Display Patriot - P-176121 - Benjamin HARRISON

Benjamin HARRISON

SAR Patriot #: P-176121

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: VA      Qualifying Service: Colonel
DAR #: A052087

Birth: 1741 / Augusta / VA
Death: 1819 Dayton / Rockingham / VA

Qualifying Service Description:
  1. 1774-1775-1777, he served as a Captain, including a company of Minutemen
  2. 1779, member of the Augusta County Court Martial
  3. 1779, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel
  4. 1780, promoted to a full Colonel

Additional References:
  1. McAllister, Joseph Thompson, Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War, Virginia. Hot Springs: McAllister Publishing Co., 1913, pg 230
  2. Brumbaugh, Gaius Marcus, Revolutionary War Records Volume 1, Virginia Army and Navy Forces with Bounty Land Warrants for Virginia Military District of Ohio, and Virginia Military Scrip; from Federal and State Archives, Washington DC: Lancaster Press Inc, 1936, pg 100
  3. Gwathmey, John H., Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution: Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, 1775-1783, Virginia. Richmond: Dietz Press, 1938, pg 354
  4. Lewis, Virgil A., History of the Battle of Point Pleasant: Fought Between White Men and Indians, 1774, West Virginia. Charleston: The Tribune Printing Company, 1909, pg 26-27

Spouse: Mary McClure
Children: Daniel; James; Jane; Peachy; Edith; Fielding; Margaret; Parthenia;
Members Who Share This Ancestor
Date Approved Society ACN SAR Member Info Lineage via Child View Application Detail
1942-07-07 IN Unassigned Ormond Henry Hammond Sr (61064) Edith   
1968-10-11 LA Unassigned James Grover Harrison (97780) James   
1968-11-29 IN Unassigned Homer Wilson Motsinger (97866)   
1968-11-29 IN Unassigned Larry Edward Motsinger (97867) Jane   
1968-11-29 IN Unassigned Carroll Wayne Motsinger (97869) Jane   
1981-06-25 MS Unassigned Grover Bradley Harrison (118841) James   
1981-08-27 MS Unassigned George William Harrison (119086) James   
2023-03-17 MO 105484 Matthew Alan Toeniskoetter (225589) Fielding   
2023-07-28 MO 108276 Timothy L Toeniskoetter (227309) Fielding   
2024-03-01 MO 110974 Michael Philip Toeniskoetter (229340) Fielding   
2024-03-01 MO 110975 Andrew Joseph Toeniskoetter (229341) Fielding   
Burial:
Dayton Cemetery (C-0372930)
Location:
Dayton / Rockbridge / VA / USA
Find A Grave Cemetery #:
50002
Grave Plot #:
Grave GPS Coordinates:
n/a
Find A Grave Memorial #:
17099902
Marker Type:
vertical VA with SAR marker
SAR Grave Dedication Date:

Comments:

Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:


Author: Matthew Alan Toeniskoetter

Benjamin Harrison was born in 1741 in Augusta County, Virginia, on his father’s plantation in present-day Dayton, Virginia. His father, Captain Daniel Harrison, built a stone house in 1749, which is still standing today and is known as Fort Harrison. Benjamin inherited his father’s home and nearly 1130 acres of land in 1767. 

Benjamin served at the Battle of Point Pleasant and commanded a company of Minutemen. He was in McIntosh’s Campaign in 1777 and led troops in support of General Lafayette against Cornwallis. Benjamin served in the Revolutionary War until the surrender at Yorktown.

He married Mary McClure on 6 August 1763 in Virginia, and they had sixteen known children. These include:

  • Robert was born in 1764 and married Mary Harrison.
  • Daniel was born on 1 February 1765 and married Ann Erwin.
  • James was born in 1770 and married Ann Millan.
  • Edith was born in 1771 and married Samuel McWilliams.
  • Margaret was born on 4 October 1773 and married Ezekiel Logan.
  • William was born about 1775 and married Mary McClure.
  • Jane was born on 23 December 1775 and married William Cravens.
  • Peachy was born on 6 April 1777 and married Mary Stuart.
  • Fielding was born in 1778 and married Anna Quinn.
  • Parthenia was born on 10 August 1785 and married Reuben Harrison.

Benjamin achieved the rank of Captain in 1762, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1778, Colonel in 1780, and County Lieutenant of Rockingham County in 1781. A busy man, he held many positions in the county. In 1768, he was a highway surveyor. In 1778, he was a Vestryman. In 1779, Benjamin was appointed Justice of the County Court of Rockingham. Not long after, he took the oath of Justice of Peace and Justice of the County Court. Twice, he served as High Sheriff of Rockingham County, once in 1787 and again from 1801-1802. Twice, He represented the county as a member of the House of Delegates, once from 1781 to 1783 and again from 1799 to 1803. 

The Patriot died in 1819 and was buried in Dayton Cemetery, Dayton, Virginia. The burial spot is located not far from his home, which goes by the name Fort Harrison. If you ever visit Dayton, Virginia, make sure to visit Fort Harrison. 

 

Sources:

  1. Harrison, J.H. Settlers by the Long Grey Trail, Pages 319-323.
  2. DAR RC# 944918 cites: Gwathmey, Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolutionary War Page 354.
  3. SAR application of Ormond Henry Hammond Sr., 1 July, 1842
  4. Fort Harrison, Daniel Harrison House website, fortharrison.org

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Additional Information:

DAR NOTE -EL–THE DANIEL HARRISON WHO MARR ANN (OR JANE) SMITH IS NOT THE SON OF THIS MAN - Jan 1942



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