John Bement

JOHN BEMENT, as was told, that when young he was captured by the Indians and taken toward Canada, and one night when staked down on his back in a ditch, he managed to escape and reached home safely. He may have been taken when his father was, or, the tradition may refer to the older John Bement. He was a soldier in the campaigns of 1756 and 1757, under Captain John Burke, Colonel George Monroe, and was taken prisoner at the Capture of Fort William Henry by the French and Indians commanded by Montcalm, 9 Aug 1757. He probably saw later service in the last Indian War, and may have taken some part in the Revolutionary struggle. About that time, he removed to Ashfield, where he was influential in town affairs and a deacon in its church. (Source: Connecticut Historical Society Collections, French and Indian War Rolls).

Chronicles of the Bement Family in America; 1928, pp. 83-84

"He was a pioneer of Franklin county (Massachusetts). He bought a tract of timber land in the eastern part of Ashfield and built a log house in the wilderness, enduring the hardships and meeting the difficulties of his situation with a brave and sturdy spirit. Before his land was cleared he would go to Hadley to work for farmers there, taking his pay in corn, which he carried home through the forest on his back. Patiently toiling, year in and year out, he cleared a good farm, and at the time of his death was in comfortable circumstances." (Source: Leading Citizens of Franklin County, Massachusetts. Biographical Review Publishing Co., Cited in "A Genealogy of Sherwin-Shed and Allied Families of America", by Alyce Adams Burrell, 1990, p. 117)

He may also have died as late as 10 Sep 1810. Apparently he was the first Bement to settle in Ashfield. Over one hundred and fifty Bement's were born there between 1763 and 1850, but none have resided there since 1900 or earlier. (Source: Spencer L. BeMent, Ann Arbor, MI)

John Bement's younger sister, Rachel (1742-1814) was married to Mary Waite Bement's younger brother, Jeremiah Waite (1742-1817).