It has long been a family rumor that Benjamin came from Ireland. I believe that this was based on an error made on an old census record. On the 1850 census, Benjamin is listed as being born in Ireland. But, everyone in his family, including wife and children are also checked off as being born over there. Clearly an error made by the the person doing the census. There are church documents of his wife Catherine being baptized in Ulster County, NY. On the 1855 census, he and entire family have Ulster written as place of birth. On the 1860 census, he, along with entire family is listed as being born in New York. In the 1880 census, his children have New York listed as the place of birth for their Mother and Father. I also find it highly doubtful that his wife, someone from the prominent Van Etten family, would marry a man that had just come over from Ireland with no money.
It has long been a family rumor that Benjamin came from Ireland. I believe that this was based on an error made on an old census record. On the 1850 census, Benjamin is listed as being born in Ireland. But, everyone in his family, including wife and children are also checked off as being born over there. Clearly an error made by the the person doing the census. There are church documents of his wife Catherine being baptized in Ulster County, NY. On the 1855 census, he and entire family have Ulster written as place of birth. On the 1860 census, he, along with entire family is listed as being born in New York. In the 1880 census, his children have New York listed as the place of birth for their Mother and Father. I also find it highly doubtful that his wife, someone from the prominent Van Etten family, would marry a man that had just come over from Ireland with no money.
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Died aged 57 years, 3 months and 1 day.
We again do hope to meet thee,
When the day of life is fled,
There in Heaven with joy to greet thee,
Where no farewell tear is shed.
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