Benjamin Franklin Dennis (1826-1862)[1]“Benjamin Franklin Dennis,” Memorial ID 86899428, Find A Grave, accessed September 6, 2021 was a Pennsylvania native who was later a carpenter and farmer in Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio.
Biography
Benjamin Franklin Dennis, more commonly known as Franklin, was born around 1826.[2]“United States Census, 1850,” Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio, page 217 (stamped), dwelling 1521, family 1545, Benjamin F. Dennis, FamilySearch, accessed July 7, 2024 He was a native of Pennsylvania and was likely born in Kutztown, Berks County, where his family was living in 1830.[3]“United States Census, 1830,” Kutztown, Berks County, Pennsylvania, page 400 (stamped), Jacob Dennis, FamilySearch, accessed July 7, 2024 He was the fourth of at least ten children of John Jacob Dennis (1790-1867)[4]Find A Grave, “John Jacob Denius,” Memorial ID 86899416, Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, Sandusky County, Ohio, accessed July 6, 2024 and Judith Altenderfer. The family was Pennsylvania German (also known as Pennsylvania Dutch), and Franklin would have grown up speaking Pennsylvania German. The “Dennis” surname is an anglicization that was not typically used in records when the family was in Pennsylvania. Instead, the name was most frequently listed as “Denius” or “Dinius.” For this article, the “Dennis” spelling will be used.
On April 15, 1840, Franklin’s grandfather, John Dennis, purchased 132 acres of land in Turbot Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.[5]Northumberland County (Pennsylvania) Recorder of Deeds, “Deed book, v. CC,” page 225, John Dinius land purchase from David Lilly and Lydia Lilly, recorded March 28, 1842, FamilySearch, … Continue reading[6]Northumberland County (Pennsylvania) Recorder of Deeds, “Deed book, v. CC,” page 227, John Dinius land purchase from David Lilly and Lydia Lilly, recorded March 28, 1842, FamilySearch, … Continue reading The 1840 United States Census lists Franklin’s family living there, with three members of the family working in agriculture and one in manufacturing.[7]“United States Census, 1840,” Turbot Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, page 125, Jacob Denius, FamilySearch, accessed July 7, 2024 1840 also brought the birth of Franklin’s youngest sibling, Henry Harrison Dennis[8]Find A Grave, “Henry H Dennis,” Memorial ID 86903093, Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, Sandusky County, Ohio, accessed July 13, 2024; he was likely named for William Henry Harrison, the Whig candidate for President in 1840, which indicates that Jacob Dennis was probably a Whig.
The early 1840s brough a lot of changes to the family. John Dennis, Franklin’s grandfather, died on December 4, 1841[9]“Pennsylvania Cemetery Records, ca. 1700-ca. 1950,” John Dinius burial record, died December 4, 1841, buried December 14, 1841, FamilySearch, accessed July 7, 2024, leaving his farm in the hands of Jacob. The family’s finances were not in great shape, though, and 100 acres of the farm was listed as being for sale by the county sheriff in December 1842.[10]“Sheriff’s Sales,” Sunbury American (Sunbury, Pennsylvania), December 24, 1842, Newspapers.com, accessed July 13, 2024 An agreement between Jacob Dennis and Dr. Bonham R. Gearhart appears to have prevented the loss of the farm through the sheriff’s sale, but Jacob was forced to sell the entirety of the land his father had purchased in Northumberland County in February, 1843, with the stipulation that he would vacate the farm by April 1, 1843.[11]Northumberland County (Pennsylvania) Recorder of Deeds, “Deed book, v. DD,” page 134, Bonham R. Gearhart land purchase from Jacob Dinius, recorded March 1, 1843, FamilySearch, accessed … Continue reading More directly impactful to Franklin in the early 1840s, however, was the death of his mother.
Exactly when Judith Dennis died is not clear. It was sometime between the birth of Henry Harrison Dennis in March, 1840, and May, 1842. Judith’s brother Philip had died either on November 8, 1841[12]Berks County (Pennsylvania) Register of Wills, “Estate Files, 1752-1915,” Estate of Philip Altenderfer, 1842, FamilySearch, accessed July 7, 2024 or February 8, 1842[13]Find A Grave, “Philip Altendorfer,” Memorial ID 98340152, Zion Moselem Lutheran Church Cemetery, Moselem, Berks County, Pennsylvania, accessed July 7, 2024–court records and his gravestone disagree. Philip Altenderfer died with a fairly substantial estate. He had no children, and his widow died shortly after he did. His estate was then to be divided between his surviving siblings and the children of his deceased siblings. A court filing on May 16, 1842 lists all of the heirs, and it states that Judith was deceased, and lists her children: “…and the children of Judith who was intermarried with Jacob Dinius, to wit Anderson, Isabelle, John, Franklin, Uriah, Charles, Maria, William, Alfred, and Harrison, the last nine of whom are still in their minority, and all reside in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.”[14]Berks County (Pennsylvania) Register of Wills, “Estate Files, 1752-1915,” Estate of Philip Altenderfer, 1842, FamilySearch, accessed July 7, 2024
Following the loss of their farm in Northumberland County, Jacob and most of the children headed west, ending up in Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio. There is no record that can pinpoint the date of their arrival in Wood County. The first record of Jacob in Troy Township is from October 13, 1846, when he was listed as a voter in an election.[15]Wood County (Ohio) Board of Elections, “Poll books and tally sheets 1821-1873,” Poll book for the election held in Troy Township on October 13, 1846, voter 19, “Jacob … Continue reading
On April 12, 1848, Benjamin Franklin Dennis married Sarah Jane Smith in Wood County.[16]“Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016,” Franklin Dennis and Sarah Smith marriage record, April 12, 1848, Wood County, Ohio, page 275, FamilySearch, accessed July 14, 2024 Like Franklin, Sarah (1830-1895)[17]Find A Grave, “Sarah Jane Smith Chamberlain Dennis,” Memorial ID 77671595, Troy Township Cemetery, Luckey, Wood County, Ohio, accessed July 14, 2024 was a Pennsylvania native and a resident of Troy Township, having moved there in 1834.[18]Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1897), page 1104 (Biography of George W. Smith), HathiTrust, accessed July 14, 2024 At the time of their marriage, Franklin was about 22 years old, and Sarah was about 18 years old. About fifteen months later, their first child, Mary Ann Dennis, was born.[19]Find A Grave, “Mary Ann Dennis Sawyer,” Memorial ID 192987253, New Belleville Ridge Cemetery, Dowling, Wood County, Ohio, accessed July 2, 2024
The 1850 United States Census lists Franklin, Sarah, and Mary Ann living in Troy Township, where Franklin was a carpenter. They were listed as not owning any real estate at the time. Franklin’s 10-year-old brother Henry Harrison Dennis was also living with them. Next door to them was Sarah’s brother Aaron Smith.[20]“United States Census, 1850,” Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio, page 217 (stamped), dwelling 1521, family 1545, Benjamin F. Dennis, FamilySearch, accessed July 14, 2024
Franklin and Sarah had four more children in the 1850s. Malinda was born in August, 1852.[21]Find A Grave, “Malinda Frances Dennis Goodell,” Memorial ID 113422661, Troy Township Cemetery, Luckey, Wood County, Ohio, accessed July 2, 2024 William, their first son, was born in August, 1853.[22]“Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952,” William J. Dennis death record, April 16, 1928, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, FamilySearch, accessed July 2, 2024 Nellie followed in March, 1856.[23]Find A Grave, “Nellie E. Dennis LaFarree,” Memorial ID 104132807, Fort Meigs Cemetery, Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio, accessed July 2, 2024 The youngest of their five children, Benjamin Franklin Dennis, Jr., was born in 1858.[24]“United States Census, 1870,” Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio, page 8 (penned), dwelling 54, family 52, Franklin Dennis, FamilySearch, accessed July 13, 2024
In April, 1856, Franklin purchased a 79.99 acre farm in Troy Township. This farm, described as Road Tract 61 of the Western Reserve and Maumee Road Lands, was about two miles northeast of the village of Luckey. Today, this lot is bounded by U.S. Highway 20, Pemberville Road, and Recker Road–about half a mile east of the unincorporated community of Lemoyne.[25]Wood County (Ohio) Recorder, “Deed records, v. O, 1856-1857,” B. F. Dennis land purchase from Frederick Gebhart, recorded November 24, 1856, FamilySearch, accessed July 14, 2024 In 1860, this property showed up on the list of properties in the county with delinquent taxes; the land was assessed at $519, and Franklin owed a total of $13.82 in taxes and late payment penalty for 1859 and 1860.[26]“List of Delinquent Lands,” Perrysburg Journal (Perrysburg, Ohio), December 27, 1860, Newspapers.com, accessed July 14, 2024
The 1860 United States Census lists Franklin, Sarah, and their five children living in Troy Township, where Franklin was a farmer. It lists Franklin as possessing $1400 in real estate (almost triple the county’s assessment) and $150 in personal estate. Also living with them was Sarah’s sister Amanda, who married Franklin’s brother Alfred Dennis that year.[27]“United States Census, 1860,” Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio, page 19 (penned), dwelling 126, family 127, Benjamin Dennis, FamilySearch, accessed July 14, 2024
In the first part of 1862, Franklin was suffering from some sort of illness, resulting in $56.51 in medical expenses.[28]Wood County (Ohio) Probate Court, “Estate files, 1820-1870,” Estate file 528, Estate of Benjamin Franklin Dennis, FamilySearch, accessed July 4, 2024 The doctor’s efforts were unsuccessful, however, and Benjamin Franklin Dennis died on June 10, 1862, at just 35 years of age. He was buried in Woodville Cemetery just across the county line in Sandusky County.[29]“Benjamin Franklin Dennis,” Memorial ID 86899428, Find A Grave, accessed September 6, 2021
Family legend
Somewhere around 1999 or 2000, I had a conversation with my cousin Eleanor (LaFarree) Eiseman (1920-2002)–a great-grandchild of Franklin and Sarah. She shared a rather sweet story about Sarah. In her later years, Sarah was walking between Perrysburg and Luckey on a moonless night. Someone crossed her path and asked her if she needed a lantern. Sarah responded, saying that the spirit of her deceased husband (Franklin) was lighting the path for her and was all the light she needed.
Children
Benjamin Franklin Dennis and Sarah Jane Smith had five children:
- Mary Ann Dennis (1849-1926)[30]Find A Grave, “Mary Ann Dennis Sawyer,” Memorial ID 192987253, New Belleville Ridge Cemetery, Dowling, Wood County, Ohio, accessed July 2, 2024 married Edgar Sawyer (1847-1929)[31]Find A Grave, “Edgar Lorenzo Sawyer,” Memorial ID 193383837, New Belleville Ridge Cemetery, Dowling, Wood County, Ohio, accessed July 2, 2024 around 1872. They lived in Perrysburg Township, Wood County, Ohio, where they farmed.[32]“United States Census, 1900,” Perrysburg Township, Wood County, Ohio, E.D. 151, sheet 1A (penned), page 69A (stamped), dwelling 6, family 6, Mary A. Sawyer, FamilySearch, accessed July … Continue reading
- Malinda Frances Dennis (1852-1928)[33]Find A Grave, “Malinda Frances Dennis Goodell,” Memorial ID 113422661, Troy Township Cemetery, Luckey, Wood County, Ohio, accessed July 2, 2024 married Marion Goodell (1844-1927)[34]Find A Grave, “Pvt Marion Goodell,” Memorial ID 113421507, Troy Township Cemetery, Luckey, Wood County, Ohio, accessed July 2, 2024 on November 2, 1870.[35]“Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016,” Marion Goodell and Malinda Dennis marriage record, November 2, 1870, Wood County, Ohio, page 253, FamilySearch, accessed July 13, 2024 They lived in Troy Township, where they farmed[36]“United States Census, 1880,” Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio, E.D. 100, page 27 (penned), page 254C (stamped), dwelling 241, family 258, Melinda Goodell, FamilySearch, accessed July 13, … Continue reading and later ran a hotel.[37]“United States Census, 1910,” Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio, E.D. 209, sheet 4A (penned), page 275A (stamped), dwelling 72, family 72, Malinda Goodell, FamilySearch, accessed July 13, … Continue reading
- William J. Dennis (1853-1928)[38]“Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952,” William J. Dennis death record, April 16, 1928, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, FamilySearch, accessed July 2, 2024 married Mary A. Walker on June 14, 1881.[39]“Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925,” W. J. Dennis and Mary A. Walker marriage record, June 14, 1881, Branch County, Michigan, volume 2, page 378, record 204, FamilySearch, accessed July 13, … Continue reading They moved slightly west to Paulding County, Ohio, where they farmed.[40]“United States Census, 1900,” Jackson Township, Paulding County, Ohio, E.D. 52, sheet 1A (penned), page 191A (stamped), dwelling 8, family 9, William J. Dennis, FamilySearch, accessed … Continue reading
- Nellie Eliza Dennis (1856-1945)[41]Find A Grave, “Nellie E. Dennis LaFarree,” Memorial ID 104132807, Fort Meigs Cemetery, Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio, accessed July 2, 2024 married John Henry LaFarree (1859-1938)[42]Find A Grave, “John Henry LaFarree,” Memorial ID 104132846, Fort Meigs Cemetery, Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio, accessed July 2, 2024 on December 2, 1878.[43]“Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016,” John La Farre and Nellie Dennis marriage record, December 2, 1878, Wood County, Ohio, page 432, record 1295, FamilySearch, accessed July 13, 2024 They lived in Perrysburg, where John was a contractor.[44]“United States Census, 1900,” Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio, E.D. 153, sheet 10B (penned), page 104B (stamped), dwelling 251, family 265, Nellie E. La Farree, FamilySearch, accessed July … Continue reading
- Benjamin Franklin Dennis (1858-?)[45]“United States Census, 1870,” Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio, page 8 (penned), dwelling 54, family 52, Franklin Dennis, FamilySearch, accessed July 13, 2024 is last recorded in the 1870 United States Census. His whereabouts after 1870 are unknown.
Records
Census records
- 1850 U.S. Census, Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio
- 1860 U.S. Census, Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio
Voting records (Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio)
Date | Name | Voter Number |
---|---|---|
1849-04-02 | Franklin [unclear] | 34 |
1850-04-01 | Franklin Denis | 45 |
1852-10-12 | Franklin Denis | 58 |
1853-10-11 | B. F. Denis | 74 |
1857-10-13 | Franklin Dinius | 62 |
1858-10-12 | B. F. Dennis | 41 |
1861-10-08 | B. F. Dinius | 69 |
Tax records (Troy Township, Wood County, Ohio)
Year | Page | Owner | Value | Taxes (State, County, etc.) | Taxes (Road) | Taxes (Special) | Taxes (Total) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1850 | 143 | Dennis, Franklin | 30 | $0.408 | $0.09 | $0 | $0.498 |
Property records (Wood County, Ohio)
Deed Date | Record Date | Grantor | Grantee | Volume | Page | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1856-04-28 | 1856-11-24 | Frederick Gebhart | B. F. Dennis | O | 258 | Tract 61 in Township 6 North of Range 12 East, containing 79.99 acres |
1863-03-11 | 1863-04-20 | Sarah J. Denius, Administratrix of B. F. Denius, deceased | Alfred Denius | V | 301 | The North half of Road Tract 61 of the Western Reserve and Maumee Road Lands in Troy Township, containing 39.995 acres |
Probate records
Benjamin Franklin Dennis did not leave a will, but his estate record does include an inventory of his goods and chattels:[46]Wood County (Ohio) Probate Court, “Estate files, 1820-1870,” Estate file 528, Estate of Benjamin Franklin Dennis, FamilySearch, accessed July 4, 2024
Item | Appraised Value |
---|---|
1 yoke of oxen | $65.00 |
1 cow | $12.00 |
1 two year old steer | $8.00 |
3 yearling steers | $15.00 |
1 yearling heifer | $6.00 |
2 tons clover hay | $10.00 |
2 tons coarse hay | $6.00 |
1 ton clover, second crop | $4.00 |
1 patch potatoes | $3.00 |
1 patch buckwheat | $3.00 |
1 plow | $3.00 |
1 hay fork and rake | $0.38 |
log chains | $2.50 |
harrow | $2.00 |
13 hogs | $20.00 |
1 ax and 2 wedges | $1.00 |
1 gun | $20.00 |
1 chest carpenter tools | $25.00 |
1 dulcimer | $5.00 |
1 cupboard | $3.00 |
1 clock | $2.00 |
1 grindstone | $1.50 |
Total | $216.38 |
References