Display Patriot - P-268789 - Benjamin PERRY

Benjamin PERRY

SAR Patriot #: P-268789

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: Private / Patriotic Service
DAR #: A204463

Birth: 1752 / Spotsylvania / VA
Death: 11 May 1839 Port Royal / Henry / KY

Qualifying Service Description:
  1. Private - Captains Legg, Craig, Dudley, Colonel Winslow, VA Militia, 1781-1783
  2. Paid Specific Tax, Spotsylvania Co, 1782

Additional References:
  1. Pension S.30644
  2. Rev Soldiers in KY, pg 9SAR RC 166951
  3. Auditor of Public Accounts, APA 640, Provision Law and Specific Tax Accounts, Bonds, and Correspondence, 1779-1790; 1797, Specific Tax List of Spotsylvania County, pg 13, Library of Virginia, Archives Division

Spouse: Mary Head
Children: George; Elizabeth; Benjamin; Jane;
Members Who Share This Ancestor
Date Approved Society ACN SAR Member Info Lineage via Child View Application Detail
2006-05-04 AZ 25355 Thomas Alvin Nelson (166951) George   
2018-04-20 IN 80670 David Laurel Lyons (207285) Benjamin   
Burial:
Port Royal Cemetery (C-0371158)
Location:
Port Royal / Henry / KY / USA
Find A Grave Cemetery #:
1187315
Grave Plot #:
Grave GPS Coordinates:
n/a
Find A Grave Memorial #:
94633568
Marker Type:
SAR
SAR Grave Dedication Date:
18 Oct 2015

Comments:

Photo by permission: J. C. Barnett, Kentucky Society SAR



Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:


Author: Mark Andrew Davis

Benjamin Perry was born in November 1752 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

While living in Spotsylvania County, Virginia in April 1781, Benjamin was drafted into the militia as a Private in the Company of Captain Legg for a tour of six months. He joined his company at Fredericksburg and was attached to the Regiment of Colonel Winslow. They became part of General Lafayette’s forces and forded the Potomac River. In May, General Cornwallis moved his troops into Virginia from the Carolinas to join General Arnold’s British Regiments. More American Regiments began moving into Virginia. Benjamin’s Company participated in engagements throughout the summer of 1781 culminating in the siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis. Soon after that, his term having expired, he was discharged.

About November of 1781, he moved from Spotsylvania to Kentucky and spent the winter at Bryan’s Station in modern-day Fayette County, Kentucky. He served as a Private under Captain Craig of the garrison at the fort until April 1782, for a period of about three months. In April, as a private, he began his service to the United States as a spy, tracking Native American activities. This service was for a term of seven months under Captain Dudley, working from the fort at Bryan’s Station. After his term expired, he joined in on spy expeditions in the spring of 1783.

He was married about 1776 to Mary [surname unproven]. The following children are attributed to this couple:

  • George was born about 1805.
  • Elizabeth was born on 30 June 1786 and married William Perry [per DAR].
  • Benjamin H. was born on 12 January 1777.
  • Elijah was born about 1800 and married to Ann S. Bryan.

There are likely several other children, as early Henry County records show many with that surname.

The Patriot died on 11 May 1839 in Port Royal, Henry County, Kentucky, and a modern monument exists for the family at Port Royal Cemetery. It is not known if he is actually buried here or if this is a cenotaph.

 

Sources:

Revolutionary War Pension File S30644.


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