Joseph Benham, Sr.

FamilySearch profile for Joseph Benham: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/2N9D-WBM

Families of Ancient New Haven by Donald Lines Jacobus, pg. 186

According to Timothy Benham "Joseph and Winifred married in Boston within days of his mother's death in Connecticut, but they moved beck to New Haven where his mother died, and settled in plot 4 of the original town layout in Wallingford, Connecticut. Joseph and Winifred had many troubles throughout their life, such as Winifred being accused of Witchcraft 3 times between 1692 and 1697. The last time her youngest daughter stood accused with her. When suspicions arose yet another time, the family fled to Staten Island New York, in fear of their lives. Winifred and her 13 yr. old daughter who was referred to in trial records as "Winifred Jr.", were the last witch trial to be held in the New England Colonies, in August of 1697. Joseph seemed to have even worse luck with the town council than his dad, including being publicly whipped.

From "Witchcraft Trials of Connecticut" by R. G. Thomlinson, pub. 1978:

"In the summer of 1692, Winifred (King) Benham, the wife of Joseph Benham of Wallingford came under suspicion of witchcraft. When Hammah Parker began to come to the Benham home and make accusations, Joseph took direct action to protect his wife. He told Hannah that he was loading his gun with two bulets and if she came again to make such conversations he would shoot her with them. A hearing before Deputy William Jones, Capt. Moses Mansfield, and Mr. Thomas Trowbridge was held in New Haven on July 25, 1692. Hannah and her husband Joseph Parker, Sarah How and Abigail Atwater appeared as witnesses against the Benhams. Joseph Benham admitted that he threatened to shoot Hannah Parker and the Benhams were warned to appear before the Nov. Meeting of the New Haven County Court."