Deacon Thomas Benedict

grave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33427648/thomas-benedict

Thomas BENEDICT, born 1617; died 1689; was the first arrival of the Benedict Family in the New World. Almost all the North America Benedicts derived from Thomas and Mary, who helped colonize Long Island (now New York State) and in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Born 17 Nov 1617 St. Michael, Long Stratton, Norfolk, England1 Christened 30 Nov 1617 St. Michael, Long Stratton, Norfolk, England2 Married abt 1639 Mary Bridgham likely at Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony Died about Mar 1689/90 Norwalk, Fairfield co., Connecticut

Parents:

• Father: William Benedict, II; 1579 - 1628/29
• Mother: Elizabeth Stephin

Children:

1. Thomas Benedict; b. abt. 1640; d. Nov. 1688.
2. John Benedict; b. 1648; d. after 1727.
3. Samuel Benedict; b. about 1649; d. April 1727.
4. James Benedict; b. Feb. 1649/50; d. August 1717.
5. Daniel Benedict; b. about 1652; d. after Feb. 1723.
6. Mary Benedict; b. 1652/3; d. 1687 or 1688.A
7. Elizabeth Benedict; b. 1653; d. 1688.B
8. Sarah Benedict; b. 1653.C
9. Rebecca Benedict; b. about 1660.D

The Early Years for Thomas Thomas was born in the fall of 1617 in Norfolk, England, in Stratton St. Michael, a small community just 8 miles south of Norwich and some 120 miles northeast of London. At that time, the British were becoming more aware of the value of the new colonies across the ocean, as in that year, Virginia tobacco was being promoted in London by the first visitor to England from the colonies: Pocahontas. He was the son of William Benedict and Elizabeth Stephin, she being the daughter of John Stephin and Ann Tovye. Presumably the father William died before Thomas reached the age of 12, as Elizabeth married a second time on September 8, 1629 to John Bridgham, he a widower of Grace (__). From his first marriage, John had a daughter, Mary Bridgham, who was about a year younger than Thomas, and became his step-sister.

Mary Bridgham was christened November 15, 1618 in Morningthorpe, Norfolk.

All the families are found in a region of close proximity: the Benedict family of Saxlingham Nethergate, the Stephin family of Long Stratton, the Bridgham family of Morning Thorpe, all in the county of Norfolk and within 2 miles of each other. This region is predominantly agricultural in industry and the nearest urban settlement is Norwich, 8 miles to the north.

Emmigration to America Thomas sailed from Great Yarmouth, England in late May or June of 1637 onboard the "Mary and Anne" along with his step-sister, Mary Bridgham. They landed safely at Salem in the Massachusetts Bay Colony by early August of that year. Within three years, either 1639 or 1640, the couple were married by the Reverand John Youngs, likely at the Salem settlement.

Within a year of their marriage, the couple left Salem along with the Rev. Youngs and other colonists to re-settle further south and west, at Southold on Long Island.

Footnotes References:

• Family reference: A
• Family Tree: Benedict Generations
• Lineage: Thomas Benedict1

Books:

• GBA-I p. 13
• Note A: per Passengers on the Lion from England to Boston 1632; by Sandra Sutphin Olney; published 2008 by Heritage Books, Inc., ISBN 978-0-7884-4656-6. See Part Two (volume II), pp. 448-454.
• Note B: Elizabeth married 1676 to John Slawson at Stamford, Fairfield co., Connecticut. She died 1688 at Stamford, Fairfield co., Connecticut.
• Note C: Sarah was born in Southhold, New York and died in Danbury, Connecticut. She married Dec. 19, 1679 James Beebe at Norwalk, Fairfield co., Connecticut. He was born about 1641 at Broughton, Northamptonshire, England; died April 22, 1728 at Danbury, at age of 87 as recorded on his tombstone. Sarah likely died by 1704 as James remarried after 1704 to Rebecca [Beardsley] Curtis. See Our Family Ancestors.
• Note D: Rebecca married 1689 to Dr. Samuel Wood of Norwalk, Connecticut. He was born about 1655 in England; died 1714 at Danbury. They had two children; Samuel Wood Jr. and a daughter. Young Samuel was born Feb. 28, 1690 at Danbury; married Sarah Cornell; died 1763 at Danbury. This information per William Platt Wood Family website.

Go to the history page for further details on Thomas Benedict's life.

Sources:

1. Benedict Topics; a website hosted by Robert Benedict. Website: freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~benedicttopics
2. "The Connecticut Nutmegger", the quarterly publication of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists; Vol. 39 #3, December 2006; article: "The English Origins of the First Thomas Benedict of Long Island and Norwalk, CT", by LaRue Olsen, pages 353-366
3. "Genealogy of the Benedicts in America", by Henry M. Benedict; 1st pub. 1870; orig. avail. at Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, DC.

Family Outline Descendancy Chart for Thomas Benedict 1617

1 DanielBenedict1652 

1 DanielBenedict1681 

1 DanielBenedict1705 

2 DavidBenedict1719 

3 MatthewBenedict1707 

4 NathanBenedict1721 

5 TheophilusBenedict1711 

2 JamesBenedict1650 

1 ElizabethBenedict1696 

2 JamesBenedict1685 

1 BenjaminBenedict1712 

2 HezekiahBenedict1716 

3 JamesBenedict1710 

4 JohnBenedict-d1758 

3 JohnBenedict1689 

1 JachinBenedict1727 

2 JohnBenedict1717 

3 JosephBenedict1728 

4 PhebeBenedict1722 

4 ThomasBenedict1694 

1 ElishaBenedict1736 

2 ElizabethBenedict1729 

3 HannahBenedict1745 

4 RobertBenedict1744 

5 ThaddeusBenedict1728 

6 ThankfulBenedict1746 

7 ThomasBenedict1727 

3 JohnBenedict1648 

1 BenjaminBenedict1678 

1 JohnBenedict1714 

2 JamesBenedictJan1685 

1 BenedictJohn 

2 JamesBenedict1720 

3 JohnBenedict1676 

1 CalebBenedict1709 

2 JohnBenedict1701 

3 MatthewBenedict1703 

4 NathanielBenedict1716 

4 JosephBenedict1680 

1 GideonBenedict1710 

2 JosephBenedict1708 

5 ThomasBenedict1682 

1 JohnBenedict1715 

2 ThomasBenedict1719 

4 MaryBenedict1652 

5 SamuelBenedict1649 

1 AbrahamBenedict1681 

1 JabezBenedict1726 

2 SilasBenedict1745 

3 TimothyBenedict1723 

2 NathanielBenedict1680 

1 IsaacBenedict1719 

2 NathanielBenedict1723 

3 SamuelBenedict1675 

1 EbenezerBenedict1718 

2 SamuelBenedict1722 

4 ThomasBenedict1679 

6 ThomasBenedict1640 

1 ThomasBenedict1670 

1 SamuelBenedict1703 

2 ThomasBenedict1701 

Thomas Benedict and Mary Bridgum , his wife.

He was born in England , 1617 . He was an only son, and when he left England , tradition says, the name had been confined to only sons for more than one hundred years, and that he did not know another person of the name in existence; from which it would seem that his father was then dead. He lost his mother early, and was put apprentice to a weaver during his minority. His father married a second wife, who was a widow, a Mrs. Bridgum , who had a daughter named Mary Bridgum . When Thomas became of age (1638 ), he and Mary Bridgum came to New England in the same vessel, and first settled in "The Massachusetts Bay ." Not long after "the said Thomas Benedict was joined in marriage with said Mary Bridgum , and from these have arisen a numerous offspring"-the Benedicts in America .

They lived some time in the Massachusetts Bay , and then removed to Southold, Long Island , where their children were born-five sons and four daughters-Thomas , John , Samuel , James , Daniel , Betty , Mary , Sarah , Rebecca . From Southold they removed to Huntington , where they resided several years. They were residing there in June, 1656 . They removed thence to Jamaica , on the same Island, where Thomas , the eldest son, married Mary Messenger of that place.

The eastern part of Long Island being at that time considered a part of Connecticut was of course principally settled by the English pilgrims, who gradually extended themselves westward, and rather encroached upon their Dutch neighbors of New York , with whom they were not much disposed to coalesce. The Long Island settlements (except the extreme west), were principally English, and when on the 27th August, 1664 , the Dutch Governor, Stuyvesant , capitulated to Col. Richard Nichols , the change of government was highly acceptable to the English settlers, and they immediately set about extending their settlements. On the 26th September in the same year, John Bailey , Daniel Denton , and Thomas Benedict , and others, made a written application to Col. Nichols for liberty to settle a plantation upon the river called Arthur-Cull Bay , in New Jersey . On the 30th of the same month he granted the petition and promised encouragement. That place is now Elizabethtown . The principal petitioners were in Jamaica in 1665 . It is therefore to be presumed that they sent out a colony.

Governor Nichols issued "To the magistrates of the several tounes upon Longisland ," an order of election, dated James ffort , in New York , 8th February, 1664 , reciting that the inhabitants had for a long time groaned under many grievous inconveniences and discouragements occasioned partly from their opposition to a foreign power, in which distracted condition few or no laws could be put in due execution, bounds and titles to lands disputed, civil liberties interrupted, and from this general confusion private dissentions and animosities had too much prevailed against neighborly love and Christian charity, and in discharge of his duty "to settle good and known laws," requiring two deputies to "a general meeting," to be chosen from each town "by the major part of the freemen," and recommending "the choice of the most sober, able and discreet persons, without partiality or faction," to meet "on the last day of February at Hempstead ." The delegates from Jamaica were Daniel Denton and Thomas Benedict . This is believed to be the first English legislative body ever convened in New York .

In 1665 , he was commissioned by Gov. Nichols as a Lieutenant "of the Foot Company of Jamaica." His commission was dated at "Fort James in New York , the 7th day of April, 1665 ." Whether he accepted the commission is not known. It is certain, however, that he did not hold it long, as during the same year he removed from the State to Norwalk , in the Colony of Connecticut , with all his family. There they lived together, and thence they scattered abroad in little colonizing parties to let in the light on other parts of the neighboring wilderness, or to swell the numbers of the pioneer bands who had already planted settlements in the vicinity.

In 1666, February 19th , he was chosen town clerk and selectman of Norwalk

In 1669 he was again chosen town clerk, and the list of freemen of Norwalk contains his name as one of 42 of which the list was composed Oct. 13, 1669 . In 1672 he was again chosen town clerk, and held the office for many years afterwards. The records, in his own hand writing, are still preserved and are legible, properly attested by his own signature, a fac simile of which, as here given, it may also be interesting to preserve.

This primitive pilgrim pair are thus described in the manuscript of Dea. James Benedict already referred to: "They walked in the midst of their house with a perfect heart. They were strict observers of the Lord's day from even to even. It may be said of them as it was of Zachariah and Elizabeth , that they walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, and obtained a good report through faith. Their excellent example had a good effect through the blessing of God upon their children. He was made a deacon of the church in Norwalk , and used that office to good satisfaction of that church to his death, which was in the year of our Lord 1690 , in the seventy-third year of his age, and was succeeded in his office as deacon by two of his sons, viz. John and Samuel , who used that office until old age and its attendants rendered them unable to serve; and there are at this time seven of the family and name which use the office of a deacon, and I trust some of them, at least, to good acceptance both to God and man." His wife survived him and lived to the age of one hundred years.

Thomas Benedict, 2d , was born at Southold, Long Island . From Southold he went with his father to Huntington and thence to Jamaica , where he married Mary Messenger of that place. In 1665 he removed with his father to Norwalk , in the Colony of Connecticut . In the Wylys 's manuscripts his name is, with that of his father, among the names of the 42 freemen of Norwalk , taken Oct. 13, 1669 .

He had six children-Mary , born 1666 ; Thomas , born 1670 ; Hannah , born Jan. 8, 1676 ; Esther , born Oct. 5, 1679 ; Abigail , born 1682 ; Elizabeth , born-

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.

Samuel Benedict was born at Southold, Long Island . He continued to reside with his father till after his removal to Norwalk . He married Rebecca Andrews of Fairfield , 7th July, 1678 . They had seven children. Joanna , born 22d Oct., 1673 , Samuel , 5th March, 1675 , Thomas , 27th March, 1679 , Rebecca , Esther , Nathaniel , and Abraham born 21st June, 1681 .

In the fall of 1684 and spring of 1685 , he, with seven other families, including his brother James and his brother-in-law, James Beebe , (Dr. Wood , another brother-in-law, soon followed), purchased land of the Indians and made the first settlement at Paquiogue , which they called Danbury . They soon built a little church only forty feet by thirty. When its frame was raised every person in the town was present and sat together on the sills. He conveyed his property in Norwalk February 3, 1685 , to Samuel Betts . He is described as of Paquiack , formerly of Norwalk . On Sunday morning, April 27th, 1777 , the British under Governor Tryon , burned Danbury -excepting the houses and the property of the Tories . Nineteen dwelling-houses, besides other buildings, were consumed with all their contents. Among the nineteen principal sufferers were Thaddeus Benedict , Matthew Benedict , Matthew Benedict, junr. , Jonah Benedict , and Zadock Benedict .

James Benedict was born at Southold, Long Island . He continued to reside with his parents until after their removal to Norwalk . He there married Sarah Gregory , May 10, 1676 . They had seven children. Sarah , born 16th June, 1677 ; Rebecca , Phebe , James , John , Thomas , and Elizabeth . He was one of the eight who purchased and settled Danbury . He sold his property in Norwalk , 26th March, 1691 , to Samuel Smith .

Daniel Benedict was born at Southold, Long Island . He also removed with his father to Norwalk . He married Mary Marvin of Norwalk . They had four children. Mary Daniel Mercy , and Hannah . He removed to Danbury . He conveyed his land in Norwalk 25th March, 1690 .

Betty Benedict was born at Southold . She married John Slauson of Stamford . Their children were Mary and Thomas .

[In the year 1755 , Dea James Benedict , of Ridgefield , grandson of Thomas Benedict, sen. , of Norwalk , wrote a genealogy of the family, from which, and from a manuscript prepared by Erastus C. Benedict, Esq. , of New York , a descendant of James , the leading facts relating to the first six generations have been derived.

Dea. James Benedict learned the particulars he gives of the early history of the family, down to his own memory, from his grandmother, Mary Bridgum , the wife of Thomas Benedict, sen. , with whom he lived in his youth. In 1768 this record was copied by his grandson, Rev. Abner Benedict , while a member of Yale College, and by him sent to Thomas Benedict , of Norwalk . Other copies have been made for other branches of the family.

The record here given is confined to a single line, viz.: 1. The children of Thomas, sen. 2. The children of John , his 2d son. 3. The children of his grandsons, John and James * Nathaniel . 5. Of Nathaniel 2d , his fifth descendant; and 6th, of Nathaniel 3d , the sixth descendant; which brings it down to the present generation, and to the writer of this introductory note. Were the descendants of each of the children and grahdchildren to be traced and recorded the list would make a volume of itself. S. W. B. ]

William Benedict , is the first of the family of whom any trace has been found. Tradition says that he resided in Nottinghamshire, England , about the year 1500 , and that he was the only son of his father. He had also but one son, who was also called William .

William Benedict , who also resided in Nottinghamshire , and had an only son, also called William .  

William Benedict , who also resided in Nottinghamshire . He also had an only son, who was named Thomas .

A Catalogue of the Names of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut by Royal Ralph Hinman, pp. 190-192

"BENEDICT, WILLIAM, in 1500, son WILLIAM, son WILLIAM, son THOMAS and Mary, all born in England. Tradition says the first William resided in Nottinghamshire, England, about A.D. 1500, and was an only son, and he had an only son William, who resided in the same shire. This second William had also an only son William, in Nottinghamshire, who also had an only son Thomas, who was born in England, in 1617. He m. Mary Bridgum, and was by trade a weaver. His father m. a second wife, Mrs. Bridgum, (a widow,) whose daughter Mary, m. Thomas when of age, (1638.) Thomas Benedict and Mary came to Mass. in the same vessel, and were soon after married. He remained for a time there and then removed to Southold, L.I., where they had nine children born, viz., Thomas, John, Samuel, James, Daniel, Betty, Mary, Sarah and Rebecca. From Southold he removed to Huntington, L.I., and resided there in June, 1656. He removed to Jamaica, where his son Thomas m. Mary Messenger. On the 26th of Sept., 1664, Bailey, D'l Denton, Thos. Benedict, &.,c applied to Col. Nichols to settle upon the river, (Arthur-Cull Bay,) now Elizabethtown, in New Jersey: the petition was granted. On the 8th of Feb., 1664, Gov. Nichols issued an order of election, dated at James Fort, in New York, to the magistrates of the towns upon L.I. to elect two delegates in each town, of the most sober, able and discreet persons, to meet at Hempstead, on the last day of Feb., to enact laws, &c. Daniel Denton and Thomas Benedict were elected delegates by the town of Jamaica. This was probably the first English legislature ever held in what is now the state of New York. He received a Lieutenant's commission in a foot company at Jamaica, from Gov. Nichols, dated at Fort James, in New York, April 7th, 1665. During the same year Thomas removed to Norwalk, in the colony of Connecticut, with his family. In Feb., 1666, he was elected town clerk and selectman of Norwalk. He was also chosen town clerk in 1669, also in 1672, at twenty shillings a year, which office he held many years. (See Hall's Norwalk and Southold Record.)

Thomas, Sen., in 1669, purchased of Samuel Campfield, his home lot which had been granted him by the town of Norwalk. He was to have the meeting house swept for the year 1665, at twenty shillings. Daniel Benedict, a soldier in the swamp fight against the Indians, had twelve acres of land given him by Norwalk for his service. Thomas Benedict, Sen. and Jun., of Norwalk, were propounded for freemen in Conn., in Oct., 1667. In May, 1670, Thomas Benedict and Walter Hoyte, were deputies to the General Court of Conn. At a session of the General Court in May, 1672, Richard Olmsteed, Thomas Benedict, &c., gave "in thier names for begining a plantation neare the backside of Norwalke, and by thier deputies desired the countenance of the court therein." The petition was granted, and a committee appointed, "to make a plantation." John and Samuel Benedict, sons of Thomas, of Norwalk, were "propounded" freemen for Norwalk, with Ralph Kelor, &c., in May, 1674. This was early a highly respectable family in the colony. (Col. Rec.)"

Came to US in 1638. Live in Southold, Jamaica, and Huntington on Long Island.

A Catalogue of the Names of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut by Royal Ralph Hinman, pp. 190-192

"BENEDICT, WILLIAM, in 1500, son WILLIAM, son WILLIAM, son THOMAS and Mary, all born in England. Tradition says the first William resided in Nottinghamshire, England, about A.D. 1500, and was an only son, and he had an only son William, who resided in the same shire. This second William had also an only son William, in Nottinghamshire, who also had an only son Thomas, who was born in England, in 1617. He m. Mary Bridgum, and was by trade a weaver. His father m. a second wife, Mrs. Bridgum, (a widow,) whose daughter Mary, m. Thomas when of age, (1638.) Thomas Benedict and Mary came to Mass. in the same vessel, and were soon after married. He remained for a time there and then removed to Southold, L.I., where they had nine children born, viz., Thomas, John, Samuel, James, Daniel, Betty, Mary, Sarah and Rebecca. From Southold he removed to Huntington, L.I., and resided there in June, 1656. He removed to Jamaica, where his son Thomas m. Mary Messenger. On the 26th of Sept., 1664, Bailey, D'l Denton, Thos. Benedict, &.,c applied to Col. Nichols to settle upon the river, (Arthur-Cull Bay,) now Elizabethtown, in New Jersey: the petition was granted. On the 8th of Feb., 1664, Gov. Nichols issued an order of election, dated at James Fort, in New York, to the magistrates of the towns upon L.I. to elect two delegates in each town, of the most sober, able and discreet persons, to meet at Hempstead, on the last day of Feb., to enact laws, &c. Daniel Denton and Thomas Benedict were elected delegates by the town of Jamaica. This was probably the first English legislature ever held in what is now the state of New York. He received a Lieutenant's commission in a foot company at Jamaica, from Gov. Nichols, dated at Fort James, in New York, April 7th, 1665. During the same year Thomas removed to Norwalk, in the colony of Connecticut, with his family. In Feb., 1666, he was elected town clerk and selectman of Norwalk. He was also chosen town clerk in 1669, also in 1672, at twenty shillings a year, which office he held many years. (See Hall's Norwalk and Southold Record.) Thomas, Sen., in 1669, purchased of Samuel Campfield, his home lot which had been granted him by the town of Norwalk. He was to have the meeting house swept for the year 1665, at twenty shillings. Daniel Benedict, a soldier in the swamp fight against the Indians, had twelve acres of land given him by Norwalk for his service. Thomas Benedict, Sen. and Jun., of Norwalk, were propounded for freemen in Conn., in Oct., 1667. In May, 1670, Thomas Benedict and Walter Hoyte, were deputies to the General Court of Conn. At a session of the General Court in May, 1672, Richard Olmsteed, Thomas Benedict, &c., gave "in thier names for begining a plantation neare the backside of Norwalke, and by thier deputies desired the countenance of the court therein." The petition was granted, and a committee appointed, "to make a plantation." John and Samuel Benedict, sons of Thomas, of Norwalk, were "propounded" freemen for Norwalk, with Ralph Kelor, &c., in May, 1674. This was early a highly respectable family in the colony. (Col. Rec.)"

Came to US in 1638. Live in Southold, Jamaica, and Huntington on Long Island

   Places of residence: (1617-1638) Nottinghamshire, England

(1638-1640) MA
(1640- ) Southold, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY
( -1690) Norwalk, Fairfield, CT
Eldred, Olive Seaton. "Sketches of the Aubrey Family". Ref: O 067.
"Thomas BENEDICT: Born in Nottinghamshire, England, in 1617; died in
Norwalk, CT in 1689/90. Settled in Massachusetts Bay
Colony about 1638, and Southold, Long Island about
1640."
Olmsted, H. K. & G. K. Ward. "The Olmsted Family in America". New York: De La
Mare Printing & Publ., 1912. Reprint, with supplements, by Ralph Olmsted,
Evanston, IL, 1979.
p. 192: Thomas & Mary (BRIDGUM) BENEDICT probably resided Southold, Long
Island, NY.
Other AFN:1RVN-GG
GEDWRAP suggests checking notes for hanging indents.
Thomas Benedict's Will and Inventory

• 1, Thomas Bennidick of Norwalk, in ye County of Fairfield, in ye Colony of Conecticut, aged aboute 73 years, being weak of body, yet of perfect mind and memory, do make and declare this as my last Will and Testament.

Imprimis. I do commend my Soule into ye hands of my gracious God yt hath made it, and do give my body to ye Earth from whence it was, to be decently buried, in hope of a happy and gracious Resurrection at ye last day; As for my temporall Estate, I do despose of as followeth:

I do will and bequeath to my loueing wife Mary Bennidick my whole Estate' house and households, Lands, Cattle - to use and despose according to ye controll and advice she, with my overseers afterwards mentioned, shall judg [e] most [ ] during ye Time of her naturall Life, and after ye decease of ye said Mary, my wife, I do will and bequeath to my Sonn, Daniell Bennedick, my dwelling house barne and houseing, orchard and four ewes - ye whole of my homested - to be to him and his heirs, to have and to howld, forever.

I do will and bequeath my Sonn, John Bennedick, my calve pasture Lot - he [to] pay to my grandchild Thomas Slauson, ye Son of my daughter, Elizabeth Slasson, ye sum of ten pounds which I give him as a legacy in time convenient.

I do also give to my said Son, John Bennedick one third part of my Sticky plaine Lott, which is half broken up. I also bequeath to him yt part of salt meadow lying be ye bridge at ye Indian Feild. Also, unto him, I bequeath eight acres of upland laid out above ye Long Swamp beyond ye New feild - All these lands to be to him and his heirs forever.

I do will and bequeath to my son, James Benedick, my Long Lot of Salt Meadow - over ye River - lying between Keloge and Bets - I do also bequeath to ye said James, my son, half my fruitefull Spring Lot - yt Lyeth sideing by ye medow, provided ye said James shall pay to my Grandchild Elizabeth Slausson, ye sum of five pounds, in time convenient, the afforesaid Land to be James and his heirs forever.

I do will and bequeath to my grand child Thomas Benedick, one 3d part of my Sticky plaine Lot which he hath in part improued and is in part unbroken. I also, bequeath to ye sd Thomas, my second division of medow called Mamathemans - the lands to be to him and his heirs forever.

I do will and bequeath to my Grandchild Samuell Benedict, ye other half of my fruitfull Spring Lot lying next to Nathaniel [ ] I do also bequeath to ye sd Samuell, a small parcel of medow which is salt - [ ] Kelloggs Swamp rung through —also one 3d part of my sticky plaine Lot on ye [side] I have broken up. I do also bequeath to my sd grand child Samuel, half my comonage which is 50 pounds; and the other half I do give to my grandchild John Bennedick ye eldest son of my son John Bennedick. I also will and bequeath to my Grandchild Samuell Bennedick my ould Horse and one yearling Calf. I do also bequeath to ye sd Samuell, my Carts and Iron plows and chains and irons belonging to plow and cart. Also ye bed and bedsted - yt in ye chamber with what belongs to it - leuving it to his Grandmother and ye overseers to give him of ye moveables what they can spare, provided he carry and behauve himself dutefully and louvingly towards his Grandmother - so doing, I do, also, will and bequeath to ye sd Samuell half of my sheep.

I do will and bequeath to Joanna Bennedick, One Cow, one half of my sheep — the trukle bedstead wth ye bed thereupon and the furniture of it, and what else of household her Grandmother shall bestow on her, provided she liue with her and be tender of her while she shall continue in this world.

As for my Out Lands, undesposed of, it is my will that my Son James and Daniell diuide ye Upland between them equally except ye peace of boggy medow which I will to be equally divided between my son James and grandchild Samuell Benedick.

I do will and bequeath to my daughter Rebecka Wood [the] mare yt is now running in ye wood; and I leauve it to my wife to give to my Daughter Sarah and Rebecka what of ye moveables she shall see meet and can spare.

I do will and bequeath to my Grand child Mary Olmsted, a legacy of twenty shillings; I also give to Hannah Benedick, my grand child, ten shillings the [same] to be paid out of ye estate after my decease.

Finally it is my will and I do hereby appoint my Son John and my Son Samll Bennedick to be joynt overseers of this my last will and testament - willing these my loueing sons to be carefull of their Mothers comfortable liueing and to councell her in ye ordering her affairs and desposall of goods; and to see carefully to ye payment of all lawfull debts.

In confirmation of ye premises of this my will and Testiment, I do set my hand and seal this eight and twentieth febr Ano dominy 1689-90.

[Signed] THOS BENEDICK, Senr.

(fac simile of his signature to a deed)

Signed and Sealed in presents of us,

Thomas Hanford

John Platt, Jr.

Born in Stratton St Michael, Norfolk, England; son of William Benedict and Elizabeth Stephin or Stephanson  17 Nov 1617 • Apprenticed to a weaver (perhaps Thomas Paine of Wrentham)  About 1630 • Sailed from Great Yarmouth, England, on the "Mary and Anne" with Mary Bridgham, his step-sister  Late May-June 1637  • Landed at Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony  Early August 1637 • Married to Mary Bridgham, probably at Salem by Rev. John Youngs, probable mentor for Thomas and Mary Benedict    1639 or 1640 • Witnessed will of Thomas Paine of Wrentham, Suffolk, England, a fellow passenger from England to Salem and

  another likely mentor for Thomas and Mary Benedict  Before 1 Mar 1640  • Left the Salem area, probably with a group led by Rev. John Youngs, and settled at Southold on Long Island  Late 1639, early 1640 • At Southold he built and operated a tide-mill on the stream later known as Benedict's Creek, Tom's Creek

  and Mill creek (the first recorded English mill in America)   During the 1640s • At Southold, with Mary Bridgham, he fathered five sons and four daughters between 1639 and 1659  Between 1639 & 1659  • Purchased, with Henry Whitney and Edward Tredwell, an undivided fourth part of Hashamomack from

  William Salmon  8 Oct 1649 • Appointed by commissioners of the United Colonies of New England to adjust differences between Uncas,

  sachem of the Mohegans, and Mohansick, sachem of Long Island  5 Sept 1650 • Sent notice to General Court at New Haven of desire of those living at Hashamomack to join with Southold     31 May 1654 • Removed with family from Southold to Huntington, Long Island  June 1656 • Witnessed the will of Jeffrey Este at Huntington  4 Jan 1657 • Signed a petition with William Smith and William Leveridge to the Court at New Haven to annex Huntington

  to New Haven Colony  17 Mar 1658 • Signed a second petition to annex Huntington to New Haven Colony  8 May 1658 • Made record of the sale of his Southold property to Thomas Rider  27 Feb 1659 • Chosen as magistrate of Huntington, Long Island  4 Feb1660 • Involved in a suit against John Budd, Sr.  17 May 1660 • Again chosen magistrate of Huntington  2 Dec 1661 • Appointed commissioner of Huntington by the General Court at New Haven  15 May 1662 • Removed with family from Huntington to Jamaica, Long Island  1662 • One of the founders of the first Presbyterian church erected in America at Jamaica, Long Island  1662 • Appointed to lay out Jamaica's south meadow and was voted a homelot  12 Dec 1662 • Appointed with Benjamin Coe, Goodman Smith, Luke Watson and Daniel Denton, to set the rate for the

  new minister's house and the cost of his transportation to Jamaica  20 Dec 1662 • Signed, with 23 others, an agreement with Zachery Walker, the minister, on the subject of reinbursement for

  improvements  2 Mar 1663 • Witnessed a deed of confirmation of sale of land by Indians with Daniel Denton, Waumitumpack, Rockouse

  and Nannowat   7 Mar 1663 • Signed the "Crafford alias Jemaico" petition  7 Mar 1663 • Appointed magistrate of Jamaica by Peter Stuyvesant  20 Mar 1663 • Signed a petition to the General Court at Hartford to annex Long Island to Connecticut  29 Sept 1663 • One of the bearers of the annexation petition to the General Court at Hartford  3 Nov 1663 • Appointed lieutenant of the military company of Jamaica  3 Dec 1663 • Ordered to lay out the meadows on East Neck  22 Dec 1663 • Accepted as a freeman for Jamaica by the General Court  12 May 1664 • Appointed commissioner, with Robert Coe, for Jamaica by the General Court  12 May 1664 • Received a grant, with five others, to settle Elizabethtown, New Jersey, from Sir Richard Nicolls, English

  Governor of New York  30 Sept 1664 • Delegate from Jamaica, with Daniel Denton, to the first English legislative body gathered in New York by

  Gov. Nicolls to discuss and adopt the code of laws known as the "Duke's Laws"  28 Feb 1665 • Appointed lieutenant of the foot company of Jamaica at Fort James by Gov. Nicolls  7 Apr 1665 • Removed with family from Jamaica, Long Island to Norwalk, Connecticut; given a homelot there  1665 • Elected town clerk in Norwalk; re-elected town clerk in 1669 and 1672, serving until 1674  Feb 1666 • Witness by letter to the court at Huntington in dispute about title to Eaton's Neck  27 Sept 1666 • Propounded (nominated) a freeman of Norwalk  10 Oct 1667 • Record of purchase of Samuel Campfield's homesite in Norwalk  1 Mar 1669 • Named on list of 42 freemen of Norwalk  11 Oct 1669 • Representative from Norwalk to General Assembly in Hartford  1669 • Representative from Norwalk to General Assembly in Hartford  1670 • Deputy, with Walter Hoyt, of the General Court at Hartford  12 May 1670 • Elected selectman of Norwalk; served until 1688  1671 • Joined with Henry Whitney in suit against Richard Smith  5-7 May 1672 • Deputy of the General Court at Hartford  1675 • Representative to the General Assembly  1675 • Appointed by the General Court to start a settlement near Norwalk. His sons Samuel and James, and

  daughters Sarah and Rebecca, and their families were the first settlers of this town, originally called Paquiage, 

  later called Danbury  8 May 1684 • A patentee on the title of Norwalk  1686 • Signed a petition to the General Court at Hartford to rename the town of Paquiage to "Swamfield"

  (Swampfield)  6 Oct 1687 • Executed his last will  28 Feb 1689 • Inventory of his estate taken (his date of death is unrecorded, as is his place of burial)  18 Mar 1689 

A Catalogue of the Names of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut by Royal Ralph Hinman, pp. 190-192

"BENEDICT, WILLIAM, in 1500, son WILLIAM, son WILLIAM, son THOMAS and Mary, all born in England. Tradition says the first William resided in Nottinghamshire, England, about A.D. 1500, and was an only son, and he had an only son William, who resided in the same shire. This second William had also an only son William, in Nottinghamshire, who also had an only son Thomas, who was born in England, in 1617. He m. Mary Bridgum, and was by trade a weaver. His father m. a second wife, Mrs. Bridgum, (a widow,) whose daughter Mary, m. Thomas when of age, (1638.) Thomas Benedict and Mary came to Mass. in the same vessel, and were soon after married. He remained for a time there and then removed to Southold, L.I., where they had nine children born, viz., Thomas, John, Samuel, James, Daniel, Betty, Mary, Sarah and Rebecca. From Southold he removed to Huntington, L.I., and resided there in June, 1656. He removed to Jamaica, where his son Thomas m. Mary Messenger. On the 26th of Sept., 1664, Bailey, D'l Denton, Thos. Benedict, &.,c applied to Col. Nichols to settle upon the river, (Arthur-Cull Bay,) now Elizabethtown, in New Jersey: the petition was granted. On the 8th of Feb., 1664, Gov. Nichols issued an order of election, dated at James Fort, in New York, to the magistrates of the towns upon L.I. to elect two delegates in each town, of the most sober, able and discreet persons, to meet at Hempstead, on the last day of Feb., to enact laws, &c. Daniel Denton and Thomas Benedict were elected delegates by the town of Jamaica. This was probably the first English legislature ever held in what is now the state of New York. He received a Lieutenant's commission in a foot company at Jamaica, from Gov. Nichols, dated at Fort James, in New York, April 7th, 1665. During the same year Thomas removed to Norwalk, in the colony of Connecticut, with his family. In Feb., 1666, he was elected town clerk and selectman of Norwalk. He was also chosen town clerk in 1669, also in 1672, at twenty shillings a year, which office he held many years. (See Hall's Norwalk and Southold Record.) Thomas, Sen., in 1669, purchased of Samuel Campfield, his home lot which had been granted him by the town of Norwalk. He was to have the meeting house swept for the year 1665, at twenty shillings. Daniel Benedict, a soldier in the swamp fight against the Indians, had twelve acres of land given him by Norwalk for his service. Thomas Benedict, Sen. and Jun., of Norwalk, were propounded for freemen in Conn., in Oct., 1667. In May, 1670, Thomas Benedict and Walter Hoyte, were deputies to the General Court of Conn. At a session of the General Court in May, 1672, Richard Olmsteed, Thomas Benedict, &c., gave "in thier names for begining a plantation neare the backside of Norwalke, and by thier deputies desired the countenance of the court therein." The petition was granted, and a committee appointed, "to make a plantation." John and Samuel Benedict, sons of Thomas, of Norwalk, were "propounded" freemen for Norwalk, with Ralph Kelor, &c., in May, 1674. This was early a highly respectable family in the colony. (Col. Rec.)" -------------------- Came to US in 1638. Live in Southold, Jamaica, and Huntington on Long Island. -------------------- A Catalogue of the Names of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut by Royal Ralph Hinman, pp. 190-192

"BENEDICT, WILLIAM, in 1500, son WILLIAM, son WILLIAM, son THOMAS and Mary, all born in England. Tradition says the first William resided in Nottinghamshire, England, about A.D. 1500, and was an only son, and he had an only son William, who resided in the same shire. This second William had also an only son William, in Nottinghamshire, who also had an only son Thomas, who was born in England, in 1617. He m. Mary Bridgum, and was by trade a weaver. His father m. a second wife, Mrs. Bridgum, (a widow,) whose daughter Mary, m. Thomas when of age, (1638.) Thomas Benedict and Mary came to Mass. in the same vessel, and were soon after married. He remained for a time there and then removed to Southold, L.I., where they had nine children born, viz., Thomas, John, Samuel, James, Daniel, Betty, Mary, Sarah and Rebecca. From Southold he removed to Huntington, L.I., and resided there in June, 1656. He removed to Jamaica, where his son Thomas m. Mary Messenger. On the 26th of Sept., 1664, Bailey, D'l Denton, Thos. Benedict, &.,c applied to Col. Nichols to settle upon the river, (Arthur-Cull Bay,) now Elizabethtown, in New Jersey: the petition was granted. On the 8th of Feb., 1664, Gov. Nichols issued an order of election, dated at James Fort, in New York, to the magistrates of the towns upon L.I. to elect two delegates in each town, of the most sober, able and discreet persons, to meet at Hempstead, on the last day of Feb., to enact laws, &c. Daniel Denton and Thomas Benedict were elected delegates by the town of Jamaica. This was probably the first English legislature ever held in what is now the state of New York. He received a Lieutenant's commission in a foot company at Jamaica, from Gov. Nichols, dated at Fort James, in New York, April 7th, 1665. During the same year Thomas removed to Norwalk, in the colony of Connecticut, with his family. In Feb., 1666, he was elected town clerk and selectman of Norwalk. He was also chosen town clerk in 1669, also in 1672, at twenty shillings a year, which office he held many years. (See Hall's Norwalk and Southold Record.) Thomas, Sen., in 1669, purchased of Samuel Campfield, his home lot which had been granted him by the town of Norwalk. He was to have the meeting house swept for the year 1665, at twenty shillings. Daniel Benedict, a soldier in the swamp fight against the Indians, had twelve acres of land given him by Norwalk for his service. Thomas Benedict, Sen. and Jun., of Norwalk, were propounded for freemen in Conn., in Oct., 1667. In May, 1670, Thomas Benedict and Walter Hoyte, were deputies to the General Court of Conn. At a session of the General Court in May, 1672, Richard Olmsteed, Thomas Benedict, &c., gave "in thier names for begining a plantation neare the backside of Norwalke, and by thier deputies desired the countenance of the court therein." The petition was granted, and a committee appointed, "to make a plantation." John and Samuel Benedict, sons of Thomas, of Norwalk, were "propounded" freemen for Norwalk, with Ralph Kelor, &c., in May, 1674. This was early a highly respectable family in the colony. (Col. Rec.)" -------------------- Came to US in 1638. Live in Southold, Jamaica, and Huntington on Long Island --------------------

Places of residence: (1617-1638) Nottinghamshire, England (1638-1640) MA (1640- ) Southold, Suffolk Co., Long Island, NY ( -1690) Norwalk, Fairfield, CT Eldred, Olive Seaton. "Sketches of the Aubrey Family". Ref: O 067. "Thomas BENEDICT: Born in Nottinghamshire, England, in 1617; died in Norwalk, CT in 1689/90. Settled in Massachusetts Bay Colony about 1638, and Southold, Long Island about 1640." Olmsted, H. K. & G. K. Ward. "The Olmsted Family in America". New York: De La Mare Printing & Publ., 1912. Reprint, with supplements, by Ralph Olmsted, Evanston, IL, 1979. p. 192: Thomas & Mary (BRIDGUM) BENEDICT probably resided Southold, Long Island, NY. Other AFN:1RVN-GG GEDWRAP suggests checking notes for hanging indents.

1, Thomas Bennidick of Norwalk, in ye County of Fairfield, in ye Colony of Conecticut, aged aboute 73 years, being weak of body, yet of perfect mind and memory, do make and declare this as my last Will and Testament. Imprimis. I do commend my Soule into ye hands of my gracious God yt hath made it, and do give my body to ye Earth from whence it was, to be decently buried, in hope of a happy and gracious Resurrection at ye last day; As for my temporall Estate, I do despose of as followeth:

I do will and bequeath to my loueing wife Mary Bennidick my whole Estate' house and households, Lands, Cattle - to use and despose according to ye controll and advice she, with my overseers afterwards mentioned, shall judg [e] most [ ] during ye Time of her naturall Life, and after ye decease of ye said Mary, my wife, I do will and bequeath to my Sonn, Daniell Bennedick, my dwelling house barne and houseing, orchard and four ewes - ye whole of my homested - to be to him and his heirs, to have and to howld, forever.

I do will and bequeath my Sonn, John Bennedick, my calve pasture Lot - he [to] pay to my grandchild Thomas Slauson, ye Son of my daughter, Elizabeth Slasson, ye sum of ten pounds which I give him as a legacy in time convenient.

I do also give to my said Son, John Bennedick one third part of my Sticky plaine Lott, which is half broken up. I also bequeath to him yt part of salt meadow lying be ye bridge at ye Indian Feild. Also, unto him, I bequeath eight acres of upland laid out above ye Long Swamp beyond ye New feild - All these lands to be to him and his heirs forever.

I do will and bequeath to my son, James Benedick, my Long Lot of Salt Meadow - over ye River - lying between Keloge and Bets - I do also bequeath to ye said James, my son, half my fruitefull Spring Lot - yt Lyeth sideing by ye medow, provided ye said James shall pay to my Grandchild Elizabeth Slausson, ye sum of five pounds, in time convenient, the afforesaid Land to be James and his heirs forever.

I do will and bequeath to my grand child Thomas Benedick, one 3d part of my Sticky plaine Lot which he hath in part improued and is in part unbroken. I also, bequeath to ye sd Thomas, my second division of medow called Mamathemans - the lands to be to him and his heirs forever.

I do will and bequeath to my Grandchild Samuell Benedict, ye other half of my fruitfull Spring Lot lying next to Nathaniel [ ] I do also bequeath to ye sd Samuell, a small parcel of medow which is salt - [ ] Kelloggs Swamp rung through —also one 3d part of my sticky plaine Lot on ye [side] I have broken up. I do also bequeath to my sd grand child Samuel, half my comonage which is 50 pounds; and the other half I do give to my grandchild John Bennedick ye eldest son of my son John Bennedick. I also will and bequeath to my Grandchild Samuell Bennedick my ould Horse and one yearling Calf. I do also bequeath to ye sd Samuell, my Carts and Iron plows and chains and irons belonging to plow and cart. Also ye bed and bedsted - yt in ye chamber with what belongs to it - leuving it to his Grandmother and ye overseers to give him of ye moveables what they can spare, provided he carry and behauve himself dutefully and louvingly towards his Grandmother - so doing, I do, also, will and bequeath to ye sd Samuell half of my sheep.

I do will and bequeath to Joanna Bennedick, One Cow, one half of my sheep — the trukle bedstead wth ye bed thereupon and the furniture of it, and what else of household her Grandmother shall bestow on her, provided she liue with her and be tender of her while she shall continue in this world.

As for my Out Lands, undesposed of, it is my will that my Son James and Daniell diuide ye Upland between them equally except ye peace of boggy medow which I will to be equally divided between my son James and grandchild Samuell Benedick.

I do will and bequeath to my daughter Rebecka Wood [the] mare yt is now running in ye wood; and I leauve it to my wife to give to my Daughter Sarah and Rebecka what of ye moveables she shall see meet and can spare.

I do will and bequeath to my Grand child Mary Olmsted, a legacy of twenty shillings; I also give to Hannah Benedick, my grand child, ten shillings the [same] to be paid out of ye estate after my decease.

Finally it is my will and I do hereby appoint my Son John and my Son Samll Bennedick to be joynt overseers of this my last will and testament - willing these my loueing sons to be carefull of their Mothers comfortable liueing and to councell her in ye ordering her affairs and desposall of goods; and to see carefully to ye payment of all lawfull debts.

In confirmation of ye premises of this my will and Testiment, I do set my hand and seal this eight and twentieth febr Ano dominy 1689-90.

[Signed] THOS BENEDICK, Senr.

(fac simile of his signature to a deed)

Signed and Sealed in presents of us,

Thomas Hanford

John Platt, Jr.

Born in Stratton St Michael, Norfolk, England; son of William Benedict and Elizabeth Stephin or Stephanson 17 Nov 1617 • Apprenticed to a weaver (perhaps Thomas Paine of Wrentham) About 1630 • Sailed from Great Yarmouth, England, on the "Mary and Anne" with Mary Bridgham, his step-sister Late May-June 1637 • Landed at Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony Early August 1637 • Married to Mary Bridgham, probably at Salem by Rev. John Youngs, probable mentor for Thomas and Mary Benedict 1639 or 1640 • Witnessed will of Thomas Paine of Wrentham, Suffolk, England, a fellow passenger from England to Salem and another likely mentor for Thomas and Mary Benedict Before 1 Mar 1640 • Left the Salem area, probably with a group led by Rev. John Youngs, and settled at Southold on Long Island Late 1639, early 1640 • At Southold he built and operated a tide-mill on the stream later known as Benedict's Creek, Tom's Creek and Mill creek (the first recorded English mill in America) During the 1640s • At Southold, with Mary Bridgham, he fathered five sons and four daughters between 1639 and 1659 Between 1639 & 1659 • Purchased, with Henry Whitney and Edward Tredwell, an undivided fourth part of Hashamomack from William Salmon 8 Oct 1649 • Appointed by commissioners of the United Colonies of New England to adjust differences between Uncas, sachem of the Mohegans, and Mohansick, sachem of Long Island 5 Sept 1650 • Sent notice to General Court at New Haven of desire of those living at Hashamomack to join with Southold 31 May 1654 • Removed with family from Southold to Huntington, Long Island June 1656 • Witnessed the will of Jeffrey Este at Huntington 4 Jan 1657 • Signed a petition with William Smith and William Leveridge to the Court at New Haven to annex Huntington to New Haven Colony 17 Mar 1658 • Signed a second petition to annex Huntington to New Haven Colony 8 May 1658 • Made record of the sale of his Southold property to Thomas Rider 27 Feb 1659 • Chosen as magistrate of Huntington, Long Island 4 Feb1660 • Involved in a suit against John Budd, Sr. 17 May 1660 • Again chosen magistrate of Huntington 2 Dec 1661 • Appointed commissioner of Huntington by the General Court at New Haven 15 May 1662 • Removed with family from Huntington to Jamaica, Long Island 1662 • One of the founders of the first Presbyterian church erected in America at Jamaica, Long Island 1662 • Appointed to lay out Jamaica's south meadow and was voted a homelot 12 Dec 1662 • Appointed with Benjamin Coe, Goodman Smith, Luke Watson and Daniel Denton, to set the rate for the new minister's house and the cost of his transportation to Jamaica 20 Dec 1662 • Signed, with 23 others, an agreement with Zachery Walker, the minister, on the subject of reinbursement for improvements 2 Mar 1663 • Witnessed a deed of confirmation of sale of land by Indians with Daniel Denton, Waumitumpack, Rockouse and Nannowat 7 Mar 1663 • Signed the "Crafford alias Jemaico" petition 7 Mar 1663 • Appointed magistrate of Jamaica by Peter Stuyvesant 20 Mar 1663 • Signed a petition to the General Court at Hartford to annex Long Island to Connecticut 29 Sept 1663 • One of the bearers of the annexation petition to the General Court at Hartford 3 Nov 1663 • Appointed lieutenant of the military company of Jamaica 3 Dec 1663 • Ordered to lay out the meadows on East Neck 22 Dec 1663 • Accepted as a freeman for Jamaica by the General Court 12 May 1664 • Appointed commissioner, with Robert Coe, for Jamaica by the General Court 12 May 1664 • Received a grant, with five others, to settle Elizabethtown, New Jersey, from Sir Richard Nicolls, English Governor of New York 30 Sept 1664 • Delegate from Jamaica, with Daniel Denton, to the first English legislative body gathered in New York by Gov. Nicolls to discuss and adopt the code of laws known as the "Duke's Laws" 28 Feb 1665 • Appointed lieutenant of the foot company of Jamaica at Fort James by Gov. Nicolls 7 Apr 1665 • Removed with family from Jamaica, Long Island to Norwalk, Connecticut; given a homelot there 1665 • Elected town clerk in Norwalk; re-elected town clerk in 1669 and 1672, serving until 1674 Feb 1666 • Witness by letter to the court at Huntington in dispute about title to Eaton's Neck 27 Sept 1666 • Propounded (nominated) a freeman of Norwalk 10 Oct 1667 • Record of purchase of Samuel Campfield's homesite in Norwalk 1 Mar 1669 • Named on list of 42 freemen of Norwalk 11 Oct 1669 • Representative from Norwalk to General Assembly in Hartford 1669 • Representative from Norwalk to General Assembly in Hartford 1670 • Deputy, with Walter Hoyt, of the General Court at Hartford 12 May 1670 • Elected selectman of Norwalk; served until 1688 1671 • Joined with Henry Whitney in suit against Richard Smith 5-7 May 1672 • Deputy of the General Court at Hartford 1675 • Representative to the General Assembly 1675 • Appointed by the General Court to start a settlement near Norwalk. His sons Samuel and James, and daughters Sarah and Rebecca, and their families were the first settlers of this town, originally called Paquiage, later called Danbury 8 May 1684 • A patentee on the title of Norwalk 1686 • Signed a petition to the General Court at Hartford to rename the town of Paquiage to "Swamfield" (Swampfield) 6 Oct 1687 • Executed his last will 28 Feb 1689 • Inventory of his estate taken (his date of death is unrecorded, as is his place of burial) 18 Mar 1689

moved to Shouthold, N.Y. on Long Island where he lived on the farm Hassamamac

moved to Huntington, N.Y. on Long Island

moved to Jamaica where he had a 10 acre parcel of land

Ancestry Member Trees This hint compiles information from 10 other Public Ancestry Member Trees. Name Thomas Benedict Birth 1617 - Nottinghamshire, England Death 28 Feb 1690 - Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States Review Ignore Immigrant Member Photo Date 8/9/2014 Submitted By iviary View Ignore Find a grave-Thomas Benedict I Story Date 7/27/2015 Submitted By ConeDiMaria View Ignore England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 Birth, Marriage & Death Name Thomas Beeby Spouse Mary Children Sarah Ann Beeby Review Ignore England, Select Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991 Birth, Marriage & Death Name Thomas Bibby Spouse Mary Bibby Children Sarah Bibby Review Ignore England, Select Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991 Birth, Marriage & Death Name Thomas Spouse Mary Children Rebecca Wood Review Ignore U.S. House of Representative Private Claims, Vol. 1 Court, Land, Wills & Financial Name Thomas P. Benedict, widow of Civil 371 Review Ignore North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 Stories, Memories & Histories Name Thomas Benedict Spouse Mary Bridgum Gender Male Review Ignore New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635 Stories, Memories & Histories Name Thomas Benedict Review Ignore North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 Stories, Memories & Histories Name Thomas Benedict Spouse Mary Bridgman Marriage Massachusetts Gender Male Review Ignore North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 Stories, Memories & Histories Name Thomas Benedict Birth 1617 - England Gender Male Review Ignore England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 Birth, Marriage & Death Name Tho. Benedict Mother Elysabeth Father Willm Benedict Baptism 30 Nov 1617 - Bale, Norfolk, England Review Ignore U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Birth, Marriage & Death Name Thomas Benedict I Spouse Mary Benedict Birth 1617 - Norfolk, England Death 03 1690 - Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA Review Ignore East Norwalk Historical Cemetery Member Photo Date 10/12/2014 Submitted By stephaniesalzman View Ignore Connecticut, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1790-1890 Census & Voter Lists Name Thomas Sr. Benedictk Residence 1673 - Norwalk, Fairfield County, CT Review Ignore U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 Birth, Marriage & Death Name Thomas Benedict Spouse Mary Bridgum Birth 1617 Death 1690 Marriage United States Review Ignore Millennium File Family Trees Name Thomas Benidict Spouse Mary Birth 1612 Review Ignore __________________________

Find A Grave Memorial For Thomas Benedict, I

Birth: 1617 Norfolk, England Death: Mar., 1690 Norwalk Fairfield County Connecticut, USA

Thomas Benedict was baptized on November 30, 1617, at Long Stratton, Norfolk, England, son of William Benedict and Elizabeth (Stephins) Benedict. The Family History Search record currently gives the place of his baptism as Bale, Norfolk, but this apparently an error. See the Robert Benedict and LaRue Olsen sources [Wikitree Benedict 25] which show the baptism place as Long Stratton (St. Michael's Church). Info from Kenneth Kinman, FAG Contributor

According to the memories of Mary Brighum Benedict, the wife of Thomas Benedict, as told to and recorded by her grandson, Deacon James Benedict of Ridgefield, Conn., the great grandfather of Thomas Benedict I was William Benedict of Nottingham, England. He had an only son, William Benedict, who had an only son, William Benedict. Thomas was the only son of the last William Benedict(#3).

Thomas was born in 1617 in England, was apprenticed to a weaver, and came from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1637/1638 in his 21st year of age along with his father's second wife's daughter by her first marriage (his step-sister), MARY BRIGHUM (BRIGHAM). They were probably married around 1639/40 since all of the children were born in Long Island, New York beginning in 1641.

They first lived at Hashamommock near Southold, L. I., New York. In 1649 Thomas Benedict along with my ancestor, HENRY WHITNEY, millright, and Edward Treadwell purchased land of William Salmon, and had the first mill on the east side of Tom's (named after Thomas) Creek in Hashamommock. It was just a few rods more than two miles east of the First Church of Southold & two miles east of Southold Station of the L. I. RR. In 1650, he along with three others were commissioned by the court to examine the complaints of Uncas, Sachem of the Mohegan Indians, and act as arbitrators.

Thomas Benedict and some others living near Southold petitioned the General Court at New Haven, requesting to join them and asking their protection. On May 12 1662, the Court granted the petition and confirmed Jonas Wood and Thomas Benedict to act on behalf of the government. The same year, he was appointed to lay out the south meadows, and was given a home lot.

Trusted and respected by the Dutch, on March 20, 1663, he was appointed to be a magistrate for the Dutch Governor, Styvesant. On Dec. 3, 1663, "Goodman Benedick" was elected Lieutentant of the town of Jamaica, L. I. He was given a ten acre lot beyond the Rocky Hollow under the Hills to the east of Jamaica.

An educated man, "Thomas Benndyck" signed his name as a witness to a bill of sale. A copy of his signature can be seen in "The Genealogy of Thomas Benedict" by Henry Benedict. In 1664, he was made a freeman in "Jamaicoe" and was nominated as a commissioner for the town. The same year, Thomas Benedict and others petitioned Richard Nichols, Gov. under his Royal Highness the Duke of York, for permission to settle a plantation upon the river in New Jersey, a tract of land purchased from the Indian Sachem at Staten Island on October 28, 1664. The governor granted their petition, and a group from Jamaica was sent to colonize the place now called Elizabeth City, New Jersey.

At the first legislative body to convene in New York on February 28, 1665, Daniel Denton & Thomas Benedict were sent as delegates from Jamaica. He was appointed lieutenant of the Foot Company of Jamaica by Gov. Nichols.

When New York was finally taken over completely by the English, Thomas Benedict, whose real allegiance was to New Haven Colony, decided to leave Long Island and migrate to Norwalk along with all of his children and their families. In 1668 he sold his land in Long Island to Thomas Rider and purchased land in Norwalk in 1669. He was a Selectman of the town for seventeen years, a Representative to the General Court, and was Town Clerk for Norwalk until 1674. In 1671 John Platt & Thomas, Sr. were appointed to lay out the last division of land and also the home lots. His estate was worth 150 pounds in 1673 and 153 pounds in 1687. In 1684, he along with three others was appointed to plant a town above Norwalk or Fairfield at Paquiage (now called Danbury). His sons, Samuel & James, and six others with their families settled there. He was named a patentee of Norwalk in the Patent granted by the General Court in 1686.

No known record can be found that indicates the day of his death. His will was dated February 28, 1689/90 in Norwalk, Conn., and the inventory of his estate was on March 18, the same year, also in Norwalk.

The children of THOMAS & MARY (BRIGHAM) BENEDICT: THOMAS II, my ancestor SAMUEL JAMES ELIZABETH (BENEDICT) Slawson DANIEL SARAH (BENEDICT) Beebe John Mary (Benedict) Olmstead Rebecca (Benedict) Wood

Created by: Nareen, et al Record added: Jan 31, 2009 Find A Grave Memorial# 33427648 Added by Janet Milburn (#47529757) 7 September 2017 Thomas Benedict, Sr. is my10th great grandfather.

Thomas Benedict was baptized on November 30, 1617, at Long Stratton, Norfolk, England, son of William Benedict and Elizabeth (Stephins) Benedict. The Family History Search record currently gives the place of his baptism as Bale, Norfolk, but this apparently an error. See the Robert Benedict and LaRue Olsen sources [Wikitree Benedict 25] which show the baptism place as Long Stratton (St. Michael's Church). Info from Kenneth Kinman, FAG Contributor

According to the memories of Mary Brighum Benedict, the wife of Thomas Benedict, as told to and recorded by her grandson, Deacon James Benedict of Ridgefield, Conn., the great grandfather of Thomas Benedict I was William Benedict of Nottingham, England. He had an only son, William Benedict, who had an only son, William Benedict. Thomas was the only son of the last William Benedict(#3).

Thomas was born in 1617 in England, was apprenticed to a weaver, and came from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1637/1638 in his 21st year of age along with his father's second wife's daughter by her first marriage (his step-sister), MARY BRIGHUM (BRIGHAM). They were probably married around 1639/40 since all of the children were born in Long Island, New York beginning in 1641.

They first lived at Hashamommock near Southold, L. I., New York. In 1649 Thomas Benedict along with my ancestor, HENRY WHITNEY, millright, and Edward Treadwell purchased land of William Salmon, and had the first mill on the east side of Tom's (named after Thomas) Creek in Hashamommock. It was just a few rods more than two miles east of the First Church of Southold & two miles east of Southold Station of the L. I. RR. In 1650, he along with three others were commissioned by the court to examine the complaints of Uncas, Sachem of the Mohegan Indians, and act as arbitrators.

Thomas Benedict and some others living near Southold petitioned the General Court at New Haven, requesting to join them and asking their protection. On May 12 1662, the Court granted the petition and confirmed Jonas Wood and Thomas Benedict to act on behalf of the government. The same year, he was appointed to lay out the south meadows, and was given a home lot.

Trusted and respected by the Dutch, on March 20, 1663, he was appointed to be a magistrate for the Dutch Governor, Styvesant. On Dec. 3, 1663, "Goodman Benedick" was elected Lieutentant of the town of Jamaica, L. I. He was given a ten acre lot beyond the Rocky Hollow under the Hills to the east of Jamaica.

An educated man, "Thomas Benndyck" signed his name as a witness to a bill of sale. A copy of his signature can be seen in "The Genealogy of Thomas Benedict" by Henry Benedict. In 1664, he was made a freeman in "Jamaicoe" and was nominated as a commissioner for the town. The same year, Thomas Benedict and others petitioned Richard Nichols, Gov. under his Royal Highness the Duke of York, for permission to settle a plantation upon the river in New Jersey, a tract of land purchased from the Indian Sachem at Staten Island on October 28, 1664. The governor granted their petition, and a group from Jamaica was sent to colonize the place now called Elizabeth City, New Jersey.

At the first legislative body to convene in New York on February 28, 1665, Daniel Denton & Thomas Benedict were sent as delegates from Jamaica. He was appointed lieutenant of the Foot Company of Jamaica by Gov. Nichols.

When New York was finally taken over completely by the English, Thomas Benedict, whose real allegiance was to New Haven Colony, decided to leave Long Island and migrate to Norwalk along with all of his children and their families. In 1668 he sold his land in Long Island to Thomas Rider and purchased land in Norwalk in 1669. He was a Selectman of the town for seventeen years, a Representative to the General Court, and was Town Clerk for Norwalk until 1674. In 1671 John Platt & Thomas, Sr. were appointed to lay out the last division of land and also the home lots. His estate was worth 150 pounds in 1673 and 153 pounds in 1687. In 1684, he along with three others was appointed to plant a town above Norwalk or Fairfield at Paquiage (now called Danbury). His sons, Samuel & James, and six others with their families settled there. He was named a patentee of Norwalk in the Patent granted by the General Court in 1686.

No known record can be found that indicates the day of his death. His will was dated February 28, 1689/90 in Norwalk, Conn., and the inventory of his estate was on March 18, the same year, also in Norwalk.

The children of THOMAS & MARY (BRIGHAM) BENEDICT: THOMAS II, my ancestor SAMUEL JAMES ELIZABETH (BENEDICT) Slawson DANIEL SARAH (BENEDICT) Beebe John Mary (Benedict) Olmstead Rebecca (Benedict) Wood

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 27 2019, 12:35:55 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

!Will dated 28 Feb 1689/90

!Came from England at age 21 (1636). Settled in Massachusetts Bay. Went from there to Southold, Suffolk, New York. Lived also in Huntington and Jamaica Long Island and Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut

!"Benedicts in America" FHL 929.273 B434b