Benjamin (George, John, Johannes), son of George and Ruth (Wooster) Outman, was born in Ripton, Connecticut, in 1755 (per gravestone at Adams Center, Jefferson County, New York). He was christened at St. Paul's Church, Ripton Parish, Fairfield County, Connecticut, and died in Adams Center on 1 March 1816. He married Bethia Smith, who was born ca 1755 and died 28 February 1848. They are both buried at State Road Cemetery (formerly Honeyville Cemetery), Adams Center, Jefferson County, New York. (View Benjamin's grave marker here)
At the age of nine or ten, Benjamin removed to Arlington with his father; he later served during the War of the American Revolution, where he was listed as a Freedom Fighter. Part of this service is recorded in Vermont Revolutionary Rolls as follows:
"A Pay Roll in Capt. Jonas Galusha's Company in Col. Herrick's Regt. for service done in the alarm in Oct., 1780.
[Private] Benj, Oatman, 8 days in service, 55 miles traveled, Total 1 [L], 9 [s], 0 [d]."
That he possibly had further service is indicated by the fact that his gravestone is marked "Captain" Benjamin Oatman.
After the war, the family settled in Hartford, Washington County, New York, and later removed to Adams Center in Jefferson County, where he was a farmer. Bethia was apparently living with her son Elias when the 1840 census of Adams was taken.
Children of Benjamin and Bethia (Smith) Oatman:
90 Benjamin, b. 1776, Oxford, CT; d. 18 Mar 1825; m. Lodice (Sadie) Wilson
91 Sarah
92 Asahel, b. 8 Feb 1784; d. 1 Dec 1856; m. Sarah Parker ca 1804
93 Darius, b. 14 Feb 1787; d. 27 May 1873; m. Jerushia________, ca 1820
94 Oscar, b. ca 1781?
95 George, m. Elizabeth Window
96 David
97 Truman, b. 1787; d. 20 Mar 1843; m. Orra Perry
98 Elijah, b. ca 29 Aug 1778; d. 29 Jan 1860; m. 1) (poss.) Polly Horth; 2) Lydia Richards
99 Elias, b. 9 Oct 1799; d. 26 Feb 1884; m. Eliza Bunce
100 Richard, b. 1807; d. 8 Feb 1891; m. Mary "Polly" Havens
While earlier reports placed Richard with this family, Richard was listed on the "Register of Deaths of the Town of Adams, New York" as the son of Isaac Oatman of Connecticut and Polly _____ of Connecticut, and he has been placed with that family and given the number 270.
Sources
Family records supplied by Mr. B.D. Smith of Springford, ON
Various family records
Register of Deaths of the Town of Adams, NY
Family records of Helen B. McDonald, Alexandria Bay, NY
1790 census, Adams Center, Jefferson County, NY
1810 census, Adams, Jefferson County, NY
DAR Application # 692049
National Archives Military records
"The State of Vermont, Rolls of the Soldiers in the Revolutionary War 1775 to 1783" [1904]
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