BENJAMIN DOGGETT

(Benjamin; Rev. Benjamin)

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110 BENJAMIN DOGGETT, son of Benjamin and Betty Doggett; b. early 1690's, Lancaster Co., VA; d. bef. 1723, Lancaster Co., VA; m. abt. 1712, MARY (surname unknown).
Children (Doggett):

111	James				m.	Charity
					m.	Rebecca George
112	Benjamin			m.
The name "Benjamin" is shown here in italics because we have not seen any documentary evidence proving that Benjamin and Betty Doggett's oldest child was given that name. However, we believe that it is reasonable presumption.

It is clear that there was a son who predeceased his father Benjamin, who died in 1723. In Benjamin's will he refers to his grandson James Doggett and gives him one shilling "in full of all claims whatsoever." James is the first of a series of persons receiving one shilling, the others being named children of Benjamin and his first wife, Betty. This clearly indicates that James was the eldest son of a a predeceased son, not named in the will. Benjamin had six sons, and considering the naming customs of the times, it is almost unthinkable that none of the sons would be named after his father, and grandfather before him. Therefore we believe that a presumption that the Benjamin's eldest son was named for his father is most reasonable.

Benjamin died probably in his late 20's, and apparently left no will and no estate requiring probate, as no references to administration of his estate are found in county records.

The Lancaster County, Virginia, records do contain court orders pertaining to suits brought in 1727 and 1728 against Mary Doggett, widow of Benjamin's father Benjamin for division of the 150 acres of land devised to this father by the Rev. Benjamin Doggett in 1682. One court order, dated 13 Dec 1727, was in connection with a petition on behalf of Benjamin Doggett, and the other order, dated 10 Apr 1728, was in conection with a suit on behalf of James Doggett. These suits were unsuccessful, probably because the defendant was in possession of part of the property as the result of exercise of her dower rights to possession of one-third of the property during her lifetime. Both suits were brought by Mary Doggett, as "next friend" of the plaintiffs. As no formal guardianship was established for Benjamin or James, it is almost certain that this Mary Doggett was their mother, and widow of their father, whom we have called "Benjamin."

The one thing which is somewhat puzzling is why the two suits were brought a few months apart, and why the suit on Benjamin's behalf was brought first. However, as James was the child named in his grandfather's will, we have placed him as the elder of the two brothers.
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Updated 4/6/01