John Benedict b. 1742
m. Mary Magdalin ca 1767
d. 15 Jan 1810, Lincoln Co., KY
In his self-published book, “Benedict Pioneers in Kentucky” (1968), Marvin Pearce Sr. states that John’s family migrated from the Benedicts in Orange Co., New York to Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, where he was born around 1742. He has been traced as leaving Pennsylvania, and arriving in Augusta Co., Virginia by or before 1775, and then moving on to Lincoln Co., Kentucky.
John was a Revolutionary War soldier (providing eligibility for descendants for membership in the D.A.R. or S.A.R.). The record says: “A payrole of Capt. John Boyles Company of Lincoln (County) Militia called into actual Service to Range on the fronteers from Carpenters Bri(d)ges and Estills Stations under the Command of Hugh magary (McGary) Maj. Persuent to Coln. Bengeman Logans orders 1782”. The list of 27 men and their pay for 27 days service, 10 July to 13 Aug 1782, includes: “John Benedick, 1 pound 16 shillings”.
An LDS record says John fought in the battle of King's Mountain (7 Oct 1780), an important patriot victory in the southern campaign of the Revolutionary War.
John is said to also have fought against the Indians. Kentucky historical records claim that the Indians were fiercely protective of their land and did not give it up without great struggle.
The first census of Kentucky, 1790, shows:
Benedick, John, Lincoln County, 4/24/1790.
Benedict, John, Jr., Lincoln County, 5/29/1790
The second Census of Kentucky, 1800 shows:
Bennedick,
Benjamin, Lincoln County
Daniel, Lincoln County
John, Sr., Lincoln County
John, Jr., Lincoln County
Index to Suits No. 1, Lincoln Co., Ky., and File Box 1798:
In 1798, John Dickson claimed he lost a “gray mare upwards of 5 years old” and later found she was being detained by John Benedict together with her dark coloured or black colt”. He sued for return of his property and 100 pounds damage and the jury decided in Dickson’s favor, setting value at 9 pounds for the mare and 3 pounds for the colt, together with 1 penny damages if mare and colt are found, otherwise damages of 12 pounds.
Index to Suits No. 1, Lincoln Co., Ky., and File Box 1806:
In 1806 John Benedict claimed he had loaned 20 pounds three years previously to Abaslom Shannon, secured by a note promising to repay principal and interest at the end of 12 months, but thus far had been able to collect only $12. He asked for double damages (40 pounds). The jury decided in favor of Benedict “in the duplication mentioned and 2 pounds 10 shillings and 8 pence damages”.
CHILDREN OF JOHN BENEDICT, AND HIS WIFE MARY MAGDALIN:
JOHN
m. Hannah Phillips 9 Feb 1792, Lincoln Co., KY
BENJAMIN (our ancestor)
b. 17 May 1774, Allen Co. KY
m. Mary Richey 5 May 1798, Lincoln Co., KY
d. 28 Jan 1849
ANTHONY (died unmarried)
b. 1765-1784
JACOB
b. 1784-1794
m/2 Elizabeth Rowzey 5 Nov 1808, Lincoln Co., KY
d. before 1830, Lincoln Co. KY
HANNAH
b. before 1780
m. John winfrey 18 Mar 1798, Lincoln Co., KY
CATARON (Catharine?)
b. ca 1785
m. William silvers 5 Apr 1803, Lincoln Co., KY
SUSANNAH
b. ca 1790
m. ----- Veach
In his will (Lincoln Co., Ky., Wills, Bk. D. p. 385), John Benedict, of Lincoln County, Kentucky, gave portions of his land to his eldest son John Benedict, and to his son Jacob Benedict. In addition, he left to his wife, Mary Magdalin Benedict, a portion of land that would revert to Jacob upon Mary's death. To his other children Benjamin, Anthony, Susannah, Cataron, and Hannah he gave five shillings each.
