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- from "The Cuba Patriot", 29 Oct 1896(fultonhistory.com)
OBITUARY
William Anson Benjamin was born at Saratoga, N. Y., in 1809, and removed with his parents to Belfast, when seven years of age, the family settling on what is known as Tibbits Hill, in this town. He married Caroline Reese in 1843, and three children were born to them, only one son, Edmund, living to manhood. Soon after his marriage he removed to Belfast village, where he built a hotel on the site of the present home of Mrs. B. N. Snyder, which hotel he kept for several years. In the early days of the gold excitement he went to California, where he made some money, and returned to Belfast and engaged in mercantile business. He finally sold his interest in the store and became a salesman in New York city, which position he held until after the death of his wife in 1867. The later years of his life were spent in Bradford, Ill., with a sister, Mrs. Andrew Britton. He returned to Belfast in 1892, and after spending a year visiting relatives and friends, three years ago this fall he entered the Masonic Home in Utica, N.Y..being one of the first inmates of that institution. He had been a member of the Masonic order for over fifty years, having been one of the earliest members of the lodge in this place, and afterwards in the town of Friendship. He was a man of genial nature, and of sterling honesty and Integrity, and had many warm friends wherever be was known. He died suddenly of heart disease, Oct 19th, 1896. Funeral services were held at the Masonic Home, Wednesday, after which his remains were sent to Belfast for burial. Grand Master Daniels of the Friendship Lodge came here to meet the remains, with a number of Masons from that place, and took charge of the burial services. A huge number of Masons of this place accompanied them to the station, with several carriages containing relatives and friends. They went directly to the cemetery where the casket was opened. The elegant casket covered with lovely roses showed the fraternal love and thoughtful care of the Superintendent of the Home, and of those connected with that noble and benificent institution. The burial service of the Masonic ritual was very impressively rendered by Grand Master Daniels, after which the casket was consigned to the earth by the side of his wife and children. Mr. Benjamin was an uncle of Elias Benjamin of this place and a brother-in-law of Mrs. Christopher Jennings.
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1813 - 1896 (83 years)
Joseph Fitch Benjamin, b. 23 Dec 1775, Egremont, Berkshire, MA 