Born ‎ 1723 at Piscataway, Middlesex, NJ, died ‎before ORE 11-Apr-1781 at , Onslow, NC‎, at most 58 years, ‎1st marriage to: (Doty), ‎2nd marriage to: Elizabeth Chatwin
Benejah Doty was the sixth, and youngest, child of James Doty and Phoebe Slater. Benejah was born in Piscataway, New Jersey, about 1723 and may have married his first wife there about 1744. Benejah and his first wife were the parents of Nancy Doty who married Josiah Warren in 1780 in Onslow County, North Carolina. Benejah was in North Carolina as early as 1753 as is indicated by a number of deed records. (NOTE: One Doughty [Doty] researcher, Joseph Jones >, claims that Benejah's first wife was Elizabeth Farr who, he says, was born about 1725 in Burke County, Georgia. jrh)
Benejah Doty's mother, Phoebe Slater, was a descendant of another Mayflower passenger, Edward Fuller. Edward and his brother Samuel Fuller, sons of Robert Fuller and Sarah Dunkorn of Redenhall, England, arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 as fellow-passengers of Edward Doty on the Mayflower. Edward Fuller and his wife, name unknown, both died shortly after arriving in Massachusetts and their son Samuel was taken into the care of Edward's brother Reverend Samuel Fuller. Young Samuel was born 1608 in Redenhall, England, married Jane Lathrop in Massachusetts, and died 1683. Their daughter Hannah Fuller, 1636-1686, married Nicholas Bonham, 1630-1684. Their daughter Elizabeth Bonham married Edward Slater in Piscataway, New Jersey. Pheobe Slater was born 1693 in Piscataway where she married James Doty in 1712.
I have not been able to find documentation of Benejah's marriages or records of the birth of his children. However, in the DAR PATRIOT INDEX - CENTENNIAL EDITION, Part 1, page 862, is this reference to Benejah Doty, under the alphabetical listing of DOTY: "Benejah: b c 1723 NJ d 1780 NC m(1)X (2) Elizabeth Chatwin Maj PS NC"
The only birthdates for any of Benejah's children that I have found are for Nancy, born in 1763 and Lemuel, born in 1775. One source refers to Lemuel Doty as the son of Benejah Doty and wife Elizabeth Chatwin (daughter of Joseph Chatwin). Since there is an age difference of twelve years between Nancy and Lemuel it is probable that Nancy was the child of Benejah's first wife whose name is not known. Since records show that Benejah was in North Carolina by 1753, it is possible that his first marriage was in North Carolina and that Nancy, born in 1763, was born there.
Doty genealogy compiled by Peter B. Hill, published in 1996 by the Genealogical Society of Mayflower Descendants, 4 Winslow Street, Plymouth, MA, 02360, is found the following reference to Benejah's first marriage: "He married twice. PEDS Files tentatively identify his first wife as ELIZABETH FARR, b. Burke Co. GA ca. 1725 [2], but this has not yet been confirmed. In any event, this marriage produced several children."
NOTE: [2] refers to the source HIST. SOUTHERN FAMS. 10:114-5. This is no doubt the source from which other researchers claim Elizabeth Farr as the first wife of Benejah Doty. jrh
According to Hill, the last record of Benejah Doty in New Jersey is dated 16 July 1751 when he performed an inventory of the estate of William Rogers of Piscataway, New Jersey. Hill states that, "He (Benejah) is first recorded in North Carolina on 15 Apr. 1758 as a cornet in the Craven Co. NC militia. He was in Onslow Co. NC by 1771 when he was listed as a taxpayer." (See my notes below which indicate that Benajah was in Craven County by 1753 and in Onslow County by 1762. jrh)
Other notes by Peter B. Hill follow: "There is no known document proving that Edward Doty of New Hanover County, North Carolina, and Benjamin and Benajah Doty of Onslow Co. NC, are members of the family of James Doty.
Several factors, however, make it likely. First, it fits well, chronologically. Second, Benajah Doty is a very unusual name, making it highly unlikely that two men would be so named. Third, their mother's sister, Alicia Slater, m. Henry Skibbow, and this couple had two children, Ann and Lewis in New Jersey. The will of Henry Skibbow of Onslow Co. N.C. names two of his children Lewis Skibbow and Ann Fenter." (The rationale here being that Benejah Doty and his two brothers Edward and Benjamin probably moved into North Carolina along with their Aunt Alicia and Uncle Henry. jrh)
Records of the presence of Benejah Doty in Craven County as early as 1753 at which time he and William Smith were appointed by the Court to be Patrolers from Handcocks Creek to Mill Creek. In the November 1755 Court, Benejah Doty was appointed to the Petit Jury along with 39 other men. He served on the jury in the case of Peter Rhame who petitioned the court for reimbursement for serving for three days as "evidence in the suit (of) Thomas Foy vs. Minor & Cullahan". The jury awarded Rhame "four pounds three shillings & ten pence Procl. wth. 6d. Costs."
In JOHNSTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA COURT MINUTES, 1759-1766, BOOK I, by Weynette Parks Haun, 1974, p. 34, is a record of Joseph Chatwin being ordered to serve on a jury for the purpose of "Making a New Road . . ." The Inferior Court of Pleas and Quarter Session was being held on the third Tuesday of July 1761. Other records in this book indicate the presence of Joseph Chatwin in Johnston County through April 1765.
There was a Joseph Chatwin present in Onslow County, NC on June 24, 1766 when he testified to the purchase, by Benejah Doty, of 300 acres for 150 pounds, from Philip Cheney.
Onslow County records show that Benejah was present in that county as early as 1762 when he served on the Grand Jury (along with Richard Farr) at "A Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Began and Held at the Courthouse in and for the County of Onslow on the First Tuesday in February, 1762."
In RECORDS OF ONSLOW COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, VOL I, 1734-1850, by Zae Hargett Gwynn, pub. 1961, are several references to Benejah Doty beginning with a March 15, 1762 deed, page 130: "Benajah Doty to Titus Green Farr for 200 pounds 250 acres on NW branch of New River, on Queens Creek, to John Williams's line, at John Guesses line which land was granted to John Williams and transferred to Richard Farr deceased, and willed to James Farr and by said James Farr to Richard Farr, and he to Benajah Doty. Tests: Ezekiel Hunter, Brian Edmondson, James Farr."
On page 170 another deed, dated October 3, 1766, records the following: "Francis and Elizabeth Godfrey, his wife, to Benajah Doty for 150 pounds, 195 acres on the east side of the NW Branch of New River at Wallace's corner at the line of Elmore Anderson and Mathew Lewis which is part of land granted to Sarah Anderson and sold by her to William Lewis. Tests: Thos. Johnston, Benjm. Johnston." On page 171, dated June 24, 1766: "Benajah Doty to Phillip Cheney for 150 pounds 300 acres which is part of land granted to Titus Green Farr and conveyed to said Doty on NW branch of New River and granted to John Farr, June 19, 1736, and transferred to Richard Farr, Sr., and he to Titus Green Farr at Edmond Jones's line. Tests: Joseph Chatwin, James French."
On page 213, another deed, dated January 16, 1774: "Benejah Doty, Esq., to Nathan Bryan for 30 pounds 590 acres on NE side of NE branch of New River on north side of Main Road at Robert Mutter's line, part of 640 acres granted to Benejah Doty, May 23, 1772. Tests: Wm. Cray, Jr., Thomas Bryan."
Page 222: April 11, 1774. "Benajah Doty to Nicolas Perret for 5 pounds 50 acres which is part of 640 acres granted to said Doty and whereon Perret now lives. Tests: Joseph Chatwin, Sam Budd."
Page 290: July 23, 1779. "Benejah Doty to James Edmondson and Richard Edmondson and William Edmondson for 5 pounds 200 acres on Seale's creek, a branch NE of New River which was granted to Doty, October 28, 1765. Tests: Ted Burns, Moses Anderson."
Page 301: July 7, 1780. "Benajah Doty to Josiah Warren for 1000 pounds 100 acres on east side of New River at Joseph Chattin's (?spelling) line and Wantland's line. Tests: Richard Fair, John Fare." NOTE: Is it possible that " Chattin" is a mispelling of "Chatwin"? and Benajah Doty and Joseph Chatwin were neighbors. Benejah married (2) Elizabeth Chatwin, daughter of one Joseph Chatwin. Josiah Warren, son of Hinche Warren of Onslow County, was the husband of Nancy Doty, Benajah's daughter. Why did Josiah Warren pay so much more for 100 acres than other purchasers paid Benajah Doty for more acres? A dower payment in reverse, maybe? Or a misprint of the amount in the abstracting of the deed? jrh
Page 301: The item directly beneath the one above, dated May 13, 1780 states: "Benejah Doty to his son-in-law for love and for 50 pounds 90 acres on NE side of NW branch of New Riv. at Titus Farr's line. Tests: Carlis Warren, John Green." NOTE: The date of this deed gives us some idea of when Josiah Warren and Nancy Doty were married - before May 13, 1780. Carlis (or Carolus) Warren was Josiah Warren's brother. Josiah's mother was Rachel Anderson,
daughter of Carolus Anderson. Josiah's father was Hinche Warren, son of Robert Warren of Northampton County, NC. The John Green was husband of one of Josiah's sisters. jrh
The last reference, in the above book, to Benejah Doty is on page 711 and is an abstract of Benejah Doty's will as follows:
" Doty, Benejah. Oct. 22, 1780. Copied Apr. 11, 1781. To wife Elizabeth, to Hester Brack, to Faber Doty, daughter Nancey Worrin, mentions land bought of James Hammons, to two sons Lemuel and Benejah land and grist-mill, to son James. Exrs: Robert Nixon, Stephen Williams, wife Elizabeth. Tests: Frans Charwin, John Cook, William Stoakes."
(NOTE: The name "Charwin" may be a mispelling of "Chatwin.")
On page 533 of Gwynn's book are the following deed abstracts: Deed Book W (1802-1803): "Feb. 19, 1802. James Doty to Lemuel Doty for 10 pounds 140 acres on east side of NE branch of New River near where Francis Burns, deceased, lived and also a tract at Morgan's line which first tract was granted Lazurus Kinney, Nov. 11, 1743, and deeded thru several deeds to Mary Otway in 1744 and with intermarriage of Mary Otway and Francis Burns became property of Burns who sold to James Lambert who deeded it to John Rives and he failing to pay tax on it sold by sheriff
to James Doty. The other tract granted to John Lambert, Sr., May 5, 1769, and sold to John Rives (or Rice) and I bought at sheriff's sale for taxes. Tests: Elizabeth Willey"
The next item: "Feb. 19, 1802. James Doty to Lemuel Doty for 300 pounds a tract of 400 acres on west branch of New River on Sandy Run at branch where Lemuel now lives and land formerly held by William ---------, being land whereon my father, Benajah Doty, lived and died and willed to Lemuel Doty and Benajah Doty, his sons. Also two other tracts adjoining above land of which one is 220 acres and the other 80 acres, both granted to Benajah Doty, Nov. 9, 1782. Tests: Elizabeth Willey, Elijah Moore."
In the book MAYFLOWER FAMILIES THROUGH FIVE GENERATIONS, p. 45, Peter B. Hill states about Benejah Doty, "He was a member, for Onslow Co NC, of both the Provincial Congress and the General Assembly from 1776 to 1778."
Hill gives the following concerning Benejah's will: "The will of Benajah Doty, signed 22 Oct. 1780, proved 15 Nov. 1780, names his wife Elizabeth, Hester Brack; Faber Doty; dau Nancy Worrin, to whom he gave the 100 acres 'she now lives on', two sons Lemuel and Benajah, to whom he left his grist mill; and James [prob. not yet 21y of age]. The will was
witnessed by Frank Chatwin, among others."
Page 84 and 85 of FTM CD 24, Early North Carolina Settlers, 1700s-1900s, under the heading "History of North Carolina From 1776 to 1851", describes the organization of a "civil form of government." The Provincial Congress of North Carolina met at Halifax on 13th of April, 1776, to "prepare a civil constitution." The committee appointed for
this purpose could not agree upon any form of a constitution and a Council of Safety was adopted which recommended that delegates to a Congress be appointed to assemble at Halifax on the 12th of November which was "not only to make laws, but also to form a Constitution which was to be the corner-stone of all law; and, as it was well or ill ordered, would tend to the happiness or misery of the State."
Benejah Doty was one of the five delegates from Onslow County to attend the assembly on November 12, 1776 at Halifax.
Page 298 of the same CD gives a history of Onslow County which was formed in 1734 from New Hanover County, and named in honor of Arthur Onslow, then the Speaker of the British House of Commons. A "List of Members of the General Assembly from Onslow County, from the adoption of the Constitution, 1776, to the last session 1850-51:" shows Benejah Doty as a member of the House of Commons for 1777 and 1778. Benejah died in 1780, evidently after signing the marriage bonds for his daughter Nancy to Josiah Warren. Josiah's father Henche Warren also signed the marriage
bond.
In the book ONSLOW COUNTY HERITAGE - NORTH CAROLINA, copyright 1983, I found the following reference to Lemuel Doty: "Lemuel Doty, son of Benejah Doty and wife Elizabeth Chatwin (daughter of Joseph Chatwin), was born in 1775 and died 19 January 1819, in Onslow County. In March 1794, Lemuel Doty married first to Salley Humphrey, but
they apparently had no children. In 1797, Lemuel Doty married Mourning Johnston, daughter of Jacob Johnston, Jr. and wife Mary Randall. From this union there were two sons: Jacob Johnston Doty, born in Onslow County 18 September 1798 and John Chatwin Doty, born Jones County in 1803. Mourning Doty died in Onslow County on 11 October 1809.
"In early January 1810, Lemuel Doty married Susan Randall Johnston Williams, widow of Obed Williams and sister of Mourning Doty. From this marriage came four sons: Lemuel Johnston Doty, born in Onslow County 18 November 1810; William Humphrey Doty, born at Plum Hill, Onslow County, 14 January 1813; James Benajah Doty, Born 18 April 1816, and died young; and Lewis N. Doty, who also died young. . ." This article was written by Roger Kammerer.
Lemuel Doty was sheriff of Onslow County by February 12, 1801. In Deed Book W (1802-1803) there are two references made in which Lemuel as sheriff sold property for taxes.
NOTE: The following marriages are recorded on LDS microfiche:
James Doty & Elizabeth Farrell, Onslow Co., NC, 2 March 1799
Lemuel Doty & Sally Humphrey, Onslow Co., NC, 22 March 1794
Nancy Doty & Josiah Warren, Onslow Co., Nc. 1780, bondsmen Hinche Warren and Benejah Doty.
Other marriages of interest were Elizabeth Dudley, widow, to Thomas Farnel, 23 July 1777 with Benejah Doty listed as bondsman, Onslow Co., NC.
In Rowan County, NC, Nancy Doty m. Parker Baggett, 13 June 1797, bondsman John Doty.
And again, in Rowan County, Nancy Doty m. Jacob Cline, 25 April 1804. jrh