Benjamin SAWYER

Born: 1730 at Shelter Island, Long Island, NY
Died: 1??? at ?

Father: James SAWYER (1694/6-1771)
Mother: Martha ?

Spouse1: Mehitable MOORE (1730-1778)
Spouse2: ? YOUNGS (1730-1???)

Children:

  • w/Mehitable MOORE:
  • Richard b. 1755 Southold
  • ? (son) b. ca. 1759 Southold d. 14 Nov 1778 Southold
  • Benjamin b. 1761 Southold d. Nov 1778 Southold
  • Joshua b. 1762 Southold d. Oct 1778 Southold

    Benjamin (Source: (1) Will of SAWYER, James - 1771/1772, Son., (2) Original record by William SALMON, Compiled by William A. ROBBINS, Salmon Records - Marriages, (LI Source Records, Hoff, 1987, pp 255-293), to Mehitable MOORE., (3) Original record by William SALMON, Compiled by William A. ROBBINS, Salmon Records - Marriages, (LI Source Records, Hoff, 1987, pp 255-293), to (__) YOUNGS > this could be marriage of a son; but it is within two years after death of Mehetable... ??., (4) Gov Wm TRYON, 1778 Oath of Allegiance to the Crown - Suffolk Co, NY, (Vol 1108, pg 279: Great Britain, Public Records Office, Colonial Office Papers)., (5) Original record by William SALMON, Compiled by William A. ROBBINS, Salmon Records - Marriages, (LI Source Records, HOFF, 1987, pp 255-293).) was born 1730 in Shelter Island, New York (Source: Gov Wm TRYON, 1778 Oath of Allegiance to the Crown - Suffolk Co, NY, (Vol 1108, pg 279: Great Britain, Public Records Office, Colonial Office Papers), 1730.). He married (1) Mehitable MOORE (Source: (1) Original record by William SALMON, Compiled by William A. ROBBINS, Salmon Records - Marriages, (LI Source Records, HOFF, 1987, pp 255-293)., (2) Will of MOORE, Abigail - 1740, "granddaughter Mehetable, dau of my son James, deceased".) Nov 24, 1754 in Southold, Long Island, New York (Source: Original record by William SALMON, Compiled by William A. ROBBINS, Salmon Records - Marriages, (LI Source Records, Hoff, 1987, pp 255-293).), daughter of James MOORE and Penelope RIDER. She was born Abt. 1730 in Southold, Long Island, New York, and died Nov 27, 1778 in Southold, Long Island, New York (Source: Original record by William SALMON, Compiled by William A. ROBBINS, Salmon Records - Deaths, (LI Source Records, HOFF, 1987, pp 181-254), "Benj Soyers wif mehetebl".). He married (2) (___) YOUNGS (Source: Original record by William SALMON, Compiled by William A. ROBBINS, Salmon Records - Marriages, (LI Source Records, HOFF, 1987, pp 255-293), Benjamin SAWYER & (___) YOUNGS.) Jun 15, 1780 in Southold, Long Island, New York (Source: Original record by William SALMON, Compiled by William A. ROBBINS, Salmon Records - Marriages, (LI Source Records, HOFF, 1987, pp 255-293), This could be a marriage of a son or nephew with name Benjamin, but it is 1 1/2 years after death of Mehetable... ??.), daughter of Unconnected YOUNGS. She was born Abt. 1730 in Southold, Long Island, New York.

    More About Benjamin Sawyer:
    - Special Note: Nov 1778, [Benjamin] lost wife and three sons in two months in 1778 (Source: Original record by William SALMON, Compiled by William A. ROBBINS, Salmon Records - Deaths, (LI Source Records, Hoff, 1987, pp 181-254).)
    - Proof - children: Either Benjamin or Moses is the likely father of a Richard SAWYER in the 1778 Oath of Allegiance that showed ages: born 1755.

    More About Mehitable MOORE:
    - Served as...: Mar 23, 1782, Witnessed Thomas CONKLIN's will: Mehetable SAWYER

    More About (___) YOUNGS: - Special Note: I find no reference for this marriage in the YOUNGS Genealogy (or for any surname SAWYER there)

    Its interesting to note that Benjamin lost his wife and 3 sons shortly after his signing of the 1778 Oath to the King. It was supposed to include all loyal males over 14 years old. I wonder if the family could have come under persecution from patriot neighbors after signing it? Norris notes: "It is interesting to note that I although I find the above oath, I find nothing in the 1778 census for any Sawyer - I wonder if Mather's Refugess from NY to Conn has anything on these Sawyers?? Also might check the Shelter Island church history." Maybe those remaining were run out of town? Could explain why this part of the family and Benjamin's (supposed) brother Major James didn't acknowledge each other?

    In the Oath, the following SAWYERs are shown:

    NAME AGE DOB OCCUPATION
    SAWYER Benjamin 48 1730 Farmer
    SAWYER Benjamin, Jr. 17 1761 Farmer
    SAWYER Joshua 16 1762 Farmer
    SAWYER Richard 23 1755 Farmer

    Sources:

  • Salmon Records and others cited above via Norris of NYSUFFOL rootsweb list (Silver Bullet, Home Page: http://members.aol.com/ntgen/index.html