Elisha Benson 1731-1813 of Middleborough, Mass. and Woodstock, Vermont and His Wife Sarah Stewart

Elisha Benson was born 5 March 1731 at Middleborough, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, the son of Ebenezer and Joanna (Andrews) Benson. [Middleborough VR 1:70] I wrote about Ebenezer and Joanna here.I believe he is my sixth great-grandfather on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Ellis Davis’ side of the family. My research regarding Elisha always raises additional questions, so this sketch is a work in progress. 

On 16 October 1753, the Wareham Church Records show that Elisha Benson testified against his uncle, Joseph Benson, regarding the latter’s relations with Abigail Muxom. “Elisha Benson Testifyeth & saith that he was at Edmund Muxom’s house some time since, & saw sd. Muxom’s wife very familiar with Joseph Benson, by talking of balderdash stuff, & kissing & hugging one another in the absence of her husband. At another time I saw them coming out of the sled house together, & discovering none but they two.” Testifying against family must have been a difficult thing for 22-year-old Elisha to do; perhaps he was a very moral person. I’m hoping Elisha used  the word “balderdash” rather than a transcriber paraphrasing! [Wareham Church Records, 22]

Although Elisha lived at Middleborough, it seems he attended church at nearby Wareham. He married, first, Mariah Bump/Bumpus on 14 February 1754 at Middleborough. [Records of the First Church of Wareham, p 73] Evidently Mariah died soon after their marriage.

On 23 January 1755 Elisha married, second, Sarah Stewart at Rochester in Plymouth County. Their intentions were posted 28 December 1754. [Middleborough VR 2:49; Rochester VR 2:295] Sarah’s sister Hannah married Elisha’s brother Benjamin Benson. 

Sarah was born, as Sary Steward, on 24 Oct 1732 at Rochester, the daughter of James and Hannah Steward. [Rochester VR 286] Her mother’s maiden name is Dexter.

Elisha is referred to as a blacksmith [Woodstock Deeds 4:326] and his inventory included tools of the trade.

Sarah and Elisha’s children are not known with certainty due to lack of records but, based on circumstantial evidence, likely included:

1. Isaac born about 1758 (lived at Middleborough and Vermont; listed next to Elisha in the 1790 census)

2. Elisha born about 1763; married Sophia Nye (lived at Middleborough and Vermont; the same man, at the same time, was administrator of Elisha Sr’s estate and guardian to some of Elisha Jr’s children)

3. Moses born 16 Oct 1774; married Experience Gibbs (moved from Middleborough to Woodstock; he and Elisha were joint mortgagees in an 1808 deed [Woodstock Deeds 5:204])

I descend from both Elisha and Moses. I wrote about Moses here.

Some researchers give them additional children: Charity, Levi and Joanna. In the 1790 census Elisha's Middleborough household included eight people, so they likely had more children, especially given the gaps in the three sons’ estimated births. It is also possible they had grandchildren living with them.

On 15 December 1755, Elisha Benson paid £24 for 45 acres of land in the Fourth Purchase of Middleborough from Thomas Tomson of Halifax.  [Plymouth County Deeds 50:227]

Elisha is mentioned in his father Ebenezer Benson of Wareham’s will dated 11 September 1758, receiving 10 acres of land adjoining that land which he already owned. [PCPR 19:529; Plymouth County Deeds 70:239]

In the 1790 census, he is listed as head of household in Middleborough, between Stephen Gibbs and Isaac Benson, with two males ages 16 or over, 3 males under age 16 and three females. [1790 federal census, page 172] 

In 1798 he is also living in Middleborough: Elisha Benson, property is described as a farm, the Ebenr Gibbs Farm part of what he bought of the Leonards; dwelling house 27 by 20 feet; total tax 1 pound 50 shillings. [Massachusetts & Maine Direct Tax list, 12:202]

At the Court of Common Pleas that began 22 November 1791, John Putnam (Sutton Physician) attached Elisha Benson (Middleborough Yeoman), on 16-month note dated 4 May 1790 for 5 pounds 2 shillings 2 pence “lawful Silver Money…six months without interest then interest till paid.” Pltf said the deft’s failure to pay was to his damage of 12 pounds. Default by deft. Judgment for 5 pounds 9 shillings and 2 pound 3 shilling costs. Appealed by deft. [No further record] [PCR 10:190] This is interesting because Sutton is in Worcester County, Massachusetts, quite a distance from Middleborough. Perhaps Elisha lived there briefly? Or stayed with a family member who lived there? Something to investigate.

Elisha was about 69 when in 1800 he moved to Woodstock in Windsor County Vermont. “Elisha Benson of Middleboro, blacksmith,” purchased 84 acres of land in Woodstock, Windsor County, Vermont, on 5 May 1800. [Woodstock Deeds 4:326] At least 50 Middleborough families moved to Woodstock from 1782 to 1787.  [Weston] The fertile land was likely a draw and with the settlement growing, there would have been a need for a blacksmith. But I do wonder if there was an additional reason, perhaps religious differences, since Elisha would have been an advanced age at that time. 

Woodstock is still an incredibly beautiful town (source: Wikipedia)

On 28 April 1804 Elisha Benson purchased additional land and was called “of Woodstock.” [Woodstock Deeds 5:19]

In 1810, Elisha Benson’s Woodstock household consisted of 1 male under 10, 1 male 10-15, 2 males 16-25, 1 male 26-44, 1 female under 10, 1 female 26-44, 1 female 45 and over, 8 total members of household. [1810 FC Woodstock VT enumerated 6 August 1810] This is another puzzle to solve as no male 45 and over is listed. But it seems unlikely that Elisha would have died three years before his estate was probated. If it is his son Elisha’s household why isn’t Elisha Sr also enumerated?

Elisha evidently died early in 1813; he was about 82 years old. On 7 April 1813, Ebenezer Holmes was appointed administrator of the estate of Elisha Benson Sr of Woodstock, at the request of widow Sarah Benson. At the same time Ebenezer was appointed administrator of the estate of Elisha’s son, Elisha Benson Jr of Pomfret, Vermont. [Hartford Probate District, Windsor Co. VT, 4:427, 428] 

Ebenezer Holmes was appointed guardian of Stephen Benson, a minor over age 14, Leonard Benson and Amelia Benson, minors under age 14, all heirs of Elisha Benson of Woodstock. Joel English was appointed guardian of Luther Benson, a minor over age of 14 and heir of Elisha Benson of Woodstock. (Hartford Probate District, Windsor Co., VT, 4:446; 5:74, 6:78.) These children were likely Elisha’s grandchildren, children of his son Elisha Benson Jr. 

Jabez Bennett, Joel English and John Thomas of Woodstock were appointed to conduct an inventory of Elisha’s estate, and later were tasked with setting off Sarah’s one-third dower interest in Elisha’s real estate. The inventory is dated 9 April 1813 and totaled $1,403. The largest amount being $1,000 value of his homestead farm. The next most valuable item was two yokes of oxen for $143. The inventory also included a cow, a horse, two sheep, four swine, hay, corn, 36 bushels of potatoes in the ground, household furniture, a wooden clock, a looking glass, two beds, two great spinning wheels, kitchen utensils, farm equipment, “old blacksmith tools and bellows,” a gun, one large Bible, two hymnals, and clothing. [Probate District, Windsor County, Vermont 4:458, 5:116] The looking glass, wooden clock, a Bible, and hymnals indicate Elisha was a man of some means as they were luxury items due to their cost. It is also clear that Elisha was literate. 

I have not found Sarah’s death record.

Sources:

Richard H. Benson, The Benson Family of Colonial Massachusetts, Newbury Street Press, 2003

Thomas Weston, History of the Town of Middleboro Massachusetts, 1906 

Nathaniel Cobb (1698 to between Oct 1759-Oct 1764) and his wife Mary Waterman of Plymouth and Plympton, Massachusetts

Nathaniel Cobb was born Plymouth, Massachusetts on 20 February 1698 to Ebenezer and Mercy (Holmes) Cobb. [Plymouth Vital Records p 14] I wrote about Ebenezer and Mercy here.He is my 7th great-grandfather on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Ellis Davis’ side of the family. 

On 14 July 1720 Nathaniel married Mary Waterman at Plymouth. [Plymouth VRs p 92]  Marriage intentions of Nathaniel Cobb published at Plymouth to Mary Waterman 23 April 1722 [sic, should be 1720 as all entries surrounding it are from 1720 which is the year they married; Plymouth VRs p 176].

Mary is likely the daughter of Samuel and Mercy (Ransom) Waterman of Plymouth. [Roser] If this is the case, then she would have been born before 3 August 1697, the day that Mercy Ransom Waterman died. [Plymouth VRs p. 135] This Mary Waterman is the correct age to marry in 1720, she lived in Plymouth where the marriage took place and is otherwise unaccounted for in records. 

The division of the estate of Samuel Waterman, dated 24 December 1718, mentions Anne & Mary Waterman, daughters by his "first wife.” [Plymouth Co. PR 5:153] Unfortunately this was before Mary married as her married name would have been additional evidence of her marriage to Nathaniel.

Nathaniel and Mary Cobb had six children recorded Plymouth [Plymouth VRs p 68]:

1. Mary born 5 October 1722; married Nathaniel Pratt at Plympton and had 13 children; died 1811 at age 89

2. Nathaniel born 19 September 1724; likely married first Rebecca Wood, second Penelope (Standish) Leach; died 1768 at age 43

3. Hannah born 6 September 1728

4. Lucy born 24 June 1730; married first Jonathan Tilson at Plympton, 2nd Bartlett Murdock; died 1820 at Carver at age 89

5. Rowland born 9 July 1732; married Hannah (Stetson) Cushman at Plympton; died 1760 at age 27

6. Samuel born 18 January 1735/6; married Lydia Atwood at Plympton; died Carver in 1815 age 79

I descend from their daughter Mary. I wrote about Mary and her husband here.

I suspected Nathaniel and Mary moved to nearby Plympton as four of their children were married there. The move is supported by Plymouth court records which refer to Nathaniel as from Plymouth in December 1734 and of “Plympton or Plymouth” in April 1738 and of Plympton in July 1742.  

On 7 March 1725/6, Nathaniel Cobb was appointed hog reeve at Plymouth. [PCR 2:243] He would have been responsible for preventing and assessing damage caused by stray pigs, capturing and impounding strays, and ensuring all pigs were yoked and had rings in their noses. 

Nathaniel served on several juries at Plymouth: 1 December 1729 [PCR 2:265]; 22 December 1729 [PCR 5:242]; 18 May 1742. [PCR 6:292];  2nd Jury 6 March 1743/44. [PCR 6:263]

Nathaniel is frequently mentioned in Plymouth Court records which give his occupation as housewright, joyner and once as carpenter. He must have been a good builder as the Colony used him to work on the jail/house of correction and the courthouse. He also had a side job of being surety for defendants at court. 

The court records I found mentioning Nathaniel are mostly business disagreements, either he didn’t pay or wasn’t paid for services. He was sixteen times a defendant and six times a plaintiff. Perhaps he wasn’t a very honest businessman, but in Colonial New England lawsuits were common so I am not sure. 

Colony Work

Plymouth General Sessions begun 17 September 1723: Court allowed £2 10s to Nathaniel Cobs for “Nails etc. found for, and Work done about the Court House in Plymouth Sometime in April last.” [PCR 2:34] 

At the September 1730 Plymouth General Session, the Court allowed 8s to Nathaniel Cobb “for Worke about the Prison.” [PCR 2:856]

At the Plymouth Court General Sessions that began 18 May 1731, the court allowed £5 13s to Nathaniel Cobb  “for Sundrys Done and Found for the House of Correction.” [PCR 2:91]

The Plymouth Court allowed at the General Sessions May 1735, £2 14s 8d to Nathaniel Cobb “for Work, Boards, Nails, Joyce, and painting for the Court House.” [PCR 2:119]

Bondsman Work

Nathaniel was frequently surety for defendants in court, which is like being a bail bondsman. He would promise to supervise an accused person between court sessions and would pay the court if the defendant didn’t meet the bail conditions. I hope to learn more about how the surety system worked in 18th century Massachusetts. 

Plymouth Court of Common Pleas begun 18 July 1727: Nathaniel Cob, Plymouth Joyner, was surety for Benjamin Weeks, judgment for £11 2s 1d plus costs; appealed. [PCR 5:211]

At the Plymouth Court of Common Pleas begun 18 June 1728, Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, was surety for James Cobb, Kingston or Plymouth Mason, who was being sued by John Cobb, Middleborough Yeoman, on a bond dated 28 May 1724 for £24; default by defendant who appealed. [PCR 5:200]

Court of Common Pleas, begun 17 September 1728: Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, was surety for Samuel Grafton, Plymouth Baker, on bond dated 2 November 1727 for £26. [PCR 5:204]

Court of Common Pleas begun 17 Dec 1728, Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, surety for John Murdoch, Plympton yeoman, defendant, judgment for £11 19s 8d plus costs.

On 29 December 1729 in a Plymouth Court case of Watson vs. Job Cushman, default by defendant who appealed with Timothy Morton and Nathaniel Cobb (Plymouth Joyner) sureties. [PCR 5:297]

Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, begun 15 December 1730: Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, was surety for Nathaniel Tilden Jr and John Elms both of Scituate, who were being sued on a bond of £167, default by defendants; judgment for £71 6s4d and costs; appealed. [PCR 5:289]

At the Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, begun 15 December 1730, Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, was surety for Ephraim Nichols, Pembroke Yeoman, on bond dated 3 March 1729/30,  for £108 payable to the plaintiff; judgment for £56 16s 6d; defendant appealed. [PCR 5:290]

From the Plymouth Appellate Records of April 1731, Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, was surety for defendant Ebenezer Morton, Plymouth Yeoman, who was sued by Ebenezer Wing, Sandwich Yeoman, for bond dated 16 December 1729 for £41 6s, judgment for plaintiff for £7 9s 6d and costs; defendant appealed. [PCR 5:286]

Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Cordwainer, was surety for Ebenezer Morton, Plymouth Yeoman, who was sued by Timothy Morton for ejectment of farm/homestead of 70 acres that was sold but not delivered; found for plaintiff damages of £600. Plaintiff to recover possession of the land plus court costs paid by defendant who appealed. Plymouth Court of Common Pleas begun September 1733. [PCR 5:398]

Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, was surety for Ebenezer and Joseph Morton at the December 1733 Plymouth Court of Common Pleas [PCR 5:395] 

At the Plymouth Court of Common Pleas May 1737, Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, provided surety for defendant John Richard, Gentleman, who was being sued about a whaling voyage to North Carolina.  [PCR 6:42]

Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, begun 19 Sept 1738: Nathaniel Cob, Plymouth Housewright, was surety for Benjamin Force, John Darlin, and Ebenezer Darling, on bond dated 8 April 1736 for £256; judgment for £143 15s 4 and costs; appealed. [PCR 6:106]

In Court as Defendant

Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, begun 4 March 1728/9: Nicholas Sever, Gent., Kingston and wife Sarah vs. Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, debt, on bond dated 8 October 1727 for £9, promised to “said Sarah one of the Plants. When She was Widdow and Sole.” Default by defendant; bond chancered; judged for £4 18s 4 and costs. [PCR 5:225]

Thomas et al vs Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, case on note dated 5 January 1731/32 for over £23, default by defendant, judgment for the full amount plus costs. “Returned in no part Satisfied.” [PCR 5:470]

At Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, December 1734, Robert Brown, Plymouth Merchant, vs. Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, case, on book account for £6 9s 4d, nonsuit. Costs for defendant. [PCR 5:453]

John Wadsworth of Duxbury took Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Housewright, to court for debt on a note or bill dated 2 March 1733/34 for £2 7s. Defendant pleaded never promised. Verdict for plaintiff plus costs. Defendant appealed with Elisha Bisbee Esq. and Daniel Johnson attorney at law as sureties. Court of Common Pleas, December 1734. [PCR 5:445]

Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, begun 1 March 1736/7: John Crandon, Plymouth sailmaker, bought multiple actions including against Nathaniell Cob, Plymouth Joyner, on a “Certain Instrument of Wrighting” dated May 1734 for £30; defendant did not pay plaintiff according to the agreement; defendant defaulted; judgment for £18 2s 8d and costs. [PCR 6:27]

Plymouth Appellate Records, April 1738: Thomas Murdock bought seven actions of debt including against Nathaniel Cob, Plympton or Plymouth Joyner, dated 27 February 1735/36 for £7; default by defendant; bond chancered; judgement for £3 18s 10d plus costts. Returned “Not Sattisfied,” by N. Riley Deputy Sheriff.  [PCR 6:84]

Ebenezer Washburne of Kingston, Housewright, brought Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner or Housewright, to Plymouth Appellate Court, recorded April 1738 on book account for £22 18s, defendant pleaded an abasement and it was abated. Costs for defendant taxed at [blank]. [PCR 6:82]

At the Court of Common Pleas that began 4 March 1739/40, Thomas Gardner, Plymouth Brazier, vs. Luke Perkins, Middleboro or Plympton Blacksmith, and Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton Housewright or Joyner, case, default by defendants.. Judgment for £7 and costs.  [PCR 6:201] 

Plymouth Court of Common Peas, begun 19 May 1741, Nathaniel Thomas Esq and his wife Priscilla and Isaac Lothrop, Gent. all of Plymouth are administrators of John Watson Esq vs. Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton or Plymouth Joyner, to show cause why execution should not be levied for failure to satisfy judgment by court in March 1734/5 for £23 7s 6. Plaintiffs said they purchased a writ of execution on 29 May 1735 but it was returned “in no part Satisfied by Order of the Creditor.” Default by defendant; judgement for £26 14s 7 and costs. Defendant appealed. [PCR 6:257]

Jonathan Darling, Plymouth House Joyner, vs. Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton Housewright, case, nonsuit. Defendant prayed costs, taxed at 14s 9d. Undated but contains material from term of July 1742. [PCR 6:312]

At the Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, January 1742/43 Ebenezer Hatch Jr of Falmouth took Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton Housewright, to court at Plymouth, for debt on bond dated 24 September 1742 for £16. Default by defendant; judgment for ¢8 2s plus costs; appealed with same sureties [PCR 6:328]

Josiah Cushman of Plympton sued Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton House Joyner, for debt on bond dated 18 April 1743 for £23 13s 6d. Default by defendant; plaintiff awarded £11 14s 8d plus costs. Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, May 1743 [PCR 6:344]

James Cobb, Kingston Mason, vs. Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton House Joyner, case, on account for £3 11s 6d. At the May term the parties agreed to refer the matter to Consider Howland who was chosen by the defendant and John Brewster chosen by plaintiff and John Wright appointed by court. At the Court of Common Pleas begun 20 September 1743, auditors reported that defendant should pay plaintiff £7 11s 6d old tenor or £1 17s 10 1/2d lawful money, plus reference and court costs. “Returned in no part Satisfied.” [PCR 6:351]

Josiah Cushman, gentleman of Plympton vs. Nathaniel Cobb, Plimpton Carpenter, Debt, on bond dated 5 March 1743 for £6. Continued “from Term to Term” to December 1745 where both parties defaulted. From Plymouth Court of Common Pleas begun 5 March 1744/45 [PCR 7:34]

Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, begun 4 March 1745/6: James Otis Esq of Barnstable vs Nathaniel Cob, Plympton Housewright, debt, on bond dated 16 February 1744 for £7; defendant defaulted, bond chancered; judgment £3 18s 9d and costs.  [PCR 7:56]

At the Plymouth Court of Common Peas, begun 18 December 1750, Samuel Ruggles, Rochester Trader, attached Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton Housewright, trespass, note dated 17 May 1750 for £7 13s 4 to plaintiff’s damaged of £15. Default by defendant; judgment £7 18s 10d plus costs. Defendant appealed. [PCR 7:166]

Plymouth Court built 1749

In Court as Plaintiff 

Court of Common Pleas begun 15 June 1725: Nathaniel Cob, Plymouth House Carpenter, vs. Samuel Bolton, Bridgewater Husbandman, debt, on bill dated 9 July 1723, for 3,500 “Great Shingles,” defendant defaulted; judgment for the 3,500 shingles and costs. [PCR 5:139]

Plymouth Court Common Peas, begun 3 March 1729/30, Nathaniel Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, vs. Josiah Donham, Plymouth Housewright, case, on book account for £6 7s 2d, default by defendant; judgment for full amount plus costs. [PCR 5:260]

At the Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, begun 20 May 1735, Nathaniell Cobb, Plymouth Joyner, vs. James Rickard, Plymouth Cooper, by attorney Elisha Bisbe, case, on 5 week note dated 20 February 1732/3 fr £5 6s 9d, to plaintiff’s damaged of £10, default by defendant, judgment for the full amount plus court costs; appealed by defendant. [PCR 5:478]

Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton or Plymouth Housewright, vs. Abiel Leach, Middleborough or Halifax Cordwainer, debt, on bond dated 2 March 1736/7 for £26 lawful money of New England. Default by defendant; bond chancered; judgment for £10 8s 2 “in good Merchantable Shingles to be delivered at Jones River at Kingston,” plus costs. Defendant appealed. Plymouth Court of Common Pleas, begun 4 March 1739/40. [PCR 6:192]

At the Plymouth Court of Common Pleas begun 16 December 1740, Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton Housewright, sued Nehemiah Ripley, Plymouth Settworke Cooper and Deputy Sheriff, by attorney Otis Little, on note dated 27 October 1739 for £15 payable 1 March to plaintiff’s damage of £30. Defendant pleaded nothing owed; jury for plaintiff, £15 and costs; appealed by defendant.  [PCR 6:234]

Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton House Joyner, vs. Samuel Shurtleff, Plymouth Yeoman, case, on note dated December 1741 for £10. Default by defendant; judgment for £2 10s plus costs. Plymouth Court of Common Pleas begun 1 March 1742/43. [PCR 6:332]

In Court as Witness

At the Plymouth Court of General Sessions, December 1731, Nathaniel Cobb and Seth Barnes were witnesses for the case of Eleazer Rogers of Plymouth who was charged with threatening speeches made in the house of Mrs. Bryant against Nathan Cobb, “viz, Threatening said Cobb to kick his Guts and Hole him.” [PCR 2:96]

Death

I have not found Nathaniel and Mary’s death records. Nathaniel receipted for his share of his father Ebenezer Cobb’s estate on 8 November 1753 so he died after that date. [Plymouth Co. PR 13:250]. His death was likely between 5 October 1759 when son Nathaniel is “Jr.” in a court case [PCR 7:416] and before 3 October 1764 when his son Nathaniel Cobb, Plympton inn holder, is plaintiff in a Plymouth Court case and is no longer identified at “Jr.” [PCR 8:125]

Sources: 

Susan E. Roser, Early Descendants of Henry Cobb of Barnstable, Massachusetts, Friends of the Pilgrim Series, Volume 1, 2008

Alicia Crane Williams, Mayflower Descendant, “John Wood alias Atwood of Plymouth, Massachusetts,” 45:11 (January 1995)

Mrs. John E. Barclay, The American Genealogist, “The Daughters of Barnabas 3 Wood (A Mayflower Line),” 24:191 (1948)