Brief Life History of Alva
When Alva Benson was born on 13 December 1799, in DeRuyter, DeRuyter, Madison, New York, United States, his father, Benjamin Benson, was 26 and his mother, Keziah Messenger, was 20. He married Cynthia Vail on 11 August 1820, in Clark, Indiana, United States. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 4 daughters. He lived in Clinton, Indiana, United States in 1830 and McLean, Illinois, United States in 1840. He registered for military service in 1853. He died on 19 October 1883, in Hyrum, Cache, Utah, United States, at the age of 83, and was buried in Hyrum City Cemetery, Hyrum, Cache, Utah, United States.
Photos and Memories (73)
Do you know Alva? Do you have a story about him that you would like to share? Sign In or Create a FREE Account
Family Time Line
Sources (84)
- Alvey Benson, "United States Census, 1840"
- BIRTH: NY, Alva Benson, "Record of Benjamin Benson's Family", Polly Benson Bartholomew Family Bible
- 1820 Marriage: Alvah Benson, "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007"
Spouse and Children
Children (10)
+5 More Children
Parents and Siblings
Siblings (13)
+8 More Children
World Events (8)
1800 · Movement to Washington D.C.
While the growth of the new nation was exponential, the United States didn’t have permanent location to house the Government. The First capital was temporary in New York City but by the second term of George Washington the Capital moved to Philadelphia for the following 10 years. Ultimately during the Presidency of John Adams, the Capital found a permanent home in the District of Columbia.
1816
Indiana is the 19th state.
1827 · Slavery Becomes Illegal in New York State
During the years 1799 to 1827, New York went through a period of gradual emancipation. A Gradual Emancipation Law was passed in 1799 which freed slave children born after July 4, 1799. However, they were indentured until 25 years old for women and 28 years old for men. A law passed 1817 which freed slaves born before 1799, yet delayed their emancipation for ten years. All remaining slaves were freed in New York State on July 4, 1827.
Name Meaning
English: patronymic from the medieval personal name Ben(ne), a pet form of Benedict (see Benn ) + -son.
English: habitational name from a place in Oxfordshire named Benson, from Old English Benesingtūn ‘settlement (Old English tūn) associated with Benesa’, a personal name of obscure origin, perhaps a derivative of Bana meaning ‘slayer’.
Americanized form of any of various Scandinavian patronymics from the personal name Bengt, Bendt, etc., Scandinavian forms of Benedict , e.g. Swedish Bengtsson , Danish Bendtsen, Danish and Norwegian Bentsen . Compare Bensen 2.
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
Possible Related NamesStory Highlight
Alva Benson Life Sketch
I am now in my 80th year, writing these records without glasses. I was born December 13, 1799, in Onondaga County, New York, in the town of Disitis [probably Fabius]. I was the son of Benjamin Bens …
Discover Even More
As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story.