BENJAMIN BOONE (son of George') born 16 July (0. S.)
or 27 July (N. S.) in Devonshire, England; died 14 Oct., 1762, in the 57th year of his age. (a)
· Married 1st, 1726, Ann Farmer, and 2nd, Susannah - (d. 5 Nov., 1784, aged 76). (a)
He left Bradninch, England, with his parents on 17 Aug., 1717, and from Bristol, England, sailed for America, arriving at Philadelphia 29 Sept., 1717 (or 10 Oct., N. S.). With his parents he lived for a short time at Abington, near Philadelphia, where he later returned to claim a bride. After settling with his father in Oley twp., Philadelphia Co., (now Exeter, Berks Co.), he obtained a certificate from Gwynedd Meeting which was recorded in the minutes and reads:-
"7-27-1726, Benjamin Boone requests a certificate to Abington in order for marriage," and
"8-25-1726, Certificate signed for Benjamin Boone."
The marriage is recorded in the Abington Meeting Records as follows:-
"8 mo. 3, 1726, Whereas Benjamin Boone and Ann Farmer having declared their intention of marriage with each other before two Monthly Meetings, Enquiry made by persons appointed and found clear from all others on ye acct. of marriage, are left to accomplish ye same orderly."
"9 mo. 28, 1726, Report was made by ye persons appointed to attend Benjamin Boone's marriage and it was orderly performed."
When and where Benjamin married the second wife Susannah (surname unknown) has not been learned. It is probable that he married this time out of the Quaker fold, and possibly about 1736, as at this time he was in disfavor at Gwynedd Meeting. The Minutes give this item:-
"2-27-1736, Benjamin Boone has not been spoken to since last Meeting."
The disfavor seems to have been dropped, as there is no further mention of it to be found in records.
In 1735, Benjamin Boone, with Mordecai Lincoln and four other men, was appointed by the court of Philadelphia, to lay out one of the first roads in Exeter Township. Upon the establishment of Oley Township, in 1741, fifty families were not included. Among the petitioners against this were James, Benjamin, John and Squire Boone. He was among the representatives in the Assembly from Berks Co., 5 Oct., 1758. (b)
Among the land warrants of Philadelphia Co., is found an entry of Benjamin Boone, for 300 acres, 8 Feb., 1734. What is now Berks Co., was then a part of Philadelphia Co., so his land was probably in the township of Exeter, near the other Boones. An indenture made 1 Nov., 1768, describing the property of Squire Boone, brother of Benjamin, says that the tract ran from a corner of George Boone's land 174 perches northwest to a post; thence by Benjamin Boone's land, etc. At his death he left quite an estate, according to an inventory made by his sons James and Samuel who were executors. It consisted of all sorts of movable property and two plantations, one in Amity and the home-
stead in Exeter.
The five children by Benjamin's second wife, Susannah, were all bap-
tized 6 Aug., 1753, at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, Morlottan, Berks Co., from which record the birth dates below are taken.Will of Benjamin Boone.
Signed 5 Jan., 1762. Proved 27 Oct., 1762. Recorded in Berks Co.
In the Name of God, Amen. This Fifth day of January in the year of Our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred sixty-two, I, Benjamin Boone of Township of Exeter, County of Berks and Province of Pennsylvania, being in sound mind and memory, Thanks be given to God therefor, Calling to mind the mortallity of my Body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die; do make and ordain this my last will and Testament; That is to to say Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian-like and decent manner at the discretion of my executors. And as touching my worldly estate where with it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give, Bequeath and dispose of the same in the following manner and form; Viz:
Firstly; I give and bequeath to Susanah my dearly beloved Wife, as much or as many of my household goods as she may think proper for her own use; also one Cow which she may best like; Also that either of my three sons hereafter mentioned which she may best Like to Live with, shall find and provide for her a good and sufficient Lodging Room for her use in the house he lives in.
Secondly: I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Boone that part of my tract of land in Exeter called the Old Place, being the front of said tract.
Thirdly: I give and bequeath unto Samuel my youngest son the Rear of the above mentioned tract, called the New Place; the whole to be equally divided both in quantity and quality between them, and to pay each their equal part of the quit rents of Said tract. The dam Conveniency of Watering their meadows to be Maintained at an equal cost between them. And the said Samuel Boone, his heirs, exers., Admrs., or Assigns Shall not Deprive, hinder or Debar the Sd. Benjamin Boone, his heirs, Exrs., and Admrs., or assigns the free Liberty Privilege and benefit of all the Water for "Watering Meadow four Days in every week if required, under forfeiture of One thousand pounds Currant money of this Province.
Fourthly: I give and bequeath unto my son James all my Plantation and tract of land lieing in Amity Township.
Fifthly: My will is that my three sons above mentioned, their heirs, Exrs. and Admrs., or assigns shall pay unto my wife Susanah the just full sum of Ten pounds good and lawful money per year, each and every of them, during her Natural life.
Sixthly: My will is, that if either of my three sons, Benj., James or Samuel Boone should die without issue then his whole Part herein bequeathed to fall to the other two; but if two of them should die without issue then the other surviving Heir shall pay unto each and every of my other children the just sum of thirty pounds Current money in Two years after their decease.
Seventhly: I give and Bequeath to my Three sons above mentioned all my Movable Estate but what is already Excepted for my Wife and to be equally divided amongst them.
Eighthly: I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Dinah the just sum of one hundred pounds good and lawful money to be paid to her when she arrives at the age of fifteen years, and if there should not be money to pay her the whole sum the Remainder to be Raised and Levied out of my three son's parts of the Movable Estate. Also I give my eldest son, John Boone the sum of five shillings.
Ninthly: My will is that my Negro man Dick shall be free from serving my Heirs, Exors., Admors., or any of them and Likewise shall have two acres of land on Samuel's place where it may best suit them both for the use of Sd. Negro During his Life and the Sd. Negro shall for the use of the land Work and assist the Sd. Samuel Boone one week in every harvest during the time he lives on the place.
Likewise I do hereby ordain and appoint my three sons, Benjamin, James and Samuel Boone my whole and sole Executors to shew and Recover all Debts, bills and Bonds whatsoever.
In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the Day and Year above Written.
BENJAMIN BOONE (Seal)
Witnesses:
THOMAS WARREN
SARAH WARRENCHILDREN :-(First Marriage)
40 John Boone, probably son of first wife Ann Farmer, as he was not baptized with the children of Benjamin and 2nd wife Susannah.
(Second Marriage)
41 Mary Boone, b. 11 Nov., 1739.
+42 Benjamin Boone, b. 13 Aug., 1741.
43 James Boone, b. 24 Mar., 1743; d. about 1771. (Will probated then.)
+44 Samuel Boone, b. 11 Aug., 1746.
+45 Dinah Boone, b. 8 May, 1749.