A life saver,,,,,,,

Greetings!

I'm sorry it has been a while again since I have last written.  Time just really got away from me!!

Thanks to Barb's Family Stories I have learned that my 5th great uncle from another branch of my family tree saved the life of my 4th great grandfather during the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Minisink.  Yup, a real mind blower for me, LOL.

Barb had posted an excerpt from the book, "History of Minisink Country by Horace E Twichell" which I will post a small portion of it below.  First let me set the scene a little bit.

Mohawk Chief Joseph Brandt had just attacked villages in the Minisink Valley of New York on July 20th 1879.  He killed many innocent people, burned houses and buildings and stole "provisions".  Then he headed up the Delaware River Valley.  The militia was gathered to go after him.  They wanted revenge and their provisions back.  My 5th great grandfather, Benjamin Bennett was a part of that militia and his young son, Abraham Bennett was with him as a drummer.  My Bennett line comes from my great great grandmother, Emeline Elen Bennett Parker.  Emeline was the daughter of William who was the son of Abraham.

Capt. Bezaleel Tyler, came down from Cochecton, NY to meet the militia at Carpenters Point, now known as Port Jervis.  Capt. Tyler told the drummers with the group to go home, the journey is treacherous and they could not handle it.  Capt. Tyler was my 5th great uncle through my great grandmother Ruth Hulse Parker's line.  Her mother was a Tyler.  Bezaleel's father, Bezaleel Sr. was my 5th great grandfather.  Coincidentally, Ruth was married to the only son of Emeline Bennett Parker and Benjamin B Parker.

When Capt. Tyler sent the young drummers home he saved their lives as very few survived this battle.  The Battle of Minisink is known as the bloodiest battle in the Revolutionary War.  It is because of his actions that I am able to be here today.  For if Abraham continued on the journey he most likely would have died and never grown up to have his rather large family from which I come down from.  In my book, Capt. Tyler is a huge hero!!

Sadly, both Capt. Tyler and my 5th great grandfather, Benjamin Bennett were among the many who died in that bloody battle at Minisink Ford.

Below is a copy of an excerpt from the book, "History of Minisink Country by Horace E Twichell"  This is an excellent book written in 1912.  If you are interested in the Battle of Minisink or the Minisink Valley area of NY State it is worth reading.  You can find a free download online.  Just google it!

Abraham Bennett was a boy at the time of the battle of  Minisink; but when Tusten was leaving Goshen he became very anxious to join the expedition against Brant; and having had some experience in the fife and drum corps, he begged his father, *Benjamin Bennett,who was one of the militia, to let him go as drummerboy. The drum corps did not go any farther than Minisink. There they were advised by Capt. Tyler and his men, who had come down the Delaware Valley from Cochecton, to return home, as the march of the army would be through a vast wilderness and the hardships would be too great for their endurance.  Note:  "Tusten" was Col. Tusten head of the militia from Goshen, NY.

Have you found any "heroes" in your ancestry?  Or, interesting stories to tell?  Would love to hear them!!

Until next time,,,,,,,