The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-12
An Aged III erOine,

death Of Sarah Benjamin, at Mount Pleas.
ant, "a, at the age of l ii years. She was
born in Goshen, New York. When she
was child of seven or eight years her fa-
theremigrated toPennsylvania. to Here upon
The outposts OF civilization she spent her
youth, amid the dangers and adventures Of
border life: she developed an active. fear.
less, and indomtable mind. This cast of
mind combined with great cheerfulness ar
good share of wit, she retained to the
closing years Of her long life.' When q
girl OF twelve years, she was sent. about
sunset, to do an errand; she had proceeded
but few steps from the door, when abe
called to her motLer that fox was coming
out OF the swamp. The mother knowin,r
no fear, ordered the child to 90
l3nt the fox proved tn bo q panther As
she came up she sprang upon the COW hoyc
ana the ferocinus animal selzcd the dop
that had accompanied her. But the mother
hearing the cries of her favorite dog in the
Jaws OF the panther, caught small axe
ana quick as thought buried It's blade in the
brains of the animal. AS the report of this
fearless exploit was noised abroad, it stag
gered the faith of even the oldest hunters
OF the nelghborhood. Her youth was spent
amid the dangers OF wild beasts and hos.
Tie Indians. She could recollcct the de-
feat OF General Braddock, in 1865, through
the excitement which grew out of 1t.
On the opening of tho Revolution she
entered very deeply into its spirit. She
took great pleasure in seeing her husband
engaged in fighting the battles of her coun.
try.
During the latter part of the war. she
accompanied him in the army. During
their marches she made herself very useful
in preparing food, and when not thus en-
gagged, in sewing for the officers and men.
She never quailed before the face of man.
Her resolute and indomilable spirit rose
above all rank and authority. She could
have faced the King upon hls throne in be
nall OF her country, and with the utmost
Liberation demanded her rights Itseems
that General Washington knew and appre
ciated her. She thot him ycry good
man and a brave commander. Still che
thought ho was sometimes too lcnicnt in
the administration of Justice. She was
with her husband in the army when at
Kingsbridgc on the Hudson. They wore
loading some heavy artillery ostcnsibly to
attack New York then in the hands of the
English, and 1t being necessary to do it in
the night, sentries were placed around lest
they should be taken by surpri G. Her
husband having been placed as a sentinel,
she took his place with ovcrcoat and gun,
That he might assist the men in loading the
artillery. 1t was long before General
Washington, with q due caution for a safe.
ty OF his troops, came found to examine
the outposis, and seeing something in one
or his sentinels little unusual he advanc.
ed TO her and said, "Who placed uou
hele" She promptly replied, with loud
voice, in her own peculiar manner "Thcm
that had right to-, SIR" lie, apparently
recognizing her independent and patriotic
spirit, passed on.
She had accompanied the army with her
husband TO the South, and was present at
the siege Of Yorktown and surrender TO
Lord Cornwallis. During the battle she
made herself useful in carrying water to
tho thirsty and relieving the wants of the
suffering. Passing where the bullets OF
the enemy wore flying, she met Con. Wash
lngton, who said to her "YOung Woman,
arc you not afraid of the bulets2" She
quantity and pleasantly replied, "rhe bull
lets Will never cheat tho gaIlows."
She returned from Yorktown and after
wards settled in Mount Pleasant with her
third husband, in 1882. There IS now liv.
ing there her great. great grand child, de-
scendant of her youngest daughter. Thcsc
generations, III all, five were present at her
funeral