Brief Life History of Benajah
When Benajah Valentine was born on 24 February 1831, in Michigan, United States, his father, John Valentine Jr., was 36 and his mother, Amanda Fay, was 28. He married Mary Jane Caswell before 1858. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Lansing Township, Ingham, Michigan, United States in 1870 and Lansing, New Hope, Bucks, Pennsylvania, United States in 1880. He died on 31 May 1894, in Clyde Township, Allegan, Michigan, United States, at the age of 63, and was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Lansing, Ingham, Michigan, United States.
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Family Time Line
Sources (26)
- Bennajah Valentine, "United States Census, 1870"
- Bennajah Valentine, "Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897"
- Barmafah Valentine in entry for Mina M. Reeves, "Michigan Deaths, 1867-1897"
Spouse and Children
Parents and Siblings
World Events (8)
1832 · The Black Hawk War
Convinced that a group of Native American tribes were hostile, The United States formed a frontier militia to stop them in their tracks. Even though Black Hawk was hoping to avoid bloodshed while trying to resettle on tribal land, U.S. officials opened fire on the Native Americans. Black Hawk then responded to this confrontation by successfully attacking the militia at the Battle of Stillman's Run and then left northward. After a few months the militia caught up with Black Hawk and his men and defeated them at the Battle of Wisconsin Heights. While being weakened by hunger, injuries and desertion, Black Hawk and the rest of the many native survivors retreated towards the Mississippi. Unfortunately, Black Hawk and other leaders were later captured when they surrendered to the US forces and were then imprisoned for a year.
1837 · History of Clyde Township, MI.
Doubtless the first invasion by white men of the territory now occupied by Clyde was effected by Jacob Bailey and a company of laborers he brought with him for the purpose of setting up a saw-mill on section 10, in the interest of a New York land-owning firm, known as Green, Mitchell & Co. Bailey's advent occurred in 1837, and from that time until 1840 he carried on the mill and cleared land with considerable activity. In 1840, however, the company ceased operations in Clyde, and Bailey, with his men, mill, and all, disappeared from the neighborhood. Shortly after that, James Harris located on section 1, upon the Allegan and Saugatuck road, where he opened a blacksmith-shop, and Robert G. Winn temporarily located upon a place on section 6. Harris and .Winn were for five or six years the oniy white inhabitants of the township.
1854 · Creation of the Republican Party
A debate continues over the location of the creation of the Republican Party. Some sources claim the party was formed in Ripon, Wisconsin, on February 28, 1854. Others claim the first meeting of the Republican Party took place in Jackson, Michigan, on July 6, 1854, where the Republican Party was officially organized. Over 1,000 people were present and candidates were selected for the party, thus making it the first Republican convention.
Name Meaning
English and Scottish (Angus and Aberdeenshire): from the Middle English and Old French personal name Valentin, Latin Valentinus, a derivative of valens ‘strong, healthy’, which was never common in England, but is occasionally found from the end of the 12th century, probably as the result of French influence. The name was borne by a 3rd-century Christian saint and martyr, whose chief claim to fame is that his feast falls on February 14, the date of a traditional celebration of spring going back to the Roman fertility festival of Juno Februata. A 5th-century missionary bishop of Rhaetia of this name was venerated especially in southern Germany, being invoked as a patron against gout and epilepsy. In North America, this surname has absorbed cognates from other languages, e.g. German, Croatian, Czech, and Slovenian Valentin , Italian Valentino .
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
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