Migratory Benners Pennsylvania to Ohio

%A a trt, The Pennsylvania GENEALOGICAL Magazine 2g53gi 214M2MTOR `.4t2i2EM . Migratory Benners Pennsylvania to Ohio Research by ESTHER HOYNE KERNS N OT ALL Pennsylvania settlers or their children moved westward in search of "greener pastures." But those who did move across the mountains left behind them, not only the Appalachian barrier, but often another seemingly unsurmountable barrier, one which their descendants in the twentieth century often find difficult to surmount. As such pioneers moved away from settled territory in the East to either virgin wilderness or raw, emergent settlements in the opening West, they left little trace behind them of their wanderings unless they stopped long enough in one place to take up some land, cultivate it for a time, or pay an occasional tax, before moving on to another, more promising spot. They were not all feckless wanderers, as might seem at first, but men searching for a better place in which to plant their roots, raise their families, and insure for their grandchildren a better chance to prosper. However, aware of their own antecedents, concerned for their descendants' future prospects, these men usually were too occupied with their immediate problems to give much thought to the interest their greatgreat-grandchildren in time might develop in their own background. Hence the barrier to the past which was raised unconsciously as they moved westward. The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 4 To the knowledgable, that barrier is not as impenetrable as it seems. But it does require persistence, an inordinate amount of letter-writing to searchers scattered along the way, or travelling from county court house to county court house in search of whatever records the emigrants left behind them. The following account is the result of just such persistence in resurrecting the past. During the first half of the eighteenth century, a number of immigrants surnamed Benner settled in Pennsylvania. Some of them were "plain people," i.e., Mennonites or Anabaptists of one sort or another. Others were "church people," members of the German Reformed or Lutheran faiths. Probably among the latter sort was one HENRY BENNER who arrived on the Ship Fane along with Lutwig, Johannes and Dangel Benner, all of whom took the usual oaths of abjuration and fidelity at the Court House in Philadelphia on 17 8m (October) 1749. 5 This Henry Benner next emerges from obscurity four years later in 1753, when he and his "cousin" Daniel Benner were assessed as Henry and Daniel Pener, freemen, in Coventry Township, Chester County.' Neither man was married at this time, but within a year Henry Benner appears to have married a Mennonite woman, ELIZABETH ECKER, widow of Christopher Ecker and daughter of the Mennonite, Jacob Stager, one of the first settlers in the township.' In the early summer of 1754, Henry Benner, a carpenter by trade, acquired his first land, paying John Stoner of the same township £350 for 229 acres in the township.' Four years later Henry was appointed an overseer of the highways in Coventry, and by 1765 had a horse, cow and three sheep. The same year he bought 140 additional acres from Henry Lehr for £520.5 This was the year a second son, Christian, was William j. Hinke, ed., Pennsylvania German Pioneers (Norristown, Pa., 1934), I. 424, List 144-C Henry Benner signed this list as "Hennerich" Benner. Daniel Benner in his will called Henry his "cousin," for which see the text below. Information from the Coventry Townsh:m tax and assessment lists has been supplied from the records of the Rev. Carl T Smith who examined the originals in the Chester Co. Historical Society, West Chester, Pa. o For Elizabeth's identity as the daughter of Jacob Stager, see Pennsylvania Archives, sod Series, X, 431: 10 Sept. 1767, Patent to Jacob &eager, grandson of the immigrant Jacob Stager. In this record is the recital of the release by Henry Benner and his wife Elizabeth of their rights in her father's property to her nephew, Jacob Smager, son of her deceased brother, John Steager, Christopher Ecker's will, dated 14 Feb. and proved 26 Feb. 1747/8, named his wife Elizabeth and two minor sons, Jacob and John Ecker. He is believed to be buried in the E. Coventry Mennonite Cemetery; a small gravestone is inscribed: HANG / 1748 / CSTPER. Next to this stone is that of Elizabeth, wife of Henry Benner. For Ecker's wdl see Philadelphia Will Book H, 490, #239:1747/8. Philadelphia Deed Book H-10, 10: 26 June 1754, John Stoner to Henry Benner. 0 Chester Co. Deed Book 5-18, 60: 12 Oct. 1765: Henry Lehr to Henry Benner. Henry Benner's public offices are from the records of the Rev. Smith, extracted by him from the miginals in the Chester Co. Historical Society. Migratory Benners: Pennsylvania to Ohio 5 born to Henry and Elizabeth; it seems likely the acquisition of this land was his method of insuring there would be sufficient land for his sons to cultivate and on which to raise their own families. By 1767, Henry had three horses, four cattle, two sheep and a servant to assist him in his trade and in the cultivation of his land. The 140-acre farm he apparently leased out to a tenant, for he was assessed this year on only 150 acres and dwelling, 50 acres of woodland and his livestock. His family included two sons and two daughters: Elizabeth, his first-born child; Henry, the eldest son; Barbara, the second daughter, and Christian, the youngest son. This year of 1767, Daniel Benner, who had accompanied Henry on the Ship Fane and also settled in Coventry Township, died, leaving a widow Margaret and two young sons, Daniel and Jacob Benner. In his will Daniel nominated his wife Margaret and his "cousin" Henry Benner his executors. The same summer, one Christian Benner, asstssed as a single man in Coventry in 1765, died intestate in Coventry. He also left a widow Margaret, and two small children, Henry and Christian Benner. On 13 August 1767, Christian Benner's widow Margaret relinquished her right to administer her husband's estate to Henry Benner and Henry Lehr.' Christian Benner was buried in Brownbach's Reformed Church Cemetery in Coventry, the Rev. John P. Leydich having preached the funeral sermon. Daniel may also have been buried in the same cemetery, but no stone marks his grave. Since he was a cousin of Henry, it is possible Christian, too, was related, and may have been on the Ship Fane, but under the age of 16, and so not required to qualify. In 1769 Henry Benner was again appointed one of the overseers for Coventry Township, and in 1772 and 1773 was a supervisor.' His wife Elizabeth Stager Ecker died four years later on 6 March 1777, aged fiftyfive years, two months and six days. She was buried in the East Coventry Mennonite Cemetery, next to her presumed first husband, Christopher Ecker. The following year, Henry was again a supervisor, and was reappointed in 1781. By 1783, his two daughters, Elizabeth and Barbara, and his eldest son Henry were all married and established in homes of their own. The census taken that year in the township listed Henry 6 For the will of Daniel Benner, or Philadelphia Will Book 0, 166, #126:1767; for the estate of Christian Benner, see Philadelphia Administration Book H, 43, #18:1767. Orphans Court proceedings in Sept. 1769, note that Chtistian's son Henry eras then about 4 years old, and his son Christian ,boo 154. This latter child was b. f Feb. and bapt. 23 March 1768, at the Ulmer Swamp Reformed Church, son "of the I,,, Christi. Benner, mother Anna Margaret." He was therefore born posthumously. See Philadelphia Orphans Court Book 9, 2, 21. It is suggested that this posthumous child was the progenitor of the Gettysburg, Adams Co., Co., Benners, who clann descent from a Christian Benner. See note 1 above. 6 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Benner, Sr. as having only two in his family, himself and presumably his youngest son Christian; he was assessed on two dwellings — one where he lived and the other occupied by his son Henry—and on one outhouse, probably a barn. In 1786, Henry, Sr. appears to have turned over to his son Henry, Jr. the 229-acre farm. Since the youngest son Christian had just come of age, he and his father probably took over the smaller 140-acre farm. By 1789, however, when he was in his sixty-sixth year, Henry, Sr. was back with his son Henry, Jr., for when he had his will drawn up that year he was then living on the 229-acre property. This he bequeathed to his eldest son Henry, on the condition he pay legacies amounting to £150. To his youngest son Christian he left the 140-acre farm where Christian was then living. To his eldest daughter Elizabeth he left £200 to be paid by his sons, Christian contributing £60 towards the legacy, and to her sister Barbara, wife of Henry Grubb, £200, of which £150 were due Henry from her husband. The will was witnessed by Daniel Biery, John Smith and Daniel Benner, son of Henry's deceased cousin, Daniel Benner.' Henry lived for four years after signing his will, continuing to make his home with his son Henry who, in 1790, had two males over sixteen in his household, two under, and five females. Henry Benner, Sr. died 8 October 1793, aged seventy years, four months and eight days, and was buried two days later in the East Coventry Mennonite Cemetery, but not beside his wife.' Issue of Henry Benner and his wife Elizabeth Stager: i. ELIZABETH BENNER, b. ca. 6 May 1755; d. 14 August 1802, or. 47-3-8; reported to have m. 19 April 1774, PHILIP HOFFECKER, b. 1746; killed 9 October 1795, on a trip to Lucerne County, Pa. She is bur, in the Coventry Mennonite Cemetery with tombstone; his tombstone gives only the year of his birth and death. They lived in Coventry until 1784, when they moved to Londonderry Township, Chester County. After Philip's death Elizabeth moved back to Coventry with her seven children.. Chester Co. Will Book I(Eye), 180, will of Henry Benner, proved 4 Nov. 1793. Daniel Benner, who witnessed the will, had tn. 1 Apr. 17813, as the Falkner Swamp Reformed Church in Montgomery Co., Anna Maria Schoner, daughter of Johannes Shoner. The entry calls Daniel the son of "the late Daniel Benet: . 0 Since Henry Benner's death WI, entered in the Vincent Reformed Church records, even though he no buried in the Mennonite Cemetery, it seems probable that he himself bad belonged to the Reformed faith, though his wife was a Mennonite. Ste translation of she Records of the Vincent Reformed Church, E. Vincent Township, Chester County, 1711 - 1031, 1,004, examined on Microfilm Reel 148-149, Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. 3.0 Information on Philip Hoffecker comes mainly from the pamphlet by Isabel Benner Emmet, History of the Benner. Beary and Hoffecker Families, compiled in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa., 1908, and examined by the Rev. Smith at the Montgomery Co. Historical Society, Norristown, Pa. According to this undocu. mooted account, Philip Hoffecker was bound to Henry Benner as an indentured servant after his arrival in Migratory Benners: Pennsylvania to Ohio 7 HENRY BENNER, JR., b. 31 July 1758; d. intestate 4 September 1818; m. before 1783, ELIZABETH HAAS, b. 6 March 1761; d. 3 May 1844, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Haas. Both are bur. in the Coventry Mennonite Cemetery. They had issue eleven children." iii. BARBARA 13ENNER, b. 7 April 1761; d. 16 January 1830; m. before 1783, HENRY GRUBB, b. 26 May, bapt. Falkner Swamp Reformed Church, 5 August 1755; d. 26 November 1824, son of Henrich Grubb; both bur. at Liverpool, Perry County, Pa., where they removed about 1796 from Cov- entry Township." I. iv. CHRISTIAN BENNER, b. ca. 1765; d. Bainbridge, Ross County, Ohio, between 19 May and 4 June 1840, of whom further. 3 July 1784, at the Vincent Reformed Church in E. Vincent Township "at Preparatory services and Holy Communion . . . was baptized at the age of 19 years. Previously he had been instructed in the doctrines and duties of our holy religion, and on the day following was permitted to commune in fellowship with his new companionship at the Lord's table." On the following 31 October 1784, he was confirmed at the same time as his future wife, Anna Maria Haasin." Then unmarried and under age, he was not liable for taxation. Three years later he was crossed off the assessment lists as a freeman, and was assessed for 100 acres in Coventry. Probably early that year he married ANNA MARIA HAAS, sister of his brother Henry's wife, Elizabeth, and daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Haas (Haws) of West Nantmeal Township, Chester County. 1. CHRISTIAN BENNER On Pennsylvania in 1764. His death occurred on a trM to Luurne Co. to buy cattle. For his removal to Londonderry Top., see Chester Co. Deed Book Z, 10: 5 June 1784, John Crosby to Philip Hoffecker, weaver, and for his residence there in 1795, ibid., M-2, 510: 1 Feb. 1795, Samuel Ramsey to Philip Hofecker et al., in which Ramsey conveyed land for a school. The surname is spelled in various ways on usessment and census records: Hoofacre, Halfacre, Houscacre. For the children, see the text below 88 The records of George F. P. Wenger, in the Montgomery Co. Historical Society, examined by the Rev. Smith, list Henry Benner's children and their spouses u Barbara, wife of Samuel Yost; Henry, wife Maria Anna Benner, dau. of Darnel Benner of Chester Co. i John Benner, wives Cathaime Honnatter and Elizabeth Zearfoss; Hannah Benner, wife of Daniel Hallman; Christian 13enner, wife Maria Strunk; Jacob Benner, wife Maria Hoffecker; Daniel Benner, wife Anna Beaty; Mary, wife of Philip Yost; Elizabeth, wife of John Smith; Susanna, wife of Jacob Albright; and Catharine, wife of Christian Benner, Jr. Of these, Mr. Wanger reported that all but Daniel, Elizabeth, Susanna and Catharine moved to Luzerne Co. and located in Butler ValleySusanna, and her husband, Jacob Albright, settled in Berks Co. Dna on Henry Grubb and his wife Barbara is from a genealogical chart, compiled by George '57anger in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, also emmined by the Rev. Smith. According to this record, their children were Elizabeth, wife of Henry Wagner; Henry Grubb, wife Mary Smith; Christian Grubb, wives Susanna Pfautz and Susanna Wagner; Jacob Grubb, John Grubb. wives Catharine lord and Mary Bard; Abraham Grubb, wives Hannah Hallman and Frances Hallman; Samuel Grubb, wife Anna Rogers; Rev. David Grubb, wde M8111195 Ewele: George Grubb, wife Elizabeth Roach. Falkner Swamp Reformed Church records Ii,, the baptisms of three children: Johannes, b. in 1781 who d. in 1795; Magdalena, b. in 1790e who probably di, infancy; and Heinrich, b. 24 Sept. and bars. 25 Nov. 1795. 1. See translated records of Vincent Reformed Church, 29, 98, ceted in Note 9 above. "Haasin" wu the German form indicating a female, the name utually being "Hau, 7 though it was spelled variously Haws, Hans,, etc. Her father was a passenger on the Ship Pane with Hon,' Bennet, for which sec Note le above. 8 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine In 1790, he and his wife released their rights in his deceased fatherin-law's property in West Nantmeal to his brother-in-law, Jacob Haws." The next year Christian was rated on 150 acres, and a still and saw mill located on the property on Pigeon Creek which his father had purchased from Henry Lehr. The mill was classed as a saw and grist mill in 1795, and in the spring of 1796, when the local elections were held there, Christian was elected constable of the township. In 1799, his widowed sister Elizabeth, as Elizabeth "Hoof acre," petitioned the Chester County Orphans Court for guardians for her minor children. Henry Benner, Christian's brother, was appointed guardian of the three minors over fourteen: Henry, Elizabeth and Jacob, while Christian was named guardian for the youngest three, Barbara, Mary and Susannah "Hoof acre," minors under fourteen. Philip Hoof acre, the eldest child, was of age, and consequently needed no guardian.' The next year, when the 203-acre tract immediately north of and adjoining his 140-acre farm came on the market, Christian bought it for £1116 10s. Four sons had been born to him and his wife by then and, like his father, he may have been looking toward their future. In 1804, following the birth of a fifth son in 1803, he acquired for £2100 still another tract. This one, of 74 acres having a messuage and grist mill, was to the west on French Creek," in what is now South Coventry Township. He appears to have moved to this property some time during the next two years, for in 1806 he sold his other land in three separate parcels." Unlike his elder brother Henry, who elected to live out his life on the land devised to him by their father, Christian Benner at some time during the next few years decided to emigrate with his family to the newly opened West. What motivated him remains uncertain. Since he appears to have been prosperous, so far as is known, it would not seem to have been financial necessity which caused his decision. His sister Barbara, and her husband Henry Grubb, already had left Chester County, moving across the Susquehanna into that part of Cumberland County which would become Perry County. Perhaps it was their example, and 2. Chester Co. Deed Book M-2, 489: I Oct. 1790, Phineas Beerbrower et al. to Jacob Haws. Beerbrower had ro. the widow of Michael Haas. 10 Chester Co Orphans Court Hook 10, 172. 20 Chester Co. Deed Book 5-2, 128: 1 May 1800, Hole] Thomas to Christian Benner. For the purchase of the French Creek property, see ibid., Y-2, 211: 19 Apr. 1804, Evan Pugh et al. to Chnsuan Benner. 12 For these sales, xe Chester Co. Deed Book B-3, 436: 23 Apr. 1806, Christian Benner to Jacob Weight knaht; ibid., 0-3, 225: 23 Apr. 1806, Christian Benner to Henry and Cornelius Fennypacker, the recital in ibid., 0-3, an: 23 May 1807, Jacob Ziegler to Henry and Cornelius Fennypacker. This last tract, on which was Christian's original dwelling, was sold for £2700 to Ziegler on 23 Apr. 1806, at the same thne n the other two tracts. Migratory Benners: Pennsylvania to Ohio 9 that of neighbors who were moving on, or only the urge, first evidenced by his father's migration from Europe, to move onward toward greater opportunities, which influenced him. He was still in Coventry in 1808 when he and his brother Henry both subscribed toward the fund for the erection of a schoolhouse and the establishment of a burial ground on land of the Shenkles." But by February 1810, he had moved his family and goods across the mountains and down the Ohio to Paxton Township, Ross County, Ohio, and had sold to Samuel Baird of Pottsgrove, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, his house and land on French Creek." A month after the sale, he bought from Baird for $4000 three separate tracts. One was of 616 - 2/3 acres "on the waters of the west fork of the Scioto River." Another was of a thousand acres "on the east fork of Brush Creek," while the third was of 200 acres "on Paint Creek." All three were described as "situate between the Little Miami and Scioto Rivers northwest of the River Ohio." as They apparently were not adjacent tracts, and at least one of them — that of 616 - 2/3 acres — was in the present Franklin County, erected in 1848 out of Ross County. When Christian died in 1840, he divided the land he had acquired since his arrival in Ohio among his children. In his will, dated 19 May 1840, and proved 4 June 1840, he left to his wife in lieu of her dower his "dwelling house, garden, barn, stables, corn cribs and lots and pastures attached to said premises and all grains and hogs and two milch cows and the sum of one hundred dollars during her natural life" which was to be paid annually. To his first-born son Henry, he left the tract of land in Ross County "on the West side of Buckskin Creek, being part of Miles Kingley's survey," containing 225 acres, as well as another tract "lying on the waters of Whetstone Run and adjoining the lands of John Edmiston and Nathan Hayes," containing 150 acres. To his sons John and Jacob he gave the remainder of the farm he lived on, "lying East of Buckskin Creek, being the balance of Miles Kingley's survey," and "the Island commonly called Platter's Island." To his son Christian, he left the 600 or more acres in Franklin County, part of his original purchase from Samuel Baird. His daughter Elizabeth 1, Chester Co. Deed Book C-3, 280: 23 Apo 1808, Jacob Shenkle to Henry Shenkle. 19 See r.ital in Chester Co. Deed Book Z-3, 625: 30 Apr. 1827, Thomas Baird et al. 00 Henry Diffenderfer. Samuel Baird, father of Thomas, had marned Rebecca Potts, daughter of Thomas and Deborah Potts of Pottsgrove, xcording to the records of the RCIv. Smith. 20 Franklin Co., Ohio, Deed Book 17, 5: 28 March 1810, Samuel Baird to Christian Benner. These tracts had been patented to Baird by President John Adams 13 June 1798, the patent recorded in the Dept. of State, Vol. 271 "of lands granted to the Virga line on continental establishment;' and were part of Military Warrant 1617 in favor of John Perry. 10 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Ferrel was to have four tracts of land where she then lived, including "the Bargle Tract" of 500 acres. To his son John Benner, he gave all his property in Bainbridge, Ohio, consisting of two "in-lots" and one "outlot." The balance of his estate was to be sold, and after $1506 was paid to his son Jacob, and $500 to his grandson Christian Benner Cobb, "out of the sale of the steam furnace land," the remaining funds were to be divided equally among his six children. His widow survived him twelve years, dying 16 May 1852.2' Issue of 1. Christian Benner and his wife Anna Maria Haas: I. HENRY BENNER, b. 1 December 1787, in Coventry Township; living in Ross Co., Ohio, in 1840; presumably m. by John Matthews, justice of the peace of Scioto, Ohio, 7 March 1811, MARY MOWRY.. CHRISTIAN BENNER, JR., b. 10 August, bapt. 27 September 1789, at Vincent Reformed Church, Chester Co.; d. at St. Mary's, Auglaize Co., Ohio, 14 May 1871, or. 81-8-18, according to his tombstone, of whom further. JOSHUA BENNER, b. and bapt. 1 August 1792, Vincent Reformed Church, Chester Co., living in Paint Twp., Ross Co., Ohio, in 1850, or. 58, according to the 1850 Census; probably m. 2nd, by M. Gillfillan, justice of the peace of Ross County, 15 January 1859, MARY SHOCKEY, in 1850 or. 33. Joshua's household in 1850, included beside himself and his wife: I. CHRISTIAN BEN. NER, or. 22 (b. ca. 1828). 2. FREDERICK BENNER, or. 18 (b. ca. 1832). 3. JOSHUA BENNER, or. 15 (b. ca. 1838). 4. BAZEL BENNER, ae. 11 (b. ca. 1839). S. SARAH BENNER, or. 10 (b. ca. 1840). 6. TFIEOPLUTUS BENNER, or. 6 (b. ca. 1844). 7. LEVI BENNER, or. 3 (b. ca. 1847), all of whom were born in Ohio. The three youngest presumably were issue of the 2nd marriage." iv. JOHANNES BENNER, twin of above Joshua, b. and hops. Vincent Reformed Church 1 August 1792; d. in infancy. 81; Poe the will of Christian Bmner, see Ross Co. Will Book .',BCD, 494, #986. The death date given for Isis 0/WIOW is from the records of Col. Ralph C. Benner, in 1999. of 2001 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington 7, Va. A descendant of Christian Benner, Jr.'s son John, Col. Benner was conducting a simultaneous search for his forbears, and submitted copies of VSSIOUS records to the Rev. Smith, including a copy of ,Bible record which then was in the possession of Mr. Loren J. Free of Bainbridge, Ohio, another descendant. This record, taken from, Bible said to have been printed in 1711, probably was written in German. As submitted by Col. Benner, the entries for the children of Christian Benner read: "Dec. 1, 1787, our first son Henrink mu born, in the name of the Holy Virgin. / Aug. 26, 1789, our son Christian was born Litz, (sir) Pa. / Aug. 1, 1792, our son Josue W2S born. / July 3, 1795, our daughter Elizabeth w. born. / J.. 27, 1803, our son Johannes was born Zinn, Pa. / Aug. IA, 1810, our son Jane [ski was born Bainbridge, Ohio." Allowing for errors in translaeIon, the record obviously is of the children of Christian Benner, Jr- and his wife Anna Maria Hus. 22 Recorded in Ron Co. Probate Court, Marriage Records, Vol. AB, 140. One Mowry Benner, probably a son of the above Henry, so. in Ross County It Sept. 1819, Adeline Crooks, according to the report of Mrs. Jessie B. Smith, Etna, 0., who searched records in the State Library at Columbus, Ohio, in 1965. She also found the marriage of one Henry Benner in Ross Co. to Elizabeth Helen Kremer on 11 Nov. 1549. Whether this was a 2nd marriage for Henry, or for a son Henry, haa not been established for this report. 23 The 1850 Census record of this family was submitted by Col. Benner to the Rev. Smith. Joshua's marriage is recorded in the Ross Co. Marriage Records, cited above, Vol. CD, 560. Other marriages in Ross Co., located by Mrs. Jessie Smith, which possibly refer to Johns's children are Christian Benner to Mary Iseman, 16 Oct. 1851; Food Benner to Mary C. Brown, 29 May 1856, or to Matilda Johnson, 24 July 1816; Bezel Butner to Emma Callahan, 1860. Migratory Benners: Pennsylvania to Ohio 11 v. ELIZABETH BENNER, b. 2 July, bapt. 20 September 1795, Vincent Reformed Church, Chester Co., living in 1840 in Ohio; m. by 1840 a man surnamed FERREL." vi. JOHANNES BENNER (2nd), b. 27 January 1803; d. 13 September 1869, in Oho; m. by Elisha Kelly, justice of the peace in Paxton Township, Ross Co., 30 December 1827, MARY ANN COMBS TURNER, b. 1809, in Delaware. Reported to have been a judge in the Ohio courts, his issue are said to have been: 1. MARY BENNER, b. 1831; m. one STOCKSTON. 2. SAMUEL TURNER BENNER, b. 17 August 1832; cl. 2 January 1913; m. 14 May 1868, ELLEN SALTS, b. 1 December 1842; d. 11 December 1927. 3. BEN BENNER, b. 1836; 111. VICTORIA REDDON, 4. VICTORIA BENNER, b. 1839; M. one FonNEAU. 5. LYDIA BENNER, la. 1843; m. one CRUM. 6. ROXABLE BENNER, Is. 1846; m. 1st, DR. FRANK KENDRicR; m. 2nd one Wthsox. 7. SYRIA BENNOR, M. GEORGE DAY.2° vii. JACOB BENNER, b. Bainbridge, Ohio, 18 August 1810; living in Ohio in 1840, according to his father's will; possibly m. in Ross County by Jacob Haynes, justice of the peace, 16 December 1847, MARGARET MERCER." 2. ClutisnAN BENNER, Jx., second son of 1. Christian Benner, Sr. and his wife Anna Maria Haas, was of full age when his father migrated to Ohio. In 1812, his elder brother Henry married in Ross County, and probably about 1815, Christian, Jr. followed suit." His marriage record has not been located, and his wife's surname has not been established, but from her tombstone and the few land transactions in which she figured, her Christian name is known to have been CATHARINE. Born about 1794, according to her tombstone, she was approximately twenty-one at the time of her marriage. Where she and Christian Benner, Jr. lived during the first seven years of their marriage — during which period three daughters were born — remains uncertain. Probably for a time it was with the elder Christian Benner. But like his father before him, Christian, Jr., also a miller by trade, appears to have had the urge to strike out for himself and, at some period before 1822, had roamed through Ohio looking for land which held promise of development. By the spring of 1822, he had found what he wanted on the St. Mary's River, a tributary of the Maumee which flowed into Lake Erie. On 18 May of this year, when he was described as being of Ross County, he No marriage is of record in Ross Co Elizabeth Ferrel ems so named in her father's will. John Benner's marriage to Ann Turner was entered in Ross Co. Marriage Records, Vol. CD, 117. Their son Samuel, an ancestor of Co!. Benner, published in 1876 the bookkt, Benner's Prophecies of Further Ups and Downs he Prices. Reprinted in the Journal of Cycle Research (Vol. 5, No 1, Jan. 1959), the booklet is reputed to be the first exposition of rythrnic cycles in economic affairs. 28 Tb. marriage is recorded in Ron Co. Mart...cage Records, Vol. EF, 327. 2, The approximate i.irne of the marriage is calculated horn the ages of his children as given in the 1130 Ceram, for which see Nose 33 below. 12 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine purchased at Piqua in Miami County, where the Land Office for Northwestern Ohio was located, two tracts of land, one of 160 acres, the other of 80 acres. Public land in this northwestern section of Ohio was selling for $1.2$ an acre; for his two tracts Christian, Jr. paid $300. The larger tract of 160 acres was described as being "the lot or South East Quarter of section number 2 of township number 6 South in range number 4 East," the smaller tract of 80 acres as "the lot or West half South West Quarter of section number 2 in township 6 in range number 4 East." ' Four months later on 19 September 1822, Christian, Jr., still of Ross County, bought the 80 acres adjoining his first 80 - acre tract, described as "the lot or East half South West Quarter of section number 2 of township number 6 South in range 4 East." " All of these tracts were then in the eastern portion of Mercer County, and in that part which became St. Mary's Township, Auglaize County, when it was erected out of Mercer in 1848. By 1827, Christian, Jr. had removed with his family to these lands in the then Mercer County. In that year, when he was now described as of that county, he acquired two more tracts. The first one, bought 4 December 1827, was for 81.18 acres, being the "West half North East Quarter of section number 4 of township number 6 South in range number 4 East." The second tract of 112 acres, purchased 11 December 1827, was the "North East Fraction of section number 3 of township number 6 South in range number 4 East." Land was still selling for $1.25 an acre; for the two tracts Christian, Jr. paid $24.48." The tract in Section 3 included part of the settlement called St. Mary's town, settled first in 1812. On it by 1831, Christian, Jr. is reported to have erected a small grist mill run by horse power. An early description of a pencil drawing of the mill states it was . . . a square structure a story and a half in height, with a wide door and three windows at the front, one of these lighting the half story. At the rear was a small lean-to which is indicated as the "power house," evidently the shelter of the patient animals that operated the tread mill. The main part of the building is indicated as the "grist room" and a not, " In 1963, Mrs, Harry B. Longsworth, 1501 Ellison Drive, Lima, 0., gathered basic data on Christian Benner, Jr. and his family from Auglaire and Mercer County records. From the information she submitted, the following primary documents relating to land records, were obtained from the National Archives, Washington, D. C. Christian's first purchase is noted in Cash Certificate 103 and 104, National Archives. On the same day, Christian's brother, Joshua Benner, bought 160 acres at the same price of $1.25 an acre, being the Northwest Quarter of .,of on 12. township 6 South, range 4 East, as per Cash Certificate 105. On payreceipt was given each purchaser, as well as a certificate ing the purchase money at the Receiver's Office, directed to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, mthorizing the issuance of a patent for the described land. Caristien Benner, Jr. obtained patents for his lands, but they do not appear to have been recorded until after his death. a 00 Cash Certificate 201, National Archive. The consideration was $100. at $1.25 per ace. "Cash Certificates 456 and 467, National Archive. Migratory Benners: Pennsylvania to Ohio 13 tion on the sketch locates the structure as having stood on Spring Street. A fence corner shown on the opposite side of the street would indicate that the pioneer mill probably stood at the intersection of the two highways of that period. . . . Local tradition has it that the Benner mill occupied the present site of the First National Bank at the southeast corner of Spring and Front Streets. That would have been on the brow of the river leading to the wharf. . Forty-one acres, half of the 81 acres in Section 4, Christian, Jr. sold in the summer of 1829, to Henry Reichard of Mercer County, for $101, precisely what he had paid for the whole tract." Just over two months later on 28 September 1829, Christian's wife Catharine died at the age of thirty-five. Apparently in less than a year he married a second wife ELIZABETH, whose surname is also unknown." In 1834, five years after the death of his first wife, Christian and his second wife, Elizabeth, sold for $50 to the Trustees of St. Mary's Township an acre of land "for a burial ground, free to all citizens to bury their dead thereon and appropriated to no other use whatsoever." " Presumably this was the site where Catharine, his first wife, was interred in 1829, and where he had buried his small son John in 1833. During the next few years his older daughters married. Of these, Catharine, born about 1821, and probably the third daughter, married Ammon Decius late in 1841. No marriage records for the others have been located. In 1849, Christian and his wife Elizabeth sold for $2650 the Franklin County land bequeathed to him by his father Christian, Sr." Less than a month later on 1 November 1849, Elizabeth Benner died at the age of fifty-one. She was interred in the burying ground her husband had conveyed to the trustees of St. Mary's Township." 01 This description, from McMurray', History of Anglin. County, Ohio, is without date, but is entitled "The Pioneer Mill of Christian Benner." The sketch mentioned was made by one A. J. Haute who came to St. Mary', in 1831. 82 This transaction. dated 15 July 1829, is recorded in Mercer Co. Courthouse, Celina, 0. 83 No marriage record has hem located to dam, nor is her maiden name given on her tombstone, for which an Note 36 below Born about 1798, she is included in the 1830 Census as the female in Christian Benner's household who was over 30 and under 40; his age was given as over 40 and under 50. There were also two females over 10 and under 15; three females con 5 and under 10, and one male under 5. This last child presumably was the hule son John who d. 14 Apr. 1833, or. 2 - 7 - 17, according to his tombstone, and therefore was born ca. 27 Aug. 1830. Auglaize Co., 0., Deed Book 9, 220: 7 July 1834, Christian Benner to Joseph Blew, Cuthbert Vinson and Thomas Sturgeon. The acre was part of the East Half of the Northeast Quarter of section 10, township 6 South, range 4 East, but the abstract contains no recital of title. Mrs. Longsworth describes the little cemetery n being "high land, away from the river," and covered with lilies when she saw it. The Benner lot, she reported, was edged with a low stone foundation on which an iron fence was mt. 00 Franklin Co., 0., Deed Book 41, 114: 9 Oct. 1849, Christian Benner to Daniel Brunk, Jr. This transattion establishes without question the parentage of Christian Benner, Jr., and his connection with Chester ,0 The inscription on her tombstone ends "Elizabeth / wife of Christian / Benner / died Nov. 1 1849 / aged / 51 years /." 14 The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Early the next year on 12 January 1850, Christian made over to his daughter Mary Ann Nagle, wife of G. Charles Nagle, for one dollar and "the affection and good will" he held for her, the west half of the southwest quarter of section 2, township 6 South, range 4 East. This was the 80 acres he had purchased in May 1822." The next month he sold to his son-in-law Ammon Decius for $800 the 112 acres purchased 11 December 1827, being the northeast fraction of section 3. Decius promptly mortgaged the property to Christian, giving two notes, one payable within nine months, the other within twenty-one months. By October 1852, when neither had been paid off, Christian foreclosed and repossessed the property." On 12 February 1850, between the sale to his daughter Mary Ann Nagle and that to his son-in-law, Christian Benner was married by H. Trimble, a justice of the peace, to his third wife, JANE WATKINS, a widow with three daughters. She did not, however, sign the deed to Decius, executed four days after their marriage. In August of this year, when the census taker came around, he listed Christian and Jane as having been "married within the year." He entered Christian's age as sixty, Jane's as forty-five, and the value of their real estate as $10,000. The family was listed as including Margaret Benner, aged twelve, and Jane's three girls: Elizabeth, aged seventeen, Jane, aged eleven, and Sarah Watkins, aged nine. Jane had been born in Kentucky, her daughters all in Ohio." This third marriage probably lasted ten years, for when Christian drew up his will 28 August 1861, he stated that his "wife made the second bridge and no recourse by law, her forfite, on October 11th, 1860." This curious wording seems to indicate Jane had died on the above date, but if so she does not appear to have been interred in the Benner burying ground. Probably she was buried beside her previous husband. In his will, Christian made no mention of his wife's daughters, but did indicate he had conveyed property to his own surviving daughters, Elizabeth Brandenburg and "Sofia" Davis. To Margaret Benner, not yet married, he left five lots "in the south addition to the town of St. Mary's." His daughter, Maria Worthington, was devised "one hundred dollars more to make her equall" with the others, probably because she and her husband, S. J. Worthington, had already moved to Hancock County on the 37 The transaction is recorded in Auglaize Co. Deed Book 4, 177. ..Auglaize Co. Deed Book 4, 269: 16 Feb. 1850, Chrisuan Benner to Amon P. Decins (sic); ibid., I. 36: 16 Feb. Ills, Mortgage, Amon Decins to Christian Benner. 89 leo Census, Auglaize Co., Ohio, Toum of St. Mary's, Vol. 3, 217, Family 525, National Archly., Washington, D. C. Migratory Benners: Pennsylvania to Ohio 15 western edge of Illinois, along the Mississippi. To Catharine Decius he devised, in addition to land already given her, a lot "in the west addition of St. Mary's" where she then lived. To a granddaughter, "Begge" (Becky) Jane Howard, he devised $100, and to a grandson, Orren Clark, $200, without identifying their parents." Having drawn up his will, Christian Benner lived for another ten years. He died 14 May 1871, aged eighty-one.' He had named his sons-in-law, Charles Nagle (Nagel) and Henry T. Brandenburg, executors of his will, but from the papers in the original docket, Brandenburg appears to have renounced his right since Nagel assumed the duties of executor. By 15 August 1882, he had paid out $9809.24, some $8500 of which was to the heirs. What appears to have been a final accounting of the monies the heirs received amounted to $14,125.18.' Thus Christian Benner, Jr. of the third generation, appears to have fully justified the aspirations of his continued westward march, even as had his father and grandfather before him. Issue of 2. Christian Benner, Jr. by his 1st wife Catharine:' i. MARIA BENNER, m. by 1861, S. J. WORTHINGTON. They were living on Spring Valley Farm, Hancock Co., Ills., in 1871 and 1872, when they acknowledged receipt from Charles Nagel of $100 and $500 as part payments on their inheritance from Christian Benner.. ELIZABETH BENNER, m. by 1861, HENRY T. BRANDENBURG, b. 31 January 1805, Frederick Co., Md.; came to Ohio in 1815, and to St. Mary's in 1833.. Known issue: 1. CATHERINE BRANDENBURG, m. JAMES F. SIBERT." 2. jomv A. BIUNDENBURG, for whom Henry Brandenburg, as guardian, acknowledged receipt of $500 from Nagel in 1872, the mother Elizabeth apparently being deceased. She was living 1 March 1862, however, when she gave a note to her father for $20. CATHERINE BENNER, b. en. 1821, probably in Ross County; d. testate in St. Mary's, 23 October 1890; m. in Mercer County, 21 November 1841, AMSO Rebecca Jane Fiandt and G. C Fiandt (elsewhere in the estate papers the name is given as "Friend") acknowledged payment of $100 to than in 1872. The receipt identifies her father as J. B. Howard. In 1871, Orren Clark, of Warsaw, Ind., acknowledged receipt of his 1200. The receipts ass in the Christian Benner Estate Papers, Auglaire Co. Probate Office, W'apakoneta, 0. The monument, erected at a cost of 1200, according to his estate papers, gives his age as 81-8-18. Hi, will was probated 29 May 1871. 42 This accounting lists "Mrs. Decius $2200; Thompson $2531.18; Davis $2155; Worthington $2720; Nagel $2220; Ya share Hagman $1132; ■A share John Brandenburg $116)." .0 Because the order of their births is unknown, they are given as they were listed in Christian's will. Than acknowledgments. and those noted below are all among the original papers in the Christian Benner docket. " Data on Henry Brandenburg is from McMurray's History, 561, cited in Note 31 above. ' 0 filbert may have been her 2nd husband, since Catherine Hagarnm, listed in the mate papers as receiving a half share like John Brandenburg, presumably had been Catherine Brandenburg. The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 16 MON P. DECIUS,. 7 b. 1818 in Fairfield County, Ohio, according to homestead papers he took out in Oregon; d. 1889, in Elms, Washington. About 1851 or 1852 he went to California in the gold rush, leaving his wife and family in St. Mary's,aa and never returned. Issue, all b. in St. Mary's: 1. CHRISTIAN B. Deaus, b. 1843; d. in Indiana. 2. EMBLEM D. DECIUS, b. 1844; d. in St. Mary's; 121. a man surnamed RISK. 3. RHODA DECIUS, b. 1846; d. St. Mary's; m. a man surnamed SHEars. 4. LYDIA DECIUS, b. 1849; d. St. Mary's; m. a man surnamed CRAFT. 5. HIRAM BOLIVAR DECIUS, b. 25 August 1851; d. 23 January 1936, Boise, Idaho; m. Lima, Ohio, 11 September 1873, HEN1UETTA (Nettie) MCCARTNEY, born Blum, adopted daughter of Jacob J. McCartney... She was b. in Switzerland in 1851; her parents died en route to America and she was adopted in 1855. She and her husband, Hiram Decius, were the grandparents of the compiler of this record. He was a shoemaker by trade in Lima, where his wife had grown up, until he took his family west to seek his father. He finally settled in Boise. iv. SOPHIA (Sofia) BENNER, dec'd between 7 May 1873, when she and her husband acknowledged receipt of $425 from Charles Nagel, and 1882; m. before 1861, MILTON DAVIS. They lived near Middlepoint, Ohio, about 20 miles west of Lima. Issue named in 1882: 1. CHARLES DAVIS. 2. JOSEPH DAVIS. 3. Wa.maid Davis. 4. Japans Davis." v. MARY ANN BENNER, probably d. between 12 August 1873, and February 1883; presumed to have in. before 1850, G. CHARLES NAGEL (Nagle), executor of Christian Benner's will. Issue in February 1883: I. Momus 2. EDDIE NAGEL. 3. CORA NAGEL. 4. CHARLES NAGEL, JR. 5, LAURA NAGEL. 6. WILLIAM NAGEL. 7. JOHN NAGEL. 8. HARRY NAGEL. NAGEL.. Issue of 2. Christian Benner by his 2nd wife Elizabeth: vi. JOHN BENNER, d. 14 April 1833, or. 2- 7-17. St. Mary's, Ohio. Bur. Benner burying ground, 88 Their marriage was performed by Jacob A. Brown, minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the license, Decius's name is given as Dishes, but he signed st A. P. Declaus, for which see Mercer Co. Marriage Records, Vol. ABC, 96. He bodes. 1st on 7 July 1836, in Champaign Co., Ohio, Matilda Beck,,,.,, for which see Charapagn Co. Marriage Records, Vol. C, 246,00 file in Urbana, 0. By his In wife he had one son, Milton Kemper Decious (Decius), b. in 1839, at Westville, 0. The mother died after the birth of the child, and before the father's 2nd marriage. 80 When he applied for homestead papers in Ills at Esnpire City, Coos Co., Oregon Territory, under the nune of A. P. De Corr, ho "Settler's Affidavit" included the information he had arrived in Oregon Taritory 4 Oct. 1852, had lived in the Territory "contusuously from the 18th day of Aug. 1813 to the 26th day of Feb. 1859," the year of his birth, and the date of his marriage to Catherine Benner as 22 Nov. 1841. The land was patented in the name of Alston P. De Curt at the Land Office, Roseburg, Oregon, 7 Aug. 1866, and entered in Vol. 7, 100, under Donation Certificate #899, accorduag to information supplied by the former Mrs. Percy A. Mlle, Columbus, 0. 49 The will of Jacob J. McCartney filed II Oct. 1885, at Lima, 0., includes • bequest to his adopted daughter, Nettie. 15 Th, names of these children appear in the report of Mrs. Longsworth and apparently am taken from the estate papers. 58 Harry Nagel', share was a deed for Lot 40 in Sr. Mary's, according to the estate papers; that he shared at all in the estate indicates his mother's decease before final settlement. The estate papers, ZS transcribed by Mrs. Longsworth, invariably gme the surname ILI Nagel, but it we, Nagle in Christian Benner's will. Migratory Bennett: Pennsylvania to Ohio 17 ABBYGALE BENNER, d. 22 August 1840, or. 6-0-22. Bur. Benner burying ground, St. Mary's, Ohio. viii. MARGARET BENNER, b. ca. 1838; m. between 1861, and 22 August 1871, when she and her husband acknowledged receiving monies from Charles Nagel, REUBEN THOMPSON They lived at Pleasant Hill, Ohio.. 52 That Mdrydret was issue of Christian Bennees 1850 Census, for which see Note 39 above. god marriage is established by her age as given in the THIRTY POUNDS REWARD RUN away from the ship Amelia, Capt. Savage, from Belfast, and now lying at anchor in the river Delaware, the following Redemptioners and Servants, viz: WILLIAM CLEGG, by trade a taylor, from Newry, about 5 feet 5 inches high, aged 20 years, with light sandy hair, and one shoulder higher than the other. H. Durstav, a mylor, from Lisburn, about 5 feet 5 inches high, aged 20 years, with light sandy hair. THOMAS HAMMTON, a taylor, from Comber, but served his apprenticeship in Belfast; heir stout made, about 5 feet 5 inches high, aged 20 years, with dark brown short curled hair. ROBERT Itgrdww, a taylor, from Newtonlemavaddy, about 5 feet 7 inches high, aged 20 years, with dark brown hair tied; he is a good looking lad. JOHN GARNER, a Carpenter, from Glasgow, about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, aged 23 years, stout made with sandy short hair, and much freckled. PHILIP M'KEOWN, a labourer, from Newtonlemavaddy, 5 feet 6 inches high, aged 23 years, of a dark countenance, with short black curled hair. JOHN RAIN, a labourer from Garvagh, 5 feet 7 inches high, aged 18 years, with short sandy hair. JO/AN MOONEY, a labourer, from Ballymoney, 5 feet 7 inches high, aged 24 years, stout made, with short black hair. "07uxtaNt LEvelS, a sadler, from Monaghan or Tynan, but lived some time at his trade in Belfast; 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, aged about 20 years, well looking, with light brown hair. WILLIAM CRAwFoRD, by trade a currier, from Scotland, about 5 feet 8 inches high, aged 26 or 27 years, stout made, with dark brown hair. Whoever apprehends the said Redemptioners and Servants, and lodges them in any goal, or gives information so that they may be apprehended, shall have Three Pounds for each, with reasonable charges, by ROBERT MURRAY FRANCIS M'CRAGEEN N.B. All persons are forbid to harbour them at their peril. 9 August 1783 Pennsylvania Journal, and the Weekly Advertiser