Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-05-20
A Revolutionary Heroine.

In our last paper, we noticed the recent
death of Mrs. Sarah Benjamin, at the
great age of Ia years. She was born in
Goshen N. Y, and died in Wayne Co.,
Pa. Her first husband, VIM. Reed. was
killed in battle in the early part of the
Revolution. Her second husband was
named Aaron Osborne, who was also a
Revolutionary soldier and survived the
war. Her third and last husband, John
Benjamin, died in 1926. Mrs. B. had
five children the youngest of whom is
over 70 years old. The Honesdale Dem
ocrat, gives the following interesting
sketch Of this remarkable woman:
From her youth until past forty years
of age, she was in the midst of the rough
and stirring scene of border warfare or
of the Revolutionary struggle. Her tenn
permanent was such that she could not be
an idle spectator Of such events. She
entered very deeply in all these vicissi-
tudes. Up to the latest period of her
life she distinctly recolected the family
Of Mr.. B~roadhead, whose sons in 1855,
boldly resisted a party of 200 Indians,
making a fort Of their house. She was
in. the vicinity Of Minisink when Brant
the Indian chief, led a party of Indians
and Tories through that settlement, scalp
ing the inhabitants and burning the hou
SEES. After her second marriage, she &C
companied der husband in the army
During marches she made herself usefu.
in preparing food, and when in quarters
engaged in sewing for the officers anc
men. She vas however, ready for any
service which circumstances seemed tt
require. When the army was engaged il
embarking some heavy ordinance a.
Kingsbridge, on the Hudson, ostensibly
to. attack New York, then in the hands O.
the enemy, it was necessary to do it in
the night, and to place s~entries around
lest they should be observed or taken by
surprise. Her husband having beer
piacedsasa sentinel, SIP took his station
with overcoat and gun, that he nigh
help to load the heavy artillery. Soor
Washington anne round to examine the
eutposts, and detecting something unusu
al in her appearance, asked, "Whc
placed YOU here?" She promptly replied
in her characteristic way, "Them who
had a right to do so, SIR" He apparent
ly pleased with her Independent and pa
triot spirit, passed on. She accompanied
the army with her husband to the South
and was present at the seige of yorktown
and the surrender of CORVALLIS. During
the battle she was busy in carrying waite
to the thirsty, and relieving the wants O
the suffering. When passing where tn
bullets Of the enemy were flying, she me
Washington, who said, Young woman
are you not afraid of the bullets?" Oh
pleasantly answered, 1.-THE bullets vii
never cheat the gallows."
She possessed extraordinary energy
even in her extreme age, and would re
late the events of her early days with al
the ~vivacity of youth. Up to almost tn
period Of her death she exercised hersel
in carding and spinning. The inenes
and uniformity of her yarn was a wonde
and admiration. She visited her friend
on foot, making long walks, and when sh'
used a carriage. disdained to be helpet
to enter it.
Two or three years ago she remarked
that she had never been sick but once
She then sent for a physician, who lief
her some medicine. After he had gone
she not liking the smell Of it, threw tn
dirty stuff in the fire, and then had to pa,
for it.