Person:Benjamin Tevis (1)

From Hammutal Tevis and Robert Shipley: A Cautionary Tale by Nany Pearre Lesure

The youngest Tevis son, Benjamin, married Helen Elder 12 Dec 1786 and not long afterward - 27 Feb 1789 - Robert Shipley and Helen's sister Providence Elder obtained a marriage license. The two brothers-in-law - uncle and nephew - were apparently very close. When in 1802 Benjamin came to write his will, he named as his executor his "beloved friend Robert Shipley (of Adam deceased)". In its October Term 1804 the Orphans Court appointed Robert Shipley as guardian for Benjamin's sons John, Benjamin, and Robert; and David Brown, the other orphaned nephew, as guardian for his daughter Hammutal. By license dated 5 Nov 1791 David Brown had also married an Elder - Jemima, half sister to Helen and Providence.

From Robert Tevis (Tivis), His Parents, His Siblings, and His Progeny by Nancy Pearrer Lesure

The youngest son of Robert and Margaret Tevis was 30 years old when he made a deposition in the spring of 1785. Reaching manhood with his country at war, he first appears in the public record taking the Oath of Fidelity in 1778. On 27 May 1779 he was appointed to succeed Thomas Philips as Captain of a company in the Soldiers Delight Battalion.

No further mention of him has been found until his marriage 19 Dec 1786 in the First Baptist Church of Baltimore to Helen Elder, daughter of John and Onner Elder. He and his wife are undoubtedly among the three males over 16 and five females listed in Robert Sr.'s household in 1790. Only in 1796, when his father was getting his affairs in order, does Benjamin's name appear in the land records. He remained at home, and he bacame his father's executor and residuary legatee. He was the only Tevis listed in the Baltimore County particular assessment 1 Oct 1798. Still living in the Lower Delaware Hundred, he had 319 acres of land and six slaves.

Benjamin wrote his will in Baltimore County 17 Oct 1802, and died the next day, aged 47 years, leaving "a large family of orphans". Proved in Court 27 Oct 1802, the will names four daughters, including a Margaret, and three sons, including a Robert. In Oct 1804 the court appointed two of his nephews, David Brown and Robert Shipley, as guardians for the four children who were underage.

1. ↑ Maryland Genealogical Society. Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin. (Quarterly magazine)
   Vol. 35, No. 2 Spring 1994, A Record of Tevis Births, p. 242.
2. ↑ Maryland and Delaware Revolutionary Patriots
   p. 269-270.