Person:Benajah Webster (1)

Benajah is the 10th child & 7th son of George & Sarah Webster. He was born in Lebanon, married there & was a member of the First Church. He married Eunice Strong in 1739 in Lebanon. She was the dau of Josiah & Joanna (Gillett) Strong of Windsor, CT and was sister to Mary Strong, wife of his brother Jonathan. Shortly after they married, they moved to Coventry, CT in Windham county where they would raise their family. Benajah was a farmer.

Eunice died in 1750 after giving birth to 7 children in 11yrs. Benajah died the next year, 1751, & his will was probated June 3, 1751 when the inventory of the estate was presented. He was 38yrs and left 7 orphaned children ranging in age from 11 to 2yrs.

In the Willimantic County Probate records is the will of Benajah Webster, of Coventry, "being sick". He gave the whole of his estate to be equally divided among his children, viz: Benajah, Samuel, Cyrenus, Justus, & Abdiel, "my sons", & Cloe and Eunice, "my daughters." He also stipulated that "when they shall come of age" said children were to be put out to good trades at the age of 14 yrs. The estate was inventoried at 439pounds, 11shillings, 9pence, of which land was estimated at 218pounds and 4shillings. Pelatiah was appointed executor of the will and guardian of the children. When he died, guardianship passed to Ebenezer Bacon of Lebanon & Nathaniel Strong of Winsor.

Children of Benajah & Eunice Webster were all born in Coventry, except the first who was born in Lebanon, CT are continued in Chapter 7 p.141
*Benajah b.2 Oct 1740, a farmer, m.Rachell Lovell in Hillsborough county, NH. Rachel is said to have been a woman of excellent character who rendered valuable services during the Revolutionary War. Her husband served in the French & Indian War, enlisting in Capt.Gideon Wolcott's Co, 1st Regt. in Apr 1758, serving for 31 wks for 13lbs 9shillings. He served another 35wks in Capt.Edward Barnard's 1st Reg for 16lbs 2pence. About 1760, he was captured by the Indians & taken to Quebec. His grist mill was burned, his farm ravaged & the livestock killed. His wife escaped by rowing to Whitehall, NY. He did return to settle, eventually, in Ferrisburg, Addison Co.,VT. He purchased his first land there in 1762 while still 'of Windsor, CT'. Another 100 acres was purchased in 1788, The family were members of the Congregational Church and all the children are recorded there even though they were born elsewhere. It is alleged by his descendants that he also served in the Revolution. It is also said that he kept a diary while he was a prisoner in Quebec and it has been preserved in the hands of his descendants. He died in Ferrisburg in 1791 & Rachel died in 1813. They had 7 children, 4 sons: William Wolcott b.1771; Eunice b.1773; Rachel b.1775; Benjah b.1779; Hannah b.1781; Jonathon Lovell b.1787; John Champlain b.1789. These children are contined in Chap 12 & their sons in Chapters 27 & 57
*Cloe b.11Apr 1742 m.Ichabod Wadsworth of Ellington, CT. Nothing else is known for sure.
*Eunice b.15 Aug 1743 m.Moses Loomis, Jr of E.Windsor, CT. He died about 1783. Only one child is known for sure, Reuben. The Loomis Family has a extensive Genealogy published.
*Samuel b.21 Feb 1744 m.Jerusha Smith in 1770. He was a cordwainer & shoemaker living in the Hartford, CT area. They had 6 children (3 sons): Isaac, William, Mary, Reuben, Reuby, & Jersuha. These sons are continued in Chap 12. Their sons in Chapters 27
*Cyrenus b.18 Jul 1747 m.Prudence Skinner. His father died when he was 4yrs & at age 16yrs he was put out to learn the trade of tanner & shoemaker according to his father's will. After serving his apprenticeship, he set up business in E.Windsor. He died in 1830, age 84 & Prudence died in 1846, age 91yrs. They had 10 children (3 sons): Chloe b.1772; Eli b.1773; James b.1776; Theodosia b.1778; Sally b.1780; Naomi b.1782; Prudence b.1786; Betsey b.1788; Wareham b.1790 & Cynthia b.1796 These are resumed in Chap 12; the next generation in Chapter 27
*Justus b. 16 Dec 1748 Nothing is known for sure about him. The End
*Abdial b. 3 Jan 1749 m.Martha Churchill. He removed from CT in 1775, settling in Hubbardton, VT in Rutland County as one of the founding citizens and was in the town in 1777 when they had to all flee to escape capture by the British forces. Returning in 1780, he settled on a farm which has remained in his family up to 1892. They rose bush he brought from CT still blooms every year in the place where they built their first log cabin. He died in 1820 & she died 1828. Only child known for sure is Samuel b.1774. He is continued in Chap 12. His issue is continued in Chapters 27 & 61