the same to Guilford which Powder is now in my possession ----- The Account as Follows------- To the hire of 4 Horses from Sag Harbour to East Hampton 0-16-0 To my Time, Extraodinary trouble, Expenses taking sd arms & 4.00 To John Minor for the same 4.00 To Benja. Pembleton for the same 4.0 To Carting the Arms Powder & Ball from East Hampton to Sag Harbour 0.16.0 To Carting the Powder from Mr. Gelstons taking and transporting to Guilford 1.4.0 York Money 14 pounds 16 shillings 0 Dan Collins' The descendants of Benjamin Pendleton are quite numerous and are scattered all over the United States. His sons -- except the youngest -- were master mariners, as were many of his grandsons also. The later generations have followed very diverse occupations. Issue is recorded from Westerly Town Meeting Records, 1743-1778, p. 177.

• Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Dec 8 2016, 18:27:59 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

History of Stonington, Connecticut, 1649 - 1900 Author: Richard Anson Wheeler Publication: New London, CT, Press of The Day Publishing Company, 1900 Media: Book Page: page 532 Powell Family Records Author: Majel Lee Fritz Powell Publication: 1997, 1998 and 1999 Media: Letter