Hi, Can anyone tell me how I can find out if my grandfather served in the War of 1812 from Pennsylvania ? Are there any rosters in Pennsylvania that will tell you if he served ? The state of Ohio has a wonderful website that gives you all of the men's names that served in Ohio. Thank you for your time. JIM

I have often wondered if this is open to the public or if you have to have a library card there. Thanks, Dee ----- Original Message ----- From: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-D-request@rootsweb.com> To: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-D@rootsweb.com> Sent: March 29, 2002 9:01 PM Subject: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-D Digest V02 #80

September 3–10, 1998 George Washington stands guard over the tomb of the unknown soldier in Washington Square Park Washington Square Park's history as a mass gravesite lays just below the surface, as construction workers renovating its old stone walkways are discovering firsthand. by Gwen Shaffer The remains of at least 15 bodies have been discovered in Washington Square Park since spring. Surprisingly, the findings never made it into the daily papers or the six o'clock news. Perhaps that's because the dead aren't victims of a crazed serial killer. In fact, they belong to Revolutionary War soldiers, as well as poor people who couldn't afford private plots, buried during the 18th century when the park served as a mass gravesite. The old cliché "Sticks and stones may break my bones" is taking on new meaning for construction workers replacing the crumbling walkways in Washington Square Park. Each time they dig their shovels into the ground, workers must make sure they don't plow into the remains of any of the thousands of bodies buried in the square between 1705 and 1795. That's when City Council shut down the square as a burial ground and ordered trees be planted and public walks be installed. Any bones encountered by construction workers may not be moved. An archeologist—contracted by the Fairmount Park Commission—is testing the bones for age and sex data, as well as cause of death. It is impossible, however, to determine precisely how long the bones have been buried. Four months into the renovations, Washington Square is a swatch of freshly overturned dirt, piles of stone slabs and scattered dump trucks. Even on a fast-track schedule, the job won't be complete until July 2000. Sitting in a trailer smack dab in the midst of the debris, usually holding a cell phone up to his ear, is Reggie Corbin. Corbin, the construction site engineer, initially ducks questions concerning the skeletal remains. Corbin says he has evaded snooping reporters who have come around asking questions. When people hear the phrase "dead bodies," he says, they immediately think of homicide. "I'm cautious as to not project the wrong image." The city's tourism bureau appreciates it, no doubt. But inquiring minds want to know, Reg, what have your men dug up? What is now known as Washington Square was originally a "potter's field," where the poor and working class were buried. Members of churches and elite social organizations were buried in private plots. Now that the park is being ripped apart so that a new stone walkway, drainage system, electrical wiring and benches may be put in, construction workers are resurrecting history that has been, well, long buried. Corbin says workers digging trenches for a new drainage system in the park have uncovered bone fragments from at least 15 individuals. Typically, they were discovered about 4 feet deep. The bones may belong to more than 15 people, but since they are not intact, it is difficult to determine. "We might find a skull or a fractured foot, or the lower portion of a leg," Corbin says. The bones could belong to all one person, or to two or three people, he says, noting that the bodies may have been damaged during previous excavations in the park. Nearly all of the recently discovered bodies were buried without clothing, strongly suggesting they were American and British soldiers who fought during the Revolutionary War. "These were poor rebels," Corbin points out. "If you died of a disease or were killed, your gun and clothes were immediately taken so others could use them." Mass burials also took place in the square during the Yellow Fever epidemic that swept through Philadelphia in 1793. One body was found in a casket and wearing clothing, and is believed to have belonged to a teenage girl who was apparently among the "potters" buried in Washington Square. Archeologists have also identified a cranial fragment belonging to a 4- or 5-year-old child. Thousands of American prisoners of war who died during the British occupation of Philadelphia, from October 1777 to June 1778, were buried in the square—the Walnut Jail was on the corner of Sixth and Walnut Streets. Bodies were dumped in pits, about 20 by 30 square feet wide, dug along the boundary of Walnut and Seventh Streets. Coffins were unceremoniously piled atop one another until the trenches swelled. Trenches were also dug along the entire southern border of the square, according to a site plan at the National Park Service. Eventually, soldiers were dying faster than coffins could be built. At that point, bodies were flung into the pits wrapped in a blanket or sheet—or, sometimes, nothing at all. On April 13, 1777, future President John Adams described to his wife, Abigail, the horrible scene of soldiers' bodies tossed, en masse, into Washington Square: "I have spent an hour, this morning, in the congregation of the dead. I took a walk into the Potters Field, a burying ground between the new stone prison, and the hospital, and I never in my whole life was affected with so much melancholy. The graves of the soldiers, who have been buried, in this ground, from the hospital and bettering house, during the course of the last summer, fall and winter, dead of the small pox, and camp diseases, are enough to make the heart of stone to melt away. The sexton told me, that upwards of two thousand soldiers had been buried there, and by the appearance, of the graves, and trenches, it is most probable to me, he speaks within bounds… Disease has destroyed ten men for us, where the sword of the enemy has killed one." Today, their bodies are historically significant. Whenever construction workers dig deeper than a foot underground, an archeologist must be on site. "The intent of the project is not to enhance archeological knowledge, but to treat the remains with respect," says Daniel Roberts, vice president of the archeological firm John Milner Associates, which has been contracted to oversee the project. Although "rudimentary examinations" of the bones have been conducted, little new information can be gleaned beyond determining the age and sex of the bodies, Roberts says. Make no bones about it—construction workers in the park don't have it easy. "It is tough because while we usually only have to concern ourselves with obvious pipes or utilities underground, we gotta look close for skeletons that have been buried for 200 years," Corbin says. "We do more scraping than digging." In addition to human remains, construction workers have uncovered various artifacts, such as cups, plates and bottles. "We've found dishes ranging from fancy china to plain clay," Corbin says. However, the artifacts have little scientific value since many of them were found amid rubble that was dumped along the north edge of the park following a big fire sometime during the early 1800s. Trash was also sporadically dumped in the park and used as "fill." "The artifacts found in fill are not important because the context of the fill has been disturbed," explains Roberts. Once the excavation is complete, Dr. Thomas Crist—of the archeological firm Kise, Straw & Kolodner—will produce a written report of the skeletal remains in Washington Square. Crist commends the Fairmount Park Commission for protecting the decaying bones of Revolutionary War soldiers. "Really, what we're talking about here are American heroes." http://www.citypaper.net/articles/090398/cb.bone.shtml

http://www.pwcgov.org/library/relic/Relic.htm RELIC The Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center, also known as RELIC, is a special collection for the Prince William Public Library System devoted to genealogy and local history with a focus on Virginia and Prince William County. Located at the Bull Run Regional Library, its collection contains records from the American Revolution and the Civil War as they relate to Virginia. RELIC also is the repository for a variety of materials, including published documents and manuscript materials, indexes and research guides, photographs, maps, microform materials, and computer CD-ROM databases. Their Ask RELIC link allows you to inquire about genealogy and about RELIC services. Researchers with ancestral links to this area will be most interested in this special library collection. Rhonda Houston

Also accessible through the DAR's homepage at www.dar.org <http://www.dar.org> along with other information. Eric G. Grundset Library Director DAR Library 1776 D St., N.W. Washington, DC 20006-5392 202-879-3313 egrundset@dar.org <mailto:egrundset@dar.org> -----Original Message----- From: Rhonda Houston [SMTP:rfhouston@mindspring.com] Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2002 11:13 PM To: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [A-REV] A DAR search engine!! http://dar.library.net/ Take a look!! Rhonda Houston ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

http://dar.library.net/ Take a look!! Rhonda Houston

List, Would anyone have a full roster of Cpt Fowler's Company, June 12-17, 1782 Roll sworn at Westfield MA Thanks in advance for any help! Cordah R (researching ancestor Solomon MUNSEL)

Dear Tracy, If you will go to the site of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution at this URL: http://www.dar.org/natsociety/default.html and scroll down to Patriot Lookup (on the right side of the page), you may request help from volunteers at DAR. Of course if your Patriot is not proven he will not be there, but if he is, they will tell you. Be sure and include the various spellings you suspect and supply them with as much information as you have. (When you are ready to join DAR, write me personally and I will put you in touch with a chapter in your area) Good luck, Regards, Margaret Driskill, Regent Twickenham Town Chapter, NSDAR mdriskill@att.net

I am looking for two men who most likely fought in the Revolutionary War. They are not listed in DAR books, so have not been proven. I am thinking there must be a source of Revolutionary War rolls, other than what is at the National Archives. Does anyone know of a source here online? I am looking for a DAVID MURDOCK (also seen spelled as Murdaugh, Moredock, and Murdaeigh) and a JAMES MURDOCK (seen spelled same as above) and trying to find out which State they served from. I have land records that seem to imply that they were given land in VA for their service. Does this mean they fought from VA? One sold 200 acres in 1788 and the other sold 100 acres in 1789. If this thought is a no-go, what about a possible source that might list where Rev War soldiers are buried, that might have them listed? They disappear from VA when this land sells and I am trying desperately to figure out where they went!! Was the War over in 1788, and that's why they moved? Any ideas? Any ideas VERY much appreciated from you experts!!! THANK YOU! Tracy

Unsubscribe

Annie, Thanks. Rex Jones

AMEN!!!! Phyllis --------- In a message dated Wed, 27 Mar 2002 1:29:13 AM Eastern Standard Time, Cardi2@aol.com writes: "Let me tell you, it is indeed a honor to have a patriot in the American Revolutionary War. I can remember my mother telling me when I was old enough to vote, that "I should always vote because if my ancestor could fight for this country, I certainly could vote." > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ====> > >

Someone asked on this list, how do you go about finding if your ancestor had been in the American Revolutionary War. I will tell you how I found my ancestor. This was back in the 1983. I had been told by my mother that she had an ancestor who was at Valley Forge. She didn't know his name, however, or even where he came from. When she died, she had left me information about her family including a letter written in 1910 where someone had done research going back several generations. One of the people mentioned was a John Wyckoff who was born c1750 and died 1818 in Bourbon County, KY. He married an Ursula Herriott dau of Ephraim Herriott. How proud I was the day I looked in the DAR's Patriot Index and found my John Wyckoff listed as being a Patriot. I knew it was him because it mentioned his wife, Ursula Herriott. I wrote to the National Archives and was told that they had no record of him and I should look to the State. I wrote to the State of New Jersey and for a small fee, received his military record. My ancestor was in two battles: Springfield and Germantown. He was in the 2nd New Jersey Militia. I understand that that militia unit was at Valley Forge but I cannot prove that he was there. His military record never mentioned it. Later, I went to join the NSDAR and at that time, I requested copies of the papers of the woman who had gone into the NSDAR on my ancestor. She turned out to be my mother's first cousin. My mother had never mentioned her name but she had often talked about her Uncle, Preston, this woman's father. Let me tell you, it is indeed a honor to have a patriot in the American Revolutionary War. I can remember my mother telling me when I was old enough to vote, that "I should always vote because if my ancestor could fight for this country, I certainly could vote." Annie

Sue -- To me, your oral tradition probably is like many oral traditions where generations get lost and events get compressed. My intuition says that Richard Montgomery Benjamin was a son of a soldier who served under General Richard Montgomery who was killed New Years Eve 1775 during the failed attack on the fortress at Quebec. Born in 1738, he was the son of an Irish M.P. Graduating from St Andrews and Trinity College in Dublin, Montgomery accepted a commission as an Ensign in the British 17th Regiment of Foot and served with honor in Canada and the West Indies. He sold his commission in 1772 and migrated to America where he married a daughter of Robert R. Livingston of the NY Livingston family. Through the connections of the Livingston family he was commissioned a Brigadier General in the Continental Army on 22 June 1775. Seconded to Schuyler, Montgomery took command of the western portion of the army invading Canada (Benedict Arnold had the eastern portion of the army). Montgomery's forces captured St Johns and then Montreal before the unsuccessful attack on Quebec city. If Richard Montgomery Benjamin was named for the general, then he would have been too young to have participated in the Rev War. My recommendation is that you work your way backwards from what you know using conventional genealogical techniques. If your gg-grandmother was born in 1871, you should be able to find her family in the 1880 US census. There is a Soundex index for 1880. You have something like five missing generations between a Rev War soldier and your gggm born in 1871. Bob Brooks ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sue Thompson" <sthompson@ctdi.com> To: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 9:24 PM Subject: [A-REV] Benjamin > Okay David I will post what I know to the list. > I am trying to trace the family of my GG Grandmother Madeline BENJAMIN. > She married an Albert Burdette and they had one child, Gerald Montgomery > Burdette. > The reason I mention the child is the story behind the family (oral > history): > Madeline had two sisters (that I know of) Amanda and Mary. It was the > sisters that insisted that the child be given the middle name Montgomery to > keep some part of their family alive. > The girls are supposed to have been descendants of a General RICHARD > MONTGOMERY BENJAMIN from the Revolutionary war. > In a 1900 Census Madeline is listed with her husband in Pennsylvania. > In the Census she lists her birth date as June 1871 and the place as > Alabama. > I have been unable to find this BENJAMIN family anywhere in a census and it > seems most of the BENJAMINs from the south are black and Madeline was white. > Madeline is believed to be from Huntsville, AL. > In the census she states that her mother was born in Alabama and her father > was born in Pennsylvania. > My uncle was doing research about 15 years ago and said he came across a > Richard BENJAMIN in a book, but he does not remember the book. > I really am not sure what to do with this information. Perhaps nothing will > come of it. A part of me would like to find something more than what I have > because the girls tried to keep their family alive by giving Gerald that > middle name. > I found a Pennsylvania 1920 Census record for a Mary Benjamin also born in > Alabama b: 1878. > My mother does remember an Aunt Mary so I am pretty certain that is > Madeline's sister. > I do not have death records for any of them. Cannot seem to locate them, > but have not given up just yet. > I think I included everything. I know it is not much. > Sue

I checked what I have here and I don't find any general Benjamin in any of my books (doen't mean a lot) but you might Start with these: Clark, David Sanders. Index to Maps of the American Revolution in Periodicals: Illustrating The Revolutionary War and Other Events of the Period 1763-1789. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1974. Provides citations for the entire Atlantic seaboard as well as the Trans- Allegheny region, naval operations and Canada. R 016.911 C592i Commission on Historic and Scenic Markers, United States Works Progress Administration, and State Road Commission, comp. Revolutionary War Pension Records. Vols. 1 and 4. Washington, DC: Works Progress Administration, [1940] Copied by W. P. A. workers in U. S. Pension Office, Washington. Includes original pension and certificate numbers. 929.3973 W521 Fitzpatrick, John C., ed. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources: 1745-1799. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1931. Names of Washington's officers and men may appear in correspondence, memoranda and other related material from his private and public life. Annotated, idexed. 39 volumes. B W27 [ Heitman, Francis B.. Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army during The War Of The Revolution. Washington, D. C.: The Rare Book Shop Publishing Company, Inc., 1914 Officers of all colonies with brief summary of service, alphabetically arranged. R 355.33 H473 1914 National Archives Microfilm Publications. Microcopy 246, Revolutionary War Rolls 1775- 1783. Washington, D. C. : National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration, 1957. Reproductions of pay slips, muster rolls and other related original materials. Organized by colony and by regimental unit. Two step index guides user to proper colony, then "Jacket Number". National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. DAR Patriot Index, Centennial Edition. Washington, DC: National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1990. Alphabetical listing of patriot, dates and places of birth and death, where available, wife's name. RR 929.373 D283d 1990 National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Index of the Rolls of Honor (Ancestor's Index) in the Lineage Books of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Volumes 1-40. Washington, D. C. : Press of Pierpont, Siviter and Co.., 1916. Lists patriot with relevant volume and page. R 369.135 D238 National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Index of the Rolls of Honor (Ancestor's Index) in the Lineage Books of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Volumes 41-80. Washington, DC: Judd & Detweiler Press, 1940 Lists patriot with relevant volume and page. R 369.135 D238 National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Index of the Rolls of Honor (Ancestor's Index) in the Lineage Books of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Volumes 81-120. Washington, DC: Judd & Detweiler Press, 1940 Lists patriot with relevant volume and page. R 369.135 D238 National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Index of the Rolls of Honor (Ancestor's Index) in the Lineage Books of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Volumes 121-160. Washington, DC: Judd & Detweiler Press, 1940. Lists patriot with relevant volume and page. R 369.135 D238 National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Book [Volumes 1 - 166] Washington, D.C.: Judd & Detweiler Press, 1890/91-1920. Members arranged by membership number. Provides outline of member's line to ancestor. R 369.135 D238 Neagles, James C. and Lila L. Neagles. Locating Your Revolutionary War Ancestor: A Guide To The Military Records. Logan, UT: The Everton Publishers, Inc., 1983. An overview of the nature on various record groups and sources. Includes a discussion of military records, patriotic societies, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, state resources, and a checklist of publications. Saffell, W. T. R., Records of the Revolutionary War. New York: Pudney and Russell, Publishers, 1858. Compendium includes explanation of Virginia's cession of Northwest Territory, creation of Virginia Military District, history of Kentucky Military District, Virginia Half-Pay and Revolutionary Pension Laws. 973.3455 S128 Schweitzer, George K. Revolutionary War Genealogy. Knoxville, TN: Typescript, 1884 R 973.34 S413 1984 ________________________________________________________________ David Armstrong 201 Graham St. Elkins, WV 26241 Phone (304)-636-3964 -----Original Message----- From: Sue Thompson <sthompson@ctdi.com> To: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 6:30 PM Subject: [A-REV] Benjamin >Okay David I will post what I know to the list. >I am trying to trace the family of my GG Grandmother Madeline BENJAMIN. >She married an Albert Burdette and they had one child, Gerald Montgomery >Burdette. >The reason I mention the child is the story behind the family (oral >history): >Madeline had two sisters (that I know of) Amanda and Mary. It was the >sisters that insisted that the child be given the middle name Montgomery to >keep some part of their family alive. >The girls are supposed to have been descendants of a General RICHARD >MONTGOMERY BENJAMIN from the Revolutionary war. >In a 1900 Census Madeline is listed with her husband in Pennsylvania. >In the Census she lists her birth date as June 1871 and the place as >Alabama. >I have been unable to find this BENJAMIN family anywhere in a census and it >seems most of the BENJAMINs from the south are black and Madeline was white. >Madeline is believed to be from Huntsville, AL. >In the census she states that her mother was born in Alabama and her father >was born in Pennsylvania. >My uncle was doing research about 15 years ago and said he came across a >Richard BENJAMIN in a book, but he does not remember the book. >I really am not sure what to do with this information. Perhaps nothing will >come of it. A part of me would like to find something more than what I have >because the girls tried to keep their family alive by giving Gerald that >middle name. >I found a Pennsylvania 1920 Census record for a Mary Benjamin also born in >Alabama b: 1878. >My mother does remember an Aunt Mary so I am pretty certain that is >Madeline's sister. >I do not have death records for any of them. Cannot seem to locate them, >but have not given up just yet. >I think I included everything. I know it is not much. >Sue > > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: David Armstrong [mailto:frankensteinjr@meer.net] >Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 11:37 PM >To: Sue Thompson >Cc: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [A-REV] Newbie > > >The MOST IMPORTANT thing that you MUST try to avoid is misidentification. >If you have the name of an ancestor who was "in the Revolution" and then >find a muster roll or some other record that has a soldier of the same name >in it you MAY or may NOT have found the same person. For years it was >thought that my ancestor, Henry Flesher, was the Henry Flesher who served in >Michael Bowyer's Company of Continentals but when all the dogs were hung it >turned out that the Henry in Bowyer's unit was my Henry's NEPHEW. Lots of >red faces among DAR members! If your ancestor was from Virginia, Maryland, >Pennsylvania or South Carolina I may be able to help you start. If from >some other area I have much less knowledge. How 'bout posting the story to >the list? There are LOTS of very knowledgeable folks on this list. > >David Armstrong >201 Graham St. >Elkins, WV 26241 >Phone (304)-636-3964 >-----Original Message----- >From: Sue Thompson <sthompson@ctdi.com> >To: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> >Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 3:22 PM >Subject: [A-REV] Newbie > > >>How does one begin to do a search on a soldier from this war? >>All I have is a name and very little family oral history. >>This is new to me so anyone with some experience out there ~ HELP! >> >>Sue >> >> >>==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== >> >> >> >>============================== >>To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, >go to: >>http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >> > > >==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/dafs/DD/dd402.html Here's the history of the Mayrant: USS Mayrant II (DD-402) Capt. John Mayrant, born in the parish of St. James Santee, S.C., December 1762, was appointed midshipman in the South Carolina Navy 23 May 1778. Th following year, in France, he was appointed midshipman and aide to John Paul Jones. Sailing from L'Orient in Bon Homme Richard, he led the boarders in the engagement with Serapis, 23 September 1779. He died in Tennessee in August 1836. The second Mayrant (DD-402) was laid down 15 April 1937 at the Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Mass.; launched 14 May 1938; sponsored by Mrs. E. 10. Sheely, ***a descendant of Capt. John Mayrant; and commissioned 19 September 1939, Lt. Comdr. E. A. Taylor in command. Perhaps this gentleman might have some answers for you: Patrick Clancey (patrick@akamail.com) Rhonda Houston -----Original Message----- From: Cardi2@aol.com [mailto:Cardi2@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 12:08 AM To: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [A-REV] SAN DIEGO In a message dated 3/25/02 4:06:46 PM Pacific Standard Time, AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: Diane, I would check the following site: //sandiego.citysearch.com/profile/86960 or if that doesn't go thru check sandiego.citysearch.com and ask for information on the Maritime Museum. There is a blurb about the Maritime Museum and the Star of India ship that is docked there. I think they are the people who could answer your question. Good luck. Annie Los Angeles Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 06:27:58 EST From: Huguenaute@aol.com To: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <160.aef0215.29d063be@aol.com> Subject: Re: [A-REV] CA Rev War MAYRANT John Paul JONES Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit My ancestor served with John Paul JONES as midshipman and is mentioned in many of his biographies and descriptions of the naval battle re SERAPIS; I understand there is a bell/monument of some sort from a MAYRANT namesake ship in San Diego. [seems there were 2 ships named after my ancestor John Mayrant] I'd like to know if there's a website where monuments/ historical markers are pictured. Diane in Portsmouth ----------------------- Headers -------------------------------- Return-Path: <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-D-request@rootsweb.com> Received: from rly-xh02.mx.aol.com (rly-xh02.mail.aol.com [172.20.115.231]) by air-xh03.mail.aol.com (v84.10) with ESMTP id MAILINXH32-0325190646; Mon, 25 Mar 2002 19:06:46 -0500 Received: from lists5.rootsweb.com (lists5.rootsweb.com [63.92.80.123]) by rly-xh02.mx.aol.com (v83.45) with ESMTP id MAILRELAYINXH23-0325190614; Mon, 25 Mar 2002 19:06:14 -0500 Received: (from slist@localhost) by lists5.rootsweb.com (8.10.1/8.10.1) id g2Q004T31054; Mon, >> ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Okay David I will post what I know to the list. I am trying to trace the family of my GG Grandmother Madeline BENJAMIN. She married an Albert Burdette and they had one child, Gerald Montgomery Burdette. The reason I mention the child is the story behind the family (oral history): Madeline had two sisters (that I know of) Amanda and Mary. It was the sisters that insisted that the child be given the middle name Montgomery to keep some part of their family alive. The girls are supposed to have been descendants of a General RICHARD MONTGOMERY BENJAMIN from the Revolutionary war. In a 1900 Census Madeline is listed with her husband in Pennsylvania. In the Census she lists her birth date as June 1871 and the place as Alabama. I have been unable to find this BENJAMIN family anywhere in a census and it seems most of the BENJAMINs from the south are black and Madeline was white. Madeline is believed to be from Huntsville, AL. In the census she states that her mother was born in Alabama and her father was born in Pennsylvania. My uncle was doing research about 15 years ago and said he came across a Richard BENJAMIN in a book, but he does not remember the book. I really am not sure what to do with this information. Perhaps nothing will come of it. A part of me would like to find something more than what I have because the girls tried to keep their family alive by giving Gerald that middle name. I found a Pennsylvania 1920 Census record for a Mary Benjamin also born in Alabama b: 1878. My mother does remember an Aunt Mary so I am pretty certain that is Madeline's sister. I do not have death records for any of them. Cannot seem to locate them, but have not given up just yet. I think I included everything. I know it is not much. Sue -----Original Message----- From: David Armstrong [mailto:frankensteinjr@meer.net] Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 11:37 PM To: Sue Thompson Cc: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [A-REV] Newbie The MOST IMPORTANT thing that you MUST try to avoid is misidentification. If you have the name of an ancestor who was "in the Revolution" and then find a muster roll or some other record that has a soldier of the same name in it you MAY or may NOT have found the same person. For years it was thought that my ancestor, Henry Flesher, was the Henry Flesher who served in Michael Bowyer's Company of Continentals but when all the dogs were hung it turned out that the Henry in Bowyer's unit was my Henry's NEPHEW. Lots of red faces among DAR members! If your ancestor was from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania or South Carolina I may be able to help you start. If from some other area I have much less knowledge. How 'bout posting the story to the list? There are LOTS of very knowledgeable folks on this list. David Armstrong 201 Graham St. Elkins, WV 26241 Phone (304)-636-3964 -----Original Message----- From: Sue Thompson <sthompson@ctdi.com> To: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 3:22 PM Subject: [A-REV] Newbie >How does one begin to do a search on a soldier from this war? >All I have is a name and very little family oral history. >This is new to me so anyone with some experience out there ~ HELP! > >Sue > > >==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

The MOST IMPORTANT thing that you MUST try to avoid is misidentification. If you have the name of an ancestor who was "in the Revolution" and then find a muster roll or some other record that has a soldier of the same name in it you MAY or may NOT have found the same person. For years it was thought that my ancestor, Henry Flesher, was the Henry Flesher who served in Michael Bowyer's Company of Continentals but when all the dogs were hung it turned out that the Henry in Bowyer's unit was my Henry's NEPHEW. Lots of red faces among DAR members! If your ancestor was from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania or South Carolina I may be able to help you start. If from some other area I have much less knowledge. How 'bout posting the story to the list? There are LOTS of very knowledgeable folks on this list. David Armstrong 201 Graham St. Elkins, WV 26241 Phone (304)-636-3964 -----Original Message----- From: Sue Thompson <sthompson@ctdi.com> To: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 3:22 PM Subject: [A-REV] Newbie >How does one begin to do a search on a soldier from this war? >All I have is a name and very little family oral history. >This is new to me so anyone with some experience out there ~ HELP! > >Sue > > >==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

Hello Sue, I did a couple various keywords searches in the US Gov Papers Collections and find nothing for the surname of Benjamin. Then I tried various parts of the name you listed and may have found something for you, a General Richard Montgomery (1738-31/Dec/1775) with many reference items. Go to this address: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/mdbquery.html then do a search on - General Montgomery One entry: Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1776 The committee appointed to consider of a proper method of paying a just tribute of gratitude to the memory of General Montgomery, brought in their report, which, being taken into consideration, was agreed to as follows: It being not only a tribute of gratitude justly due to the memory of those who have peculiarly distinguished themselves in the glorious cause of liberty, to perpetuate their names by the most durable monuments erected to their honour, but also greatly conducive to inspire posterity with an emulation of their illustrious actions: Resolved, That, to express the veneration of the United Colonies for their late general, Richard Montgomery, and Page 90 | Page image the deep sense they entertain of the many signal and important services of that gallant Officer, who, after a series of successes, amidst the most discouraging difficulties, fell at length in a gallant attack upon Quebec, the capital of Canada; and for transmitting to future ages, as examples truly worthy of imitation, his patriotism, conduct, boldness of enterprize, insuperable perseverance, and contempt of danger and death; a monument be procured from Paris, or any other part of France, with an inscription, sacred to his memory, and expressive of his amiable character and heroic atchievements: And that the continental treasurers be directed to advance a sum, not exceeding £300 sterling, to Dr. Benjamin Franklin (who is desired to see this resolution properly executed) for defraying the expence thereof. That Dr. Smith be desired to prepare and deliver a funeral oration in honor of General Montgomery, and of those officers and soldiers, who so magnanimously fought and fell with him in maintaining the principles of American Liberty. [stopped] Perhaps he was the father of Madeline Benjamin's mother; Madeline's maternal grandfather? You will find this website most interesting ...... Clan Montgomery http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/6070/general.htm Anyway, have a good read and good luck. Regards, Jan Sue Thompson wrote: > Okay David I will post what I know to the list. > I am trying to trace the family of my GG Grandmother Madeline BENJAMIN. > She married an Albert Burdette and they had one child, Gerald Montgomery > Burdette. > The reason I mention the child is the story behind the family (oral > history): > Madeline had two sisters (that I know of) Amanda and Mary. It was the > sisters that insisted that the child be given the middle name Montgomery to > keep some part of their family alive. > The girls are supposed to have been descendants of a General RICHARD > MONTGOMERY BENJAMIN from the Revolutionary war. > In a 1900 Census Madeline is listed with her husband in Pennsylvania. > In the Census she lists her birth date as June 1871 and the place as > Alabama. > I have been unable to find this BENJAMIN family anywhere in a census and it > seems most of the BENJAMINs from the south are black and Madeline was white. > Madeline is believed to be from Huntsville, AL. > In the census she states that her mother was born in Alabama and her father > was born in Pennsylvania. > My uncle was doing research about 15 years ago and said he came across a > Richard BENJAMIN in a book, but he does not remember the book. > I really am not sure what to do with this information. Perhaps nothing will > come of it. A part of me would like to find something more than what I have > because the girls tried to keep their family alive by giving Gerald that > middle name. > I found a Pennsylvania 1920 Census record for a Mary Benjamin also born in > Alabama b: 1878. > My mother does remember an Aunt Mary so I am pretty certain that is > Madeline's sister. > I do not have death records for any of them. Cannot seem to locate them, > but have not given up just yet. > I think I included everything. I know it is not much. > Sue > > -----Original Message----- > From: David Armstrong [mailto:frankensteinjr@meer.net] > Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 11:37 PM > To: Sue Thompson > Cc: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [A-REV] Newbie > > The MOST IMPORTANT thing that you MUST try to avoid is misidentification. > If you have the name of an ancestor who was "in the Revolution" and then > find a muster roll or some other record that has a soldier of the same name > in it you MAY or may NOT have found the same person. For years it was > thought that my ancestor, Henry Flesher, was the Henry Flesher who served in > Michael Bowyer's Company of Continentals but when all the dogs were hung it > turned out that the Henry in Bowyer's unit was my Henry's NEPHEW. Lots of > red faces among DAR members! If your ancestor was from Virginia, Maryland, > Pennsylvania or South Carolina I may be able to help you start. If from > some other area I have much less knowledge. How 'bout posting the story to > the list? There are LOTS of very knowledgeable folks on this list. > > David Armstrong > 201 Graham St. > Elkins, WV 26241 > Phone (304)-636-3964 > -----Original Message----- > From: Sue Thompson <sthompson@ctdi.com> > To: AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com <AMERICAN-REVOLUTION-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2002 3:22 PM > Subject: [A-REV] Newbie > > >How does one begin to do a search on a soldier from this war? > >All I have is a name and very little family oral history. > >This is new to me so anyone with some experience out there ~ HELP! > > > >Sue > > > > > >==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > > > > > > >============================== > >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, > go to: > >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > ==== AMERICAN-REVOLUTION Mailing List ==== > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

How does one begin to do a search on a soldier from this war? All I have is a name and very little family oral history. This is new to me so anyone with some experience out there ~ HELP! Sue