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- H. Joseph Benson (add)
- W. Mary TaftAbt 1737 -
m. 15 Jun 1758
Facts and Events
References
- ↑ Delorey, Janet Ireland. "Thomas4 White of Mendon and Uxbridge, Mass.", in The American Genealogist (TAG). (Donald Lines Jacobus, et.al.)
Vol. 64, p. 146.
Children of Daniel Taft and Hopestill White: 1) Mary, b. abt. 1737, bp. Uxbridge 16 Dec 1744, m. Mendon 15 Jun 1758 Joseph Benson Jr.
- ↑ The estimated birthdate of about 1737 comes from TAG, Vol. 67, p. 146, cited above, but the basis is not explained, so one is tempted to think 1739 might be more likely? The marriage in 1758 would work with either, and a 2 year gap before the twins would be more typical than a 4 year gap. Mary does seem to be the first daughter mentioned in the division of her father's estate, so presumably older than Beulah born 1740/41. Possibly a death record may give an age at death, giving birth 1738-1739, but the following discussion raises questions whether it belongs to Mary Taft or not.
The marriage record doesn't distinguish between Sr. or Jr., but according to the division of her father's estate, Mary Taft was wife of Joseph Benson Jr., b. 1735. They married in 1758. In Mendon, no children are recorded to Joseph Jr. and Mary until 1772, the fourth and last born in 1777. This 14-year gap between marriage and first child (note: names include Molly and Joseph suggesting no earlier children) makes one suspect Joseph Jr. might have had two wives named Mary, i.e., Mary (Taft) Benson died by 1772 when he possibly had married a different woman named Mary who was the mother of his children?
Source:Davis, George. Historical Sketch of Sturbridge and Southbridge, p. 25, indicates that Joseph Jr. moved to Sturbridge with his father, but does not say when. Deeds show Joseph and Mary together sold land descending to her from her honored father Daniel Taft in 1770 (Vol. 103, p. 333). It was acknowledged in 1778 but by Joseph only, but tells us Mary (Taft) Benson was alive in 1770, and they were of Mendon at the time. On 11 Jun 1777: John and Thankful White of Sturbridge sell land in Sturbridge to Joseph Benson Ju'r of Mendon (Vol. 77, p. 330). His father Joseph and brother Abner, both of Mendon, also bought land in Sturbridge in 1777 (Vol. 22, p. 329). So it appears the 4 births in Mendon do belong to this Joseph Jr., meaning there is a 14-year gap between only recorded marriage, and the first recorded child birth still to explain.
There is a death record of his final wife Mary in Sturbridge, she dying 1817, aged 79, which is a birth about 1738. (Joseph Jr. the husband died about a month later, apparently leaving no probate.) Does this death record belong to Mary Taft, or to a second wife named Mary?
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