New Information Will be Posted Soon

I received a packet of information from a distant relative concerning our roots. According to this information, our branch of the Benedicts originated in Pirmasens, Germany, in 1645.

More information will be posted soon.

TOM AND SARAH'S CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN

(Parents of children listed first, then their children [who are Tom and Sarah's grandchildren])

Clyde Arlon (1/5/05 - Jan 1962) - no children

Durward Stanley (10/12/06 - 5/10/84) - no children

Harley Granville Benedict (8/3/08 - 1/12/74) - 3 children:
Dolores Jeanne (b. 3/2/45)
John Granville (b12/21/48)
Michael Lynn (b. 4/24/54)

Samuel Eugene (3/21/10 - June, 1982) - 1 child
Thomas (10/8/48)

Gladys Emaline (6/3/14 - 11/28/01) - 2 children
Milton Ronald ( 5/22/38)
Dennis (1946)

Russel Leeland (2/9/16 - 5/3/97) - 3 children
Judith Sara (8/15/53)
Rebecca Sue (3/19/56)
Debra Lea (3/1/59)

Delores Jean (5/21/27) - 4 children
Patricia (11/26/52)
Jean Ann (5/30/56)
Scott Lane (11/28/58)
Kellie Rene (11/15/65)

Russel and Helen (Francis) Benedict

Delores Jean - Tom's Daughter

b. 21 May 1927
m. Richard Myers 21 Oct 1950

Children:
Patricia 26 Nov 1952
Jean Ann 30 May 1956
Scott Lane 28 Nov 1958
Kellie Rene 15 Nov 1965

Delores and Richard married October 21, 1950 in Piggott, Arkansas. After Richard completed boot camp in the USAF, Delores joined him in Amarillo, Texas, where daughter Pat was born in 1952. After being discharged from the service in 1955, the family moved to East St. Louis where Richard attended Parks Air College to obtain his commercial A&E license. Jean Ann was born there in 1956. After his graduation, the family moved to St. Charles where Richard worked for Ozark Airlines for two years and Delores stayed busy as a homemaker with the two girls.

The family moved back home to Cutler when Richard went to work for Truax Trauer Coal Mine in Pinckneyville. The Southside Service Bottled Gas Filling Station in Cutler came up for sale, and Richard bought it. The "liars bench" at the station was one of the gathering places in town, and when Richard was ready to move on, Delores' brother Russel bought the gas station.

In 1958 Scott Lane was born, and in 1961 the family built a new home just outside of Cutler. In 1965 Richard started work at Captain Mine, and in that year Kellie Rene was born.

Delores has enjoyed gardening, cooking, and playing the piano and organ. They are both avid pinochle players, and they have both immensely enjoyed square dancing in recent years.

Gladys Emaline Benedict - Tom's Daughter

Gladys Emaline - Daughter of Thomas and Sarah
b. June 3, 1914, Cutler, ILL.
M. Milton Jacob Thomas.
M. Robert Virgil Thomas
D. Nov 28, 2001, Belleville, ILL.
Buried in Cottom Cemetery.
Children:
Milton Ronald b. May 22, 1938
Dennis Ray b. 1946.

Family Reunion October, 2007

October 6, 2007 This is some of the family members that gathered for the reunion, and I'm going to go out on a limb here and try to name everybody - please fill in the blanks or correct me! (You should be able to double click on the image to make it bigger.)

IF YOU WERE NOT HERE, YOU WERE MISSED!

Rear Left sitting: Scott (barely visible in pink shirt), Micki (peeking out) Jim, John, Craig ______, Kent, Judy, Kellie's husband, Richard, Eric.

Next row Left: Richard, Cathy, Joel, Todd, Andy, Abby, Marcia, Bob, Pat, Ron, Mary Anne.

2nd Row: Brenda, Dennis, Becky, Kellie, Jean, Delores, Lee, Debbie, Kody, Jan

Down in front: Dee, Brett, Nick, Seth, Nathan, Sarah, David

John Benedict - Tom's Great-Great Grandfather

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.

Benjamin Benedict - Tom's Great Grandfather

Benjamin Benedict
b. 14 May 1774, Virginia
m. Mary Richey (3/21/1779-May 17, 1866) on 5 May 1798, Lincoln Co., KY
d. 28 Jan 1849

Children:
Lindsey, 9 Dec 1801, Allen Co., KY
Female, about 1806, Allen Co., KY
Benjamin, about 1811, Allen Co., KY
Queendilla or Quincilla, about 1815, Allen Co., KY
Letty
Baby, female

Here is documentation of Benjamin Benedict’s will:

Benedict, Benjamin June 7, 1847 / Feb 12, 1849 Wife: Mary. Children: Anna C. WADE, Lindsey BENEDICT John BENEDICT, Alexander BENEDICT, Polly WINFREY, Harrison BENEDICT, Queendilla LOGAN, Letty C. BRACKIN, James C. Benedict, heirs of Benjamin BENEDICT (dec’d); George B. Ann B. James B, Lean (burned) H., P.F.A.N.

(found at: http://allencountyky.com/database/will/B.html)

Lindsey Benedict - Tom's Grandfather

Lindsey Benedict, Tom's Grandfather
b. 9 Dec 1801, Allen County, Kentucky

m. Rachel Brunson 9 Oct 1823, Allen Co., KY

children:
Elizabeth - about 1825
Stout - about 1827
Polly - about 1829
Benjamin - 1831
Sarah Ann - 1833

m. Elizabeth Thompson 17 Aug 1834, Allen Co., KY
children: none

m. Elizabeth Benson December 2, 1843 in Perry County, Illinois
Elizabeth had been previously married. The transcription of their marriage license (11-30-1843) reads "Lindsey Benedict and Elizabeth Rice (Mrs.)"

Children:
Lindsey (Oct 4, 1847)
Alexander (Mar 28, 1852
Henry B. (May 12, 1850)
Samuel (Sept 19, 1844) - this is Tom's father

Land purchase records - 2 (ancestry.com):

BENEDICT, Lindsey Section: L8SENE Price 100 Total: 3971 Date: 20 Feb 1854 Volume: 819 Page: 023 Type: SC Sect: 16 Township: 04S Range: 03W Meridian: 3 Acres: 3971 Corr-Tag: 0 ID: 395152 SocStat: Blank: Reside: 000

BENEDICT, LINDSEY Section: NWNW Price 125 Total: 5000 Date: 10 Mar 1854 Volume: 032 Page: 212 Type: FD Sect: 11 Township: 04S Range: 03W Meridian: 3 Acres: 4000 Corr-Tag: 0 ID: 428060 SocStat: Blank: Reside: 073

Samuel Benedict - Tom's Father

Samuel Benedict
b. 19 Sept 1844 (Illinois or Kentucky)
m. Martha J. Anderson 27 Feb, 1868, in the home of James Anderson, near Troy, Illinois - Niles Kinne, Minister
d. 3 July 1892
Burial: Cottom Cemetery, Denmark, Illinois - military stone

CHILDREN OF SAMUEL AND MARTHA BENEDICT:

CLARA (1869)

JESSIE E. (1871)

PINCKNEY (1873)

BABY(died) (1876)

CORA MAY (1878)

THOMAS SAMUEL (1880)

ALVAH THEODORE (1883)

When he was 19 years old Samuel enlisted in the Union Army on May 16, 1864 at Raneysburg, Illinois. He served as a Private in the136th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B. from May 16, 1864, until he was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois on October 23, 1864

When he was 46 he filed for an invalid pension, indicating that he was incapacitated for the performance of ordinary manual labor because of "rheumatism in Arms Back and lower limbs, with palpitation of Hart and constant head Ache, and general debility"

A physician’s affidavit indicates that Samuel was treated in 1885 for an attack of bilious fever. In 1888, Samuel had chronic malaria which troubled him until his death. His death was caused by bronchitis, following an attack of la grippe.

Martha J. Anderson - Tom's Mother

Martha J. Anderson, wife of Samuel Benedict

b. 16 May 1849
d.
Burial: Cottom Cemetery, Denmark, Illinois (no marker)

Martha was adopted at one year by Mr. James Anderson of Troy, Illinois.

14 Feb 1898: Martha J. Davis was appointed guardian for Alvah T. Benedict.

18 August 1892: Martha applied for widow’s pension, having two children who were still under 16 and living at home (Thomas and Alvah). At the time she indicated that her only means of support was the labor of herself and her children, and that all of her property consisted of household and kitchen furniture.

Aunt Gladys said Martha was of (unknown) American Indian heritage. (Although Tommy says Harley told him that we had American Indian blood from Tom's side of the family. Maybe it was on both sides?) Also, Aunt Gladys said Martha was very religious. Reports were that her family would come home and find her kneeling and praying at her bedside.

Martha (Anderson Benedict) Davis & Rev. Joshua Davis

Martha married Joshua B. Davis October 13, 1896 in Pinckneyville. According to Aunt Gladys, Mr. Davis was a minister at the Second Baptist Church in Denmark, Illinois. Mr. Davis died on January 3, 1908. Burial: Cottom Cemetery, Denmark, Illinois

THOMAS SAMUEL BENEDICT

b. 7 Apr 1880
m. Sarah Edith Browning
1 Oct 1903
d. 8 Sept 1962, Cutler
(Grandpa Tom died at Russel's gas station in Cutler)
Burial: Cottom Cemetery, Denmark, Illinois

On his World War I Draft Registration Card Grandpa Tom stated his present occupation as a miner, with the Soper Coal Company, Cutler. The date of his registration was September 12, 1918

Sarah Edith Browning - Tom's Wife

Sarah Edith Browning, wife of Thomas Benedict

b. 11 Oct 1885, Denmark, Illinois
m. 28 Sept 1903
d. 15 Apr 1967, Cutler, Illinois
Burial: Cottom Cemetery, Denmark, Illinois

Tom, Sarah & Grandson Ronnie

Clyde Arlon Benedict - Tom's Son

Clyde Arlon Benedict
B. January 5, 1905
D. January, 1962
Burial: Cottom Cemetery, Denmark, Illinois

Brothers Clyde, Gene, and Harley relocated to the Quad City area. Clyde had been a painter, and it was said he had painted the large 3-D heads of two cows - one of them being Elsie the Borden Cow - sticking out from a large billboard atop the drugstore that had been at 18th Avenue and 38th Street, Rock Island. Every time we'd go past the sign (which was there for many, many years), I would think about Uncle Clyde, and if my mother, Elsie, was with me, she'd make a joke about her having the same name as the cow.

I remember Clyde visiting our family in the early 1950's, when we lived in the Arsenal Courts. One night he came for supper, and when supper was ready, my mom and dad and Clyde went looking everywhere, but couldn't find me. Turns out I had decided to take a nap, and was fast asleep upstairs, as the adults were outside, searching everywhere. I also remember riding to various places in Clyde's black sedan. The seats were woolly and scratchy. I remember one trip out to see my cousin Tommy and his mom and Dad, Gene and Helen, somewhere near Geneseo?

Tommy remembers Clyde coming out to eat Sunday dinners and also to watch the Friday night fights on tv.

I also remember going, at about the age of 6 or 7, with my dad, Harley, and Clyde way out in the country to a dog race. At the end of the race, when we got in the car to go home, I remember Clyde saying that he had lost $100, and I was horrified when Clyde started his car to go home. I wondered why on earth didn't we all get out of the car and go and find the money?

Durward Stanley Benedict - Tom's Son

Durward Stanley, son of Thomas and Sarah Benedict
B. Oct 12, 1906
D. May 10, 1984
Burial: Cottom Cemetery, Denmark, Illinois


Stanley (left), Harley, and Clyde in this photo, circa 1908/09

Stanley and Children

Stanley and two children (are they Scott and Jean?) in front of Tom and Sarah's farmhouse. For years and years Stanley held out against selling the property to the mine; however, it was eventually sold and razed. (The property is down the road from Russel and Helen's house.)

Harley Granville Benedict & Elsie Louisa Sheard

Harley met Elsie (Billie) when he was serving in England during World War II.

I Hold You Up

Harley and Gladys.

Aunt Gladys said that Harley used to call her Sis. She said that he told her "I'll always be on your side, Sis. I'll always be on your side."

When Aunt Gladys first showed me this photograph I couldn't believe it. This was my Dad? Sadly, Harley's health deteriorated terribly after serving with General Patton in WWII, and I (like everyone else in my generation of the family) knew him only as a man crippled with painful arthritis, and in a wheelchair. But since his death I have always held him up in prayer, and I believe that, in spirit, he is whole and strong.

Gladys in Style

Gladys (far right) Russel is peeking over her shoulder. The other woman is Faye Pugh, (Clara's daughter), who married Carl Crowe. On the far left is Austin Martin, a distant relative. (Gladys was the source of identification information.)

Russel Leeland - Tom's Son

Russel Leeland - son of Thomas and Sarah
B. February 9, 1916 in Perry County, Illinois.
M. Helen Francis June 16, 1951
D. May 3, 1997, Cutler
Burial: Cottom Cemetery

Dad, Russel, Uncle Russel, Russ.... what can you say about this guy? He was the friendliest, funniest, person who always had a sparkle in his eye and a joke or a tease, and he could make anyone smile. I loved hearing the story about him celebrating his 80th birthday in a bar in Texas, where he met lots of folks, who, when Russel left the bar with his family, all stood up and waved and said "good-bye, Russel!"

When he was a young man he dreamed of being a baseball player; however, he lost his left arm in a tragic car accident. Who can say what must of went through his mind as a young man, having to face something like this? But Russel was a model for us all - he lived his life without bitterness or regret, still playing some ball after this accident, but more significantly, coaching girls' softball teams from the 1940's to the 1980's. His three girls, Judy, Becky, and Debbie all played on his team. On 11 Sept 1997 several of us gathered to commemorate "Russel's Field" - the baseball diamond located on the grounds of the village civic center in Cutler.

Russel - may we be blessings to others as you have been a blessing to us! We all want to be on your team!

Delores and Richard (Chee Chee) Myers

Dee and John on Uncle Alvie's Farm Gate

John and me on the gate leading into the farmyard. This photo was taken on the farm of Uncle Alvie (Grandpa Tom's brother), and Aunt Lydia. I remember stepping up onto the gate to have this photo taken. I remember the pigsty, the smokehouse, climbing up into the hayloft in the barn, the cows out in the pasture, tiny chicks in an incubator, going to get eggs for breakfast out of the henhouse, and the little orchard with apples. Once, when I was about eight, Uncle Alvie let me drive his old tractor around the farmyard. I also had a pet chicken that year. One day I followed a chicken around the yard, finally coaxing it to sit on my lap. We sat on the front porch and watched as an occasional car would come up the dirt lane, raising clouds of dust in the air.

I loved Uncle Alvie and Aunt Lydia. Uncle Alvie was a "character" - much like Uncle Russel. He was a funny old guy. And (like Aunt Helen's reactions to Uncle Russel), I can remember Aunt Lydia, shaking her head, tsk-tsking, and saying "oh Alvie...." in response to something funny he had done or said. When I was just a little tot I loved being with my friend Carol Ann Gladson. She and I would laugh at almost anything - we could put each other in stitches by just looking at each other, and I think we might have been just a little annoying to grownups who would often ask us, what was so funny? We liked teasing (and being teased by) Uncle Alvie. I remember one day when Aunt Lydia had killed and cleaned a chicken for dinner, Carol Ann and I begged her for the claws. Uncle Alvie was laying barefoot and in his bib overalls, taking a nap on the parlor floor, and Carol Ann and I snuck in and tickled his feet with the chicken claws until we got some reaction, something which we, of course, thought was hilarious.

The cinderblock farmhouse and property sat deteriorated for many years. Once I went back to see it and I took pictures of it, abandoned and surrounded by weeds in all directions. But on a later visit Becky told me it had been turned into some type of clubhouse for hunters so we drove over to see it and one of the guys let us in to walk around the place. We stood in the front room, the very room where I had tickled Uncle Alvie's feet so many years ago, and the room seemed so very small. But I was very happy to see the old place put to good use again. (It is on the other side of, and up the road, from where Russ and Helen lived.)