Nathan Benjamin II

As my research goes back in time it is sometimes very difficult to find and verify information on some ancestors.  Nathaniel Benjamin is my 5x great-grandfather.  What can I learn about him beyond his name?  I was surprised at what I found.

Nathan was born in 1733. The son of Nathan and Deborah Clark Benjamin. 
                                                                                          (click on map to enlarge)

(section of a Map engraved and published by William Fadden 1779 and in a collection at Stony Brook University Libraries)

1750 According to an article published in the Long Island Forum in 1958 and written by Lillian Hallock “Nathan was one of the pioneers who went into the western part of Southold Town known as the “Great Woods” or “Third Survey”  and there built his house and reared his family.  Then, and many years later, there were no roads that any wagon could travel on-only stone, boats or ponderous ox carts.  He had a large farm and owned the highest cliffs on the Sound shore, nearly half mile wide, from the Sound to the Manor Line, nearly four miles long.”

In 1775 Nathan was a Lieutenant in the American Revolution. 
Nathan married Jemima Aldrich on 13 February 1754/5 in Southold, Suffolk, New York.
Nathan and Jemima’s children were:

• Nathan Jr. (born 1759/60)  - my 4x great-grandfather
• Mary Bethia (born 1759/60)
• Phineas (1762)
• Jacob (born 1764)
• Deborah
• Jemima (born 1779)

From the book entitled The Benjamin Family in America I learned that in 1777 Nathan moved his family to Saybrook and then to Guilford, Connecticut.  Returning to Long Island in 1780.

In the 1790 US Federal Census Nathan is reported to be living in the Township of South Hold, Suffolk County, New York.  He is the Head of Household.  There are in the household-3 Free white persons-Males -aged 16 or over, Free white persons-Females-2, Number of all other free persons-1, Number of household persons-6.

In the 1800 US Federal Census Nathan is reported to be living in the Town of Riverhead, Suffolk County, New York.  Free White Persons - Males - Under 10- 2, Free White Persons - Males -10 thru 15-1, Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44-1, Free White Persons - Females - Under 10-2,  Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15-2, Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44-1, Number of Household Members Under 16-7, Number of Household Members Over 25-2, Number of Household Members-9

Nathan died on May 14, 1805 at the age of 72 and is buried in the Baiting Hollow Congregational Church Cemetery, Riverhead, Suffolk, New York.

I definitely want to learn more about Nathan’s Revolutionary War service.  I will have to see what I can find.


If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share I look forward to hearing them.
Enjoy the journey,
Debby