Author: David Walter Powell
Patriot Benjamin Lemasters was born on June 15, 1756 in St. Mary’s, Maryland. He was the son of Isaac and Nancy Ann Lemasters.
His pension affidavits have varying dates of enlistment but he claims to have enlisted as a private in 1776 in Berkeley County, VA for 3 years in Captain Lewis’ company in the 1st Virginia Line commanded by Colonel Richard Parker and General Muhlenberg. He recounted that he entered into his company while it was in White Plains. He further reported he was present when the British attacked at White Plains and the Delaware Blues were badly hit. His unit withdrew to the Pennsylvania shore of the Delaware River where they spent most of the winter. He further recalled being at the Battle of Trenton. In the battle of Princeton he was wounded in his right ankle by a musket ball and was sent to a hospital in Philadelphia where he was inoculated for small pox.
Benjamin Lemasters appears on the April 1, 1777 muster list of Captain William Lewis as a private. In the May 1777 muster roll it is noted that he is now a Sergeant.
He was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and at Fort Mifflin during the siege by the British forces. He witnessed the British ship HMS Augusta being blown up in the Delaware River. He reported that while he was at the siege of Fort Mifflin he rode express for Major Smith to George Washington at White Marsh. Benjamin Lemasters wintered with the army at Valley Forge. After Valley Forge, he was at the battle of Monmouth in 1778.
After his enlistment expired, he reenlisted for which he received a furlough. The 1st Virginia Regiment was captured at Charlestown, SC on May 12, 1780. Benjamin Lemasters did not return from his furlough before the loss of his regiment. After the war he married a woman named Rebecca (believed to be Rebecca Martin).
Benjamin Lemasters died on December 16, 1837 in Bucks Garden, Nicholas County VA. He is buried beside his wife Rebecca Lemasters who died on February 16, 1844.