Benjamin Head was born in Lancaster or King George County, Virginia and went with his parents to Spotsylvania County in 1743.
He bought land in St George Parish, Spotsylvania County, 21 Dec 1771, and a deed dated 28 Nov 1771, from George Taylor, James Madison, and John Carter, Gent. Trustees for Harry Beverly, Gent. to Benjamin shows him to have been the "highest bidder for 1325 acres of land on the Rapidan river. The price paid, three hundred and seven pounds current money of Virginia." In 1787 Benjamin and wife Martha sell 285 acres of this tract to May Burton for L187/16/6 and in 1795 he sells a part of the tract to his son John Head.
Benjamin enlisted in the Continental Army on 24 Jan 1776 for two years serving in Captain George Stubblefield's Company, 5th Virginia Regiment, commanded by Colonel Charles Scott and Josiah Parker, respectively. In 1777 he is referred to as L.Horse on the company muster rolls, . He served out his enlistment, then enlisted under Spotswood Dandridge and served through out the war. The order appointing him Captain, and signed by James Madison, is on record in Orange County Circuit Court records, dated 28 May 1778.
Testimony is given that he was "a brave and valuable soldier and rendered great service to his country, was much beliked by his officers, who reposed the greatest confidence in him.
There are innumerable entries in the Orange County record books relating to Benjamin Head, showing him to have been a very active man in the affairs of the community. In one instance he was allowed 100 pounds of tobacco for four days attendance at court as a witness for John Stagell. In another, the ages of Negroes of his was adjudged. Other items show exemption from paying taxes on Negroes in 1788 and 1792. In 1797 he served on a Grand Jury.
The census of 1782 lists him as the owner of two houses and the head of a family consisting of eight whites and eleven blacks (slaves). This would indicate that some 6 of his children were still at home.
His son John was the administrator of his estate in 1803 and final settlement was examined by the Court of Orange County and ordered recorded 25 Jan 1819.
A portion of one of the homes of Benjamin Head is still standing (assuming this was written in 1940's) on the Rapidan river in Orange County, Virginia, and was visited by Mary Head Burton in 1914. The family burying ground is on this place.
