Some Descendants of Benjamin Vining and Mehitabel Brooks

Bill’s Family: Ancestors of Eldora Beahm
These pages are a compilation of my work and that of others. You are welcome to use anything on this page, but be aware that although I have been as careful and accurate as possible, I am not a professional genealogist. I have been working on our genealogy for over 25 years, and started the website in 2005. Some of the lines I have researched myself; some, especially on Rita’s side, we inherited the research of other family members over the past 75 years. Still, the majority of these pages are limited to compilations from published books and what I could find on the internet. The target audience was and remains our family, so the family pages are limited to our own ancestors. I have set it up so that each page is one set of ancestors, with their descendants. For the most part I have limited my scope to their great-grandchildren (second cousins to us); in some cases I list sources which may continue further.		HOME
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Benjamin Vining and Mehitabel Brooks

Note on Maine places: I usually call it Maine to keep things simple; it was actually part of Massachusetts until 1820.

480. Benjamin Vining {a,b,c,d,e,f} was born 16 Nov 1738 in Reading (Middlesex) Massachusetts, and died 12 Aug 1812 in Durham (Cumberland) Maine (Massachusetts at that time). He is a son of Thomas Vining [960] and Hannah Randall [961]. Benjamin married three times. Our ancestry comes from his first marriage, 22 Oct 1761 in Abington (Plymouth) Massachusetts,

481. Mehitabel Brooks {a,b}. Mehitabel was born 22 Feb 1740/41 in Abington (Plymouth) Massachusetts, and died 9 Apr 1774 in Falmouth (Cumberland) Maine (Massachusetts at that time). She is a daughter of Taylor Brooks [962] and Miriam Curtis [963].

Benjamin and Mehitabel both grew up in Massachusetts. Benjamin was apprenticed to Samuel Jackson at Abington, Massachusetts on his 17th birthday. We don’t know what he was supposed to be learning. This was at the start of the French and Indian War, in which Benjamin’s older brother was killed.
They lived in Plymouth County for a short time after they were married, but about 1763 moved to Falmouth, Maine, near Casco Bay. Maine was part of Massachusetts at that time. They were Congregational, and were farmers. Benjamin also served as a Deacon and Justice of the Peace. It is for this civil service during the Revolution that he is listed in the DAR registers.
Mehitabel died in April 1774, and their youngest daughter died a month later.
The Revolutionary War started in 1775. In October of that year a British naval force attacked and burned Falmouth town to the ground. Benjamin moved north to Royalsborough, later renamed Durham, in Cumberland County. His oldest son left to fight in the war, we don’t have any dates or unit.

Benjamin married second, 1776 in Royalsborough/Durham (Cumberland) Maine, Lydia Turner. Lydia was born sometime around 1740, and died around 1787 in Maine. Benjamin and Lydia had five more children.
Benjamin married third, 1789 in Maine, Bathsheba Davis. In that same year, the town of Royalsborough was incorporated and changed its name to Durham. Benjamin and Bathsheba had no children.

480.2. Benjamin Vining Jr. [240] (1764 ME - 1833 ME) and Sarah Ring are direct ancestors, separate page.

480.4. Lucinda Vining {a} was born 11 Mar 1769 in Falmouth (Cumberland) Maine, and died in 1812. She married 17 Mar 1789, Thomas Mitchell.

480.5. Hannah Vining {a} was born 10 Jun 1771 in Falmouth (Cumberland) Maine, and died 3 May 1774 in Cumberland Co, Maine, age three.

480.6. Mehitabel Vining {a} was born 17 Feb 1778 in Royalsborough/Durham (Cumberland) Maine, and died in 1812. She married 1792, Henry McKenney.

480.7. Sarah Vining {a} was born 22 Dec 1779 in Royalsborough/Durham (Cumberland) Maine, and died 25 Feb 1863. She married 9 Nov 1797, Jonathan Stout.

480.8. Reuben Vining {a} was born 2 May 1782 in Royalsborough/Durham (Cumberland) Maine, and died at 8 months, 21 Jan 1783 in Royalsborough.

480.10. Abigail Vining {a} was born 9 Jul 1786 in Royalsborough/Durham (Cumberland) Maine, and died in 1863. She married 3 Mar 1803, Daniel Jordan. After Daniel died, Abigail married ___ Titcomb.

480.1. John Vining {a} was born 5 Sep 1762 in Abington (Plymouth) Massachusetts, and died 27 Oct 1837 in Durham (Cumberland) Maine. He married on 30 Nov 1786, Mary Goodwin.
John served in the Revolutionary War, but we don’t have any information as to dates or what unit he was in.
John and Mary had twelve children (first cousins to us):

480.1.1. Susanna Vining {a} was born 24 Aug 1787 in Maine. She married first, 21 Apr 1811, Samuel Tracy. Samuel was born sometime around 1785, and died probably around 1817. Susanna married second, 24 Dec 1818, James Newell.

480.1.2. John Vining {a} was born 27 Apr 1789 in Maine, and died 24 Mar 1791 in Maine, age 2.

480.1.3. Molly Vining {a} was born 20 Apr 1791 in Maine, and died 7 Oct 1793 in Maine, age 2.

480.1.4. Benjamin Vining {a} was born 23 Aug 1793 in Maine, and died 12 Feb 1870. He married first, 17 Apr 1819, Hannah Merrill. Hannah was born sometime around 1795, and died in 1855. Benjamin married second, in 1856, Mrs. Rhoda (Barnes), maiden name unknown. They had no children.
Benjamin and first wife Hannah had one child that we know of, there were probably others (second cousin to us):

480.1.4.1. John Vining {a} was born 1825 in Maine, and died 1826 in Maine, about 1 year old.

480.1.5. Samuel Vining {a} was born 26 May 1795 in Maine, and died 26 Jul 1842. He married 3 Apr 1825, Polly Smith.
Samuel and Polly had three children (second cousins to us):

480.1.6. John Vining {a} was born 27 Jul 1798 in Maine, and died Feb 1838, lost at sea. He married in Brunswick (Cumberland) Maine, Martha S. Ross. John was a fisherman.
John and Martha had three children (second cousins to us):

480.1.7. Reuben Vining {a} was born 20 Jul 1799 in Maine, and died 6 Aug 1857 in Durham (Cumberland) Maine. He married in Brunswick (Cumberland) Maine, Mercy Lunt.
Reuben and Mercy had five children (second cousins to us):

480.1.8. David Vining {a} was born 8 Apr 1801 (twin to Jonathan) in Maine, and died Sep 1869. He married Jun 1833, Betsy Smith.
David and Betsy had four children (second cousins to us):

480.1.9. Jonathan Vining {a} was born 8 Apr 1801 (twin to David) in Maine, and died 20 Dec 1820.

480.1.11. Ammi Vining {a} was born 4 Sep 1806 in Maine, and died 1 May 1868. He married 3 Jun 1832, Susannah Garrish.
Ammi and Susannah had seven children (second cousins to us):

480.1.11.3. Laura Vining {a} was born in 1839 (twin to Matilde), and died in 1891.

480.3. Bela Vining {a} was born 12 Nov 1766 in Falmouth (Cumberland) Maine, and died 17 Feb 1846. He married 15 Jul 1790, Thankful Millbanks.
Bela and Thankful had nine children (first cousins to us):

480.3.1. William Vining {a} was born 20 Jul 1791 in Maine, and died 26 Dec 1863. He married Nancy Ragoon. Nancy was born in St. Stephen (New Brunswick) Canada.
William and Nancy had nine children (second cousins to us):

480.3.1.1. Mary J. Vining {a} was born 25 Nov 1818 in Durham (Cumberland) Maine.

480.3.1.2. Caroline Vining {a} was born 17 Nov 1820 in Durham (Cumberland) Maine.

480.3.1.3. Elizabeth A. Vining {a} was born 4 Dec 1824 in Durham (Cumberland) Maine.

480.3.1.5. Bela Vining {a} was born 18 Jun 1828 in Durham (Cumberland) Maine. He married Jane C. ___.

480.3.1.6. James E. Vining {a} was born 27 Jan 1830 in Durham (Cumberland) Maine, and died 20 Apr 1849 in Durham.

480.3.1.7. Frances A. (Fannie) Vining {a} was born 14 Apr 1832 in Durham (Cumberland) Maine.

480.3.1.8. Sarah D. Vining {a} was born 12 May 1839 in Durham (Cumberland) Maine, and died 14 May 1840 in Durham, age 1.

480.3.2. Hannah Vining {a} was born 19 Mar 1793 in Maine, and died 15 Mar 1862 in Massachusetts or New Hampshire. She married 5 Mar 1815 in Harmony (Somerset) Maine, Asa Dyer.

480.3.3. Ammi Vining {a} was born 3 Apr 1795 in Durham (Androscoggin) Maine. He married 21 Sep 1817 in Portland (Cumberland) Maine, Betsey Strout. Betsey was born 26 Jul 1798, and died 8 Feb 1892.
Ammi and Betsey had five children (second cousins to us):

480.3.3.1. Harriet S. Vining {a} was born 20 Jan 1822 in Portland (Cumberland) Maine. She married Jun 1841, Anthony B. Crockett.

480.3.3.2. Harrison S. Vining {a} was born 4 Nov 1824 in Portland (Cumberland) Maine. He married Lucy I. Simonton. Lucy was born 13 Mar 1824 in Maine.

480.3.3.3. Sarah Vining {a} was born 21 Jan 1827 in Portland (Cumberland) Maine. She married in 1846, Thomas G. Young.

480.3.3.4. Betsey S. Vining {a} was born 3 May 1830 in Portland (Cumberland) Maine. She married in 1860, Harrison G. Soule.

480.3.3.5. Mary Angelia Vining {a} was born 23 May 1832 in Portland (Cumberland) Maine. She married in 1858, Joseph C. Witham.

480.3.4. Lucy Vining {a} was born 6 May 1798 in Maine. She married 30 Nov 1820, John Newell Jr.

480.3.5. Bela Vining {a} was born 3 Apr 1800 in Maine, and died 19 Aug 1821 in Havana, Cuba.

480.3.7. Sarah Vining {a} was born 17 Oct 1805 in Maine. She married 13 oct 1826, Joseph Davis.

480.3.8. Sewall Vining {a} was born 29 Jan 1808 in Maine. He married first, 1831 in Maine, Hephzibah Blanchard. Hephzibah was born about 1804, and died 17 Sep 1849 in Durham (Androscoggin) Maine. Sewall married second, sometime after 1849, a Mrs. Randall, first name and maiden name unknown. There were no children from the second marriage.
Sewall and Hephzibah had five children (second cousins to us):

480.3.8.2. William H. L. Vining {a} was born Apr 1837 in Maine, and died 20 Mar 1849 in Durham (Androscoggin) Maine, age 12.

480.3.8.3. Edward Orville Vining {a} was born about 1842 in Maine, and died about 1863. Edward served in the Civil War (died).

480.3.8.4. Henry Sewall Vining {a} was born 19 May 1843 in Maine, and died 23 Dec 1890.

480.3.9. Mary Millbanks Vining {a} was born 4 May 1810 in Maine. She married 14 Oct 1832, William Blanchard.

480.9. Josiah Vining {a} was born 15 May 1784 in Royalsborough/Durham (Androscoggin) Maine, and died 14 Feb 1851. He married 24 May 1807 in Maine, Esther Clough.
Josiah and Esther had eleven children (first cousins to us):

480.9.1. Israel Vining {a} was born 11 Mar 1808 in Maine, and died 20 Jun 1860. He married first, in 1836, Rebecca Norton. They had no children; Rebecca died in 1837, probably in childbirth.
Israel married second, about 1810, Joan Bigelow. Joan was the widow of ___ Haws.
Israel and Joan had six children (second cousins to us):

480.9.1.1. Nathaniel Haws Vining {a} was born 13 Jul 1839, and died 4 Mar 1899. He married 23 Sep 1864, Annie L. Stone.

480.9.1.2. James Seldon Vining {a} was born 17 Sep 1843, and died in 1846, age 3.

480.9.1.3. Henry Clay Vining {a} was born 23 Feb 1846. He married about 1870 in Fairfield (Somerset) Maine, Villa A. Amos.

480.9.1.4. George Washington Vining {a} was born 21 Feb 1848. He married 16 Mar 1878, Mary Edna Lucas, daughter of Henry A. Lucas and Mary ___. Mary Edna was born about 1860.

480.9.2. Jeremiah Vining {a} was born 11 Nov 1809 in Maine, and died in 1890 in Wadsworth (Washoe) Nevada. He married Susan Neal Buffham.
Jeremiah and Susan had five children (second cousins to us):

480.9.2.1. Maria Augusta Vining {a} was born in 1837 in Maine. She married ___ Preston.

480.9.2.3. Albion Vining {a} was born May 1848 in Maine, and died at 4 months, 25 Sep 1848 in China (Kennebec) Maine.

480.9.2.4. Charles Vining {a} was born in 1849 in Maine, and died Jun 1849 in China (Kennebec) Maine.

480.9.3. Sarah C. Vining {a} was born 25 Dec 1811 in Maine, and died 1889 in St. Albans (Somerset), Maine. She married 28 Mar 1839 in Maine, Hiram Haws.
Sarah and Hiram had five children (second cousins to us):

480.9.3.4. Charles Haws {a} was born sometime in the 1840’s to early 1850’s in Maine.

480.9.3.5. Sarah Haws {a} was born sometime in the 1840’s to early 1850’s in Maine.

480.9.5. Jacob Herrick Vining {a} was born 20 Nov 1815 in West Gardiner (Kennebec) Maine, and died 1893 in Richmond (Wayne) Indiana. Jacob married first, Lucy W. Dillingham. Jacob married second, Catherine ___. Jacob was a preacher, a barber, and a banker in La Porte (La Porte) Indiana.
Jacob had three children (second cousins to us). We don’t know when Lucy died, or when he married Catherine, so don’t know which is the mother:

480.9.5.1. William Vining {a} was born sometime around 1840, and died in Fall River (Bristol) Massachusetts.

480.9.5.2. Alice A. Vining {a} was born 2 Mar 1846 in Bristol Co, Massachusetts. She married 11 Aug 1886 in La Porte (La Porte) Indiana, Stephen Coffin Mendenhall.

480.9.5.3. May Louise Vining {a} was born in 1854, and died 1889 in Richmond (Wayne) Indiana.

480.9.8. Josiah Vining {a} was born 22 Sep 1822 in Maine, and died 1842 in Amesbury (Essex) Massachusetts.

480.9.9. Ruth Curtis Vining {a} was born 12 Dec 1824 in Maine. She married Nov 1849, Ephraim M. Huntington.
Ruth and Ephraim had two children (second cousins to us):

480.9.10. John Warren Vining {a} was born 27 May 1827 in Maine, and died 18 Jul 1838 in St. Albans (Somerset) Maine.

480.9.11. William Francis Vining {a} was born 22 Feb 1831 in St. Albans (Somerset) Maine.

a. “The Vining Family”; Dorothea Vining Barnes; Beacon Herald, 1980
b. “Early Massachusetts Marriages”; F.W. Bailey; 1968, Balt. Geneal. Pub.
c. DAR Registers
d. Census, 1790 Massachusetts
e. Census, 1800 Massachusetts
f. Census, 1810 Massachusetts

Bill’s Family: Ancestors of Eldora Beahm

Benjamin Vining and Mehitabel Brooks