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Captain Benjamin Clement

Captain Benjamin Clement

Male Abt 1700 - 1780  (~ 80 years)

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  • Name Benjamin Clement 
    Title Captain 
    Born Abt 1700  King William County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Gender Male 
    Miscellaneous 24 Aug 1751  Williamsburg, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    An advertisement was made concerning land survey's to be performed, one of these exercises was to be occur about the 2 November 1751 whereby those attending were to meet at Benjamin Clement's home for surveys down the Staunton river and its branches. Notice was given to warn interested parties to attend the meetings or risk losing their rights. 
    Meeting at Benjamin Clement's concerning land surveys in the area.    		 Meeting at Benjamin Clement's concerning land surveys in the area.
    Miscellaneous Sep 1758  Lunenburg County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Note, this reference is not confirmed as belonging to this Benjamin Clement and could refer to his son by the same name or perhaps another Benjamin Clement. In September of 1758 a Benjamin Clement was paid 3 shillings for caring for a wounded soldier. 
    Miscellaneous 16 Jun 1775  Williamsburg, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Article in The Virginia Gazette 
    • The following article appeared in The Virginia Gazette describing the manufacture of gunpowder. This article only mentions Benajamin's partner, Charles Lynch, in this endeavor but additional letters and articles provide more details on the partnership between Benjamin Clement and Charles Lynch.

      Williamsburg, June 16.
      We learn from Bedford, that Major Charles Lynch, one of the representatives for that county, has brought the manufactory of gunpowder to very great perfection, and has erected a mill for that purpose. He has not yet made any great quantity, but what of it has been tried by the rifle-men is much approved of. He likewise makes saltpetre in abundance, as pure and good as ever was imported; and it is said he has discovered a sulphur mine about 50 miles from him, where more may be made than would serve the whole continent.
    Article in The Virginia Gazette concerning the manufacture of gunpowder and saltpeter by Charles Lynch.     		Article in The Virginia Gazette concerning the manufacture of gunpowder and saltpeter by Charles Lynch.
    Future articles would also mention Benjamin Clement as a partner in this endeavor.
    Miscellaneous 11 Aug 1775  Williamsburg, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Article in The Virginia Gazette 
    • To Mr. Alexander Purdie.
      Sir,
      Some time ago, my having made powder was mentioned in your paper; but, as I with for no more merit (should there be any in this) than I deserve, I inform the publick, that Mr. Benjamin Clement is a partner with me in making the powder, and that he was the first in the colony, I have heard of, who attempted to make it, although he did not bring it to perfection. Since our partnership, we have brought it to such perfection, with Saltpetre of our own making, that the best rifle-men approve of it; and, with the little mill we now have, we can make 50 lb. weight in a day. Saltpetre only is wanting, which may very easily be made, by observing the following directions; and when it is considered how much we want powder, and that saltpetre is its principle ingredient, it is hoped those who have the good of their country at heart will exert themselves in making it. Without it, we can have no powder, consequently no means of defence; but with it, we shall soon have both. I am, sir, your very humble servant,
      Charles Lynch.
    • Following the letter from Charles Lynch was a more detailed set of instructions for manufacturing saltpeter for use in gunpowder.
    Letter to Alexander Purdie, publisher/printer of The Virginia Gazette from Charles Lynch.    		 Letter to Alexander Purdie, publisher/printer of The Virginia Gazette from Charles Lynch.
    In his letter to Alexander Purdie, Charles Lynch explains that his partner in the manufacture of saltpeter and gunpowder is Benjamin Clement who, is the first person that he knows of to have manufactured gunpowder in the colony and together they have brought the gunpowder to perfection.
    Miscellaneous 13 Oct 1775  Williamsburg, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Article in The Virginia Gazette 
    • Williamsburg, October 13.
      We hear it from the best authority, that major Charles Lynch, of Bedford, has just discovered many rocks of genuine saltpetre in that county; which will remove every obstacle to that gentleman's furnishing the county with gunpowder, he having had a mill for the manufactory thereof erected for some time, with which he has already made considerable quantities.
    Article in The Virginia Gazette    		 Article in The Virginia Gazette
    Discovery of saltpeter by Charles Lynch is reported. This article would generate interest within Congress who would order that the discovery be verified.
    Miscellaneous 26 Oct 1775  [7] 
    Record of saltpeter discovery discussed in congress. 
    • Information being given to Congress, that there has been lately discovered, in the Colony of Virginia, a mineral containing a large quantity of Salt petre,

      Ordered, That the delegates of Virginia send an Express to enquire into the truth of the fact, and to bring a sample of the mineral.
    Interest in Congress over information of a discovery by Charles Lynch of the mineral, saltpeter, which was needed for the manufacture of gunpowder.    		 Interest in Congress over information of a discovery by Charles Lynch of the mineral, saltpeter, which was needed for the manufacture of gunpowder.
    Miscellaneous 20 Nov 1775  [8] 
    Charles Lynch to Thomas Jefferson, November 20, 1775, Saltpeter Deposits in Virginia 
    Charles Lynch Letter to Thomas Jefferson    		 Charles Lynch Letter to Thomas Jefferson
    Related to a partnership between Charles Lynch and Benjamin Clement in the manufacture of saltpeter and gunpowder.
    Miscellaneous 20 Nov 1775  [9] 
    Charles Lynch to Virginia Delegates in Continental Congress, November 20, 1775, Mining Saltpeter for Gun Powder 
    Charles Lynch Letter to Continental Congress    		 Charles Lynch Letter to Continental Congress
    Related to a partnership between Charles Lynch and Benjamin Clement in the manufacture of saltpeter and gunpowder.
    Died 18 Apr 1780  Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    Miscellaneous 25 Jul 1937  Richmond, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Historical Newspaper Article 
    1937 Newspaper Article with information about Benjamin Clement    		 1937 Newspaper Article with information about Benjamin Clement
    Sunday, July 25, 1937 Richmond Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA)Page 60, Newspaper Article with information about Benjamin Clement.
    Miscellaneous 24 Jan 1954  Richmond, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    Historical Newspaper Article 
    1954 Newspaper Article with information about Benjamin Clement    		 1954 Newspaper Article with information about Benjamin Clement
    Sunday, January 24, 1954 Richmond Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA) Page 81, 1954 Newspaper Article with information about Benjamin Clement
    NSDAR Ancestor Number A022963  [13] 
    Military Service (Specific) American Revolutionary War
    Service: VIRGINIA
    Rank: PATRIOTIC SERVICE
    Service Source: CLEMENT, THE HIST OF PITTSYLVANIA CO,VA, PP 144-5
    Service Description: 1) MANUFACTURER OF GUNPOWDER, 1775  [13] 
    Person ID I3691  Schimka Family Tree
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2013 

    Father William Clement,   d. Abt 1760, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F1278  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Susanna Hill,   b. Abt 1700, King and Queen County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Jan 1789, Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 89 years) 
    Married 1729  Pittsylvania County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [14] 
    Children 
     1. Stephen Clement
     2. Isaac Clement,   b. 1733, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location
     3. Adam Clement
     4. James Clement
    +5. Benjamin Clements, (Speculation - This Benjamin may not be the son of Benjamin Clements of Pittsylvania County, VA - See Notes),   b. Abt 1735, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1813, Harrison County, Kentucky Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 78 years)
     6. John Clement
     7. Rachel Clement
     8. Elizabeth Clement
     9. Susanna Clement
    Last Modified 23 Feb 2012 
    Family ID F1277  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - Abt 1700 - King William County, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 1729 - Pittsylvania County, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMiscellaneous - An advertisement was made concerning land survey's to be performed, one of these exercises was to be occur about the 2 November 1751 whereby those attending were to meet at Benjamin Clement's home for surveys down the Staunton river and its branches. Notice was given to warn interested parties to attend the meetings or risk losing their rights. - 24 Aug 1751 - Williamsburg, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMiscellaneous - Note, this reference is not confirmed as belonging to this Benjamin Clement and could refer to his son by the same name or perhaps another Benjamin Clement. In September of 1758 a Benjamin Clement was paid 3 shillings for caring for a wounded soldier. - Sep 1758 - Lunenburg County, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMiscellaneous - Article in The Virginia Gazette - 16 Jun 1775 - Williamsburg, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMiscellaneous - Article in The Virginia Gazette - 11 Aug 1775 - Williamsburg, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMiscellaneous - Article in The Virginia Gazette - 13 Oct 1775 - Williamsburg, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 18 Apr 1780 - Pittsylvania County, Virginia Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    Liberty Bell, signifying a person in an accepted NSSAR or NSDAR lineage.    		Liberty Bell, signifying a person in an accepted NSSAR or NSDAR lineage.
    The Liberty Bell displayed here simply acts as a means to easily identify a patriot recognized by the NSDAR or NSSAR who was a participant in the fight for American Independence or a person of direct, recognized lineal descent from a patriot appearing in one or more accepted applications to NSDAR or NSSAR. The image is a "marker" visible in certain tree views and serves no other purpose or meaning.

  • Notes 
    • Has private notes.
    • See the book titled: History Of Pittsylvania County Virginia by Maud Carter Clement

  • Sources 
    1. [S1127] DAR Membership Application (M856927 - A022963).
      c1700, King William County, Virginia from this source.

    2. [S1179] The Virginia Gazette, William Parks, William Hunter, Joseph Royle, Alexander Purdie, Purdie & John Dixon, Dixon & William Hunter Jr., and Dixon & Thomas Nicolson, Virginia Gazette, Hunter, August 24, 1751, page 3.

    3. [S1206] Hening's Statutes at Large, William Waller Hening, Vol. 11, p. 226.

    4. [S1178] The Virginia Gazette, Alexander Purdie, John Clarkson & Augustine Davis, Page 2, supplemental issue.

    5. [S1178] The Virginia Gazette, Alexander Purdie, John Clarkson & Augustine Davis, Issue Number 28, Page 1.

    6. [S1178] The Virginia Gazette, Alexander Purdie, John Clarkson & Augustine Davis, Page 2, Supplemental, Issue Number 37.

    7. [S1180] Journals of the Continental Congress, (Library of Congress, 1904-1937), Page 307.

    8. [S1181] The Thomas Jefferson Papers, The Thomas Jefferson Papers Series 1. General Correspondence. 1651-1827, Page 440.
      While not directly named in this and other documents, Benjamin Clement is identified by Charles Lynch as a partner in the manufacture of saltpeter and gunpowder and the first person that he knows of to have attempted the manufacture of gunpowder in the Virginia Colony.

    9. [S1181] The Thomas Jefferson Papers, The Thomas Jefferson Papers Series 1. General Correspondence. 1651-1827, Page 441.
      While not directly named in this and other documents, Benjamin Clement is identified by Charles Lynch as a partner in the manufacture of saltpeter and gunpowder and the first person that he knows of to have attempted the manufacture of gunpowder in the Virginia Colony.

    10. [S1127] DAR Membership Application (M856927 - A022963).
      ?Bef? 18 Apr 1780, Pittsylvania County, Virginia from this source.

    11. [S1182] Richmond Times Dispatch, (Richmond, VA), Page 60 (there is a 12 printed on the page image).

    12. [S1182] Richmond Times Dispatch, (Richmond, VA), Page 81 (there is an A-3 printed on the page image).

    13. [S1127] DAR Membership Application (M856927 - A022963).

    14. [S1127] DAR Membership Application (M856927 - A022963).
      c1729, Pittsylvania County, Virginia