Toeniskoetter Patriot Bio
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Author: Matthew Alan Toeniskoetter
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Benjamin Harrison (SAR Patriot #: P-176121) was born in 1741 in Augusta County, Virginia, on his father’s plantation in present-day Dayton, Virginia. His father, Captain Daniel Harrison, built a stone house in 1749, which is still standing today and is known as Fort Harrison. Benjamin inherited his father’s home and nearly 1130 acres of land in 1767. Benjamin served at the Battle of Point Pleasant and commanded a company of Minutemen. He was in McIntosh’s Campaign in 1777 and led troops in support of General Lafayette against Cornwallis.
Benjamin served in the Revolutionary War until the surrender at Yorktown.He married Mary McClure on 6 August 1763 in Virginia, and they had sixteen known children. These include:
ï‚·Robert was born in 1764 and married Mary Harrison.
ï‚·Daniel was born on 1 February 1765 and married Ann Erwin.
ï‚·James was born in 1770 and married Ann Millan.
ï‚·Edith was born in 1771 and married Samuel McWilliams.
ï‚·Margaret was born on 4 October 1773 and married Ezekiel Logan.
ï‚·William was born about 1775 and married Mary McClure.
ï‚·Jane was born on 23 December 1775 and married William Cravens.
ï‚·Peachy was born on 6 April 1777 and married Mary Stuart.
ï‚·Fielding was born in 1778 and married Anna Quinn.
ï‚·Parthenia was born on 10 August 1785 and married Reuben Harrison
Benjamin achieved the rank of Captain in 1762, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1778, Colonel in 1780, and County Lieutenant of Rockingham County in 1781. A busy man, he held many positions in the county. In 1768, he was a highway surveyor. In 1778, he was a Vestryman. In 1779, Benjamin was appointed Justice of the County Court of Rockingham. Not long after, he took the oath of Justice of Peace and Justice of the County Court. Twice, he served as High Sheriff of Rockingham County, once in 1787 and again from 1801-1802. Twice, He represented the county as a member of the House of Delegates, once from 1781 to 1783 and again from 1799 to 1803.
The Patriot died in 1819 and was buried in Dayton Cemetery, Dayton, Virginia. The burial spot is located not far from his home, which goes by the name Fort Harrison. If you ever visit Dayton, Virginia, make sure to visit Fort Harrison.
Sources:
1.Harrison, J.H. Settlers by the Long Grey Trail, Pages 319-323.
2.DAR RC# 944918 cites: Gwathmey, Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolutionary War Page 354.
3.SAR application of Ormond Henry Hammond Sr., 1 July, 1842
4.Fort Harrison, Daniel Harrison House website, https://www.fortharrisonva.org/