BENSON FAMILY
An Ancient Bible 274 Years Old
Napanee Express Feb. 24, 1893 Seven generations in one
family. One of the relics of the late C. V. Benson. At the residence of Portland Benson, in the
township of Sophiasburgh, county of Prince Edward, may be seen an old relic
in the shape of a Bible. It was
printed in the Holland Dutch language at Amsterdam in the years
1618-1619. It has been handed down in
the Benson family for six generations, the youngest son falling heir to
it. This book is no small volume, it
being 14 inches long, 9 inches wide, and 6 inches thick. It has ornamental brass corners, some of
which have torn off. There has also
been brass clasps, which have been broken.
The board covers have been split, but have been fixed by recent
generations with slats put across them, which have been nailed and
clinched. The leaves of the book have
turned quite brown with age. The book
contains an Index, the Old Testament, Apocryphs,
Concordance and New Testament. The
chapters are numbered by using the Roman numerals, the Dutch style of letters
being used. The verses are numbered by
English figures. There are several
maps, most of them torn, and several leaves both in the front and back of the
book are gone. There are no autographs
written by any of the former generations, or if there has been they have been
torn out. On a whole it shows its
antiquity. As for the book being in
the Benson family for 7 generations, Matthew Benson, a U. E. Loyalist, came
from the U. S. about the year 1783 and settled in Prince Edward Co. He was a Dutchman and could read this
Bible, and he said he was the third generation of youngest sons that the book
had been handed down to, which would mean that he was the fourth generation
that had had this book. The book has
probably come to America shortly after it was printed, for the Dutch portion
of America was given to England in a treaty of peace between England and
Holland, 1670. After this the Dutch
would not be so likely to come to America.
It evidently stayed in the United States for a hundred years or more,
and then came with Matthew Benson to Canada about the year 1783. Matthew Benson’s youngest sons were twins,
namely Richard and John Benson. the
Bible after Matthew’s death was disputed as to the owner, and sometimes it
was in one family and sometimes in the other.
It was taken from John Benson’s family and given to W. H. Benson, the
youngest son of Richard Benson. He by
moving about the country, the book got in strangers hands. Portland Benson, grandson of John Benson,
found the book and purchased it back into John Benson’s family from Rev. W.
D. P. Wilson. Portland Benson is the
youngest son of the late C. V. Benson.
The Bible’s lineage would be, Matthew Benson, a U.E. Loyalist, was the
third generation of youngest son, fourth generation that had possessed the
book. John Benson, his youngest son,
Cornelius V. Benson, his second son, Portland Benson, his youngest son. John Benson’s youngest son was Richard
Benson, who died in his youth. Heldbrand Benson was the next youngest, and his youngest
son is Arkland Benson, the rightful heir. He at present is in Australia, too far away
to lay any claim to the book. This
Bible is truly an ancient relic its equal would be hard to find in this new
country. In olden times things were
made substantial, so as to last for ages, and prized for their age, but this
new country and these last generation have too much love for change, and a
greater desire for things that are new, to preserve anything that is
old. And then to think that it has
been for seven generations in this family shows that for this length of time
they have been true converts to the Christian faith, if not always a true
follower of Christ. It also shows that
they have been true to their principles, in as much as, leaving their ancient
home, Holland, for America and again leaving the United States for Canada,
simply for their love of true principles.
What greater evidence could we ask for their love of truth, which was
taught in the book they preserved and cherished. |
MRS. BOGART A
Centenarian Celebration
of Mrs. Bogart's 100th Birthday Weekly Commercial Advertiser, Oswego, Sept 18 1872 On
Saturday last, the 10th instant, Mrs. Bogart, of Adolphustown, was one
hundred years old. The day was celebrated by the members of her numerous
family by a general gathering at the old homestead; her children and
grand-children came with their families from Chicago, Chatham, Hamilton,
Toronto, Lindsay, Belleville, Napanee, Picton, and from the Townships of
Prince Edward and Lennox and Addington.
Mrs. Bogart was the eldest child of James Lazier, who came to the Bay
of Quinte about 1790 and settled near Northport, from whom the numerous
families of the Laziers in Hastings and Prince Edward are descended; these
families joined in paying their respects to their venerable relative. A
steamer, chartered for the occasion, by Mr. D.D. Bogart, left Belleville at 8
o'clock, with one hundred and thirty people on board, accompanied by a band
of music; they arrived at 12 o'clock and were met by a large number of
relatives, who had come up a little before by steamer from Picton. In another
hour, a steamer gayly decorated with flags, brought the Napanee contingent.
Altogether there were not less than 400 relatives of Mrs. Bogart present.
The venerable lady who that day completed a century of life, was as
cheerful and gay as the youngest of her great grand children. "Can you
see us all with such old eyes, Grandma?" asked a prattling little great
grand daughter; "I can see every
thing but the back of my head my dear" she replied with a twinkle in her
bright eye - and indeed, so she can.
She sees and reads with ease, and her mind is so clear that she enjoys
reading exceedingly, though she complains that her memory of recent events is
almost gone. One of her grandsons asked her about something that had happened
the day before, she replied "I can't remember, I am getting old, and my
memory is not good." Wishing to test her memory of early life, he said,
"Grandma do you remember the young officer that fell in love with you at
Fort Oswego when you were moving to Canada?" She burst into a gay laugh
and relied, "Indeed I do, what put that into your head."
Among those present were Mrs. Bogart's two brothers, Messrs. John and
Abraham Lazier, of Prince Edward, gray-haired old men of 80 and 83,
respectively, but standing as straight, and stepping with the elasticity of
ordinary men of 50 years. After
she had received the affectionate greeting of her relatives, all parties
proceeded to a grove near by, where hundreds of her old neighbors had
gathered, to pay their respects to one who had been the friend of their grand
parents, and whom they had known and loved from their own childhood. Seated
upon a raised dais, covered with crimson cloth, the old lady held a levee,
and received the congratulations of her friends. After dinner had been
served, an artist took several photographs of Mrs. Bogart, and then her
descendants grouped around her; her great grand children sitting at her feet,
and her two brothers on either side of her chair; after two or three attempts
had been frustrated by the bobbing up of little heads, a good picture of this
group was taken.
Two beautiful poems inscribed to the venerable matron by lady friends
were then read by Rev. George Meacham, M.A. her grandson, and a short address
was delivered by Mr. W.W. Dean, another grandson. Mr. Dean mentioned a few facts which may
be interesting to our readers. Mrs. Bogart was brought, a young, and
according to the family traditions, a beautiful bride, to the farm on which
the celebration was held 78 years ago; the farm is now the property of Peter
Bogart, the oldest son of her eldest son, and a more lovely spot cannot be
found in the Dominion. The grove in which they were assembled was for many
years a wheat field, but having been allowed more than half a century ago to
relapse into a state of nature is now covered with large trees. Mrs. Bogart
had eleven children, of whom only five are living. Of those who are dead
several lived to an advanced age, the eldest being over 75 years at his
death; she has had forty-six grand children and eighty five great grand
children nearly all of whom are living, some of the latter have nearly
reached manhood.
Mrs. Bogart bore the excitement and fatigue of the day wonderfully
well. Just before leaving, a physician, who happened to be of the party, felt
her pulse and found it perfectly regular, and tolerably strong, indeed, he
said that the majority of young people have not as good a circulation as this
old lady, through whose veins the blood has coursed for a hundred years.
Bidding her an affectionate and not untearful good bye, the party broke up at five
o'clock, well assured that they had taken part in a celebration that could
happen in very few families, and the like of which they would never witness
again. |
CHARLES BROOKS Father of
Local Man Observes 90th Birthday Brother
Drove First Stage Coach From Picton to Madoc Deseronto Post Feb 23 1949
Charles Brooks, who has lived on a farm in the Hay Bay area for the
past 80 years, celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday, February
12. He is the father of Councillor A.P. Brooks, of Deseronto, and his older
brother, George Brooks, drove the first stage coach, a covered wagon drawn by
a four-horse tandem team, from Picton to Madoc. This was way back in the days
of the famed Madoc gold rush. At
the time that his brother was making the stage coach run, taking one day to
go to Madoc and the next day to make the return trip, Charles Brooks was
about seven or eight years of age. At that time, Picton had a blacksmith shop
and a few stores on one side of its main St., and a commons on the other
where the farmers tied their horses. Later Mr. Brooks moved with the family
from Picton to Demorestville and came to his present home when he was 10
years old.
The farm where he now lives was a far cry from its present state when
the Brooks family moved there. They cleared the land and even made lime for
their buildings from the limestone deposits to be found in that area. At that
time they used to draw cordwood to Napanee and sell it to the schools, etc.,
at $3 per cord.
Members of the family are George Brooks, Roblin; Urban Brooks,
Adolphustown; A.P. Brooks, Deseronto, William Brooks, Dorland; Arthur Brooks,
Hay Bay; Aubrey Brooks, Picton; Edward Brooks, Napanee; Mrs. Bert Lloyd,
Point Anne; Mrs. Gordon Furrs, Hay Bay; Mrs. Ross Dudgeon, Selby; Mrs. Almon
Wickett, Belleville. |