"Benjamin Doolittle (Hezekiah, Abraham, Abraham, Abraham) s. of Hezekiah and Hepzibah (Tyler) D. was b. 1748, at Litchfield, Ct., … Benjamin Doolittle was a man of fine business qualifications and had an elegant home and valuable property in L.—a grist mill, paper mill, and distillery—and by his good management was adding to its value each year. But the sea breeze was affecting the health of his family, and, when about the year 1800 his mother, eldest three daughters—Sibyl, Phebe and Nancy,—and his son-in-law Anson Smith (hub. of dau. Sibyl) d. of consumption within two years, he was so grieved that he decided to dispose of his property in Conn. and seek out a healthy location. His bro. Frederick had settled in Albany Co., N. Y. and his letters were glowing with descriptions of the beautiful country, fertile soil and healthful climate in that section. Benjamin finally determined to take his family with him, visit Frederick and, if he found a location which suited him, to settle there.
They took their way through Western Conn. and up the Hudson Valley whose delightful scenery caused them to forget most of the fatigue of the long journey. They drove the entire distance and took only such goods as were necessary and could not be obtained in the new country in which they expected to settle. After visiting his brother, Benjamin went down into Delaware County and bought a farm and mill property in the town of Pine Hill. He lived in this locality the rest of his life. In 1824 he res. at Dry Brook, Ulster Co., but rem. to Bovina, Delaware Co. and built a stone house in a place called the 'Butt End.' He was a farmer and ran a rye whiskey still there in 1825. Here he died Aug. 1835, a. 87, beloved and respected by all who knew him."
