Benjamin⁵ Carman (Benjamin⁴, Caleb³, John², John¹) was born 23 January 1713/14 in Hempstead, Queens, New York, and died there 16 October 1795. He is buried in the St George's Church Cemetery in Hempstead. He married in June 1740 at St George's Church, Mary Bedell, born June 1710 in Hempstead, daughter of Richard Bedell and his wife Phoebe.

"He was overseer of the highways of Hempstead in 1753 (HTR 4:164) an a fence viewer 1755 thru 1761 (HTR :218, 240, 252, 274, 300, 326, 340). In 1755 he was listed as a slaveholder (DHNY 3:861). He was probably the Tory of that name in 1775 (REV.PAP.1:183). He was very probably the Benjamin Carman whose estate was assessed for 400 pounds in 1784 (Hemp. Tax Lists, p.1-Ms. in LIHS)." - "John-1 Carman of Hempstead, Long Island and Some of his Descendants Thru His Son John-2", Henry Alanson Tredwell, Jr, August 1946.

The family of Benjamin Carman is example of the impact the Revolution had on Long Island. Benjamin Carman himself was probably a loyalist. He is buried at St George's Church in Hempstead. His children:

Samuel Carman probably served in the Revolutionary Army as a private, as there is a record of Samuel Carman in a Westchester Regiment (but which gives no detailed information about him). Throughout the war Long Island was in actual possession of the British Army. No local companies could be raised there, and young patriots were obliged to enlist elsewhere. Samuel Carman's title of Colonel came to him in later years: but doubtless his military spirit and disposition had their origin in his experiences during the Revolutionary War.

Stephen Carman served in the New York State Legislature of Queens County for upwards of 30 years.

Richard Carman went to St. John, New Brunswick, Canada at the peace, and was a grantee of that city. Several persons of the name of Carman, of Queen's County, New York, acknowledged allegiance to Lord Richard and Sir William Howe in 1776. Richard was given 20 pounds in the will of his Grandfather, Richard Bedell, for being "his namesake" (the Bedell family being a well known loyalist family).

Elizabeth Carman married Joseph Clowes. Joseph Clowes was the only one of his siblings that was not a loyalist and did not depart for Canada.

Children of Benjamin and Mary (Bedell) Carman:

07/11/2007