Benjamin Vail

     Benjamin was born on Sunday, 18 August 1776 in Goshen, Orange County, New York. He was christened there on 20 October 1776 in the First Presbyterian Church.² Benjamin married Clemence Holly Knapp in 1801 in Orange County, New York.¹ Benjamin and Clemence had children: Walter Simonson [3/31/1803] [m. Laouretta Abigail Drake], Mary Ann [7/17/1805] [m. 2/08/1832 Jonas Seely Compton], William Rundell [11/23/1807] [m. Sally Ann Murry], Samuel Knapp [6/21/18010] [m. Mary Drake Cooper], Elizabeth [8/12/1812] [m. 12/31/1843 William Henry Horton], Nathaniel Malg rove [2/18/1817-9/27/1898] [m. 5/11/1853 Mary Hilton], John Holly [8/09/1820] [m. Eliza Berry Knapp] & James Sawyer [4/23/1824] [m. Mary Drake]. The 1810 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Warwick, Orange County, New York, the family of Benjamin Vail [30010:10010].³ The 1820 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Goshen, Orange County, New York, the family of Benjamin Vail [221110:11011].⁴ The 1830 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Goshen the family of Benjamin Vail [02111011:0001101].⁵ The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Goshen the family of.⁶ 24 September 1850, Benjamin and his wife, Clemence, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Chester, Orange County, New York. Enumerated in this household were Benjamin Vail [73 New York], Clemence [67 New York], John K [30 New York] James S [26 New York] & Elizabeth V. Compton [15 New York]. The men were all farmers.⁷ Benjamin departed this life on Thursday, 13 October 1859 in Chester, Orange County, New York, at age 83 years, 1 month and 25 days. He was buried there in Chester Cemetery. The inscripton on his tombstone reads: Benjamin Vail 1776 - 1859 - Clemence Knapp - his wife 1783 -1872.⁸