Deacon John Benedict

John Benedict

• Born 6 Feb 1648 Southold, Long Island, New York
• Married 11 Nov 1670 Phoebe Gregory
• Died after 1727 Norwalk, Fairfield, Conn.

Parents: Father: Thomas Benedict; 1617-1690 Mother: Mary Bridgham

Children:

1. Sarah Benedict
2. Phoebe Benedict; b. 21 Sept 1673
3. John Benedict; b. 3 March 1676
4. Jonathan Benedict.
5. Benjamin Benedict; b. 1678
6. Joseph Benedict; b. 1680-1763
7. Thomas Benedict; 1682-1763
8. James Benedict; b. 5 Jan 1685
9. Mary (or Mercy) Benedict

John's Early Years

Along with his parents and all of his siblings and their families, John removed from Long Island, New York to Norwalk in the Colony of Conn. In his father's will, he was bequeathed his father's "calve pasture Lot", one-third of his "Sticky plaine Lott", " yt part of salt meadow lying by ye bridge at ye Indian Field", and "eight acres of upland laid out above ye Long Swamp beyond ye New field". He was named one of the overseers of his father's estate.

John and Phoebe Gregory

Phoebe was born in 1649, the daughter of John Gregory and Sarah Saint John of Southhold, where John was also born. She passed away in 1749 at the elderly age of one hundred.

The two families were likely close in friendship as well as proximity in the town. John's father Thomas Benedict was a witness to the will of Phoebe's father, made August 15, 1689. John had bequeathed his estate to his wife Sarah. Both John and his brother, James Benedict, were mentioned as sons-in-law. Sarah also, in an instrument, dated October 9, 1689, so names them.

In 1686, he drew lot #27 in Norwalk, and in 1678, he bought a 4 acre home lot on Dry Hill.

John was a freeman of Norwalk in 1680, and succeeded his father as selectman in 1689, 1692-1694 and in 1699. He was a selectman in 1692-94 and '99; and also held some minor civil appointments the town. He was appointed part of committees to recruit a minister and a schoolmaster. He was occupied, however, mainly, with church affairs, having become Deacon, probably, upon the death of his father.

Thenceforth the records show him to have been constantly on committees having charge of the religious and educational interests of the community, now "obtaining a minister," then, "hyering a schoolmaster." In 1705 the church honoured him by voting him a sitting "in ye seat before ye pulpit." He served as a representative in the General Assembly in the sessions of 1722 and 17251.

The Final Years for John

The date of his death is not to be ascertained, nor is that of his wife. The volume of probate records, which probably covered the time within which they died, unfortunately, is missing.

He conveyed property to his sons James and Joseph of Ridgefield, in 1722 and 1723; and that he was living in 1727, is thought to be certain, because his son is then referred to as Deacon John Benedict Junior1.

Note A: Sarah's birth and death information is similar to information in David Kipp Conover's website.

Loyalist claim of Elijah Benedict, s. of Gideon, s. of Joseph, s. of John. The unconfirmed story is that he "settled in Pollitt, VT before the war. He took the King's side and lost all his property and took part of his family to Montreal." (rootsweb.com)

Sources:

• "Genealogy of the Benedicts in America", by Henry M. Benedict; 1st pub. 1870; orig. avail. at Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, DC.

John Benedict was born at Southold, Long Island . He continued to reside with his parents till they removed to Norwalk . He there married Phebe Gregory , daughter of John Gregory of Norwalk , Nov. 11, 1670 .

They had nine children. Sarah , Phebe , born 1673 , John , March 3d, 1676 , Jonathan , Benjamin , Joseph , James , born January 5, 1685 ; Mary or Mercy , and Thomas .

He succeeded his father as deacon of the church in Norwalk , and used that office until old age rendered him unable to serve.

John Benedict and Phoebe Gregory

Phoebe was born in 1649, the daughter of John and Sarah Gregory of southhold, where John was also born. She passed away in 1749 at the elderly age of one hundred.

The two families were likely close in friendship as well as proximity in the town. John's father Thomas Benedict was a witness to the will of Phoebe's father, made August 15, 1689. John had bequeathed his estate to his wife Sarah. Both John and his brother, James Benedict, were mentioned as sons-in-law. Sarah also, in an instrument, dated October 9, 1689, so names them.

John was a freeman of Norwalk in 1680, and succeeded his faather as selectman in 1689. He was a selectman in 1692-94 and 99; and also held some minor civil appointments the town. He was occupied, however, mainly, with church affairs, having become Deacon, probably, upon the death of his father.

The Genealogy of the Benedicts in America by Henry Marvin Benedict.

Thenceforth the records show him to have been constantly on committees having charge of the religious and educational interests of the conmnunity, now "obtaining a minister," then, "hyering a schoolmaster." In 1705 the church onoured him by voting hin a sitting "in ye seat before ye pulpit." He served as a representative in the General Assembly in the sessions of 1722 and 1725.

The date of his death is not to be ascertained, nor is that of his wife. The volume of probate records, which probabley covered the time within which they died, unfortunately, is missing. He conveyed property to his sons James and Joseph of Ridgefield, in 1722 and 1723; and that he was living in 1727, is thought to be certain, because his son is then referred to as Deacon John Benedict Jr.

John Benedict I was born at Southold, Long Island, New York, and removed with the family to Norwalk, CT, where he married Phoebe Gregory. He was a freeman of Norwalk in 1680, and succeeded his father as selectman in 1689. He was a selectman in 1692-1694 and 1699. He also held some minor civil appointments in the town. He was mainly occupied with church affairs, having become Deacon, probably on the death of his father. Thereafter, he was constantly shown in the records as having charge of the religious and educational interests of the community, including "obtaining a minister" and "hyering a schoolmaster." In 1705, the church honored him by voting him a sitting "in ye seat before ye pulpit." He served as representative in the General Assembly in the sessions of 1722 and 1725.

Deacon John Benedict was the son of my ancestors, THOMAS & MARY (BRIGHAM) BENEDICT. He married Phebe "Greggorie"/Gregory daughter of my ancestors, JOHN & SARAH (ST. JOHN)GREGORY on November 11, 1670 in Norwalk, Conn.

Along with his parents and all of his siblings and their families, John removed from Long Island, New York to Norwalk in the Colony of Conn. He was freeman of Norwalk in 1680, and like his father, was selectman in 1692-94 and 99. He was appointed part of committees to recruit a minister and a schoolmaster.

In 1686, he drew lot #27 in Norwalk, and in 1678, he bought a 4 acre home lot on Dry Hill.

The church honored him by voting to allow him to sit "in ye seat before ye pulpit" in 1705.

He conveyed property to his sons, James & Joseph of Ridgefield in 1722 & 1723.

In his father's will, he was bequeathed his father's "calve pasture Lot", one-third of his "Sticky plaine Lott", " yt part of salt meadow lying by ye bridge at ye Indian Field", and "eight acres of upland laid out above ye Long Swamp beyond ye New field". He was named one of the overseers of his father's estate.

The known children of Deacon John & Phebe (Gregson) Benedict: Sarah Benedict, John Benedict, Jr., Benjamin Benedict, Thomas Benedict, Mary or Mercy Benedict, James Benedict, and Joseph Benedict.

Siblings of John Benedict were: Thomas, Samuel, James, Daniel, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah and Rebecca. Source: Benedict, Henry Marvin, Genealogy of the Benedicts in America, Volume I, 1870; p. 24

• Reference: Find-A-Grave

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GEDCOM Note

!"Benedicts in America" FHL 929.273 B434b History of Thomas Benedict as written by his grandson, James Benedict, and dated "Ridgefield, March ye 14, 1755" Moved with his parents to Norwalk, Connecticut He was one of eight who purchased and settled Danbury, Connecticut, selling his land in Norwalk, 26 Mar 1691. Deeded land, Aug 1717

!Also s.p. 9 Mar 1932

!Also AFN P1BZ-N8

GEDCOM Note

!"Benedicts in America" FHL 929.273 B434b History of Thomas Benedict as written by his grandson, James Benedict, and dated "Ridgefield, March ye 14, 1755"

!Also AFN P1BZ-LW