The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: CT
Qualifying Service: Civil Service
Birth: 1734 Guilford / New Haven / CT Death: 14 Feb 1798 North Guilford / New Haven / CT
Qualifying Service Description:
DAR - FUTURE APPLICANTS MUST PROVE CORRECT SERVICE - Jun 1992
Assessor
Grand Juror
Collector of Town Rate
Additional References:
Mullen, Jolene Roberts, Connecticut Town Meeting Records During the American Revolution, Volume 1, Maryland. Westminster: Heritage Books, Inc., 2011, pg 351, 352, 361
Spouse: Sarah Lyman Children: Lyman; Cynthia; Elihu; Joseph;
Members Who Share This Ancestor
None*
*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Two upright stones: one original and the other more modern, which references French-Indian war service.
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Author: Paul Howard Burright
The following biography has been edited and /or augmented by PRS staff.
Elihu Benton was born in 1734 in Guilford, New Haven County, Connecticut, the son of Joseph and Esther (Bishop) Benton.1
He fought in the French and Indian War in the 2nd Company of Captain Andrew Ward, commanded by Colonel Elihu Chauncey of the 4th Connecticut Regiment. He appeared on a muster list in August 1755.2
During the Revolutionary War, he demonstrated his patriotic service by serving the town as an Assessor, Grand Juror, and Collector of the Town Rate.4
He married Sarah Lyman sometime before 1763, and together they had the following known children:3
Sarah was born on 21 September 1763 and died young.
Lucretia was born on 19 March 1766 and married Daniel Bartlett.
Cynthia was born in December 1767 and married Samuel Bartlett.
Lyman was born on 11 May 1770 and married Anna Hopson.
Anna was born in May 1772 and died young.
Elihu was born on 9 May 1774 and appears to have never married, his estate going to various relatives.
Sally was born on 8 October 1776 and married David Fowler.
Cyrus was born in December 1778 and never married. Captain Cyrus Benton’s estate was divided among his siblings.
Eliakim Augustus was born in July 1781 and died young.
Joseph William was born on 22 July 1783 and married Esther Harrison.
The Patriot died on 14 February 1798 and was buried in the Old North Cemetery in Guilford, New Haven County, Connecticut.5
Sources:
Sons of the American Revolution member application, 1889-1970, William Benton Cowen (#13800, NE #125), Nov 25, 1903.
Connecticut Soldiers, French and Indian War, 1755-1762, page 51.
Families of Early Guilford, Connecticut, Vol 1, page 56.
Connecticut Town Meeting Records during the Revolutionary War, Vol 1, pages 351-352, 361.
Find-a-Grave, Memorial 31819896
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