Deacon John Benedict

	Born	3Oct1726	Ridgefield, CT
	Married	24Jan1749/50	Esther Stebbins
	Died	9Jul1814	at Location

Parents:

• Father:Benedict, James Capt1685
• Mother:Hyatt, Sarah1685

Children:

1. Esther b 12Jan1751, Ridgefield, d young
2. John b 7Mar1753, Ridgefield
3. Sarah b 7Mar1753, Ridgefield m Jabez Keeler
4. Abijah Benedict; b 22Feb1755, Ridgefield d 2Mar1818
5. Esther b 25Feb1757, Ridgefield m Joab Smith
6. Delight b 26Apr1759, Ridgefield. Unmarried
7. Hannah b 28Feb1762, Ridgefield m Jonah Foster

_The Parents of _

John’s Early Years

From Connecticut Vital Records, Barbour Collection, Ridgefield, CT b 4Oct1726, twin with Thomas

? and ?

Sources

Per Benedicts to America, Vol I, Pg 66 John4, James3, John2, Thomas1 b 3Oct1726, Ridgefield, CT; m 24Jan1749/50 Esther, dau Joseph Stebbins, b 1724, who d 10Feb1814. He grad Yale College 1747. He was justice of the peace 1777-1804; member of the legislature in 1755, 1756, 1759, 1764, 1777, 1779; was fifth Deacon of the church in Ridgefield, and officiated many years. We learn "that his mother meant him for a gown, but he chose another dress." Mr. S.G. Goodrich, in his Recollections (p 223), thus presents the portrait of Deacon John Benedict: "He was a worthy old man, and enjoyed many claims to respect. He was not only as Deacon, but a justice of the peace, and respected the law, especially as it was administered in his own person. He was severe upon those who violated the statutes of the state, but one who violated the statutes of Deacon John Benedict, committed the unpardonable sin. He was the entire police of the meeting-house on Sunday, and not a boy or girl, or even a bumble bee, could offend, without condign punishment." He d 9Jul1814. all children born Ridgefield.

• Esther b 12Jan1751. d young
• John b 7Mar1753
• Sarah b 7Mar1753; m Jabez Keeler
• Abijah b 22Feb1755; d 2Mar1818
• Esther b 25Feb1757; m Joab Smith
• Delight b 26Apr1759; was a school teacher. Mr. SG Goodrich says: "I was about six years old when I first went to school. My teacher was Aunt Delight, that is, Delight Benedict, a maiden lady of fifty, short and bent, of sallow complexion and solemn aspect. Having no children of her own, she combed and crammed the heads of others people's children, and in this way she was eminently useful in her day and generation." (see his Recollections, pp 34, 35, 224)
• Hannah b 28Feb1762; m Jonah Foster

-- SandeeToo - 11 Oct 2008
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