Ebenezer Pennock

Notes:

taken from History of Barry County w/Biographies (1912)

EBENEZER PENNOCK

Ebenezer Pennock, or as he is more commonly called, Eben Pennock, was born in the town of Rushford, Alleghany County, New York, January 4, 1824.His parents were of English ancestry and came to New York from near Montpelier, Vermont.Mr. Pennock was the fourth child in a family of eleven.He had five own brothers, two own sisters, two half-brothers and one half-sister.
Mr. Pennock?s boyhood days were spent in much the same manner as those of most sons of the pioneers of Western New York.His parents were very poor and his opportunities for getting an education were very limited.The public schools of his time were supported on the rate bill plan and his parents were too poor to pay their share of the bill.Mr. Pennock says that even when he did go to school he often took his dinner basket and went apart from the rest of the pupils to eat his dinner, being ashamed of his meager lunch.At the early age of 12 he was bound out by his parents to work during the summer season at $4 per month.
On the 14th of October, 1843, he was happily married to Miss Elvira Farwell, of Rushford.As showing that neither Mr. Pennnock nor his bride were very far along the road to wealth and prosperity, it is related that Mrs. Pennock?s bridal costume was of calico and that Mr. Pennock had to borrow $1 to get this license and pay the magistrate.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pennock resolved to join the general movement which was at that time being made toward settling the newly admitted state of Michigan, and after saving up money for the enterprise, on July 14, 1844, they started overland for Michigan.Their outfit consisted of two decrepit old horses, a democrat wagon, $10.50 in cash, and the few goods, provisions and cooking utensils necessary to the journey.The entire trip consumed fifteen days.
Their final destination was the home of Mr. Pennock?s brother in what is now Richland, Kalamazoo County.Here they found a hearty welcome and almost immediately began to plan to set up housekeeping for themselves.They first lived in a rented house containing one room, for which they paid an annual rental of $8.

Both worked out to secure money and goods to furnish the house and to get the necessaries of life.During their first winter in Michigan Mr. Pennock cut four-foot wood at 31 cents per cord and later in the same winter he cut eight cords of four-foot wood at 25 cents a cord to buy himself a new axe.
After looking over the country a bit Mr. Pennock pre-empted 40 acres of land on Section 17 in Barry Township, and to this place they removed in December, 1845, and began the work of carving out their fortunes in real earnest.There was no house upon the land they had purchased and so they found shelter in the house of a neighbor until they could build upon their own land.
While this record as it now reads would lead one to suppose that not many misfortunes came to Mr. and Mrs. Pennock during these early days, yet such was not the case.Sickness and accidents befell them frequently but could not quench their ambition and determination to succeed.
Wild animals gave Mr. and Mrs. Pennock much trouble in their efforts to get together the necessary equipment of live stock.Wolves and bears were especially troublesome.During the summer of 1846 Mr. Pennock worked out most of the time, receiving as pay for his summer?s work a cow, ten sheep and a pair of steer calves.These were kept during the winter without accident, but one day in the following spring, Mr. Pennock upon return from exchanging work with a neighbor, found the sheep had been killed by the wolves.An inventory of his losses would make the farmer of today absolutely disheartened.
In 1847 Mr. Pennock put out 17 acres of wheat on his new farm and upon the prospects for a crop he borrowed $50, with which he made the overland trip to Kalamazoo and paid for his land at the government land office there at the rate of $1.25 per acre.
Mr. Pennock remained on this piece of land for a few years until he had cleared it up, and then he purchased the first 80 acres of the farm near Hickory Corners now owned by his nephew, Alvah Pennock.
Here Mr. and Mrs. Pennock lived for 33 years, and here they fought out the stern battle of life, earning that substantial competence which is enabling them to pass their last days amid the comforts that old age so much appreciates, and which enables them to contribute to the support of the church and its affiliated organizations.

The first place owned by Mr. and Mrs. Pennock in the vicinity of Hastings, was the house just north of their present home.Here they lived for three years, but Mr. Pennock became very much dissatisfied owing to the complete change in his mode of life.He had always been accustomed to hard work and could not accommodate himself to the change.So he disposed of this property and purchased the farm in South Hastings, now occupied by W. L. Pennock.Here they lived but one year when they purchased the place upon which they now live and immediately removed to it.There they have lived for the past 36 years.
No children of their own have come to Mr. and Mrs. Pennock, but they have given a home to other children who tenderly venerate and respect the dear old foster mother and father who so kindly took them in and cared for them in days gone by.Mrs. Maria Tolles, deceased; Mrs. Etta Barnaby, of Hastings; Mrs. Ella Rolfe, of Michigan City; W. L. Pennock, of South Hastings, also Mrs. Iva Bedford, of Seattle, Wash., make up the list of those who have been reared under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Pennock.
To write the religious history of Mr. and Mrs. Pennock would require a careful review of practically their whole lives.In 1850 they became members of the Wesleyan Methodist church of Barry Township, and have ever since been identified with this denomination except for a space of three years when they were members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Hastings City.The church of their choice has always had their most hearty support and their most loyal service.Even at their present advanced age each returning Sabbath morning sees them at their place of worship four miles distant.As had been truly said of them, ?They have ever been true defenders of the gospel of Christ and liberal supporters of His church.?

Died:
Uremia

Ebenezer married Elvira Farwell on 14 Oct 1843 in New York, USA. Elvira was born on 15 Dec 1822 in Vermont, USA; died on 29 May 1916 in Hastings, Michigan, USA; was buried in North Hickory Cemetery, Barry Township, Barry County, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Maria May Pennock was born in 1845 in Michigan, USA; died on 12 Oct 1893 in Kansas, USA; was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Clay County, Kansas, United States.
2. Ella A. Pennock was born on 27 Aug 1857 in Michigan, USA; died on 13 May 1920 in Tacoma, Washington, USA; was buried in Tacoma Cemetery, Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, United States.
3. William L. Pennock was born on 7 Feb 1860 in Hickory Corners, Michigan, USA; died on 19 Sep 1934 in Big Rapids, Michigan, USA; was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, United States.
4. Etta Rosalie Pennock was born on 22 Oct 1866 in Michigan, USA; died on 9 Mar 1944 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Ebenezer married Clara Clarissa Benjamin on 6 Dec 1813 in Berlin, Vermont, USA. Clara (daughter of Josiah Benjamin and Lucy Banning) was born on 11 Mar 1795 in Berlin, Vermont, USA; died on 11 Dec 1883 in Barry County, Michigan, USA; was buried in North Hickory Cemetery, Barry Township, Barry County, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ira married Molly Polly Trowbridge on 26 Jan 1786 in Strafford, Vermont, USA. Molly was born in 1767 in New Milford, Litchfield, Connecticut, USA; died on 4 Mar 1861 in Strafford, Vermont, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Maj. Josiah BENJAMIN, son of William, was born in Ashburnham, Mass., June 19, 1769. October 10, 1791, he married Lucy BANNING. In November, 1793, he removed from Woodstock to Berlin and settled on lot 5, in the second range. In February, 1795, he removed to lot 5, third range, and April 26, 1800, he made his permanent home on lot 1, first range, and first division, of the township, where his grandson S. W. BENJAMIN now lives, and, where he died January 26, 1836. His wife, Lucy, died October 26, 1844. Their children were Lucy, born in Woodstock, April 22, 1792; Clara, born March 8, 1795: Ozias, born April 13, 1797; Sally, born in May, 1798; Josiah, born November 28, 1801, died November 15, 1803; Josiah, born July 6, 1803; Eliza, born July 31, 1805; Matilda, born March 26, 1807; and Hannah, born July so, 1811. Maj. Benjamin succeeded Eleazer Hubbard on lot 1, which includes Benjamin falls on Pond brook. Mr. HUBBARD had erected the first saw-mill and grist-mill in Berlin at the falls, about 1791 or '92. Maj. Benjamin rebuilt the mills near the foot of the falls and kept them up for many years. He was always a farmer, and a man of great energy. He was the major of the state militia, and went with his command to Plattsburgh in September, 1814, but did not reach that place until after the battle had been fought, on Sunday, September 11, 1814, and a signal victory won. In religion he was a Congregationalist, and a member of that church. In politics he was an earnest worker in the "Old Line Whig" party, and prominent in town affairs. Maj. BENJAMIN was succeeded on the homestead by his son Josiah, who married Rebecca EMERSON, December 25, 1827. Their children are Chauncey E., Lucy Ann, John E., Charles K., Philena R., Samuel Webster, Ira A., and Elizabeth B. Josiah Benjamin, Jr., was a very successful farmer and gave to each of his sons $1,000, and to each of his daughters $500, on their wedding day. Mr. BENJAMIN was a constant and regular attendant at the Congregational church, began in politics with the Whig party, joined the ranks of the Republican party at its organization, and was in every respect an honest, upright, and respected citizen. He represented Berlin in the state legislature and held other offices of responsibility and trust in his town. He died October 4, 1884. His wife died in December, 1873. Chauncey E. BENJAMIN, born February 1, 1829, married Lucy J. STANWOOD, January 22, 1846, and resides in Malden, Mass., where he is engaged in the express business, and employs sixteen men and twenty six horses. Lucy Ann, born April 2, 1831, married E. E. ANDREWS, September 13, 1843, a farmer and nurseryman, and resides in her native town. John E. BENJAMIN, born July 19, 1833, married Sarah F. PERRIN, November 8, 1858, and resides on a fine farm near the old homestead. Besides giving his attention to his farm he has served his town as their representative in the state legislature, and as lister, but declined to be selectman. His son Forest E. graduated at Barre Academy, and is now a commercial traveler in the vicinity of Boston, and resides at Malden, Mass. He was elected captain of the Walden militia at a younger age than any who ever held the position. The only daughter of John E. BENJAMIN, Myrtie S., also graduated at Barre Academy and is a teacher. Charles K. BENJAMIN, born November 20, 1836, married Emeline S. GOODHUE, March 11, 1861, has been a farmer and is now a granite worker in Barre. Philena R., born July 18, 1839, married Eleazer HOUSE, December 22, 1859. Mr. HOUSE is a farmer in Berlin. Samuel Webster BENJAMIN, born May 2, 1842, married Edna L. Downing, March 2, 1865, and settled on the old homestead. He is now chairman of the board of selectmen and has been one of its members several years. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin have one daughter. Ira A. BENJAMIN, born January 26, 1845, married Emma F. DODGE, September 22, 1867. He is a reliable citizen of Berlin, a successful farmer, and is blessed with three sons. Elizabeth B., born November 3, 1847, married Abel H. Stewart, a farmer of Berlin, April 4, 1867.

Gazetteer Of Washington County, Vt. 1783-1899,
Compiled and Published by Hamilton Child,
Edited By William Adams.
The Syracuse Journal Company, Printers and Binders.
Syracuse, N. Y.; April, 1889.
Pages 185 – 201

Josiah married Lucy Banning on 10 Oct 1791 in South Woodstock, Vermont, USA. Lucy (daughter of William Banning and Lucy Tiffany) was born on 8 May 1770 in Lyme, Connecticut, USA; died on 22 Oct 1845 in Berlin, Vermont, USA; was buried in East Road Cemetery, Berlin, Washington County, Vermont, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Margaret Seeley in 1760 in Goshen, Litch County, Connecticut, USA. Margaret was born on 17 Dec 1741 in New Milford, Litchfield, Connecticut, USA; died on 9 Oct 1811 in Strafford, Vermont, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Sarah ?. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Lucy Tiffany about 1769. Lucy (daughter of Nathan Tiffany) was born about 1742 in Lyme, Connecticut, USA; died about 1787 in Lyme, Connecticut, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]