Benjamin Head was born in 1731 and died 19 Aug 1803. His parents were recorded as Henry Head, Sr. [1695-1772 (The Planter)], who settled within Spotsylvania Co., Virginia (VA) formed 1720 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William. Henry, age 20, married Frances Spence, age 19, a dau. of Elizabeth Browne and Alexander Spence of Richmond Co., VA, formed 1692 from Old Rappahannock. Alexander was a prominent son of Patrick Spence of Westmoreland Co., VA. Alexander was a surveyor, Capt. of Militia and Burgess (1796 to 1702) for Westmoreland co., source, Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Vol II, publ. by Genealogical Publ. Cop., Inc., pg 328. Benjamin was the third son born at Lancaster or King George Co., colonial VA to his parent’s union. His siblings were Henry (aka Harry) Head (1716-78); Alexander Spence Head (1721-90); and a sister, Mildred (1725-87). Although little is known regarding Benjamin’s formal early education, he apprenticed with a survey party for a period. He was acquainted early in this apprenticeship with Col. James Madison, Sr., the county lieutenant of Orange; see, Patriots of the Upcountry: Orange County Virginia in the Revolution by Wm. H.B. Thomas, Copyright 1976, publ. by the Orange County Bicentennial Commission, Orange, VA, pgs 12, 18, 51 –Jas. Madison, Sr.; 89, 99, etc. –Benj. Head. He bought land in St. George’s Parish, Spotsylvania Co., 21 Dec 1770. A deed dated 28 Nov 1771 from George Taylor, James Madison (Sr.) and John Carter, Gent., and Trustees for Harry Beverly, Gent., records land sold to Benj. Head. This tract was a winning bid for a 1,325 acre tract of the ‘Octonia Grant’ survey at the confluence of Elk Run and the Fork of the Rapidan River upon both sides. Benjamin Head’s Orange Co., VA marriage was recorded in 1754 to (Sarah) Martha Marshall Sharman (1734-1821); sources, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900/Ancestry Record, online; and, Find A Grave Memorial# 156523897 posted by James C. Parker, PhD, Georgia Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Lyman Hall Chapter. From this union 8 children survived, *Sarah Head (1760-1842) m. May Burton Jr., see: SAR Patriot #: P-126163 Author: William L. Schwetke, VA Society, SAR Culpeper Minute Men (CMM) Chapter; James Head, Ensign (1756-1796) m. 1775, Elizabeth Janet (Powell) Kirtley, Bromfield Parish, Culpeper a dau. of Simon Powell, see: SAR Patriot #: P-178683; Benjamin Head, Jr. (1763-1837) m. Margaret “Peggy” Gaar, a dau. of Lewis Gaar, see: SAR Patriot #: P-330778; John Head (1765-1852); George Marshall Head (1767-_); William (1770-1812); Henry (1773-1852); and, Tavener (1776-_). On 24 August 1773, Benjamin Head again purchased land in Culpeper County, 160 acres "at the upper corner of the Rapidan River" from Martha's father Robert Sharman (Culpeper County Deed Book G, page 157). One of the witnesses to this deed was a James Head, probably the eldest son of Benjamin and Martha. Robert Sharman's will (in which Benjamin Head was named executor) was written 21 January 1773 and proved 18 April 1774, so this land may have been part of his legacy to his daughter Martha. It appears that Robert Sharman was still living at the time this deed was executed. Benjamin Head and Martha (of Orange County) sold this land to Richard Quinn (of Culpeper County), whose land was adjoining to it, on 15 September 1777 (Culpeper County Deed Book H, page 517); source, http://arslanmb.org/head/head.html#DNA%20Research Benjamin Head, Sr. was commissioned on 28 May 1778, a Captain for Orange Co., (VA) Militia replacing Jeremiah White, who resigned; Robert Miller designated, 1st Lieut.; May Burton, Jr. designated, 2nd Lieut. and Richard White was made, Ensign at Court Orange Co., VA by the hand of James Madison, Sr.; sources, Orange Co., VA Minute Order Book 2, pgs 86-87; and, Wm. Mary Quarterly, Vol 10, Series 2, pgs 266 & 267. Benjamin built a two story, brick estate named, “Rock Hill” home mapped now, at Madison Co., situated on the north bank of the Fork of the Rapidan River adjacent to Elk Run, sandwiched between Rt. 29, from the Nathaniel B. Early Bridge; source, Madison County Homes by author, Vee Dove publ. privately, 1975 at Madison Co., VA by Kingsport Press, Kingsport, TN, pgs 42-43. At age 72, Benjamin died in 1803 at the family mansion with his only dau., Sarah Head Burton and her husband, May, Jr. [Note: the allied Head/Burton Family colonial burial ground was photographed and recorded surveyed on the south bank of the Rapidan River by CMM Past Chapter Pres., William L. Schwetke at a private dairy farm track owned by the Lamb Family in residence at Greene Co., formed 1838 from Orange, situated atop a thicket set at the N/E Corner intersecting Rt 29 and the Old Fredericksburg Rd., mapped as Rt 609.] However, a Jul 2010 physical and photographic grave survey of “Rock Hill” Mansion at Madison Co. across the Rapidan, was conducted by Charles Francis Lay, dec’d., CMM Past Pres. and James Edward Mitchell, a direct blood-line descendant to Benj. Head, Sr. The survey determined over 20 graves that were set between 1800 and 1870 at the immediate brick mansion. Grave markers were descendants of Benjamin Burton (ca1760-1829) the only son of May, Jr. and his wife *Sarah Head. This Burton’s private family burial ground was significantly, strategically placed and utilized prior to the 9 Jun 1864 to Mar 1865, Petersburg Campaign during the American Civil War. Among the upright headstones photographed was Benj. Burton, “Btry B,” 13 Bttn., VA Artillery, born 1827, died 1862. Benjamin Head, Sr. was logically buried at the Rapidan, south bank, Head family private burial ground, now a wooded thicket. On 15 Oct 2011, the Culpeper Minute Men (CMM) Chapter led by Pres. Gar C. Schulin organized a grave marking dedication of family cenotaph, (no bones) and U.S. Veterans Affairs Marker for Benjamin Head. The upright granite, U.S. Military headstone, furnished by Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Burial Branch, WDC recognized Benjamin’s 1778, military service for the Orange Co., VA Militia. The Head Family grave marking ceremony with Mark Arslan his w. and dau. attending was hosted by CMM and held at 3:00 PM at Westover United Methodist Church cemetery, Latitude: 38.2814 & Long: -78.3643 on Old Fredericksburg Rd., near Ruckersville, VA. Attending the CMM ceremony preserving Benjamin Head’s Revolutionary War service were eighteen (18) direct blood line family members from the states of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and the District of Columbia (WDC). Alonzo “Lon” L. Lacey III, CMM Color Guard Cmdr., led a CMM firing party, black powder and silent, Musket Salute.