Person:Taber Bentley (2)

The following from Dick Bentley after I contacted him regarding the Bentley family.

I have some information that I believe you will enjoy.... It is an excerpt from "THE SETTLERS OF THE BEEKMAN PATENT" that lists your decendency from William Bentley.

Descendants of William BENTLEY of England who came over on the ship Arabella from Gravesend, England in 1671 which landed in Narragansett, RI .

1-William BENTLEY (Aug 29 1640-Jul 9 1720) sp: Sarah LEITHFIELD (-) . . . . . 2-Thomas BENTLEY (abt 1679-bet 1775 and 1778) . . . . . sp: Elizabeth CHAMBERLAIN (1685-1718) . . . . . . . . . . 3-William BENTLEY (Dec 18 1710-Sep 25 1800) . . . . . . . . . . sp: Elizabeth (Eliza) TILLINGHAST (Feb 11 1716-Mar 8 1770)

My descendency is from: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Pardon BENTLEY (1740-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-William BENTLEY (Feb 18 1767-Sep 24 1820) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-William BENTLEY (Mar 6 1793-Apr 13 1847) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-Edward BENTLEY (Jun 11 1826-1881) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-Floyd Fenimore BENTLEY (Sep 27 1850-Jan 1 1944) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-Floyd Harold BENTLEY (Jun 1 1879-Aug 1964) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-Floyd Richard BENTLEY (Apr 9 1911-Nov 17 1961) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-Thomas BENTLEY (my father) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-Richard BENTLEY (me)

Your descendency is from: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Tabor BENTLEY (Sep 1752-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sp: Elizabeth VANDERBURG (-)

American Revolution lasted from 1764-1775!!

THE SETTLERS OF THE BEEKMAN PATENT..... 6. TABOR BENTLEY, (William3, Thomas2, Williaml) was born Sept. 1752 and d. Sunday at 4 o'clock, 19 March 1826 age 73 years 8 months. He m. Elizabeth, widow of Martin Cornell and dau. of Cal. James and Margaret (Noxon) Vanderburgh. Letters of Administration were granted on 19 June 1785 on Martin Cornwell, weaver of Beekman to Tabor Bentley, farmer of Beekman, husband of Elizabeth, late wife of Martin. Elizabeth was born 16 May 1754 and d. 21 Feb. 1837 at the home of Robert Coffin in Washington Town, DC, age 82. Tabor signed the AofA in Beekman and was active in the Revolution, being elected 2nd Lt. 10 March 1778[25y5m23d] in the Beekman Militia. Tabor Bentley was the chief witness at a trial of three British spies who were captured just behind the home of Col. James Vanderburgh in Poughquag. Bentley was felling a tree and it was inclining towards where Henry Wickes, Abraham Ackerly and John Vermillier were hiding behind a log. Fearing that they would be hit by the tree they disclosed themselves. As Bentley said; "On account of the danger they were in the falling of the tree, I was suprised with a pistol at my breast by a certain Earl, one of the Gang who afterwards got off." The three men were convicted and it was ordered: "that the several culprits be hanged, by the neck until they be dead, & that the Sheriff of Dutchess cause the order to be carried into execution on Saturday the 21st April 1781".

Tabor Bentley remained active after the war and was elected captain of company no. 3 in Beekman in 1786[33y]. He resigned from the militia in 1806[53y] with rank of Colonel. His tax in 1778 was 1 lb. His census listing was 2-4-6 in 1790 and he was next to John Collins and William Bentley Jr. In 1800 he was next to Samuel Sweet and William Bentley. In 1810 he was recorded with O-O-1-1-1 and O-O-l-O-2 with 6 horses, 22 cattle and 22 sheep and he had one loom and made 150 yards of cloth. He was next to Pardon Bentley and Samuel Sweet.

In 1799 he was taxed on a house and land worth $1500 and personal property valued at $118. He and his father also owned another house and land worth $150 on which they paid a tax of 15 cents. Six of his children were pupils at the Noxon school in 1795-96 and named in an attendance list. On 4 July 1816 Taber Bentley of Dutchess County gave a mortgage to John A. Schuyler of Bergen Co., NJ for land bounding Thomas Baker and lot 10. The land was 124 acres 2 roods and the mortgage was for $1500. His will was written 20 July 1825 and probated 29 March 1826. In it he named wife Elizabeth, son William and dau. Eliza plus gr-ch Laura Sweet, dau of Helen, and Tabor Bentley. Executors were Robert Coffin and Abner Osborn, witnesses were Abner Osborn, Mary Osborn and Laura Mary Sweet. Witnesses to a codicil were Lewis Baker, Andrew Bently and Alvin Sweet. . He is buried in the Bentley ground in Gardner Hollow in Beekman.

Children: Helena, b. 27 July 1780; m. John Sweet. Magdaline, b. 26 Dec. 1782; m. Robert, son of Abisha and Sarah Coffin 20 May 1802. James, b. 15 Oct. 1783; m. Esther Marshall. William, b. 9 Dec. 1785; m. Mary Woodin. William T. Bentley of Beekman gave a mortgage 6 Feb. 1813 to Abraham Storm of Fishkill on 2 acres of land in Beekman on theroad from Jacob and Cornell Doughty's store toMrs. Humphrey's dwelling. Hallet G., b. 19 Dec. 1787; m. Clarissa Marshall. Elizabeth, b. 19 Jan. 1790; m. Beriah Austin

The following from the following: Lori Brill 2-6-03

If you use the data herein for your own genealogical use, cite this web-site location, and date that you found the data herein. The date is important because data may be changed at a later date.

Thank you,

William J. Powers, Jr.

In the Spring of 1781, the Tories imposed a danger in Col. Vanderburghs neighborhood. This time, three of the enemy were caught and brought to trial. A "New York Packet and American Advertiser" notice in 22 Mar 1781 states: "The following noted thieves, of De Lanceys corps, were taken on Tuesday last, about two miles from Col. Vanderburghs, viz. Familiar, Weeks, and Ackerly; one of their associates, Earl, got off; the other three are safe in goal--- they came with an intent to steal horses." Governor George Clinton referred to the individuals as spies, and on 7 Apr 1781 ordered a court martial to convene: "In Pursuance of the Act entitled `an act subjecting all Persons who shall come out from the Enemy and secretly lurk in any Part of this State to Trials by Courts Martial as Spies." On 12 Apr 1781 the Court assembled, and prosecuted Henry Wickes in the name of the People of the State of New York, for "adhereing to the Enemy, and coming out from the Enemy & secretly lurking within a Part of this State." Henry Wickes plead not guilty to the charge. The trial began with Taber Bentley as the first witness. [Note: Taber Bentley was married to James Vanderburghs daughter, Elizabeth, by 1785. Whether he was James son-in-law at this time in 1781 is not certain.]

"Tabor Bently (sworn). Question. Were you present Mr. Bently when the Prisoner before you (Henry Wickes) was taken? No. Where did you see the Prisoner first? Behind a log. Did it appear to you that he lay behind the Log with Intention to conceal himself? It did. Q. Will you please to inform the Court what was the Cause of your discovering them? I was felling a Tree which was inclining towards them, or as they (Abraham Wickes, John Vermillier and Abraham Ackerly) told me, they would not have discovered themselves to me. On Account of the Danger they were in from the Falling of the Tree, I was surprised with a Pistol at my Breast by a certain Earl, one of the Gang who afterwards got off, and after some Conversation I promised to bring them some Victuals which they demanded of me. Q. Do you recollect what passed between you and the Prisoner in the Conversation you mention? He said there were some such Men as I was, who pretending to be their Friends, might betray them, and likewise told me that I should suffer if I should, & I replyd that if I brought them out, they might scalp me. They askd me how far it was to Jonathan Dennistons, Quakerhill & Colonel Van Deburghs and whether Colonel Vandeburgh was a Friend to his Country. Q. Did the Prisoner inform you where he came from? From within the British Lines and said that he belongd to De Lanceys Corps. One of the Party said that he would be damned if some particular Persons should not suffer before they returned, and to the best of my Knowledge Wickes said that some should suffer, by God. One of them (I am not certain who) askd me if I did not expect the Enemy, I answered that they had been expected for two or three years past; Either Wickes or Ackerly swore, by God, we should be relieved soon and we might depend on their coming through this Summer. Colonel Van Deburgh swore, That he took Henry Wickes himself, endeavoring as he thought to make his Escape, and after he presented his Gun at the Prisoner, he calld for Quarter [mercy]. That he confessed that he belongd to De Lanceys Corps. That he came from within the British Lines and intended to return, if he had not been taken in eight or nine Days from that Time. Abraham Ackerly, appeared before the Court; The Judge Advocate prosecuting as in the foregoing Case and the same Charges being exhibited against him. The prisoner plead not guilty. Tabor Bently being sworn. The 1st 2d 3d and 4th Questions that were askd him, being nearly similar to those put to him in the Case of Wickes, were answered in the same Manner. Question. What did Ackerly say to you after your being surprised by Earl? That they had been driven off, and that he would be damnd if some particular Persons did not suffer for it before he returnd to New York. Q. Did the Prisoner signify that he was in the Service of the Enemy? It was the Voice of the Whole of them that they belongd to De Lanceys Corps. Q. Did he tell you how long it was since he left the British Lines? Near a Fortnight, and that they were about returning when they were taken. Q. Did the Prisoner in particular tell you this? Not that I recollect, I took it to be the Sense of the Whole of them. Q. What was the Occasion of your leaving them? A Boy that lives with me appearing, I told (Ackerly, Wickes and Vermiller) them, that they might probably be discovered. They immediately concealed themselves where I first saw them, behind the Log, and I left them to alarm the Neighborhood. Col: Vandeburgh swore That the Prisoner told him that he belongd to De Lanceys Corps & that he expected to be exchanged soon. Henry Van De Burgh, Being Sworn: Quest: Was you present Mr. Van Deburgh when the Prisoner

was taken?  I was.

Q. Where was he taken? The Prisoner Henry Wickes and John Vermiller were each of them taken whilst I was present, in Beekmans Precinct, near my Fathers House. In what Manner did you take them? Running from a Place where it appeard by the Position of the Logs and Collection of Leaves aforementioned Persons had been lurking for a considerable Time, and which by the Description of Mr. Bently was the very Place where he discovered them first. Q. Did the Prisoner acknowledge that he came from within the British Lines? He did, as did Vermillier and Wickes also, That they respectively belongd to De Lanceys Corps, & that they had been out eight or nine Days. John Vermillier then appeared before the Court with the same Charges exhibited against him - the Judge Advocate prosecuting as in the foregoing Cases. The Prisoner Plead not Guilty, and the Court proceeded to Trial. Tabor Bently, sworn. Questions similar to the 1st 2d 3d and 4th in Wickes Tryal and to the 2d 3d 4th and 5th in Ackerlys Trial were severally put to Mr. Bently and answered by him in the same Manner, nearly Verbatim. Colonel Vandeburgh sworn, His Evidence against the Prisoner, the same as against Ackerly. Henry Vandeburgh sworn, Questions, the same in Substance as those asked in Akerlys Trial, were put to Mr. Van Deburgh who answered them in the same Manner, against Vermillier. The Prisoners respectively urged in their Defence that they had been misled and came out with no bad Design and intended to live peaceably amongst us. The Judge Advocate then askd the Court if the Evidence already produced was sufficient and satisfactory, there being no Negative - The Court adjourned till Friday Morning 8 OClock. Friday Morning April 13th 1781. The Court having maturely considerd the Charges and Evidence against the Prisoners and their Defence, unanimously, find them guilty of adhering to and coming out from the Enemy, and secretly lurking in a Part of this State, and by Virtue of an Act of the Legislature of this State made and provided against such Offenders, entitled and Act for subjecting all Persons who shall come out from the Enemy to Trials by Courts Martial, Do sentence the said Henry Wickes, Abraham Akerly and John Vermilliar to suffer Death at such Time and Place as his Excellency Governor Clinton may appoint. The Court adjourns without Day. Abrm. Brinckerhoff, Coll. Prest. John Copp, acting as Judge Advocate. Recd & filed April 13th 1781. April 14th approved & ordered: that the several Culprits be hanged, by the neck until they be dead, & that the Sherif of Dutchess cause the order to be carried into execution on Saturday the 21st April 1781."

The following month was a more pleasant one for James and his family. On a trip to Connecticut, Gen. Washington was a visitor at their house. In his diary, Washington recorded the occasion on 18 May 1781: "Set out this day for the Interview at Weathersfield with Count de Rochambeau and Admiral Barras. - Reached Morgans Tavern 43 Miles from Fishkill Landing, after dining at Colo. Van Debergs." On 24 May, Helena Vanderburgh gave birth to a son named "George Washington" after their honored guest. The following day, 25 May, Gen. Washington met his namesake when upon his return from Weathersfield he "dined at Colo. Vandeburgs" enroute to his headquarters at New Windsor, NY where he arrived "about Sunset." The Summer of 1781 saw Col. James still very concerned for the safety and law and order that he and his men had struggled for during the war. He recognized a need to stop certain persons from preying on the embattled inhabitants of Beekman. To this end, he petitioned Gov. Clinton to send him after a noted robber:

"Beekmans Prect., 22d Augt. 1781. Sir, The Bearers Mr. Jessup and Clark I am acquainted with and Recommend them to be Gentlemen of Character. Am sir your most obedient Humble Servt. James Vandenburgh. To His Excellency Govr. Clinton. N. B. If your Excellency will permit me to take a guard of five men out of Levies sutch as I shall chuse, think it in my power to apprehend the noted Rober Jenkins and sum others who are gone toward the State of Vermont. Am as above James Vandenburgh.

Sir, I have no objection to your having a guard of four or five of the levies to assist in apprehending the robers you mention & on application to Colo. Wessenfels, they will be ordered provided the business can soon be effected. I am &c. G. C."

James had taken action several months previous to jail persons giving aid to robbers. "On 4 May 1781 the listing of prisoners in the Poughkeepsie jail included Mathew and Catherine Buys. They had been committed by James Vanderburgh and Maurice Pleas for Comforting, aiding and abeting Robbers."

Another robbery had taken place at his home during the same period. An account is found in the "New York Journal and General Advertiser" of 3 Sep 1781: "At court of Oyer & Terminer and gaol Delivery held during the last week at this place [Poughkeepsie], Daniel Duncan was convicted of a burglary at the house of Col. Van Derburgh. He is to be executed on Thursday next. ... Gideon Baker, Casey Eldridge and Arnold Reynolds were also convicted as accessories to the burglary, and are to be reserved for judgement to the supreme Court at Albany, in October term, where they will receive the punishment their crimes justly merit. ... There were also several other persons tried as accessories to the burglary, and altho there was a presumption of their guilt, yet, for want of that degree of evidence which the law requires, they were acquitted."

Another story: On 15 Oct 1787, Peter, accompanied by Taber Bentley, his brother-in-law, as his surety, appeared before Jonathan Dennis, Esquire, one of the Justices of the Peace for Dutchess County. They "acknowledged themselves Indebted, to the people of the State of New York in the sum of Fifty pounds Each ..." because Peter was "... charged of Begetting A Bastard Child upon the Body of Catherine Delong Single Woman ..." Peter settled his fine with the court in January 1788. Catherine was the daughter of Johannes DeLong and Anna Maria Brill. The child she had by Peter was a son, born on 15 Sep 1787. Catherine and Peter never married, and their son was evidently raised solely by Catherine.

Another story:

Elizabeth married, second, probably in 1779, TABER BENTLEY, son of William Bentley and Elizabeth Tillinghast, and a farmer of Beekman. In 1781 Taber and Elizabeth lived in the vicinity of Elizabeths father, James Vanderburgh. While testifying during an Apr 1781 court martial, Taber stated that he had "a boy that lives with me." This may have been Elizabeths son, John by Martin Cornell. Taber also served in the Revolutionary War. He became a Second Lieutenant on 10 Mar 1778 and served in the Fifth Regiment of the Dutchess County Militia, Beekmans Precinct. After the Revolutionary War he continued his military involvement with the New York State Militia. He was elected Captain of Company No. 3 in Beekman in 1786 and resigned from the militia in 1806 with the rank of Colonel. Tabers tax in 1778 was .1. His census listings were 2-4-6 in 1790, 0-2-1-0-2 and 0-1-2-0-2 in 1800. In 1810, he was recorded with 0-0-1-1-1 and 0-0-10-02 with 6 horses, 22 cattle and 22 sheep. He had one loom and made 150 yards of cloth. In 1799, he was taxed on a house and land valued at $1,500 and personal property valued at $118. He and his father also owned another house and land worth $150 on which they paid a tax of 15 cents. Tabers will was written on 20 Jul 1825 and probated on 29 Mar 1826. In it, he names his wife Elizabeth; son William; and daughter Elizabeth; plus grandchild Laura Sweet, daughter of Helen; and Tabor Bentley. Executors were Robert Coffin and Abner Osborn, and witnesses were Abner Osborn, Mary Osborn, and Laura Mary Sweet. Witnesses to a codicil were Lewis Baker, Andrew Bently, and Alvin Sweet. Taber died on 19 Mar 1826 at the age of 73 years and eight months. He is buried on the farm of Daniel Quillan [1914] at Gardner Hollow, in the town of Beekman. His tombstone records him as "Colonel Taber Bentley." Elizabeth died on 21 Feb 1837 at age 80 at the home of Robert Coffin in Washington Town, Dutchess County. Children:

(BENTLEY surname) 91.iv.Helen L., b. 2 Aug 1780 [27 Jul per Doherty], m. 4 Dec 1806 John

 Sweet, d. 1 Sep 1820.

92.v.Magdalen; b. 26 Oct 1782 [26 Dec per Doherty]; m. 20 May 1802

 Robert Coffin of Washington, Dutchess County, NY;
 d. 31 Aug 1866.

93.vi.James, b. 15 Oct 1783, m. Esther Marshall. 94.vii.William T., b. 9 Dec 1785, m. Mary Woodin, d. 1832. viii.Hallet G., b. 19 Dec 1787, m. 5 Feb 1815 Clarissa Marshall

 of Patterson, NY.  Living in Poultney,  Steuben Co., NY in 1820.

ix.Elizabeth, b. 14 Jan 1790 [19 Jan per Doherty], m. Beriah Austin

 as his third wife.  No children.

?x.Tabor, Jr., m. Ann Sweet.