Captain Thomas Benedict

Family reference: 27

	Born	1682		Norwalk, Fairfield co., Conn.
	Married	ca 1705	Millison Hyatt	at Location
	Died	5 Jul 1763		Norwalk, Fairfield co., Conn.

Lineage:

• Thomas Benedict³, (John², Thomas¹)

Parents:

• Father: John Benedict 1648-1727
• Mother: Phoebe Gregory; 1649-1749

Children:

1. Ebenezer Benedict; b. Oct 1708
2. David Benedict; b. ca 1713, d. Mar 1762
3. John Benedict; 1715-1789
4. Thomas Benedict; 1719-1763
5. Betty Benedict; b. 14 Mar 1721, d. 21 May 1782
6. Seth Benedict; b. Jun 1725, d. ca 1768

Thomas’s Early Years

He was born in Norwalk. Known as Capt Thomas Benedict, see pg 212, He was remarkable for the loudness of his voice-could be distinctly heard and understood at the distance of more than a mile. He was a great singer, and the leader of the choir of singers at Norwalk. Additionally, lists another possible son, Moses?^B

The Family of Millicent/Millison Hyatt

Millicent Hyatt was the daughter of Thomas Hyatt and Mary St. John of Norwalk, Fairfield co., Connecticut. She was born on December 6, 1688, married Thomas in 1705 and died in Norwalk in 1763.^A

Her father, Thomas Hyatt, was active and brave enough in the Indian wars of his time to incite the town to make to him a grant of land as a testimonial of its gratitude, and a requital of his services.%CITE{1001}%

Millicent (per Henry Benedict: spelled "Millison" and born in December 1686; p. 52%CITE{1001}%) was a twin sister to Sarah Hyatt. Sarah became the wife of Dean James Benedict of Ridgefield.

Thomas and Millicent

Thomas appears to have possessed a strong desire for military distinction, together with so much aptitude for affairs of that character, that during his whole life, he was never without some military rank. He comes before us as "Sergeant" in 1713; as "Ensign" in 1724; as "Lieutenant" in 1742, and as "Captain" in 1746; this latter title adhering to him for the rest of his life.

It is very evident, however, that civil position was not distasteful to him; for he was chosen selectman not less than seven times, and moderator of the annual town meetings at least ten times; the last occasion being the year preceding his death. He was representative in the General Assembly, probably in 1737 and 1740, and certainly in 1744. He exhibited the family tendency to do service in the church. December 2, 1724, the town desires him 'to sett ye tune to ye Psalme, at such times as that part of service is to be performed in ye publik worship of God; and to read ye Psalmes needed; ye town, also Seat ye said Bennedick in ye 3d long seat at ye end of ye middle alley."

The power of his voice must have been something remarkable, for it is stated on credible authority that he could be heard and understood at the distance of more than a mile.

It is probable he was Deacon of the church (Congregational) of which he and his wife were members (1725), but the loss of the church records prevents certain knowledge on this point. His will (see footnote of the will, below) bears date May 20, 1763, and was proved July 5, 1763. He died, of course, in the interval between those dates. His wife survived him, but the date of her death is not known.%CITE{1001}% ^C

Footnotes

Note A: Per Sension-St. John family genealogy website at: http://the-red-thread.net/genealogy/Sension-St.John.html

Note B: Per Norwalk, Fairfield co., Connecticut 1847 Historical Records.

Note C: See Hall's Hist. Norwalk, CT, pp 113, 114, 125.%CITE{1019}%

Notes on the Children:

• Ebenezer Benedict:
  • Enebezer, married Thankful [__] and moved to New Canaan, was admitted with his wife to the Congregational church thre on October 1733.
  • An Ebenezer Benedict of Norwalk, Ct d in 1775, and left a will which was proved 1Jan1776; mentions wife Mary (St John?) and appoints his brother-in-law Nathaniel St John, executor. No children mentioned.%CITE{1001}%
  • A deed on record at Norwalk, Ct 18Sep1797, mentions lands bounded by property of "heirs of Ebenezer Benedict.%CITE{1001}%"

Thomas Benedict's Will

*In the Name of God, Amen. The 20th day of May, A D 1763. I Thomas Benedict of Norwalk, in the County Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut, being weak of body but of sound mind and memory, and willing to mind my mortality, do make and ordain this my last will and testiment.

Principally and first of all, I commend my soul into the hands God who gave it, and my body I commit to ye Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of Exedutyors hereafter named nothing doubting of its resurrecdtion and hoping for eternal life through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life I will, devise and bequeath the Same in manner and form following:

My will is yt my just debts and funeral charges be first paid out of my moveable estate.

Imprimus: I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Millison Benedict all my household goods and furniture to be her own forever; also, the use and improvement of my dwelling house and the one half party of my real estate during her natural life in lieu and in full of her dowry.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my two sons John Benedict and Seth Benedict and my daughter Betty Betts, and to each of them, their heirs and assigns forever, twenty five pounds lawful money to be taken out of my Real Estate according to the apprizal of said Estate.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my two grandsons Stephen Benedict and Uriah Benedicy and to each of them, their heirs and assigns forever, ten pounds lawful money; and, also, to my grandaughter Betty Benedict and to her heirs forever, five pounds lawful money, to be taken out of my Real Estate according to the apprizal of said Estate.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandsons Jesse Benedict and David Benedict, the one sixth part of the afore mentioned residue and remainder, viz: To Jesse and to his heirs forever, the two third parts of the last mentioned sixth part of the aforesaid remainder: and to David, the one third part of ye aforesaid sixth part to his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto the surviving children of my son Thomas Benedict, late deceased, and to their heirs forever the other sixth part of the aforementioned residue and remainder not before disposed of, to be equally divided among them.

I likewise constitute, make and ordain my loving sons Ebenezer, John and Seth Executors of this my last will and Testament ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seat, the day and date above written. (signed) Thomas Benedict [L. S.]

Signed, sealed, published and pronounced and declared by the said Thomas Benedict the Testator, to be his last will and Testiment in the presence of us, the subscribers. David Comstock, William Hanford, Hayns Fitch.

Mem. John and Seth accepted trust - will ordered approved and recorded 5Jul1763. Original will is on file in Probate office, Fairfield, CT, and the record is contained in Vol "1761-63," p. 28.

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-- JimBenedict - 03 Aug 2009 -- SandeeToo - 25 Oct 2008
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