Person:Benjamin Benedict (8)

BIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BENEDICT Submitted by: Gary T. Hawbaker

Benedict, Benjamin Franklin (29Mch1840-30Oct1907) Private. Member of Union Fire Company, No. 1. Son of Samuel and Rebecca Johnston Benedict. Samuel Benedict m. Rebecca Johnston, May 4, 1837, according to Lancaster First Reformed Church records. Born in Lancaster, Pa., Benjamin was 21 and a Coachsmith when he enlisted. He was 5 feet, 5½ inches tall, with a fair complexion, grey eyes, and light hair. The 1850 Census for the NE Ward of Lancaster City shows Samuel Benedict (35, Plasterer) as the head of a household which included: Rebeca (31), Emely (12), Benjamin (10), Mary (8), Philip (5), and Permella (2/12). The 1860 Census for the SE Ward of Lancaster City shows Benjamin Benedict (20) living with Edward Riley (26, Attorney) and Anna R. Riley (31). Next door lived Samuel Benedict (46, Plaster) who is the head of a household which included: Rebecca (42), Emma (22), M. S. (18), Phil. (15), Pamilla (9), and Clara (4). In the 1870 Census, Samuel Benedict (56, Plasterer) lived in the 2nd Ward of Lancaster. Other members of the household were: Rebecca (52), Emma (31), Philip (26, Plasterer), Pamella (19), and Clara (14).

Philip Benedict, Benjamin's brother, served in Co H, 122nd PA Infantry, Co E, 21st PA Cavalry, Battery I, PA Light Artillery (Robert E. Nevin's Battery). He had grey eyes, light hair, a fair complexion, was 5 feet, 7½ inches tall, and was a blacksmith upon enlistment. In 1890 he filed a pension request from San Francisco, CA stating that "while in the army he was seldom sick but shortly after the war he discovered that the exposure which he had experienced in the service had left the germs of disease in his system" and that he had kidney disease and deafness. At this time he indicated that he was a plasterer but at enlistment was a blacksmith. Philip Benedict was married twice. He first married Emma Morrison and was divorced from her Aug 20, 1894. He then married Mary Magdalena "Lena" Small on Aug 22, 1894 in Philadelphia by Rev. Allen B. Philputt. Lena Small was born Jan 13, 1852 in Carlisle, PA. Philip Benedict stated on one pension paper, "There are no children."

Philip Benedict died Nov 18, 1906. His obituary in the Nov 19, 1906 Intelligencer, indicates that as a young man, he worked at the plastering trade. He was one of six children. He enlisted "three times in the Rebellion . . . in all of which enlistments he served with bravery and fidelity, and was in several engagements. He was wounded in the hip by a minnie ball during the service, and was also captured and put into Libby prison pen, from which he afterwards escaped, during the excitement which prevailed upon the shooting of one of the guards." He was a clerk in the Lancaster post office. He moved to Philadelphia about 1891 and kept a small store. His wife, who was Miss Lena Small, from a "prominent Carlisle family," survived him. There were no children. Two sisters and a brother survived: Mrs. Emma J. Miller, widow of Jacob N. Miller, Mary S. Bitner, widow of Albert Bitner, both of Lancaster, and Benjamin of Philadelphia. The late Mrs. William H. Iredale was also a sister. Burial was in Lancaster Cemetery. [Some information obtained from a New Era obituary filed with the pension papers.] The Benedict Family Bible, in the editor's possession contains the following information: Samuel Benedict and Rebecca Johnston were married on the 4th of May A. D. 1837. Samuel Benedict was born on Nov 8, 1814. Rebecca Johnston Benedict was born Mch 18, 1818. Their children: Emma Jane, b Apr 14, 1838; Benjamin Franklin, b Mch 29, 1840; Mary Sybilla, b Aug 10, 1842; Philip, b Jan 27, 1845; Pamella, b Jun 11, 1850; and Clara, b Oct 10, 1855. It would appear that Clara inherited the Bible as the following Iredale births are also recorded: Harold B. Iredale, b Sept 2, 1896; Lillian Iredale, b Nov 14, 1877; Bertha Mary Iredale, b Oct 10, 1880, and Wm. H. Iredale, b Jan 6, 1852.

Benjamin Benedict was a next door neighbor to William H. Bubb. [ William H. Bubb was also a member of Company B.] Benjamin Benedict m. Caroline Elizabeth Spottz (15Aug1844-20Sep1907), on Sep 25, 1864. Children: Mary Catherine, b. Aug 22, 1867 and Carrie May, b. Apr 11, 1871. David Spots (41, Fork Maker) and his family, Caroline (40), Mary C. (17), Caroline (6), and David (3) in the 1850 Census were next door neighbors of Augustus Stone, also a member of Company B. Caroline Spottz (29Mch 1809-10Oct1871), mother of Caroline E. Spottz, is buried next to Benjamin Benedict and his wife. Benjamin Benedict lived at 1903 Fell St, Philadelphia, PA in 1897. His occupation was coach body finisher (employed by the Pennsylvania Rail Road). He was a lampman for the Pennsylvania Rail Road in 1894 (from George M. Bauman's file).

Benjamin Benedict stated that in the line of duty at Harrison's Landing, VA on or about Jul 15, 1862, he "incurred Slight deafness of both ears during Gen'l. McClellan's Campaign of the seven days Battles on the Peninsula, Va. That, since then it has gradually increased to such an extend that in holding a conversation, my answers are often on quite a different subject as not understanding, I make a guess as to what is spoken to me. It has now arrived to such a state that it could not be worse unless I would be totally deaf."

The Union Standard ~ Newsletter of Company B ~ 1st Pa. Reserves ~ The Union Guard January - February 2002

1. ↑ United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Gary T. Hawbaker. BIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BENEDICT. (The Union Standard, ~ Newsletter of Company B ~, 1st Pa. Reserves ~ The Union Guard, January - February 2002).
3.   Benedict Family Bible.
4. ↑ Union Fire Co., No. 1
5. ↑ He incurred slight deafness at Harrsions' Landing, VA, abt 15 Jul 1862 while serving in the Battles on the Pennisula, VA
6. ↑ 1903 Fell St