Levi Winslow and Alvina Griffin Benson Family
The Benson roots are in New England, primarily Massachusetts. The earliest known is Elisha Benson, born 1731 in Middleborough, MA. In 1755, he married Sarah Steward, who was born in 1732. Elisha’s grandson, Levi Benson, 1790-1867, was also born in Middleborough, MA. His son, Elisha Benson, born 1821 in Vermont, married Emaline Thomas, born 1826 in MA. They were married in 1850. He was in the hotel-restaurant business in Virginia when the Civil War began; he returned to Massachusetts to enlist in the Union Army, serving from 1862-63 in Louisiana and Mississippi. Elisha and Emaline’s son, Levi Winslow Benson (1859-1941), also in the restaurant business, married Alvina Griffin in 1880. Two subsequent generations remained in the restaurant business in Bryantville, MA.
Edward and Richard Griffin came to the area of Manhattan Island from Wales in 1634. Later generations remained in the New York area (Duchess County) until fleeing with the Loyalists in 1783 to St. Johns, New Brunswick. The Griffins have a long history in New Brunswick, some living in Boiestown, Frederickton and Grand Manan Island.
Benson Family Gallery |
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![]() Plymouth, MA |
![]() Griffin Brothers and Sisters, Label on picture incorrect. Photo below has some of the same people from same occasion, ca. 1920 | |
![]() Back Row: Charles Gilbert Griffin (65) (1855-?) maybe Julie Ann Griffin or Charles' wife. she appears in 1936 Benson reunion photo. ca. 1916 |
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![]() (Photo from Bob Haraden.) |
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![]() James Albert (b.1871) & Lillian Mae Griffin about 1910 According to a story in "The Daily Gleaner", Akron, Ohio. "James lefft Green Hill, N.B. and went to live in Dexter, Maine where he married and remained until 1916. When he was offered better wages in Akron, Ohio, he moved and settled in that State. During all those years of his absene he never wrote to his family and relatives in New Brunswick. While in Ohio, two sons and a daughter were born. The daughter later married William Thompson" If that is James Albert Griffin in the picture then this would likely date the picture no later than 1916. James was born 1871 so would be about 44 years of age in photo. (Photo courtesy of Bob Haraden.) | ||
![]() Back: Merle, Madeline, Front: Ruby, Norman, Sylvia 1902 |
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![]() May 8, 1930 One of Alvina's sayings, "We'll weather the weather whatever the weather whether we like it or not." |
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![]() Seated: Norman, Sylvia, Levi, Alvina, Merle. Standing: Ruby, Tom, Ed, Madeline. Hanson, MA, |
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![]() Back left: Alvina and Levi Benson, Edmund, ? w/dog Third Row: ? M, ? W, ? M, ? M, ? Tom Shaw, ? Merle? Second Row: ? W, ? W, ? W, ? W, ? W Front: Ruby, Sylvia and Norman Benson. Thomas Shaw and Merle Benson are seated on the right middle, Madeline and Effie? are seated between Ruby and Sylvia |
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![]() Running Board: Merle & Tom Benson, Henry Howe, c. 1910 If 1910 is correct then can't be Ruth Howe. |
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![]() Front: Gladys Follansbee, Maybe Margaret E. Andrews, she married Charles in January 1916,, Charles Gordon Follansbee (1895–1975), c. 1915-1916 |
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![]() Caption on photo, "Gladys Mother Harold" another caption on picture "Aunt Jenny, Gladys-Walter-Gordon" The woman looks like Ruby Benson Brown. The caption could indicate: Gladys Esther Follansbee (1891–1951), Ruby Benson Brown(1894–1977), Harold Richmond Brown (1913–1922) about 2 years old With this identification: Year would be 1915, Gladys 24, Ruby, 21, Harold 2. Now the question is who is "Who sent the picture" Siince Harold was Ruby and Harold Foster Brown's first child the picture would have been sent by one of the later Brown children.much later than 1915. Another identification suggested by second caption: Gladys Esther Follansbee (1891–1951), Jenny Griffin Follansbee (1868–1935), Harold Richmond Brown (1913–1922) about 2 years old Gladys 24, Jenny, 47, Harold 2. This does not work as woman is far younger than 47. |
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![]() Martha Jane (Jenny) Griffin Follansbee(1868–1936) and Sylvia Avis Merrit (1906–1990) Note: Examining closely the many pictures we have of Alvina Griffin Benson (1860-1934), wife of Levi Benson, I strongly believe this is Alvina, not Jenny. |
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![]() Front kneeling: ?, Elsie Brown, Standing Lois and Doris Brown. Second Row: Madeline, Levi and Alvina Benson, Lena Benson,?,? Back: ?, Sylvia, Tom, Merle Benson, Merle's wife Lydia, ?, Florence (peeking), Follansbee?, Follansbee? , Edmund Benson, |
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![]() Hanson, MA, Levi, Sylvia, Merle, Alvina, Tom, Ruby, space for Norman, Madeline, & Edmund on Levi and Alvina's 50th Wedding Anniversary. May 8, 1930 Link to Hanson Daily Enterprise article on Mr. and Mrs Levi W. Benson Observe 50th Anniversary. |
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![]() Benson Reunion September 13, 1936 There are 30 adults in the picture and 36 on the reunion list. Names in bold have high to medium confidence. Fourth Row Standing: Elton "Bud" Brown is in the back by the left porch pole, Frank Joseph Bagnell (57) , Maude Ellen Logan Bagnell (46) (Maude's mother was Sarah Ellen Griffin who married Hugh Logan), Charles Gordon (40) and Margaret E. Follansbee (40), Edmund Benson standing by the right hand pole Row Three and one half: Ruby Benson Brown is in the almost back row in the middle (polka dot dress); Third row standing: Lois Brown is on the far left; Richard Shaw Fratus (age 26 in photo, 1910-–1973), Alice Brewer, Ralph C. Brewer, Alton Shurtlef,. Ruth Howe Shurtleff, Maude Shaw? (If Prescilla Maude Shaw, she is 53, too young for this person), maybe Clara Cook Shaw Fratus (61), Helen C. Perkins, Joseph Forcha Fratus (58), Frank W. Ramsdel (40), Helen Fratus Ramsdell, Martin Bannican, Isadora Frances Benson Bannican (daughter of Ed and Sylvia Hernandez Benson) Second Row Seated: Alice Elizabeth Bell Fratus ( age 17 in photo, 1919-2013) with 6 months old Marjorie L. Fratus, Mrs. Charles Thomas "Belle" Shaw, maybe Phebe Ann Strout Griffin (63), maybe Forest Colon Griffin (59), Amelia Griffin Shaw, Levi Benson, Maybe Priscilla Maude Shaw, Frank Joseph Griffin (69), Sylvia Hernandez Benson (spouse of Edmund Benson) Front Row, Doris Ramsdell (13-14), Shirley Ramsdell (11), George Shurtleff (5), son of Ruth Howe Shurleff (age 6), Barbara Fratus (age 6), Doris Brown is on the grass in the front right Others present : Forest C. (59) and Phoebe (63) Griffin from Cambridge, Mrs. Florence Dewhurst, Austin Shaw (43). and Mildred N. (44) Fratus and child Barbara A. (born 1930, age 6 in picture), Plymouth., Marion N. Stott (40), Brookline, MA, Mrs Effie M. Logan Stott (58) (wife of Thomas H. Stott) Mr. and Mrs Joseph Forcha (52) Fratus (In 1940 census a Joseph F. (born 1878). and Clara Cook Shaw (born 1875) Fratus have a border, Benjamin Shurtleff in their home. Clara is the daughter of Thaddeus P. and Amelia Shaw, they married in 1900), Mr. and Mrs Richard Shaw (1910–1973) and Alice Elizabeth Bell Fratus and Marjorie L. (Simpson)(March 28, 1936–2017), Rockland; MA. Mr and Mrs Martin and Isadore Frances Benson Bannican, Whitman, MA; Frank Joseph Griffin (69) 1891 Canada census is below. He is born in Nova Scotia. He came to US in 1902 and was naturalized in 1915. He worked on the docks in Boston. His wife is Mary Ellen Griffin. Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Ramsdell and children (two daughters). |
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![]() Guest list, Benson Reunion, September 13, 1936. |
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![]() Death Certificat for Merle Benson's first wife, Lettie Collins Benson. born 1886 and died April 21, 19644 at Maplecrest Nursing Home, Plymouth, MA |
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![]() Forest C.(1876–1956) and Phoebe Griffin with children John B. Griffin (1898–1912) and Evelyn Bernice Griffin (Grimes) (1901–1991) from Cambridge, Forest was the son of John and Ida Griffin. John was the son of Thomas and Leah Savage Griffin. Forest siblings included Mabel and Eugene Foster Griffin |
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![]() Phoebe Ann Strout Griffin |
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![]() Levi and daughter Ruby Benson and cousin Bill Griffin (big game hunter from Frederickton and New Brunswick). c. 1934. |
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![]() Benson Cousins, 1916, Back, l-r, Ruby Benson (1911), standing, and Madeline Benson (1915) is the baby on lap of Isadora Benson ( (1903) and Hosea (1901), sitting holding Elton Brown (1915) ; Frances Anna Benson, sitting (1907) Ruth Howe, standing (1912) Front: Harold (1913, playsuit), and Elsie Brown (1914 on pillow) Relationships: Ruby, Madeline and Frances are are children of Merle and Letiticia Benson's children) Isadora and Hosea Benson are children of Ed and Sylvia Benson Ruth Howe is daughter of (Henry and Madeline Benson Howe( Harold, Elsie and Elton and children of Harold Foster and Ruby Benson Brown Photo about 1915-1916 |
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![]() Adults: Back 5th Row: Tom, Lena (Tom’s Wife), Alvina Griffin Benson, Ruby Benson Brown Fourth Row: Madeline Benson Howe, Frances Anna Benson 1907)
ca 1918 |
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![]() Front Row: R to L: ?, Elsie, Doris, Lois, Florence Brown |
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![]() Merle was Ruby Benson Brown’s brother |
![]() Tom was Ruby Benson Brown’s brother. |
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![]() Lydia was Merle’s second wife. Married after 1930. | |
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![]() Daughter of Ed and Sylvia Benson |
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![]() Son of Hosea Delano Benson (1900-80) |
![]() Son of Hosea Delano Benson (1900-80) | |
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![]() Hosea's Restaurant, Hosea Benson in doorway, Pembroke, MA, 1950s |
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![]() Elwilda (Alwilda) Blanche (“Lillian” Griffin Brewer-12/7/1861-1/1/1920 |
![]() Lillian was an aunt of Ruby Benson and wife of Chester Brewer. | |
![]() Back row: Ralph (Feb. 21, 1889--July 6, 1951), Irving (Dec. 27, 1883--April 24, 1966), Harold (March 4, 1881-May 19, 1952) Front: Shirley--(Aug. 6, 1890-May 10, 1934), Sylvia--(Oct. 22, 1899--Oct. 17, 2002), Reginald--(July 21, 1901--Jan. 17, 1950) |
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![]() L to R: Bud Brown, Pat Winter, Ed Benson, Nancy Winter, Judy Caldarone, Bob Winter, Becky Brown, Hosea Benson (proprietor, son of Ed Benson), Sandy Winter, Lois Winter, Martha Brown–at Hosea's restaurant in Bryantville, MA. Bud, Hosea, and Lois were cousins. |
![]() w/ pictures of their sons, Bob and Billy, 1956 | |
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![]() Hutchinson Family: Backrow: William Henry, Marcella Joune Milton, Alexander (4 months). Front Row: Willam (10), Robert (6), Edwin (8) |
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![]() 1947 Cuban Rum Factory Trip, L to R at right end: Ruby Benson Brown, Lois Brown Winter and Sylvia Benson Cole. During this trip the weather in Havana was very hot, so the factory had made available a punch at various points on the tour for the convenience of the tourist. Ruby Brown indulged quite liberally. As a teetotaler, she failed to recognize the presence of the rum in the punch. By the end of the tour she was quite inebriated and male members of the tour and rum factory staff had to lift her onto the bus. Several years ago we told the story to the proprietor of the Cuban restaurant, El Meson, in Rice Village in Houston. They decided they would create a rum drink and call it the "Ruby Brown." We haven't been back to see if they did so. | ||
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![]() Great-uncle of Sylvia Hernandez Benson, Husband of Hannah Read Holt |
![]() Great-aunt of Sylvia Hernandez Benson |
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![]() Great-uncle of Sylvia Hernadez Benson |
![]() Wife of Louis M. Bailey, Jr. Great-aunt of Sylvia Hernandez Benson | |
![]() Daughter of Olivier B. & Hannah Read Delano |
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![]() Daughter of David and Martha (or Sylvia) Delano Wife of Claude M. Chandler |
![]() Son of Claude and Lucy Delano Chandler | |
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![]() Son of David and Martha Delano. | |
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![]() Son of David and Martha Delano. Married Annie Rogerson, 1891. He was a carpenter. | |
![]() Grace Marie (or Marion) Delano, born April 22, 1881,in Duxbury, MA, to Otis and Elizabeth Frances Osborn Delano. She married Percy Lewis Walker (1874–1958) on September 29, 1909, in Duxbury, MA. She was a school teacher in Wilmington, Vermont, in 1900. They had four children: Donald D., Kenneth M., Percy Lewis Jr., and Unknown. Grace died December 3, 1968 and is buried in Duxbury, MA. Students in the class: Seward and Cora Brown are siblings of Harold Foster Brown. |